Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Gary picked up his folder, then checked his notepad was in his pocket.
“Breathe, sweetheart,” Dan said in a whisper.
He let out a wry chuckle. “That obvious, huh?”
“I was in the bed next to you last night, remember? You didn’t sleep well.”
Gary bit his lip. “I don’t know why. I mean, so what if I’m about to interview the head of Boston’s largest crime family? Especially one who’s brought his lawyer with him. That doesn’t bode well.”
“You said it yourself. They were Boston’s largest crime family once, but maybe not anymore. Now if you were interviewing Paul DiFanetti, then yes, I’d be worried. That man is….” Dan shivered.
There was a knock at the door, and Travers walked in, his eyes gleaming.
“I know I said you still had work to do on this case, but Jesus, Gary. You just caused a commotion downstairs.”
Gary flashed Dan a smile. “I guess our interviewee has arrived.”
“Have you arrested Bruno DiFanetti?” Travers demanded.
“Right now he’s helping us with our inquiries. We’ll see what the state of play is when we get through with him.”
“When I suggested you start with this case, I had no idea it would lead to Senator William Cain confessing to manslaughter. When did he make bail?”
“This morning.” Gary held up the folder. “And Bruno is here to add a few more details.”
Travers glanced at Dan. “You’ll be in on the interview too, right?”
“You bet he will.” Gary gazed at Dan, his chest bursting with pride. “He’s provided us with some considerable leads so far.”
Travers smiled. “Sounds as if I was right to put you two together. You make quite a team.” He cleared his throat, then gave Gary a mock glare. “So what are you waiting for? Go interview Mr. DiFanetti.”
They followed Travers out into the hallway and headed for the interview rooms. On the way they passed officers and detectives who patted Gary’s back and shoulders, murmuring noises of approval. Will Freeman met them outside Interview Room One.
“I’ll say this about you two.” He grinned. “You’ve got balls.”
Gary rolled his eyes. “He’s just a businessman who’s going to answer a few questions.”
Will snorted. “Yeah, right, and I’m the Easter Bunny.”
Gary gave a wave of his hand, then pushed the door open. Dan followed him inside.
Bruno DiFanetti sat at the table, wearing an immaculate dark blue suit. His receding white hair and beard spoke to his seventy-seven years, making him look like a kindly grandfather.
His cool gray eyes, however, belied that impression. Eyes that were fixed on Gary and Dan.
Eyes that indicated intelligence.
Next to him sat a man who was roughly the same age, also dressed in a smart suit, a large notepad in front of him.
Gary took a seat. “Thank you for agreeing to come in today.” He glanced at the lawyer. “I’m Detective Gary Mitchell, and this is Dan Porter, who’s working with me on this case.”
The man handed over a business card. “Luke Martin. I’ve been Mr. DiFanetti’s attorney for more than forty years.”
Dan frowned. “I thought we’d met the family lawyer—Mr. Stillwater?”
Mr. Martin coughed. “He works for Paul DiFanetti. But he does not speak for the family.”
Bruno said nothing. He was too busy staring at Dan.
“Is there a problem?” Gary inquired.
“I saw the reports in the media on the Ludlow case.” Bruno’s brow furrowed. “This is the psychic who helped catch him.”
“That’s correct,” Dan said with a smile.
Bruno’s frown deepened. “Then what are you doing here? You’re not a cop.”
“I’m now working for Boston PD, specifically on cold cases.”
“And starting with the case of Cheryl Somers,” Gary added.
Bruno gave a dismissive wave. “Yeah, you said as much on the phone. I’ve gotta say, I’m curious. How does this concern me?” Another gaze flickered in Dan’s direction.
Gary saw no reason to delay the conversation. “Mr. DiFanetti, you’re here to provide a few missing details related to our case. But this is where I should point out that we know everything: the Rembrandt, your hold over Senator Cain, you and your son coming to the senator’s aid that night—”
“Whoa there.” Bruno held up his hand. “What makes you think you know everything?”
“We interviewed Senator Cain yesterday. He went through the events of August twenty-eighth, 1992.” Gary deliberately kept things vague.
Bruno picked a piece of lint from his jacket and dropped it onto the floor. “Good for him.”
“He told us how Cheryl discovered the Rembrandt, their quarrel, their struggle, and her fall.” Gary opened the folder.
“Then he says he called you. He told us how you came to the house with your son, how you took Cheryl away to get medical attention, and how she subsequently died from her injuries before she could get that help. So you see, we know the whole story.”
