“Enlighten me anyway.”

He shrugged and got closer to Parks’ computer until Parks pulled it out of his reach.

“It’s been on the market for years. It’s overpriced, and frankly, the rumors mean no locals look at it, nor do they ask their rich friends to move in on it.”

He stopped and looked at us.

“Look, if the rumors are true that it’s some mafia daughter’s or something, I didn’t say anything bad.”

Now I paced. It would seem logical that it was empty, wouldn’t it? It would be the perfect place to bring someone you didn’t want found.

“Any other rumors you can think of?”

The guy was scratching his chin.

“As long as you put a good word in for me that I didn’t do anything, I’ll tell you that there is a rumor about a tunnel. I’ve never seen it, but I suppose it’s one of the reasons it has that reputation for having ties to some mafia.”

Parks was already typing something into his computer, and I was texting my computer guy. Someone would have plans for the house. That being said, with the Rossi family being who they were, there was a good chance no plans existed on any tunnel.

The guy was shaking like a leaf when I finally looked at him.

“Can you guys go outside now?”

I smiled.

“One more question. Where would you guess this rumored tunnel is?”

He looked at Parks, and Parks turned the computer back around to the guard.

“The kids said they’ve found a metal grate in the middle of nowhere out that way.”

He pointed to the property, and in general it looked like another group of trees.

“We will check it out.”

Parks put the laptop away.

“That’s the car, thanks.”

I was already grabbing the keys from the driver, who delivered the car to us. It was small and, had it been snowing, this would be a terrible idea. Lucky for us, there wasn’t a flake in sight.

“Parks, get in.”

I didn’t even glance at the couple of guys with us. They could call for another car. I wasn’t wasting another minute.

TWENTY-TWO

emilee

“So Aunt Giannaowned this before she met you?”

Vinny went around turning on lights, fumbling like he didn’t actually have a clue where they were.

“Yes. Shut up and sit down.”

“So at one point, she did have better taste. Interesting.”

Vinny glared daggers at the guard behind me.