Exposed (Rosato & DiNunzio #5)(98)



“How’s Rachel?” Mary opened her eyes enough to see them clustering around her. But no one answered her question about Rachel. She felt a tingle of concern that there was bad news and they were keeping it from her.

“Simon, how’s Rachel?” Mary asked again, dry-mouthed.

“She’s fine,” Simon answered, materializing at Mary’s side and giving her arm a reassuring squeeze.

“For real?”

“Yes, absolutely. They think they might have found a new donor. We have only one more test to go, then we’ll know for sure.”

“That’s wonderful.” Mary felt the news suffuse her with joy. “And your father?”

“Dad’s still stable. He might get a stent. He’s worried about you.”

“We’re all worried about each other.”

“That’s love.”

“Yes, it is.” Mary felt a familiar grasp on her hand, but this time it felt different than before. It was Anthony. “Anthony, you okay?”

Everybody smiled, and Anthony answered, “Now I am.”

“Good. Love you.” Mary let herself drift back to sleep. She didn’t need to hear Anthony tell her he loved her. She already knew.

She was lucky and blessed in him and all of them, and when she finally succumbed to sleep, she felt in a state of grace, even on Earth.

Because Heaven was right here.





CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Bennie and Declan didn’t get back to her house until dawn, and Bennie shut the door behind them, exhausted and in some pain. The Advil and adrenaline had finally worn off, as if her body knew it was finally time to let down, and as she turned away from the door, she felt a deep ache from her broken ribs.

“Hurting?” Declan asked, concerned. “Why don’t you go upstairs and lie down? I can make you some eggs and bring them up.”

“No thanks, I’m not hungry.” Bennie trundled to the staircase. “All I want is to get out of these disgusting clothes, take a shower, and sleep for a month.”

“Go right ahead. I’ll be up in a minute. I’ll make you a cup of tea.”

“That would be nice.” Bennie kicked off her shoes and trudged up the stairs, feeling achy with each step, holding on to the banister for support. She reached the top, headed into the bathroom, and closed the door behind her. She flipped on the light and avoided the mirror, knowing it would give her nightmares.

She took off her blazer, which was stained with blood that had dried in stiff patches. She was about to drop it on the tile floor when she noticed that one side of the blazer was heavier than the other. She realized something was in the pocket and she put her hand inside, surprised to find Mo’s burner phone still in her pocket. She must’ve left it there.

She pulled it out, shuddering at the bloody fingerprint on the phone cover. It was her print from when she thought she needed to call 911. She flashed on the two cell phones that had been on the floor next to Mo’s body, his company-issued smartphone and his burner phone. Mo must’ve kept the burner for his machinations with Ray and Ernie. It would probably hold evidence that would support her statement, so she made a mental note to turn it in to the police. But she felt curious about what was inside.

Bennie flipped it open and scrolled to the text function, but there were no texts, which probably meant that they had been deleted. She didn’t know if the burner phone supported encryption apps or the like and she was too tired to care. She flipped to the phone call function to check the recent calls. A list of recent calls popped onto the screen.

Bennie recognized the first number, which appeared twice. She didn’t know if it mattered, but it didn’t make sense. She needed her new favorite sounding board.

“Declan, can you come up?” Bennie called downstairs, getting her second wind.





CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Sunday morning was insanely humid, and Bennie felt the relief of air-conditioning as she opened the door to Vetri’s, the same fancy restaurant that she’d met Nate in before. She acknowledged the ma?tre d’ and made her way through tables packed with people having brunch. The air was filled with happy chatter and grinding espresso machines. It smelled like fresh coffee and artisanal rolls.

“So we’ve come full circle,” Bennie said, pulling out her chair when she reached the table.

“We have.” Nate rose while she sat down, looking fresh in a linen sportcoat, blue T-shirt, and jeans.

“Do you have an entire rich-guy wardrobe?”

“There’s a reason for that.” Nate took his seat. “I was so glad when you called.”

“Well, I thought it over. I changed my mind.”

“How so?” Nate leaned over the table with a warm smile. “Is this where you tell me you like me better than Declan?”

“No.” Bennie shot him a warning look. “And no more talk like that.”

“Got it.” Nate put up a hand. “Limit-setting. This far and no further. I got it. For the time being.”

“I mean it,” Bennie said sternly. “Declan didn’t agree with me being here today, but I don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. I’ve done a lot of great work for Dumbarton, and we’ve been friends a long time.”

“Truth,” Nate said, in an encouraging tone. “So does this mean you’re working for me again? Please?”

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