False Truths

By S.R. Claridge

The seventh book in the Just Call Me Angel suspense series. Just when it appears that the sins of her family’s past have been forgiven and forgotten, a brutal attack against all five mafia families turns the city upside down and leaves the Maratinzanos exposed. Searching for answers, Angel discovers that the family bloodlines are not as they seem, forcing her to face the ruthless reality that devotion and deception are interwoven, loyalty surpasses love, and, in the end, its price can only be paid in blood. Navigating through honest lies and false truths, Angel realizes that her path has been pre-ordained and to gain it all she must lose everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Global Publishing Group LLC
• Release date: Jan 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005229276

S.R. Claridge

S.R.Claridge, nominated for the 2010 Molly Award, 2013 Pushcart Prize and awarded the 2011 Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Pen Award, writes full-time and lives in Colorado. She loves autumn, moonlight and Grey Goose martinis with bleu cheese or jalapeno stuffed olives. She believes Friday nights are for indulging in Mexican food and margaritas and Sunday mornings warrant an extra-spicy Bloody Mary. Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri and earning her BA in Psychology from the University of Missouri, Columbia, S.R.Claridge is a mixture of mid-western family values and western wild nights. She loves Jesus, believes in the power of prayer, in the freedom of forgiveness and that life is a gift that should be enjoyed to the fullest. With a background in theatre, S.R.Claridge creates characters with dramatic flair and is known for her intense plot twists and engaging humor. S.R.Claridge would rather walk dangerously where there’s a view than sit in idle safety and let life pass her by. Her spirited outlook comes shining through in her novels, as she takes readers to the edge of their seats with bone-chilling suspense.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Ripping the duct tape from her lips and angling the hanging light so it shone directly into her eyes, Cuervo kicked the leg of the chair. Wakey. Wakey, he muttered.

I’m awake, dumb ass, Mia jabbed. It’s kind of hard to sleep when you’re taped to a chair.

Aren’t we testy, he sneered.

I’ll tell you what, Mia spat. Why don’t you and me trade places? I’ll cover your head with a sack, tape your arms and legs to a chair and leave you in a dark, freezing basement and see how much sleep you get!

Just then another man poked his head into the room and asked if they were ready. Almost, Cuervo replied. Lil’ miss attitude don’t like to cooperate.

Hurry it up, the boss is on his way, the man in the doorway said and then disappeared.

That’s our cue, Cuervo muttered, picking up Mia and the chair and carrying her into an adjacent room. Mia was surprised when he lifted her as if she were light as a feather, though she had previously noted the massive size of his biceps, which were bulging so far out of his t-shirt that it looked like the shirt was in pain.

I’d be happy to walk if you’d just put me down and cut me free, she said, while bouncing against his chest. He didn’t acknowledge so she continued talking. It’s not like I’m going to try to make a run for it. This was true considering she had absolutely no idea where she was or the layout of the building she was in. Not to mention, she was no match for his strength.

He didn’t reply and began carrying her up a flight of wooden, rickety steps. Taking her to a small room at the end of a narrow hallway, he set her down in the far corner. The walls and the ceiling were painted black and so was the one window. The only furniture in the room was a bright studio light and a tri-pod that held a camera. Both were aimed at her.

It’s time, he muttered, taping a piece of paper to the tri-pod. Alls you gotta do is read what’s on the page and you might live through the day. Capisce?"

Mia didn’t answer.

I said, alls you gotta do is read what’s on the…

Yeah, I got it, she interrupted. You don’t need to tell me twice.

He towered over her. You’d do well to lose the attitude, he warned. The boss…he don’t like no attitude.

He don’t like no? she repeated with a condescending smirk. I hope you used better grammar on the cue card. You’re gonna make me sound like an idiot.

Shut up! Or I’ll shut you up for good, he seethed.

Ya know, you’d probably be a nicer guy if you got off the steroids, she said. Right now you have an ogre-like quality.

Cuervo grabbed her by the neck, his thick fingers pressing hard against her larynx. Mia gasped, her eyes bulging as her airflow was quickly cut off.

Cuervo! A man hollered from the doorway. Let her go! Let. Her. Go, he demanded.

Releasing his grip, Cuervo forcefully pushed Mia backwards and she winced as her chair and the back of her head slammed against the wall behind her.

The man in the doorway yelled at him in Italian and Mia didn’t know what he had said, but she was grateful for whatever it was because it made Cuervo quickly turn and leave the room.

He has issues, Mia spat.

And you have an attitude that will get you killed if you are not careful, the man retorted.

