“That’s Elvira. I would like to say we could’ve managed fine on our own, but I’m not sure I would’ve thought to go through Shelby’s cell phone log to search for clues.”
“Me either,” Mercedes said. “We better hurry up and get ready or we’re gonna be late.”
Mother and daughter had just enough time to stop at their apartment to freshen up before meeting Tony, Vinnie, and Brittney downstairs.
Tony looked glum and Carlita was certain Shelby’s situation was weighing heavy on her son’s mind. “Any luck with the laptop?”
“No. I’m still working on it.” Despite Tony’s somber mood, he joined in the conversation as they meandered through the squares, making their way to the City Market.
“This is it.” Vinnie stopped in front of one of the restaurants. “Brittney took a look at the online menu before we left the apartment.”
Brittney studied the menu board on the wall near the entrance. “I have a few things I would like to try, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not,” Carlita said kindly. “It was very thoughtful of you to take a look at the menu ahead of time.”
Brittney beamed at the compliment and a wave of guilt washed over Carlita. She hadn’t been unkind to her new daughter-in-law, but then she hadn’t been exactly warm and welcoming, either.
Of course, she placed some of the blame squarely on her eldest son’s shoulders for springing the shocking surprise of his marriage to the mafia boss’ daughter, for which she still planned to have a private chat with him.
Mercedes and Brittney’s shopping trip would be the perfect opportunity to spend a few moments alone with her son.
Although the restaurant was busy, they were quickly seated at a table. Brittney was knowledgeable about the tapas menu, and Carlita complimented her several times on her selection of shared dishes. There was only one she didn’t care for, and it was merely a personal preference since she wasn’t much of a mussel lover, although the others seemed to enjoy it.
While they ate, they discussed the pawnshop, the apartment rentals and the restaurant renovations.
“You’ve done a great job, Ma. Brittney and I both agree the apartment is very nice and if we were in the market for an apartment, we would jump at the chance to rent yours.”
“Thanks, son. We’ve worked hard to make sure our tenants are happy and it’s a safe place to live.” Shelby’s break-in flitted through Carlita’s mind and she wondered if her tenant hadn’t staged the break-in.
She quickly pushed the thought aside, determined to enjoy the evening with her family. While they ate, Vinnie filled them in on upcoming changes for the casino, his new job as the operations manager and Castellini’s plans for casino expansion.
Carlita reached for her glass of water. “Castellini plans to purchase more casinos?”
“He would like to expand into the Georgia market. Vito has some connections he’s working on, to have the issue placed on an upcoming ballot.”
“Does Vito think he has a shot at getting a vote on the ballot?” Carlita asked.
“Yes, he does.” Vinnie quickly changed the subject. “Mercedes is going to take you shoe shopping tomorrow,” he told his wife.
“I can hardly wait.” Brittney chattered on about the purchases she’d made that day, and then went into a long spiel touting the features of her favorite brand of designer shoes.
Carlita only half-listened as she thought about Vinnie’s words and then she had another thought. “Son, you’re not shopping with the girls tomorrow?”
“No, I have a small business matter to attend to,” Vinnie said. “How about you? You going shopping with the girls?”
“No.” Carlita stared at her eldest son thoughtfully. “I have a small matter to attend to in the morning, as well.”
Chapter 17
“I have no idea how this woman talks us into doing what she wants us to do,” Mercedes grumbled.
“Elvira does have a way about her.” Carlita hurried to keep up with her daughter as they made their way down the sidewalk. “I have to admit I’m curious as to how she’s going to trace Shelby’s cell phone calls.”
“Me too.” They reached the front of Elvira’s building and the EC Investigative Services entrance. “I give it a 50/50 chance of being illegal.”
“Or sketchy at best.”
“Yep.” Carlita opened the door and they stepped inside the building where they found Elvira seated behind a desk, her head lowered as she concentrated on a file in front of her. She glanced up at the bell chime.
“Ah. Right on time.” She flipped the folder shut and pushed it to the side. “Have a seat.”
Mercedes slid into an empty chair facing Elvira and Carlita sat in the one next to her daughter.
Elvira swiveled in the chair and hollered, “Hey, Dernice! You ready?”
“Coming.”
“Dernice is joining us?” Mercedes asked.
“Yeah. We’re cross training. I show her some of the tricks for investigating; she fills me in on her security tips.”
Dernice moseyed into the area. “Hello, ladies. Elvira tells me you’ve been busy spying on one of your tenants.”
“We have not been spying,” Carlita said.
“So you say. Not that it’s any of my business.” Dernice rolled an office chair across the room and plopped down. “Elvira said you have an ironclad rental agreement and your tenant would never win if she took you to court for trespassing.”
“We were not trespassing,” Mercedes insisted. “Elvira, you have a big mouth.”
“Eh. I’ve been called worse.” Elvira rubbed her hands together. “Let’s get down to business. I don’t have all day.”
“Neither do we.” Mercedes handed Elvira two folded sheets of paper. “I emailed the phone records to myself and then printed them off so they would be easier to read.”
“Thanks.” Elvira
