Chapter 30
As Angie ended the call with Gina, adrenaline rushed through her body.
She had never had such a strong urge for vengeance in her life.
“It’s war, Mario, and you’re toast!” She got ready for work and texted Lorna that they needed to meet as soon as possible near City Hall; things had escalated with Mario.
Lorna sent back a brief text: Go time—see you soon.
Angie packed her work bag and threw in a few pairs of underwear in case she got arrested. As she was leaving her apartment, she saw Ben coming in. She noticed him check his watch before he said, “You look like a woman on a mission. Isn’t it a little early to be going to work?”
Angie put her bag down and threw her arms around him. “Wish me luck. Don’t ask. And keep your phone on. I may need you to come bail me out tonight.”
“Slow down there. What’s going on?”
“Could you go over to the kitchen? Gina needs you.”
“Okay, what’s going on with Gina?”
“It’s a long story, but Rago fired them this morning.
Apparently his sister’s kids and their friends got food poisoning from a party that Gina and Kim had Thad and Daisy run.
Now they have to clean out their entire food stock at their kitchen.
I know you were good enough to arrange that space.
Since your sister knows the landlord, you may be able to smooth things over until they get to the bottom of it.
I have a strong hunch Mario has something to do with it. ”
“I’ll head over there now. What’s this about possibly bailing you out?” Ben asked.
“I can’t explain all that now; I have to get going. Thanks, Ben.”
Angie went downstairs and grabbed a cab to City Hall.
Lorna was waiting for her at a nearby café in a back booth.
She slid in with her bag, ordered a cup of coffee, and settled in.
She told Lorna what had happened to Gina and watched Lorna’s face turn bright red.
“What a class-A asshole. God, I want to see that bastard go down. No one goes after family.”
They both ordered a full breakfast, eggs, sausage, hash browns, and toast. “This could be our last meal on the outside if the mayor decides to throw us in the clink,” Angie said.
“Unlikely, but just in case, chow down, girl.”
While they ate, Angie looked around to make sure no one was watching her. Only one other couple sat near them and they were quarreling. She took copies of Vinnie’s journals from the storage unit out and placed them in front of Lorna and watched as Lorna studied them.
“Holy shit, Ang. This is a gold mine. There’s no way Mario can talk his way out of this one, or the mayor, for that matter. Let’s rehearse one more time.”
Lorna and Angie leaned in toward each other and went over every step of their plan, detail by detail. Lorna looked over at Angie. “We got this, girl. Let’s go for a walk and window-shop on State Street before we go in. It’ll calm our nerves.”
“That’s a great idea. I love to window-shop.
” They walked down to State and meandered up one side and down the other, crowds of people rushing past. Angie tried to enjoy all the pretty dresses she saw, but there was an empty feeling in the pit of her stomach gnawing at her.
She kept silently repeating, Please, God, help us.
Please, God, help us. Angie glanced up toward the sky.
Vinnie, you up there? I need you, baby. She kept following Lorna but glanced over what was in the windows.
They clocked in just an hour early, as they wanted to get their regular work done before they headed to the mayor’s office just after eight.
That’s when he’d be at his desk looking over all the council agenda items, and his bodyguards would be around.
Lorna had assured Angie that they were used to seeing Lorna in and out of his office, so there would be no problem walking in.
If they asked about Angie, Lorna would tell them she was training her.
“The guards, the cops, no one messes with me,” Lorna said.
“I’m usually quiet during my cleaning shift, but if someone pushes my buttons then I respond in a clear and firm way and they back off.
They usually just think of me as a cleaning lady, after all, trying to make a living, minding my own business. ”
“Good to know. Sounds like you’ve trained them well,” Angie said.
They changed into their work clothes, packed their street clothes, clocked in, and pushed their carts to the elevator.
Angie looked at Lorna, who smiled at her, then winked. “The adventure begins,” Lorna said.
Angie forced a smile. “No turning back now.” She pressed the elevator button and they both boarded. Lorna got off at three. “Keep your phone on you. I’ll only call you if I need to; otherwise see you at the mayor’s office at eight sharp.”
“See you then, Thelma,” Angie said.
“You got it, Louise.” Lorna chuckled.
