Chapter 26 - Family Business

 Three months earlier...

"Big Tony Basso's daughter," Nick Alto mused. "After all these years."

"Nine years, sir," Mr. Grey commented, his mild voice bland, devoid of feeling.

"I suppose you've confirmed it," Alto said.

"Of course, sir," Mr. Grey nodded. "The girl's information led us directly to Janet Hara... confirmed by two men who knew her in Tartosa... and state records back up her story. Teen runaway. Sealed juvenile record in Sulani - petty theft and prostitution. There are charges against a Rocco Christman, Hara's common law husband, for sexual assault... charges dropped after he gave evidence in a drug investigation. He was subsequently killed."

"Raped her - a child - and the state let him off," Alto snorted. "Nice of someone to save me the trouble of killing him."

"The girl was placed in foster care," Mr. Grey continued his cold recitation. "Adopted by Londyn and Danielle Huntley of Tartosa. Some curious activity there. Certain barriers removed by outside parties."

"Do we know why?" Alto asked.

"Not yet, sir," Mr. Grey replied, a momentary hitch in his voice betraying his irritation at not immediately having an answer. He continued, his equanimity restored, "Another sealed juvenile record in Tartosa - theft and misdemeanor drug possession - all cleaned up, mostly legally, by the Huntleys. She's been largely kept out of the media, despite her adoptive mothers' joint fame... though there are some mentions of an association with..."

"Miranda Silveroak-Goth," Alto smiled. "Grey, sometimes when you least expect it, life deals you a straight flush."

"I would advise caution, sir," Mr. Grey said. 

"Don't you always?" Alto laughed.

"Shall I contact our... associate?" Mr. Grey asked.

"No, not yet," Alto said pensively. "Let's play this your way for now... I want to know more about Mariah Basso. Arrange a meeting with her, here."

"Yes sir," Mr. Grey nodded. "And Ms. Hara?"

"Keep an eye on her," Alto said, "but there's no need to act, for now."

"Yes sir," Mr. Grey nodded again.

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"I can't believe it," Mariah cried. "I can't believe it!"

"I'm afraid it's true, my dear," Nick Alto said soothingly. "The Agency murdered your father. They call us criminals but we, the Families, have a code of honor. The Agency has none. They killed your father in cold blood and God knows what they would have done to you. Your mother must have run to protect you..."

"Col cazzo," Mariah swore, "that puttana ran to save her own ass. She probably got a discount on airfare bringing me along."

"Perhaps," Alto agreed cautiously.

"Why?" Mariah snarled. "Tell me why."

"Your father was in charge of all our operations in Tartosa," Alto explained. "That might have been reason enough for those Agency assholes but, at that time, we were negotiating a deal with... other parties. A deal that would have put the Altos above those Landgraab bastards. Big Tony, your father, was a major part of those negotiations. When he died, the deal died with him." 

"For a deal?" Mariah snarled. "They killed him to block a fottuto deal?"

"Yes," Alto said gravely. "I am sorry that Janet ran... and took you with her. We could have protected you both. In fact, I promised your father I would if anything happened to him. You would have grown up here... with your real family. Eventually, you would have even taken your place in the family business."

"Really?" Mariah said, taking a deep breath.

"It's what your father would have wanted," Alto assured her. "For you to be part of the Family."

"Huh." Mariah looked thoughtful.

"We are your family, Mariah," Alto said warmly. "I... I owe it to your father, to make up for all those lost years. You... you have a place here. If you want it?"

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"Did you know?" Mariah demanded into the phone.

"Know what?" Londyn answered, shaken by the rage in her daughter's voice. "I don't understand what you're saying."

"The Agency murdered my father," Mariah snapped. "Liberty's Agency! You've told me before that Liberty helped smooth over some things when you adopted me... used her Agency contacts. So, the Agency that murdered my father arranged for you to adopt me?! Did you know?!"

"No, honey," Londyn insisted. "I can't imagine... I'm shocked. Listen, you're upset... come home. We'll talk to Liberty. We'll figure this out together."

 "Col cazzo!" Mariah snarled. "I'll figure this out on my own!"

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"Marco," Alto said, "I want you to take Mariah and set her up with your new crew. See how she handles the business." 

"Sure, I can do that," Marco nodded.

"Is this wise, sir?" Mr. Grey asked. "Ms. Basso is an unknown quantity with ties to a number of dangerous parties... including the Agency. Exposing the business to her is a risk. Also, I must point out that there is always a possibility, however slim, of her learning the truth about her father's death."

