Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“That’s because you’ve got nothing in your brain,” Ricky retorted over his brother.
Dom reached around Nick and punched Ricky in the shoulder with a loud pop.
“Knock it off,” Ricky snapped, scrambling to punch him back.
“Both of you, stop it,” Nick said, rolling his eyes. “What are you, moronic teenagers?”
“He’s just cranky because he’s the baby,” Dominick snorted, sitting back, his long, dark hair pulled away from his face.
“I may be the baby, but I’m four inches taller than you,” Ricky retorted, crossing his muscled arms.
Dom shrugged out of his jacket. “You are not. You’re like three inches taller.”
Nick rolled his eyes. “I’m going to jail, aren’t I?”
“Probably,” I said. “You’re all morons.”
They just looked at me, obviously having heard that before.
“Before I forget,” Ricky said, “I brought your Jeep back. It’s fine.”
Relief took me. It’d be nice to have my own transportation again. “Wonderful. How much do I owe you?”
“Ahh, you’re about to be family, or at least your sister is. Don’t worry about it,” Rick said.
“No, I do worry about it.” I’d heard Rick’s new business was struggling, and I wanted to help. “Honest, I want to pay.”
“All right,” he said, giving in gracefully. “I’ll send you a bill. I’ll give you the family discount.”
I smiled. “Perfect.”
He winked. “Now that Tessa is going to marry a Basanelli...”
“If she says yes,” I reminded him.
Dom snorted. “Why would she say yes? This guy’s an idiot.”
“You’re an idiot,” Nick retorted.
What was it about brothers that they acted like they were twelve when they got together? The Albertini brothers were just as bad.
“Anyway,” Ricky said, all charm. “What do you think about Donna becoming a Basanelli?”
Both Nick and Dom laughed at the same time. “You couldn’t get Donna Albertini to look twice at you,” Dom snorted.
“I could, too.” Ricky frowned. “I’m a successful businessman.”
“You’re a businessman,” his twin retorted.
I sighed. “Can we be serious for two seconds?”
“I was,” Ricky said. “I’ve thought Donna was beautiful since we were, like, four.”
“Donna has always been beautiful. I don’t think she’s dating anybody,” I said. “Call her and ask her out.”
Ricky’s chest puffed out. “I will.” He cast an irritated look at his twin over his older brother’s head. “She’ll say yes.”
“I’ll take that bet,” Dom muttered.
I looked at Nick. “How did your blood get on Imogen’s shirt?”
He shook his head, his tawny eyes somber. “I have no clue. I beat on our dad pretty good before I got him to leave. What if he hugged her? Could it be as simple as that? Could he have transferred the blood?”
“That’s the only explanation I’ve got,” I said. “I can’t get much from Pierce right now. I’ve requested all the evidence, but they have a few more days to comply.”
Nick nodded. “We’ll want to hire a lab to independently verify the county’s evidence.”
I nodded. “I know. We need to at least find out what kind of sample they have because you’re right. It could have just been trace. If your blood was on your dad’s shirt, and he hugged Imogen or even put his arm around her, the transfer could have been that simple.” Pierce said there wasn’t blood on Richard’s shirt, but he could’ve had a jacket on before that. Or perhaps his shirt decomposed more than Imogen’s did.
“Plus, there’s that unknown DNA,” Nick said.
I ground my palm into my eye. “It hasn’t matched any of the suspects. The Wilsons are out. Lisa and her dead husband are out. I’m still trying to track down your dad’s other girlfriends.” I winced. “Sorry.”
Nick shook his head. “No, it’s fine. I mean, the police have my profile. Subsequently, we know the unidentified sample isn’t from either of my brothers or our mom since that would have indicated a familial connection. At the very least, that unknown DNA does raise reasonable doubt. We need to know how much blood and DNA was at the scene.”
“I agree,” I said. “As soon as I get the information and evidence from Pierce, I’ll let you know.”
Movement sounded down the hall, and the door opened to reveal Oliver with his elbow extended like a gentleman, and my Nonna Albertini with her hand through it.
“Why, Oliver, you’re such a sweetheart to escort me all the way down to Anna’s office.” She smiled up at him.
He blushed, his shoulders going back. “Yes, ma’am. Your grandmother is here,” he said formally to me.
All three of the Basanelli men stood. Nonna moved in and kissed each one on the cheek. “Now, Nick Basanelli, shouldn’t you be engaged by now?” She peered up at him, her hand on her overlarge purse.
He looked down at the purse, no doubt knowing there was a wooden spoon in there. “Yes, ma’am. We keep trying, but things keep getting in the way. Now, I thought, since I’m in a little bit of trouble...”