Misconceptions Read online

  He grabbed the flashlight from the glove compartment with shaky hands and returned to the trunk.

  Darkness seemed to swallow him, even as the flashlight’s rays lit up the trunk.

  Vinnie’s pale eyes, a bullet hole between them, stared up at him. Even as he fought the urge to empty his stomach, relief filled him. He was finally free from Vinnie’s clutches … and it hadn’t been because of his own death, as Vinnie had threatened.

  But the victory faded quickly as the reality of his situation sank in. His instincts had been right. Angelica wasn’t who she claimed to be.

  He flashed the light around the yard. Only Becky’s car and Vinnie’s. She’d left him at a crime scene with his fingerprints all over the place and Vinnie’s body in the trunk. He was still caught in a web of lies.

  Sirens screamed in the distance. The sound felt like a slap in the face, but it woke him from his shock. His jaws clenched, and he tightened his grip on the flashlight. I am not going to prison for a murder I didn’t commit.

  He slammed the trunk shut, then ran into the cabin. “We’ve got to get out of here.” He headed into the bathroom. “ Get your shoes on and I’ll grab the supplies.”

  “What? Are you crazy? In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a little busy having a baby here.”

  “Vinnie’s dead. Angelica killed him, and she’s framing me for the murder.”

  The sirens in the distance punctuated the urgency of their situation.

  Cindy swung her legs over the side of the bed and struggled to put on her shoes. "Let’s go.”

  Travis washed the blood off his hands, then and grabbed the remaining supplies, took Cindy by the hand, and led her outside. She leaned against him as she shuffled toward the passenger side of their car.

  He nudged her toward Vinnie’s car. “We can’t take Becky’s car,”

  “Why not?”

  “Vinnie’s body is in the trunk, and I don’t want to disturb it more than I already have.” He pushed the unlock button on the remote to Vinnie’s black Mercedes.

  The sirens swelled as he tucked Cindy inside, then ran to the other side.

  Travis backed out of the driveway and sped down the dark country road. He pulled Vinnie’s cell phone out of his pocket. “Call Houston.”

  The cell phone rang before Cindy could take it.

  His eyebrows shot up. “Who that could be.” Travis turned the phone and read the caller ID.

  “Who is it?”

  “Angelica.”

  Cindy rubbed a hand over her stomach and blew out several short puffs. “Do you think you should answer it?”

  “I want to hear what she has to say.” He scanned the rearview mirror and let out a sigh of relief at the pitch blackness surrounding them. They weren’t being followed. “Hello?”

  “You’re in a lot of trouble, Travis. Give me what I want, and it all goes away.”

  He swallowed a wave of panic. “What exactly do you want?”

  “The baby.”

  He gripped the steering wheel. “Is that why you killed Vinnie? So you can sell the baby yourself?”

  She let out a bitter laugh. “Vinnie broke the rules. That’s why he’s dead.”

  “What rules? He makes the rules. You should know that. You worked for him—or pretended to.”

  “You still don’t get it do you?”

  He remained silent.

  “I don’t work for the FBI, and I certainly didn’t work for Vinnie. In fact, he worked for me. He was too stupid to figure it out in time and double-crossed me on more than one occasion. That’s why I killed him.”

  “I’ll tell you the same thing I told Vinnie. My baby isn’t for sale.”

  “How are you going to raise a baby from prison?”

  “I didn’t kill Vinnie! And I won’t go to jail for it.”

  Angelica laughed. “You really are naïve, aren’t you? One word from me, Travis, and the police will drop their investigation.”

  “I’ll take my chances.” He glanced at Cindy and wished he could erase the fear in her eyes. “Leave my family alone.”

  “We’ll see how you feel once you’re facing a capital murder charge. Ohio is still a death penalty state, Travis. If you’re convicted, your children will grow up without a father. They’ll know you as a convicted killer. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”

  He hung up on her and fumbled for the button to unroll the window. For all he knew, Angelica was tracking him with Vinnie’s phone. He found the button, pushed it, and revved his arm back to toss the phone out the open window.

