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The following morning, Kate returned to the parking lot across from the restaurant. She’d hoped the change in time would lead to more information. It had been nearly a month since the murders with no sign of the men from the funeral. Eddie must have told them to lay low.
She arrived in her rented navy blue Nissan and spent another couple of hours in her usual location, though nothing remarkable presented itself. She returned home feeling a sense of doubt weakening her resolve. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe they weren’t involved. Maybe they’d just been friends of Eddie’s who’d accompanied him to the funeral as a show of support. She didn’t believe this, but without a sighting from any of them, she had nothing to go on. No one to follow.
Two more weeks went by without anyone of importance showing up at the restaurant. Still, Kate continued her surveillance, each day renewing her conviction that she was on the right track. Yet each day her confidence waned. Was she wasting her time? She didn’t want to believe that. This was the only thing giving her purpose. Without this, she had nothing.
After another disappointing afternoon watching Fortunato’s, Kate again returned home feeling defeated. She sat in the quiet living room sipping tea. With temperatures finally on the rise, the annual tease of spring was within the city’s grasp, as March came in like a lamb. Though still cold, the snow began to soften and the rain made its first appearance in months. As she listened to it gently bouncing off the windows, she began to doze.
The sound of a car pulling up Kate’s driveway caused her to bolt upright. Evening had fallen and darkness had moved in around the house. Her hands began to shake, her nerves heightened. She inhaled deeply and tried to pull herself together. It was probably just her parents coming to check on her.
Kate slipped into the kitchen and peered out the backdoor window just as someone emerged wearing a brimmed hat.
Eddie.
Oh God. What was he doing here?
Kate turned and walked in circles in the middle of her kitchen.
She considered not answering the door, but instead reminded herself that this was an opportunity to observe him. It’s what she’d been hoping for all along.
Still, having him in her home repulsed her.
She opened the door just as he lifted his hand to ring the doorbell.
“Eddie—what are you doing here?”
“Kate. I’m sorry. But I’ve been worried about ya’. You haven’t answered my calls. I wanted to check in—see how you was doin’.” He lowered his chin. “Hope it’s okay.”
“I’m fine.”
Eddie shrugged. “Can I come in?”
Kate moved aside and let him in. He removed his hat and wiped his wet feet on the rug. She thought about stabbing him with the butcher knife sitting in the block just feet from her reach.
Eddie turned to her. “Mind if we sit down? I wanna’ hear how you’re doin’, Kate.”
“Okay.”
She invited him into the living room and gestured for him to sit. He took a seat on the sofa, still in his winter coat, holding his hat. Kate took the chair across from him. He looked drawn, fatigued. She’d almost forgotten that he was in mourning, too.
“So, Kate,” Eddie asked. “How you doin’? You holdin’ up okay?”
She shrugged. “How do you think I’m doing, Eddie? My husband and son were murdered.”
He looked down at his hat. Kate thought she saw remorse quickly cross his face.
“Kate. I can’t fuckin’ imagine. Marco—he was my friend. I mean, yeah, he worked for me, but we was just gettin’ ta’ know each other, ya’ know? I liked the guy—a lot. And Renzo...” He made a psst sound as he shook his head and looked at her, wiping his eye. “Can’t even imagine that shit, Kate. What you’re goin’ through, I mean.”
Kate said nothing. She stared at him and let him talk. She wanted him to talk.
He shifted in his seat. “Kate. I came by to tell ya’ that I’ve been thinkin’ about you a lot. And, like I said, I’ve been worried about ya’. And if you need—”
Kate shook her head, fighting the tears welling in her eyes, the crack in her voice. She refused to cry in front of him. She waved her hand back-and-forth. “You don’t need to—”
Eddie put his hand to his chest. “Kate. If you need anything—anything—you can come to me. I wanna’ take care-a you, ya’ know?”
Kate thought his performance seemed sincere. Thoughtful, even.
“Thank you, Eddie, but I—”
He flapped his hand. “I know—you don’t want nothin’ from me. But seriously, Kate. Anything at all, you come see me, okay?”
“Thanks. I appreciate you coming by to check on me.”
Eddie stood. “Alright. And Kate—me and you? We got similar situations. I lost Micola, ya’ know.”
“Yes, I know. I’m sorry. She was a wonderful, sweet woman.”
“Yeah. She sure was.”
“And I’m sorry I—I missed her funeral. I just—”
Eddie raised his hand and shook his head. “You couldn’t, Kate. I understand. It’s all too much.”
Kate nodded. “Any idea who did it? Micola’s killer, I mean. Do they know anything?”
“Naw. Not yet. But I’m gettin’ close to findin’ out.”
Kate nodded, wondering what he meant by ‘I’m gettin’ close.’
“Are you getting any help from the police?”
He shrugged. “Fuckin’ cops, am I right? Are they helpin’ you on your case? Did they find any prints? I mean, I ah’, I thought maybe they’d find some, or maybe have some ideas about the flat tire or somethin’.”
Kate’s heart skipped. How does he know about the flat tire?
She hid her surprise. “No. Not really. Haven’t heard from them in quite a while.”
Kate thought she saw a look of relief on his face, but maybe she was just being hopeful she had the right guy. She could be wrong about him, though she doubted it.
Eddie put on his wet hat. “Alright, Kate. I’d better get back.” He looked out the window. “I hate this shitty weather.”
They returned to the kitchen where Eddie paused. He turned to her and pointed. “Remember, now. You need anything, you call me. Better yet, come see me. Okay?”
She nodded. “Okay.”
“Alright. Good. Take care now, Kate.”
“I will.”
Through the splattered rain on the kitchen window, she watched him back the car down the driveway until the car turned the corner and disappeared.
