She eased the door open and stuck her head out. “I’m sorry to bother you two lovebirds, but I have a quick question for Sam.”
“Sure.”
“The other day, you mentioned Rutger’s killer had carved something on his chest. Half of the Savannah Six have matching tattoo rings around their necks. I’m wondering if you can describe the carving.”
Sam shook his head. “I shouldn’t have said anything. Rutger’s death is an active investigation, and the marking is significant. I wasn’t supposed to be privy to that information.”
“Because the killer hung around long enough to leave it,” Carlita guessed.
“That would be the assumption. I’m sorry, Carlita.”
“I understand. Carry on.” She pulled the door shut behind her and then closed the blinds to give them privacy.
Carlita grabbed her purse when a sudden thought occurred to her. She motioned to Reese, who stood waiting by the front door. “Hang on. I’ll be right back.” Carlita darted into the bathroom and dialed Ricco’s cell phone number. There was no answer, so she left a brief message asking him to return her call as soon as possible.
Certain Reese would start wondering what had happened to her, she decided to try her daughter-in-law’s cell phone.
“Hey, Ma.”
“Hi, Brittney. How’s it going?”
“Great. Byron is a doll. When he found out I twisted my ankle the other day, and it was starting to swell, he’s been waiting on me hand and foot.” There was a muffled sound. “You can put it right there. Thank you.”
Brittney returned. “Byron brought me a Swiss coffee. It’s the best decaf coffee on the planet. It’s one hundred percent chemical-free and brewed with water imported from the Swiss Alps.”
“That sounds…expensive. I’m glad you’re happy and comfortable. Byron is the best.”
“He is.”
“I was wondering if Ricco or Luigi are close by. I tried calling Ricco’s cell phone, but my call went to voice mail.”
“I saw them pass by in the hall…RICCO! LUIGI!” Brittney screamed into the phone. “They’re coming. Hang on.”
There was a small pause, long enough for Carlita’s ears to stop ringing. “Ricco speaking.”
“Hi, Ricco. It’s Carlita. I’m sorry to bother you, but I thought of something. When you found Rutger the other morning, you checked his pockets for identification before you came and got us.”
“Yeah.”
“Did you take any pictures of his body?”
“I didn’t.”
“There was mention of some sort of carving on his chest. While you were searching his pockets, did you happen to notice it?”
“No.”
A man of few words, Ricco grew quiet.
“What about Luigi?”
“Yeah. Luigi flipped him over. He mighta noticed something. We’re here with Brit. Give me a minute so we can step into the hall.”
“Of course. The less she knows, the better.”
There were muffled sounds, and Carlita knew Ricco was on the move. She could hear a door close. “Carlita’s on the phone. She wants to know if you noticed anything carved on Rutger’s chest when we found the body.”
She could hear Luigi reply, but his voice was muffled. “What did he say?”
“I’ll let you talk to him.”
“Luigi speaking.”
“Hi, Luigi. I’m sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you noticed an unusual carving on Rutger’s chest the other morning when you found his body in the shed.”
“Yeah. Wasn’t a very good carving, either.”
“Can you describe it?”
“It was bloody. Mostly dried blood.”
“I’m sure it was.” Carlita’s stomach churned at the thought. “Could you tell what it was?”
“No. I can send it to you, though.”
“A picture of the carving?” Carlita asked.
There was a loud cracking sound on the other end. “What? Why did you hit me?” Luigi grunted. “You was walkin’ around the shed checkin’ for more bodies, and I snapped a picture.”
Carlita nearly jumped for joy. “Can you send it to me?”
“Sure. I got it on my cell phone. It’s in my room.”
There was a moment of silence, and Ricco returned. “Luigi’s goin’ to get his phone, and send you a picture, which I knew nothin’ about. He shouldna done that.”
“It certainly wouldn’t look good if the authorities picked you up and found a snapshot of the dead man on Luigi’s cell phone,” Carlita agreed.
“It was dumb…dumber than a box of rocks. He’s gonna be deleting it as soon as you get a copy.”
Carlita’s cell phone dinged, and she glanced at the message from Luigi. “Hang on.” She confirmed the picture was in the text and then returned to the phone. “Thanks, Ricco. Thank Luigi for me, too.”
“Sure. Right after I drag him outside and knock some sense into the numskull,” Ricco said. “You need anything else?”
“No. Wait. How are you settling in at Montgomery Hall?”
“This place is so sweet,” Ricco let out a low whistle. “I ain’t never been in such a swanky place that wasn’t filled with red velvet wallpaper and shag carpet.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying your stay. Hopefully, it will only be for a night or two.”
“Take your time. Brit’s ringing her bell. Gotta go.” Ricco disconnected the line.
Carlita exited the bathroom and joined Reese, who gave her a puzzled look. “Sorry. While I was in there, I had a sudden thought. I remember Tony mentioning he snapped a picture of Rutger’s body when he and Rambo found him,” she fibbed.
“He did? And you just remembered?” Reese asked incredulously.
“It…slipped my mind. I asked him to send it to me.”
“Why didn’t you go downstairs to the pawnshop and ask him?” Reese shook her head, confused.
“I…I guess I should have. Let’s take a look.” Carlita’s finger trembled as she pressed the message key. She tapped the screen to enlarge the picture, forcing herself not to focus on the neck injuries and odd angle of Rutger’s body. Instead, she focused on his chest and the blob of red in the middle.
“This must
