| Mystery and Crime Fiction posted January 20, 2025 | Chapters: |
...9 10 -11- 12... 
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Grayson, Zhange Wei and Doyle
A chapter in the book Veil of Secrets
Veil of Secrets - Chap 11
by Begin Again
Trouble was near!
Althea didn't know it, but she did feel the sudden change in temperature. The morning sun was still high in the sky, but its warmth seemed to have disappeared. Puzzled, she wrapped her arms around herself, in search of a little comfort.
A few feet from Althea, Grayson pressed his phone to his ear. His stiff and unfriendly body language indicated that something was happening, and it wasn't good.
"Cops showed up," the voice on the phone growled. "Papers were left behind. We didn't get it all."
Grayson's jaw tightened. "You idiots. Did you finish him off or what?"
"Like I said, we got interrupted. Manny put a slug in him, but I can't guarantee you that he's dead."
"You explain it to your boss because I am confident Vito won't like how this unfolded."
The voice offered no apologies. "What do you expect on short notice with sirens blaring? We aren't miracle workers. We grabbed what we could, and that's all I can tell you. Anything else isn't our problem."
Grayson muttered a curse as the call ended.
Shoving his phone in his pocket, he closed the distance between him and Althea, barking, "Get up! We're leaving."
Althea flinched at his tone, her eyes narrowing. "What are you talking about? I'm not going anywhere with you."
A low, mocking laugh cut Grayson's response short. The sound seemed to echo from everywhere at once, sending a shiver down Althea's spine.
The motel lights flickered, and the air grew colder. Grayson froze, his face darkening. "Not now," he muttered, spinning toward the shadows.
From the darkness, a figure materialized, his translucent form flickering in and out of focus. Althea gasped, her voice trembling. "What — what is that?"
Cornelius stepped forward, his ethereal form fully solidifying. His sharp eyes locked on Grayson. "Still making a mess of things, I see."
"Stay out of this," Grayson snapped, his frustration spilling over.
Althea stood, backing away slowly, her gaze darting between the two men. "Who are you? What's going on?"
Cornelius turned his cold gaze to her, his lip curling into a faint smile. "I'm the one who should be asking questions. What business does someone like you have meddling with my vineyard?"
"Your Vineyard?" Althea repeated, her voice rising in confusion. "That's not possible. The Vineyard belongs to the Cascio family."
Cornelius chuckled, the sound devoid of warmth. "Oh, you poor, naive girl. The Vineyard has always belonged to me."
Althea's eyes narrowed. "I don't understand. Who are you? Do you have my son?"
Cornelius stepped closer, his voice laced with dark amusement. "My name is Cornelius Webb."
The name hit Althea like a physical blow. "Cornelius Webb?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "That's — that's my grandfather's name."
Cornelius's smirk faltered, his expression shifting as realization dawned. His cold gaze swept over her, his voice low and sharp. "Althea Cascio," he murmured, tasting the name like a bitter wine. "Angela's daughter?"
Althea's heart pounded as the weight of his words sank in. "This — this is impossible. My grandfather is dead." She stepped back further, shaking her head violently. "You're dead. You can't be here. This isn't real."
Cornelius laughed — a sinister sound that sent chills down her spine. "Oh, it's very real. But you're right — I am dead. And yet here I am."
Althea's breathing quickened, her vision swimming. "No — no — this can't be happening."
Cornelius leaned in closer, his presence overwhelming. "You should be careful, Althea. Family connections can be dangerous."
Her legs buckled, and she collapsed to the ground, her consciousness slipping away.
Grayson moved quickly, his frustration boiling over as he grabbed Althea's limp form. "Enough, Cornelius," he growled, dragging her toward his car.
Cornelius's mocking tone followed him. "Careful, nephew. You're in over your head."
"Stay out of my way," Grayson snapped, shoving Althea into the passenger seat. He climbed into the driver's seat, shut the door, and started the engine. As the car roared to life, Cornelius' ghostly form flickered and vanished, leaving behind only the faint chill of his presence.
Grayson cast a glance at Althea's unconscious form, his jaw tightening. "Perfect. Just perfect," he muttered, gunning the engine and tearing out of the lot.
*****
Detective Donatelli stepped off the elevator into the sterile, fluorescent-lit hallway of Bayside Hospital. A nurse at the reception desk looked up as he approached.
