Episode20

Love, Mafia Style
Episode 20

**
''So tell me, where do you go so early every morning?" In Vincent's mind, business never started before 9:00, but Rachel was out the door by 6:15. There had to be a reason. It was now 7:45 and she was back with him.
"If I'm there to see my kids off to school, they'll never know." Rachel had truly been going to her house every morning to check in with Antwon, the kids were never actually around.

"I see. You and Andrew have two children, two sons." Vincent had his men look into Rachel's past, he had to be sure everything was legit.

"How did you know?" Rachel hadn't brought up her children yet at Nash's insistence.

"I have my ways." He pulled Rachel onto the bed next to him. "Tell me about them.'' Vincent wanted to know everything about her. If she was going to be in his future, he'd have to learn to accept her faults.

"Kyle is twelve and Ryan is eight." She really didn't know anything more specific than their ages. Should he ever meet the boys, she'd have to play twenty questions beforehand.

"You started young." Vincent did the math quickly in his head, she was eighteen when she had Kyle. Coincidentally the same age she got married. Funny how that worked out.

"I married young." Rachel had to make sure her story coincided with whatever his thugs may have found out.

"And now you're looking for a way out?" It had appeared that Rachel was wondering if there was life beyond her family and her work. Vincent was all too happy to help her see the light.

"I need an escape." Rachel had to act desperate, she had to want out of her marriage.

"Look no further.'' Vincent pulled her towards him for a kiss, he was prepared to do whatever it took to keep her by his side. "I'll help you any way that I can.''

**
''How are things going with Rachel and Vincent?" Nash looked up curiously from his desk as Antwon came up the stairs.

"From what I've been seeing and hearing, not too bad." Antwon had seen and heard a lot over the past week. Hopefully, some of the information would be pertinent.

''Does he trust her?" His trust was the most important issue at the moment. If Vincent didn't trust Rachel, they had nothing.

''He hasn't told her any family secrets or about Tamara, if that's what you're asking." Antwon knew that Nash's main motive for solving the case was justice for Tamara's death.

"But he's with her all the time, right?" Nash had to make sure that Rachel was completely taking up Vincent's free time, so he'd have no time to plot and plan.

"As much as she can. I mean, you've got her at Saxon during the day while he attends to business." Rachel didn't have a lot of free time to get off track, however, Cardell might need to be more carefully watched.

"Maybe she should stay with him, take a day or two off work to be with him." The case already seemed to be dragging on, Cardell had to break sooner or later.

"Nash, I know you want to get this case closed, but Rachel needs a break." Rachel looked exhausted when he saw her earlier that morning. She hadn't been to her own home in days and she and Harvey had opposite hours.

"When this is over, she can have all the time she needs. But right now, I need her with Cardell." Nash knew that Rachel needed some time to herself, but their position with Cardell didn't allow for it right now.

''Okay. I'll let Rachel know to take some time off for Cardell.'' Antwon was a little surprised by Nash's insistence that Rachel stay on the job, after all, this was Rachel.

"If Rachel has a problem, she can see me about it herself." Nash knew Antwon was coming to Nash as Rachel's friend, but this was something she'd have to discuss with him. The case couldn't wait.

**
Vincent knocked on the door to Andrew Martin's office, he had to check out his competition. His afternoon was free and this was the perfect opportunity. Harvey wasn't quite prepared for his visit, but he'd make do. Harvey pressed the button under his desk, the recorder was on. ''Come on in, it's open.''

Vincent walked in, Harvey could already smell the liquor and smoke permeating from his clothing. Ugh. "Good afternoon, Mr. Martin. May I?" Vincent pointed to chair near Andrew's desk.

"Of course. Care for something to drink?" It was evident they both might need a drink to get through this meeting. Now wasn't the time for Andrew to be inebriated. Harvey walked over to the cart and poured himself a tonic, while he poured Vincent a vodka.

"I like the way you do business." Vincent accepted the glass and took a sip, it was stong, just the way he liked it. "I hear you're quite the investment broker.''

"I've made my share of deals.'' Harvey wondered if Nash had planned on this meeting or not. Either way, maybe some information would come out of it. "What did you have in mind?"

"I've come across some substantial funds through inheritance, and I am looking for some sound investments.'' Vincent already tied Tamara's money with Rachel, he just wanted to see what her husband had to offer.

''I can make some calls and offer a few recommendations, how much are we talking about here? Give me a ball park figure." Harvey already had the amount in his head, but he needed Vincent to say it himself.

