Page 30 of Savannah Heat
“Well, they would. It’s party time tonight.” Jenna bit her lip. “So, the ladies and gentlemen are coming loaded down with it, ripe for the picking. Let’s go see who is here, mingle, and take a peek at the buffet. We can separate so your girlfriend doesn’t get jealous. Oh, sorry, I said it again, didn’t I? By the way, she was not wearing the correct dress. She’s wearing a yellow ensemble. Hideous. What has happened to your taste in women?”
“Stop it, Jenna. And where is your blonde pretty-boy escort? Still missing in action?”
“I have no idea. I would think he dumped me, but his stuff is still in the hotel room. To be honest, I think it’s possible he hooked up with someone. I wouldn’t be surprised to find his stuff gone when I get back to the hotel.”
“I hate to ask the obvious, but have you tried calling him?”
“No, only a text earlier today. I kept expecting him to show up, and then I got busy getting ready to come here. Maybe I should try texting him again. I would just like to know whether to expect him to show up here or not.”
Dan rolled his eyes. “If you must. It’s already getting crowded. Time to separate for a while and mingle. Keep your phone on vibrate.”
They walked away from each other and began to mingle.
Jenna surveyed the room and saw another group of people coming through the door. Seeing Gail and Harper arrive at the same time, even if in different cars, made her curious about their connection. She wondered if Harper brought another dress for the Ball and planned to change on site. And if so, why? If she made any changes, Harper would be harder to spot. Jenna noticed everyone was walking around with drinks in their hands, and dozens of small groups stood around fanning themselves, engaged in conversation. She found Marta Roseland. “I’m making the rounds before I eat, but I’ll find you later.”
Marta nodded. “Thanks, and I’m headed that way after I finish this drink. And I hate to say this, but I feel as if I will be needing another one before this night is over.”
The live band began to play a soft tune she didn’t recognize as Jenna walked around the room. She thought she heard someone call her name and turned in time to see Marta Roseland heading to the buffet table, hand on her necklace, and with one security man not far behind.
After stopping a few times to say hello to people she knew, Jenna allowed herself one small glass of wine before making her way to the buffet table. She put a few things on her plate and looked around for a place to sit where she could have the best view of the room. She spotted Gail Wells, who must have the same idea.
Jenna watched Dan as he zeroed in on the women wearing the most expensive looking pieces. This was the night where the women would have time to talk to each other about their jewelry, exchange information about who was doing the latest designs, who bought and sold what, and make each other envious of their special pieces. No one would say it out loud, but they all competed to have the next best pieces when compared to Marta Roseland.
The crowd parted for a few seconds, and Jenna caught sight of a burly Italian-looking guy who seemed to be motioning to Gail Wells. Jenna shifted her position to keep him in her view as the man joined Gail. The two of them walked out onto the balcony and turned right, getting away from the doorway to have more privacy, she suspected.
Dan must have seen it too because he was coming toward Jenna now with a look of pure hate on his face. “That’s the damn psycho, former FBI agent who tried to kill me, Sal Amato. What in hell is he doing here?”
Jenna could no longer see them on the balcony. “Yes, I saw him but didn’t know who he was. What’s going on between him and Gail?”
“They became close while tracking me down, but this is something new. Her showing up here is fairly predictable, but a former FBI agent—that begs the question, how close are they?”
Jenna looked at Dan, and he was still wearing what she used to call his warrior face. It was the face she had seen many times as they prepared to exact revenge on those who stole from Dan’s father. “An odd alliance in one way but maybe not so much if they have a common enemy, I suppose.”
“I am that common enemy. They are two of a kind. Either one would gladly run me over in a dark alley and laugh about it. Amato has joined Gail for a reason. Either she thinks an attempt will be to get more jewels by this new thief, or she thinks it’s me returning to what she thinks are my old ways. Either way, now we have two people watching us while we are watching everyone else.”
Jenna sighed and bit her lip. “Great, just what we needed, another enemy in the house.”
Chapter Fourteen
Dan and Jenna knew they could no longer hide their connection, and Dan walked with Jenna toward the balcony to see if they could spot Gail and Sal. But they were nowhere to be seen. Jenna put her hand on Dan’s arm. “Why did Sal hate you so much in the first place? My memory is hazy about those last days. Wasn’t it a family thing, he married someone connected to the mob, right?”
Dan scanned the area, and he lowered his voice. “Oh, that’s right, we had gone our separate ways by the time it finally all washed out. And again, I promise you I left for your good as well as mine and partly for just this reason—Sal Amato. Anyway, Sal married Tony Malono’s niece, Angela. That alone started some talk among his FBI colleagues. Everyone knew Malono was mob-connected then, and they couldn’t have that kind of thing happen without repercussions. They wanted Sal out of the FBI. He fought it, saying Angela was a niece, and not close to the family, and she was not connected to the family business, and on and on. The FBI didn’t believe him; or if they did, they didn’t care. His career was over, anyway. Sal was on the cusp of getting fired when all this happened. He had been in their sights for some time. Sal inadvertently led them to some of the mob connections. So, no one was very happy with Sal.”
“But still, what does it have to do with you now?”
Dan led her farther around the balcony and away from the doorway. “Sal Amato left the FBI, joined the Malono family for real, and was all too happy to blame me for getting Tony arrested for framing my dad. After they stole half my dad’s collection of diamonds and gems and then set him up to look as if he were committing insurance fraud, he must have known I’d not stand for it. Dad begged me not to get involved and to let the police handle it, but I couldn’t stay out of it. I’m sure his worrying about me didn’t help his health. And, of course, the rest you know.”
Jenna nodded. “Yes, all too well. I’m still confused about the Sal Amato interest right now. Is it just revenge?”
“After we found where Tony Malono had hidden everything, with his cohort, Boris Roget of course, international fence extraordinaire, we took back what was stolen after Tony went to prison. I was then officially on Sal Amato’s blacklist. Though it might not speak well of my character, I admit it was fun taking Roget’s artwork, in addition to reclaiming my dad’s stolen property, just for revenge. Most all of the items likely stolen from someone else, anyway.”
Feeling the beginning of a headache, Jenna rubbed her forehead. “Gail hates you for outwitting her, and Sal hates you for what you did to his wife’s family. Now they have teamed up. It gets better and better. But why wait five years to try payback?”
Dan shrugged. “Remember, the saying, revenge is a dish best served cold. They needed to think of the best way to do it. Number one was finding me, and I guess that took some time. After they did, then there was the problem of how to bring me down without the blame getting back to them. Mobsters have long memories and a world of patience. Jenna, I am so sorry you are being dragged back into this. I hope you don’t send me packing after tonight. Please tell me you do understand why I wanted to keep you free of it. Tell me you really understand and forgive me for leaving you. Can you do that now? It’s important to me—more than you know.”
“I understand, but I still don’t see why you couldn’t let me know what happened to you long before now. And Elliott—I could have helped with that. Five years, five long years of wondering, Dan.”
“I told you; I was not fit company. I wasn’t me, anymore. I was useless, broken, and I couldn’t think straight.”