Just the Right Size: Mignolina Colorado Mafia

Chapter 1

Two years ago.

You’ve got this, Marcello. Remember, don’t show any fear, Lavinia said. I’ll be waiting for you by the tennis courts.

Lavinia watched Marcello knock on the door and heard her father call for him to enter. Once the door closed behind him, she made a mad dash to the security office to watch and listen to their conversation.

So, how did you meet my daughter? Enzo asked.

Lavinia and I met last summer at a pool party hosted by the Eastmoor Swim and Tennis Club. We kept in touch when I returned to Oxford, Marcello explained as he sat and tried to remain calm.

Lavinia was excited. This was it. Her father was sure to allow her to marry Marcello. She sat watching and absentmindedly played with the promise ring Marcello gave her at the end of last summer when he had to return for his final semester at Oxford.

Lavinia is twenty-four and is accustomed to a certain lifestyle. Will you remain here in Colorado? Enzo asked, folding his arms over his chest.

We haven’t talked about where we shall live, Marcello responded. I’m in love with your daughter. She’s intelligent and funny. I came here intending to ask you to bless our marriage, but we will marry with or without your blessing.

You expect me to give you my blessing when you haven’t decided where you will live? How will you support her? You’ve kept your relationship a secret. How do you expect me to trust you? Enzo growled.

I admit we haven’t figured out all of the fine details. We will be engaged for a while and can figure these things out. I will rent an apartment nearby so you can get to know me better, Marcello defended himself.

What will you do for a job? Lavinia’s clothing business is new. She’s yet to see any profits, Enzo asked.

I graduated top of my class with a Criminology DPhil degree, Marcello beamed.

You have what degree? Enzo snapped.

I have a Doctorate of Philosophy in Criminology, Marcello clarified.

Get. Out! Enzo bellowed.

What? Why? What did I say wrong? Marcello pleaded. I don’t understand, Mister Mignolina.

Enzo pressed the button on the intercom.

Yes, sir? came a male voice through the speaker.

Ignacio, I have someone that needs to be removed, Enzo said.

What? That’s it? You aren’t going to explain what happened? Marcello challenged.

Ignacio entered the room with two other men. Each man grabbed hold of one of Marcello’s arms and began to drag him away.

Lavinia and I will marry without your blessing! Marcello insisted.

Lavinia had run from the security office when she heard her father order Ignacio to remove Marcello.

Tell them, Lavinia! Tell them we will get married, Marcello begged as he was dragged past her.

I can’t, Lavinia whispered, tears shining in her eyes. Wait!

Lavinia removed the promise ring, placed it in his hand, and walked into her father’s study.

Enzo closed the door behind him. He debated briefly whether to sit beside his daughter or behind his desk. Lavinia needed her father now, so he sat in the chair beside her.

I take it you were listening, Enzo said.

Yes, she sniffled.

Did you know he was pursuing a criminology degree?

No. Marcello said he would be graduating from Oxford, but not what he was studying, Lavinia replied.

Do you understand why I had to send him away? her father asked.

Yes. In your business, we can’t associate with police in any way, Lavinia began. I know you are the leader of the mafia family. I’ve known since Francesco came back from college.

I always knew you were a brilliant girl, Enzo smiled.

I got that from Mom, Lavinia teased.

You also got her sense of humor and beauty, Enzo said as he handed her a tissue box. Now wipe your tears and blow your nose.

Lavinia plucked a few tissues from the box, then dried her eyes, careful not to smear her mascara. Then she plucked a few more to blow her nose. When she finished, she took a deep breath.

I love you, Daddy, Lavinia said as she leaned over and hugged her father.

I love you too, my sweet child, Enzo said.

I’m twenty-four, Daddy. No longer a child, Lavinia said with a mock pout.

I know, but you will always be my little girl, Enzo said softly. Now, off with you. I have work to do.

I’m going to call Tommie and head to the mall, Lavinia said as she tossed the tissues in the trash before leaving her father’s office.

The house had a balcony attached to two bedrooms by sliding glass doors in each of the bedrooms. Next to the balcony were two trees that could be used to climb up and down from the balcony. Tom had driven by the house several times during the day and evening, learning the owners’ habits.

The home was owned by a single mother and her teenage daughter and son. Tom chose a night when the three occupants would not be home. Wednesdays, the family went to the bowling alley. The mother was in a league, and the kids hung out with their friends while she bowled.

Wednesday night, he was late arriving, but he saw the family car was not parked in the garage. Tom crept to the back of the house and climbed the tree closest to what he discovered was the mother’s bedroom.

Tom didn’t know the mother and son had left, but the teenage daughter had remained at home as she was sick. The girl was reading in bed with a dim light on the nightstand. She heard something moving in one of the trees outside but brushed it off as raccoons in the tree because they were often spotted in the neighborhood trees.

The curtains on the glass door were sheer, with a mauve botanical design. Shortly after hearing the tree rustling noises, the girl saw a shadow slowly move past the doors. She grabbed her cell phone and texted her brother that there was an intruder.

Tom continued moving across the balcony to the master bedroom. He was slow and careful not to draw attention to himself. When he reached the glass door, he squatted to be level with the lock and took out his tension pick set from his jacket pocket. Tension pick sets are only sold to locksmiths with the proper credentials, so he made his own.

Tom inserted the short end of his pick set into the lower edge of the keyhole. He applied some pressure to turn the lock in the same direction a key would turn. He kept the pressure steady, using the other tool to work the lock. The second tool was small and as thin as a paper clip. He eased the smaller device into the lower end of the keyhole and wiggled it back and forth until he felt the tumbler move. The lock gave, and Tom was able to enter the room.

Tom passed by the small desk with a laptop on it and headed to the dresser. The mother had a small jewelry case on the dresser and a large jewelry armoire beside it. Chances were that the armoire was full of costume jewelry. He opened the small box on top of the dresser.

Bingo, Tom whispered, delighted.

Inside were a diamond broach, pearl and diamond earrings, and a Rolex watch. He grabbed them and quickly stuffed them in his jacket pocket. Tom had tools at home to separate the diamonds and pearls from their settings, making them easier to sell. The Rolex wouldn’t be sold to a pawn store. He had a guy who collected Rolex watches, no questions asked.

Tom had just put a leg over the balcony to shimmy down the tree when he noticed the light on in the other bedroom. He tried to recall if the light had been on when he arrived. He was so focused on the mother’s bedroom that he hadn’t noticed.

This was bad. Really, really bad.

Tom debated whether to investigate the other room when he saw light flooding the patio below. Shit, they were home early. There was no way he would risk being caught. He continued his way to the branches and descended the tree.

Tom stopped climbing down when he could see into the windows. All the lights were on in the house now. Whichever teen’s bedroom that was had called their mom. He knew the police hadn’t been called because he didn’t hear sirens.

Tom dropped from the last branch and quickly dashed out of the backyard to the sidewalk in front of the house. He looked around and saw no one outside the home, so he casually strolled to his car. The police were coming down the street as Tom left.

Tom decided to stay away from that neighborhood for a while. There is no need to risk being recognized or having his car recognized.

Tom drove his car behind his home on N Pennsylvania Street and parked in the single-car garage. Next to the detached single-car garage was a two-car garage. Both were made of brick. His home