Reese winced. “That must’ve hurt.”
“What a horrible way to go. Someone wanted to torture this man before killing him but who?” Carlita studied the picture for a long time before shutting her phone off and placing it back inside her purse. “Let’s head to Steve’s tattoo shop. Maybe he can help us make heads or tails of the tattoos and their meaning.”
It was a short walk from the apartment, around the corner and to Halston Street.
“This is it.” Carlita slowed in front of the tattoo shop. Steve was inside and with a customer. “Crud. He’s with someone.”
“We can at least ask him to call.”
“Right.” Carlita eased the door open.
Steve cast them a quick glance before doing a double-take. “Hey, Carlita.”
“Hi, Steve. I know you’re busy but was wondering if you could give me a call on my cell phone when you have a moment.”
“Sure.” He waved the tattoo tool he was holding. “I think I have your number but jot it down just in case. I’ll call you as soon as I’m done here.”
Carlita did as Steve suggested, putting her name next to the number and thanking him before the women stepped back onto the sidewalk. “That puts a wrench in our plans.”
“Or a delay in tracking down the mystery behind the tattoos. I better head home to get ready to start my afternoon shift,” Reese said. “I’ll check Wednesday’s rider logs but don’t hold your breath.”
“Any clue no matter how small might help us.”
“I’ll send you a text as soon as I’ve had a chance to look at them unless I’m in jail by then.”
“You’re not going to jail. The authorities have nothing on you.” The women reached the alley, and Carlita watched Reese climb into her jeep, making a half-hearted attempt at a smile as she drove off.
Carlita started up the stairs and changed her mind. She stepped into the pawnshop. Business was booming, and she hurried to the store floor to help her son and the part-time employee.
The next couple of hours flew by as she worked the cash register. Finally, there was a lull in the crowd. Another part-timer showed up to relieve Tony, and he joined his mother.
“Thanks for helping out, Ma.”
“Any time, Son.”
“You get Brittney and the guys settled in over at Montgomery Hall?”
“Yeah. I checked on them a short time ago. They’re liking their new accommodations.”
“Who wouldn’t?” Tony chuckled before his expression grew serious. “The cops were here snoopin’ around, asking to take another look at the surveillance camera recordings, and mentioning Luigi and Ricco.”
“It’s a good thing they’re outta here.”
“That was brilliant bringing them in through the tunnels last night.”
“Brilliant and risky.” Carlita sucked in a breath. “If I live through this, I’m gonna need a vacation.”
“Would you settle for a quick break?” Tony asked. “I was gonna swing by Ravello’s and grab a bite to eat since the shop’s covered.”
“I would love to spend time with you. You don’t want to head home?”
“Shelby and Violet are visiting her Uncle Jerry. They were headin’ to Tybee Island for the day and won’t be home until late.”
“I’m glad they’re getting out. You need to do that more often, too.”
“Shelby says the same thing. I think I’m turnin’ into a workaholic,” Tony said. “How’s the investigation goin’?”
“We’re at a standstill. I’ll fill you in after you grab some grub.”
They reached the restaurant, and Tony ordered the daily special, a spaghetti and meatball platter with a side of garlic bread.
Carlita, who was still full from the breakfast Mercedes had made, grabbed a soda. “Let’s enjoy some fresh air.” She carried their drinks to the courtyard, where she unlocked the gate and followed him inside. “We should come out here more often.”
“I always forget about it.” Tony eased onto one of the bistro chairs and removed the to-go lid. “The special looks delish.”
While her son ate, Carlita told him about the rap records of the Savannah Six and how she had noticed that half of the members’ necks sported similar tattoos.
“Sounds like a gang marking.”
“The odd thing is not all of them had the tattoos, at least not that I could tell.”
“You should run it by Steve Winter. He’s the tattoo expert.”
“I’m one step ahead of you,” Carlita said. “Autumn told us Steve had done some work for the Savannah Six before they gained notoriety. I’m waiting for him to call me back. I also want to show him the picture Luigi took of the carving on Rutger’s chest.”
“Luigi took a picture of the body?” Tony twirled a forkful of spaghetti. “That was stupid.”
“Probably not the best move. For the record, I showed it to Reese who thinks you took it.” Carlita patted her pocket to make sure she still had her phone. “I’ll show you after you’re done eating. It ain’t pretty.”
Carlita briefly recapped the previous night’s disastrous plan to tail Luigi and Ricco to Big Joe’s Pool Hall, how they got trapped in the dead-end alley and Ricco and Luigi ended up saving their necks.
“They weren’t happy,” Tony guessed.
“Not at all. I get the feeling they’re in the thick of things with Duce. What if Vito sent these two down here not only to keep an eye on Brittney but to do a little digging around in the gambling business, as well?”
Tony toyed with his fork. “Vinnie mentioned it yesterday. He didn’t want you to worry. He figured the less you knew, the better. Savannah is on Vito’s radar again. Ricco, he can’t wait to get out of here and head north, but Luigi…I think he’s taking a liking to Savannah.”
“Seriously?” Carlita shifted. “You think he wants to stay?”
“Maybe. He’s kinda
