Chapter 55
FROM the saucepan, Maria watched the door as it opens slowly and Fred stepped inside the house. When no one followed him, she knotted her forehead.
“Hi,” Fred greeted. “I’m sorry I didn’t knock, I saw that the door is open, I thought there might be an intruder and my people didn’t notice it.”
“It’s fine,” she said. “Maybe Wendy forgot to close it.”
“Wendy is really forgetful, huh?” he asked as he walked towards her.
“Ah, yeah,” she replied, brows furrowed. “How’d you know?”
“I just noticed it,” Fred answered casually. “When she went to the police station and brought you food, she mentioned to me that she’s not sure if she closed the door when she leave.”
Maria nodded. “She seldom does that because I always remind her,” she said then remembered something. “Ah, when you arrested me at the club’s lounge, did you find a phone somewhere in there?”
Fred’s brows furrowed. “Phone? We only found your bag but it’s empty, even your clothes aren’t in there.”
“I’m right,” she said. “Demi took it even before the bidding started.”
“And, she planted the drugs on Doppy’s office?” Fred asked, confirming their investigation.
She nodded. “Demi has access at Boss Doppy’s office. I have to get my phone back from her, it’s where all the conFredts stored.”
“If the phone is in her, then maybe she has destroyed it.” Fred looked at her thoughtfully, his gaze was penetrating her spine. “How did you do plan everything?”
Maria heaved a sigh. She stirred the sauce and checked its consistency. “We knew that the bidding for Magdalene will get your attention—the cops—because it might bring a lot of our biggest clients in one place. So Wendy and I prepared our Plan B if Plan A failed.”
“And, you failed because Agent Euclid bid the highest for you,” Fred said with a shake of his head. “You must be really shocked—”
“I’m expecting that he’ll raise his card higher than Mr. Fortuno,” she cut off. “What I didn’t expect is Mr. Fortuno’s escape. I thought he was also arrested, together with Boss Doppy. But, you failed.”
“You mean, all of this is part your plan?” Fred smirked. “So you did all of these because you wanted Mr. Fortuno to get arrested? Is that what you’re trying to say, Magdalene?”
“Of course, not,” Maria answered quickly. “Why would I want to get arrested in order to Mr. Fortuno’s capture?” She turned off the stove. “It’s the Plan A that failed because I didn’t know that the highest bid was from an undercover cop. The Plan B was putting all the charges to Boss Doppy.”
“Why?”
“Because he made my life miserable in that club. He used Sara’s health situation to threaten me. He used my body, degraded me, and forced me to dance naked on the stage.” She bit her lip when tears stung her eyes. “He’s a monster and I want him to pay for all the things that he did to me.”
It took seconds before Fred could answer. “Human trafficking charges are enough for him to suffer inside the prison. We’ll make sure that he’ll get what he deserves.”
Maria didn’t answer. She took the casserole of cooked pasta and poured it on the pan carefully. She didn’t speak until the dish is ready to serve.
“What are you cooking? Is that for dinner?” Fred asked suddenly, changing the subjects.
Maria felt relieved that he does. “I’m making carbonara for dinner,” she said. “Hmm, where’s Euclid, by the way?”
“He’s got some work to do at the headquarters,” Fred said with a sly grin on his face. “As his replacement, I’ll be the one staying with you here.”
“Oh, really?” she looked away from Fred. “Am I not going to see him again?”
“Probably,” he said. “Euclid told me that it will be better if we switch places. He’s good at analyzing data, so he’ll stay at the office than to be here.”
Maria nodded. “That’s good,” she said and removed the pan from the stove. “This investigation will surely move forward because of it.”
“Do you think so?” Fred asked. She heard him pull a chair on the dinner table and sat on it. “Where’s Sara, by the way?”
Maria released her breath when Fred asked another question immediately. She glanced at him and caught him staring at her. “She’s with Wendy. They’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Aren’t you afraid that somebody might be watching you outside?” he asked, not taking his eyes off her.
Maria wiped off the sides of the stove before she looked at Fred. “Why would I be worried? You assured me of our safety in exchange of the information that you need from me.”
Fred smirked. “Information that until now is you’re not giving to us.”
“It’s not easy to just drop it all off without the supporting details,” she said matter-of-factly. “I know that you can understand what I’m trying to say.”
“Of course, Maria. I understand you, but we’re running out of time—”
“We’re not,” she cut off. “Just give me a few more days to get it all.”
Fred looked at her. “Tell me, are you still connected to them?”
“No,” she answered without a second thought. “But, I knew where to find some of the people that are still connected to them.”
“Who are they?” Fred asked. “Spill it, Maria.”
Maria smirked. “You wouldn’t believe me if I tell you.”
Fred laughed. “You’re smart.”
“Just give me more time,” she said and took out Wendy’s phone in her pocket. She placed it on top of the table, in front of Fred. “Tracking my calls is useless.”
“Wow,” Fred said with a laugh and picked up the phone “You’re unbelievable. How’d you know about this?”
“It’s easy to guess,” she said. “Wendy got a new phone the day after my release, and while I’m still under your watch.”
“I guess, we underestimated you.” Fred smiled. “You’re quite different when you’re with Euclid. Why?”
Maria heaved a sigh. “I’m just not comfortable when he’s around…”
“Is it because of your past?”
“Maybe,” she said. “It’s just awkward, and he’s always ill-tempered.”
Fred burst out laughing. “I agree.”
Maria put the carbonara pan on the table. “By the way, Sir Fred—”
“Fred will do,” he cut off. “I hate formalities. It reminds me of the boring days at the academy.”
Maria laughed. “Euclid used to tell me stories inside the academy…” she paused, thinking about what she just said. But, it’s too late, Fred has noticed it.
“You still like Euclid,” he said and laughed. “The more you hate, the more you love.”
“I don’t hate him,” she said with a stern voice. “But, I don’t wanna talk about him.”
“It was you who brought up the topic about him, saying that Euclid used to tell you about stories—”
“Whatever,” Maria cut off. “I just wanted to say that tomorrow is the start of my work at the restaurant owned by Connor’s sister.”
“Why do you need to work? You have enough money that will support your daughter’s medicines.”
“It’s not enough,” Maria replied. “It will never be enough.”
Fred studied her reaction. “She’s not doing well?”
Maria didn’t answer. She focused her attention on what she was doing. She doesn’t want to use Sara’s condition to do her plans, but she’s running out of ways to execute it. They gave her only one week to do the things that she needs to do to cover it all up, and if she screws up, she’s sure to be dead.
“I thought you and the doctor were… you know,” she heard Fred say suddenly.
Maria turned to face him. “What?”
Fred shrugged his shoulder. “I’m observant.”
“It’s none of your business,” Maria said with furrowed brows. “By the way, I don’t want anyone from your undercover team to watch me while working.”
Fred leaned on his seat. “They’re undercovers, you will never know that they’re around you.”
“Well, now, I know,” she said. “I want them to secure my daughter’s safety here. I can protect myself.”
“Why are you so sure that nothing will happen to you if you go outside unguarded?” Fred asked her with a raised eyebrow. “For a state witness that holds vital information, you don’t look bothered by your safety.”
“I did not say that I’m sure nothing will happen to me, I just said that I can protect myself if something went wrong.”
“How?” Fred asked. “How will you protect yourself?”
Maria held Fred’s stare. “You will allow me to carry a gun.”
