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“How do you know?”
“Elvira’s cameras caught him snooping around here last night. Do you remember Ozzie Stagusso?”
“The former mob guy who kidnapped Louise Delmario last fall, held her hostage and was looking for…” Sam’s voice faded.
“For gems her husband, also the previous owner of this property, allegedly stole. Vinnie thinks Stagusso, who is still in prison, and Lombardo, the new guy in town, are working together.”
Sam let out a low whistle. “Wow.”
“Yep. It appears I have some serious issues on my hands.”
“On our hands,” Pete corrected.
Sam motioned to Vinnie. “Is there anything you can do?”
“The loan appears legit. Pops and Ma borrowed money from the original lender. Somehow, Lombardo inherited or secured the loan, probably not knowing what he was getting into,” Vinnie said. “Or maybe he knew it was a dump and also knew Ma had three successful businesses he could tap into.”
“The bottom line is if we can figure out what happened to Enzo, we can either get Lombardo off the streets and off my back or it won’t matter. The wheels have already been set in motion. Something tells me the Lombardo family will be a thorn in my side forever.”
“No, they won’t Ma. The Castellini family will make sure of it,” Vinnie vowed. “They’re gonna back off, one way or another.”
“It’s the ‘another’ I’m worried about.”
Mercedes rubbed her palms together. “We need to get a move on. As long as Lombardo and Costanza think there’s something here, Ma’s properties are safe. I say we head over to the dry cleaners.”
“I believe the investigators are still wrapping things up,” Sam reminded them. “You might want to hold off until they’re gone.”
“Time is of the essence. We need to send someone over there…someone the authorities won’t recognize,” Carlita said.
“I’m out.” Mercedes shook her head. “Almost every cop in Savannah knows who I am.”
“Ditto for me,” Tony said. “Although I could go in disguised.”
Carlita wrinkled her nose. “To do laundry?”
“Shelby?” Mercedes suggested.
Her mother immediately shot down the idea. “I’m sure Shelby would be happy to help, but she’s pregnant. I don’t want her involved. I trust her, but I don’t trust the Lombardo clan. Vinnie and I are out.”
Pete offered to go. “The only issue is the cops stop by the restaurant pretty frequently. Most of them would recognize me.”
“This is getting tough.” Carlita tapped her foot on the ground. “I could ask Reese.”
Claryce “Reese” Magillicuddy, retired city sanitation worker and Savannah trolley driver, who was also a good friend of Carlita’s, had helped on many occasions. In fact, Reese thrived on a busy, active lifestyle…and being involved. Hence, her taking a job as a local trolley driver after her initial retirement.
She promptly called Reese’s cell phone. The call went directly to voicemail, meaning she was probably working. “I think she’s at work. We’ll put her on the maybe list. If we have to wait until later, she would be a viable option.”
“Autumn is always willing to help,” Mercedes said.
“She’s also a high-profile local,” Carlita said. “We need someone who will fly under the radar.”
An EC Security Services’ van pulled into the alley. The group stepped off to the side to move out of the way. Dernice was behind the wheel, with Luigi beside her in the passenger seat. They both gave a friendly wave as they drove past.
“I think I know the perfect person to ask,” Carlita said.
Chapter 19
Carlita and the others caught up with Luigi and Dernice at the end of the parking lot, surrounding the company van as they exited.