Page 98 of In Plain Sight

“And then James Sebring fell to his death,” Gary concluded.

The door opened, and an officer brought in a jug of water and a glass. He placed them on the table, then retreated. Bruno poured himself a glass and drained half its contents.

He set the glass down on the table. “When I learned about the accident, I knew Gianni had murdered him.” Bruno stared into the glass. “Then there were two murders under his belt.”

Gary coughed. “Possibly three.”

Bruno jerked his head up and stared at him. “What?”

“There was another headless corpse found in 2007. We have reason to believe that was Gianni’s handiwork too.”

Bruno let out a slow breath. “Kevin Donaldson. Of course.”

“Did you know him?”

“Let’s say I knewofhim. Kevin was the head of another family in—”

“When you say ‘family,’” Dan interjected.

Bruno nodded. “A rival family might be a better way of putting it. At least Gianni saw it as such. He was certain they were trying to take over from us.” He rolled his eyes. “Take over.” Another shake of his head. “We might be the same blood, but me and Gianni, we see the family so differently.” He scowled. “We’re not themob,” he said, air-quoting. “Problem is, that’s still how we’re perceived, and it’s that perception I’m fighting to change. So here we are, locked into a power struggle that’s gone on for far too long. Gianni wants to go back to the ‘good old days,’ and he probably has my brother’s backing to do just that. So I’m not fighting one DiFanetti, but two. But as long as Gianni sees this family as the ‘mob,’ then I need to stop him. At all costs.”

“And now you understand why my client is concerned for his safety,” Mr. Martin added. “You met his brother?”

Gary nodded.

“Then you must realize he and Bruno are nothing alike.”

Gary recalled his evening “visitor” with a shiver. “You’re right, they’re not.”

Bruno took another drink from his glass. “Gianni said we needed to do something about Kevin Donaldson. He said we needed to cut the head from the body to put a stop to them.” He shook his head. “At the time I thought he was talking figuratively. I told Gianni we should simply step aside and let them do whatever the hell they wanted, but I was wasting my breath. I suspected him of having something to do with Kevin’s death, but I couldn’t prove it. And he denied it, but he always did deny everything, even as a child. Then someone else owned up to it, so I thought I was wrong.”

Gary nodded. “Frank Wyler owned up to it—aftera visit from Gianni.”

A dark cloud rolled across Bruno’s face. “Andthisis why I have to put a stop tohim.”

“You do realize my client has no proof Gianni murdered Kevin Donaldson? Or that he killed Cheryl Somers and James Sebring?”

Bruno stopped Mr. Martin with a hand to his arm. “Which is why I’m here.” He finished his water, then looked Gary in the eye. “If you need me to be a witness, I’ll do it.”

Gary strove to keep his face straight. “You’d help us put him behind bars?”

“Yes. Because someone has to help you do it, and I know where all the bodies are buried.” His eyes gleamed. “Again, figuratively speaking. But if you want Gianni, you’re going to have to move fast.”

“Why?” Gary’s pulse quickened.

Bruno glanced at his watch. “Because around about now, he’ll be at Midway in Chicago, ready to board a flight to Boston, and once he lands and gets wind of this, he’ll turn tail and be on the first plane out of here. Probably someplace where you can’t find him. Or extradite him.” His expression grew grim. “Unless he knows already, and believe me, that’s a distinct—and unfortunate—possibility.” He shuddered. “Which is why I want to be someplace he can’t find me.”

Gary made a note. “We’ll meet his flight.” He leaned forward. “I do have one question left.”

Bruno arched his eyebrows. “I thought we’d covered everything. I assume you know why Gianni removed Cheryl’s head—to make identification difficult. I don’t suppose he ever believed her body would see the light of day, at least not for a very long time.”

“Yes, we came to that conclusion too.”

“What happened to the heads?” Dan asked. “Kevin’s was also missing.”

Bruno shrugged. “I can hazard a guess. My bet is that one day in the future, they’ll turn up in a pile of rubble when someone tears down one of Gianni’s building projects. Either that or he threw them into the ocean, weighted down. Pouring concrete over them makes more sense. That way, it’s less likely some fisherman will come across them.”

“I have a question.” Gary met Bruno’s inquiring gaze. “Why?”