Just then a presence filled the doorway with a stench of authority that could not be ignored. Mia instantly knew that this was the boss. He was dressed in a black, silk suit and had gold rings on each hand. His hair was more silver than black and his eyes were dark and deliberate. He stared at Mia as if he were staring right into the depths of her soul, making her instinctively squirm in her chair. Cuervo entered behind him and he and the other man took flanking positions in the doorway as the boss neared Mia for a closer inspection.

Are you certain this is the girl? The boss asked, never taking his eyes from her.

Yeah, boss, it’s her, Cuervo replied.

How do you know? the boss rebutted, placing his hands behind his back and leaning down to stare directly into Mia’s eyes.

She’s got the Maratinzano attitude, Cuervo sneered.

And we picked her up at the confirmed location, the other man added.

The boss drew closer to Mia, as if he were trying to intimidate her with his presence, but she maintained eye contact, her pride determined to mask her fear.

You do realize this is kidnapping. Abduction. Not to mention, harassment and abuse, she blurted. And your big ogre over there, the one named after a tequila, just tried to kill me. So, you can add attempted murder to the list.

The boss grinned, as if he were amused by her. Come now, child, if we are going to list sins I’d say that those were the least of my infractions. Then he abruptly turned his back toward Mia and said to his men, It’s her. Let’s proceed.

With the studio light shining brightly on her face and the red camera light blinking, Mia read from the paper:

My name is Mia Maratinzano. I am the daughter of Amelia Maratinzano. I am being held against my will. You must call this number at 6:00PM tomorrow evening. Exactly 6:00PM. If you do not call, they will make me pay for the sins of my family. Your sins. Please help me. Please call.

She read the telephone number from the page and then rolled her eyes. You guys are pathetic, she spat and Cuervo charged toward her, pulling a gun from his waistband, gripping her by the hair, yanking her head backwards and pushing the barrel of the gun against her temple.

Can I kill her now? He seethed, his face red and veins protruding from his neck.

Not yet, the boss replied. But soon.

CHAPTER TWO

The Penthouse felt peaceful as they had just finished a big meal, complete with Olga’s famous cannoli and coffee for dessert. Giovanni, who was preparing to head back to New York in the morning, sank into his chair, looking content, which was not a regular look for him. Angel was happy to see him this way, as he had been distraught and depressed for a long time following the betrayal and consequential death of his longtime Compare and friend, Carl Cusanelli. She knew it would be a while before he would choose to trust a new Compare.

But for now, everything felt right in the world again. Olga had fully recovered from the injuries she had suffered from Carl’s assault. Andrew was back on the Chicago police force as a Special Detective. And, at Olga’s urging, Sofia was in route from Sicily to the States to spend some quality mother-daughter time. For the first time in a long time, Angel felt at ease.

She might be a crazy old loon, but that aunt of yours sure knows her way around the kitchen, Giovanni said to Angel, a smirk on his face.

Don’t call her that, Angel hushed him. You know she hates that.

That’s right, you old coot, Olga hollered from the kitchen.

Giovanni’s eyes widened and his smile broadened. She has the hearing of a dog, he whispered.

Olga poked her head around the corner and shook her spatula at Giovanni. You better watch yourself, she barked and Giovanni chuckled.

Angel sank into the couch. I don’t know why you have to provoke her.

It amuses me, Giovanni admitted, grinning like a little kid.

Just then the Penthouse door opened and one of Giovanni’s men entered, making a beeline for him, followed by Chase, who was quickly on his heels and gripping his laptop closely to his chest. As the man bent down and whispered into Giovanni’s ear, Chase set the laptop on the dining room table and began clicking across the keyboard.

Imposible! Giovanni exclaimed in Italian. Bah, it is not possible.

What? Angel asked, sitting up straighter, her stare darting from Giovanni to Chase and back to Giovani. What isn’t possible?

Bah, Giovanni blurted again, this time waving his hand in the air. It is nonsense.

What? Angel pried.

It is nothing for you to be concerned with, he replied. It is false and I will have my people take care of it.

Chase shifted his weight from side to side and bit down on his bottom lip. Meeting eyes with Angel he shook his head to quietly note that he disagreed with what Giovanni had said. Verbally disagreeing with the Capo Di Tutti Capi was not something he was stupid enough to do out loud. Depending on Giovanni’s mood, a simple verbiage lending itself to disagreeing could be viewed as an act of disrespect and result in barrage of bullets.

Do you have something to show us? Angel directed her question to Chase, who’s eyes widened as he nervously grabbed his laptop and quickly rushed into the living room, setting it down atop the coffee table in front of Angel and Giovanni. Giovanni opened his mouth to object, but Chase pressed the play button on the video before he could say anything; and they all stared at the young woman on the screen.

