Page 44 of Family Ties and Alibis

Mercedes checked the hallway to make sure the coast was clear, and they were gone. “I hate to voice this, but it sounds like whoever this Ms. X is might be trying to set you or Vinnie up.”

Carlita heaved a heavy sigh. “Pete and I went to check out Tommy’s casino. We noticed something similar to Quick Cash, where Sal worked.”

“What?”

“The place wasn’t as busy as Treasure Cove. What if one of your competitors, or maybe even Tommy, is trying to get rid of you?”

“It’s a cutthroat business,” her son admitted. “Tommy’s made several comments about how he should be running this place and I should be running Royal Flush.”

Carlita remembered what Francesca had said, how she refused to allow her daughter to remain married to a felon despite having been married to a mafia boss. Maybe the woman had put a bug in Tommy’s ear.

Was it possible Sal had been causing the same issues at the Royal Flush casino, perhaps even succeeding at passing counterfeit bills? Tommy mentioned it to his mother; the two hatched a plan to kill Sal and pin the murder on Vinnie.

Wouldn’t that be something? Vito Castellini had favored Vinnie. He’d even said it in front of his family, how he’d chosen Vinnie to succeed him. Perhaps Tommy still held a grudge against her son because of it.

Godmother Garlucci. Carlita had a hard time believing her husband had given her the nickname, even in a joking manner. Yes, she ran several successful businesses, but starting her own businesses happened long after Vinnie’s death.

She didn’t see herself as ruthless or cruel. Carlita prided herself on being a caring and compassionate employer, someone her employees wouldn’t hesitate to come to if they had a problem or needed help. “I wish I knew who this Ms. X was.”

“Me too, Ma.” Vinnie told her he’d never noticed Sal being accompanied by a woman or anyone else for that matter. “Maybe the cops are blowing smoke.”

“Making the story up to try to coerce some sort of confession?” Pete asked. “It’s possible, I suppose.”

“They’re barking up the wrong tree. I didn’t kill Sal,” Carlita insisted. “Vinnie didn’t kill Sal, either.”

“But someone did.”

Vinnie snapped his fingers. “Here’s an idea. What if it was his old lady?”

“Ms. X?” Carlita mulled over her son’s suggestion. “It would take the heat off her and place it directly on someone else. If you ask me, she should be suspect number one.”

“Based on the investigator’s visit, I have a hunch they’ll be back,” Pete said.

“I would bet money on it,” Carlita said. “We had better delve into it ourselves. If not, the investigators’ next visit might be an entirely different setup.”

“I know why I’m on their radar.” Vinnie lit a cigarette and blew the smoke toward the ceiling.

Carlita perked up. “Why?”

“Cuz they got Sal’s phone. My cell phone was the last number Sal called.”

She clutched her chest. “Are you serious?”

“They sent it into the lab for fingerprints.”

“I’m sure your prints aren’t on it,” Mercedes said.

“Nope, but still. It doesn’t look good.” Vinnie took another drag off his cigarette. “I have no idea how Sal got my private cell phone number.”

“Between you and Sal arguing outside the casino the night of his death and your number being the last one he called, I now understand why the investigators are focusing their attention on you. I say we start by gathering a little intel on Ms. X.”

“Along with figuring out what might be happening over at Quick Cash Casino.” Carlita tapped her chin. “There might be a way in, but first we’re gonna need a solid plan. It’s time for a family meeting.”

Chapter 18

After the family had gathered, Vinnie, Pete, and Carlita told the others what had transpired while being questioned by the police, her alleged nickname, along with Vinnie being the last person Sal had called.

“Did you take Sal’s call?” Tony asked.