Think Twice

If home is where the heart is, then the heart of the DiNunzio house was broken. Her parents’ house didn’t feel like a home tonight, and if she flashed-forward to her new house, it wouldn’t be much of a home, either. Not without Anthony. Her heart was with him.

She knew it now, inside. She prayed it wasn’t too late. She held up the BlackBerry and speed-dialed him. She couldn’t give up the house, but maybe she could persuade him to live with her. Or they could talk about it, and come to an understanding. She loved him. And he loved her, right?

The phone rang and rang, but Anthony didn’t pick up.

She tried again, thinking she had a wrong number, but she didn’t. Then she texted: Pls call me.

She waited, but he didn’t respond. She emailed him, too. Suddenly the phone rang, and she startled. The screen read Anthony. She pressed Answer. “It’s you!”

“I was just about to call you.”

“Really?” Mary scrambled to sit upright in bed. “Listen, I’ve been thinking and-”

“No, can I go first? I’ve been rehearsing this all night, since the hospital.”

“Okay.” Mary felt her heart hammer. “Go ahead.”

“I figured something out. What I realized is that we do have a problem, but it’s not about the money. You think it is, and for a while, I thought it was, too, But it isn’t.”

Mary wasn’t sure where he was going.

“I am happy for all your success. I hope you make partner and get the house. I want all the best for you. I love you, Mary. I do.”

“I love you, too,” she said, touched.

“I know you do.” Anthony hesitated. “But that’s only part of it, because here’s what I finally understood. To back up a minute, it’s all because Judy almost died. When I saw on the news that she was in critical condition, I thought, if she dies, it will kill Mary. She can’t take it, after her husband’s dying.”

Mary swallowed hard. She hadn’t seen this coming.

“So, yes, I know you love me. But you also love him.”

Mary felt her face burn.

“You bring him up all the time. It’s like he’s always with you, still. You compare us, in your mind. You said as much, the other day in the house.” Anthony paused. “Don’t get me wrong, I understand your grief. I know how grief works. My father, you know.”

Mary did. Anthony still mourned his father, who had passed five years ago.

“But you don’t know what it’s like, from my side of the equation, to be in love with someone in grief. It’s not good. I can’t fight a ghost, and I don’t want to. You said you can’t win, but it’s me. I’m the one who can’t win.”

Mary felt stricken. His words rang true. She hadn’t seen it from his side, before.

“So here’s my proposition, for us. Let’s not stay apart. I hate it. I miss you.”

“I miss you, too!” Mary’s heart leapt up.

“But let’s not move in together, either. Not until you’re ready to move on. Really ready.”

Mary blinked, taken aback.

“The ball’s in your court. Take your time. Make sure. We’ll take it slow. When you’re ready, tell me. You don’t have to be all the way over him, either. Just a little more than now. Sound good?”

“Great!”

“You’ll know when you’re ready, and the money is beside the point. It’ll work itself out. Who’s on the deed doesn’t matter. We’re who matters.”

Mary heard him, maybe for the first time.

“Capisce, cara?”

Mary smiled. She liked it when he spoke Italian. They spoke the same language, after all. “Okay, I understand, and you’re right.”

“I’m sorry for what I said, when we fought.”

“I’m sorry, too.”

“I hate when we fight.”

Mary thought of what Judy had told her. She’d had to eat a lot of crow lately, for a partner. “It’s okay to fight. That’s how we know we care.”

“Right.” Anthony fell silent a minute. “Now go to sleep.”

“Talk tomorrow?”

“Yes, of course. Love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Mary watched the call disco

She fell asleep with the BlackBerry in her hand.

Chapter One Hundred and Seven

Be

“Sorry about that.” Be

“Me, too.” Officer Stern shook his head. “It happens.”

“So what do we do now?”

“We’re searching all terminals, the garage, the remote lot, area hotels and restaurants. We’re checking other flights, other airports, even though it’s late.”

“Didn’t we do that before?”

“Frankly, we’re not sure what got done and what didn’t. There are a lot of different agencies working the case, each with different jurisdictions. Something must’ve gotten missed. We didn’t have much time, and this time of year, everybody’s short-staffed. She could still be here.”

“Not necessarily.” Be

Grady glanced over, saying nothing.

“We’ll stop her,” Officer Stern said, with confidence. “An APB’s out already. We’re on it.”

“But what will you do? Your jurisdiction ends in Philly.” Be

“We’ll contact Bahamian authorities and alert them to be on the lookout for her at the Nassau airport. They’ll pick her up as soon as she gets off a plane.” Special Agent Wingate flexed his jaw. “I understand that the Bahamian bank is freezing the accounts. In addition, we’ll follow up and put them on security alert. They won’t let her withdraw the money.”

“What if they slip up?” Be

“They won’t. They have procedures. It’s not like they tape her picture on the cash register.”

“But she has all my ID. She’s me.” Be

“Why?” Grady looked over, alarmed. “You don’t have to go yourself. The accounts will be frozen. She can’t get the money.”

Special Agent Wingate nodded. “He’s right. The Bahamian authorities can handle this.”

“No. She’ll be down there. I have to go.” Be

“Be

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I just do.” Be

“Then I’m going with you, too.”

“I’d rather go alone.”

“Look, I know we have to talk, and we will, but it’s not safe for you to go down there.”

“I’ll be fine.” Be

“It’s already boarded,” the employee said, frowning.

“Come on, you see the situation. I have to get on that plane. It hasn’t left yet.”

“Hmph. May I see your ID?”

“I don’t have any.”

“I can’t board you without ID. TSA regs.”

Be

Officer Stern addressed the employee. “This is a police emergency. She’s Be

“That’s not the way we usually do it, but I suppose so.”

Grady touched her arm. “What about in Miami? And Nassau? They won’t let you into the Bahamas without a passport. You’ll have to go through immigration.”

Be