They listened as the woman said, My name is Mia Maratinzano. I am the daughter of Amelia Maratinzano. I am being held against my will. You must call this number at 6:00PM tomorrow evening. Exactly at 6:00PM. If you do not call, they will make me pay for the sins of my family. Your sins. Please help me. Please call.

Angel leaned in closer to the screen, analyzing the woman.

Do not put thought nor effort into this, Michelangela, Giovanni uttered. It is a lie.

Chase bit his lip and slowly shook his head.

Noticing Chase’s head shaking, Angel asked, Do you think this is real?

No disrespect, sir, Chase said to Giovanni and then turned his attention to Angel, but, yes, I think we need to look into it.

È impossibile! Giovanni growled, rising from his chair with such force that Chase’s eyes bulged from his head like a terrified Chihuahua and he instinctively leaned backwards.

It’s not impossible, Olga whispered, emerging from the kitchen with a dish towel thrown over her left shoulder. It’s not impossible.

Lucia, I forbid you! Giovanni barked but Olga waved him off and sat down on the couch next to Angel. Show me the video, she said, patting Angel’s knee. Chase immediately spun the computer to face her and restarted the feed.

My name is Mia Maratinzano, was all the young woman said when Olga gasped and gripped her chest. Merciful Heavens! Finally! This child is our blood.

No, Lucia! Es imposible! Giovanni huffed.

È possibile e tu lo sai, Olga answered in Italian and Angel surmised that she was telling him that he knew it was possible.

È impossibile! he argued.

No, Olga stated matter of fact and pointed her finger in his face. No.

The red color in Giovanni’s cheeks drained as he sank back into his chair. Dios mio, he uttered. It cannot be.

Olga spun the computer toward Giovanni and pointed at the screen. Look at her. Look at her! she demanded. She has our mama’s round face and big, light-colored eyes. Olga’s voice cracked with emotion as she described the image of the woman on the screen. She is our blood. I can feel it.

Giovanni shook his head. They are after our money, he uttered. Whoever found this girl and made this video is after our money.

Maybe, Angel interjected, but I think we should check it out just to be safe.

Giovanni rose from his chair. I forbid this family to look deeper into this matter. I forbid it! He then turned to his man, who was now standing on the edge of the living room and barked out an order in Italian. His man gave a nod and then moved quickly toward the coffee table, grabbed the laptop and escorted Giovanni out of the Penthouse.

He took my laptop, Chase said with surprise. That big-ass brute just took my laptop.

I’ll get it back, Angel muttered and took a step toward the door when Olga reached out and gently tugged her arm.

Wait, Olga said. Let him keep it.

Uh, how ‘bout no, Chase interjected.

You have another computer, right? Olga asked.

Yeah, a bunch, but it’s the principal of it, Chase argued. Call me crazy but I don’t like people stealing my shit.

Olga drew them both in closer and explained that she thought a better plan was to allow Giovanni to believe that by confiscating Chase’s laptop, he had taken ownership of the video too. If we make him think that we can’t pursue the issue because we no longer have the video, then he’ll stay out of our hair, she said.

Angel looked at Chase. You still have the video link?

Chase guffawed. Boss lady, you underestimate my talents, he teased. And the power of my wild-ass charm.

He playfully raised one eyebrow and Angel rolled her eyes. Okay, I’ll go after Giovanni and feed him some BS about how if it’s that important to him, we won’t dig any deeper. ’ll convince him that the matter is closed. She exhaled because she knew that wasn’t going to be easy. Chase, you trace the video link and see what you can do to ID the girl.

On it, boss lady, he quipped and started for the door.

Don’t call me that! Angel grunted and Chase grinned ear to ear. It was no secret that he liked getting under her skin.

They were almost out the front door when Olga burst, Merciful Heavens! This prompted both of them to stop, turn around and gawk at her. Don’t you want to know where to start looking?

Chase and Angel looked from Olga to each other and then back to Olga and then they both stepped back into the foyer and let the door close behind them. You know who the girl is? Chase asked.

Olga shook her head and motioned for them to come and sit next to her on the couch. I don’t know who she is but I’m almost certain I know who her grandmother is...or was. Olga drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. What I’m about to tell you stays just between the three of us. It can never be spoken of again.

CHAPTER THREE

Cuervo followed the boss out of the room while the other man turned off the studio lights and disassembled the tri-pod. You know that’s not even my name, Mia blurted but the man didn’t respond. You know you’ve got the wrong girl, right? Mia prodded, to which the man glanced sideways at her but, again, didn’t respond. Cowards kill people who don’t deserve to die, Mia muttered. Especially without giving them a fair chance to live.

It was as if her words made him stop dead in his tracks and then he turned slowly toward her. Where did you hear that? he asked.

Mia shrugged. It was always something my dad said. Well, I think he was my dad anyway. I’m not really sure.