"When God deals you a hand this good, Grey, you bet big," Alto replied. "Beside, Marco will keep an eye on her. Won't you Marco?"

"I'll take care of it, boss," Marco grinned.

 

Chapter 25 - Darkwing House

Darkwing House, at the edge of Britechester campus, was once the home of Professor Psyded, one of the university's founders. Now it was the most notable, and expensive, student housing available on campus. 

Still, Miranda thought, what's the point of being ridiculously wealthy if you didn't treat yourself and your friends once in a while. Besides, unlike the dorms, Darkwing House had its own kitchen... and Miranda wasn't sure she could handle another year of dorm food.

After all, they'd agreed to room together and there was no reason not to do so in comfort. Cassie had agreed to cover the costs. Miranda had covered her ears and sung loudly when her mother threatened to tell her about her own days in Darkwing.

"So, how was your summer?" Miranda asked.

Classes would be starting in a few days. Miranda had arrived early, to make herself comfortable in the new house, she'd told Gwen and Cassie. Neither had raised any argument. Genie had arrived the following day and Aadi shortly after her.

Now, unpacked and having explored the house, they'd gathered in what they decided was the sitting room to catch up.

"Not much to tell," Aadi sighed. "Summer in the city with my folks... but I did get to spend a little time with Sheldon. Took him to the Gallery in the Arts district and we discussed all the beautiful things. We even looked at some paintings."

"You're terrible," Genie laughed.

"Girlfriend, my Shel-boy can tell you different," Aadi grinned.

"And what about you and Mr. Carlos?" Aadi asked. "Did you and your boy-toy go messing around on Daddy's Island of Money and Power?"

"Technically the estate is in my mother's family," Genie said.

"How did a dazzling urban youth like yours truly end up with all you little rich girls?" Aadi mused. "And you are avoiding the question."

"Carlos and I saw each other," Genie replied primly. "In fact, we had some very romantic walks along the bluffs."

"Girlfriend, what are we going to do with you?" Aadi rolled their eyes.

"Oh, and I saw that Mr. Alto again," Genie added. "At one of my dad's political things. He's really very charming."

Aadi winced, hissing, "Girl, I'm gonna smack you."

Genie blushed and glanced guiltily at Miranda. The absence of one of their number, unspoken and unasked, was like a living presence in the room.

"Well, how was Miranda's summer," Aadi asked with brittle brightness.

"Quiet," Miranda sighed. "I caught up on some reading."

"... and no," she added, "I haven't heard from her. She didn't come to the charity gala. She hasn't called. I know she had some kind of blow up with Londyn and Danielle... but they say she's... well, I guess she stayed in the city for the summer."

"She's... she's coming back for classes though," Genie said. "I mean, she must be... right?"

"Sure," Miranda nodded. "She'll be here."

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"Excuse me, miss," Miranda said as someone walked down the hall, "are you in the right... Oh... My..."

"Ciao," Mariah said. "Um... I'm sorry I didn't call. It's been a crazy... I'm sorry.... I..."

"You... changed your hair," Miranda said softly.

"Umm, yeah," Mariah replied self consciously. 

"I like it," Miranda breathed.

"I missed you so much," Mariah whispered.

Neither remembered who moved first. Only that their arms were around each other, their lips pressed together, a kiss trying to erase a long and difficult summer.

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"So, yeah, I spent the summer with my family," Mariah was explaining. "Nick Alto... I called him Uncle Nick when I was a kid... he's really sort of a cousin of my dad's but he still wants me to call him Uncle Nick. He's kind of a big deal businessman."

"Holly Alto is an amazing graphic designer," Aadi put in. "You have Got to introduce me."

"I didn't really get to meet her," Mariah said, "but I know her husband, Marco... he's one of Uncle Nick's business partners. I guess I could ask him to introduce you."

"Danielle said you and Londyn had a fight," Miranda started to ask.

"I don't want to talk about that," Mariah said sharply, then more gently continued, "The whole foster care / adoption thing turns out to be messy... stuff I didn't know about before... but we're working it out. I just need a little time." 

"Well, I'm glad you're here," Genie said.

"I'm really sorry about the whole radio silence thing," Mariah said, mostly to Miranda. "There was a lot going on... stuff I needed to figure out. Stuff I still need to figure out, but I'm here now. It will be OK."

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"Do you think something seems off?" Genie said later. "I think something seems off."

"You're going out?" Miranda asked. "It's so late and I hoped we could spend the evening together."

"Sorry, I have something I need to do," Mariah replied. "Family stuff."

"Girlfriend, something is definitely off," Aadi agreed.