She clicked on the surveillance icon and recent footage. Her heart sank as she caught a glimpse of the grainy images of Luigi and Ricco. Not once or even twice, but several times during the previous evening, the duo had patrolled the area.
Carlita played it a second time, and a disturbing thought occurred to her…if her camera had caught Luigi and Ricco, surely other area business surveillance cameras had caught them too.
It was only a matter of time before Polivich showed up on her doorstep to check her surveillance videos, as well.
She mentally ticked off the list of nearby businesses. Steve Winter’s tattoo shop, Shades of Ink, used surveillance cameras. She quickly crossed him off the list. Steve’s shop was too far away.
Stu and Jan Fischer’s “A Scoop in Time” ice cream shop was up next. As far as she could recall, the shop didn’t have cameras. There was also John Alder’s former property, recently purchased but still vacant. Carlita left a question mark next to the property.
Last, but not least, was Riverfront Real Estate, Annie Dowton’s office. Annie’s real estate office was a virtual fortress after Elvira convinced the woman she needed heavy-duty protection and had installed cameras on nearly every corner, including at least one with a bird’s-eye view of the trolley stop and a partial view of the vacant lot.
She scrambled out of her chair, darting to the back bedroom to see if Brittney was up. The door was still closed, so she jotted a quick note and left it on the counter before hurrying out of the apartment.
Carlita jogged to the end of the alley. Annie’s car was parked out front, and she could see someone moving around. She gave the door a quick knock and stepped inside.
Annie, who was seated at her desk, smiled when she spotted her friend. “Hey, Carlita. I’ve been thinking about you lately, wondering how business is.”
“Not bad.”
“Have a seat.” Annie motioned to an empty chair.
“The new tourist attraction, Spooky Eats & Inns, has been bringing in new business, plus fall seems to be a busier time.”
“Cooler weather,” Annie nodded. “The real estate market is hot right now. I’ve been writing up contracts left and right.”
“That’s good news.” Carlita sank into the chair. “My daughter-in-law, Brittney, is staying for a few days…maybe longer.”
“How is your short-term tenant working out?”
“She’s not. In fact, she should be moving out this morning. Which reminds me - I’m meeting her this morning to return her deposit and collect the keys.”
“You have the worst luck with tenants,” Annie laughed.
“First Elvira and now Angelica, although Cool Bones and Sam Ivey make up for them. Autumn Winter is a good fit.” Carlita shifted in her seat. “I’m sure you’ve heard about the Savannah Six.”
“Heard about them?” Annie rolled her eyes. “That’s all anyone is talking about, and now the ringleader is dead. I can’t believe Tony and Rambo found his body across the street. Detective Polivich left a few minutes ago. He was in here checking out my surveillance camera footage. I never thought I would say this, but I’m glad Elvira talked me into installing them.”
Carlita’s heart plummeted. “They caught something on camera?”
“Two suspicious men. Polivich thinks they may be involved in the murder, so he’s setting up some extra patrols.”
Carlita’s breath caught in her throat. “He is?”
“Yep.” Annie nodded. “I feel a whole lot safer knowing we’ll have extra patrols around here until the killer or killers are caught. That’s the problem with vacant lots…they bring the riff-raff.”
“And apparently killers. Do you mind if I take a look at the footage?”
“Of course not. Maybe you’ve seen them hanging around since you live across the street.”
“You have no idea,” Carlita muttered.
“I’m sure Polivich will be by to ask about your cameras, as well.” Annie reached for her mouse. “I still have it pulled up.”
Carlita scooched around the side of the desk and next to Annie. She stared at the grainy screen. Moments later, the shadowy images of Luigi and Ricco emerged from the alley.
The men stayed close to the side of the building, peering around the corner before strolling onto the sidewalk. Luigi kept one hand tucked inside his jacket as he walked, and Carlita could only guess he was keeping his semi-automatic close at hand.
Ricco was the lookout, his head turning from side to side as he studied their surroundings.
“You can see they’re almost aware there are surveillance cameras. If you study their body language, they’re keeping their heads down trying to hide their faces.”
They stepped out of the camera range, and Annie paused the video. “They show up again a short time later, returning from the opposite direction. They walked past the alley like they were heading somewhere else.”
Carlita let out a sigh of relief. At least it looked as if they weren’t hanging around her alley. “Is that the last of it?”
“Yep.” Annie clicked out of the screen.
“Thanks…thanks for the heads up,” Carlita quickly changed the subject. “I’m hosting a fall bash at the restaurant and would love for you to join us.”
“A party? It sounds like fun.”
“It’s the Saturday after Halloween, but I’ll be sending out invitations. I better get going. I’m sure Brittney is awake by now.”
Annie accompanied Carlita to the door. “Polivich was asking questions about Reese…how well I knew her, if there had ever been any trolley incidents I could recall.”
“Polivich thinks she may have been responsible for Rutger’s death?”
“I got the impression she’s a suspect. I mean, she got into it with him yesterday morning and then his body was found right near her stop.” Annie followed