"Around six point five million dollars." The money wasn't easy to come by, and it certainly didn't compensate his personal loss.

"That's a lot of money.'' That was precisely the amount that Tamara had inherited from her husband upon his death. This would certainly help.

''I trust you'll find a nice place for me to put it, won't you?'' Vincent's eyes fell upon a photo of Rachel on Andrew's desk. "Is this your wife?"

''Yes, that's Rachel." Harvey tried to show a little reserve at the mention of her name, to imply there were some problems.

"She's very beautiful, you're a lucky man.'' Vincent could see Andrew had no idea what was going on. That he was the man bringing Rachel to his bed every night while Andrew was out himself. "We'll be in touch.'' Vincent took a final swig of his vodka and set the glass down. He got up and left the room, he didn't want to be late for dinner.

**
"I'd like you to meet my mother, Rachel." Vincent had assured himself that Rachel would be in his life from now on. He wanted her to meet the most important woman in the world to him. Vincent thought dinner would be the best place to bring up his mother.

''Your mother?" Rachel knew Nash had planned to talk to Annie with Nick and let her know what was going on. That would be hard for any mother to take.

"I don't bring women home often to meet my mother, she's a very special woman.'' No one competed with his mother, but Rachel was quickly earning her place. ''She'll like you.''

Rachel wondered what made her stand out from the rest of the women he had been with. She hoped Annie would recognize her upon meeting her, knowing that she was the cop and not some fling Vincent was bringing home. ''You've told her about me?"

''Of course, why wouldn't I? You're a very special lady." Vincent had informed his mother the day before that there was someone he wanted her to meet, someone very important to him.

''We could go tomarrow, if you'd like.'' Rachel had gotten Nash's message about taking a day or two off to spend with Vincent.

"You'd take off work to see my mother?" Vincent was impressed, he knew she was dedicated to her children and her work. She was going out of her way to please him.

''Why wouldn't I?" Rachel smiled, hoping to gain Vincent's trust as they went along. Meeting Annie the next day would be a true test. She had to let Nash know right away.

**
''Thanks for coming over so late, Annie." Nash led Annie Cardell into the apartment and offered her a drink. She might need it for what he had to say.

''Nick tells me you want to talk to me about my son?" Nick had only mentioned a few brief points, he didn't come out and tell her that her son was a murderer.

''Why don't you take a seat?" Nash motioned over towards the couch and she sat down while he poured a glass of wine for them.

''Listen, Nash, I know my son isn't always on the right side of the law, but he's a good boy deep down." Annie didn't want to believe the things she had heard about her son. They couldn't possibly be true. This wasn't the Vincent she knew and loved.

"Annie, there's something I have to tell you. Your son is not only one of the biggest mafia leaders on the East Coast, but he's also wanted for the murder of Tamara Van Zandt." The news hit Annie like a brick wall. There was no way this was her son.

"Nash, come on, it can't be Vincent." Annie couldn't bring herself to comprehend what he was saying. There had to be someone else.

"Annie, listen. Nash wouldn't lie about something like this.'' Nick took Vincent's dossier and handed it to Annie, along with various news clippings and other tell-tale proof.

''Oh, God... what am I going to do?" Annie was lost for words, she didn't know how to react. All this time, Vincent had been living a double life.

"Will you help us?" She had to help them get her son. If Annie didn't help them, they were as good as finished. Annie could tell Vincent and it would be over.

"What do you need me to do?" It was going to be hard to betray her son, but she had to. Any other time she would've died to protect him, but this was different.

''Meet with him tomarrow morning. We have an officer undercover and everything will be recorded." Nash didn't want to give too many details, hoping she wouldn't tip Vincent off and turn on them.

''He said he wanted me to meet his new girlfriend tomarrow? Rachel, I think...'' Vincent had called her just before she came over to make plans for breakfast.

''Yes, meet with them and we'll talk tomarrow afternoon.'' The look of worry in Annie's eyes was unmistakeable. She was clearly afraid of what her son was capable of.

**
''Mama, this is Rachel. Rachel, this is my mother Annie.'' Vincent was happy about getting to make the introduction. There was no way his mother wouldn't like Rachel.
He was disappointed Annie showed up twenty minutes late. He'd have to ask her about it later. Annie wasn't going to let him down.

''Nice to meet you, Rachel.'' Annie sat down with them at the table. She had been a nervous wreck all morning. ''Vincent tells me you're a financial analyst of some sort?"

