Page 67 of Family Ties and Alibis

Chapter 26

Vinnie entered the Quick Cash Casino and casually scoped out the gaming floor. Although not nearly as busy and bustling as Treasure Cove, he found a fair number of gamblers at both the slot machines and table games.

In the far corner, he glimpsed the sports betting section appearing equally busy. The familiar smell of fresh and stale cigarette smoke, mingled with sweat, hung heavily in the air. He also noticed the faint aroma of citrus, a scent similar to what he used in his casino to freshen the smoke-filled gaming floor.

A check of his Rolex watch confirmed the time: 8:55 p.m., five minutes before Ione Lee was scheduled to clock out. Vinnie mentally rehearsed what he planned to say to catch her off guard.

He approached the table games and focused his attention on the woman Mercedes and Gina had shown him a picture of—on the heavy side with cropped locks and a square jaw. She stood behind a poker table, chatting with the dealer.

She must’ve felt him watching her because Ione glanced in his direction. Vinnie locked eyes with her and gave a small nod of his head. She looked away and began nervously licking her lips.

Her demeanor flipped in a flash. He noticed her shoulders tense. She glanced at the clock and then back at him.

Moving at a measured pace, he sauntered toward her, stopping a few feet away from the tables and in her direct line of vision.

At precisely two minutes past nine, she greeted her replacement, a person Vinnie guessed was the evening-shift pit boss. They spoke in low voices. Ione pulled a set of keys from her pocket, handed them to him and started to walk in the opposite direction of where he stood waiting.

He let her get a good fifteen feet away before picking up the pace. Vinnie easily caught up with her, calling her name. “Ione Lee.”

She froze in her tracks and slowly turned. “Yes?”

“I would like to have a word with you.”

“You’re having it.”

He folded his arms and glanced around. “In private.”

“Who are you?”

“Vinnie Garlucci, the general manager of Treasure Cove Casino.”

“What do you want with me?”

“I’m here to chat about Sal Tomaria, your deceased boyfriend.”

A flicker of fear flitted across her face, quickly replaced by an unreadable expression. “I have nothing to say to you.”

“You might not, but I do.”

A trio of customers, laughing and joking, strolled past them.

“Hey, pit boss lady.” A twenty-something man stopped to greet Ione. They chatted briefly before he moved on.

“You might want to rethink having this conversation right here.”

“Fine. Let’s go outside.” She started toward a door that exited onto a side street.

“I prefer a less secluded location.” Vinnie strode toward the main entrance. He didn’t look back to see if she was following.

Reaching the double doors, he exited the building and stood by the railing overlooking the water. He pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it.

Ten…twenty…thirty seconds passed. Finally, Ione emerged. She crossed over to where he stood waiting. “Why do you want to talk about Sal?”

“I’m sure you heard about me getting jumped.”

“Everyone in town has. Atlantic City isn’t all sunshine and lollipops,” she said. “You've gotta always be aware of your surroundings.”

“I am. However, my attackers were waiting for me.” Vinnie flicked his ashes on the ground.