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“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.