Page 43 of Family Ties and Alibis

“And then where did you go?”

“I dunno. We might have played a few slot machines, gone for a walk, and then went back to our room for the night.”

“You didn’t leave the hotel or casino premises at any time after midnight?”

“No, and my husband can confirm this.”

The cop continued writing. “Do you ever recall having a nickname?”

“Nickname?” she echoed.

“A name that maybe family, friends, or close acquaintances referred to you by?”

Carlita shot her son a questioning look. He shrugged as if to say he had no idea what the cop was talking about. “No. Never. What kind of name?”

“According to Ms. X, she claims others in your family called you Godmother Garlucci.”

Chapter 17

Carlita stared at the investigator, shocked by her alleged nickname. “Godmother Garlucci?”

Vinnie snickered. He promptly went stone-faced at the look his mother gave him. “It has a catchy ring to it, Ma.”

Pete and Mercedes, hearing the commotion, quietly slipped back inside.

“According to Ms. X, Salvatore Tomaria’s girlfriend, he told her you’re well known in mafia circles as a ruthless mastermind mobster who runs your businesses by intimidation.”

“Th-that’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard,” Carlita sputtered. “And believe me, I’ve heard some totally off-the-wall stuff.”

Pete’s eyes twinkled with mischief. He nudged his wife’s arm. “Is there something you need to confess to, my darling wife?”

“Very funny,” Carlita grunted. “Whoever this woman is, she’s feeding you a line of baloney. I have never gone by that name, ever.”

“Your former husband didn’t nickname you Godmother Garlucci?” The officer appeared skeptical at Carlita’s insistence.

“Could be Pops called you the godmother in a joking way when he was with his friends,” Vinnie said.

“I suppose it’s possible.” She could feel the tips of her ears burn at the thought that her beloved Vinnie may have been talking about her behind her back, and not in a particularly flattering way. “If I knew who this mysterious ‘Ms. X’ was, I might have a better idea if she’s making stuff up. Her deceased boyfriend was basically a thug and a criminal. I would take what she tells you with a grain of salt.”

“I’m sure Mr. Tomaria was well known to local authorities,” Vinnie said. “I can’t begin to guess why Ms. X thought it necessary to tell you Tomaria was afraid of Ma, them being distant relatives and all.”

“This brings to mind another question. How did this woman even know I was in Atlantic City?”

“I can answer that question,” Vinnie said. “At least as far as Treasure Cove goes, most of my employees knew I planned to take a few days off to spend with family who were visiting for the holidays. Sal, who was hanging around almost every day, could have overheard my staff talking.”

“I’m sure Tommy knew, too,” Mercedes said.

“Yeah. Tommy, Francesca. I mean, it wasn’t a secret.”

“I can assure you I’m an upstanding citizen and business owner in Savannah, Georgia, well-respected by the community.” Carlita stopped short of claiming she’d never had brushes with the law, having been involved in multiple incidents, most of which were through no fault of her own.

“She can make all the claims she wants. Maybe Sal said he was afraid of me, or maybe he didn’t. It’s possible my deceased husband jokingly called me Godmother Garlucci. I wouldn’t hurt a fly and I didn’t harm Salvatore Tomaria.”

The investigator glanced at his watch. “How long will you be in Atlantic City?”

“Through the weekend. Our flight leaves mid-afternoon on Monday.”

“I would like to stay in touch in the event that I have additional questions.” The officer jotted her cell phone in his notepad, shoved it in his pocket and left with his partner.