College Years - Chapter 29 - Devil's Night

The days of Fall term passed quickly...

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"So, how is everything going?" Ms. H asked as Mariah sat down. "Do you have plans for Halloween tomorrow?"

"I'm good," Mariah replied. "Aadi's dragging us to some costume party. What about you?"

"I have... kind of a family thing," Ms. H smiled. "We gather every year."

"Fun?" Mariah questioned.

"Not really," Ms. H laughed, "but what can you do?"

"How is Miranda?' Ms. H asked casually.

"She's fine, I guess," Mariah sighed.

"What?"

"Well," Mariah sighed again, "Between classes, her Debate thing and the stuff Uncle Nick as me doing, we don't get a lot of time together."

"I'm sorry," Ms H said. "At least she has Genie..."

"What do you mean?" Mariah stiffened.

"Well," Ms H started then laughed, "Oh, I didn't mean... No, I just meant she has another friend to talk to... like you and I do. Not that she's..."

"Right," Mariah nodded.

"Unless you think..." Ms. H continued.

"No," Mariah said hastily. "No, of course not."

"Good," Ms H smiled. "Good... Well, business..."

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"Are you seriously going to wear that?" Genie laughed. 

"Some of us put some Work into our costumes, girlfriend," Aadi grinned, "and I Cannot be seen in the same one two years running."

"Hey, this is a classic," Genie insisted.

"Hmmm," Aadi replied.

"So," they continued, "where are our little M&Ms?"

"Miranda's got that presentation today, remember," Genie said. "Mariah was here. She got changed into her costume and then she had to run out. She got one of those phone calls. What do you thinks going on with her anyway?"

"Girlfriend, leave it alone," Aadi said sagely. 

"I mean, she gets weird phone calls. She's out all hours of the night," Genie continued. "Miranda hides it but I know she's worried about her. I think she might even be... doing drugs. I mean her eyes are like saucers some mornings..."

"I know, girlfriend... I know," Aadi said a little sadly. "Right now, all we can do be here when she needs us."

-------------------

"Lyle C," Mariah snapped. "You stupid stronzo... when I got the call that you were back, trying to do business in my pub, I thought it must be joke."

"This is our pub, 'Riah," the big guy snapped back. "It's you and Marco who are starting something here, not me." 

"Vaffanculo!" Mariah swore. "Go back to the Landgraabs and you tell 'em, Britechester is my town!"

"Cool off, 'Riah," Lyle C laughed, as he tossed a beer in her face.

"Figlio di puttana!" Mariah shouted.

Blind with rage, she leapt at him, fists flying.

When the dust cleared...

"Seriously, Mariah," Lyle C panted, "go cool off. I don't want to have to really hurt you."

"Stronzo," she groaned, bruised as much in pride as in body.

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"Johnny... No, he sucker punched me," Mariah snarled into her phone. "Get Carla... What? ... Well, then go find her, pull her off whatever frat guy she's straddling and you guys meet me at the pub... No, give me a half hour. I need to wash this gunk out of my hair and change... Yeah, the pub in half an hour... We'll show Lyle C and the Landgraabs whose town this is!"

I've got to deal with this tonight, Mariah thought, even though it means I'm going to miss the party. Miranda will understand. Besides, she added bitterly to herself, she's got Genie. I'm sure they'll have a great time... together.

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"What happened?" Miranda asked.

"Look, I'm sorry I missed the party," Mariah said. "Something serious came up..."

"I don't care about the damn party!" Miranda cried. "I care about you. Aadi heard you got into a fight  with some Foxbury student at the pub! Then you skip out without a word."

"It was..." Mariah started.

"A family thing? Family business?" Miranda sobbed. "Just call it what it is... crime!"

"I..." Mariah stammered.

"You disappear all night," Miranda continued. "I sit up waiting... to see if you're coming home, if you've been arrested, if you've been hurt! You have nightmares all the time! You're using just to stay awake for classes."

"Do you know who ran this town before us?" Mariah snapped. "The Landgraabs! The same Landgraabs who tried to kill your family! Who probably kidnapped you! I'm..."

