Chapter Sixty-Eight

“Is that where it happened?”

Jesse jumped. As she turned, Matt moved out of the shadows. “Where Alton and Ryan died?”

She reached up, brushing the tears from her eyes as she stuffed the pills back in her pocket. “Matt, what are you doing here? How do you know about Ryan and Alton?”

“I spoke to a Detective Sergeant O’Keefe in Florida.”

He came closer. She moved back, tripping on the debris. He steadied her, releasing her when she regained her footing.

“I remember him.” She glimpsed the memory. “He was kind.”

She fidgeted, trying to compose herself.

“He said there was something strange about the case.” Matt craned his neck, looking up the stairs. “The position of the bodies, the bat, the lack of fingerprints.” He smiled softly. “But he talked to the neighbors. They told him what they’d heard.” He looked around. “The police decided you’d been through enough. He knew your brother didn’t kill Eads,” he paused. “He thought your mother did it.”

Jesse just stared back. “Is that why you came all this way—to gloat? To tell me you’ve finally discovered one of my secrets.”

She held him with her eyes.

“No.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. “I came to deliver this. You know. I’m a pretty good investigator. You didn’t ask me who I thought killed Alton.”

“Why should I care what you think? If you have some business, can we get it over with?”

“All right.” Matt nodded. “I was sorry to hear about Lawrence. I know how much he meant to you.”

“He was wonderful.”

“How’s Ali?” he asked.

Jesse fought back the tears. “She’ll be okay. But it’ll be a while before she walks again.”

“I’m sorry, Jesse. You know I always loved her. What caused the accident?”

“She was so upset about the stories in the papers. They were all lies.” She looked at the floor. “Except for the part about how she was conceived. I was raped.”

“I know.”

“How could you?”

“The pompous ass at the theater said you quit,” he said, dodging her question. “What are you going to do now?”

She sighed, staring at the crumbling ceiling.

“I don’t know. I’ve got no money. I was blackmailed for years and with Ali’s medical bills...” She paused. “Why?”

“I came to make sure you’re all right and to give you this.” He pushed the envelope toward her. “Maybe it will help.”

She took it from him, opening it, as she used her flashlight. It was a letter from Mario’s lawyer. “My God. It says I’m to receive most of his estate.” She looked at Matt. “I don’t understand. I didn’t know he was sick.”

“He wasn’t. He died in an auto accident.”

Jesse searched his eyes. He was holding something back. Jesse pulled her damp coat around her, wishing Matt would close the gap between them and surround her in his arms.

“Could we sit down?” He motioned to the stairs.

Jesse nodded. He found a rickety chair. She sat on the third step, facing him.

“I hope he didn’t suffer.”

“He didn’t,” Matt said with a strange expression. “Do you remember asking me about him?” he continued. “Why he was always around and knew where you were and what you’d been doing?”

Of course she did. It was on the most wonderful night of her life, the night they’d made love.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“You were right. Mario wasn’t the kindly old landlord he appeared. And he was never in the army.”

“But he was so convincing, especially the part about my grandfather saving his life.”

“That’s because it was true. He was never a soldier—at least not the way we think of, but your grandfather did save his life. He was a mafia chieftain and partisan in Sicily. He fought for the resistance.” Matt nodded. “He’d been captured and was going to be hanged. Your grandfather arrived just in time to save him.”

Jesse tried to process what he was telling her.

“He and your grandfather fought together and became great friends. All the rest was fabrication. When things got dangerous for him in Italy, he came here. He looked your grandfather up, found out he was dead and that you were very poor. He wanted to help, but he had to keep a low profile. He even pulled the strings to arrange the sale of your home on Fuller Street. There was no urban renewal project. He did it so you could live and go to NEC. Then he went to Boston, because he had friends there. But he followed your life and knew you were coming…”

“But how did my mother get his address?” she interrupted.

Matt smiled.

“He kept tabs on your family. He heard your mother and Ali were moving, so he called, offering to help the family of an old army buddy.”

