Cass Long was alone when she saw the news on television.
Her first reaction was of an almost satisfied shock, until the full horror of the event overpowered her as television cameras hovered in a helicopter above the wreck that had once been the Bassalino mansion.
The scene was one of devastation. Fires were still burning, while police and firemen swarmed all over the place. A row of blanket-covered victims was lined up beside the swimming pool.
‘It has not been established,’ the newscaster said, ‘how many bodies are still to be recovered from the house. However, authorities seem certain there are more to come.’ The newscaster paused as further information was relayed to him. ‘It appears that a series of bombs were placed around the house, triggered to go off at short intervals. We will have more news on that later. The owner of the Miami mansion, Enzio Bassalino, was a well-known underworld figure in Chicago in the late twenties, along with his contemporaries Al Capone and Legs Diamond. In recent years, Mr. Bassalino has lived in seclusion and retirement at his house in Miami with—’
Cass clicked the television off. For a moment she stared at a framed photograph of Margaret hanging on the wall.
It was time to take up the work again. Time to go out in the world and try to achieve some of Margaret’s goals.
Cass knew exactly who she could turn to.