"Yes, I work for Saxon Investments and Brokerage.'' Rachel wasn't sure how much Nash had told her, or what Vincent had told her.

''He said you're doing wonderful things with his money." Annie smiled towards her son, "you have two sons, right?"

"Yes, Kyle and Ryan. They're twelve and eight." Rachel wanted to be sure that she kept the information straight.

"That's lovely. Vincent adores children." Annie wasn't sure if Vincent had told her about his sons or not. She was sure he hadn't mentioned Marco to her.

''Mama, we don't want to scare her off yet." Vincent smiled at Rachel, noting she looked a little uneasy. "Any new men I should no about?"

Rachel wasn't surprised, Annie still hadn't told him the truth. There weren't any new men, perhaps a new lady. Rachel could hear her phone faintly ringing from her purse. The perfect getaway. "Will you excuse me for a minute? I've got to answer a call."

''Of course." Rachel got up and headed for the bathroom. She pulled out the phone and answered, "what?"

"Good morning to you to." Harvey chuckled, "how are you?" He was driving over to his office at Smith and Wesley and wanted to check in.

"Much better since you called." Rachel smiled, happy to hear from him. It certainly would make her morning better.

"Listen, your loverboy stopped by yesterday. He's trying to double play us. I told Nash, but I wanted to warn you." Harvey was worried about what Cardell might try and pull while Nash wasn't watching.

"I appreciate the concern." She wanted to talk with him and tell him everything, but she didn't have the time.

"So how's breakfast with the inlaw?" Harvey had heard from Nash that she was meeting with Annie today.

"Miserable. But I'll get by.'' Rachel wished she could see Harvey, the phone just wasn't doing it for her anymore. "I've got to go."

''She seems wonderful, Vincent.'' Annie liked Rachel, but she knew it wouldn't last for long. Vincent had to pay for what he had done.

"She doesn't seem, Mama, she is wonderful." Vincent was assured that there was no better than Rachel at this point. All the other women became inferior.

"Be good to her Vincent, if you want to keep her.'' She didn't intend to sound so cryptic, but she knew his end was near.

''I'll do whatever it takes." Vincent turned to see Rachel walking back towards the table, "don't let me down, Mama. Be nice to Rachel.''

**
"I talked to Rachel this morning while they were at breakfast." Harvey wanted to give Nash the latest update.

"You called her?" Nash was sure that Rachel wouldn't have interrupted their breakfast to call him.

''She said everything was going well, the meeting with Annie, that is." Harvey could tell that Rachel still had her reservations about the whole plan. She didn't think they could carry it off.

''Had Vincent mentioned anything, or said anything?" Nash would listen to the tape later, but he wanted to know now.

''Not likely with his mother around. I'm going to get some lunch and see what I can make of his books.'' Harvey already noticed his financial records from Vincent were different from the ones he gave Rachel. The question was, which ones were legit?

**
"What do your sons think of their father?" Vincent was curious about how her sons related to the man who had made their mother so miserable. It wasn't the ideal lunch conversation, but there was still so much about her that he didn't know.

''They know I'm unhappy, but they respect him." The children had been informed about the type of situation they were going to be dealing with. They were to side with Rachel.

''So they love their mother, you've raised them well.'' Rachel's response reminded Vincent of himself when he was younger.

''I'd do anything for them.'' Rachel knew this was true, even if the boys weren't her own.

''Even stay with a man that you despise.'' Rachel's love for her children was clearly apparent. He could see she wouldn't be willing to give them up. It would have to fall on Andrew. "Will I get to meet them?"

"In due time." Rachel had to ask Nash about having Vincent meet the kids so soon, she wasn't sure if they'd be ready. "What about you?"

"What about me?" Vincent wasn't sure what she was questionning, him wanting to meet her sons or if he had children himself.

"Do you have children?" Rachel knew he did from reading his dossier, but she wanted to her it straight from him.

"I do, two sons. My boys are thirteen and seven. My oldest son was 16 when he died." Vincent didn't bring up Marco often, but he felt safe telling Rachel about him. She was one of the few who would actually care.

''I'm sorry, I didn't know.'' Rachel sat there quietly. Nash hadn't mentioned his son had died. There was a hidden compassion to him, a side she felt was rarely seen.

''There was no way you could've.'' Vincent ran his hand through her hair and gently touched her cheek, she was so sincere and different from the other women he had been with. She was the escape he had been looking for as well. ''I long to have a daughter. My sons are wonderful, but nothing compares to the love a daughter has for her father.''

