Page 39 of Labria

“In an apartment I rented.”

“Where is this apartment?” Nicco’s tone was audibly agitated.

“Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I have an apartment there. That’s where I left them. I don’t know how many days I’ve been gone.”

“The address?”

Marie’s eyelids flittered. She didn’t want to tell Nicco where her children were. I understand her fear, but she didn’t have a choice.

Nicco twisted her chin.

“They, they, the ad, address is 4545 Kingstown Road.”

Nicco let go of her chin with a firm push. “Apartment number?”

“Three C.”

“Three C?” Nicco asked to make sure, I suppose.

“Yes. Please, Mr. Bregoli, don’t hurt my kids. They don’t know anything. They’re just kids.”

“If you are completely honest. If you cooperate, I might be willing to spare your children…Now, back to Tom. Where is your brother?”

“I don’t know.”

“That’s not a good answer.”

“I don’t know. I swear on my kid’s lives. I don’t know.”

Nicco shook his head no. “You know something.” Nicco pointed the gun at Marie’s face. “Speak.” He calmly commanded.

“Yes, yes, I left him in Nebraska. It was the last time I saw him. He wouldn’t tell me anything. I asked him what he was doing and where he was going. But he wouldn’t tell me.”

“Now that’s too bad. I can’t keep you alive. You know that, right?”

“I didn’t have anything to do with any of this. Tom did everything on his own. I swear I didn’t know anything about it until after it happened.”

“Tell me. What happened?”

“Tom told me he killed someone in the Italian mafia. Someone big.”

“What else did he tell you?” Nicco lowered the gun and stood above Marie, glaring down at her.

She lifted her head to look up at Nicco. “He said Fredo was dead and then he told me the mafia killed him. He was talking about revenge and I thought he was just venting. But then he said he killed the head of the mafia. I didn’t know what that meant. I didn’t believe him until he made me and my kids leave Chicago.”

“Cavallari, what do you know about it?” He asked.

“My brother uses that name. He doesn’t look like me. I look Asian. Tom looks White. He passes for White. He’s been using other last names for years.”

“When was the last time you saw your brother?”

“Two months ago. We were on the road in Nebraska, driving around from state to state. I got tired of running with my kids. I left him there in some hotel.”

“You left your brother in Nebraska?”

“Yes. I thought about it. I didn’t do anything and there’s no one was looking for me. I can go on with my life. When Tom was sleeping, I left the hotel in the middle of the night with my kids. I rented a car and went straight to Wisconsin, where he wouldn’t find me.”

“Where you thought I wouldn’t find you?”

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