“You’re welcome. We missed you, but are glad you were able to enjoy a couple of days off.”
“I talked to Paulie. We’re gonna meet him and Gina for dinner. You’re welcome to join us,” Tony said.
“Maybe. I have some other things to take care of. I’ll let you know later,” Carlita said. “Mercedes might want to tag along.”
Mercedes, who was sitting nearby, nodded. “I might.”
“We brought you something.” Shelby handed Carlita a gift bag.
“What is this?” Carlita opened the bag and peered inside. She gently lifted out an antique wooden box.
“It’s an Italian music box,” Shelby said. “The shopkeeper told us it was a one of a kind, handcrafted Sorrento, and carved from precious, rare woods.”
Carlita ran a light hand over the top before carefully lifting the lid. It began to play O' Sole Mio. She briefly closed her eyes and hummed along. “It’s beautiful. I love it.”
“Shelby picked it out. She found it in a gift shop,” Tony said.
“How thoughtful, both of you. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Shelby covered her mouth as a yawn escaped. “Excuse me. Riding in the car made me sleepy.”
“We should get going. We have some unpacking to do and laundry to take care of. I wanna stop by the pawnshop and check on things.” Tony stood.
“I don’t blame you. I’m sure Violet is ready to go home.”
Shelby rubbed her daughter’s back. “Were you a good girl for Nana?”
“Yes. We rode on the pirate ship and squirted squirt guns, and then we hunted for treasure. I got to swim in the hotel pool and slept in a fort.”
“My goodness. It sounds like you had a wonderful time while we were gone. Give Nana a hug good-bye and tell her thank you.”
Carlita hugged Violet. “Thank you for keeping Mercedes and me company.”
“And Rambo and Grayvie,” Violet hugged her back. “Can I take a cookie with me?”
“Of course.” Carlita quickly packaged a few of her homemade cookies and handed them to Violet. “Be a good girl for Mommy and Tony.”
Violet promised she would before hopping down the steps to wait for her mother and stepfather.
Carlita closed the door behind them and leaned against it. “Is it me or has it been a very long few days?”
“They’ve been pretty long. While you were catching up with Tony and Shelby, I checked your email. Reese sent over the information from Dixie. I thought you might want to see if there’s a match between the restaurant employees and the couple who bought the bus tickets.”
“I do.” Carlita made a beeline for the computer. She sat at the desk while Mercedes pulled up a chair. “I already sorted through the files. This shouldn’t take long.”
Carlita found Reese’s email and highlighted the first name…Blake Tanner. “This name doesn’t sound familiar.”
Mercedes thumbed through the applications. “I don’t see anyone by the name of Blake Tanner. Let me double check.” She flipped through the sheets again. “Nope. No such name. Let’s try to match him to an address or cell phone number.”
“Try One Fifteen Hamilton Street.”
“Hamilton…Hamilton. I see a One Fifteen Hamilton Street. It’s the address for Duane Sorensen. His was one of the disconnected cell phone numbers.” Mercedes waved the application in the air. “We got a winner. I think Duane Sorensen is Blake Tanner or vice versa.”
“Great. Now let’s see what we have for Monica Clay,” Carlita said.
Mercedes grew quiet as she sorted through the stack again. “Bingo. Monica Clay. Guess what address she listed?”
“One Fifteen Hamilton Street.”
“Yes. We have a connection. We have names. We have addresses…”
“And we have a disconnected cell phone,” Carlita said. “What number did Ms. Clay list as a contact number?”
“Now that I take a closer look, she used the same disconnected number Duane, aka Blake, used. At least we have a physical address.”
“Blake and Monica listed the same address and were both hired by Dominic and approved by me. I think it’s time to have a chat with Dominic. Maybe he noticed something the other day at the wedding reception.”
“Should we tell the authorities?” Mercedes asked.
“I’m sure they’re already investigating Ms. Clay’s death and looking for Duane or Blake, or whoever he is. We can fill Officer Clousen in on the connection.” Carlita reached for her cell phone. “I’m going to call him right now.”
The officer didn’t answer, so she left a message, telling him she had some interesting information she wanted to share. “It’s only a matter of time before the authorities show up on our doorstep, asking about Ms. Clay’s employment, as well as Blake Tanner or Duane Sorensen.”
Carlita drummed her fingers on the desk. “I wonder how long it will take for Reese to show Dixie the photos and video, to see if she recognizes Monica or Blake or Duane.”
Chirp. Carlita’s cell phone rang, startling her and she jumped. “It’s Vinnie.” She pressed the answer button. “Hello, Son. You must have read my mind. I was going to call you.”
“I just wanted to let you know that we made it home safe and sound. What’s up?”
“Let me put you on speaker, so Mercedes can hear.” Carlita pressed the speaker button. “Officer Clousen stopped by. Megan Burelli died this morning.”
There was a long pause on the other end. “You’re kidding.”
“No. Vito’s guys, have they headed back to New York yet?”
“Yeah. We parted ways in Jersey. Why?”
“Because the woman who tried to serve you food and then abruptly took it away…the same one who served Megan Burelli the appetizers right before she collapsed, is dead. Her body was found behind the bus station early this morning.”
Vinnie cleared his throat. “Are you sure?”
“Almost a hundred percent. I think she and her accomplice were plants, sent to poison you and Brittney. Instead, they poisoned the wrong
