Shamrocks and Secrets (33 page)

Her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

“
Caleb was a year old when Velenci
’
s wife paid me a visit. She told me she knew all about me and my daughter. It was then I found out that I was one of many women Velenci had made promises of love to. His wife informed me that she had divorced Velenci and was with a man who treated her with dignity and respect.
”

She turned now to face me.
“
She was smart like you, Christi. She made the man pursue her, prove himself worthy of her. He
’
s a butcher in New Jersey. She has a huge house and she wants for nothing. You have the most powerful man in this city at your beck and call.
”

She slowly began to walk toward the door, stopping once she reached the table where her purse sat.
“
I did everything for that man and he treated me like nothing, he tossed me aside. After I heard that he was no longer married, I went to him, with our daughter. I just knew he would take me as his wife, but instead he told me he wanted nothing more than for me to just be one of his goomahs.
”

She then turned back toward me and I could see the shiny gun she had in her hand.

“
It was then I began to plan.
”
Her hand caressed the gun like a mother caressed a baby
’
s face.
“
I began to take money from Sherman
’
s accounts and sending it to bank accounts I set up under Velenci
’
s name so if they were ever discovered, he would be blamed. Of course, I had a part to play, too. Who would believe shallow, greedy, stupid, redneck-marrying Eileen capable of detailed planning and years of patience, being belittled and ridiculed as a social spectacle? No one, and that
’
s the beauty of all this.
”

“
My Mia has been denied all these years, but she
’
s also been patient. She knows her part in all of this as well. My precious girl is brilliant, just like her Mother. She
’
s going to run the Porchelli family now. It was always my plan to get Sophia and Anthony out of the way. Their stupidity just made it easier.

“
It was Mia
’
s idea to have Velenci attend the wedding you know. She told Caleb that she and Sophia were old friends, practically like family. Again, Sherman never questioned anything. Nice job, by the way. It was a beautiful wedding, and once I make sure my son marries properly, I
’
ll deliver the baby quilt to its rightful mother to use with my grandchildren.
”

My phone began to vibrate again.

“
Yes, you were just too pretty at the wedding for that sick bastard Anthony to resist and I encouraged him to pursue you. I even told him you and Patrick were fighting and that you had mentioned you found his eyes erotic. I honestly think he believed you would find him desirable, the poor nutcase.
”

“
I knew how Patrick would react with you gone. I knew he would do all the dirty work for me, including getting rid of those bastard children of Velenci
’
s before he took care of himself. Men are such basic, simple creatures. But Anthony took too long. I told him to move quicker, but he insisted he wanted to break you down first, make you want him completely. So, I took my opportunity and flew to Italy while he enjoyed his game, and this time, I called all the shots,
”
she said blowing on her pistol as if she had just fired it.

I wasn't certain I wanted her to tell me what she meant by that.

“
So you see, in the end I
’
ll have everything I want. Mia is the head of the Porchelli family now, and once I do some damage control, Caleb will take over here as soon as a few loose ends are tied up. I
’
ll finally take my place as the Mother to two of the most powerful people in this country and Europe.
”

She was serious. This had all been her plan.

“
Nora made it far too easy today and Makenna was all too eager to help me. Well, it did take a little promise of a large sum of money on my part, but not to worry as I plan to kill her as well.
”

I could feel my breathing becoming erratic as she stepped closer to me. God, please let Patrick get here quick.

“
The only thing I haven
’
t decided yet is, do I kill you first or do I let you watch everyone else die.
”

I could feel the tears rolling down my face, yet I was powerless to do anything about it.

“
Only one thing wrong with your little plan there, Eileen.
”
Nora stood in the doorway once again. Her hair was a mess and her shirt was twisted. Eileen
’
s face was one of shock and I wanted to scream for Nora to run, but again nothing would come out.
“
Your partner in crime downstairs can
’
t throw a right hook to save her ass.
”

I had always known Nora to be a graceful woman, she moved with a particular air about her. Not this time, though. She was a mother bear protecting her cub.

Eileen didn
’
t know how to react as Nora tackled her to the floor, smashing the lamp that had sat on the table that was now on its side. The motion caused the door to slam shut. The bodies of the two women had blurred into one as they fought for the gun in Eileen
’
s clenched hand.

“
Christi!
”
The sound of Patrick
’
s voice echoed from downstairs as Eileen and Nora continued to thrash around on the floor. I could hear the thunderous sound of feet, hitting the wooden steps and I questioned if all of Patrick
’
s men were on their way up the stairs.

The sound of a gunshot drowned out the sounds coming from the stairs and the thrashing of the women abruptly stopped.

Seconds later, Patrick and Shamus burst through the door, splinters flying as the frame gave way.

Eileen and Nora lay motionless, Nora currently pinned under Eileen. I couldn
’
t control the tears that ran down my face. This family wouldn
’
t survive without Nora.

