“These people are my family. I don't even fucking know you. So sit down and shut up.”
Beverly looked as if she wanted to argue, but she thought better of it. Instead, she walked over to the sofa and took a seat.
“Now,” Tammy said, turning to Victoria, “is Francis all right?”
“Yeah, he’s good.”
The next few seconds were filled with an awkward silence. Yeah, the woman had been very disrespectful, but Victoria still felt bad for snapping at Tammy’s mom.
The sound of a ringing phone pierced the room. It was Lorenzo’s. He pulled the phone from the pocket of his slacks and left the room. Victoria walked over to the bar. She needed her own drink. As she poured, Lorenzo reentered the parlor.
“The men will stay. I have to get back to the restaurant,” he announced.
“What’s happened, Lorenzo? Is Luca okay?” Tammy worried.
“Si, but the police are there.”
Victoria walked across the room and grabbed her purse from a table close to the foyer. “I’m coming with you,” she told him.
“No, donna. Stay here with the women.”
“I’m coming with you,” she repeated.
“Victoria, where are Jack and the kids?” Tammy asked.
“At his parents, but he’s own his way home. Do me a favor and tell him that I went to help.”
“Oh, hell naw,” Tammy protested. “You ain't finna leave me here to tell Jack Storm that you went to the scene of a shoot-out. Nope.”
“Tammy, the police are there. Maybe I can help. Jack will understand.”
“Bullshit! I’m coming too.”
“No!” Lorenzo shouted, chiming into the debate. “Por favore, donna. Are you trying to get me murdered?”
If Victoria didn't know that his concerns were warranted, she might have laughed.
“Tammy, I’ll take care of him. I promise.”
Tammy exhaled and flopped down on the sofa next to Beverly. “All right. But I ain't waiting on Jack to get all the way here. I’m calling him as soon as you leave.”
Victoria wanted to protest, but she knew how overprotective Jack could be. Tammy wasn't willing, nor did she deserve Jack’s wrath when he couldn't put a finger on her in troubled times.
“Okay,” Victoria said as she followed Lorenzo to the front door. “I’ll call Emily on the way. He might need a lawyer.”
“Good idea,” she heard Tammy say as she exited her house.
****
Only because some of the cops on the scene didn't know that Victoria had resigned from the department, was she able to get through the uniformed officers that had cordoned off the restaurant’s main entrance. She took the stairs to the second level and paused when she reached the landing. The scene was reminiscent of the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Deceased Russians were spread about the floor. Thankfully, there was no sign of Sicilian casualties. There were cops and evidence technicians everywhere, busy with the task of securing the scene and the collection of evidence.
“Damn,” Victoria whispered.
She scanned the room until her eyes landed on Luca. He was on his knees with his hands cuffed behind him. Victoria hurried over to him, but she was careful not to disturb the crime scene.
“Luca, are you okay?”
“Sto bene, donna. Tammy?”