You don’t know your own dad?

I guess not. He was the only man I remember being in my life as a child so I just thought he was my dad. She shrugged.

Well, did you call him dad? the man pried.

Mia thought hard and then shook her head. It sounds crazy but I called him by a nickname. I called him Big Ed.

The man’s face drained of color and he eyed her intently.

Anyway, every day Big Ed would show me the paper, particularly the sections that covered murder in the city. He used to read me the story and then we would decide whether the victim truly deserved to die or whether the criminal was a coward who hid behind his weapon. She smiled softly at the memory. Big Ed always said that everyone deserved a fair chance to live, so if you had a weapon and you attacked someone without a weapon, that made you a coward, she explained. And I think he was right.

The man was visibly shaken by what she had told him and he backed out of the room, bumping into the door jamb before turning around and dashing down the hall.

That ought to buy me a few more hours, she thought as she struggled to loosen the tape around her wrists and ankles. The truth was that she didn’t know Big Ed and she wasn’t his daughter, adoptive or otherwise. She remembered reading an article about him which stated that he was the most ruthless mobster in the city and probably in the whole country. Big Ed was known for showing no mercy but, at the same time, he had the reputation of always giving his victims a chance to live. A gun for a gun. A knife for a knife. Big Ed won every fight but he won it fair and square. That was how he had stayed out of prison for so long because every murder could be argued as an act of self-defense. In the article it stated Big Ed’s famous quote, Cowards kill people who don’t deserve to die.

Moments later Cuervo entered, lifted her and the chair and carried her back to the damp, cold basement. He placed the dark pillowcase over her head and then left without a word. Upon hearing him ascend the steps and then close the basement door, Mia breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn’t put a bullet through her brain, so there was still the hope of escape.

Overhead and seeping through the ventilation system, Mia could hear the man and Cuervo arguing. She’s Big Ed’s daughter! the man exclaimed. We are dead men. Dead!

She’s playing you, Cuervo retorted. She ain’t Big Ed’s girl. No way. I’ll bet you one thousand big ones that she don’t even know Big Ed and he don’t know her.

Well, how are we gonna prove that? We can’t send Big Ed the video ‘cuz if she is his, he will hunt us down and... Mia guessed that he must have made some sort of gesture denoting death because he didn’t verbally finish his sentence.

You gotta calm down, Cuervo warned. "The boss is gonna see you all worked up and doubt your loyalty and then you are dead. For real."

What are we gonna do with her? We can’t kill her now because once Big Ed gets wind of the fact that we killed her, we’ll be running from him for the rest of our lives.

The man sounded so upset that Mia was almost starting to feel bad about her deception, but not enough to keep her from smiling to herself.

Marko, man, get it together or I’ll take you out myself, Cuervo warned and then the next sound shot chills all the way up the back of Mia’s neck. It was a gunshot followed by a loud thud from directly above her. Mia’s breathing quickened as she imagined the worst. The ogre had shot and killed her one chance of escape.

CHAPTER FOUR

Sometimes I wonder if there will ever be a day when the past doesn’t haunt us, Angel said, and Olga patted her knee.

Someday, love, someday, Olga said.

What made it even more challenging for Angel was that she didn’t know everything about her family’s past. The only way she learned of things was if, or rather when, the past reared its ugly head; much like it was doing now. So, each time something happened, Angel was completely caught off guard. Without knowing one’s history, you have no idea what might be coming back to haunt you.

Giovanni and I had a younger sister. Her name was Cecilia, Olga began and then shuddered. You’ll have to excuse me. I haven’t uttered that name in I don’t know how long. Cecilia Marie Maratinzano. She made the sign of the cross over her chest, kissed her fingertips and continued. We were forbidden to speak of Cecilia.

Who forbid you? Angel asked.

Our father, Olga answered quietly. It was such a painful memory for our mother that our father forbade us from ever talking about Cecilia again.

What happened to her? Angel asked and Olga shrugged.

No one really knows. She disappeared and then years later we were notified that she had been killed. Sadness shown on Olga’s face. I remember the funeral service like it was yesterday. Beautiful bouquets of white lilies. There were more flowers there than I had ever seen.

How was she killed? Chase questioned.

Let’s just say Cecilia was a bit loosey-goosey between the thighs, Olga said and Angel narrowed her brows. What’s the matter dear, don’t you know what that expression means?

Not really, Angel replied.

It means she couldn’t keep her thighs closed, Olga said. You know, kind of how you are with Tony and Andrew, except Cecilia had hundreds of lovers.

Chase burst out laughing. Damn, boss lady, you just got poned!

Angel rolled her eyes.

Anyway, Olga continued, "her whoring around is what made our father kick her out of the house in the first place. I remember the day she packed up her