Chapter 30
Chapter thirty
Making things right is going to be a lot harder than I thought, especially when I can’t bring the dead back to life.
“Is this the right spot, boss?” Mario glances at me from the rearview mirror.
“Yes. You can pull up right here, and take the afternoon off. I have some shopping to do and then I’m meeting with Lucia. Thank you.”
“Okay, boss.” Mario stops at the curb and opens the door for me. I give him a smile, then wait until he drives away.
I’m only a block away from Dominic’s office, which is my destination. But I didn’t want to tell Mario that. After all, Dad did say don’t trust the men in our family.
A cold breeze rushes past, sending a shiver down my spine. I plunge my hands into my long coat and feel something brush against my skin. Withdrawing, I see a piece of paper clutched between my fingers.
It’s the stanzas from the poem The Raven that was delivered in the box of feathers at the warehouse.
Opening, the crumpled piece of paper, my eyes glaze over the words, as I walk to the high-rise.
Sorrow for the lost Lenore
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore.
The name stands out to me among the two stanzas I received.
Lenore. Lenore.
Who the fuck is Lenore? And how does this resonate with my life?
Do I have an ancestor named Lenore? Doubt it.
I crumple the paper and shove it back into my pocket, as I enter the lobby. People are bustling about trying to get to their offices and others are chatting to one another. It’s still early morning, but you would never know it by the looks of this place.
Pressing the button on the elevator, I’m relieved to see no one inside. Leaning against the wall, I count the seconds, as the machine races to the thirtieth floor. The name Lenore burns in my soul.
“Who is she?” I whisper.
A ding, and the thick doors open to reveal the entrance to Dominic’s office. I let myself inside, and feel a rush of gratitude to see an empty waiting room along with a vacant secretary’s chair.
Dominic’s office door is slightly ajar. As I enter, I see him at his desk with a cappuccino in hand, staring at the computer. His hair is still damp from the shower, and I have a flashback of bathing together.
He catches sight of me and smiles. “Ciao, Bella.”
My heart flutters erratically.
“Buongiorno,” I reply.
“This is a pleasant surprise to see you. I thought I was going to have to send out a search party to find you since you weren’t responding to my calls and texts.” Dominic’s fingers tap the keys.
“I’m sorry. I was having an off day yesterday.” I sink into the chair across from his desk.
“I had a feeling. Lucia told me you wanted to be left alone.”
“Lucia? You texted her?” My eyes widen.
“Of course. I had to make sure you were alright. Did you forget someone is trying to kill you? I would have made a house visit, but I figured you needed the rest.” He continues to stare at the screen.
“Oh, by the way, yesterday I pulled up the files from the police investigation the day your father died. I also have his death certificate. Everything says he died of a heart attack.”
Anger coils in my stomach. “Dominic, that’s not true. My dad didn’t die of a heart attack.” I pause. “I need to talk to you and it’s really important.”
Dominic cocks his head as if listening for something. “You know what Cipi. I just realized I haven't had breakfast yet. This cappuccino isn’t enough and I’m feeling very hungry. I could go for a multigrain bagel, toasted with cream cheese.” Dominic stands and stretches his arms over his head.
I give him a look. “I just said I have something important to tell you and you want to take me on a joyride for food?” I could strangle him.
“Now, now, temper, temper, Queen.” Dominic walks around his desk and takes my arm, helping me to my feet. “Even though this is my office, eyes are everywhere, and the walls have ears.”
He grabs his keys and leads me out of the space into the waiting room. I see his secretary has just arrived and is shuffling around at her desk.
“I’m leaving to do research on an important assignment,” Dominic calls to her. “Please reschedule my afternoon meetings and take a message for any calls.”
She nods.
Minutes later I’m sitting passenger princess in his car, wondering what the hell just happened and how bagels are more important than my dad’s murder.
“Dominic.” I snap as he starts the engine.
“Yes, Amore.” He shifts the gear stick into drive.
“I told you I had something important to tell you.”
“Yes and I told you I wanted a bagel,” he jokes. “Cipi, you know we can’t talk about personal matters at work. You never know who is involved in this case.” He glances at me. “Now what has got you wound up so tight.”
“I opened the box of things my dad left me, the one you brought up from the basement.”
“Yes. You found the chess set?”
“No. I found a letter. My dad knew someone was going to kill him.”
“What are you talking about Cipi?”
Pulling out my phone, I swipe to the photo app. Taking a deep breath, I read him the letter.
He is quiet when I finish, but I can see in his eyes he’s deep in thought.
“That’s why I was off the grid yesterday. I felt guilty it took me this long to find the letter. If I had opened the box earlier maybe I could have…”
“Done what? Found the killer?” Dominic interrupts. “You can’t blame yourself, Cipi. You didn’t know. And even if you did find the letter earlier, you probably wouldn’t have found the real killer because it seems like they were laying low for years waiting to make their move.”
