Page 51 of Perfect Vengeance

Kinsey tipped her chin. “Who is Linda talking to?”

Grateful for the change of subject, Gina looked at the table where Linda sat next to a young man she didn’t recognize. “I don’t know who he is, but whatever they’re discussing, Linda looks ready to scream.”

Abruptly, Linda stood and made her way over. Her jaw was tight, anger flaring from her eyes. “I’ve just been informed by one of the mayor’s top aides that the city has decided to audit all nonprofit organizations. Some kind of special initiative the mayor is implementing in response to all the financial schemes these days.”

“Why is that bad news?” Gina asked. “The Center’s books are clean.”

“The audit is in three weeks. Until then, the city is putting a freeze on any new assets. Whether it’s cash, checks, or endowments, any donations from tonight can’t be touched until after the audit, and we’re nearly tapped out.”

Anna handed her plate of pasta to a passing waiter. “I’m suddenly not hungry.”

Neither was Gina. Moments ago, she’d been ready to wolf down some of Anna’s pasta with a chaser of chocolate mousse cake. Now, all the wonderful smells from the buffet table made her nauseous.

Linda held out her arms. “We could raise a million dollars tonight, but we won’t be able to use it for quite some time.”

Gina put an arm around Linda’s shoulders. “We’ll figure something out. I promise.” She worried that was a promise she couldn’t keep.

“I’m sorry.” Linda looked at all of them. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. You’ve been wonderful. Really wonderful. I’m just so frustrated and worried. I think I need a drink.” True to her words, she took off for the bar.

The gears began turning in Gina’s head. There was only one way they could get cash now and quickly. The timing had to be perfect. Tomorrow night, to be precise.

“Gina?” Margo pursed her lips. “I hope you’re not thinking what I think you’re thinking.”

“I am.” She lowered her voice. “There’s only one way to rectify this.”

“No.” Anna shook her head. “No, no, no. And if you didn’t hear me, no! Jack will skin us alive. We gave him our word, and we can’t go back on it.”

“Look,” Gina whispered, scanning the crowd. “I’m not exactly thrilled at the prospect, either, but Marilyn is recovering at another safe house, and it’s only a matter of time before her husband’s bloodhound private investigators find her. You heard what Linda said. We can’t wait for the audit. Marilyn and so many other women need that money. All I’m talking about is one more rip, big enough to fund the Center for a long time. And,” she added, giving Anna a pointed look, “for the record, there is no us. I’m doing this alone.”

“The hell you are.” Margo clamped a hand on Gina’s shoulder. “This rip will be dangerous enough with all of us there. Doing it without backup and countersurveillance is just plain stupid, and you know it.”

Kinsey cocked her head. “What rip? And where?”

Again Gina glanced around, searching for prying eyes and ears. “Tino Falzone’s place. I don’t think Jack planted a bug there. Tomorrow night, all Tino’s soldiers are bringing their monthly payouts to his shore house. The place isn’t impenetrable, but it’s going to be more difficult than Rocco’s or Psycho’s. I’ll make it work because there is no other option.”

Again, Anna shook her head. “I’ll never understand how you come by all this insider information.”

“Informants,” she answered, then bit her lower lip. “All I have to do is slip them some cash and they talk. It’s that simple.” She prayed her friends never discovered just how many informants she actually had, and that most were contacts she’d made while she was still Angelina Perotti, daughter to a mob bookie. They were all low echelon Falzone associates, but their intel was usually reliable.

“A rip that big is bound to make someone take notice.” Margo pursed her lips. “You can bet Jack will hear about it.”

Margo was probably right. Jack always seemed to know everything. “All the more reason for me to run this solo. That way, he’ll only have one hide to skin. Mine.”

“Not a chance.” Kinsey leaned in, her eyes glittering with fierce determination. “Remember our pact? Where you go, we go.”

“Even I have to agree.” Anna pointed at Gina. “We are not letting you do this alone.”

Slowly, Gina looked at each of her friends. The lump rising in her throat was the only thing cutting off the sob bubbling up. She should have known they would never let her do this without them.

“Okay.” Please, God. Don’t make me regret this. “We’ll meet at my place tomorrow at noon. It’s going to be a rush job, so we’ve got lots to figure out.”

“Uh, oh.” Kinsey nudged Gina. “Here comes Mr. Boring.”

She turned to see her ex, Paul, heading their way. As he bore down on them, she groaned. Dealing with him tonight was the absolute last thing she needed.

“I told you to delete his name from your mailing list,” Anna said. “And if I haven’t mentioned it, he’s been watching you all evening.”

“Good evening, ladies.” He ingratiated himself into their circle with the smoothness and ease of one accustomed to getting his way.