Reaching the apartment, Pete hung his jacket on the hook by the door. “I know it’s getting late, but we haven’t eaten in hours. Let me fix us a sandwich.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Starving yourself won’t bring Sonny back.”
“True. I’m still shocked that what was supposed to be a celebration has turned into a tragedy.” After washing her hands in the sink, Carlita worked alongside her husband, fixing a sandwich and adding chips and a pickle to their plates. “You wanna eat in here?”
“I was thinking we could dine al fresco.” Pete grabbed their plates and carried them out onto the balcony.
Rambo tromped behind them, circling the table while they settled in.
“You can have a slice of my turkey.” Carlita tore off a chunk of her deli meat and fed it to the pup. She took a big bite of her sandwich. “I guess I was hungry after all.”
“Me too. You make a mean turkey on rye.” Pete patted her hand. “I know the situation looks bleak right now, but after a good night’s sleep you’ll feel better.”
“I still can’t believe Sonny is dead.”
“You mentioned there were other visitors at the hospital.”
“Several. In fact, we had to wait our turn to go in and see him.”
“Were they from their motorcycle club?”
“I don’t know. To be honest, I never saw anyone leave his room. I was too busy trying to find the bathroom.”
Pete changed the subject, talking about the holidays. The upcoming Christmas season meant busy businesses—at the pawn shop, the pirate ship, and the restaurants. Holiday office parties, family gatherings. If the season shaped up to be anything like the previous year, she would be adding a tidy sum to the restaurant’s bottom line.
Easy conversation and quiet time with the man she loved. Carlita had it all. A husband she adored. Thriving businesses, although she and Pete often discussed slowing down and making a concerted effort to take more time off.
Tony and Mercedes could handle more of the day-to-day operations. In fact, her son had already done so some time ago, managing almost every aspect of the pawn shop.
Mercedes knew Ravello’s inside and out and could easily step into her mother’s shoes.
By the time the couple finished eating, Carlita felt much better. She had no proof Sonny and Yvonne fell ill from eating Ravello’s food. Although the chances of them having similar symptoms at almost the same time seemed suspicious.
Digging into what had transpired would have to wait for another day. Her weary mind was too tired to sort it out.
Little did Carlita know the situation was going to get worse, much worse, almost as soon as her feet touched the ground the next morning.
Chapter 9
Carlita’s phone started blowing up with text messages from both Tony and Arnie before she finished her first cup of coffee the following morning.
She phoned Arnie first, figuring it was too early to have an issue with a customer considering the restaurant wouldn’t be open for a couple more hours. He picked up almost immediately. “Hey, Carlita. I’m sorry to bother you this early.”
“It’s okay, Arnie. What’s going on?”
“The cops just left. They were asking a bunch of questions about what happened at Luigi and Dernice’s party. While they were here, they took samples of the food we served.” Arnie told her they also asked to speak with the owner. “I told ‘em you would be in later. The cops were pretty tight-lipped. Is it true? Did the guy who went to the hospital die?”
“He did. Elvira and I visited him last night. He seemed to be doing better, but while we were there, he took a turn for the worse and went into cardiac arrest.”
“No kidding.” Arnie’s voice grew muffled. “I have more bad news. A bunch of reporters are standing on the sidewalk out front.”
“News reporters are in front of Ravello’s right now?”
“Yeah. I left the lights off and plan to keep a low profile until you tell me what you want me to do.”
“Tony sent a text. He must’ve noticed them too.”
