Gangsters
Part eleven
The
newspaper headlines filled in part of the puzzle the next day. Fingers Maloney
had been found shot dead the night before. Linzi came down to breakfast looking
as if she hadn't slept much, but had cried a lot. She read the paper with a
wooden expression and left through the garden door. Lissa made to start after
her, but Kelley shook her head. Billy and Chris entered the kitchen.
"Have
you seen Linzi?" asked Billy.
"She's
gone out into the garden," said Kelley, "Billy..." she stopped
not sure how to put her thoughts into words. "Be gentle with her. She did
love him and she doesn't know his plan."
Billy
found Linzi sitting on one of the garden benches, staring at the ground. He sat
down next to her taking hold of her hand. It lay limply in his.
"Linzi..."
he began
"Who?"
asked Linzi quietly still not looking up.
"Chris
and I." Said Billy.
"Which
one of you..." Linzi let the question trail off. Billy sighed.
"I
did." He admitted, "Linzi..." he bent his head to try and catch
her eye. She averted her head.
"Billy
please," she said, extracting her hand from his, her voice soft and sad,
"please leave me alone for a while." She sensed rather than saw him
leave. Seconds later someone sat down next to her.
"Billy
I asked you..." she said turning, "Oh Craig. Sorry I thought you were
Billy."
"We
need to talk," Said Craig. He nodded after the distant figure of Billy,
"This is the second time he's killed for you, you know." Linzi looked
at him startled.
"Who
else?" she asked. Craig looked at her uncertainly.
"You
realise that the Luciano you were first meant to marry was Tubby." He said.
Linzi's hands flew to her mouth.
"No!"
she breathed. Craig nodded.
"He
killed his brother for you and another reason," Craig told her, "He
said he wasn't going to let someone as beautiful and sweet as you be married to
a man like his brother."
"What
was the other reason?" asked Linzi. Craig shook his head.
"I
can't tell you." He said.
"But
why did he kill Fingers?" asked Linzi, "Just because he was dear to
me!"
"No,"
Craig shook his head, "Although that probably made the job easier."
"Then
why?" probed Linzi. Craig sighed.
"Fingers
was overheard plotting to take over the Marchessi family."
"How?"
puzzled Linzi.
"By
killing your brothers. Consoling the grieving sister. Marrying the grieving
sister and then killing your father." Stated Craig flatly. Linzi stared at
him horror struck. "Ask Diamond."
"I
suppose I should thank Billy then." Said Linzi with a grimace.
"I
need to talk to you about something else as well." Said Craig, a slight
colour staining his cheeks.
"Go
on." Said Linzi.
"Erm...Your
friend Sissy. Is it serious between her and Dionico?" he asked in a rush.
Linzi laughed.
"Dionico
only started to show her attention when you appeared on the scene. She's been
crazy about him for as long as I can remember," she spread her hands,
"I don't know whether he does like her or whether he doesn't like the
thought of her liking someone else. All you can do is try."
"Thanks."
Smiled Craig. Just then Lissa and Sissy came running across the grass.