Page 16 of Family Ties and Alibis

“Me too. Let’s go grab some.”

Because there wasn’t any indoor seating, they added condiments and carried their food to an empty picnic table on the Boardwalk. Little Vin took a few bites and started to whimper, his signal it was naptime.

Carlita texted Brittney after they finished eating, and they agreed on a place to meet up. The couple and grandkids arrived in the casino’s main lobby and found her waiting for them near the holiday turkey.

Vinnie, tightly clutching his arcade prize, ran to his mother’s arms while Pete, Carlita, and Violet trailed behind.

She scooped her son up and gave him a hug. “Did you have fun with Nonna and Gramps?”

“We go up.” Vinnie lifted a chubby fist and spun it around. “We see water.”

“And ate catsup somewhere along the way.” She licked her finger and swiped at the smudge of sauce on her son’s cheek.

He showed her his prize and yawned loudly.

“I think someone is ready for a nap.” Carlita’s heart melted when he placed his head on his mother’s shoulder and closed his eyes.

“Thank you for taking him,” Brittney whispered in a loud voice.

“Nana and Gramps promised we could go again,” Violet said. “Next time we get to ride the merry-go-round if it’s open.”

“This weekend. It will be open this weekend.” Brittney thanked them again and carried her sleepy son to the elevator marked private, the one Carlita discovered went directly to Vinnie and his wife’s penthouse apartment.

Pete ruffled Violet’s hair. “I bet your mom is wondering when you’ll be back.”

“Shelby texted while we were eating,” Carlita said. “I told her we would be along shortly.”

It was a quick trip to the family’s hotel room. Shelby met them at the door and tiptoed into the corridor. “Melody is still napping. Did you have fun?”

“Uh-huh. Nana and Gramps let me pick everything.”

“Pick everything?”

Violet tipped her head back and forth. “Ice cream, the Ferris wheel, hot dogs.”

“Spoiled rotten,” her mother teased. “Did you tell them thank you?”

Violet handed her mother the stuffed toy she’d picked out at the arcade and flung herself at Carlita and Pete, hugging them tightly. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” Carlita returned the hug, savoring the moment. Someday, all too soon…in the blink of an eye…Violet would be all grown up and much too busy to hang out with her grandparents. She hoped her granddaughter would remember moments like this after they were gone.

“You can be our event planner anytime.” Pete placed a light kiss on her head. “We’ll see you at dinner, after Paulie and his gang get here.”

“Dinner in the penthouse apartment,” Shelby quipped. “At least that was the latest plan I heard.”

Carlita craned her neck, realizing Tony hadn’t popped out to say hello. “Where’s Tony?”

“Downstairs with Luigi and Vinnie.” Shelby smoothed her daughter’s hair. “Why don’t you tiptoe inside and make sure Melody is still sleeping.”

“Okay.” Violet waved goodbye and scampered off.

Shelby waited until she was gone. “Tony got a text from Luigi. Something about the cops returning and talking to the staff.”

“Pete and I caught a news clip while we were eating. A gas can was found near Mr. Tomaria’s body.”

Shelby’s eyes grew round as saucers. “The guy was going to follow through on his threat to burn Treasure Cove down?”

“The news station didn’t confirm the can belonged to Sal, but what are the odds a gas can washes up next to his body?”