Page 63 of Family Ties and Alibis

“Tony, Paulie and I can back you up,” Luigi offered. “We’ll be on standby, ready to tail her wherever she goes when she leaves the casino.”

Tony pinched his thumb and index finger together. “We have a small problem. Gina and Mercedes are the only two who know what Ione looks like.”

Gina pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. “I snapped a photo of her before we quit.”

“Good girl.” Paulie gave her a playful pat on her backside. “You’re a Garlucci through and through.”

Taking turns, the others studied the photo of Ione before returning Gina’s phone.

Carlita glumly patted the knee scooter’s handlebars. “This bum leg is a major bummer. I want in on the action, but would only be in the way.”

Mercedes placed a light hand on her mother’s arm. “As much as we know you want to help, it might be best if you sit this one out.”

Luigi pulled a pair of sunglasses from his shirt pocket. “These are Elvira’s.”

“She gave you her sunglasses?” Mercedes arched her eyebrow.

“These aren’t your run-of-the-mill sunglasses, but Megamart brand smart glasses. With the push of a button or a voice command, you can use them to record up to three minutes per clip.”

“Can I see them?”

Luigi handed the sunglasses to Carlita. “I can’t envision Elvira loaning you an expensive pair of sunglasses.”

“They’re not a loan. I’m trying them out and plan to buy them from her. She bought another pair and is selling these at a reasonable price.”

“How do they work?”

Luigi showed Carlita how to operate them. “I got another pair up in my room. I’m not sure which ones I’ll keep or give back.”

“Can I borrow the other pair?”

“Sure. I’ll go grab them.”

“If you don’t mind.”

While Luigi ran to his room, the others discussed the logistics and timing of Vinnie’s confrontation with Ione.

“I’ll be curious to see where she goes and what she does,” Paulie said.

“Same. Wouldn’t that be something if it was Jimmy Grimaldi, after all,” Gina mused.

“If it is him, he has me fooled,” Mercedes said.

“You know the saying…suspect the least suspicious,” Pete said.

Luigi returned and handed Carlita the other pair of glasses. She did a test run, making sure she knew how to operate them. “Thanks for loaning them to me. I’ll return them tomorrow.”

Tony tapped his brother’s shoulder. “It’s getting late. We should probably think about heading over to Quick Cash.”

Vinnie held his fingers to his lips. “I would like to keep this quiet. Brittney is already freaked out about my attack.”

“I won’t breathe a word,” Carlita promised.

“Ditto,” Mercedes said. “I think putting pressure on Ione, making her believe you know who was behind the attack and Sal’s death is the key to getting her to act.”

“More like panic,” Tony said. “Especially if she’s involved in her boyfriend’s death.”

Pete waited for the others to leave. “I recognize the look in your eyes. You have no intention of sitting this out.”