Chapter 7
Vanian
After a shower I lie on the bed in the guest room with my phone in my hand, already looking up information about Alex Fetterman.
Hearing the story made my blood run cold, and set off a trigger response in my brain.
There’s no way I can rest easy knowing an asshole like that is running around free in the world. No doubt he’s already got new victims.
Fortunately, he hasn’t exactly been lying low since his acquittal.
I found him easily, just a short drive across the Illinois state line.
Looks like he’s working for a small non-profit agency doing…
Are you fucking kidding me? I rub my forehead.
Counseling young homeless people at a community center.
Un-fucking-believable. Do the people who hired him not know about his past?
Because it wasn’t exactly hard to find. Or are they a bunch of predatory douchebags too? There’s one way to find out.
I click out of the article and check the time. If I time it correctly, I could get to Illinois, take care of business, and make it back before Nantes is done with work for the day. I’d have a nice alibi too. I wasn’t even in the state when the next murder occurred.
It’s risky though. I typically work at night, and only after casing my target for weeks, sometimes months.
I have no idea what the situation is or how to find Fetterman.
Fuck. I’m just gonna have to sit on this for a while, I think.
Maybe on my way back to the city, I can swing by the town he’s in and get a feel for things.
I’m startled when my phone buzzes in my hand with an incoming call. It’s Kerry, my coworker.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Vanian. It’s Kerry. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“Nope. Just got out of the shower and hanging out. What’s up?”
“You haven’t seen the news, I’m guessing.”
“No. What’s going on?”
“Our offices were vandalized last night and a fire started. They definitely suspect arson, because there was a note left by the alleged perpetrator stating that we harbored pedophiles. It’s pretty ugly.”
“Holy shit. Was anyone hurt?”
“No, fortunately. It happened overnight. Craig and Dana closed the offices until further notice. We’re supposed to do online appointments if we can. Dana is sending everyone an email with details soon, but I told them I’d call you.”
“Thank you. How bad is the building?”
“Bad. We’re not allowed in until the fire department deems the structure sound. Craig said because of the water and smoke, everything is likely ruined. Luckily, the convenience store across the street has outside cameras, so it’s possible they’ve got some evidence on them.”
“Wow. So I guess it got out in the news that the guy was being seen in our office?”
“Yep. There’s some new homicide detective who’s hungry to solve this. I guess that’s good, but it backfired for us.”
“Sounds like it. Thanks for keeping me posted. I’ll check my email in a bit.”
“No problem. Bet you’re glad you’re on a vacation and avoiding all this drama.”
I chuckle. “Yeah, for sure.”
“You can probably stay a few extra days if you want to. It’s not like there’s a rush to get back.”
“Good point. I’ll have to check my calendar to see what’s coming up.”
“Cool. Take care. I’m a text away if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Kerry.”
I end the call and exhale slowly. What an interesting turn of events. At least it takes the heat off of anyone but the vandals. I would expect that they’d be the primary suspects in the murder if they were willing to burn down our building in retaliation.
I better chill out though. All eyes are on this situation, and I’ve done so well staying off the radar—now is not the time to fuck up.
Sliding off the bed, my head filled with a thousand thoughts, I push through the chaos and consider my next move.
If Nantes doesn’t mind, staying here for a few extra days is perfect.
I can spend time catching up with him and his family and have the perfect alibi should anyone snoop too closely at me.
Not that anyone would suspect a mild-mannered therapist to be a raging murderer, but it’s all hitting a little too close to home at the moment.
I put on some fresh clothes, then head to the bathroom to run some gel through my hair.
I can already hear Nonna scolding me for being too skinny and plying me with delicious treats.
I always wished I had a grandmother like her.
She paid attention to all of her grandkids and had individual relationships with each of them.
I don’t even remember either of my grandmothers. I was too young when they died.
By the time I exit the house and start my walk back to the main building, it’s midmorning and my stomach is growling. There are several cars parked out front and people already milling around the property. I head to the front door and slip inside, glancing around.
“Well look what the cat dragged in.”
I turn around to see the one and only Nonna marching towards me, arms extended.
“Nipote,” she says sweetly, wrapping her arms around me and squeezing with far more strength than her petite frame suggests. “It’s been so long.”
“Hi, Nonna.” I kiss her cheek. “How are you doing?”
“Can’t complain.” She gently smacks my cheek. “Look at you. Such a man now.”
“Time does that.”
She chuckles. “Still too skinny. Come. I made raspberry muffins.”
My stomach growls in response. “Is that what smells so good?”
Nonna takes my hand, leading me through the house, past the visitors, and into the kitchen. Nantes’s mom is there, putting slices of what looks like quiche on a platter. She looks up and a bright smile spreads across her face.
“Vanian.” She puts her spatula down and hurries over to hug me, kissing my cheek in the process. “Welcome. So good to see you again.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Benedetti.”
“Oh, now, remember you used to call me Mom? You still can.”
My chest warms with affection. “Sounds good.”
“We missed you around here,” she continues. “Missed you both. It’s a dream having you all back.”
“Except Giuliano.” Nonna sounds disapproving. “But we’re working on him.”
