Page 61 of Absinthe Minded

“I need info for the article. Plus, he’s going to get Evelyn and Joe to drop the custody case.”

“You’re going through with the article?” Her eyes widened.

I could count on one hand the number of times I’d seen Shanna look frightened, and for some reason, this was one of them.

“Marlena approved my proposal to do the exposé about the Marchionni family and their businesses.”

“Like I said before, are you nuts? Evelyn already wants you dead so she can have the kids, and let’s not forget you’re engaged to Gabe.”

“She doesn’t want me dead.” I laughed, but it sounded hollow.

“Not yet. If you start airing their dirty laundry to the world, things could get worse. When’s the custody hearing?”

“Tomorrow.” I’d done my best to trust Gabe when he’d said he’d get his parents to back off, but so far nothing had changed.

“Prince Charming better get his ass in gear. Evelyn and Papa Joe are the last people who need to be raising kids.”

“Tell that to the judge.”

My phone lit with another call from a blocked number. I answered and listened for half a heartbeat before I hung up. I really didn’t need to know all the body parts the person wanted to cut off me.

Shanna touched my hand. “You okay?”

Not even a little okay. “I’m fine. Wrong number.”

“I hate to add to your shitty morning.” She pulled an envelope from her bag. “You need to take a look at this before you go any further with the article or into court.”

“Is it that bad?”

Shanna shrugged. “That’s your call.”

I opened the thick file and began skimming through personal and business records of the Marchionni family. My eyes bugged out at the size of the dollar figures. I knew they had money, but holy smokes. “You got the police report, too?”

“Sure did. There are several clipped together.”

Barely paying attention, I flipped through the pages until a familiar name caught my eye.

I glanced at Shanna, then back at the police report. “Rebecca…”

“Don’t read anything into it, the authorities ruled the crash an accident,” Shanna said.

“I know.” I swallowed past the lump in my throat and closed the folder. Bad news piled upon more bad news. “I’ll read it later. What’s your gut saying? Is the family as bad as the rumors say?”

Shanna took a sip of coffee. “Ask me again after you’ve had time to go through it all.”

“You think they’re part of some organized crime syndicate?”

Her usual carefree expression melted into a frown. “Maybe. It’s hard to tell. Whatever they are, people they do business with don’t seem happy afterwards.”

“How so?” I eyed the file with a sinking feeling.

“Several reports have been filed against the corporation, and more against Papa Joe, accusing them of sabotaging businesses in order to force owners to sell.”

“Shit.”

“With that many enemies, it’s not surprising he insisted someone caused Joe and Rebecca’s crash.”

I refused to consider what something like that could mean for Gabe, or me and the kids if we were married.This has to be a mistake. She’s exaggerating. “I’ll be judicious with the information I include in the article. Besides, maybe I can dig up enough dirt to stop the custody battle? I mean, if the engagement thing doesn’t work out.”

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