"No! Oh no!" Miranda snapped back. "You do not get to say you're doing this for me! I can take care of myself. You want to do something for me? Stop," she sobbed. "Please, just stop." 

"I... I'm tired," Mariah sighed. "Can we.... can we just go to bed? Can we talk about this later?"

"OK," Miranda said miserably.

College Years - Chapter 28 - Don't Talk About Crime Club

"Marco, you're looking well." Nick Alto shook his son-in-law's hand with a smile.

"Yes, thank you, sir," Marco smiled back. 

"Tell me, how is my grandson?" Nick asked amiably. 

"He's doing very well, sir," Marco replied. "His grades are up and he wants to join the junior football team."

"They grow up so fast, Marco," Nick smiled indulgently. "So very fast. Enjoy it while you can."

"Now," Nick continued, "to business. Tell me, how is Mariah Basso coming along."

"She's doing very well, sir," Marco answered seriously. "Better than I expected. She's tough, savvy... a natural leader. I told you, she took charge of the new crew almost immediately."

"You put her with Carla G and that young Johnny Pretty, isn't that right?" Nick said, remembering.

"Yes, sir," Marco nodded. "They did very well over the summer... mostly small jobs, collections. Now they've moved up."

"The electronics heist," Nick smiled.

"Yes, sir," Marco relied. "Your girl boosted the truck herself. Smooth as a baby's butt... like she was born for it."

"She's Big Tony Basso's daughter," Nick said. "He was one of the best... I never would have thought..."

Marco stayed carefully silent. He knew Big Tony would be sitting at Nick's right hand instead of him, if... a touchy subject and one smart men stayed quiet about around Nick Alto.

"I've set Mariah and her crew up in Breitchester," Marco said after a suitable silence. "She's already working distribution on the electronics. I was thinking she was ready to step into the protection business... you said you wanted to keep her out of the prostitution."

"Yes," Nick nodded, "I'm worried about her history there. Still, she's coming along nicely. I think it's time to make the introduction."

"Are you sure, sir?" Marco tried to sound calm about it. "I know Mr. Grey feels..."

"I run this Family, not Grey!" Nick snapped. "Get her started on the protection racket and then make the introduction."

Marco's blood ran cold, but all he said was, "Yes, sir."

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"Look," Mariah said, "this is really simple. From now on, you buy from the distributors I'm telling you to buy from and Mr. Alto guarantees that you get your shipments on time and in good order. Also you contribute to the Community Protection Fund. Otherwise, I can't guarantee that you'll get your shipments, and you may find this really nice pub isn't safe..."

"... and pal," Mariah continued, "I come in here all the time with my friends. If you don't have drinks and it isn't safe, I'm going to take that personally."

"Oh jeez lady," the bartender moaned. "OK, OK, I don't want trouble."

"You're a natural," Marco said as they headed upstairs.

"It's like you said," Mariah replied, "he's been paying the Landgraabs, and we're a better deal. They're on the ropes and Uncle Nick is taking over. We can actually protect the place. Everyone wins."

"Like I said, you're a natural," Marco grinned. "Keep this up, you'll be running this town by the end of the year."

"Not bad for a part-time job," Mariah grinned. "Now, tell me what I need to know about the other business I'm going to be talking to."

"No problem," Marco said as he started to outline the Alto protection racket in Breitchester.

 "... and you're sure the Landgraabs aren't going to be an issue?" Mariah asked later.

"Ol' Nancy may be trying to run her Family from behind bars, but most of her crews work for us now," Marco said. "There are a couple of guys trying to hold it together... a young punk called Lyle C being the one you might have to worry about."

"I've run into him," Mariah nodded. "Big guy."

"Muscle but not a lot of brains," Marco replied. "You and your crew should be able to handle him... but if you need backup, you call me. Anything happens to you, Nick's gonna to be pissed at me."

"Tell Uncle Nick I can handle myself," Mariah said.

"He wouldn't be trusting you with this if he didn't think so," Marco said.

"There's one more thing," Marco added as a young woman joined them, "Someone I'm supposed to introduce you to. Mariah, this is Ms. H. Ms. H, Mariah Basso."

