“I just talked to Dad; he said he was working on prep for the Garcia trial and that he wouldn’t join us.”

Lane smiled.  “I know, but apparently he needs to talk with Enzo and so he’s on his way.”  She looked at Tanner. She knew that he, no doubt, knew about whatever Ben needed to discuss with the Bellini’s bartender.  “So what have you two been up to today?”

“We talked to the detective in charge of the case this morning; and then we talked to Justin.  Mr. Tanner wanted to see if he remembered anything.”  Jamie reported excitedly.

Ben walked into the Board Room and after giving Lane a kiss on her cheek, he sat down.  The waiter brought a bottle of wine to the table, poured for Ben and waited for Ben’s nod before filling Gabe’s glass. He neither poured for Tanner nor asked if he wanted any.  Lane looked at the waiter, a bit confused.

“Mr. Tanner doesn’t drink during the work day, Mrs. Bellini.”  The waiter explained.

Gabe looked at Jamie.  “So, I hear we’ll be watching you play in the state championship on Friday.  What position do you play?”

“I’m a tight end.”  Jamie replied.

Conversation continued throughout lunch.  The men talking sports; Lane and Jess talking about shopping.  Gabe had decided to go back to the house with Ben and Jamie while Lane and Jess exercised Lane’s new Black Amex card.

Lane looked at Gabe.  “Gabe, about tomorrow, I don’t know if Jess mentioned it, but we volunteer to serve lunch someplace on Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Tomorrow, we’re serving at a nursing home where my friend Kay volunteers. You’re welcome to join us, or you can stay home if you’d rather.  I’m sure you won’t be alone.”

Gabe smiled.  “I’d love to tag along if you’re sure it’s no problem.”

“I spoke to Kay after Jess called this morning and gave her a heads up that we might have two celebrities with us.”  She reached over and patted Jess’s hand.  “Kay checked with the activity director who said it would be fine.”

Gabe flashed the dimpled smile he was famous for around the world. “I’m an only child and I’m really looking forward to having a big family holiday.  Thanks for letting me crash your party.”

Chapter 14

Jamie and Ben rode back to the house with Gabe in the rental SUV while Lane and Jess took the Escalade to Macy’s at Town Center.  Lane thought it was closer to home and besides, the parking situation would probably be better than going to the Mall.

“Gabe seems nice,” Lane said as she drove.

Jess laughed. “You mean he’s not what you expected.”

Lane smiled. “I’m not sure what I expected, but you’re right.  I guess that since he grew up in Hollywood with famous parents, I expected something else.”

Jess nodded.  “I know what you mean.  Even though his parents aren’t actors, they are sort of Hollywood royalty.  But he wasn’t raised by nannies or housekeepers, his parents took him on every location and he says they were pretty strict, by Hollywood standards anyway.”

“So, he speaks Italian.  That will come in handy for you while you’re over there.”

Jess smiled at her Mother.  “Well, that sure came as a surprise, but I imagine it will be handy.  Of course, he is quite a practical joker.  Remember the story I told you about the practical joke he pulled on the set when we first met?”

Lane remembered the story; Gabe had come to the set the day the accident scene was scheduled for shooting, sporting two black eyes and stitches across his face, holding a newspaper screaming headlines saying he’d been the victim of an accident.  Just as the producer and director began scrambling trying to decide what to do, Gabe had burst into laughter.  Everyone had forgotten that his mother was a make-up artist with multiple awards including two Oscars, and an Emmy.

“So, I’ll probably need to keep a close eye on him.  Who knows what he’ll say to people?”  Only one person knew Jess spoke fluent Italian and much to her relief, since Gabe was fluent, no one else needed to find out.  Although she knew if she told Gabe and explained why she wanted to keep it a secret, he wouldn’t say a word to anyone.

Lane parked the SUV and they walked the short distance to the store.

“I just need to find some pants and long tops that will get me through the next few weeks.  My regular clothes are just too snug and I’m not big enough for maternity wear yet.”

They walked through the store pausing at the women’s better casual wear where Lane selected three pairs of leggings and three long sweaters.  They wandered to the maternity wear.  “It’s just to browse.”  Lane told Jess.

Since Lane still wore suits to the office, she was pleased that there were some dresses and skirts with maternity panels.  She hated to try things on in the store, but knew from experience that even though they said you should buy your “normal” size that maternity wear didn’t fit quite the same.  She selected a dress and a black skirt and walked toward the dressing room.

“You want me to come with you or stay out here?”  Jess said as Lane turned toward the dressing room.

“Come with, I could use another set of eyes.”



When the men got back to the house, Jamie took Gabe outside to play hoops on the basketball court and Ben excused himself and went to his office to continue working on his trial strategy. Rosella Garcia had indeed killed her ex-boyfriend.  That was a fact that no one disputed.  Jury selection was set to begin on Monday and Ben intended to convince the jury, that even though it appeared Juan Rameriz had been shot in the back, Rosella had acted in self-defense. He was reviewing the independent medical examiner’s report when his cell phone rang.

“Bellini.”

“It’s Tanner.  I just left Freddy.  Seems there’s some serious money being laid down on Rockhurst.  The odds changed last night after news of Coach Ferguson’s death hit the streets.  I’m stopping at the hospital next.  I want to check on the Harper kid again, see when he’s going to be released.  His hospitalization still isn’t public knowledge.  You follow the games.  How much will Harper be missed if he can’t play?”

Ben had been watching the football team play together since Jamie was a freshman.  “The backup quarterback is good.  In truth, there probably won’t be much difference.”  Ben rubbed the back of his neck.  “The whole thing makes no sense.  It may be the state championship, but it’s still high school football for God’s sake.”

Ben heard boisterous voices coming from the kitchen.  Jamie and Gabe hadn’t stayed outside long. “Call me after you finish at the hospital.”

Ben ambled into the kitchen to find Jamie rummaging in the freezer and coming out with a bag of frozen peas.  He looked over to the table to see Gabe was sitting there, listing to one side.

Jamie looked up to see Ben leaning against the doorjamb and gave a half grin.  “Apparently we play a rougher game of round ball in Kansas than they do in Hollywood.”

Jamie handed the bag of frozen peas to Gabe who took it and held it against his left side.  “I’m pretty sure nothing’s broken.  Give me a couple of hours and I’ll be ready for a rematch.”

Jamie looked at Gabe. “I’m really sorry.”  He looked at Ben. “We both went up for the rebound.  I got the ball and caught him in the ribs with my elbow coming down with it.”

Ben shook his head.  “You might want to take the rest of the day for recovery time.  The game tomorrow with Jake and the Bellini brothers will make Jamie’s game look tame.”  Besides, he thought, no one here wants to explain Gabe getting hurt to Jess.

Gabe had gone to his room to take a hot shower and Ben was sitting at the table with Jamie when Lane and Jess came home.  Ben stood to take the bags from Jess and followed Lane into the master suite.  They needed to talk and there was no time like the present.