Hook baited. Now all Bruno had to do was take it.
Bruno folded his arms.
“A story that begins with the painting you stole,” Dan said in a firm voice.
“Okay, stop right there.” Bruno held up a finger. “Point number one. I didn’t steal it, so don’t go around saying stuff like that unless you want me to sue your ass.”
“But you do know who stole it,” Gary countered. “And you used it to your advantage.”
Bruno said nothing. He stared at the tabletop, his arms refolded.
“Don’t you think it’s time for the truth to come out?” Dan suggested.
Finally Bruno raised his chin and heaved a heavy sigh. “Yes, I do think it’s time. Maybe that’s the real reason I chose to accept your kind invitation to an interview. That and the fact I was curious to discover how much you knew.”
“The real reason we invited you was because we knew we didn’t have all the answers.” Gary gave him a frank stare. “Okay, we don’t have a lot of the answers. And we need your help.”
Bruno met his stare. “You know, I thought I was dealing with a stupid detective, but you’re not, are you? In fact you’re pretty astute.”
Gary smiled. “I’ve learned never to jump to conclusions.”
Bruno leaned back. “What do you want to know?”
“Let’s start with the Rembrandt.” Gary leaned forward. “Who stole it?”
“Before I get to that part, there’s something I have to say.” Bruno gestured to Mr. Martin. “I’ve asked Luke along today for two reasons. Only an idiot talks to the police without a lawyer present. And….” He hesitated.
Gary’s scalp prickled, and he had no clue why.
Mr. Martin laid his hand on Bruno’s arm.
“I’ll handle this part.” He met Gary’s gaze.
“My client is willing to answer your questions, and of course, whatever he tells you will need to be verified. But in doing so, my client will be placing himself in danger. As such, he will require protection until such time as… you have apprehended the perpetrator.”
Gary blinked. “Witness protection?”
Bruno’s eyes widened. “Hey, if I’m going to give up all this information, then I have to know you’re going to take care of me. I think the least you can do is offer me witness protection.”
Goose bumps broke out on Gary’s arms. “What you have to tell us is that explosive?”
Bruno took a deep breath. “I’d be willing to bet you know nothing of what I’m going to tell you. We’re talking about more than Cheryl’s death, okay?”
Gary folded his arms. “I can’t see Senator Cain coming after you, threatening you.” He didn’t think the senator had that in him.
Bruno arched his eyebrows. “Who says I’m talking about the senator?”
That stopped Gary in his tracks.
“Well?” Bruno locked gazes with him. “Do we have a deal?”
“I’d need to check with the DA, but if your information is as damning as you claim, then I can’t see any reason why he couldn’t offer you witness protection.”
“Not good enough.” Bruno leaned forward. “I’m not leaving this precinct until I know you’re going to protect me. That means when we’re done, you take me someplace where there’s a cop within a few feet of my door.”
Gary got out his phone and called Travers. He recounted the conversation so far and Bruno’s demands. “Can we protect him?”
“I’ll go see the chief right now, and he’ll get onto the DA. Tell Bruno we’ll do it.” There was a pause. “This sounds way bigger than a skeleton in a tunnel.”
Gary had a feeling he was correct.
“Thanks.” He hung up, replaced his phone in his pocket, then clasped his hands on the table. “We have a deal.”
Bruno glanced at Mr. Martin, who nodded. “You asked who stole the Rembrandt.” Bruno took a deep breath. “That would be my son, Gianni.”
Dan blinked. “How old was he in 1990? He had to have been in his twenties.”
“Twenty-five years old, and yet he masterminded the theft of millions of dollars of art.” Bruno pursed his lips.
“Not that this was my first indication of what he was capable of. But yeah, Gianni stole it—and all the rest of the stuff from the museum—and I saw an opportunity. William Cain had political aspirations. No shocker there. It runs in the blood, I guess. But I knew I could get him into the senate, even at his age, and use him for good. And once I read up on his family and learned about that collection of his?” He smiled.
“That’s when I knew the Rembrandt was my lever. ”
Gary nodded. “And when he killed Cheryl—well, when he was responsible for her death—that was another lever.”
Bruno straightened in his chair. “And there you go again, proving you don’t know everything. The senator didn’t kill Cheryl.”
Gary stilled. “Then who did?”
Bruno’s eyes locked on his. “Gianni.”