  “Don’t!” Cindy screamed.

  Travis held the device up. “She’s probably tracking us with the GPS on the phone.”

  “Then drive faster. Right now, the call log and other information on Vinnie’s phone may be the only piece of evidence we have to prove you didn’t murder Vinnie.”

  “We’re about thirty minutes from the hospital. You think you can make it?”

  “It’ll be close. My contractions are five minutes apart.” She winced. “Let’s see how fast this car can go.”

  He handed the phone to her and focused on the winding road before him. “I’ll get you there!”

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Dominique sat up in the hospital bed and punched the pillows down, then grabbed the remote and skipped through the stations. At the sound of her cell phone’s familiar ring tone, she muted the television and picked up her phone from the tiny drawer on the underside of the table next to her bed. The caller ID displayed an unfamiliar number. “Hello?”

  “Is this Dominique Sherwood?” The muffled female voice sounded vaguely familiar.

  “Yes, it is. May I ask who’s calling?”

  “You still investigating Vinnie Fernandez?”

  A chill ran up her spine. Who knew that she was investigating Vinnie? Curiosity won out over caution. “I’m interested in any information you might have.”

  “You ever hear the term Caporegime?”

  “ I’m not familiar with it.”

  “It means Lieutenant. Vinnie Fernandez is a Lieutenant.”

  Her brain still a little fuzzy, Dominique tried to process what the caller meant. “I’m confused. I thought he was in charge. The police have been investigating him for a long time.”

  “He’s a big fish. One of many. But you should be fishing for a shark.”

  “If Vinnie’s not in charge, who is?”

  “All I know is that something big just went down. If you want access to any records Vinnie may or may not have, you better get yourself down to Castalgia’s before they’re destroyed.”

  The hair raised on Dominique’s arm. Leads like this didn’t come around that often. Was it legit? “Who is this?”

  “If you can get your hands on those records, all of your questions will be answered.”

  “How do I know this isn’t some kind of trap?”

  “You don’t. I’ll leave the keys to Vinnie’s private office in the glove box of your car.”

  “Hello? Hello?” It was no use. The line was dead. Dominique hit the callback button. The phone rang several times before a recorded voice informed her the person she was trying to reach had not set up voice mail.

  She grabbed her belongings from the closet and untied the hospital gown. Pain shot up her side as she pulled on her jeans. Once dressed, she glanced in the mirror. The last twenty-four hours had taken a toll, but this was an investigation, not a beauty contest.

  Dominique opened the door and walked straight into Joe. Her purse and cell phone spilled onto the floor. “I thought you’d be tied up all night with your dad.”

  “He’s doing much better. They took him off the vent, and he’s holding his own. Houston is sitting with him now.” He scanned her attire. Are you going to tell me where you’re headed in such a rush? You’re not being discharged until tomorrow. It’s after ten o’clock.”

  She chewed on her bottom lip. He was carrying such a heavy load worrying about his dad.

  He too
k her hands in his, and her heart broke in two. “Dominique, please don’t go anywhere tonight. You need your rest.”

  She squeezed his hands and brushed a quick kiss on his lips. He deserved an explanation, but would he understand? “I have to go.” She picked up the items from her purse, ignoring the pain shooting up her side.

  Joe pulled his keys from his pocket. “You’ve got that determined look on your face. If I can’t convince you to stay, I’m going wherever you’re going. Whatever you’re up to, I’m not letting you go by yourself.”

  She swallowed the lump in her throat. “That’s really not necessary. I was planning to call a cab.” Tell him the truth? Or let him drive you home, then call a cab? She remembered

  The caller’s warning. She had to hurry.

  “A cab’s not a good idea. Vinnie’s men are everywhere.”

