Shelby had recently been diagnosed with Addison’s Disease, a rare, life-threatening disorder. Stress was a major trigger, and the doctor told Shelby she would need to make some important lifestyle changes.
Because of the recent diagnosis, Shelby had resigned from her position at the post office and was now working at the pawnshop and restaurant, to fill in and help when she was feeling well enough.
“I’m having more good days than bad. Tony is a huge help. He’s almost too much of a help,” Shelby laughed. “He hardly lets me do anything, but it’s getting easier. I know my triggers now. The hormone therapy seems to be working.”
“Wonderful.” Carlita pressed a hand to her chest. “It’s nice to finally hear some good news.”
Shelby motioned Carlita away from the door. “How’s it going?”
“It’s…all right. I’m sure you heard about Reese, the trolley incident and now the death of one of the Savannah Six.”
“It’s all over the news. I can’t believe his body was in the lot across the street.” Shelby jabbed her finger toward the apartment. “Do you think Brittney’s bodyguards are responsible?”
“I don’t, but they bring their own set of problems.” Carlita cleared her throat. “It’s been a trying couple of days.”
Violet skipped out of the apartment. “Can we go now?”
“Yes. We can go.” Shelby took her daughter’s hand. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“I will.”
After they left, Carlita returned inside where she found Brittney pacing the living room floor, cell phone in hand and an anxious expression on her face. “It’s Vinnie. He’s rambling on about something going down. He wants to talk to you.”
Chapter 9
Carlita took the phone from Brittney, stepped onto the balcony and pulled the door shut behind her. “Hey, Son.”
“What’s going on down there?” Vinnie demanded.
“What do you mean?”
“Luigi and Ricco called. Somebody offed a dude, left his body in the vacant lot across the street and now they gotta go into hiding cuz the cops are looking for them.”
“It’s a mess,” Carlita sighed. “A gang of troublemakers has been harassing local business owners and tourists for the last few months. They went after Reese yesterday morning over at the trolley stop.”
Carlita told him how they called the police and Tony intervened before it got out of hand. “The ringleader, who also happens to be the nephew of a former governor, was strangled. Ricco and Luigi were patrolling the area early this morning and found his body in a shed on the vacant lot.”
“The cops don’t know that,” Vinnie interrupted.
“No, but Ricco and Luigi were caught on Annie’s surveillance cameras, and now the police are going to step up area patrols. Tony and I agreed they need to keep a low profile until the investigation is over.”
“That’s not their job,” Vinnie argued. “Their job is to protect Brittney.”
“They’ll have to do it from inside the apartment.”
“Vito ain’t gonna be happy.”
“Then maybe they should return to Atlantic City or go stay in a hotel,” Carlita snapped. She immediately regretted her harsh words. “I’m sorry, Son. I’m stressed out. I have a houseful of people, Mercedes had to move out to make room for Brittney, some unknown person or persons are after you and Elvira is a mess.”
“What’s wrong with Elvira?”
“It’s another long story. Let’s just say I have my hands full and all we’re trying to do is keep Luigi and Ricco out of jail. If Detective Polivich catches up with them and runs a background check, we both know what will happen.”
“They’ll be extradited back to New York, and we’ll never see them again.”
“Do you think they took the guy out, maybe by accident?” Carlita asked.
“They didn’t do it. Luigi swears he and Ricco had nothing to do with the guy’s death. There’s no reason for them to lie to me.” It grew quiet on the other end. “I better tell Vito what’s going on…the sooner, the better. We may have to come up with a Plan B to keep Brittney safe.”
“And keep your guys away from the cops.”
“I’ll give Ricco a call and try to convince him and Luigi to hang tight and stay out of sight until we figure out our next move,” Vinnie said. “Is there anywhere they can hang out?”
“As a matter of fact, I evicted the short-term renter this morning. They can stay in Tony’s old efficiency until the heat is off or you decide what you want to do.”
“What happened to your tenant? Never mind. I guess you do have your hands full. I’m sorry, Ma. I don’t mean to add to your burdens. I would put Brit and the guys up in a hotel, but she’s homesick as it is. Cooping her up in a hotel room isn’t good for any of them.”
“I see your point, and I completely understand. Brittney is family, and to be honest, she’s no trouble. She sleeps a lot.”
Vinnie’s voice softened. “That sounds like my Brit.”
“And she makes a mean unstuffed cabbage dish,” Carlita joked.
“Now I really do miss her,” Vinnie groaned.
“I hope you miss her for more than her cooking,” Carlita laughed.
“Of course I do.” Vinnie sounded distracted. “I gotta go. Vito is here.”
“No problem, Son. Keep me posted, and I’ll try hard to keep your guys out of trouble. In the meantime, if you could talk to them, I would appreciate it.”
“Done.” Vinnie thanked his mother again and ended the call.
Carlita stared at the phone for a long moment. She certainly did have her hands full, but no more than her eldest son.
Luigi and Ricco were lurking somewhere nearby. She needed to get them out of sight and inside as quickly as possible. She returned to the living room where Brittney was waiting for her and