Detective Donatelli stepped off the elevator into the sterile, fluorescent-lit hallway of Bayside Hospital. A nurse at the reception desk looked up as he approached.
"I'm here for Phil Henderson," Donatelli said as he showed his badge. "How is he?"
The nurse's expression softened. "He's in surgery. The bullet wound was serious, but the doctors are optimistic. He should pull through."
Donatelli nodded, his gaze drifting toward the double doors leading to the operating room. "Do you have any idea when he'll be out?"
She shook her head. "It'll be a few more hours at least."
"Let me know the moment he's awake," Donatelli said. "It's important."
Donatelli joined Garth in the waiting room. "Phil's in surgery," he muttered. "The doctors say he'll pull through, but it's going to be a while before we get anything out of him."
Garth stopped pacing and sent a sharp look toward Donatelli. "We don't have a while. If someone wanted him dead, they had a reason. And that reason might be tied to the Vineyard."
Donatelli exhaled, pulling a crumpled piece of paper from his jacket pocket. "It is. Found this at the crash site." He handed it to Garth.
Garth unfolded the paper, scanning the name at the top. "Althea Cascio?"
"Angela Cascio's daughter," Donatelli said grimly. "The woman Eleanor told us about with the missing boy."
"So, this woman comes to town and claims to be connected to the Vineyard because she's a Cascio."
"She's not just a Cascio, Garth. She's also a Webb, which means she has connections to both estates." Donatelli shrugged. "If it's true."
"Is that a big if?" Garth asked.
"Well, I was hoping Phil could shed some light on that, but that's not going to happen soon. Someone didn't want him talking to us or anyone else for that matter."
"Eleanor seemed to think the mob was involved with kidnapping the boy. But what would they have to gain from possibly owning a share of a defunct vineyard? It hasn't been harvested in years."
"And how does Miriam tie into it? Her disappearance, ghost or not, is still a mystery." Donatelli shook his head. "If Althea is Rebecca's half-sister, and Miriam is the grandmother, there has to be a bigger connection, but I'll be damned if I can figure it out."
Garth's jaw tightened. "So, Rebecca's caught in this mess, too. Damn it. Does she know?"
"Not yet," Donatelli replies. "And we've got a bigger problem. I sent a cruiser to the motel to bring Althea in for questioning, but she was gone. Her car's still at the motel, but no sign of her. My guess? Someone grabbed her. Maybe the same people who went after Phil."
Garth ran a hand through his hair, his expression dark. "We need to start connecting the dots. I'll head to the Vineyard. If Rebecca's in danger, I'm not waiting for something to happen."
Donatelli nodded. "Fine. But if you find anything, call me. And keep your eyes open. Whoever's behind this isn't messing around."
*****
Zhang Wei paced the floor with the phone pressed to his ear. His face was twisted with anger as he shouted into the phone, "On whose orders?"
Zhang Wei paced the floor with the phone pressed to his ear. His face was twisted with anger as he shouted into the phone, "On whose orders?"
After listening to the voice on the other end, his voice became very cold. "I'll handle it."
The person on the other end replied, "We can take care of it, sir."
Zhang Wei's words sliced like a knife. "No! I've had enough of botched situations. The responsible people will answer directly to me, and I guarantee they will not like it."
He disconnected the line without further conversation. Zhang Wei stood at the window, his hands clasped behind his back. The city lights reflected faintly in the glass, but his focus was elsewhere. His mind churned, dissecting the failures that had led to this point. Grayson, Althea, Henderson — too many loose ends.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. One of his enforcers stepped in, bowing slightly. "Mr. Doyle is ready, sir."
Zhang turned, his expression impassive. "Good. Bring him to me."
The enforcer nodded and disappeared. Zhang adjusted his cufflinks and smoothed his tie before stepping into the adjoining room.
*****
The door opened, and Zhang Wei entered, his footsteps precise and deliberate. He carried a small black folder, which he placed neatly on the table in front of Doyle.
"Mr. Doyle," Zhang began, his voice smooth as silk. "I trust you've had time to reflect on your position."
Doyle glared at him, his jaw tightening. "If by 'reflect' you mean sit here in this dump waiting for whatever game you're playing next, then yeah. I've reflected."
Zhang chuckled softly, finally meeting Doyle's gaze. "You have a sharp tongue. It's a pity it hasn't served you better thus far."
