Charlie Opera

Chapter 42

Charlie decided to take the taxi drive to the hospital with John Denton before heading back to Samantha’s apartment. He tried to call the apartment from a pay phone at the Bellagio but there was no answer.

Denton was quiet during the taxi ride back to the hospital. Charlie found himself feeling sorry for his wife’s lover.

“I’ll deny you were there if you want,” he told Denton. “If you’re worried about your law license.”

“I’m on camera in the hallways same as you,” Denton said. “Besides, I think that guy was right. I don’t think they’ll do anything while we have pictures.”

“Why don’t you two get the hell out of Las Vegas tonight?” Charlie asked.

“I don’t know if she can yet,” Denton said. “Besides, I think she’ll want to know you’re safe.”

“What makes you think that?”

“She doesn’t hate you, Charlie.”

Charlie nodded, then glanced at his watch. “They must have hospitals in California,” he said.

The taxi pulled into the Valley Hospital parking lot.

“You coming in?” Denton asked.

“She doesn’t want to see me,” Charlie said.

“You’re wrong. She did want to see you. To apologize, I think.”

Charlie rubbed his bruised knuckles. “This wasn’t anybody’s fault,” he said. “Look, I know better. Shit happens.”

Denton extended a hand to Charlie. Charlie looked at it a few seconds before taking it.

“Don’t forget to get those developed,” he told Denton. He was pointing at the plastic bag holding the disposable camera. “No matter what that other guy does, it’s all we have.”

Charlie gave the driver Samantha’s address, then sat back in the seat to close his eyes. He pictured his wife upstairs in her hospital room and the smile she would greet her lover with. He felt a pang of jealousy for a smile that was no longer his.

Charlie thought about the new smile in his life and how grateful he would be to see Samantha again. He hoped she was home when the taxi dropped him off. He would hug and kiss her tight. He wouldn’t let go.

Minh had delegated a second contract for the Italian mob to his wife back at the restaurant. He had stayed in touch with his men following Charlie Pellechia and immediately raced to the hospital after his sit-down with Lercasi.

Now Minh sat low behind a steering wheel as he observed a taxi from the edge of a hospital parking lot. A man got out of the cab and headed inside the hospital. Two of Minh’s soldiers were in a car farther up the street. They called to confirm the man still sitting in the taxi to be Charlie Pellecchia.

Minh lit a cigarette as he waited for the taxi to turn up the street. He watched intently as the car passed. He could see the stocky man in the back clearly. Charlie Pellecchia seemed oblivious to his surroundings.

Minh took a few drags on the cigarette before shifting gears and following at a safe distance. When his men asked if they should cut the taxi off, Minh answered in French: “Non. Revenez au restaurant. Aidez couper celui-là. Je me charge celui-ci.”

“No,” he had told them. “Get back to the restaurant. Help cut up that one. I’ll take care of this one.”

“Tu sûr?” one of his men asked.

“Ne t’inquiéte pas de moi, huh,” Minh said in French, then translated to English, “No worrey.”