Chapter 14 Dolce Vita
Chapter fourteen
Dolce Vita
Detective/Don
How is it that everyone else is blind to what this man is doing but me?
There’s no way that I am seeing this much incorrectly.
I mean, I know that I am a new detective.
I know that I have to earn the right for people to trust my judgment, but I have three witnesses who were willing and ready to testify against Angelo Costa.
The moment we got the arrest warrant, all three individuals disappeared.
The warrant was revoked, and the entire case fell apart.
I’ve been told several times to leave it alone, but I can’t.
I know that Angelo Costa killed Roberto Abate.
It seems as though every time I get information, it disappears.
I know that there is a leak in this office, but I can’t seem to figure out who it is.
Captain Phillip Ricci is constantly telling me that it could cost me my life if I keep pushing.
I think that is his friendly way of saying that I’m getting close, and people are going to get mad about it.
The more he bitches at me for staying on the case, the closer I know I’m getting.
I’ve had closed door meetings with district attorney Maria Ramos.
She has basically told me that if I can get her solid proof that can stick through court without disappearing that she will get me the arrest warrant herself.
Her fear is that I will get too close and get myself killed, but I am determined to take the fucker down.
I haven’t been able to meet him in person yet, but from whatever everyone else says, he’s charming.
Ted Bundy was charming, but you see what he did.
I sit back in my chair and close my eyes. There has to be something I can do. No one will even go and talk to him though. I wonder if the captain will let me go talk to him? I doubt it, but the worst he can say is no.
“Boggs,” Captain Ricci barks.
“Yes, sir?” I ask, opening my eyes.
“Enjoying your nap?” he asks.
“I would enjoy it more if no one interrupted it,” I say with a sweet smile, and he shakes his head at me. “I’m just thinking, Phillip.”
“About? Please don't tell me it’s about that damn Angelo Costa case,” he says.
“Why hasn’t anyone talked to him? I don’t even mean to question him. I just mean a basic conversation,” I say.
“Because he’s just a businessman, Laura. All you are going to do is get yourself sued,” he says.
“Can I go talk to him?” I ask and he sighs.
“Come on. If I get sued, that’s on me. I know the risks. If I’m wrong, I get sued. If I’m right, I get killed. Either way, it doesn’t affect you,” I say as I stand up. “Come on. I swear to God, I won’t ask anything about Roberto Abate.”
“Don’t even bring him up, Laura. I’m serious. Okay?” he says with a sigh.
“Okay,” I smile.
“You are too sassy and bubbly, you know that?” he asks with a frown.
“It’s not my fault you’re a grumpy old man,” I say as I grab my bag and gather my laptop and files.
“Please be careful,” he says. I promptly turn around and smile at him.
“He’s just a businessman. I’ll be fine,” I say.
“Right,” he nods then turns and walks away.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say he’s the leak. He is the only one I have communicated with about this, but I have hit every roadblock possible. If Angelo Costa is waiting for me when I get there, I’ll know that the captain is dirty.
I’d like to think that I have a good poker face.
I think if he suspected at all that I was also investigating him, he wouldn’t let me anywhere near Angelo.
He would probably have me reassigned to a different unit to get me away from it.
Everyone thinks that I am this young, hotshot detective who doesn’t know what she’s talking about.
Everyone underestimates me and what I am capable of.
That’s not to say I couldn’t walk in there and get shot in the face.
Angelo is a mafia boss. He’s been doing this shit since I was a kid, I’m sure.
From what I know about him, he is forty years old, compared to me being twenty-eight.
He’s an only child and he became Don when his father was murdered ten years ago by an unknown assailant.
His mom died in childbirth with him. He has an endless list of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
One of his cousins, Mario, is his underboss.
His shell company is a massive chain of authentic Italian restaurants.
They are called Dolce Vita and unfortunately, they are really fucking good.
I go to my car and check my makeup. The last thing I need is it to look like I am not put together.
I need to come across as friendly but in control.
I am used to having control though, so it comes naturally to me.
I have been on my own since my parents died when I was ten.
I learned everything the hard way from friendships to relationships.
I don’t have friends and if I do date, it doesn't last long. Men can’t handle how dedicated to my work I am.
