Page 94 of In Plain Sight

“Wait a minute. The way you just described Bruno’s father…. From what the senator said, Bruno doesn’t seem to be a chip off the old block.”

Gary nodded slowly. “There have been signs that times are changing. From all accounts, Paul is a lot like his dad, but he’s had to toe the line.” He tapped the folder. “I did some digging. Lately if the DiFanetti name pops up in anything dirty, it’s usually linked to Paul, not Bruno. Which is why I found it easy to believePaulmight have had Cheryl taken out.”

“And now?” Dan could easily have believed Paul to be the culprit.

“After everything I heard in that interview, it sounds as though Bruno is trying to change the DFF group’s rep. All that stuff the senator was asked to support? Maybe Bruno is trying to go legit. A lot of people’s perceptions of the family are based on the past, and it could be he wants to change all that.”

Dan frowned. “Now hold on there. Are you saying the senator and Bruno aregood guys? Seriously? Then explain the painting. You think Brunohappenedto have it lying around? Think about the timing. The museum heist took place March 18, 1990. Then Bruno approached the senator in July.” He folded his arms. “We need to know what happened after Bruno took Cheryl away from the senator’s house.”

Gary nodded. “I agree. Which is why we’re going to bring Bruno in for a little chat. Maybe he has the answers. Becausewedon’t have them all yet.”

“When will you bring him in?”

“Tomorrow morning, first thing.”

Dan cocked his head. “And when do you think Senator Cain will make bail?”

“That lawyer of his will have him out of that cell before the end of the day. I guarantee it.”

“So he’ll be free to go back to the house and wait for the hammer to fall. Only this time he won’t have his Rembrandt to gaze at.” Dan stilled. “I think it lost its luster when Cheryl died. Because can you imagine how he felt every time he looked at it? It would be a reminder of the night he lost the woman he loved.”

“He lost more than that,” Gary murmured. When Dan gazed at him inquiringly, he gave a sad smile. “I think that night… he lost a piece of his soul.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Saturday, August 4, 2018

9:30 a.m.

GARY PICKEDup his folder, then checked his notepad was in his pocket.

“Breathe, sweetheart,” Dan said in a whisper.

He let out a wry chuckle. “That obvious, huh?”

“I was in the bed next to you last night, remember? You didn’t sleep well.”

Gary bit his lip. “I don’t know why. I mean, so what if I’m about to interview the head of Boston’s largest crime family? Especially one who’s brought his lawyer with him. That doesn’t bode well.”

“You said it yourself. TheywereBoston’s largest crime family once, but maybe not anymore. Now if you were interviewingPaulDiFanetti, then yes, I’d be worried. That man is….” Dan shivered.

There was a knock at the door, and Travers walked in, his eyes gleaming.

“I know I said you still had work to do on this case, butJesus, Gary. You just caused a commotion downstairs.”

Gary flashed Dan a smile. “I guess our interviewee has arrived.”

“Have you arrested Bruno DiFanetti?” Travers demanded.

“Right now he’s helping us with our inquiries. We’ll see what the state of play is when we get through with him.”

“When I suggested you start with this case, I had no idea it would lead to Senator William Cain confessing to manslaughter. When did he make bail?”

“This morning.” Gary held up the folder. “And Bruno is here to add a few more details.”

Travers glanced at Dan. “You’ll be in on the interview too, right?”

“You bet he will.” Gary gazed at Dan, his chest bursting with pride. “He’s provided us with some considerable leads so far.”

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