MURDER TAKES TIME

Chapter 27

Release

Wilmington—3 Years Ago

August twenty-first was a beautiful day, unseasonably cool, clear skies—and it was the day I was getting out. I packed my things—a lighter I didn’t use anymore, pictures of Angela and Rosa Sannullo, and a letter from each of them.

It took an hour to process my papers, ridiculous paperwork that should have taken ten minutes, but I had learned patience in prison, if nothing else. When the outside gates finally opened and I stepped outside, I almost didn’t believe it. 

I stopped, stared. Breathed deeply. Somehow this air was cleaner. 

A horn beep alerted me, and I jumped, turning toward the sound. An older model station wagon sat across the street. When the door opened, out stepped the most beautiful sight I had seen in years—Sister Mary Thomas. 

I’ll be damned.

It was August, and even though a decent day, it was still warm to be wearing a long black habit. It covered her head, most of the face, and the rest of her body. Despite that, her smile stretched from ear to ear. I raced across the street, embracing her. “Sister Thomas, what are you doing here?”

She patted me on the head, like she did when I was in first grade, then gave me one of her famous smiles. “Someone had to greet you, Niccolo. Now, get in and tell me all about your plans.”

We made small talk as she drove toward Wilmington. I thanked her for the books she had sent me, and I told her how much I’d learned. We both avoided the subject of Angie, and it hung like a curtain between us. 

“You must be eager for some good food,” she said, and stopped at a small diner where a lot of the locals went. She slid into the last booth on the right, tucking in her habit as she did. I sat opposite her. “Tell me about yourself, Nicky. How is your life now?”

I smiled. Couldn’t do anything but smile today. “Sister, I just got out. I don’t know what the hell…heck, I’m going to do, but right now life is great.”

She laid her two magnificent hands on top of mine. Stared at me with her two magnificent eyes. “I have prayed for you all of these years.”

The waitress came, and I ordered coffee.

“Coffee for me as well,” Sister Thomas said, “and perhaps some pie.” She glanced at the menu again. “Apple pie.”

I declined the pie. Had never been a big fan of apple pie. 

As soon as the waitress left, Sister Thomas peppered me with questions. “What will you do, Nicky? Where will you go?”

“I don’t know. I’ve only had ten years to think about it.”

We laughed, then talked more until the coffee came. When I saw her pie, I changed my mind and ordered some. Sister Thomas shook her head. “Share mine. I forgot how big it was.”

“You sure?” I asked. When she nodded, I turned to the waitress. “Just another fork then.” 

“So really, what are your plans?”

“I’m going to get a job, then I’m going to see Angie.”

“Nicky…”

I stared. Braced myself. The way she said “Nicky” told me something was wrong.

“I don’t know if you know this, but Angela is married.” She squeezed my hand. “She has a child.” 

Sister Thomas could have hit me with a hammer and it wouldn’t have hurt as much. I remembered the letter Angie sent, the one I treasured. Her words had been my mantra through the toughest times in prison; they kept me going when I wanted to quit. ‘Find me Nicky. No matter what happens…’ What a crock of shit that was. Now she’s married. Jesus Christ, is that somebody else’s baby? Did she…