Secrets & Lies by Raymond Benson Page A

Disneyland?”
    Had I? I didn’t remember
.
    â€œCome on, Maria, you’ve been to Disneyland, haven’t you?”
    â€œOf course, but I love it. They’re always adding new things, too.”
    I figured what the hell. Why not? “Sure, Maria, we can go to Disneyland. When do you want to go?”
    â€œI’m free next week. Any day.”
    She was actually free every goddamned day. She didn’t do a thing except lounge around the pool, unless she was in L.A. shopping on Rodeo Drive for expensive clothes. Daddy gave her a blank check. She drove a sweet 1958 Alfa Romeo convertible, one of many lavish presents from her father.
    â€œIt’ll have to be next weekend, Maria. I work this week,” I said.
    â€œSaturdays are really crowded.”
    I shrugged. “I’m sure we’ll manage. So, is it a date?”
    â€œSure. What do I do, come to L.A. Friday night? I could stay with my cousin in Santa Monica.”
    â€œDo I know your cousin?”
    â€œShe’s here. Catherine. You’ve met her before. She’s six years older than me. Has four kids.”
    â€œOh, right. That sounds good, I can pick you up there.”
    â€œGet Boone to drive us. That car of yours is too small.”
    â€œSure thing.”
    She leaned in close and kissed my cheek. Maria was my height, which was all right. Like I said before, I usually like ’em taller than me, and that’s a group that probably includes most of the chicks in the world. “Thank you, Leo! I look forward to it.”
    Yeah, she liked me. Maybe I
could
develop something to my advantage. Romancing Maria might be a good business move. Was it possible to marry my way into the DeAngelo family? The idea was so fantastic, it was funny. Besides, she came with a lot of baggage. She was good looking, but I didn’t like the way she felt entitled to everything. She always got her way. I believed women needed to know their place.
    â€œHey, Maria!”
    We looked over and saw her older brother Paulie waving at her.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œMom wants you!”
    â€œI’m talking here!”
    He waved at her sternly. “Come on!”
    She rolled her eyes. “Oh, dear. It must have something to do with the cake. Excuse me, will you?”
    â€œIt’s all right.”
    Maria grabbed my hand. “Let’s talk some more later.” And then she was off, and I watched her sashay across the lawn to her brother. He chewed her out a little, but she brushed him off and went in the house. Paulie turned to me and shot me a dirty look. He wasn’t one of my favorite people. In fact, he was a pain in my neck. I’ve known
him
all my life, too. He argued to his pop that I shouldn’t be put in charge of the counterfeiting operation because I wasn’t “experienced” in their ways. I didn’t know why he was against me. He just didn’t like me.
    Paulie was the oldest kid in the DeAngelo family. He was thirty-five or thirty-six, I can’t remember. Tall and skinny and had a face like a weasel. Had the temper of one, too. Someday maybe he and I’ll get into it. I think I could take him.
    After the sun went down, DeAngelo put on some clothes and stood near the gazebo, smoking a cigarette and telling stories to the numerous sycophants around him. I finally went up to him and said, “Happy birthday, Don DeAngelo. Thank you for inviting me.”
    â€œLeo, my boy! Leo, I’m so glad you could come. How are you enjoying the party?”
    â€œIt’s great, sir. I always love coming here.”
    He addressed everyone. “You all know Leo? He’s Philip Kelly’s boy. I’ve known Leo since he was a baby.”
    The group nodded. Some of them actually did know and respect me.
    â€œI’ve been meaning to talk to you, Leo. Excuse us, I need to speak with Leo for a minute.” He put an arm around me and we walked away from the bar to talk in