She felt herself smiling. “Incredible.”

“He wanted you to call him. When you did he was thrilled. He could finally repay his debt of honor. It was the most important thing in his life.”

“So those men that I used to see all the time…”

“Worked for Mario. None of you could go anywhere without your own personal shadow. When you moved to New York, he had friends there, but it was harder. Besides, soon you had another guardian angel, and from all reports, he did a fine job.”

She shook her head. “Did you know any of this? I mean how did you…” Her words trailed off.

“No. I knew there was more to him than met the eye. I spent time with him, and we became friends.” His smile softened. “You’re cold? I’ll get the blanket from my car.”

“I’m okay. But why did you two spend so much time together? I know you came to my mother’s funeral with him, but what did you have in common?”

His eyes showed anger. “My God, are you blind?” He shook his head. “What do think we had in common? You, the thing that kept us together was you!” He got up, pushed the chair across the room. “The same reason I drove five hours hoping you’d be all right when I got here. I….” He turned away.

She’d wanted to hear that so badly. She got up, heading toward him. Matt turned, finding her eyes in the dim light. They moved to each other, slowly at first, closing the distance at a run. Jesse fell into his arms and they embraced. His lips were on her face, kissing her eyes and cheeks. As she looked up at him, tasting his lips on hers, thinking of how often she’d dreamt of this moment. Nothing in her life had ever felt so wonderful.

“Oh, Jesse,” he whispered, drawing his lips away. She clung to him, feeling safe and warm.

“I’ve been such a fool.” She squeezed him, finding it incredible that she’d doubted him and pushed him away.

“We’re together now.” He caressed her back.

“But Matt.” She pulled away. “I’ve hurt so many people.” The tears ran down her cheeks. “You don’t know.”

“You mean killing Alton?”

“But how did you…?”

“I watched you relive it from outside. You hit him three times.”

She tasted salty tears on her lips. Matt approached her.

“I know all there is to know about you. None of it makes any difference.” He held out his hands. She took them in hers. “Do you think I’ve led a perfect life? I was a drunk for years.”

“Because I left you behind.”

“No. Because I was a spoiled little boy afraid he’d get hurt again. I turned my back on the most wonderful woman I’d ever known.”

“There’s something else,” she began. “Something you couldn’t know.”

He approached her, smiling softly. “You mean about our baby?”

Jesse sobbed violently. “Oh God! If I could trade places with that baby.”

He put his hands on her shoulders. “Isn’t that why you came here tonight?”

“Yes,” she whispered as she sniffled. “I thought Ali could have the money from my insurance and…”

“I need you. So does Ali. I don’t want to live without you for a moment longer.”

“I called you, but I was lonely and sick.” She sobbed.

“Shhh,” he said, touching her lips. “Thirty-four isn’t all that old. We can try again.”

She looked up.

He smiled softly.

“Are you asking what I think you are?”

“I’ve loved you from the moment I saw you. My father once told me I had a special destiny. My destiny is simple—loving you.”

“I love you too, Matt. More than you’ll ever know.”

“There’s a lot more to tell about the letter I brought and what it means. You’re a very wealthy young woman. But we have all the time in the world.” He took her in his arms again, stroking her hair. “All the time in the world.”

He kissed her softly.

Matt pulled her closer, but Jesse heard something on the porch. She backed away. As she looked at Matt, he turned toward the front door. He’d heard it, too.

The door flew open. Falling off its lone hinge, it crashed to the floor. The damp gray dawn framed a small figure in the doorway. She stepped into the room, shining a powerful light at each of them. Jesse put a hand into her pocket, searching for her flashlight.

“No sudden moves,” warned the intruder. “I want your hands where I can see them.” The large light tilted slightly, giving them a glimpse of a large, chrome-plated revolver.

The hairs on Jesse’s arms came to attention as the woman spoke. She turned toward Matt, seeing the recognition in his face. Jesse had only heard that soft, deliberate voice once, but it was one she could never forget. The person holding the revolver was Stephanie Halloran.