Chapter 11

"You wanna use my computer to research the property?" Carlita asked.

"Nah. I'll use my phone." Mercedes tapped the screen and grew quiet. "Remember when we thought maybe the property was destroyed not long after Pops died?"

"Yeah. Because the property taxes went down," Carlita said.

"I found a story from around the same time. Neighbors complained about vandals in the area. You need to read this."

"Email it to me and I'll print a copy," Pete said.

With a few taps, Mercedes forwarded it.

Pete ran to the home office and returned moments later. The others gathered around. Within the first few paragraphs, it was clear someone had intentionally destroyed the Morton Street property.

"Seems like the neighbors suspected something was going on and notified police," Pete said.

Carlita drummed her fingers on the counter. "This happened only a couple of months before Vinnie died."

"Meaning the property was still intact until right before his death."

"So, did Vinnie bomb it? Was someone targeting him?"

Mercedes grabbed a scratchpad and began scribbling.

"What are you doing?"

"There are some quotes in here. I'm gonna look these places up to see if they're still around." She grabbed her cell phone again. "We're in luck. Spiffy Clean Dry-Cleaning and Laundromat is still in business. The owner's name is June Cleary. This place is open twenty-four hours a day."

"Great. We can chat with her and try to find out what she remembers. Reading between the lines, I think Lombardo's goons believe Vinnie was responsible for the destruction. I know he would never destroy a property, at least not intentionally."

"This could be why Lombardo is pressuring you. He's ticked to find out he owns a dump. Meanwhile, here you sit, pretty as a picture with profitable businesses," Mercedes said. "Maybe if we can prove Pops wasn't behind it, he'll be more open to negotiating."

"Or at the very least, not try to shake us down for no reason," Carlita said. "It's worth a shot."

"We'll know more after Vinnie and Luigi report back," Pete said. "Hopefully, they're making some progress."

*****

Vinnie shoved his hands in his pockets and studied the outside of the nightclub. "You still hanging around this joint?"

"Nah. Dernice keeps me busy…too busy to run around with the boys. I've had a few security gigs near here, though. Do you remember Phil Duce?" Luigi asked.

"Yeah. Phil the Pill Duce. Does he still own this place?"

"Yep. His sister Pat is still in the slammer."

"And will be for a long time," Vinnie said. "Murder, illegal gambling."

"This is the preferred hangout for past and present family members." Luigi grasped the door handle. "Phil and I are on a first name basis. He'll be able to tell us if Enzo and Costanza are hanging around."

Stepping inside the dimly lit club, Luigi and Vinnie strode over to the bar. Both ordered a drink and then scoped out the scene, searching for the men.

"I'm not seeing them," Vinnie finally said.

"Me neither. I wonder if Phil is around." Luigi waved the bartender down. "We're wondering if Phil is around."

"Boss man?" the bartender asked.

"Yeah."

"Who's asking?"

"Luigi Baruzzo."

"Ah. I thought you looked familiar. You still working for that crazy chick, Elvira Cobb?"

"Yeah. Elvira's a trip. I'll give her your regards," Luigi teased.

"No thanks. I don't want to be anywhere on her radar." The guy dropped his dishrag on the bar sink. "I think Phil is in the back."

Vinnie waited until the bartender was gone. "Elvira has a reputation."

"Everywhere. The woman is everywhere."

He returned a minute later, followed by Phil Duce, a man Vinnie had met some years ago.

"Hey, Luigi." Phil greeted him. "Rudy said you were looking for me."

"Thanks for coming out." Luigi extended his hand, and they shook. "I'm not sure if you remember Vinnie Garlucci."

"I do. Castellini's son-in-law. I'm sorry to hear about Vito's death," Phil said. "You have my condolences."

"Thank you. It was unexpected," Vinnie said.

"You still…working with the Castellini clan?"

"Yeah. Up in Jersey. I run one of the family casinos."

"Treasure Cove?" Phil asked.

"That's the one."

"Been there before. They have decent blackjack tables."

"Next time you're in the area, look me up. I'll hook you up with the best dealer in Jersey," Vinnie promised.

"I'll be sure to do that." Phil changed the subject. "What can I help you gentlemen with?"

"We're looking for a couple of guys new to town. Their names are Enzo and Costanza," Luigi said. "Have you heard of them or seen them around?"

Phil repeated it. "Yeah. They work for some guy named Danny Lombardo, fresh off the plane from Sicily, if I recall correctly. They've been by a couple of times. Why?"

"Because they're trying to collect on a debt belonging to my old man," Vinnie said. "He's dead and my mother is left holding the bag."

"What a shame. I wouldn't want to be in her shoes. Some of those guys play hardball," Phil said.

"We're trying to figure out what went down. We heard the debt in question is a dump over on Morton Street."

"Morton Street. Not the best area, although not the worst either."

Luigi leaned his elbows on the bar. "You've been around for a long time. From what we've been told, the place got firebombed. We're trying to figure out what happened."

"Are you talking about the old Finch building?"

"I have an address." Vinnie pulled a slip of paper from his pocket. "It's 8807 Morton Street."

"Yeah. That's the place," Phil said. "Rumor has it the owner set it on fire to collect on the insurance."

"My father set the building on fire?" Vinnie asked. "It doesn't make sense. From what we can figure out, he didn't own it for very long when the vandalism occurred."

Phil shrugged. "I dunno. I heard somebody came in, bought it for a steal, insured it, torched it and tried to collect the insurance."

"Is there anything else you can remember?" Vinnie asked.

"Nope. That's all I know. Do you want me to give you a buzz if these two guys show up again?"

"Nah. They'll be back around tomorrow to cut a deal," Vinnie said. "I appreciate the info. Remember what I said about Jersey."

"You got it. I'll look you up."

Luigi and Vinnie finished their drinks and exited the bar.

"Well?" Luigi held the door for Vinnie. "What do you think?"

"Something smells fishy. I don't believe my father torched the place to collect the insurance. I think someone set it on fire. For all we know, it could have been Danny Lombardo."

"What are you going to do?"

"Enzo and Costanza are showing up tomorrow to collect their money," Vinnie said. "I'll be waiting for them."