.../
“Recently,” Pollard continued, “your father found out that he was terminally ill but he continued to work with us as we were trying to crack a huge case. He was working undercover when he had his heart attack. It was dangerous for him but he wasn’t afraid. A few weeks ago, he told me he finally got evidence on the Zanini brothers. He always believed they were responsible for your mother’s death.”
Pollard flipped the zip drive in his hand. “Your father became a partner in one of the Zanini's legit businesses, their logistics company, where he downloaded files from some of their illegal operations. This will go a long way to putting some bad characters behind bars. And the pistol. I’ll bet we can match the fingerprints and ballistics to a number of felonies. These diamonds were connected to a kidnapping and murder. I don’t know how he got hold of them.”
The detective cleared his throat. “The day Vito died,” he continued, “he had flown in from Vancouver. He had asked for a meeting with Zanini Senior. One of the Zanini brothers was to escort him to the luncheon. I believe Vito was planning a confrontation with the head of their family. He collapsed. That nurse happened along and he used her to contact you. You know the rest.”
Pollard added an afterthought. “All you need to know is that he was a good man.”
“A good man? I can’t believe this. It’s like something out of a movie,” said Vincent looking stupefied.
“I wish I could talk more but my department has to move fast on this evidence. I have to get back to headquarters. I’ll stay in touch. I’m very sorry for your loss.”
“Wait, is it safe for me and my mother to be walking around?”
“They don’t see you as a threat. Everyone figures you despised your father. We kept that rumour going for your protection.”
—♦—
Vincent sat in his car unable to drive. He was still in a state of shock. He wanted to see his grandmother to talk about his father. He had so many questions. First, he checked in with his office to cancel all appointments for the day. He played his messages. One of them was Angelica’s. He had forgotten all about her. She sounded very worried on her message. He tried to call her back. Her phone just rang and rang.
He tried to track Pollard down at police headquarters but was told that Pollard was unavailable.
“I have to talk to him immediately. I just met with him. Get a message to him urgently.” Vincent ended up leaving his details with the clerk.
He slammed his fist on the steering wheel. That girl might be in danger, all because of me. I can’t just sit here.
Vincent found the address for Zanini Logistics, their shipping company, and decided to drive out there, in Mississauga by the airport.
He parked in their parking lot. He sat staring at the high concrete block walls. He tried Angie’s phone again but nothing. He headed into the building. He had no idea what good this was doing but he had to do something.