FanStory.com - Death By Murder Chap 21by Begin Again

As soon as the door closed on Hank and Emmy, Cooper rushed into the study.

"Mom, what did Andrew do with the box?"

Instead of answering, Elizabeth walked to the bookshelf, reached for a book on the top shelf, and tipped it toward her. Cooper heard a strange noise and looked around the room. His grandfather's painting swung open, disclosing a safe.

"A safe? I assume Andrew must know the combination."

"Not exactly. Your grandfather never ceases to amaze me, Cooper. Instead of a combination, you must push in on the dial and twist the handle simultaneously." Elizabeth smiled at her son. "Do it but step clear of the bookcase."

Cooper did as his mother instructed and was amazed when the bookcase moved, revealing a large vault. He stepped closer, peering inside the room. He could see the box sitting on top of some larger packages. "Did Andrew have any explanation for all this since Grandfather never shared it with us?"

"I was stunned by it all, but I'll let Andrew explain it. I told him we would call him as soon as the detectives left."

"And the box? Are the contents safe?"

"It's not going to explode, but you will not believe what your grandfather was up to."

"Tell me."

"It's quite the story, and I believe Andrew can tell it better than I." Elizabeth handed her son the phone. "Call him, Cooper, before the suspense knocks you over." She chuckled and settled into a chair to wait, feeling relief for the first time today. "Your crime boss grandfather was more of a pied piper philanthropist."

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CHAPTER 21

Cooper stood in the doorway of his grandfather's newly discovered vault. His science-minded brain marveled at the possibilities and the secrets the room held. Seldom did he let his imagination run rampant, but for one moment, he found himself filled with unanswered questions about his grandfather's past and the true stories of mystery and intrigue.

"Cooper — Cooper, are you okay?" Elizabeth's worried tone penetrated his foggy thoughts and nudged him back to the present. "Andrew is here and wants to explain about the box."

Cooper lifted the box of money from its resting place and carried it into the study, spilling it across the desk. "Andrew, there's a lot of money here. What legal explanation can there be for my grandfather receiving a package of money? Please tell me he didn't stoop to extortion or other ungodly things."

Andrew chuckled and shook his head. "I know as a young man, you always imagined the worst of your grandfather, but you were very wrong. I wanted to set you straight, but he wouldn't let me. Instead of despising him, you should have known what a caring and giving man he was."

Cooper examined one stack of bills after another. None of them were the same. One pile had single dollar bills, and another had twenties mixed with fives and tens. A few stacks were hundreds. "What is all this, Andrew? Is it counterfeit?"

"I assure you it is real and arrives every few months."

"From where? Who sends money to people without strings attached?"

"Let me explain." Andrew motioned toward the chair. "Is it okay if I sit?"

"Please do. I'm sure my mother and I are eager to hear the story you have to share."

"It's not — blood wasn't spilled? Oh, Andrew, my father didn't harm anyone for this money, did he?" Elizabeth shuddered at the possibility. "Does it have anything to do with the jewel heist or the Costello family?"

"Calm yourself, Elizabeth. Trust me. Every dollar was earned through an honest day's work, and no one was harmed." A look of admiration covered Andrew's face and he reached over and gave Elizabeth's hand a gentle squeeze. "On the contrary, your grandfather touched every Irish immigrant that passed through our fair town. Every dollar he could spare was committed to bring Irish families to America and giving them a chance at new beginnings."

"I don't understand. Why the gang wars for power and wealth?"

"You have it all wrong, Coop. The Costello family members were Italian. They wanted to own the whole pie, not divvy it up between potato farmers and beer-drinking, mostly uneducated immigrants. Your grandfather loved America and dreamed of a good life for everyone. With help, he gathered money to bring families here and supported them until they could stand on their own. He never expected repayment. Some people moved west and became very prosperous. Others found their special nook and made a good life. Regardless of their status, none of them forgot your grandfather."

"My grandfather did this?" Cooper's disbelief covered his face. "Why wouldn't he share this with anyone?"

"Well, to be perfectly honest, not all families arrived legally, and some escaped criminal charges in the homeland. Your father promised them a new beginning, and the majority honored him. In return, though never asked, every family sends money, whatever they can afford, to your grandfather as payment for his support." Andrew smiled, lost in his thoughts for a moment. "He couldn't accept it. He was thankful for his blessings and wanted to pass it forward."

