Alex
I already know what will happen during this pretend interrogation. Grasso will come in and fill out all the proper paperwork confirming that Garth committed suicide and caused the explosion. Maryann will legally become a widow and Adele will no longer have any ties to Garth. I was shocked when Adele mentioned that she recalled seeing Grasso at the club. He is a very special customer and we occasionally use his services when we need something illegal made to look more legit. He is one of our biggest assets and he never pays for anything when he comes to Deluca’s.
After talking to Maryann, Grasso advises that he is going to declare the death a suicide and that he set the motive for the explosion. He slides a brief case over towards Maryann as she looks at him, astonished. Grasso tells her that with Davenport’s death the bank fraud case will be closed. He tells Maryann that as he stands up and holds out his hand and Maryann rises shaking it. Grasso gives her a smile and gives me a nod as he leaves. I walk with him outside and ask him if everything is all good. He nods his head and tells me that everything is all set for Maryann. She can start her life over again and he will make sure the government will consider her alive and well. When Thomas and I drove Garth back to the house, Thomas made two calls. One call was to his construction guys letting them know that they shouldn’t look for a body. The second call was to Grasso letting him know he should be on standby. We had the body of a man wanted by the FBI in our trunk. Grasso knew what he was walking into and he is good enough to come prepared. As Grasso pulls me into a man hug or chest bump we hear Maryann let out an ear shattering scream. Grasso chuckles and nods towards the door letting me know that it’s my turn to take care of business.
When I walk back inside, the suitcase is open and Maryann and Adele are staring at a whole lot of cash. There must be at least fifty thousand dollars in the suitcase. Both girls jump up when I walk in and Maryann slams the suitcase shut. She points at it and looks at me as she scrambles to find the right words.
“Wha…Wha…What?” Maryann stutters and I walk over to the suitcase and open it looking myself.
“Looks like money.”
“She knows it’s money, Alex. Why did Grasso give it to her?” Adele looks at me with a frown.
“He didn’t want to tell you, but Garth didn’t spend all the money he stole. Grasso found it and rather than turning it back in it to the bank, he thought you should have it.”
Maryann shakes her head as she stares at the money and starts to back away. “This can’t be true,” she says as she falls onto the couch. Adele walks over and sits down next to her taking her hand trying to bring her comfort. I am clueless as to what’s her problem. If someone gave me a suitcase full of money after I said thank you, I would ask if they are unmarked bills. I look between the money and back to a scared looking Maryann and wonder if I should have handled this differently.
“How could he have found this money? Garth has been dead for twenty-four hours and this money magically appears?”
“Maryann, the money didn’t magically appear. You told me weeks ago that Garth was really Garrett Davenport and that he was wanted for bank fraud. That was enough information for me to call in Grasso and he found the money. He just had to follow the money trail.”
“I don’t understand.”
“He opened online accounts under your name, Maryann. His name was never on any of the accounts. When you faked your own death, the money went back to him. Now that you're officially alive, the money had to go back to you. Garth is funding your future, Maryann.”
She looks towards the suitcase one last time as she walks away. When she is out of the room Adele walks over to me and places her arms around my neck. She puts her lips on mine and pulls away looking into my eyes.
“That was such bullshit, Alex. How about you tell me the truth.”
I smirk and wrap my arms around her as I squeeze her ass. I look towards the other room making sure Maryann isn’t near when I grab Adele by the hand and pull her outside.
“Your right. That was bullshit, Adele. The money that Garrett stole was found, but it will be turned back into the bank.”
“The money in the suitcase is yours, isn’t it?” Adele asks me and I close my eyes lowering my head. I rub my beard and I must admit I am a little embarrassed. I didn’t want Adele to know that I am giving Maryann that money. I have a fucking reputation to uphold. I will never get ahead in this business if anyone finds out I did something nice. Especially, if I am not getting anything in return. What will Frank think if he finds out that I gave Maryann fifty thousand dollars? I think back to when I decided to give the money to Maryann. She faked her own death and basically hid away from everything and everyone that she loved for years. He took her life away from her. I wanted to give her a head start into her new life. I am sure that Frank is already having Lola’s old house cleaned for Maryann to move right in.
“Yes,” I practically whisper and I look up and Adele averts her head and wipes a tear away.
“Why? You don’t even really know her.”
“I’m helping her because I love you, Adele. Family is everything and you are my family. I will always take care of you and anyone you love.” I cross my arms and Adele reaches for me placing her hands on my forearms
“You consider me family?”
“Baby…when I get you home, I plan on putting my kid in you and proving how much family, we really are.”