Page 66 of Family Ties and Alibis

“You defaulted on our agreement, which clearly states anything you find while digging outside the designated area is exempt from our shared venture and belongs solely to me.”

“Are you kidding?” Elvira went into a long tirade about how unfair life was, how she was the one putting in all the work and Pete should be more appreciative of her efforts.

He let her whine and cry for a full minute. “Elvira!”

“What?”

“We’ll split the value.”

“We will? I thought you were gonna shaft me on this one.”

“No, but I’m warning you right now with Carlita as my witness—do not dig up another inch of dirt until we get home.”

“But.”

“No buts. You either take it or leave it,” he warned.

“I’ll take it,” she whined. “We need to meet as soon as you get back.”

“Not long after.”

“Monday afternoon?”

“Tuesday afternoon,” Pete bargained.

“Fine. Thanks for not blowing a gasket.”

“You’re welcome. Remember…”

“I know. Don’t touch anything until you guys get back. This is gonna be the longest two days of my life.”

“Somehow, I think you’ll survive.”

Pete began motioning with his hands. “Vinnie texted. He’s in the casino, waiting for Ione to clock out.”

Carlita told her they had to get going and ended the call. “I told you I figured there was another reason she didn’t want to come with us on this trip.”

“So she could do exactly what she did—expanding her search area without us around. It makes perfect sense.”

“We had better get a move on. It’s almost nine.”

They stepped inside Tommy Castellini’s casino. Carlita drafted a group text to her sons and copied Luigi and Mercedes. How’s it going?

Paulie: Luigi, Tony and I are monitoring the casino exits. Will follow Ione when she leaves.

Mercedes: On standby with Shelby and Gina.

“Everyone is in place and ready to roll,” Carlita reported.

“Do you think we should let them know we’re over at the Royal Flush Casino?” Pete asked.

Carlita had been on the fence about telling her family where they were. Vinnie and Tommy Castellini were on good terms. Or maybe it was all for show, and Tommy still held a grudge against Vinnie because of what his father had done shortly before he passed away.

She hoped for the family’s sake Tommy wasn’t involved in Sal’s death, but more often than not, she found her gut instinct to be accurate. “I want to hold off for now. My sons and Luigi can handle Ione.”

“We’re here because…”

“Moral support. This whole sting might blow up in Vinnie’s face if he finds out a family member, a person he trusts, at least on some level, was behind Sal’s death and his attack.”