Saturday,April 29th,2024

The Bertelli brothers were finally able to catch up with Jade's husband Mitch. He worked all the time as a full time factory worker but had the afternoon to talk. They were able to sleep in that morning,and they took the opportunity.

It was 8:30 am and there was a knock at the door . Tony rolled out of bed,very reluctantly."I got it Tino", he yelled.His hair was a curly mess,and he dragged himself to the door.

Standing at the door was his lovely girlfriend Vanessa. She had on a blue flowery summer dress,ready to go out. "Hey honey.", Tony said still rubbing his eyes.
Vanessa stormed in, rolling her eyes." You forgot didn't you?", she asked with a hint of anger in her voice.

"Forgot what?", Tony said yawning.

"Our breakfast plans?",she said glaring at him with her piercing dark eyes.

Tony put his hand over his face." Ooohhh...was that today?"

"Yeah. Remember now? We were going for breakfast at that new diner? Then going to be together the rest of the morning?"

Tony walked up to her,giving her a quick hug." I'm sorry honey. I'll need to just reschedule that. "

"You know you've been ignoring my texts?",she asked madly.

"What? That's crazy. I would never do that." Tony said pulling out his cell phone and looking at his text messages. He happened to see that he had 6 unread texts from Vanessa over the past day."Oh. Wow . Vanessa I've never even seen those texts until now baby. I'm so sorry. Things have been...stressful."

Vanessa wondered if Tony had been having other thoughts. No matter how busy he got,he always made time for her. But she still didn't know about the note Jade's killer left and that they are searching for the killer to also find Tia."Are you sure you just don't feel like I'm too clingy?"

"What?! No! You could ever be clingy enough.", he said smiling mischievously and pressing his lips on hers. Vanessa pulled away,curious as to what had been keeping stony so busy.

"So is this how it's going to be now that you have your buisness? You're going to be too busy for me? ", Vanessa pouted. "And why aren't you two using the buisness? Do you have to wait on something since there was a murder in it?"

Tony cleared his throat, trying to think of what to tell her."Look I'm never too busy for you. It's just that things are hectic right now. And no,we can't use our office until things calm down." He wished that he could tell her more. Tell her about the note, and that they might be able to find Tia. But he knew that he couldn't reveal official police buisness,especially right now when things were so delicate.

"Okay,I understand. I guess it has been chaotic for you and Tino both. Well call me later when you have time."

Later the same day at 1pm:

As the brothers showed up on Mitch Thomason's front door step,they were hoping that they could get some information that would help them make an arrest. As Mitch opened the door, the boys were a bit taken back. He wasn't what they assumed he would be like. He didn't look like the rough,partying,young guy that would match Jade's personality. His hair was combed back nicely and was clean shaved. He seemed more mature than what they assumed he would be like. Tino tried to disguise the initial shock on his face. "Hello there",he said ticking out his hand for a handshake." You must be Mr Thompson.It's nice to meet you. Sorry for the circumstances."

"Thank you.", Mitch said in a bit of a timeless voice as he shook his hand back. "Come in. You guys want some coffee?"

"No that's okay",Tino replied as they took a seat on a couple of black leather living room chairs. "We'll only take up a few minutes of your time."

"I know it's a personal question ",Tony said carefully,"but may we ask why you and Jade were divorcing?" He wanted to know if Mitch's side would match up with what was initially said. Part of being a detective was getting all sides to every story.

"I hate to admit it but she was running around on me. I loved my wife,even though we were divorcing. I just couldn't put up with her manipulation and cheating anymore."

"That's understandable.", Tony agreed." Could you tell us a little about her?

"I could tell you alot about her. But I don't know if it's anything you'd like to hear.",Mitch chuckled nervously.

Tino sat up in his chair,putting his fingers together seriously. "We were wondering what kind of things she was involved in.This might sound kind of forward, but we're either of you ever involved with the mafia?"

"The mafia?!",Mitch asked,surprised by the question.

"I know it sounds strange. But the mafia commits a lot of crimes. ", Tino pointed out,"And we were just wondering if she ever knew anyone from the there?"

Mitch thought about it for a quick second."Probably. She slept around all the time. I know she admitted one time to having cheated on me with some Italian guy named Romeo. I don't know if he's a mafia guy though."

Tina and Tony once again tried to hide the initial shock on their faces. They quickly glanced at each other. Tony straightened up his black leather jacket,trying to move on with the conversation."Did she say if she was having a relationship with any of his friends?"

"No she didn't have to say it.", Mitch said running his hand through his hair and glancing away. "Anytime Jade was in a relationship,she was always trying to mess with the guy's friends as well. She was just like that." But I mean, you guys aren't trying to tell me that Jade got involved with some magia guys, are you?"

Tino replied quickly."No. We don't know. We're just asking questions. Speculation."

"Speaking of which",Tony added,"If you don't mind,we would like to ask you where you were Sunday night? From around 12 am 12:38am Monday?"

"I was going to work. I clocked in at 11:30 pm Sunday night. But look I would never-"

"We're not saying you did. It's just routine questioning.",Tino interrupted,reassuring the man he wasn't anymore than a usual,routine,suspect."Can we ask what the company's name is you work for? We just need to verify you clocked in then."

"Yeah sure.",Mitch said willingly."It's called Lancord Makings. It's located right up east of the city."

Tino had a good idea. He was carrying a tiny notebook and pen around in his shirt pocket "Mr Thompson, would you mind writing that down here in my notebook? I'm not the best speller."

Tony shot him a look,knowing exactly what he was up to. 'Good thinking . Now we have a handwriting sample.',Tony thought to himself,but Toni knew what he was thinking due to twin telepathy.

"Sure thing.",Mitch said writing in the notebook.

"Could you tell us anymore about Jade that you would think would be useful information?", Tony asked.

"Well,not really.",Mitch said as he was thinking."We have been separated for a year now. I guess the only thing I could think of is that she hangs around the bars a lot. Maybe check into one of those drunken sleeze bags that she picks up. But hey, is there anything else I can do for you guys today?"

"She never mentioned anything about happening to know a girl by the name of Tia did she?",Tony questioned.

"A Tia? I don't think so." Mitch said shaking his head,not seeming to ever recall a Tia."Whose Tia?"

"We can't say right now.",Tony replied quickly.

"Thank you Mr Thomson.",Tino said,standing up and getting ready to leave. " I think that's all we need for now. But if you think of anything else, call us."

As they were leaving Tino was checking his text messages. It read:
            "When you both get done with work,you better come over right now."