Chapter 29

Detective Polivich quietly listened while Carlita, Mercedes and Cool Bones laid out their case. “Investigators have already exhumed Mr. McCoy’s body and examined his remains.”

“We showed you the video,” Carlita said. “Cool Bones recognizes the scar on the back of this man’s neck. This is Rudy McCoy. If McCoy is alive, who is buried in his grave?”

“You state a strong case.” The detective shifted his feet. “Let me run it by the lead investigator to get his thoughts.”

“If not, we could contact the local news channel to share Cool Bones’ side of the story,” Elvira said. “I don’t think the local police department wants to be viewed as inept or incompetent.”

“I’m not gonna go down without a fight,” Cool Bones vowed. “I’m telling you…the man who answered the door is Rudy McCoy. Whether he had a twin who is buried or a relative with an eerie resemblance is something the police need to figure out.”

The detective jotted down Cool Bones’ cell phone number and promised he would see what he could do.

Carlita escorted him to the alley and returned. “Well?”

“We wait,” Sam said.

“And if the cops won’t do anything.” Elvira made a digging motion. “We dig.”

“I appreciate all the help. If you don’t mind, I would like to head home and take a long, hot shower.” Cool Bones thanked them for their support and promised to let them know if Polivich contacted him before he left.

Elvira glanced at her watch. “I’m heading home to take a nap, so I’m well rested. We’ll need to do our digging after dark.”

Carlita briefly closed her eyes. “You can’t be serious.”

“If the cops won’t help, what choice do we have?” Elvira stepped into the hall. “Call me when you get word.”

“Ditto for me,” Sam said. “I don’t think the police department wants a story airing about how they potentially screwed up a highly publicized murder case.”

Luigi took off, leaving Carlita and Mercedes alone.

“Maybe I should whip up another batch of biscuits and gravy and run it down to the police department,” Carlita offered.

“I don’t think it will be necessary...at least I hope not.” Mercedes flopped down on the sofa. “The lead investigator could decide our case isn’t worth the hassle, which means Elvira’s grave digging idea might not be as far out there as it seems. Your cell phone is ringing, Ma.”

Carlita tracked down her purse and discovered she’d missed a call from Pete. “Where are you?”

“At Mercedes’ place. I’m on my way home.”

“I’m free for the rest of the evening and was wondering if I could meet you for a delicious Italian dinner,” Pete enticed.

“Do you have somewhere specific in mind?” Carlita chuckled.

“As a matter of fact, I do. Why don’t you save us a romantic table for two at my favorite Italian restaurant? I’ll be there in a flash,” he promised.

“You have yourself a deal…a date.” Carlita told him goodbye and slid her phone into her purse. “I’m meeting Pete for dinner over at the restaurant.”

“How romantic,” Mercedes sighed. “Pete’s a good guy.”

“The best.” Carlita gathered her things and made the quick trip down the alley. Entering through the front door, she asked the hostess for a table in the corner. It was early evening, which meant a few coveted quiet spots were still available. While she waited, she ordered drinks.

Pete arrived moments later. He caught her eye and strode through the restaurant, a bouquet of pink carnations and yellow roses in hand.

“Dinner and flowers?” Carlita slipped out of her chair and greeted him with a kiss.

“You mentioned Sam buying Mercedes flowers. It reminded me you were long overdue.” He set the bouquet on the table. “I figured something positive would be nice for a change.”

“I have good news. Cool Bones is out of jail.” Carlita filled him in on what had transpired. Meeting Tori, visiting the Brick District, chatting with the manager, visiting Doug “Cray” McCoy’s last known address. “Cool Bones swears the guy Luigi talked to was none other than the dead man.”

“No kidding. I’m sure the authorities will be very interested.”

“I hope so. Sam convinced Detective Polivich to stop by and let us lay out our case. I think he’s going to try to help.”

“By doing what?”

“Figuring out who is buried in Rudy McCoy’s grave. I’m sure the investigators will also be interested in finding out who lives in Doug McCoy’s house,” Carlita said.

“Wouldn’t that be something if McCoy killed a family member and somehow made it appear to be him? All the while, he’s free as a bird, living his life as someone else,” Pete mused.

“I’m beginning to believe this is what happened. Now, all we need is proof.”

“I’m surprised Elvira hasn’t volunteered to do the digging.”

“She’s home taking a nap in the off chance her services are needed.”

“The woman never stops.”

“Never.” Carlita reached for the menu. “And on that note, I’m starving.”

The couple enjoyed a leisurely dinner, talking about work, their businesses and the excavation project. Near the end of the meal, her phone rang. It was Cool Bones.

“Hey, Carlita. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“Not at all. Pete and I are at Ravello’s finishing our dinner.”

“I have some great news.” He told her the investigators were reluctant to take another look at McCoy’s remains until finding out he planned to contact the local news stations. “After they found out, they said they would return to the cemetery.”

“When?” she asked.

“Tonight. I wanna be there.”

“Me too,” Carlita said. “Did they give you a time?”

“Sure did. Dusk.”

“Pete and I will go with you.” Carlita told him they would swing by to pick him up before sending a group text to Sam, Mercedes, Luigi, and Elvira, filling them in.

The texts flew back and forth, fast and furious…everyone wanting to be on hand to see exactly what the authorities found.

At six fifty-seven on the dot, the couple pulled into the alley and found Cool Bones, Mercedes and Sam already there waiting.

Elvira and her crew sat idling in an EC Investigative Services van. Loaded up and ready to roll, the vehicles caravanned across town to the cemetery.

They arrived to find several police cars along with a white crime scene van parked off to the side.

“I brought some flashlights.” Elvira handed them out. “We’re going to want to hang back and steer clear of the activity.”

“I hope you’re telling yourself that,” Carlita said.

“Or she can grab a shovel and offer to help,” Sam teased.

“I might.” Elvira craned her neck. “I see them over there.”

Walking single file with Cool Bones in the lead, Carlita and the others took the main path to the back of the cemetery.

A group of workers stood near the gravesite Carlita recognized as Rudy McCoy’s. Although they were several yards away, Carlita knew the exact moment they unearthed the coffin.

She held her breath, watching as the work crew lifted it out of the ground. A man, one who appeared to be in charge, motioned for them to remove the lid.

“I can’t stand it. I’m moving closer.” Elvira tiptoed past several headstones, stopping only a few feet away from the now open casket.

Carlita trailed behind. “What are they saying?” she asked in a low voice.

“I don’t know,” Elvira whispered back.

Cool Bones caught up with them. “How’s it going?”

“We’re not sure. The investigators keep walking around, like they’re looking for something.” Carlita spotted a familiar figure. It was Detective Polivich.

He held up a hand, said something to a uniformed officer, and made his way over. “Mrs. Taylor.”

“Hello again, Detective Polivich. We were told the investigators were planning to look into Cool Bones’ claim about Rudy McCoy still being alive.”

“Correct. They’re exhuming the body to do some additional DNA testing,” he said. “I thought you might be interested to know the police are on their way over to chat with whoever is living at his brother Doug’s last known residence.”

Carlita perked up. “His brother?”

“Yes. We’ve discovered Rudy McCoy had a brother, Doug McCoy, who lives at the address you visited earlier today.”

“The man I know for a fact to be Rudy McCoy. Finally.” Cool Bones clasped his hands, lifting his gaze toward the night sky. “Thank you, God. This nightmare is finally ending.”