“How’s that?” I ask.
Nonna grabs a muffin and cuts it open, adding some butter to the center, the way I always ate my muffins at their house. She slides it over to me, smiling. “Mangia.”
“Thanks, Nonna.”
She leans on the counter. “We can just tell Giuliano is feeling left out.”
I take a bite of the muffin and close my eyes for a second to revel in the taste. It’s moist and buttery, with a tangy hit from the fresh fruit. No one bakes like Nonna.
“He’s a lawyer, right?” I ask after I swallow my bite.
“Yes,” Nonna says. “But the last couple of years, he’s been taking on some of the winery’s business, and in my opinion, he loves it.”
Nantes’s mom nods. “Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, but I agree. He’s been spending a lot more time here too.”
“I can’t imagine going to medical school or law school, doing all that work, and then just walking away from it.”
“Not everyone’s path is straight, figlio. Sometimes, you gotta wind around a few times to find the right direction.”
Smiling, I nod. “That’s very true. Good reminder.”
“All that matters in life is being happy with yourself and the people you choose to be around you.” Nonna pats my hand. “Everything else is background noise.”
“I’ll remember that.”
She squeezes my hand. “Nantes and the boys are in the office in the back. Make sure you’re hungry for dinner. I’m making manicotti.”
I pat my stomach. “I’ll definitely leave room for that.”
Nonna sends me on my way with another perfectly buttered muffin. I find the office and step inside, following the loud voices to the back. Peeking my head in, I see Brogan, Deo, Balt, and Nantes huddled around a large piece of white paper.
“Am I interrupting?”
Nantes looks up, his face relaxing into a nice smile. “Hey. Got some breakfast?”
“And a scolding for still being too skinny.”
All the guys laugh.
“It never stops,” Deo says.
“Come on in,” Brogan says, waving me closer. “We’re looking at ideas for a billboard in downtown Madison.”
I approach, looking down at the poster board. There are numerous sketches with different taglines and images on them but one definitely stands out to me. I tap the paper.
“This one looks cool.”
Brogan scrunches their nose and narrows their eyes. “Of course you’d pick that one.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s the one I picked,” Nantes says. “And one of two Deo picked.”
“I don’t think it’s edgy enough,” Brogan says.
“I don’t think our brand is edgy,” Deo replies. “We’re somewhere between edgy and classy. Whatever that is.”
“It’s this.” I point at the sketch again. “Youthful and fun, but still with an elegant quality to it. I would be attracted to this. I’m not a huge wine drinker, but I’d be tempted to try this after seeing the ad.”
Deo gives Brogan a look. “See? That’s the market we’re trying to get with this ad.”
I tap Balt’s arm. “What do you think, Balt?”
He holds his hands up in surrender. “Marketing isn’t my lane.”
“He agrees with whatever Deo says,” Brogan complains.
“Not true,” Deo replies. “He agreed with you on the paint color in the foyer.”
“I guess so.” Brogan glances at the sketches. “You really think it’s this one?”
Nantes squeezes his cousin’s shoulder. “I think it’s the vibe we want. If we’re wrong, we’ll do yours next time.”
Brogan exhales slowly. “Fine. I’ll place the order.”
Nantes turns to me, smiling. “Thanks for chiming in.”
“No problem. It’s nice to see things going so well.”
“I agree. Thanks to Deo and Balt. They really turned the ship around.”
“With help,” Deo says, running his fingers through his man’s hair.
They’re obviously very in love, and witnessing it makes me long for things I gave up hoping for long ago. A romantic partner wouldn’t work with my life the way it is. Maybe one day I’ll let it go and return to a simple life, but today is not that day.
“Everything okay?” Nantes asks, obviously picking up on my mood.
“Sort of. One of my colleagues called me. Some vandals burned down our building last night. Apparently, word got out that the pedophile was being seen at my office and they had something to say about it.”
“Oh, shit. Was anyone hurt?”
“No, it was empty, fortunately. But we’re closed now for the time being.” I step a little closer. “Would you be open to letting me stay a few extra days?”
His face relaxes. “I’d love that.”
“Really? I don’t want to be in the way, but this feels like an opportunity I wouldn’t normally have.”
“Of course. I’m excited. We can really spend some time together now.”
“I appreciate it.”
“I checked the calendar and we don’t have any tours today, so I can head out around one. We can go grab lunch and just see where the day takes us.”
“Perfect. I need to look at my client calendar and see what I can virtually reschedule. See you at the house when you’re done?”
“Sounds good.”
He throws his arms around me and I hug him back. He used to be so affectionate when we were younger, but really backed off around fourteen or fifteen. Now I know why, but it’s nice to feel close to him again.
As he steps back, he grins. “I’m really happy we bumped into each other.”
“Me too.”
After saying my goodbyes to everyone, I step outside into the late morning sunshine.
There’s an unusual spring in my step today, and I guess I have to chalk it up to being around Nantes and his family again.
They were always my safe place, and apparently, they still are.
It’s nice to know that not everything changes.
Maybe Nonna is right and this winding path is exactly what I need right now.