Angie pushed Hazel off on six and went to work in her assigned offices and bathrooms. She cleaned them better than she ever had, channeling all her nervous energy into scrubbing, vacuuming, and dusting.
She locked up the office she had just finished and rounded the corner to find Cookie standing by the elevator.
Angie froze, didn’t make a sound, holding her breath hoping that Cookie hadn’t heard her.
Cookie turned her head toward her. “Hey, Angie, haven’t seen you in ages. How are you holding up, honey?”
“Just great. I love my job, can’t thank you enough for helping out.
” Angie was biting the inside of her mouth.
Get lost, you bitch. The elevator door opened and Cookie stepped in.
She was saying something, but Angie couldn’t hear it with the sound of blood rushing through the veins behind her ears.
Angie finished all four of her floors, seven bathrooms, and six conference rooms a little before eight and slowly pushed her cart toward the mayor’s office.
Lorna was waiting for her near the mayor’s office. “Leave the cart here. Take your folder and follow me,” Lorna said.
Angie followed Lorna’s clear, decisive voice, grateful for her confidence and strength.
Lorna and Angie walked past one set of guards, who nodded at them.
Then they entered the outer office where the mayor’s assistant was busy on her computer.
She glanced up and then back down. Angie took in the rich, dark carpet, leather chairs, and oak coffee table in the waiting area.
Photos of past mayors lined the wall, interspersed with photos of the beautiful Chicago skyline, aerial shots of Wrigley Field, and the Magnificent Mile and Michigan Avenue at night.
Angie stopped looking when she heard Lorna tap on the mayor’s door. Lorna waited a second, then opened it and walked in. “Good evening, Mayor, just cleaning up for the day.”
Without lifting his head from his computer, he muttered, “Okay, Lorna. Busy time for me as usual, the night before our city council meeting tomorrow.”
Angie admired his large oak desk set in the middle of the room. The office had such an elegant and professional feel. So this is where it all happens. She followed Lorna, taking in every detail she could without gawking.
As they cleaned the small work areas, Angie could see people coming and going, phones ringing, and heard some swearing.
Just as they were finishing up everything but his desk area, Lorna motioned for Angie to come stand next to her.
Angie watched Lorna scan the office to see if there was anyone else there at the moment.
It was empty. This whole conversation had to go down in less than five minutes or the cops would literally knock down the door.
They had rehearsed this part over and over.
Lorna pushed her cleaning cart right in front of the door leading to the outer office and locked it. “Mr. Mayor, I need your help and I need it now,” she said with a commanding voice.
He briefly glanced up. “Lorna, what’s wrong?”
There was a knock on the door.
“I need you to tell them to come back in five minutes. It’s all I’m asking,” Lorna said, her voice calm yet bold.
“Come back in five?” Mayor Borden said. He looked at Angie and back at Lorna and raised an eyebrow. “Lorna, what’s going on? I need to prep for the city council meeting.”
Angie’s heart galloped like a wild horse. Lorna hit Angie’s arm. “Take a breath, for God’s sake.”
The mayor’s phone was ringing and there was another knock at the door.
“I’m busy. Give me five minutes,” the mayor called out.
“You okay, boss?” one of his bodyguards asked.
“All good,” he replied, before turning back to Lorna. “Okay, Lorna, get on with it. I’m a busy man.”
Lorna cleared her throat. “This is my good friend Angie. Her husband, Vinnie Sortino, worked here at City Hall for over twenty years. He died recently and your city staff have cheated her out of his pension.”
The mayor’s phone kept ringing.
“Mario Longetti replaced her name with his as the beneficiary and took her pension. He put a hit out on Ralph Conti—who you know—and Ralph was shot. And now Mario’s after Angie.” Lorna pointed over to Angie. “She’s an innocent woman and I need you to put a stop to this.”
“I’m sorry to hear all this. Lorna, can I deal with this after the city council meeting tomorrow? People are coming at me in all directions right now and I have to work through the night as it is.”
“No, you can’t. People’s lives are in danger. We already have one Chicago cop shot; we don’t want any more of that. Please, I promise I’ll leave you alone if you give me this,” Lorna said.
The mayor sat back in his chair. “I can’t Lorna, not tonight. The press is up my ass with all the corruption going down with the city planning department. The Tribune has already sent a request for public information, which requires a quick turnaround by law. Who knows what they’ll find?”