“They can’t pin Robert’s death on you because you were the one who found his body,” Carlita said.
“That’s what I thought too, until a couple of hours ago when one of the investigators told me they found some papers in Robert’s pocket. He planned to petition the court for custody of Violet. He lied to me.”
Shelby began to shake. “I’m going to prison for a murder I didn’t commit. Who will raise Violet?”
Carlita’s heart went out to Shelby and she placed an arm around her shoulders. “The authorities will get to the bottom of this. They can’t convict an innocent woman.”
“You weren’t there. The investigators were talking as if the case was already wrapped up. All they need to do now is put the cuffs on me.” Shelby buried her face in her hands.
“You need to get a grip. Violet needs you right now and falling apart isn’t going to help.” Carlita’s mind spun as she tried to wrap her head around what Shelby was saying. “Tomorrow, after you’ve had a good night’s sleep, you can come over and tell us everything you know.”
“I don’t want to involve you in my mess,” Shelby sobbed. “It’s useless. I need to plan for Violet’s future without her mother.”
“Nonsense,” Carlita insisted. “We’ll get to the bottom of it. I’m sure Tony will do all he can to help, too.”
Shelby lifted her head, her tear-stained cheeks breaking Carlita’s heart. “Tony won’t help. On the way home, I tried to explain to him why I met with Robert. I wasn’t trying to get back with him, but he was mad. He said I never should’ve agreed to meet with Robert alone and he couldn’t trust me any longer.”
Carlita stared at the young woman in disbelief. “He said that?”
Shelby nodded, her face crumpling. “I don’t blame him. I should’ve told him from the beginning about Robert. I didn’t want him involved.”
“My sons have a lot of pride. They got that from their father. He was angry because he felt you didn’t trust him and said whatever came to mind. I’ll have a talk with him.”
Carlita stiffened her back. “Now you need to go inside and spend time with Violet. She missed her momma. As soon as you get out of work tomorrow, we’ll meet to go over everything you know.”
Shelby sucked in a shaky breath. “That’s another thing. I don’t have to work tomorrow. The post office put me on indefinite leave, until the authorities clear my name.”
“Oh dear. This is getting dire.”
“It’s hopeless,” Shelby whispered.
“No, it’s not. Challenging? Yes. Hopeless? Not by a long shot.” Carlita walked Shelby back inside the apartment. “Let’s meet at nine tomorrow morning. In the meantime, Tony and I are going to have a talk.”
Carlita gave the young mother an encouraging smile and then made her way back inside her apartment, where she spied her son standing on the balcony, smoking a cigarette. “Tony Garlucci…I need to have a word with you.”
Chapter 5
“Shelby made it perfectly clear she doesn’t want me involved in her business and I’m not gonna force myself on someone who doesn’t trust me,” Tony repeated for the second time.
“Son, Shelby has a lot on her plate. She didn’t want to involve you and my gut tells me there’s more to the story. I’m thinkin’ maybe she was trying to protect you.”
“It’s my job to protect her.” Tony began pacing the deck. “Bottom line is that words were said neither one of us can take back.”
Carlita glanced at her watch. “Shelby and I are going to get together in the morning to try to figure out what happened to her ex.”
“He got offed and it’s apparent someone was trying to set Shelby up to take the fall. She was the one who agreed to meet him.” Tony’s face reddened. “What was she doin’ hanging around her ex?”
“She told me she was going to pay him money in exchange for a signed consent to get rid of him.” Carlita quickly realized how that sounded. “I don’t believe for a minute Shelby gunned down Violet’s father.”
“You got your work cut out for you on this one,” Tony said. “Did Shelby tell you the police found a text on Robert’s cell phone where she told him he better leave her and Violet alone or else?”
Carlita’s heart plummeted. “No.”
“She claims she sent that to him before he demanded money in exchange for giving up his parental rights. The cops have already wrapped up the investigation and it’s only a matter of time before they show up on Shelby’s doorstep and charge her with Robert’s murder.”
“We don’t have much time, then.” A light rapping on the front door interrupted the conversation.
“Maybe that’s Shelby.” Carlita hurried to the front door. “Be nice, be civil. Shelby - and Violet – they both need you now more than ever.”
Carlita opened the door a crack and then swung it open. “I almost forgot about you, Vinnie.” She peered around the corner. “Where’s Brittney?”
“She was complaining of a stomach ache, so she’s lying down.”
“I hope my food didn’t upset her stomach.”
“It was delicious Ma. It might have been a little rich for her, plus she eats like a bird.” Vinnie patted his stomach and stepped inside. “She don’t have the stomach of steel like us Garluccis.” He turned to his brother. “Did Shelby make it home?”
“She did.” Carlita gazed at her middle son expectantly. “You want to tell your brother what’s going on?”
Tony grunted. “Shelby went to meet her ex this morning and found him dead, shot in the head, in a park
