The Remmy Po’Boy was a fried green tomato and shrimp remoulade sandwich and not something I’d have expected a child to want. The boy had taste. “If that’s what you want, of course you can get it.”
It didn’t surprise me when Carly went with the chicken parmigiana while I got the shrimp po’boy. Over our meal I deliberately kept the conversation light. I asked Eli about his grades, the kinds of video games he liked to play, anything to keep the boy entertained and Carly’s mind off of the letter she’d received. By the end of lunch I was reluctant to take them back to their apartment. I wanted to take them to my home. At least there I knew they’d be safer.
“Bella.”
“No. I know what you’re going to say and the answer is no. I’m not letting it scare me away from my own home, Gio.”
“Stubborn woman.” As stubborn as she was, and as much as it frustrated me, I also admired her determination and her strength. “I’m still driving you to work. I will be back to get you in a few hours.”
I walked them to their door and waited until I knew they were safely inside before I left. Once outside, I had my phone pressed to my ear. “We have a problem. I will be at the door in five.”
Cesare and Luciano were set up across from Carly’s apartment building where they had eyes on the front entrance. The camera we’d set up at the rear entrance gave a bird’s eye view of the alley that ran behind the building.
“What’s happened?” The question was from Cesare.
I pulled the letter from my pocket and handed it to Cesare. “I need to know if either of you saw anyone who looked suspicious or out of place before I arrived.”
“No one came through the front door.” Cesare looked over at his partner. “Luciano? See anyone in the back?”
“I’m not sure. There was a delivery van in the alley just before you pulled up. The guy wasn’t inside long. He looked like he was in a hurry to get out of there but I didn’t think much of it.”
“Show me.”
I waited while Luciano pulled up the surveillance video. The guy looked vaguely familiar but I couldn’t place where I’d seen him before. “Keep an eye out for him and if he shows up again, I want him intercepted.”
“You got it, Boss. Your girl okay?”
“Si. She’s tough. She won’t let this chase her from her home. Keep me posted, and keep tabs of everyone coming and going.”
“Will do.”
I felt a small amount of relief knowing they would keep an eye out for the delivery driver, but it bugged me that couldn’t place where I’d seen him before.
