Bertelli Investigations Volume 1: Noteworthy Mysteries

Chapter 12

Tony was driving as they were heading towards their parents' home."I wonder what mom wants?", he asked Tino as he tried to concentrate on driving while dreading going to their parent's place. He knew his mom was upset, and that was never good for anyone around her.

"I don't know but anytime mom talks like that it's usually means we're in trouble." Tony sighed, thinking of what they could've done to upset their mother. You know it's insane, we don't even live at home anymore and we are adults, but yet we are still afraid of our mother. Let me call dad and find out what it's about. At least we would have a warning."

Tino dialed his phone, hoping it wasn't anything serious. Him and his brother were under too much stress to deal with their mom at the moment.

"Guys", their dad whispered while answering the phone."Your mom is onto us."

Tino scrunched up his eyebrows."Dad, what are you talking about? And why are you whispering?"

"I'm trying to not let your mother hear me. Earlier today she happened to use my phone to check the weather, and she accidentally tapped on the photos."

"Oh no, don't tell me?", Tony said closing his eyes briefly in dread.

"Yep.She seen the picture of the note left during Jade's murder."

"What did you tell her?!", Tino panicked.

"Nothing. I told her it was official police business. But she is mad. Really mad. So be careful."

"Mario, where are you?!" They heard their mom's voice coming from the background of the phone.

"Gotta go.", Mario whispered, quickly hanging up the phone.

Tino rubbed the side of his face with his hand."This is gonna be a long day."

"We should've taken Mitch up on that cup of coffee." Tony said."Let's go to that coffee shop up the street first, Coffee Blend. They have the extra strong coffee beans and espresso shots."

"Good idea.", Tino agreed."You haven't told Vanessa about the note, have you?", Tino questioned.

"Of course not. I can't tell her official police business," Tony playfully mocked.

"Yeah but, you know...."

"What?", Tony asked, suspicious of what his brother was about to say.

"Well, this involves Tia. I thought might go ahead and tell Vanessa so you could talk about it with someone."

"That's what I have you for: to talk about things I can't reveal to other people."

"So, you actually keep things from Vanessa?", Tino asked surprises, glaring his dark eyes at his brother, and smiling sarcastically.

"Only detective stuff that I know would bother her.", Tony replied, taking the band out of his curly ponytail, letting it down as he was getting aggravated at Tino.

"Okay," Tino shrugged.

Tony stared at him sharply."Okay? What do you mean by okay? Don't be lecturing me on my relationship with my woman Mr 'I Don't Need A Woman Because I'm Too Busy In Life.'

I just said OKAY", Tino laughed."Geesh I don't know how Vanessa puts up with you."

When they got to their parents' home, Tino and Tony made sure to bring their mother their favorite kind of coffee from the coffee shop-a caramel macchiato with 2 shots expresso and 6 packets of sugar. As their dad let them in quietly, they were looking around for their mom. "She's upstairs ", he whispered.