Page 42 of Family Ties and Alibis

As they drew closer, Carlita noticed Vinnie’s door was ajar and found her son standing inside.

He caught his mother’s eye. “Hey, Ma. Sorry to bother you.”

“No bother. What’s going on?”

An officer stepped forward and extended his hand. “Mrs. Garlucci?”

“Taylor now, but formerly Garlucci. My daughter mentioned you wanted to talk to me.”

“We have a few quick questions. This shouldn’t take long.” The cop who appeared to be in charge pulled a notepad from his pocket and flipped it open. “We’re investigating Salvatore Tomaria’s death. I’m sure you’ve heard about it.”

“Of course. I don’t know many of the details, other than what I’ve heard from my son and seen on the news.”

“Were you acquainted with Mr. Tomaria?”

“I vaguely remember him from way back. He and my first husband, Vincent Garlucci, were distant cousins. I might have seen him around a few times, but it was ages ago.”

“But not recently?”

“No.”

“You don’t have any recollection of having any sort of conversation or altercation with Mr. Tomaria?” the cop probed.

“Never. Someone is telling you I argued with Mr. Tomaria?”

“His girlfriend.”

“Who is his girlfriend?”

“I’m not in a position to divulge this information. For her safety, her identity will remain anonymous.”

“Her safety?” Carlita blinked rapidly. “Safety from me? What exactly are you trying to say?”

“For now, we’ll call her ‘Ms. X.’ Ms. X claims Mr. Tomaria not only remembers you but was also afraid of you.”

Pete crossed his arms. “This is an absurd accusation.”

The cop pinned him with a pointed stare. “I suggest you keep your comments to yourself. Another outburst, and you’ll be waiting out in the hall.”

Pete muttered under his breath, his jaw tightening.

“I have no idea why Mr. Tomaria would be afraid of me.”

Mercedes squared her shoulders. “Whoever this chick is, she’s lying.”

“That’s it. Everybody out of the room.”

Mercedes and Pete were escorted into the hallway while Vinnie, Carlita, and the two officers remained.

She pressed her palms together, forcing her voice to remain calm. Carlita had been down this road before—accused of numerous nefarious activities, mainly as a result of her deceased husband’s actions. No matter how hard she tried, “the family” kept coming back to haunt her. “I have no clue why she would make such a ridiculous claim. I have never threatened Mr. Tomaria. Like I said, I barely remember him.”

The officer’s tone softened. “Mrs. Gar—Taylor, please understand that I’m just doing my job. I’m required to follow up on every lead until Mr. Tomaria’s killer is found.”

“I hope you do figure out who it was,” she said.

He began jotting notes in his notebook. “Let’s talk about Monday evening. Can you tell me your exact whereabouts, starting at around six p.m.”

“Pete, my husband and I were upstairs in our room getting ready for our seven o’clock dinner with my family. I don’t remember the exact time, but I believe dinner ended around eight thirty or nine.”