Chapter 24

"June spent a few years enjoying three hots and a cot in Whitworth Correctional Institution."

Carlita's jaw dropped. "She's a felon?"

"Yep. She spent time in the slammer for check fraud. June isn't shy about telling people about it either. Of course, it happened a long time ago."

Carlita's mind whirled. Had June Cleary killed Enzo? If so, what would be the motive? Clearly, she wouldn't be able to possess firearms. Although possessing guns illegally was an entirely different story. "Do you think she's capable of murder?"

Reese thought about it. "I don't know. She doesn't strike me as the murdering type, but then she doesn't strike me as a person who would be involved in check fraud."

"Do you know anything else about the businesses near Morton Street?"

"Barnie Ziffra owns a place over there. Interestingly enough, I believe it's a check cashing and paycheck loan operation. It's one of those borrow-money-today. Pay-it-back-tomorrow with ridiculously high fees, types of places."

They reached their next stop. Reese thanked the riders as they left and greeted the next batch who boarded. "I don't know much about him other than his check cashing and loan place have been around for a long time."

"Good to know." Carlita grew quiet, mulling over the new information. The saying "suspect the least likely suspect" ran through her head. Chatting with June moved to the top of her to-do list.

The rest of the trolley route flew by, with Carlita and Reese filling each other in on their busy lives. Making it back to her stop, she thanked her friend and ran inside to track Vinnie down.

She found him at the kitchen bar, open laptop in front of him and cell phone in hand.

"Hey, Ma. How's Reese?"

"Good." Carlita dropped her purse on the counter. "I'm glad I took the trolley." She filled her son in on what she'd discovered.

"You think maybe this old lady took Enzo out?"

"I don't know what to think. Obviously, she knows all about what happens in her neighborhood. Why would she kill him? From what we know, he and Costanza just got into town."

"Could be they were trying to hustle her, and she didn't like it." Vinnie pointed out Enzo was shot in the back. "He coulda let his guard down, thinking she was a harmless little old lady. He turned his back on her and she popped him."

"And kept a close eye on what happened next. If it was her, she's off the hook and we're on it."

"Anything is possible." Vinnie shut his computer off. "Do you want to head over there now?"

"If you don't mind. The sooner the better."

Exiting the apartment, Carlita and her son climbed into her car and took the back streets to the other side of town.

Portions of the police tape were still in place. No one was around, and the street seemed quiet. Almost too quiet.

Carlita slipped out of the driver's seat. The hair on the back of her neck prickled, and she got the distinct impression they were being watched. She resisted the urge to look toward the laundromat.

Instead, she stepped onto the sidewalk where Vinnie stood waiting.

"You feeling what I'm feeling?" he asked.

"Like we're being watched."

"Yep. Let's start walking."

At the end of the street, they turned left, strolling along the front of the building. They passed a tattoo parlor and a liquor store, along with several boarded-up buildings.

An Asian takeout restaurant sat on the corner. Through the grimy glass window, a pink neon sign flashed OPEN .

Casting it a quick side glance, Carlita could see two people standing behind the counter.

Crossing the street, they found two more boarded-up buildings along with EZ Check Cashing. The lights were off. A sign listing their business hours sat propped up in the front window.

"Crud. This place doesn't open for another hour."

"We'll swing by the laundromat first."

The lights were on inside the building next to the check cashing place. Carlita slowed, trying to figure out what it was. She shaded her eyes and gazed up. A cat sat watching them from the ledge of a second-story window. "This property appears to be occupied."

"Could be housing," Vinnie said.

"True."

At the corner, they crossed the street to the laundromat. Taking the lead, Vinnie entered the building. A young mother with a baby in a stroller next to her stood near the front window. She glanced in their direction and continued folding clothes.

Near the back, they found the dry-cleaning window. Carlita approached the counter and rang the bell.

A white-haired woman, petite and with bright gray eyes, scurried over. "Hello."

