Chapter Thirty-Five

Trinity

I was roused from sleep on a Sunday morning by a persistent knock at the door. My husband was still sound asleep, so I slipped on my robe and made my way downstairs. The knocking continued, growing more insistent with each passing moment.

Finally, I reached the door and swung it open to find Detective Peters standing there.

“Didn’t your mom teach you any manners?” I grumbled.

“Excuse me?” he asked, taken aback.

“I heard the doorbell the first time. I’m not exactly in a position to sprint to the door, but your constant buzzing is just plain rude.”

“What brings you here, Detective, now that you’ve successfully interrupted my rest?”

“You seem a bit cranky this morning, Mrs. Gotti.”

“Wouldn’t you be if you were almost seven months pregnant and had to deal with you first thing in the morning?” I shot back. “So, I’ll ask again, what do you want?”

“I’m afraid I’m going to need you to get dressed and come with me to the station.”

I hadn’t noticed my husband had woken up until I heard his voice from the top of the stairs, “On what grounds? Do you have a warrant? Have you informed my wife that she’s under arrest?”

“Just a routine investigation, Mr. Gotti, as you know from your visit the other day.”

“Babe?” I asked, turning to Stephen and ignoring the detective.

“Go get changed, sweetheart. I won’t let them take you anywhere unless you’re comfortable. I’ll call Benji while you’re getting ready.”

“Actually, I can’t let you both go into that room right now,” the detective interjected. “Given your conspiracy theories about me.”

“I have no problem calling Mr. Ramirez right here in front of you, Detective,” Stephen retorted.

I gave Stephen a soft kiss as I headed upstairs to change. He whispered in my ear that everything would be okay and that Benji would be at the station before I arrived, so I should take my time getting ready.

Reaching the top of the stairs, I could hear Stephen on the phone, presumably with Benji.

I took my time getting dressed. As I was leaving our bedroom, I heard the detective speaking to Stephen.

“Your wife needs to hurry up, Mr. Gotti. This isn’t a game.”

“Tell you what, Detective, when you’ve carried two babies in your womb, pressing on your bladder all day and night, come back and talk to me about playing games,” I retorted.

“Until then, I suggest you stick to what you know, which from where I’m standing, doesn’t seem to be much,” I added.

The detective smirked. “I can see why you chose her, Mr. Gotti. She’s got some fire in her.”

“And you’re a pig for talking about a pregnant woman like that,” Stephen snapped back.

I watched as my husband glared at the detective, realizing he was trying to provoke Stephen into doing something rash.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” I said, placing my hand on Stephen’s back. “Clearly, the detective doesn’t know how to treat a woman properly. I’ll be fine. I love you and I’ll see you soon.”

I leaned up to kiss my husband. He pulled me close, kissing me deeply. He gave my bottom a playful tap as he whispered that Benji was already on his way.

“I love you, momma. See you soon.”

I followed the detective out, glancing back to see Stephen standing there, seething.

“If you do anything to upset my wife or stress my unborn children, Detective, I promise this game will end quicker than you can blink.”

“You realize that’s a threat, right?” Detective Peters asked.

“I didn’t hear any threat,” I chimed in.

I winked at my husband, giving him a look that said, ~Calm down before you get yourself in trouble~.

The detective sped off, and I couldn’t resist taking a jab at him.

“Does being a member of the Chicago PD give you a license to speed without using your lights or signals?”

“We’re in a bit of a hurry today, Mrs. Gotti.”

“I’m sure everyone else is too, but if they were driving as fast as you are right now, I have no doubt you’d be quick to give them a ticket.”

“Not to mention, if you caused an accident due to your excessive speed and injured me or my unborn children, I’d have to take legal action against you and the PD.”

“And I believe these vehicles have recording devices that must be made available upon request by legal counsel, correct?”

I noticed him slow down, but he didn’t respond.

“Slowing down, I see, Detective. Good choice.”

The rest of the ride was spent in silence. When we arrived at the station, I saw Benji waiting for me.

“Trinity, how are you today?”

“I’m good, thank you, Benji. I appreciate you meeting me here.”

“Of course, dear. I need to make sure our detective friend here is following the law, right?”

“Funny you should mention that. I noticed our detective here has a bit of a lead foot. I had to remind him about public safety on the way here.”

“Of course, we wouldn’t want our wonderful PD to break their own laws, would we, Detective?”

“You can both wait in this room. We’ll be with you as soon as possible.”

“And how long will that be, Detective?”

