“No, there was no note. We did not find one. He was hanged with a belt, from a light in the ceiling, but the light fell out so he was on the ground.”
David was beyond confused. “He was hanging from a light from the
“Ah, yes. That is right. But he was on the ground. The light pulled from the ceiling,” Valerio added.
“Okay. So he was on the ground when you entered his apartment and found him,” David stated.
“Yes. Mr. Wolf, we also found drugs…cocaina? How do you call…”
“Drugs? I hadn’t heard about that yet.”
“Yes, well, I-a was the one who spoke to your mother earlier, and I just didn’t have the heart to tell her that after I told her about your brother’s death. I am sorry for your loss, Mr. Wolf. I have no idea how you must feel. I will personally help you with the transfer of the remains to your home. There is a lot of, ah, paper work and procedure to follow here in Italy, but I will make sure it happens fast and smoothly. I have a brother myself…”
“Uh, thank you…” Wolf held the phone to his ear in silence for a moment.
“I am sorry I did not tell your mother about the drugs. I did not have the heart to tell her.”
“Okay, yeah, thanks. It was obviously a difficult phone call for you to make. Thank you Valerio.”
Wolf asked some favors and made some plans. They hung up after a half hour and Wolf went into his bedroom and collapsed into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter 7
After four hours sleep, Wolf got up and grabbed another cup of coffee, got his fleece jacket and went to the front porch. The sun was just lighting the sky, the air bitter cold. A few Elk were milling about sixty or so yards away. They all turned his way as the screen door slammed. He held up his coffee to them and took a seat. He pulled out his cell and dialed his mother.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
“So, I spoke with a Caribinieri last night, a cop, from Italy. He was first on scene to John’s apartment. He’s helping us expedite John’s delivery back to Colorado.”
She responded with an exhale.
“You doing alright?” he asked, immediately regretting the question. “Never mind. Stupid question.” They sat in silence for ten seconds. “We are going to get through this. You and I.”
Silence.
“I’m going to go to Italy to get him.”
“You are?”
“Yeah. I’m going to have Nate, Gary, and a couple of the boys check on you when I’m gone, alright?”
“When are you coming back?”
“I think I’ll be gone a week.”
Chapter 8
Sarah’s parents house was lit up inside and out in the early morning light. Venus gleamed just over the pines in the eastern sky, the sun following close behind the mountains.
He rang the doorbell and heard muffled conversation inside. Sarah’s face appeared in the ornate window set in the hand crafted wood door. She opened it a crack.
“Hi David. What’s going on?”
Wolf looked at his watch. “Hi Sarah. How are you?”
She looked down, and then she ducked her head back in, talking to someone behind the door.
“Hey, is that Jack?” Wolf craned his head.
She leaned back and turned sideways. “Uh, no. Jack! Your dad’s here!”
He heard the faint yell reply from somewhere in the interior.
“Who is that? Are you parents here?”
“No, they went to Aspen for the week.”
“Okay.”
A man came up from behind Sarah, hand on the small of her back. She looked down and stepped out of the way. He was dressed in sweat pants and a tee-shirt.
“Heya, how you doing? My name is Mark.” He extended a hand over Sarah. He was taller than Wolf, and Wolf had his work boots on “Mark Wilson.”
“Hey.” Wolf shook his hand.
“Dad!” Jack burst out of the door.
The guy stepped aside and ducked back in the door, giving them a respectful distance to talk. Wolf watched as he persuaded Sarah to shut the door to leave them alone.
Wolf gave him a hug and ruffled his hair. “Hey bud. What’s happening?”
“Not much.” He stayed latched tight to Wolf. “Just watching toons and having breakfast.”
“Cool. Hey I’ve gotta leave town for a little bit, so…”
“Where? Where you going?”
“Uh, I’m actually going to Italy.”
“What? Are you serious? Are you going to see Uncle John?”
“Yeah, I am buddy.”
“Tell him he needs to call me. When is he coming back?”
“Listen, buddy. We’ll…we’ll talk more when I get back. I think I’ll be gone a week. But listen, I want you to spend a lot of time at Brian’s when I’m gone, okay?”
Jack raised an eyebrow. “Okay. I
Wolf laughed. “Yeah, I know. Just keep it up. Nater will take care of anything you need when I’m gone.”
“And Mom is back too! So, I’ll be fine! Don’t worry Dad.”
He looked at him again and gave him another hug.
“Listen, buddy. John’s not doing…”
Jack looked at him with big excited eyes. He just didn’t have the heart to tell him what was going on. But he had no choice. It had to come from him. Right now. Otherwise he would know from some other person in town before the morning was through. It’s just how it worked in Rocky Points.
“John died this weekend buddy.”
Jack’s face fell instantly, still looking wide eyed at his dad. “Sorry buddy. I have to go take care of him and bring him back home this week. That’s where I’m going. Okay?”Jack hugged him tight and started crying. Wolf hugged him back.
Jack began shaking softly in his arms.
“I know buddy.” It was all Wolf could think to say. “I know.” They hugged and cried for a full minute, Wolf letting the emotional flood gates go. He finally pushed Jack back and knelt down. “Alright man. Be good. Go back inside. Tell your Mom I need to speak to her again real quick, alright?” Jack wiped his eyes and stared at the ground. Wolf pulled his chin up. “Hey buddy, I love you. You know that, right?”
He nodded.
“All right man. I’ll see you soon okay? Don’t forget what I said about hanging out at Brian’s. Nater will be looking out this week.”
“All right. I will Dad. I get it.”
He did get it. Wolf wished to God he didn’t need to.
Sarah opened the door again. She looked at Jack wiping his tears and shot a questioning look at Wolf, which turned quickly to an accusing one.
