MURDER TAKES TIME

Chapter 59

 

Caught

 

8 Months Ago

Johnny Muck sat in the back seat of the car, checking his gun while Tommy Devin drove. Muck wore thin leather gloves lined with Cashmere, and his favorite fedora sat on his head, cocked slightly to the left. “Park around the corner. And keep the car out of sight.” 

They got out of the car and went in the side door of a laundromat about a block and a half from Nicky and Gina’s house. Tony Sannullo had issued orders to watch them and wait until they could get them both. Johnny had other orders, though, and Tito had sent him to make sure those orders got carried out: The girl goes no matter what. 

Besides Johnny, there was Tommy Devin, Renzo Ciccarelli, Nino Tortella and Donnie Amato. Johnny looked at each of them, held them fixed with his hard-eyed glare. “Tito’s holding me responsible, so I’m holding each of you responsible. Got it?”

They nodded. 

“Okay, now we wait till he comes out, then we follow. Two cars. Very carefully.”

#

“Time to see the priest,” Gina said as she cooked breakfast. “I can’t believe it’s that close. Can you?”

I put the paper down and laughed. “Never did like going to see a priest, but this time, it’s okay. Confession is going to be hell, though.”

Gina flipped the eggs over and splashed them with a little grease from the bacon. “You might still be saying penance on our honeymoon.”

I got up, walked over and rubbed her shoulders. “It’ll be worth it, no matter how much penance he gives me.” I leaned down and kissed her neck.

“Don’t start that now.”

“When we get back then.”

“Hmm. That just might do.”

We ate breakfast between talk of hotels, honeymoons, and houses, and then I looked at my watch and grabbed the briefcase. “Time we got going.”

Gina went to the restroom, checked her make-up, then headed out the front door. In a minute, we were on the way to the church.

#

I parked in front of the fire hydrant so no one could slip in behind me, checked both side mirrors, the rearview, then got out, stepping onto a light dusting of snow. For Cleveland, a dusting was good. Could have just as easily been a blizzard. My shoes left prints as I made my way to the sidewalk, eyes darting left and right, seeking anything out of place. I learned long ago to be aware of my surroundings. I reached my hand out as Gina climbed out of the car. 

“Ready, sinner?”

Gina smiled. “Sinner? It’s a good thing I’m going first. That way I’ll be done if Father Amelio dies when you tell him your sins.”

We walked into the church together, said our prayers, then met Father Amelio, who had agreed to meet us early and hear our confessions before reviewing plans for the wedding. I smiled at him, then said to Gina, “I’ll wait outside.”

Gina looked at me suspiciously. “You’re not chickening out, are you?”

“I feel like it, but I won’t. Come get me when you’re done.” 

I walked out the door and paced the sidewalk, kicking up a few tufts of snow now and then, and wishing more than anything that I had a cigarette. I pulled my collar up to buffer the wind, then blew on my hands to keep them warm. Life sure had changed. And all for the better. I was going to confession, and soon to be married properly.