  His words snapped her out of her dilemma. He cares for you. He wants to help. She hugged him. “I’m not going to my place.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Where are we going?” His head cocked to the right.

  “Castalgia’s.”

  His eyes narrowed. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, especially after what you’ve been through today. We can go get your car in the morning.”

  “I’m not going to get my car.”

  He paused and took a deep breath. “Want to fill me in?”

  “Someone called and told me to get to Castalgia’s. She said something big went down, and if I don’t get over there fast, the evidence will be destroyed.”

  “You can’t go. It’s a setup.” His words were rushed. “They know you know something. They’re trying lure you in and finish the job.”

  She said nothing.

  He threw his hands in the air. “Okay, I know I’m not going to be able to talk you out of this, but I’m coming with you.”

  She let out a breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding. “You don’t have to come with me. I’ll be fine.”

  He pulled her into an embrace. His hand caressed the side of her neck, and he drew her closer still. His lips met hers like a gentle whisper.

  Dominique relaxed into the kiss. Just when she thought he was going to pull away, he intensified the kiss.

  “You have no idea how crazy you make me.” He ran his hand down her back. “I was out of my mind with worry when you were missing. There’s no way I’m letting you walk into the lion’s den alone.”

  Heat traveled up her cheeks. “After that kiss, you think I’m going to say no?”

  He pulled his phone out. “Let’s have the police meet us there.”

  She snatched the phone from his hands. “No cops. They’ll show up with a hundred cars, sirens blaring. We have a better chance by ourselves.”

  The drive took less than fifteen minutes. Joe opened her door and put his hand on the small of her back. “Are you sure you’re up to this, Dominique? It’s not too late to change your mind and call the police.”

  “I need to see this story through to completion. It may never make the news, but it deserves to be told.”

  They walked hand-in-hand down the street. The streetlight cast shadows on the pavement, and the red and green lights of Castalgia’s glowed up ahead. The closer they came to the restaurant, the louder her heart pounded in her ears. When they reached her car, she immediately noticed the broken window.

  “Sorry about your window. We were desperate to find anything that might lead us to you.” Joe opened the car door, snapped open the glove compartment, and pulled out a ring of key and a flashlight. “Do you think we should go in the front or the back?”

  She scanned the empty parking lot. “Let’s use the front door. It doesn’t look like anyone else is here.”

  At the front door, Joe searched through the ring of keys.

  Dominique tested the handle. “It’s unlocked.”

  “Why would someone leave the door unlocked if there’s incriminating evidence in there?”

  “Only one way to find out.” She followed him into the restaurant. The glare from the lights in the parking lot provided a little illumination inside. Dominique surveyed the mess and gasped.

  Tables and chairs lay in splintered shambles. Broken glass and garbage were strewn about the floor. “Someone trashed the place.”

  Joe grabbed her hand and led her through the overturned tables and chairs toward the back hallway. “What’s that musty odor? I can’t quite place it.”

  She turned the flashlight on and directed the light to the doorknob of Vinnie’s office while Joe tried key after key.

  The key finally turned on the fourth try. Dominique crowded behind Joe as he stepped into the office and fumbled for the light switch.

  The office was just as she had remembered it. Whoever trashed the rest of the restaurant hadn’t made it into the office. She walked around the desk and pulled on each drawer. All locked. “Think we should pry these open?”

  “What exactly are we looking for?”

  She plopped down in Vinnie’s chair. “I think we’re looking for files, or ledgers—something like that.” She swiveled in the chair to face the back of the office. A set of mahogany bookshelves drew her attention. Her gaze drifted over a vast collection of family photos, leather bound classics, and a few expensive art pieces. “You ever hear the saying that if you want to hide something, put it in plain sight?”

  Joe joined her. “You think whatever he’s hiding is on one of these shelves?”

  “Not on it, behind it.” She stood in front of the last bookshelf. After examining it for a few minutes, she took a firm hold on both sides and pulled. Pain shot through her midsection. “This is heavier than I expected.”