“And me turning thirty-five is when they decide to get revenge, almost fifteen years later.”
“There are many layers to revenge, Cipi. It’s like peeling an onion. The more layers you remove the more tears that fall.” He pauses. “This does make sense and I have some interesting news that I will share once we are out of the car.”
It’s then I take a look at our surroundings. The scenery is more residential and rural, not coffee shops and restaurants.
“What happened to getting a bagel?” I ask.
“I am getting a bagel, just at my house,” he smirks as he turns down another street.
I notice the homes slowly transforming into mansions.
“I’m flattered your dad referred to me in your letter,” Dominic adds.
“Even though I wasn’t a fan of his lifestyle, I had great respect for him.
I’m also thankful to him for creating such a beautiful, powerful, intelligent daughter.
” He reaches over and places his palm against my cheek for a moment.
Words fail me.
Dominic takes another turn and drives slowly down a long driveway that seems to go on forever.
It’s then I realize this is the first time I have ever seen his home. The last time I went to his place it was a studio apartment.
The sedan rounds the corner and shock covers me as I take in the estate.
A stone mansion sits in the middle of acres of sweeping land.
It looks like being an FBI agent and owning an investigation business pays very well.
I catch sight of what looks like a garden and a vineyard before he pulls into the giant garage.
“You have a vineyard too?” I blurt out. “Do you make your own wine?”
“Yes I do. My Nonno was a winemaker. It’s my hobby. It’s relaxing and takes away the stresses of life.” Dominic exits the car then walks around to open my door.
I look around in awe at the multitude of expensive cars that fill the space.
“Why do you look so shocked?” Dominic studies me.
“I’m not. I just never thought you would want a house like this?”
“A decade ago it wouldn’t have been my first choice, but I can’t deny all the acres of land, privacy, and isolation are a huge perk.” He walks over to the door and unlocks it, stepping into the hallway.
I follow him while gazing at the intricate molding and interior design that puts my house to shame.
We enter into the living room that’s filled with panoramic views and a stone fireplace.
“Have a seat Cipi.” He gestures to the couch. Then walks over to a built-in bookcase. Between two volumes he pulls out a manila envelope.
“Here.” He hands it to me. “One of my oldest contacts who owed me a favor found this in the archives.”
My fingers tremble as I undo the latch. By the look on his face I know this is something important related to the case.
“Oh. I almost forgot about my bagel.” Dominic walks over to the kitchen. “Would you like one? I prefer the cranberry bagels. They are limited edition and only come out around this time of year.”
“Yeah, sure.” I mutter while thinking how random that comment was. Then I realize maybe Dominc is trying to lighten the mood because I’m about to find out something that’s going to break my heart.
I pull out a piece of paper. The document has my father’s name at the top.
It's an autopsy report. Handwritten, not typed.
“What is this?” I gasp.
“It’s the original autopsy,” Dominic walks over.
“Before it got switched. The cause of your father’s death was cyanide poisoning through oral administration.
The toxicology analysis shows sufficient levels consistent with myocardial infarction or a heart attack.
” He sits next to me. “Back in the late nineties, they wrote everything by hand. When everything got switched to the computer someone left out the cyanide poisoning part and put heart attack.”
“But the police told us it was natural causes. Forensics determined it was a heart attack. There was no foul play. My mom got the autopsy report stating that,” I whisper.
“It appears that the law enforcement at the time was on someone else’s payroll and the reports got switched.”
As I run my fingers over the document, my stomach lurches. “I should have known. I knew he was too young for a heart attack. I should have pushed more for answers but a heart attack was easier to accept.”
“Don’t be hard on yourself. You were young, too, back then,” Dominic takes my hand.
“It was all so much at once. I don’t even remember most of it. It was a few months after you left…” My voice trails off as flashbacks run through my mind of the funeral and all of us standing around the grave.
My heart sinks.
The killer had been among us acting like family, pretending they cared.
But who?
“I should have come back when I heard about your father’s death. I should’ve been there for you, Cipi, but I didn’t want to cause you more pain. I’m sorry.”
“We can’t dwell on the past. You did what you had to do, and I did too.
” I put the autopsy back into the envelope and place it on the table.
“Besides, once we close this case, history is going to repeat itself. We’ll both go back to our lives.
You’ll be busy with your investigation firm and I’ll be running the streets. ”
“Is that what you want, Cipi?” He leans closer to me.
“No…but there is no alternative…is that what you want?”
“No. Not at all.” His face is inches from mine now. “In fact what I really want is to take you to my bed and worship your body until you beg me to stop.”