"You're still young.'' Rachel could see Vincent was passionate about his children, she couldn't deny him that. She knew he'd never be able to have another child, prison visits aren't that liberal.

''And so are you.'' Vincent had decided Rachel would be the perfect addition to his family, children or not. She was the type of woman he needed. She was inquisitive but not an annoyance or troublesome, yet she had a life of her own.

''You're not shy about what you want.'' Rachel hadn't met a man so foreward in a while.

''Not when it comes to a beautiful woman that I know I can make happy.'' Vincent ran his hand along her thigh, as she tried to block the thoughts running through her mind.

**
''I'm worried about Rachel, Nash." Annie looked over to Nash across the table in his kitchen.

"Why?" He wondered if anything had gone on during their meeting that he should be informed about, if it concerned Rachel's protection.

"He's quite taken with her, he told me he'll do whatever it takes to keep her.'' Annie had been frightened by her son's attraction to Rachel, willing to do whatever it took to keep Rachel. "She's married, Nash.''

''I know, to Andrew Martin. She also has two children.'' Nash didn't want to admit that Rachel was an officer, but he had to tell her some of what he knew.

"Vincent can't handle it when he doesn't get what he wants. He doesn't handle losing something or someone very well. My grandson died six months ago and you'd think his world came to an end.'' She didn't know if she was helping any with her information, but it was worth a try. "He has a very bad temper."

"How bad?" Nash knew that Cardell had an angry streak, but he needed to know just how bad things could get.

"Pretty bad, even worse when he starts to drink." Annie loved her son without question, but it was hard for her to look past the drinking and his mood swings.

"So you think Rachel could be a target for some of this aggression?" Nash would have to make sure Antwon was moments away from now on.

"Don't make him mad, Nash. We'll all have to pay the price." Nash began to see that Annie lived in fear of her son. Not even a mother's love could protect her from the fear he instilled upon her.

**
"I'll be right out, then I promise we can leave.'' Vincent kissed her passionately before she left the room. She had arrived later than usual that evening and he questionned the hold up, Rachel claimed she had to stop by the office. They'd discuss it over dinner.

Rachel walked into the bathroom and shut the door, pulling out a small headset from the inside of her boot. ''Nash, this isn't good timing.''

"I know, take tomarrow off of work." Nash was hopeful that she could get something out of him the more she pried.

''Nash..." Rachel was exhausted, she never knew acting could be so tiring. Cardell was a hard man to please, lucky for her, he was also a drunk.

"Go home for a little while, to Belmont, but get back there tonight.'' Nash hung up the phone, that was the best he could do for now.

''Paul, it's Vincent. I need you to do some work for me, a little search.'' Vincent was going to find a way to get rid of Andrew Martin. He checked the bathroom door to make sure Rachel hadn't come out.

''Everything has checked out with Rachel.'' Paul had looked into her past, everything was clear and secure.

''I know, it's her husband. Andrew Martin. See what you can do.'' Vincent watched the the bathroom door as Rachel emerged and quickly hung up the phone. ''You look amazing.''

"Vincent, I'm very sorry to do this, but I have to get home." Rachel went over to the chair to reclaim her purse and jacket. Nash's call had changed her plans for the evening.

''Is something wrong?" Vincent had planned on another leisurely dinner and a long night in bed, apparently, she had other plans.

"Ryan is running a fever and Andrew has a meeting, I should be at home with him." Rachel slid the jacket on, worried as Cardell came closer towards her.

"Go and take care of your son, I'll be waiting." Vincent kissed her hard on the lips, he didn't want her to leave but he knew her children came first.

"I'll be back as soon as I can." Rachel kissed him again, for reassurance that she'd return. This wasn't easy. She almost felt comfortable with him now. Something was wrong.

**
Rachel got out of her car and stepped up to the house on Belmont, it was massive. Every time she walked in, she feared one of Cardell's men would already be inside. She opened the door, pleased to find Harvey sitting on the staircase waiting. Rachel had to see him, feel him in her arms. He'd make everything okay.

"It's been a while." Harvey got up off the stairs and kissed her, it had been far too long. He didn't care who was around to see it. Antwon was still at the hotel, with Cardell's room bugged to monitor his every call and his every move.

''I know." Rachel couldn't begin to tell him how good it felt to be in his arms again. She heard the faint sound of a computer or video game in the background, and wondered who else was there or if that was Harvey's choice of amusement for the evening. "What's that noise?"

"Our sons' video games of course." Harvey smiled, the boys were quite the distraction and certainly limited their actions during her brief time off. "But, they're upstairs and we're down here.''