  “Let me help you.” Joe took hold of the sides and pulled. The bookcase folded like an accordion, revealing a four-drawer filing cabinet. “How did you know to look behind here?”

  She laughed. “I was investigating a story a while ago, and the husband had a secret room behind a row of bookshelves.” She pointed to the manufacturer’s brass plate. “These shelves are made by the same company.”

  Dominique opened the first drawer and leafed through the manila folders stuffed inside. The number of local merchants who did business with Vinnie surprised her.

  The second drawer contained a vast collection of video surveillance DVDs and other high tech recording equipment. The third drawer held two large ledgers. “I think we’re getting warm.” She lifted them out and set them on the floor, sure the information contained within them would put Vinnie away for a long time. “I wish we could take all of this stuff, but at least we can tell the police where to look.”

  She opened the bottom drawer. Only two folders? The first one was labeled Prospects. She opened it and gasped at the pictures of pregnant women. The top of each page had the woman’s name, address, place of work, attending physician, and due date.

  “Joe, look at this.” She pointed to a page. Staring up at her was a picture of Cindy outside of a grocery store as she loaded the twins into the Land Rover. The hair on Dominique’s arms stood on end. He was targeting Cindy.

  Joe took the photos from her. “That’s Cindy!” He leafed through the remaining pictures. “Lord, please protect these women.”

  Dominique perused the second folder, which was labeled Placements. “I think this is what we’re looking for.” She opened it and a chill ran up the length of her spine. A list filled with the names and address of the couples who had adopted the kidnapped babies. Lord, please help me get these babies home.

  The shattering of glass from the front of the restaurant broke the silence.

  Joe rushed to the door and placed his ear near the frame. “Grab what we need. I think we have company.”

  Her heart raced. Whoever was out there wasn’t going to get their hands on this evidence. She scooped up the ledgers and file folders and darted to the door. “I’m right behind you.”

  He opened the door and smoke blew into the room. “Now I know what that smell was—lighter fluid. Someone wants thi
s place completely destroyed.” He stepped out into the roiling smoke that filled the hallway. “We have to go out the back.” Taking hold of her free hand, he ran to the right. “This way! I see an exit sign.”

  Dominique tightened her grip on his hand. A charred taste filled her mouth, and her eyes burned. She tried to cover her mouth and nose with the ledgers, but her lungs burned as they filled with smoke. A cough racked her body, and the one of the folders slipped from her grip. “Joe—” Her parched throat would not allow her to get out any more. She released his hand and kneeled as another coughing fit overtook her.

  Where was that folder? She had to have it.

  Heat surged down the hallway, warming her like a bonfire. Her head began to swim, and her eyes watered, blurring her sight.

  Joe suddenly appeared beside her. “Duck your head lower to the floor and breathe. The air is fresher there.”

  She stared at him. For some reason, his words did not make sense.

  Joe took her head in his hands and pulled her down. “Breathe, Dominique, breathe.” He lowered his own head and sucked the cleaner air close to the floor.

  “The folder—”

  He snatched it from the floor, then pulled her up. “Hold your breath; we’re almost out.”

  Several steps later, she found herself in the alley. Sweet air cleansed her lungs. She stopped and took in several deep breaths. Her coughing eased and she spit out the bitter taste in her mouth.

  “Are you okay?” Joe leaned against the building and coughed several times.

  “Joe Armstrong, you’re an amazing man.” She kissed him soundly on the lips.

  His eyes met hers. “Let’s get this evidence to Houston.”

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Houston stood near the hospital bed and let out a sigh of relief. Despite the beeping of the monitors and the oxygen tubes, his dad slept peacefully. Even in the dim light, his father’s face looked relaxed. His hands, though studded with small bandages from multiple attempts to start an IV, rested on his stomach. How could he look so tranquil after what he’d just been through? Houston longed for just a sliver of that peace.