"So that explains all the anonymous notations in the margins of grandfather's ledgers. All the donations that clearly grandfather couldn't afford on his own."

"Notations? Donations?" Elizabeth appeared confused. "Cooper, what are you talking about?"

"While I examined Grandfather's books looking for criminal activity, I discovered scribbled notes about large donations to the church, the nuns, and so many others. There were several scholarships for children at the orphanage. I couldn't understand how he could do it. To be honest, I thought he'd sold the diamonds, and then when grandmother passed, guilt consumed him, and he gave the ill-gotten money away."

"Oh my! You must have imagined the worst when the detectives arrived this morning." Elizabeth sighed. "My father should have been proud of what he did, not hide it from us. I can't believe he preferred you to think of him as a monster rather than the good man he was."

"I know. I thought I'd received an education paid for by bloodshed and thievery. I feel so ashamed." Cooper walked to the window and stared at the city skyline, wrestling with his emotions.

"Don't beat yourself up, Coop. Frank wasn't perfect and didn't become the powerful man he was without getting his hands stained. But in the end, he did his best to make amends by helping others."

"So, what do we do with this money?"

"Of course, it's up to you and Elizabeth, but I suggest you use some of it to settle the household expenses and continue as your grandfather would have done."

"But there are taxes and so many other issues to explain."

"Only if you want it that way. Frank always said the money wasn't his, so it couldn't be income. He was only passing it on to those in need from anonymous donors."

"Hmmm! That's an interesting concept." Cooper chuckled. "The gangster with a kind heart."

"A huge one!"

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The gas gauge edged closer and closer to the red zone, demanding the tank be refueled soon. Bennie's beaten-up Chevy had taken to the highway well as Lance steered it down the open road, rushing to leave home far behind.

"We're going to have to stop for gas, Bennie. This old car doesn't run on fumes, and neither do I. Time to stretch and get some food." Anthony reached across the seat and shook Bennie's arm.

"Sorry, I zonked out on you. I had a rough night." Bennie opened his eyes and looked out the back window. "Haven't seen too many cars behind us. Guess I got a little crazy about people out to get us this morning. I need to check in with Pop, anyhow. He was asleep this morning when I hightailed it out of there."

Lance nodded toward a billboard along the side of the road. "The sign says there's a truck stop ahead. We should be able to get gas and food and maybe catch a little snooze before getting back on the road."

"Gas and food sound great, but sleeping is out of the question. Someone could still be following us."

"Says the man who has slept the last hundred miles; relax, Bennie. Nobody knows we have the diamonds or where we are headed. We're about four-hundred miles from Trenton, and our worries will be over."

"You haven't changed your mind about — you know — giving all the diamonds to this unsuspecting guy?"

"No, I haven't." Lance's eyes remained on the road, refusing to see the pathetic look he knew Bennie was giving him.

Bennie shook his head. "I don't get it, man. We live in Shanty Town, and our future isn't all that bright. Well, maybe yours is more promising than mine, but neither of us will have a pocket full of money during our lifetime." Bennie's hand pressed against his jean pocket, assuring himself the diamonds were still there. "The guy isn't going to miss a few baubles."

Lance turned off the highway into the truck stop. "You can pump the gas while I go inside and pay for it. I'll grab some burgers and fries too. Park the car in that shady area over there and then call Pop. One less thing for you to worry about."

Lance disappeared inside the shop, and Bennie pumped gas. Irritated by Lance's refusal to consider his suggestion, his fingers mindlessly touched his hand. An explosion bigger than the Fourth of July fireworks went off inside his head. The ring wasn't on his finger!

Bennie raced around the car and whipped open the passenger door, scouring the front seat for the missing ring. "Come on. Where is it?"

The moment the words crossed his lips, he realized in his rush he'd left it on the bathroom sink. Grabbing his cell, he punched in Pop's number and listened as the phone rang and rang. "Come on, Pop. Answer the phone."

It was a warm morning, but Bennie felt a shiver run down his spine. "Pop, I need you to answer your phone." The thought of someone else finding the ring and making a connection was frightening.

Wrapped up in his fears, Bennie did not see Mason's smirk as he parked his stolen car nearby. Paddy punched his brother's arm. "You're better than any ole coonhound. I can't believe it, but you found them."

"Sure did, Paddy. Those diamonds are going to be ours."