I held my breath as Patrick crossed the room towards the two women, his gun pointed at the back of Eileen
’
s head. I watched as Nora
’
s hands began to move, struggling to get Eileen off of her.

Patrick moved quickly as he rolled Eileen
’
s body to the side. Nora lay on the floor, her shirt stained with bright red blood, her breathing heavy and her eyes closed. All eyes were on Nora as she blinked and slowly sat up, Patrick was quick to help her as he began to check her over. Eileen
’
s lifeless eyes were still open as she stared blankly at the ceiling.

Nora
’
s nose wrinkled as she looked at the dead woman
’
s body beside her,
“
You
’
d think someone would have told that awful woman that perfume has an expiration date.
”

O
nce the dust settled, Patrick took Thomas out into the hallway. Moments later, an ambulance arrived to take me back the hospital. My biggest fear was that the drug she had given me would have an adverse effect. Tonto came in while Patrick and Thomas were talking, and took my teacup in hand and sniffed it.

“
Troll killer,
”
he spoke with assurance.

“
Not to worry, Ms. O
’
Rourke, I
’
ve used that drug a number of times and although it seems potent, it wears off quickly.
”

Patrick and Thomas entered the room again; Patrick was at my side before I could even blink.

“
I saw the tapes, Love.
”

Tapes?

Thomas was quick to answer my questioning look.
“
Nora wants this to be a nursery, she had audio and video placed in the room for when the grandchildren are over.
”

If I could have laughed, I would have. Nora was always a step ahead of everyone.

My father was the next to enter the room, and as much as I loved and needed Patrick, I would always want my dad to comfort me. He looked to his right, the covered body of Eileen stopping him in his tracks.

His eyes then turned back to me,
“
Christi, you responsible for this?
”
When I lay there motionless and didn
’
t answer, he rushed past Patrick to get to me.

“
Sir, she was drugged by Eileen with troll killer, it
’
s an herbal concoction. We use it sometimes to get answers we need. It wears off pretty quickly, but I can give her an antidote,
”
Tonto informed.

Patrick took my hand in his,
“
Are we sure it
’
s troll killer?
”

Tonto nodded and then passes the teacup to Patrick. With a quick sniff, Patrick agreed.
“
Give her the antidote.
”

Tonto left the room and I heard a loud clatter of voices coming up the stairs moments later. Brandon entered first, followed by Muscles. Nora came in behind Muscles, her small frame nearly blocked by Muscles larger one. Her clothes were changed and her hair perfect. She crossed the room, shooing away Matthew and Thomas.

“
Let me see my lass.
”
Nora took my arm and began cleaning a spot on my skin in a circular motion, the smell of alcohol flooding my nose.
“
This will sting just a little, Lass.
”

Seconds later, I felt a slight sting which was followed by an overall warm feeling filling my body, much like the feeling I got from the original drug.

“
I still want her to be checked out,
”
Patrick
’
s sharp voice resonated.

“
Of course, Patrick,
”
Nora replied condescendingly.

The medication must have been working, as I could finally move my fingers.

“
Someone want to tell me exactly what happened here?
”
M
y father
’
s concerned voice questioned from across the room.

Nora took in a deep breath and then turned to face him.
“
It
’
s all my fault, Matthew.
”

Nora sounded so sad and broken. It wasn
’
t her fault, and as soon as I could talk, I was going to inform her of that very thing.

“
Makenna called early this morning in an absolute panic. She was recently given the Fitzpatrick christening. Mrs. Fitzpatrick wanted all of the programs in Gaelic. You know as well as I do that Makenna may be of Irish blood, but she never took the time to embrace it.
”

This wasn
’
t a surprise to me. Most of the Irish families that lived in the neighborhood embraced their heritage. You either got with the program or you were left behind.

“
Mrs. Fitzpatrick does so much for the women
’
s shelter over on Main that I couldn
’
t say no.
”
She lowered her head and began to rub her hands up and down her pant covered thighs.

“
Makenna walked in, thanking me profusely, not knowing I wasn
’
t doing this for her benefit,
”
her head shaking as she spoke.
“
I told her to have a seat in the sunroom and that I would make us a pot of tea.
”
Nora rose from her chair and began looking out the window into the garden, just as Eileen had done not long ago.

“
Had she stayed in the sunroom, her plan might have worked.
”
I was finally able to move my head, so I tried to clear my throat, but it was still silent.

“
She came into the kitchen, the look of confidence on her overly tanned face,
”
Nora sneered.
“
She raised the knife she
’
d smuggled in, like I had reason to be afraid of a knife,
”
Nora let out a huff; clearly she wasn
’
t afraid of the blade of a knife.

“
You
’
re very brave, Nora,
”
my father spoke.

