Page 122 of The Lieutenant

“I apologize for the unannounced intrusion,” Lorenzo stated as he walked closer. “But I do have some news for you. Call it a gift and one long overdue.” He handed me the envelope.

“What is this?”

“I found the answer you were seeking.”

More than curious, I opened the flap, pulling out a stack of photographs. One appeared as if taken by a camera across the street from a black sedan. The picture clearly showed a man placing something underneath the engine compartment. I lifted my head toward him. My gut told me what I was looking at.

“I found the person responsible for killing Mrs. Banning and I’ve handled the situation.” He nodded for me to continue looking. “I’m sorry to say learning the truth was difficult.”

Kara crowded my space, her face suddenly ashen. I handed her the first photograph, knowing she wouldn’t allow me to keep it from her.

As I peered at the second and third photos, the sight of the same man only older lying on the ground in a pool of blood wasn’t something I would show at this point.

“Who is he?” I asked.

“He worked for my son who was killed. Many years ago, my son believed he was protecting me by eliminating anyone who dared cross me. He tasked his Capo to handle planting the bomb under your mother’s car to create the most suffering for the ambassador. Had I known, I would have stopped it from happening. I’m sorry, Kara. I wish there was something more I could do.”

She was frowning, but held out her hand. “Thank you for learning the truth. That’s what I needed.”

He seemed surprised by the gesture. “I’m glad I was able to find the answers and I hope that learning the truth will give you some comfort.”

“Truth is paramount in my world, Don Coppola. Just ask Havros.”

The Don laughed. “Well, I’m glad to hear. Incidentally, it would be a pleasure to sit down and talk with your family about how we can venture into a stronger association.”

I glanced at my brothers and father who nodded. “We would be happy to entertain such a meeting.”

“Good. Now, I’ll leave you. May peace and joy surround your family. That’s what my father used to say.”

As he headed for the door, Kara closed the distance, wrapping her arms around me. In my mind truth was important.

But not nearly as much as love.

EPILOGUE

Seven months later

Kara

To say I was nervous would be telling a lie. I was nine months pregnant, the doctors forbidding me to return to New York for my own party, the debut of the HBO series I’d flown back and forth to help guide to fruition.

The butterflies were creating cramps in my system.

“It’s okay,” Havros whispered.

“No, it’s not.”

The debut day was here and I had to watch the event on national television.

At least I wasn’t alone. Every Nomikos family member as well as my father was inside Apollo Nomikos’ home waiting anxiously for the last five minutes before the program was set to begin.

I paced the floor, trying to keep calm. The last few months had gone by in a blur and I’d grown to love every family member as my own. But seeing my father right here with me, sharing in my success and my happiness was even more special. We’d had long talks about my mother and why I’d fallen in love with Havros. In the end, he’d come around, maybe even liking Havros just a little bit.

“You’re going to be just fine,” my daddy told me as he approached.

“What if it bombs? What if no one watches it?” I asked

He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. Just to have him here meant so much.

---