“Thank you for the update. If I think of anything that can add to the investigation, I’ll be sure to let you know.” Carlita thanked the officer a second time and ended the call.
“Why didn’t you tell him about the mysterious package?” Mercedes asked.
“Because it may be nothing, although it is beginning to look as if Megan Burelli consumed a tainted food substance, at the pre-dinner cocktail party no less.” Carlita motioned Mercedes into the kitchen. “He would think I was nuts if I told him someone sent us a headless groom.”
“If he believes Megan was poisoned, he’ll be around soon enough,” Mercedes predicted. “I’m sure he would be interested to know someone broke into the restaurant yesterday morning.”
“True, but they didn’t take anything. There’s still the off chance the headless groom, the break-in and Megan’s incident is unrelated.” At least Carlita was trying to convince herself of that.
First, she needed to find out what the mysterious couple who boarded the trolley in Walton Square yesterday looked like.
Violet skipped into the kitchen, smears of chocolate on her cheek and upper lip.
“Have you had chocolate on your face this whole time?” Carlita chuckled. “We need to wipe your face.”
Violet licked her lips. “Is it gone?”
“No.” Carlita led the young child into the bathroom as someone knocked on the door.
“I’ll get it,” Mercedes said. “It’s probably Vinnie.”
Carlita heard her son’s voice and the tinkle of Brittney’s laughter coming from the living room. They finished cleaning up, and Carlita and Violet joined them.
“Hello, Son.” Carlita gave her son a quick hug and then hugged Brittney. “Did you sleep well?”
“Like a baby. We figured we’d swing by before heading to the stores to shoe shop,” Vinnie said. “I thought maybe Mercedes would like to take my place,” he hinted.
“No. We’re going to meet Paulie and his family for the Pirates in Peril pirate show. Ma and I have been itching to see it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Stop trying to weasel your way out of shopping.” Brittney punched her husband’s arm playfully. “It will be fun.”
“Right.”
“How was your dinner with Uncle Eddie and Aunt Anjelica?” Carlita asked. “I figured they would stop by to say good-bye.”
“I thought they were gonna, too, but Uncle Eddie said they needed to get going. They wrapped up their small business matter here and were heading back. They told us they’d catch up with you next time they were down this way.”
“They seemed in a big hurry to leave town.” Brittney turned to Vinnie. “Don’t you think your aunt and uncle seemed like they couldn’t wait to leave?”
“Yeah, but then that’s Uncle Eddie. He don’t sit still for too long.”
“Have you eaten yet?” Carlita asked. “I picked up some donuts over in the City Market this morning. The Bavarian Kreme donuts are delicious. They melt in your mouth.”
“No thanks.” Brittney made a face. “The thought of sugary foods this early makes me want to throw up.”
“I’ll eat her donut,” Violet offered.
“No you won’t,” Carlita laughed. “You’ve already eaten enough sweets this morning.”
Violet made a pouting face.
“We’ll grab a bite to eat on our way to the mall,” Vinnie said. “Thanks for the offer.”
They chatted for a few more minutes before Vinnie stood. “We better get going. I have a feeling it’s gonna be a long day.” He gave his wife a hand up, and they wandered to the front door.
Carlita followed them into the hall.
Mercedes trailed behind. “Ugh.”
“What?”
“Over there.” Mercedes pointed to Sam’s apartment door, still ajar. “I told you.”
“That’s silly,” Carlita said. “Sam is not spying on us.”
“Sam Ivey, your new tenant?” Vinnie asked.
“Yes. Mercedes is convinced that he’s spying on us.”
“Maybe he’s got the hots for you,” Vinnie teased. “He wants to keep an eye out.”
Mercedes’ face turned bright red. “He does not have the hots for me. We can’t stand each other.”
“Ah.” A slow smile crept across her brother’s face. “Now I get it.”
“You do not.” Mercedes marched into the apartment and slammed the door behind her.
“Yeah, there’s definitely some interest,” Vinnie said.
“You noticed too.” Carlita changed the subject. “So what time do you think you’ll be back for dinner?”
“How ‘bout seven-thirty?”
After agreeing on the time, Carlita and Violet made their way back inside.
Mercedes was in her room, the door closed. Carlita tapped on the outside. It flew open, and she stumbled back, almost tripping on Violet who was directly behind her. “I hate it when you do that.”
“Sorry, Violet,” Mercedes apologized.
“That wasn’t nice.”
“I said I was sorry.”
“I’m not talking about scaring us. I’m talking about you getting bent out of shape because of Sam Ivey and his apartment door.”
“He just gets on my nerves.” Mercedes glanced over her shoulder. “I think I’ll work on my book for a while before getting ready for our pirate adventure.”
“Violet and I will find something to entertain ourselves.”
“I’m going swimming later,” Violet said.
“Yes. And you’re still going to spend the night with your new cousins Noel, Gracie and PJ.”
“Yep.” Violet nodded. “But first I want to color a picture.”
Mercedes returned to her computer and Carlita and Violet spent the rest of the morning coloring pictures. She colored one for her mother, one for Mercedes and one for Carlita.
Lunchtime consisted of a sandwich and chips. After cleaning up, the trio walked to the river, where The Flying Gunner was docked.
Mercedes, Violet and Carlita stood off to the side, waiting for Paulie and his family. They appeared a short time later and then everyone joined the line with Carlita leading the way.
She smiled at the woman behind the ticket counter. “Hello. I don’t have a reservation. My name
