She rapped loudly on Tony’s apartment door and heard a muffled reply, but the door didn’t open. Carlita turned the knob. The door was locked. She rapped again, this time louder.
The door flew open. “I told you to go away,” Gina snarled and then realized Carlita was on the other side. “I thought you was Paulie.”
“Like I told Paulie, I swore I was never gonna get in the middle of my kids’ business, but you two need an intervention.” Carlita grabbed her son’s arm and dragged him into the apartment. She pushed Gina out of the way and kicked the door shut.
“Sit,” she commanded. “Both of you.”
Gina opened her mouth, as if to reply, and then quickly closed it when she noted the dark expression on her mother-in-law’s face.
“Look at you two. You have three beautiful babies upstairs who need both of their parents. You’re fightin’ like there’s a war to be won and both of you are bent on comin’ out on top. You both gotta take a step back, cool off and think about what you’re doin’.”
Carlita began to pace, desperate to add something that would sink in.
“She…”
“He…”
“Uh.” Carlita held up a hand. “What’s the big beef? One at a time and ladies first.”
“Paulie says he don’t wanna be mayor of Clifton Falls. He’s ready for a career change and he wants to either open up the internet café in New York or move down here, to start over. I’m sayin’ it’s a big mistake. His job as mayor means a guaranteed income, security, a pension, health insurance.”
“Okay. Paulie, it’s your turn.”
“Gina doesn’t understand the job is a big burnout. I hate politics and I gotta go through the re-election process next year. I’m not lookin’ forward to the mudslinging mess again.”
“You’ve only served one term, Paulie,” Gina said. “How do you know it will be a mudslinging mess?”
“Let Paulie finish,” Carlita said.
“I’ve done my time and wanna move on. The internet café would give us a comfortable living. We’re young. We gotta take chances now. Or, we can move to Savannah. The pawnshop is doin’ real good. If Ma opens the restaurant, there will be more than enough work to go around, plus we’ll have a place to live.”
“This place is too small,” Gina said.
She had a point.
“Why don’t you compromise?” Carlita suggested. “I’ve got an idea. Paulie has another year before the next election. Let him partner up with…”
“Dino. Dino Scarpa,” Paulie said.
“A made man if I ever met one,” Gina muttered.
“Do you know that for certain?” Carlita asked.
“No, but I can tell, just by lookin’ at him.”
“Say he’s not mafia. Paulie keeps his position as mayor and dabbles in the internet café with Dino as a side business, after checking to make sure Dino is not in “the family.” If it doesn’t work out, if he can’t put food on the table and keep a roof over your head, Paulie runs for a second term as mayor.”
Gina silently examined her fingernails while Paulie gazed pleadingly at his wife. “Please Gina? I won’t bug you again about movin’ to Savannah.”
“You both gotta be willing to compromise,” Carlita said.
“Okay,” Gina finally caved. “We go back to New York; you don’t breathe a word about not running for a second term. Let me check Dino out first and then if he’s clean, you can hammer out a partnership…a six-month agreement to start.”
“It’s a deal.” Paulie reached for his wife’s hand.
Carlita patted Gina’s shoulder and headed to the door. “Now I’m gonna get outta here, so you two can kiss and make up.”
Chapter 15
Autumn hurried over to the left hand side of the storage unit. “Check out these bookshelves. They’re full of books.” She ran her hand along the edge of the shelf and a plume of dust filled the air.
Mercedes slid in next to Autumn and studied the books. “It’s like a mini library in here. Jon Luis must not have had room for all of these in his apartment and couldn’t bear to part with them.”
“Some of these look old.” Mercedes eased a book from the shelf and studied the cover. How to Make Friends and Influence Enemies.
“Here’s one,” Autumn said. “How to investigate a crime scene online.”
“Oh. That’s sounds interesting,” Mercedes said. “I might have to track that one down.”
“The clock is ticking ladies.” Tony tapped the face of his watch. “If Mr. Storage Manager decides to check on the units, he’s gonna catch us.”
“True.” Mercedes slid the book back on the shelf and opened the lower cabinet drawers, which was full of books. Each cabinet was the same and nothing stood out. “This is a bust. There’s nothing in here but a bunch of books.”
“And outdoor equipment,” Autumn said.
“Right.” Mercedes had started to close the cabinet at the end when something caught her eye. “What’s this?” She pulled out a clear plastic bin. Inside the bin were several books, each stored in a Ziploc baggie. “Check this out.”
She set the bin on top of the shelf, opened the lid and pulled out the top plastic bag. Mercedes held it up to the light. “Crime in Corporate America by JL Cordele.” She carefully placed the book on the shelf, reached into the bin again and lifted the second book, The Death Club by JL Cordele, out.
There was one more book, Savannah’s Mysteries Revealed by JL Cordele, in the bin.
“JL Cordele…Jon Luis,” Mercedes waved the book in the air. “Jon Luis is