Nora turned to face us once again,
“
Bravery has nothing to do with it.
”

Patrick and Thomas began to chuckle. Matthew looked between the three, frustrated he wasn
’
t in on the joke.

“
She had the balls to try and throw a punch when I knocked that pathetic pocket knife out of her hand.
”
I would have given anything to have seen that.

“
She forgot the one rule in engaging an enemy.
”
The men began to chuckle harder.
“
Never bring a knife to a gunfight.
”

Nora was clearly unscathed from her run in with Makenna. It was as if Makenna had forgotten to flush the toilet rather than pulled a knife on her.

“
Why would her plan have worked if she would
‘
ve stayed in the sunroom?
”
My father finally asked the question I wanted to know the answer to as well.

“
Because her favorite gun is in the kitchen. The sunroom only has a shotgun and Nora isn
’
t as good with a shotgun,
”
Thomas answered and a smile came across Nora
’
s face as she leaned into his side, nodding in agreement.

“
It
’
s a very nice nine millimeter with a silencer on it. Eileen never knew what was happening down here. Now, had I used the shotgun, she could
’
ve heard what happened, and killed my girl,
”
Nora said seriously.

And just like that, Nora became my hero.

The next day, I was once again sitting in the Malloy house. This time I was allowed, to get up long enough to set the table. Nora had insisted on having a big family dinner. I watched in awe as she scurried around the kitchen, as if doing the most graceful ballet dance. No matter how long I lived, I would never look that good in the kitchen.

Once everyone was seated and grace was said, the only noise you could hear was the clanking of forks against plates and an occasional moan of someone enjoying their food. While everyone else had plates of salad, I was forced to eat yet another bowl of ice cream.

Maggie had arrived late yesterday after the guys had cleaned up the two bodies. Had I not been here and seen all the blood everywhere, I would never have guessed there had been a gunfight. Even the front door had been re-hung and was absolutely perfect. Nora had insisted that Maggie and Angus be here for the family dinner as well.

“
Christi, I have only the programs left to put together and I thought we could do some this evening as long as you
’
re not too tired,
”
Maggie offered.

“
No, I
’
m more than willing to do a few. But first, Missy, I want to know what
’
s been going on with you.
”

The smile on Maggie
’
s face dropped and her head lowered. It was instant waterworks. Angus quickly took her hand and drew her into his side.

“
Oh, my, Maggie. Whatever is the matter?
”
Nora asked concerned.

I watched as Maggie
’
s body began to convulse with sobs. Poor Angus just continued to rub her back.

“
It
’
s my fault she
’
s so upset, Mrs. Malloy,
”
Angus
’
s voice was sad, regretful, and I wanted to go over and hug it all away.

Maggie took in a deep breath and wiped her eyes with her dinner napkin.
“
Since I was a wee little one, I
’
ve had my wedding planned out,
”
her voice was so small, not the usual strong person she was.

“
I made a promise that I
’
d save myself for my husband and give him all of me.
”
No one moved or tried to say anything as Maggie continued.
“
I love Angus with everything I have, but I
’
ll never be able to show him that love and give him all of me now.
”

I quickly turned to Patrick; I wanted to know why he wouldn
’
t let Angus marry Maggie.

“
Angus isn
’
t in the country legally,
”
Patrick
’
s husky voice filled the table, clarifying the situation for everyone.
“
He
’
s not able to apply for a legal marriage license here.
”

It was as if the angels from heaven above shouted it themselves as three female voices cried out at the exact same time.

“
Da, you have to fix this!
”
Amex slammed her tiny hand down on the table.

“
Who do you know, Thomas?
”
Allyson
’
s voice was not far behind.

“
Dad, call someone and do something!
”
I wasn
’
t about to be left out, either. Shannon also nodded vehemently in agreement.

Nora shook her head as she began to chuckle. We girls were all talking over one another, demanding that our fathers do something.

Poor Maggie sat gob-smacked in her chair.

Finally, Thomas raised both hands in surrender,
“
Fine, yes, I
’
ll make a call.
”

“
Right now, Da!
”
Amex shouted.

I turned to see Patrick
’
s face growing red, his eyes boring into mine.
“
What?
”
I questioned him.

“
What am I, Christi, chopped liver?
”

I was confused at his question and his anger.

“
Calm down, Son. These ladies know who can do certain things and who they need to call on,
”
Thomas said in defense.

“
Oh, so only you can forge some documents?
”
Patrick
’
s voice was tight and clipped, his anger now spilling over in his words.

“
No, I could forge them just as easily as you could, or I can call Governor Stamford to play some golf and then have him sign an executive order so everything
’
s aboveboard.
”

I watched as Patrick hung his head and began to chuckle.
“
Touch
é
, Da, touch
é.
”

Muscles was sitting back in his chair shaking his head, his look was of disbelief.

“
What has your crow, Muscles?
”
Thomas questioned.