Zhang gestured toward Rossi, who groaned weakly on the cot. "Your friend here is fortunate. The New York mob would not have been so — for lack of a better word, restrained."
Doyle's eyes flicked to Rossi. "What the hell did you do to him?"
"Nothing permanent," Zhang replied. "But appearances are everything. The mob believes we sent them his hand. It's amazing what a little theater can accomplish."
Rossi stirred, his voice a hoarse whisper, "John, listen."
Doyle leaned forward, his voice sharp. "Rossi, what's going on? Are you with them now?"
Rossi winced, his bandaged hand trembling as he tried to sit up. "Not with them. Just — trying to stay alive." His eyes met Doyle's, filled with an odd mix of resignation and warning. "You should do the same."
Doyle leaned back, crossing his arms. "So that's the play? Scare me into falling in line?"
Zhang smiled faintly and opened the folder. Inside were photographs of the Vineyard, including aerial shots of the estate and detailed blueprints of the tunnels beneath it.
"This is no game, Mr. Doyle," Zhang said, sliding the photos across the table. "The Vineyard is the key to more than you realize. Align with me, and you'll have wealth and security beyond your imagination."
"And if I don't?" Doyle asked coldly.
Zhang's smile faded. He leaned forward, his tone dropping to a chilling calm. "If you don't, you'll find yourself on the receiving end of the same theater I employed with Mr. Rossi. Only this time, there will be no act."
Rossi coughed, drawing Doyle's attention again. "John, I know it sucks. But we're out of options. The mob will kill us both if they find out you're here."
Doyle's gaze hardened. "And you're telling me Zhang won't? He's no saint, Rossi."
"No," Rossi admitted. "But he's the one with the power right now. And if you're smart, you'll play ball long enough to survive."
The room fell silent, Rossi's words hanging heavy in the air. Doyle's mind raced, weighing his options. Trusting Zhang felt like a betrayal of everything he'd built with the mob — but refusing meant certain death.
Finally, Doyle spoke, his voice low. "If I agree, what's the deal?"
Zhang's smile returned, slow and satisfied. "You provide me with intelligence on the New York mob and their plans for the Vineyard. In return, I'll ensure your survival and a generous compensation package."
Doyle glanced at Rossi, who gave a faint nod, then back at Zhang. "Fine," he said reluctantly. "But don't think for a second that I trust you."
"Trust is irrelevant, Mr. Doyle," Zhang said smoothly, rising from his chair. "Loyalty is what matters."
As Zhang exited, Doyle clenched his fists under the table, his mind spinning. Play ball. Survive. And find a way out of this mess. And if he played his cards right, he might find a way to shower his revenge on Donatelli.
Flash Summary and Characters -
Prologue -- Bayside's darkest criminals escape during a staged bus accident
Chapter 1 - Eleanor senses trouble at the Vineyard and discovers Miriam is missing
Chapter 2 - Rebecca meets her new neighbor, Grayson Webb , and the New York Mob realizes they have been double-crossed by the Chinese, Zhang Wei
Chapter 3 - Garth and Donatelli piece together forensic findings, and Eleanor finds a child's shoe at the Vineyard that belongs to a missing boy.
Chapter 4 - Eleanor searches for clues as to where Miriam may be, and Cornelius Webb holds Miriam captive within the mystery mirror
Chapter 5 - Miriam's lost soul begs Antonio to help her, and at the Vineyard, he is confronted by Cornelius Webb. Grayson Webb takes advantage of Rebecca's fears and makes his first move to win her heart and steal the Vineyard.
Chapter 6 - Cornelius's spirit clashes with his nephew -- both determined to claim the riches hidden beneath the grounds of the Vineyard , and Althea Cascio is alone in a motel -- fearful that the NY Mob will murder her son, Travis, if she doesn't do what they want concerning the Vineyard
Chapter 7 -- Althea gives the will and birth certificate to the lawyer saying she is part heir to the Vineyard and Eleanor bumps into her and senses something is not right
Chapter 8 - Antonio finds clues to the missing boy and finds Miriam trapped in a mirror and Cornelius dragging her away
Chapter 9 - Eleanorgives the backstory to Donatelli and Garth
Chapter 10 - Grayson steps up his game between the mob and Zhang
Main Characters -
Spirits from the past -
Eleanor Bennett - ghost detective
Danni - jr. ghost detective working with Matthew Donatelli
Cornelius Webb - Miriam's nemesis and murderer
Miriam Cascio - Trevor's murdered bride, Rebecca's grandmother and protector of the Vineyard
Antonio Maggio - Rebecca's grandfather and Miriam's first love
Bayside's Community --
Jenna Bennett - Event planner, Eleanor's daughter, Maggie's mother, Donatelli's love
Matthew Donatelli - Bayside's lead detective and Maggie's father
Rebecca Cascio Stillwell - recently inherited the Vineyard after discovering her adoption
Garth Woodman - FBI Agent and widower (Allie) and potentially interested in Rebecca
Joseph DeLuca - Bayside detective
John Doyle - Ex-judge, nemesis to all, and escaped prisoner from Joliet State Prison.
