Page 45 of Paranoia

Trent added, “I set the table.”

Eddie said, “I sliced some onions.”

Even Brian said, “I took Ricky to the store to buy everything.”

I smiled as I caught Jane rolling her eyes at her brothers.

Dinner proceeded like most of our Sunday dinners. Loud conversation. A lot of people talking over one another. And excellent food. Everyone had a glass of water, and the adults had wine. The younger kids settled for grape juice and pretended. My grandfather seemed to drink their share of the wine.

Mary Catherine occasionally chimed in from the bedroom.

I enjoyed seeing Rob Trilling out of our usual element and with a pretty girl. Mariah was social enough to cover some of his shyness.

After a while, she offered, “I’m from a big family too. But nothing like this. Just a sister and three brothers. But we don’t work as well together as you guys.”

Seamus said, “Family is a blessing. They can be a lot of work too, but mainly a blessing. With God’s help, we’ll have another blessing soon.”

From the iPad, Mary Catherine said, “Amen.”

Mariah looked at the iPad and said, “Juliana, I understand you’re an actress. What play are you in now?”

Juliana’s face came partially onto the screen. “Nothing really. Just an amateur production ofGodspell.”

Mary Catherine said, “Don’t be so modest. She’s super in the play. Juliana’s going to be a star.”

Mary Catherine’s supportive tone finally made me realize why Juliana had fled to the bedroom when Rob Trilling and Mariah arrived. Damn, I can be slow on the uptake sometimes. I knew that in the past Juliana had had some kind of feelings for Trilling, but they both claimed to be just friends. Now I guessed some other feelings had bubbled up.

While I was still mulling this over, Ricky and Fiona brought out a dessert of tiramisù on one of our silver serving platters. After a couple of pieces were sent to the bedroom and we all finished our portions, Mary Catherine declared it the “best dinner ever.”

Chrissy said, “Ricky is going to win that show. I want to go with him.”

Ricky said, “Only two people can come with me, and one has to be a parent or guardian.”

I said, “I’ll be there.”

The night continued to be a success. As we said our good-byes, I realized I had to face reality tomorrow morning.

CHAPTER 66

DOYLE MADE A split-second decision and retreated to the small kitchen. He slid between the refrigerator and the wall. There was just enough room to fit and be completely out of sight from the entryway. He felt like he should hold his breath but gave up on that idea when the door opened and all he could hear was the booming voice of Oscar Tass.

The woman was much quieter.

Tass flipped the light switch. Nothing. He cursed, then wiggled the switch with no results.

The couple moved into the living room, still chatting in the dark. Doyle couldn’t make out what they were saying.

Doyle heard the couch creak. It had made the same noise earlier when he had sat on it. Doyle felt a wave of disappointment. He didn’t want to kill another female witness. There was no needfor it. But he wondered how long he could stay hidden, crammed against the wall and the old humming refrigerator.

The conversation died off. The couch creaked some more. Doyle realized the couple was getting romantic. How long would this take? Would the woman leave afterward? He wasn’t certain how he would handle this. Doyle felt for the folding knife he kept in his pocket. The gun was a last resort due to the noise.

The knife wasn’t much better. God knew what kind of mess it would make and there was no guarantee it would be quiet. If he could slash Tass’s throat first, he might be able to keep the chaos in check. But he’d still leave traceable evidence. Possibly get injured himself.

Doyle started to squirm out from his hiding place. The room was dark, and the couple was still on the couch. He silently stepped toward the doorway of the kitchen. The knife was now open and in his hand, ready for action.

The woman let out a yelp. She sprang upright on the couch. She directed a string of curses at Tass in both English and Spanish. The old drug dealer started to laugh, then cackled at her.

Doyle stepped forward for a better look. He blended into the shadows of the dark room. Now he saw Tass’s pudgy figure next to the woman on the couch. He tried to caress her face, but the woman knocked his hand away. She was angry. This might work out.

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