“No. He just looks kind of…”
“Kind of?” Carlita prompted.
“Mafia-ish. He has a gangster look. Like I said, I watch too many of the crime shows. I’m sure your son trusts him.”
“Don’t be so sure about that,” Mercedes muttered under her breath.
“We’re here.” Carlita stopped near the restaurant entrance. She waited until Reese and her daughter were inside, and she and Elvira were alone. “How’s it going?”
“Good. Heard there was an incident over in the courtyard. One of the wedding guests choked on a piece of food and keeled over.”
“We’re getting conflicting stories. I’m not sure if she choked or if it was something else. She complained to her friend of not feeling well before slumping over in a chair. She’s on her way to the hospital.” Carlita caught a glimpse of the earpiece Reese mentioned. “What’s that?”
“What’s what?”
Carlita rolled her eyes. “We’ve had this conversation once already. You’re wearing an earpiece.”
“Oh, that.” Elvira let out a fake laugh. “I wear the earpiece to all of my jobs. I use it to communicate with the rest of my staff.”
“Like Dernice?”
“Yep.”
“Where is Dernice?” Carlita glanced around.
“She’s around the corner.”
“I see.” There was a long moment of silence. “Is the earpiece capable of hearing someone else in the vicinity, someone who is also wearing an earpiece?”
“Maybe.” Elvira shifted her feet. “Yeah. It’s possible.”
“Let’s say, for example, my son’s friends, who are also here to keep an eye on guests and are also wearing earpieces. Would you be able to hear them?”
“Could be,” Elvira admitted.
Carlita knew her ex-tenant well enough to know she’d seen or heard something. She got right to the point. “What did you hear?”
Elvira’s jaw tightened, and she stubbornly shook her head, a sure sign Carlita was onto something. “Elvira, you overheard something. What did you hear?”
“All right. So…I overheard the goons in the suits talking about the guests. Did you know they have a detailed list of all of the guests who are here? Who does that?”
The mafia. “A very thorough security detail?” Carlita offered. “They take their jobs seriously.” Or face Vito, she silently added. “I’m looking for specifics…did Ricco or Luigi mention a specific person or event while you were eavesdropping?”
“I might’ve heard something. I’m not sure yet. We should discuss it later when no one else is in the vicinity.” Elvira crossed her arms. “I was thinking…I came up with a great idea.”
“What kind of ‘great idea?’”
“I was wondering if it would be possible for me to place a small business card stand; maybe next to the hostess station to help me drum up some business.” Elvira hurried on. “I got some special cards made up that I think would be perfect to hand out to your diners.”
“You want to continue promoting your security services business in my restaurant and to my customers?”
“Yep…and EC Investigative Services,” Elvira added. “I have some new double sided cards…EC Investigative Services on one side and EC Security Services on the other side. I would make it worth your while.”
“Really?” Carlita lifted a brow.
“I could pay you a finder’s fee. How does half a percent sound?”
“How generous.”
“Don’t knock it. Every penny adds up.”
“I’ll think about it,” Carlita said.
“We can talk later about what I may have overheard.” Elvira lowered her voice. “You never know who might be listening in. In the meantime, I’ll keep my ears open.”
Back inside, Carlita didn’t have time to dwell on the new information. The wedding party and guests had already started eating. She filled her plate with food before making her way to her family’s table.
She’d forgotten all about her brother and his wife, who were seated across the table.
Eddie waited for Carlita to sit. “Heard there was a little problem in the courtyard.”
“Yes, one of the guests fell ill and was taken away in an ambulance.” Carlita unwrapped her silverware and smoothed the napkin in her lap. “I hope she’ll be all right.”
“The food is delicious, Carlita.” Anjelica took a bite of her lasagna. “I need to get your lasagna recipe.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.” Carlita tasted a bite of each of the dishes and agreed her kitchen crew had done an excellent job of preparing the food.
While the guests ate, Tony and Shelby stopped by each of the tables, thanking the guests for joining them.
After finishing the food, the couple, along with Violet, made their way to the makeshift dancefloor for the family’s first dance. Soon, other guests joined them while the busboys cleared the tables.
Carlita quickly finished her food. It was time to check on the young woman’s condition, and have a brief chat with the kitchen staff.
She stopped by Pirate Pete’s table where he, along with the other members of the Savannah area restaurant group, was seated.
She greeted Gil Cross, the owner of Monster Pizza, and Mike Russo, the co-owner of Russo’s Italian Eatery, both of which were also located in Walton Square.
Pete eyed Carlita’s shimmery purple wedding dress, and let out a low wolf whistle. “You look stunning.”
Carlita could feel her cheeks warm, and she absentmindedly ran her hand along the silky material. “Thank you. Mercedes helped me pick it out.” Embarrassed by the attention, she quickly changed the subject. “How was the food?”
“It was every bit as good as mine,” Mike smacked his lips. “Your chicken parmesan sticks were my favorite, with the spaghetti and meatballs a close second.”
“I second the chicken parmesan sticks,” Pirate Pete said. “Everything was top notch.” His expression grew serious. “We heard one of the guests was taken away by ambulance.”
“Yes.” Carlita nodded. “It appears she may have choked on a piece of food. I’m on my way to find a quiet spot to