"You do have a point there, Ha... Andrew." She pulled him in by his lapels for another kiss, she found it increasingly difficult to remain undercover at all times with him. Cardell was different and he certainly had his appeal, but she wanted Harvey.

"You're supposed to be at work and she's supposed to be tending to a sick son. No public displays of affection on the job, you two. Save mush for your own time." Kyle came down the stairs and smiled, ''what's for dinner, pops?"

Harvey laughed, the kids were enjoying this too much. ''Maybe you can convince your mother to cook. Lord knows I can't get her to do a thing around this house."

"Very funny. Maybe I'll resort to take-out.'' Rachel grinned shamelessly, testing Harvey's resistence even further.

"How's that different from any other night?" Harvey smiled, "where is that troublesome Ryan anyways?" Earlier that evening, Ryan had clearly beat him in a maddening game of checkers.

"He's upstairs, he's playing ill. He wants more parental attention." For only being twelve years old, Kyle had a great concept of the situation and a overly creative imagination.

''Well, tell your brother I'll order dinner as soon as he crawls off his deathbed.'' Rachel hadn't eaten all day and wished Harvey could stay with them for dinner.

''Right away, mom.'' Kyle took a charismatic bow and flashed a toothy grin, acting like her servant before he charged back up the stairs.

"I should get going, business awaits.'' Harvey didn't want to leave but he knew he had to. He kissed Rachel and held her for a moment, ''I guess we can talk later."

"It will be soon, I can promise you that.'' She kissed him and ran her fingers through his hair, she hated to see him like this. If the situation was bad for her, it must be torture for him.

**
"Vincent?" Nash waited for Vincent to reply, he knew Rachel wasn't back yet so it was safe for him to call.

"What can I do for you, Nash?" Vincent was annoyed by his call, he hadn't done anything yet to provoke Nash's interest in trailing him. Tamara was old news, it was time to move on. Vincent sat on the patio of his hotel room, watching the cars drive by on the street below.

"I see you've made a new friend in the city," Nash was referring to Rachel.

''Congratulations, Captain. You've got good eyes." Cardell knew Nash had someone watching him, and apparently they caught sight of him with Rachel.

"You do know that she's married, don't you?" Nash wanted to further conversation, but not appear to know too much.

"How would you know that?" Cardell was wondering how Nash knew Rachel's marital status, questionning Nash knowing Rachel himself.

"She's not exactly unknown in the city. Her husband is a very powerful man." Nash had to put ideas into Cardell's head about Andrew, so they could introduce him into the plot as well.

''So I've accquired his trophy wife? I'm impressed." Cardell had no idea Andrew was so prestigious around the city and in the investment world.

"I'd watch out, if I were you, when he finds out." Nash didn't want to sound too threatening, but he hoped that Cardell would be some what intimidated.

"Nash, I'm not going to go after him if that's what you're thinking. As long as she's with me, I don't care about her husband.'' Cardell paused a moment, "now tell me, was there a point to this call?"

"Just wanted to say hello." Nash could sense Cardell's frustration.

"That's what I thought." Cardell hung up the phone. Andrew would have to be dealt with after all.

**
Rachel watched as Vicent poured himself another glass of wine, it was his second bottle. She was surprised he wasn't immune to its effects by now. He had already had more vodka on the rocks than she could count. Rachel hoped her ploy would work at least one more night, just as it had the previous six. She stepped out of the room and onto the patio.

''You're beautiful.'' He was three sheets to the wind, she could tell by the tone of his voice. It wouldn't be much longer. ''Come join me.''

Rachel sat down next to him on the chaise lounge. He set the wine glass down and began to kiss her. The stench of the alcohol was almost to powerful for her to take. ''Sorry, I'm so late."

"You came back, it doesn't matter." Vincent really hadn't noticed her absence, the wine had kept him company. He pulled her in closer to him, "how's your son?"

"Asleep, his fever broke about an hour ago. I wanted to make sure he was okay." Rachel had seen the boys briefly while they were at Belmont, another officer took them home just before midnight. "You look tired.''

''It's been a long day.'' Vincent clumsily fumbled with the buttons on her shirt as the liquor began to take its effect. "But I'm never too tired for you.''

"We should go inside,'' Rachel hesitated to do so each night. She feared he'd be less drunk than she imagined and her plan wouldn't work. Rachel carefully unbuttoned his shirt after undoing his tie. He sat up and she lead him back into the darkened room.

**

Sarah