Vendetta by Jennifer Moulton Page A

narrowed eyes.
         “What makes you so sure that I hired a detective?” Mark asked.
         “Oh, I don’t know for sure if you did. I just saw you talking to him that night at the restaurant…that’s all,” he said nervously.
         “Well, you see, Nick, when someone’s usually healthy daughter mysteriously dies, the police usually have a few questions for people. They call those cops… Homicide Detectives,” Mark said sarcastically.
         “Well, yeah. I know that, but you were talking to him for a while and it would make sense if you did hire him, for extra investigating, especially after what you just told us,” Nick tried to justify his unusual statement.
         “I mean, Wow! My mind is just blown right now man… you sure have been through a lot! I‘m really sorry to hear that that happened to you and… Allie,” Nick said nervously trying to seem sympathetic.
         “So you think that if I’m having a conversation with the Detective, that I must have hired him for a side job?” Mark was pushing him for more of a response. Nick shouldn’t have known about Detective Williams being hired, at all.
         “Well, yeah, no… I mean, I guess not,” he was back peddling. “So what do you think happened? You know, to Allie, or Lily, I mean,” he was shifting in his seat to get more comfortable.
         Mark winced at hearing Nick call Allie by her real name. The conversation quickly became more intense.
         Julie was watching Nick. She must have thought he was acting strange, too.
         “I don’t know what happened. That’s probably why I hired the Detective, right Nick?” Mark said dryly.
         Julie was confused by the negative turn the conversation took.
         “Okay, guys. I know this is a lot to take in all at once. Please, excuse Nick; his manners are horrible lately…I don’t think he slept a wink last night either,” Julie tried to diffuse the uncomfortable situation.
         “Oh? You’re not sleeping well, Nick? I wonder why that is,” Mark intentionally intimidated him now.
         Nick was about to say something, but Julie put her hand up… shaking her head at Nick.
         “No, really, I’m so sorry to hear that,” Mark said sarcastically. “You must be really stressed out with all the added responsibilities at work and all.”
         Julie sat up straight and stared harshly at Mark.
         “Look, I think I know what the “raised emotions” are about and you don’t have to worry, Mark,” Julie said. Her blue eyes softened as she continued. “We’re more than just your friends here we’re like family and there’s no need to be so defensive. We will support anything you’re doing. We’re here for you when you need us, alright? End of story…we’re not the enemy,” she took a drink of her wine and sat back into her chair. Obviously exhausted, she rubbed her eyes.
         Putting himself in check, Mark nodded and looked at them both. “Thank you, for your friendship and your understanding,” he looked at Nick as he spoke. “It means a lot right now.”
         Nick swallowed, h ard.
         Julie continued.
         “You’re very welcome. Seriously though, if you suspect this guy Leo, has something to do with Allie‘s death, can’t you just go to witness protection and have them investigate it? Surely someone else might suspect this Leo Vanzetti’s involvement, given the history this dirt bag has, especially with your family! Plus, he’s getting out on Monday? It just seems so cut and dry,” Julie exclaimed.
         Mark was glad to hear someone else say what he has felt all along. “You would think so, but it’s being treated as a complete coincidence. I’ve already been told by my witness protection coordinator, that there’s no way “Mr. Vanzetti” has anything to do with it. He has a solid alibi I mean, he’s in prison until his parole hearing on Monday morning. So, yes,