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“Nah. This is your dish. Save it for you and Autumn, although I wouldn’t mind getting the recipe from you.”
Mercedes promised to forward it to her. They had just finished cleaning up when the doorbell rang. “I bet that’s Autumn.”
She hustled to the door and found her friend standing on the other side, a small platter of mixed fruit in hand. “Something smells delish.”
“Ma and I made homemade lasagna chips and dip.”
“You’re in for a real treat.” Carlita hugged her daughter and then Autumn. “I gotta run by Ravello’s and grab something for dinner before heading home.”
After leaving the apartment, Carlita strolled to the end of the alley. She slipped into Ravello’s kitchen through the back door and found the dinner rush was in full swing.
Arnie, her head restaurant manager, noticed her and hurried over. “Hey, Carlita.”
“Hey, Arnie. I thought I would grab two leftover lunch specials on my way home.”
“Yeah. Sure. Help yourself.”
Carlita placed to-go containers on the counter and began filling them with food.
“You said you were on your way home?”
“I am.”
“I had a couple of guys stop by a few minutes ago asking to speak to you.”
An icy chill ran down Carlita’s spine. She set the spoon down, giving the manager her full attention. “Two men?”
“Yeah. They asked to speak with Carlita Garlucci.”
“What did they look like?”
Arnie described the two men in suits.
“What did you tell them?”
“I told them you weren’t here and asked if they wanted to leave a message.”
“Did they?”
“Nope.” Arnie shook his head. “Last time I saw them, they were near the front talking to the hostess.”
“Great.” She finished filling the containers and snapped the lids shut. “This happened a few minutes ago?”
“Yep. In fact.” Her manager held up a finger. “Let me check to see if they’re still out there.” He slipped out of the kitchen, returning moments later. “They’re still out front.”
“Seated at a table?”
“Hanging out near the hostess station. Do you want me to get rid of them?”
“No.” Carlita placed the containers on the counter and sucked in a breath. “I’ll find out what they want.”
Chapter 5
Carlita marched through the restaurant to the front lobby area where the men she’d encountered earlier, the same ones who were caught on Elvira’s surveillance recordings, stood chatting with the hostess.
“My restaurant manager told me you were looking for me.”
The taller of the two spoke. “Carlita Garlucci?”