Page 98 of Cougar Point

“They cut her hand off, Uncle Vinnie! I just don’t understand what’s going on. I feel so helpless and useless and I haven’t been a good daughter…” She sobs loudly, and Vinnie pulls her head against his chest.

“You did good. You got things going,” Vinnie tells her. “I’m so sorry I didn’t come here as soon as your mom talked to me about a divorce. I should have talked this out with your dad. I know it’s not an excuse but I didn’t want to make matters worse for her. And I didn’t want you and your sister to hate me for…”

He doesn’t have to finish. Rebecca gives him a tiny smile. “It’s a good thing you didn’t fight with Dad. Ronnie would beat you up.”

Vinnie squeezes her tight. “I guess there’s no point in my going back in there. Unless you want me to? I can go back to town and start searching.”

“Stay, Uncle. You can help us come up with a plan here. Dad’s got the ransom money together.”

“You’ll have to take me to town today. I’m not staying here.”

“Dad will have to get over himself. And you will too. This isn’t about you. It’s about Mom so no more of this crap.”

Vinnie shakes his head and says, “Yes, ma’am.”

“Let’s go in and sit at the table,” I suggest. “Rebecca will get you some coffee. You don’t have to say anything to Jack if you don’t want.”

We get up to go inside and then I hear the gate opening. A dark SUV comes down the driveway followed by two police cars and a K-9 Unit. Vinnie tenses but Rebecca takes his hand.

“I called them.”

The SUV stops and Lucas gets out with a grim look on his face. He’s ignoring me for once, eyes firmly on Vinnie. “Well, look what the cat dragged in.”

“Hello, Sergeant Lucas,” Vinnie says. “Long time no see.”

“Not long enough, Vinnie. How long have you been here?”

“What are you doing to find my sister?”

“Well, Vinnie, that’s what we need to talk about.” Vinnie steps toward the driveway and Lucas says, “Don’t even think about it.” Lucas holds an arm out and says to Rebecca and Vinnie, “After you.”

Rebecca leads the way. I bring up the rear.

Jack and Ronnie are still sitting at the table in the kitchen. “Dad, I’ve invited Uncle Vinnie to stay with us.” Jack gives her a sharp look. She says, “It’s not up to you. I’ve invited him and he can help us. You need to listen to what he has to say. Please, Dad. For Mom’s sake.”

Jack pushes another chair out for Vinnie, and the tension between the two men is electric. Vinnie puts his big hands on the tabletop and says, “I’m sorry for what you’re going through, Jack. I know you love her very much. And she loves you.” Jack’s glare morphs into a pitiful look and tears stream down his frozen face. “I hope we can let our differences go and work together. It’s up to you, Jack. I’m willing if you are.”

Lucas sneers and says, “How heart-wrenching. You’re going to make me cry.” He looks from one man to the other. “I don’t care if you work together, Vinnie. You’re going to tell me everything I want to know or you’ll be eating jail food again. Understand? Don’t leave.”

SIXTY-THREE

Ronnie and I sit on the back deck with Vinnie while Lucas talks to Jack. A small crime scene army is spread out on the grounds, working a grid search.

“I think Lucas suspects me,” Vinnie says.

“That’s crazy,” Ronnie responds.

“Is it? You suspected me until we talked. How do you know I’m not lying?”

“You’re family,” Ronnie says.

She doesn’t know how family can betray you. Jack is a dick and a liar and controlling, but I’d swap that for my parents any day.

Vinnie puts a hand on hers. “That doesn’t answer my question but thank you for saying that, Ronnie. It means a lot.”

“Tell me about you and Mom.”

We listen to Vinnie’s story about his and Victoria’s childhood and hear a different side of Vincenzo Lombardi than I’d heard thus far. Vinnie was changed when he came home. He’d never gotten along with his parents, but he avoided them more often now. And not just his parents: he avoided his friends, his church, and worst of all he avoided Victoria.

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