"I like your jacket," Mariah grinned. 

"Mariah Basso," Ms. H purred, savoring the sound of her name. "I've heard a lot about you. I'm so happy to finally meet."

College Years - Chapter 27 - Extracurricular Activities

Everything was going so well, Miranda thought.

Classes had started and Miranda found she really enjoyed them. She'd never thought about studying photography but now that she was, she was thrilled to discover a new kind of art.

Darkwing House was great - quieter than the dorms, with her close friends around her and a real kitchen where she could cook. 

It was wonderful to have Mariah back. She tried to be all cool and patient about it, but summer without a word from her - waiting and wondering and worrying - had been hell. Having her close, hearing her voice, being able to look into her eyes, Miranda could breathe again. If Mariah's eyes were hard and held secrets, if she stayed out late dealing with "family business" and woke choking back nightmares... Miranda told herself they would deal with that, when Mariah was ready.

Best of all, Miranda told herself, she'd finally found a place on campus untouched by the shadow of Cassandra Goth - Debate Guild! Despite all her mother's embarrassingly many accomplishments and activities, Cassie had never pitted herself against other students in battles of wit and rhetoric... at least not formally.

When the student groups had put out a call for new members, Miranda had enthusiastically thrown herself into the Debate Guild, dragging Genie along with her. For a moment - the moment when they discovered Orange Bailey-Moon was an established Guild member - Miranda had feared that would be the end of the idea. Genie insisted that it was alright. She'd dealt with her experience with Orange, she said, and while it was still a little awkward, they'd be OK.

So, Miranda had a new activity to occupy her and, she found, she really enjoyed it. Words and ideas came together much like music, with their own rhythms and refrains. It was, she thought, a little like magic.

 -----------------------

Everything had been going so well, Mariah groaned.

Classes were turning out OK. She wasn't sure anymore about Psychology. Did it really fit with working for Uncle Nick? Maybe she'd switch to more business courses, but for now why mess with a good thing. 

The new place was good - quiet, not too many people in her face. The roommates weren't so bad. She liked Genie. She really did. Just... did she have to look at Miranda like that? I mean, at least pretend you're not eying my girlfriend.

Aadi was a hoot, even if they did seem to say anything that came into their head. They'd had a good time together the other day, visiting the rival Foxbury campus where someone had papered that ugly modern art thing they called a campus statue. Really couldn't say who might have performed such an act of vandalism... but they'd done a damned fine job.

Yeah, everything had been going so well. Porca miseria! 

It was OK, she thought. You've got this handled... just... wait, what's she doing up?

"You're home," Miranda smiled.

"Ummm, yeah," Mariah said. "It's really late. Did you wait up for me?"

"Yeah," Miranda admitted. "It's no big deal. I wasn't tired. Are you OK? You look kind of stressed out."

"I'm fine. It's nothing really," Mariah lied, but something in Miranda's warm, caring eyes broke through the walls she'd spent the past months building up. "Just some stronzo cop hassling me... incriminating evidence my ass... like I'm going to roll on Uncle Nick. Porca miseria!"

"Wait, wait, slow down," Miranda gasped. "Cop... evidence... Mariah, are you involved in something illegal?!"

"I... can't talk about it," Mariah sighed.

"Come on," Miranda insisted. "Talk to me. Please!"

"I mean, OK, but you can't tell anyone," Mariah insisted. "Maybe there was this truck carrying electronics that didn't make it where it was supposed to go... and maybe I'm working with some people selling these... second hand... laptops and stuff that might have come off that truck. I mean, really, the prices the campus bookstore charges... who's the real crook here?!"

"You're selling stolen laptops?!" Miranda whispered.

"No," Mariah said. "I'm not selling them. I'm more like... management. And it's not like we're lifting them out of the library or something. I shouldn't have said anything..."

"No," Miranda took a deep breath, "No, it's fine. Just... be careful. I mean..."

"Hey, mia amata, it's going to be OK," Mariah smiled.

 

 

 

 

College Years - 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.

 

College Years - 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.