Page 55 of Home Team Advantage
“And they knew it was their blood because …” Jake prompted.
“Genetic testing,” Michael chimed in. “It’s possible to compare genetic markers in the blood to the known DNA of the parents. Direct descendants wouldn’t be an exact match, but it would be very close.”
“Give the man a cookie,” Ian said. “The theory was—is—that Luca and Giovanna were taken as a final fuck-you to the Bianchis. It wasn’t good enough to take out the don. They wanted to wipe out his bloodline out of future generations as well. Apparently, that’s a thing, and the DiGiorgios were known for being ruthless that way. No one believes they survived. There was no reason to.”
“Until now,” Jake said.
“Until now,” Ian agreed.
Matt was growing impatient. As interesting as all this was, he didn’t understand what any of it had to do with Anna.
Ever the voice of logic, Shane was shaking his head. “A guy in the crowd who resembles Luca Bianchi is not proof of life.”
“Maybe not by itself, but taken into account with this …” Ian pointed his clicker, and the screen shifted to an engagement announcement.
The couple looked as if they were posed in front of a church, dressed in their Sunday best. DiGiorgio was recognizable as a younger version of the man currently running for governor in Illinois. The bride-to-be was harder to make out. She was slim and clearly much younger than DiGiorgio. Her head was tilted downward toward her hands, which were clasping a small designer handbag at her waist.
Ian zoomed in until the woman’s image dominated the screen. “Look familiar?”
Matt visually traced the parts of her he could see. The familiar set of her shoulders. The curve of her neck. The line of her delicate jaw.
“Anna,” he breathed.
Matt was vaguely aware of a slew of curses muttered around him. His brain was busy putting together the pieces. His instincts had told him Anna had secrets, but he’d never envisioned this.
“Fuck. Slain Mafia princess wasn’t on my bingo card,” Sean mumbled. “Where is the girl now?”
“Pine Ridge PD,” Kieran answered.
“With a great big neon target on her back if she stays there,” Shane said. “They’ve already fingerprinted her. If the press gets ahold of this?—”
“It’s going to be a hell of a shit show,” Sean finished. “I love The Godfather and all, but I don’t want to re-create it in Pine Ridge.”
The room went silent until Jake said, “Is there any chance Anna did what she’s accused of?”
Matt shook his head emphatically. “No. The grandson is behind it somehow.”
“He definitely is,” Ian said. “Eddie’s in debt up to his eyeballs, so he’s got motive. I just need to tie up the package with proof of means and opportunity. Shouldn’t take long. The guy’s not that bright. But this is a higher priority at the moment.”
“So, are we doing this?” Kieran asked.
“I’m in,” Shane said.
“Me too,” said Michael.
“Fuck it, I’m already balls deep,” Ian said.
“Count me in,” Sean said, standing up. “It’s been way too fucking boring around here lately.”
Everyone looked at Jake, who exhaled. “Right. I’ll call Church and ask him to set up a safe house for us. Shane and Sean, go down to the police department and get Anna out of there before this blows up in our faces. Ian, see if you can alter any digital images of those fingerprints.” He turned to Michael. “Can you keep Mrs. Campbell in the hospital until we remove Eddie from the equation?”
Michael nodded. “On it.”
“Kieran, take care of Eddie.”
“With pleasure.”
Matt cleared his throat. “Hey, aren’t you forgetting something?”
