“But I don’t think he still has it,” Maryanne continued. “I think he’s either sold it or given it to someone.”

“What makes you think that?”

“Look around you, Nick. Look at this place. Everything is real. It cost Vinnie far more money than he’s ever had, and he doesn’t have a bank loan. He’s in debt to someone way over his head and he’s drowning. I don’t want to be here when the time comes to pay the piper. I want what’s mine and then I’ll get away. Someplace nice. Honolulu, perhaps.”

“If he’s stolen something from you, why don’t you take it to the cops?”

“I can’t involve the police, Nick. Vinnie’s in the back pocket of someone who gets what they want. If they knew the police had taken an interest in Vinnie, I don’t know what they’d do to him.” She paused and dropped her head. “Or to me.”

“And you want to involve me?”

“I’m in a tough spot here, Nick. I need someone that I can trust to look after my interests.”

“After what you did to me ten years ago?”

“You never did wrong by me, Nick. Never.”