“It’s not 24/7 and I don’t consider it spying. More like ensuring the neighborhood stays safe.”
“Call it what you will. I don’t want you treating them like they’re some sort of criminals.”
“Luigi isn’t exactly choir boy material.”
“He also isn’t a troublemaker. Neither is Mercedes, Cool Bones or Autumn.”
“What about Bubba?”
“I’m still trying to figure out what it is you don’t like about a man you don’t know.”
“He’s giving me a bad vibe, not to mention he looks vaguely familiar, like I should know him, or at least recognize him.” Elvira shrugged. “I’ll eventually figure it out. So, did you get the lab results back?”
“I did.” Carlita filled them in. “Someone put rat poison in the fettuccine. Thank God no one else ate it.”
“Yvonne and Sonny were bad enough.” Elvira spun around in her chair. “Hey, Dernice. Are you and Rocky, Sonny’s brother, still on good terms?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“You need to offer our condolences and find out the cause of death.”
“I was thinking the same thing.” Carlita glanced at Pete. “However, it’s imperative we figure out who visited Sonny prior to his death.”
“I know where you’re going with this.” Elvira stubbornly shook her head. “No can do.”
“I have the list of guests from the party. Dernice and Luigi can confirm who was on the motorcycle ride when Creed hadhis accident. The missing piece of the puzzle is Sonny’s hospital visitors.”
“And then what?” Elvira asked. “Kidnap the suspect and coerce a confession?”
“Don’t be silly.”
“I’m being practical. No one in their right mind will confess.”
Dernice hesitantly lifted her hand. “I might have a smidgen of bad news.”
“Please don’t tell me Yvonne hired an attorney,” Carlita groaned.
“No, but close. The cops tracked me down and asked me a bunch of questions about the party and.”
“And what?” Pete prompted.
“Seemed interested in Carlita and Ravello’s,” Dernice blurted out. “I didn’t want to say anything, but thought you should know.”
“They’ve already questioned Arnie. I’m sure now that we’ve determined there was poison in the fettuccine, they’ll be back. They’re probably building their case against me as we speak.” Carlita jabbed her finger at Elvira. “Have the authorities contacted you?”
“No. At least not yet. Seeing how the party was for Luigi and Dernice, it makes sense the cops are working their way down the list. You have no motive for poisoning the guests,” Elvira said. “Unless you knew Sonny.”
“He was a city worker. We may have crossed paths at some point and I just don’t remember,” Carlita said. “The bottom line is we’re getting cancellations for events at Ravello’s. The health department popped in for a surprise inspection, and the labfound traces of poison in my food. It’s only a matter of time before they shut me down.”
“I would love to help. Seriously, I would, but I can’t take any heat right now. The thought of the cops showing up on my doorstep is giving me the heebie-jeebies. I gotta keep my nose C-L-E-A-N.”
“You’re still working on the super-secret project which may or may not be skirting the law?” Pete asked.
“Shh.” Elvira held a finger to her lips. “I would love to share details but can’t.”
Carlita’s shoulders slumped. “I guess begging won’t help. I’ll have to let some of my employees go, only weeks away from the holidays. Even if they don’t shut me down, all it will take is for nosy reporters to release another story.”
Dernice made a thumbs-down. “Business will tank, especially if they hear about the rat poison.”