"Hello," Carlita greeted her. "My name is Carlita Garlucci-Taylor. I own the property across the street and was hoping to speak with June. I believe her last name is Cleary."

"I'm June Cleary," she said. "What did you say your name was again?"

"Carlita Garlucci-Taylor."

"I remember you. Both of you. You were here the other day. Weren't you the ones who found a man's body in your building?"

"We did. I'm sure the police have already been here, but we were hoping to ask you a few questions," Carlita said.

Her eyes narrowed. "About what?"

"About the man who died and his…associate."

"I don't know much about them. I didn't even know their names until the cops came by to ask me about it. Were the men friends of yours?"

"No. My deceased husband, Vinnie, purchased the property. The men worked for the lender who loaned my husband money. They came to town, looking to collect."

June blinked rapidly. "You never paid them?"

"I didn't know my husband had taken out a loan or anything about the place until they showed up on my doorstep."

"I bet when you came here and saw the condition, it was a real shocker."

"You have no idea."

June turned an interested eye on Vinnie. "I didn't catch your name."

"I'm Vinnie Garlucci."

Carlita could see the wheels spinning as June put the pieces together. "You're Mr. Garlucci's son."

"Correct."

"Do you live around here?"

"No. I live in New Jersey. I run a casino up there."

June perked up. "A casino? Which one?"

"Treasure Cove."

"I've been there." June's eyebrows knitted. "It's a fancy joint."

"It is a more upscale facility," Vinnie agreed.

"I'm guessing you and your business have been here for a long time," Carlita said.

"Over thirty years." She straightened her back. "The only other place that's been around longer is Barnie Ziffra's place—EZ Check Cashing."

"I know it was some time ago, but I was wondering if you remember my husband, Vinnie."

"Oh, yes. He came around several times and even stopped here to introduce himself. He had big plans for the property. Of course, when he bought it, it was in fair condition."

"And then someone vandalized it."

"Blew the place up." June threw her hands in the air. "It happened one night, not long after he purchased it. I was in bed at the time. The whole ground shook. I thought it was an earthquake."

"It must have been a massive explosion."

"Like nothing I've ever been through before." June lowered her voice. "If you ask me, the place is cursed."

"I don't disagree," Carlita said. "Can you think of anyone in the neighborhood who may have been upset about my husband buying the business?"

June tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Not off the top of my head. Like I said, your husband didn't own it long before the inside was blown to smithereens."

"Going back to the men who stopped by, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of questions did they have?"

She shrugged. "If I had seen people hanging around. Did I think people were over there dealing drugs. They also wanted to know the name of the other business owners on the block. The usual questions when someone is new to the area."

"Besides me, my son and the two men, do you remember seeing anyone else hanging around recently?"

"No. Actually, I take that back. I do remember seeing you and two other people the other day, before you found the man's body."

"I was with my daughter and another son," Carlita said.

June started to say something and stopped.

"You were going to say something," she prompted.

"It's none of my business, but you said your husband never told you he bought the property?" June asked.

"No. Unfortunately, he did not." Carlita stepped aside to let a customer approach the counter.

He picked up his order and left. "We won't take up any more of your time. If you think of anything else, could you give me a call?" Carlita handed her a business card.

"Ravello's." June flipped the card over. "This is the fancy Italian eatery over in Walton Square."

"It's my restaurant. It belongs to me and my children."

"I've seen it featured on Divine Eats in Savannah. Your food looks delicious."

"Authentic Italian." Carlita took the card from her. She handwrote a free lunch on the back and signed her name. "Bring this card into the restaurant for a free lunch. Tell the server I gave it to you."

"Thank you. I'll be sure to come by soon."

"And thank you for taking the time to talk to us." Carlita followed Vinnie through the laundromat and out of the building. "Well?" she asked as soon as they were on the sidewalk. "What do you think?"

"It's possible she knows more than she's letting on," Vinnie said. "For someone her age, she's sharp."

"I agree." Carlita glanced across the street and noticed a familiar vehicle sat parked directly behind hers. Her heart plummeted when she realized who it was.