“Hard to say, Mr. Ramirez. Why do you ask?”

“I was just wondering if you were going to consider the Fetal Protection policy and law while we wait?”

“Considering my previous clients have had to wait up to three hours, and my current client is heavily pregnant with twins,” Benji paused.

“Don’t you think if you’re going to take that long, we should reschedule this interview? We wouldn’t want to infringe on the constitutional rights of her unborn children, right?”

I can’t help but smirk at Benji. I watch as the detective swallows hard and runs his hand through his hair, clearly frustrated.

“Ten minutes. That’s all I need.”

Benji grins, flashing his perfect teeth. “Great. You did tell my client she was free to leave when she asked you at her house, didn’t you?”

“Yes, Mr. Ramirez. Why do you ask?”

“Just making sure, Detective Peters. Since everything here is being recorded, if you take longer than ten minutes, we’ll be leaving. That’s her right.”

“And let’s not forget, my client is here to help you,” he adds.

The detective walks out, shutting the door behind him. I turn to Benji.

“I think your phone just buzzed, Mrs. Gotti,” he says.

I give him a puzzled look. I didn’t feel my phone vibrate. But I take it out and check it, just as he instructed.

Stephen

Do not say a word baby unless Benji nods to let you know it is ok

Stephen

Always look to him for instructions before replying to anything they ask.

Stephen

Let Benji do all the talking where possible.

Stephen

Not one word even if they address you before checking with him.

Stephen

Love you see you soon xxx

I glance back at Benji. He raises an eyebrow, a silent question. I nod once to let him know I understand. We sit in silence, waiting for the detective to return.

Five minutes later, the detective walks back in. Detective Peters and Grounds… interesting.

“I told you we wouldn’t be long. Mrs. Gotti, you’ve met Detective Grounds before, haven’t you?”

I look to Benji. He nods, giving me the go-ahead to answer.

“Yes, Detective Grounds followed me around at work for a whole day. He didn’t seem interested in renting any of the properties I was showing. He also lied about who he was,” I add.

“I was so scared, I called my now-husband to meet me. I didn’t know what Detective Grounds was planning.”

Detective Grounds scoffs. “Oh, give me a break. I didn’t do anything to make you feel scared or threatened.”

“So, lying about who you are is okay with the CPD? Is that what you’re saying, Detective Grounds? Interesting,” Benji muses, tapping his chin.

Detective Peters clears his throat. “Anyway, we’d like to ask you some questions about Mike Suarez. I believe he used to work for your husband?”

I look at Benji. He shakes his head.

“My client isn’t under arrest, so she’s choosing to remain silent.”

“Is Mrs. Gotti saying she doesn’t know who Mike Suarez is?” Peters asks.

“My client isn’t under arrest, so she’s choosing to remain silent.”

Detective Peters clenches his jaw. “But didn’t Mrs. Gotti live at the same property where Mike Suarez lived?”

“My client isn’t under arrest, so she’s choosing to remain silent,” Benji repeats.

“This is fucking pointless. They’re not going to cooperate, Peters!” Detective Grounds snaps. “Just arrest them and get it over with!”

“On what grounds are you planning to arrest my client, Detective Grounds?”

“How about for the disappearance of Mike Suarez, Mr. Ramirez?”

“Your colleague already said my client was here to help. I find it hard to believe we’ve jumped to arrest status.”

“Especially since you haven’t presented any facts, informed my client of her Miranda rights, or shown any evidence against her. And where’s your proof that Mr. Suarez has disappeared?”

“Also, I know you’re trying to use the Reid Technique of interrogation. You both know that increases stress levels in an attempt to find a tell or theme.”

“Detective Grounds, you weren’t here earlier, but your colleague was. So let me repeat: if you continue using the Reid Technique, you’re risking violating the Fetal Protection laws.”

“And if anything happens to my client, I’ll be more than happy to sue the CPD for causing stress to her unborn children.”

I watch as Benji leans back, his gaze locked on Detective Grounds.

“You’re free to go, Mrs. Gotti,” Detective Peters finally says, clearly annoyed. “It’s clear you have no intention of helping us today.”

“For the record, my client has been more than helpful. She came here voluntarily. You had no reason to bring her here. That’s on you, Detective, not my client. Good day.”

Benji escorts me out of the station and to his car. He opens the passenger door for me. “I’ll take you home. I’m sure your husband is worried about you.”

“Thank you, Benji.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” he says, bowing his head. “I can’t stand that asshole Peters.”