Vince Rossi - mobster and Doyle's cellmate and escaped prisoner
Grayson Webb - grand nephew and recently inherited the Webb Estate
Althea Webb Cascio - mother to Travis and half-sister to Rebecca
Travis - missing boy
Criminals -
Zhang Wei - once involved in human trafficking with Doyle, seeks revenge for his career losses after Doyle's downfall from the Judge's bench.
Frank DiVito - retired gangster and childhood friend of Garth
Sam - Frankie's right-hand man and friend
Jack Lexington - Chicago kingpin
Tony "The Hawk" - Salvatore "Sal" and Vito Greco -- the New York Mob
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Prologue -- Bayside's darkest criminals escape during a staged bus accident
Chapter 1 - Eleanor senses trouble at the Vineyard and discovers Miriam is missing
Chapter 2 - Rebecca meets her new neighbor, Grayson Webb , and the New York Mob realizes they have been double-crossed by the Chinese, Zhang Wei
Chapter 3 - Garth and Donatelli piece together forensic findings, and Eleanor finds a child's shoe at the Vineyard that belongs to a missing boy.
Chapter 4 - Eleanor searches for clues as to where Miriam may be, and Cornelius Webb holds Miriam captive within the mystery mirror
Chapter 5 - Miriam's lost soul begs Antonio to help her, and at the Vineyard, he is confronted by Cornelius Webb. Grayson Webb takes advantage of Rebecca's fears and makes his first move to win her heart and steal the Vineyard.
Chapter 6 - Cornelius's spirit clashes with his nephew -- both determined to claim the riches hidden beneath the grounds of the Vineyard , and Althea Cascio is alone in a motel -- fearful that the NY Mob will murder her son, Travis, if she doesn't do what they want concerning the Vineyard
Chapter 7 -- Althea gives the will and birth certificate to the lawyer saying she is part heir to the Vineyard and Eleanor bumps into her and senses something is not right
Chapter 8 - Antonio finds clues to the missing boy and finds Miriam trapped in a mirror and Cornelius dragging her away
Chapter 9 - Eleanorgives the backstory to Donatelli and Garth
Chapter 10 - Grayson steps up his game between the mob and Zhang
Main Characters -
Spirits from the past -
Eleanor Bennett - ghost detective
Danni - jr. ghost detective working with Matthew Donatelli
Cornelius Webb - Miriam's nemesis and murderer
Miriam Cascio - Trevor's murdered bride, Rebecca's grandmother and protector of the Vineyard
Antonio Maggio - Rebecca's grandfather and Miriam's first love
Bayside's Community --
Jenna Bennett - Event planner, Eleanor's daughter, Maggie's mother, Donatelli's love
Matthew Donatelli - Bayside's lead detective and Maggie's father
Rebecca Cascio Stillwell - recently inherited the Vineyard after discovering her adoption
Garth Woodman - FBI Agent and widower (Allie) and potentially interested in Rebecca
Joseph DeLuca - Bayside detective
John Doyle - Ex-judge, nemesis to all, and escaped prisoner from Joliet State Prison.
Vince Rossi - mobster and Doyle's cellmate and escaped prisoner
Grayson Webb - grand nephew and recently inherited the Webb Estate
Althea Webb Cascio - mother to Travis and half-sister to Rebecca
Travis - missing boy
Criminals -
Zhang Wei - once involved in human trafficking with Doyle, seeks revenge for his career losses after Doyle's downfall from the Judge's bench.
Frank DiVito - retired gangster and childhood friend of Garth
Sam - Frankie's right-hand man and friend
Jack Lexington - Chicago kingpin
Tony "The Hawk" - Salvatore "Sal" and Vito Greco -- the New York Mob
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