Chapter 34
Thirty-Four
INSIDE INFORMATION
Goldie decided to lie low at the Doubletree Hotel for the next three days.
She only left her room to go to the exercise center twice a day, and she also went to an office supply store where she purchased some stationery and two small mailing boxes.
She wrote a long letter to her mother, thinking it more personal than an email.
She explained that she intended to make amends for her involvement with Markie and that, as a result, she would most likely be out of touch for a while.
She apologized for any disappointment or hurt she may have caused her mom and thanked Carla for all of her hard work in trying to raise her properly.
Then she used a mailing box, put the letter and the cash she’d gotten from her safety deposit box in it, and mailed it.
She also wrote and mailed letters to her father and sister.
She hoped these correspondences wouldn’t be final farewells but knew it was possible.
“Ay, Captain,” she greeted. “Thanks for comin’. C’mon in.”
“Goldie,” he nodded, walking into her room.
The cop looked around, then shrugged. “So, what’s up? On the phone, you said the trip would be worth my while.”
“Yeah… you want somethin’? I got a can of soda or can order some coffee.”
“I’m good,” Corning said. He went over to a chair at the wall desk and sat down. Goldie continued to stand.
“Th-this is a weird conversation to begin,” she opened.
“Take your time,” the officer said. “I’m in no hurry.”
“Markie and me ain’t together no more.”
“I heard something about that on the street,” he confirmed. “Is that why you’re here? Are you hiding from him?”
“I’ve decided to make a clean break. Set some things right.”
“I heard about him and Kristen DiVarno. I also heard you were struck by a car.” He eyed the cast on her arm and the scabs on her face. “You okay?”
“I’ll survive.”
“Glad to hear it… so, what can I do for you?”
“You’ve taken Markie in for questioning too many times to count.
Even charged him a few times, but you’ve never been able to make anything stick.
What if I told ya I’ve kept diaries? Years of ‘em filled with names, dates, and places. Evidence that would incriminate him and a lot of people in the Lombardo family.”
A smile slowly crept across the captain’s face.
“I’d say you were Santa Claus, and I must have been a very good boy this year. Frankly, when you called, I was hoping your reason for wanting to talk might be something like this.”
Goldie hesitated, a little unsure, then sat down on the corner of her king-size bed.
“So—if I wanted to turn these diaries over to you? How does it work? What would happen?”
“First, I’d have to read them and determine their value.
If they are incriminating, then I’d have to talk to the DA’s office and see if arrest warrants are justified for Markie and anyone else implicated in any crimes.
Next, there would be a trial in which you would play a role as a witness.
If you’re implicated in any of these criminal activities, the DA might offer a deal. Do you have an attorney?”
“No, but I didn’t do nothin’.”
“Knowledge and complicity of crimes is a crime in and of itself, Goldie. Don’t think it isn’t.”
“Basically, what you’re sayin’ then is everything in my life changes with a snap of a finger.”
“I’m not going to lie to you. Things will change. You’ll need an attorney. You’ll also need police protection and probably a new ID when this is all over.”
“A trial could take months. Even years, couldn’t it?” she figured.
“It would take a while,” he confirmed.
She thought for a moment, then nodded. “Okay… what are the next steps?”
“Do you have the diaries with you?”
“No,” she lied. “But if you meet me here at 5:00 p.m., I’ll turn ‘em over.”
“Why don’t I go with you and we’ll get them right now, together?”
“If I’m goin’ into protective custody, if this changes everythin’ in my life, there are some things I need to wrap up. Loved ones I need to say goodbye to.”
This was a lie as well because she’d already written and mailed off her letters to family, but Corning didn’t know this.
“Goldie—” the cop protested.
“I want today, Captain. And it’s not even a whole day. It’s, like, six and a half hours. I called you. Ya think I’m gonna change my mind. Run out?”
Corning looked her over, then nodded. “Well, have you at least got anything you can send me? Pictures of the pages on your phone, or—”
Goldie shook her head.
“Okay,” he agreed hesitantly. “I can be back here at 5:00. You be here.” He stood, reached into his suit coat, and produced his card. “Call me if you run into any problems.”
She likewise rose. “Will do. And Captain, I don’t wanna be tailed. I need this last day of freedom. If I see that I’m bein’ followed, my offer’s off the table.”
“What’s the big deal?” he asked.
“It’s the principle of the thing. Your life isn’t the one that’s never gonna be the same again,” she said with a pointing finger. “It’s mine! Leave me alone until 5:00. That’s not a lot to ask for what you’re gettin’.”
“Does Markie know about the diaries? Is he looking for you?”
“Yes, and yes. I ditched my cell phone and also found and destroyed a tracking bug he planted on my car. So, he doesn’t know where I am. I’ve been out of touch for a few days and suspect he’s nervous about the diaries.”
Corning reluctantly nodded again. “All right… I’m sorry you got your heart broken and were physically busted up. But good things are going to come from this, Goldie. You’re doing the right thing.”
“Takin’ down Markie won’t stop the Lombardo family or organized crime, Captain.”
“Maybe not, but my mom always says pulling the biggest weeds makes the garden better. I think deep in your heart, you know that’s true.”
Goldie cracked a small smile. “Okay, copper. See ya back here at 5:00.”
Six minutes later, Corning was returning to his unmarked police car in the hotel parking lot, where one of his detectives, a chunky man named Wallace, was bundled up in his coat, leaning against the car and smoking a cigarette.
“You’re not going to believe what just happened,” the captain said.
“What?” Wallace replied, flicking his cigarette away, then the two climbed into the vehicle.
“You know Goldie Maraschino?”
The detective thought for a moment. “Markie Santina’s girlfriend?”
“Ex-girlfriend. I just met with her, Markie’s got a new squeeze, and Goldie is a woman scorned. She wants to turn state’s evidence. She’s got diaries. Years of ‘em with names, dates, and I’ll bet all sorts of juicy tidbits.”
“Really? That’s fabulous! Where is she? Where’s the diaries?”
“I’m coming back here at 5:00 to pick up her and the diaries. She says she needs today to take care of some business with family.”
“Uh, you think that’s wise?” Wallace wondered.
“No. But that’s the price of the opportunity. Listen, you know her on sight, right?”
“She’s got a cute little ass that’s hard to miss.”
Corning looked around. “There’s a Denny’s over there that’s got a good view of the lobby door. I want you to hang out there and see if you can get an ID on her car: Make, color, license. I can’t get it from the hotel registry ‘cause we’ve got no jurisdiction here.”
“Let’s call some friends at the Jersey State Police,” the detective suggested.
“There’s no time. I got the impression she’ll be leaving very soon.”
“How do you know she’s coming out the lobby door?” Wallace asked.
“I don’t. But I gotta do something to hedge my bet. She says if she sees she’s being followed, the deal’s off.”
“Why?”
“Probably because she doesn’t like cops and they’re about to be in her face for, gee—I don’t know—forever! Now get over to Denny’s. I’ve got to go see the DA, set up a safe house, and try to find out if Markie’s looking for her.”
“Okay, Captain. You got it.”
Wallace climbed out of the car and walked a short distance across the hotel’s front parking lot to Denny’s Restaurant. After Captain Corning had driven away and was out of sight, Wallace pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number. After one ring, someone answered.
“Bruno? It’s Steve Wallace. I’ve got some inside information. Ask your boss if he wants to know where his old girlfriend is, and who she just had a meeting with.”