Free J.M. Griffin - Vinnie Esposito 06 - Death Gone Awry by J.M Griffin

can’t figure out is why he came to me.”
    “Maybe he realizes how close we are. If nothing else, it’s become clear that others know a whole lot more, or think they do, about me and my life. They make judgments without knowing the whole story, and don’t even ask for clarification, they simply judge. Figure that one out.”
    “I take it that Marcus raved like a madman about your lifestyle, then?”
    On a sigh, I said, “That about covers it. I put his career in jeopardy over my antics.”
    “He said that? Holy shit.”
    “I wanted to toss his ass into the Providence River, but instead, I told him the conversation was over and walked away.”
    “You never walk away.” Lola stared at me. “What he said really hurt you, Vin.” Lola reached for her wine and said, “Men can be real jerks.”
    Her remark made me smile, which brought on one of her Julia smiles. I glanced at her near-empty glass and asked, “Refill?”
    “Sure, why not.”
    I poured, she drank, but I didn’t. There’d be no teaching class with a hangover, and I’d already had too much to drink. I stretched out on the sofa, hauled an afghan from the back of it onto my lap and plucked at an errant string of yarn.
    I gave Lola a quick glance and said, “I’m aware that my curiosity takes over at the worst of times. I have a need to know what’s going on when life runs amuck, and that’s not conducive to a calm lifestyle. Changing the way I live isn’t on my agenda, either. I don’t think I’d be happy if I did so, anyway. All cops have type-A personalities, where they think they’re the boss, and I don’t fit that mold, Lola, and I’ll be damned if I try.”
    “Did Marcus say he wanted you to change?”
    “Not directly, he implied it by commenting on my actions, which has become the subject he mentions every time we see each other. A sense of dread comes over me and that’s no way to have a relationship.”
    “My brother is divorced because his wife couldn’t take the pressure of living with a cop. Cynthia’s a good person, but she’s independent, just as you are. Bobby thought he could change her, but it didn’t work out that way.”
    “Maybe we can settle our differences, if he’d take my thoughts into consideration. I’m sure he and I will have this discussion again, or one similar. He really pissed me off, I can tell you that.”
    Her laughter bubbled over as she said, “I can only imagine.”

Chapter 8
    A visit to my parents, a chat with Nonni, my Italian grandmother, and a stop at the market for a container of coffee, rounded out my Saturday. I’d gotten home in time to change for my evening out with Marcus, and was finishing my make-up just as he pulled into the driveway.
    A wrap slung across my shoulders, I met Marcus at the door as Monica glided, or seemed to, down the rear staircase. She glanced at Marcus and smiled, then looked at me and said, “The workmen are nearly finished at my place. You won’t mind if I stay a while longer, will you?”
    Surprised at the workmen’s efficiency, I said, “That’s fine. I had thought you’d be here longer than just a week.”
    “Great, thanks, Vinnie.” Monica smiled, nodded at Marcus and went back up the stairs.
    “She’s an interesting sort,” Marcus remarked with raised brows.
    I agreed. Monica dressed in clothing that most folks would call eclectic. Some would say her attire was downright weird, but I thought she had style. Tonight she wore a shimmering ruby red turban on her head like a crown, long locks of her hair sprouted out from underneath it, giving her hair a broomstick appearance. Chunky, silver-laden jewelry adorned her neck and wrists, and her vibrant, flashy layered dress sparkled with tiny stones embedded in the material. Satin slippers glimmered with the same delightful stones set in waves of color.
    “Are you referring to her attire or her manner?” I said as I slid into the front seat of his car.
    “Both, I think. Did you see the way she came