I seem to attract the ones who have to be the one in control instead of us being equals.
My long and wavy blonde hair is loosely pulled back.
I have black slacks and a snug fitting, light pink blouse.
I have black shoes on but they’re appropriate for running, should I need to.
My weapon is on my hip with my badge next to it on my belt.
When I know I look presentable, I back out of my parking spot and follow my GPS to Angelo Costa’s home.
I pull up to the gate and a man walks out of the guard shack to greet me. “Nature of your visit?” he asks. He is a stern looking man, but probably one of his soldiers if he’s working the gate.
“I am Detective Laura Boggs. I am here to speak with Angelo Costa,” I say kindly.
“Do you have a warrant?” he asks.
“For a conversation? No, I don’t” I chuckle dryly.
He narrows his eyes at me before getting his phone out and calling someone. “Hey, Boss. I have a detective Laura Boggs at the gate asking to speak with you. She says she does not have a warrant,” he says. He listens for a second, looking at me. “Okay. I will send her through.”
“All good?” I ask when he hangs up.
“Yes, ma’am. Just follow the road until you get to the house. He asked that you park under the carport to the right of the house. Someone will meet you there to bring you in.”
“Thank you,” I say with a nod. When the gate swings open smoothly, it reveals a paved driveway that winds its way through the pristine grounds, I drive forward.
The scent of freshly cut grass fills the air, mingling with the scent of various flowers that line the winding drive to the mansion.
Tall pillars flank the entrance, exuding an air of authority and power.
The facade, decorated with intricate carvings and embellishments, reflects Angelo Costa's extravagant taste.
It taunts me, promising secrets and sins waiting to be discovered.
As I drive closer, the sunlight dances on the windows, casting vibrant reflections on the ground.
They appear ethereal, like whispers of unseen spirits, watched over by the awe-inspiring mansion.
I park my car under a carport to the right of the house, the engine humming its final notes.
As I step out, my footsteps make a soft thud on the ground, the pristine pavement offering a stark contrast to the wild allure of the mansion's secrets.
I take a moment to gather myself, preparing for the darkness and danger that lie ahead.
The air crackles with anticipation, as if the mansion itself is aware of my quest to uncover Angelo Costa's secrets. I finally get out of the car only taking my phone, badge, and service weapon, ready to confront Angelo Costa and bring his sins to light. Anger ignites within me, fueled by the knowledge of the injustice that permeates throughout this property. Men like him shouldn’t get to live such lavish lifestyles.
“Laura Boggs?” the man asks.
“Yes,” I say with a polite smile.
“I am Mario,” he says, shaking my hand. “I am Angelo’s cousin. He is currently on a conference call with his restaurant managers, but he said he could speak with you in a few moments.”
“If he is busy, we can certainly reschedule for a different time,” I offer. I don’t want them to think I am desperate to talk to him so I can finally start piecing things together.
“No. That's fine,” he says with a warm smile. “Come with me and we can take a seat in the den to wait for him to get done.”
I nod and he leads me inside the house. It is just as elegant inside as it is outside.
The main living room has what appears to be granite floors and a thirty plus foot ceiling.
I try not to look so shocked as we walk through the house.
There is hardly anyone here and the people we do see disappear quickly when they see me.
“Here we are,” he says as he motions for me to sit on the leather couch. I sit on one end, and he takes the other side. “You’re pretty young to be a detective.”
“You say that like you know how old I am,” I say with a sweet smile. I know damn well they already have everything on me already.
“Just an assumption,” he says with a smirk. “How old are you?”
“I am twenty-eight,” I say. “I graduated high school at sixteen and had my masters in criminal justice with a minor in criminal psychology by twenty-two. I then took law enforcement training and was officially a patrol officer at twenty-three.”
“And you just happened to get promoted quicker than anyone else ever does?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.
“What a shame,” I say with a smile.
“What?” he asks.
“You’re far too handsome to be so sexist,” I say simply, and he chuckles. “I was promoted to detective two years ago when I took the test and scored the highest out of everyone, including the detective that had been on the job for a decade.”
“Hmm. What a shame,” he smirks.
“Oh?”