“No. I said almost friend. Not a best friend forever.”
Elvira ignored the comment. “I’ve never had a BFF before. I promise no matter what, I’ve got your back.”
Carlita leaned in so that their eyes met. “I suppose on some level I do consider you a friend. Regardless, you annoy me in so many ways I can’t even begin to count them.”
“You’re not exactly easy to put up with yourself,” Elvira pouted.
“Which means our relationship is a match made in heaven.”
Elvira twined her fingers together. “Like this, my bestie.”
“We should get going,” Pete said. “It’s getting late, and tomorrow is shaping up to be a busy day for you.”
Elvira walked them to the door. “Don’t forget—first thing tomorrow.”
“I’ll meet you in the parking lot at seven thirty.” Carlita waited until she and Pete were out of earshot. “Do you think I made a mistake admitting to Elvira I consider her to be a friend?”
“She does have a way about her.”
“The woman is aggravating as all get-out, but to be honest, she’s always been there when we needed her.”
“And even when we didn’t,” Pete joked. “I think you admitting that you consider her a friend made her day.”
“I believe it did.” Carlita linked arms with her husband. “Whether I live to regret it remains to be seen.”
Chapter 25
Pete shook the can and sprayed the second half of the neon orange “x,” marking Elvira’s designated spot. “She should be here any moment.”
“To be honest, I’m sort of surprised she’s not here already. Marking the spot is a brilliant idea. I figure it will probably only take her an hour or so. I’ll have plenty of time to run over to Priority Labs, pick up the food containers, drop them off at the police station and still meet with Dernice to head over to Rocky Skidz’s place.”
“What do you intend to tell the police?”
“Everything I know. I have nothing to hide. The fettuccine may have played a part in Sonny’s death, but it was far from fatal. There’s no way they could consider me a suspect. I never met the man before the party.”
“You don’t ever recall being fined or investigated by the city or department where Sonny worked?” Pete probed.
“Not long after Mercedes and I moved here, we had an issue with the business licensing department. It was years ago.”
“So…no beef with the city you can remember?”
“Negative.”
A familiar vehicle coasted into the parking lot. The EC Security Services’ work van sped to the back and came to a quick stop only a few feet away from where Carlita and Pete stood.
The driver’s side door flew open and Elvira leapt to the ground. “Happy dig day,” she crooned.
“Happylimiteddig day,” Pete corrected. “X marks the spot.”
She jogged toward them, her smile quickly vanishing. “That’s it?”
“The exact dimensions we agreed to.”
Elvira unsnapped a tape measure from her belt and measured the spray-painted X. “It looks so small.” She measured it a second time, a look of disappointment on her face. “I knew I should’ve held out for more.”
“This will give you an adequate sample,” Pete said.
“What about the money?”
