“Ravello’s is keeping me busy.”
Faith smiled, the dimple in her chin deepening. “Dad and I ate there a couple of nights ago. We shared the family sampler platter. Everything was delicious and the portions were huge. We even came home with leftovers.”
“The sampler platter is spaghetti and meatballs, chicken fettuccine and one more thing.” Carlita tapped the side of her forehead.
“Shrimp in a garlic sauce over a bed of linguine.” Faith smacked her lips. “It was delicious. Oh, and the bread was fresh from the oven. Dad and I polished off an entire loaf and brought another one home. Our server, Bella, even threw in some of your amazing butter sauce to go.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Speaking of the restaurant, I’m hosting a family and friends Thanksgiving dinner there at six on Thanksgiving Day. You and your dad are invited.”
“Thank you. I’ll have to check with him. Last year we ate at a restaurant near the highway. It wasn’t very good.” Faith finished scanning Carlita’s items and placed them in her reusable grocery bags. “When do we need to let you know?”
“Next week would be great.” Carlita took the receipt and shoved it into her purse before reaching for the bags. “Tell your dad I said, ‘hi,’ and I hope you can make it.”
During the walk home, Carlita mulled over Elvira’s disappearance. Although the woman was working through a personal crisis, she couldn’t envision her leaving Dernice with the burden of running the businesses for much longer.
Mercedes met her mother at the door and grabbed one of the bags. She followed Carlita into the kitchen. “You remembered the pastrami.”
“How could I forget? It was the first item on my list.” While Mercedes put the groceries away, Carlita whipped up a couple of pastrami on rye sandwiches.
Rambo waited until they settled in at the dining room table. Then, he parked himself in front of Carlita’s chair and stared at her with hungry eyes. Grayvie, not to be left out when treats were involved, scooched in next to him.
“I have some for each of you.” She tore off a piece of meat and fed it to her cat before giving Rambo a whole slice. “That’s enough.”
“You spoil them rotten.” Mercedes took a big bite of her sandwich.
“So do you.” After they finished their food, Mercedes offered to clean up while Carlita eased onto the sofa and kicked her shoes off. Planning to rest for only a couple of minutes, she leaned her head back and dozed off.
“The kitchen is clean. I’m heading to my room.” Carlita jumped at the sound of Mercedes’ voice. She covered a yawn. “Excuse me. I’m more tired than I thought. Thanks for cleaning up.”
“You’re welcome.”
After she left, Carlita leaned her head back again and closed her eyes. “Maybe I’ll take a quick catnap.”
Grayvie leaped onto the back of the sofa and slunk along the top. He surveyed the situation before finding an open spot perfect for him and wiggled in next to her. Carlita patted his head, her eyes growing heavy as she dozed off again.
She wasn’t sure how much time passed when she abruptly woke. She groggily gazed around the room. Something had jolted her. It wasn’t Rambo. He was sprawled out on the floor next to her, sound asleep.
Carlita shifted her sleepy cat and did a mental shake to clear her head. She’d been napping for over an hour.
Ding. She was halfway to the bathroom when the doorbell rang. Retracing her steps, Carlita wandered over to the window to see who was standing on her back stoop. It was Dernice.
As if sensing Carlita watching her, Dernice looked up.
Carlita held up a finger and then made her way down the steps.
“Did you get my text?”
“No. I was taking a nap. I haven’t checked my phone. What’s up? Let me guess…Elvira decided to come home early.”
“No. She’s dead.”
Carlita’s jaw dropped. “Elvira is dead?”
“Not Elvira. The woman.”
“What woman?”
“Kim Turbell, the woman from Coastal Adventures. It just came across the ham radio. Her body was found inside Elvira’s building.”
Chapter 12
Carlita blinked rapidly. “You’re kidding.”
“I haven’t confirmed it yet, but that’s the chatter on the radio. It’s coming from reliable sources.”
“This means…” Carlita grappled to understand the implications of the woman being dead – and the fact that she and Dernice were among the last to see her alive.
“I talked to Elvira a few minutes ago to let her know what happened since the cops will want to speak with her. And don’t forget, you put your name on the information list, so the cops are gonna show up on your doorstep asking a bunch of questions.”
A sick feeling settled in the pit of Carlita’s stomach. Dernice was right. She had been one of the last people to see the woman alive, and her name was on Coastal Adventure’s information signup sheet. Her name, her email address. “The police will quickly clear me. I just met the woman yesterday.”
“But you do know my sister, who happens to own the property where the woman’s body was found. That’s not all.”
“You mean there’s more good news?” Carlita asked sarcastically.
Dernice gave her a dark look.
“I’m sorry, Dernice. My comment was uncalled for. What is it?”
“Remember when Turbell reacted oddly at the mention of Elvira’s name? My hunch was right. They know each other. Turbell had been harping on Elvira, nagging her to sell. She called Elvira after we left yesterday.”
“Maybe Kim Turbell talked to Elvira and stopped by there afterward to have a look around.”
“Which is when we ran into her,” Dernice said.
Carlita stepped off the stoop and began to pace. “It was a setup.”
“In an empty building?”
“I don’t know.” Frustrated at Elvira’s unwillingness to cooperate, anger suddenly
