Page 100 of The Pretender
“I see that now. I’m sorry I’ve been distant. I didn’t know how to handle all the trauma.”
“You don’t owe me an apology. You did what you had to do, and that’s what you should’ve done.”
“You can count on me. I’ll get your things from your apartment and whatever else you need. Nick’s firm works with high profile people, so they’re experts at confidentiality. I guess I’ll wait to be notified?”
“Yeah. I’ll make sure you’re called. I won’t be available on this number anymore, just in case.”
“Balt, huh? That’ll take some getting used to.”
“It grows on you.”
“Hey, so listen, when the dust settles, do you think we could meet up somewhere? It’s been years since I’ve seen your face.”
My heart flutters in my chest. How many times have I wished I could hug my sister? “I’d love that.”
“Me too.”
“I’ll send you a letter with my keycode for my apartment and the items I need. I’ll give you a forwarding address later.”
“Sounds good. Be careful, huh?”
“I will. I love you, sis.”
“Love you too, Mi—um, Balt.” She laughs softly. “I’ll get it.”
“You will. Bye.”
By the time I end the call, I can hear voices coming from the living room. I walk out to find Nonna, Brogan, Deo, and twoolder men sitting on the couch. Everyone looks at me at the same time.
“The victim,” Nonna announces, smiling, as if killing off family members is a normal event for her. “The man formerly known as Mike Franco. My cousin, Lou, and his brother-in-law, Tony.”
I shake hands with both men. “Thanks for your help.”
“You bet,” Lou, a short, stout man with a bald head but a warm smile says. “Did you get the stuff together?”
“Yes.” I walk to the small kitchen table and pick up a manila envelope. “The gold watch, the papers, and Mike’s wallet.”
“Perfect.” Lou takes the folder and looks inside. “Ah, even better.”
“What?” Deo asks.
“You addressed the papers to Vin. That will make even more sense when the cops contact him.”
“They’ll suspect him,” Nonna says. “Everyone knows who Vin Galliano is. Certainly the cops do.”
“Eh, he’s probably got them all paid off,” Tony adds.
“Oh shit. I didn’t even think about that part. Of course he does. They’ll give him a courtesy call.” I drag my hand through my hair as true relief spreads through me. “This is gonna work.”
“Course it’s gonna work,” Lou says. “You think we don’t know what we’re doing?”
“No, I do. Vin is just very… Well, he’s not the capo for nothing.”
“No worries, son. We’ve got this handled. We’ve fried bigger fish than Vin Galliano.” Lou pulls open a canvas bag. “Here’s a burner phone. We’ll be taking the old one.”
“I have a work phone specifically for dealing with Vin.”
“Perfect, but I suggest you go no contact with your old life. Anything you gotta access, do it today. The rest will have to wait. The only way this works is if there’s no trace of you anywhere.”
