Page 27

The evening ended with ice cream and sodas at the iconic Leopold’s Ice Cream shop. Afterward, friends and family gathered at Pete and Carlita’s place with coffee for the adults and board games, hosted by Violet, for the children.

Dernice was the first to bring up the burglaries and their current dilemma of not having a match. “I know Lindsay and Tracy both work full time at the dealership. There has to be a way to get a set of Tracy’s fingerprints.”

“Short of waltzing in there and demanding she give them to us, I’m fresh out of ideas,” Carlita said.

“Wait a minute.” Dernice tapped the side of her forehead. “I completely forgot.”

“Forgot about what?”

“Friday is donut dash day. El cheapo Sterling springs for donuts every Friday morning for the office staff,” she explained.

“How will buying donuts help us?”

“Tracy never missed a donut day. In fact, because she’s the gal Friday, she’s in charge of picking up the donuts. She takes her father’s fancy luxury SUV to the Donuts on Main donut shop every Friday morning like clockwork. All I gotta do is get my buddy, Frankie, to offer her a free latte to sip while she’s waiting for her order, and voila! We have our prints.”

“With our luck, Tracy will call in sick and someone else will pick up the donuts,” Carlita muttered.

“Not a chance. I offered to go while I was working there incognito. I thought Tracy was gonna have a meltdown. As soon as I get home, I’ll get on the horn with Frankie to see if he’s working in the morning.”

Luigi was the first to leave. Dernice left not long after. Shelby, Tony, and their girls were next. Mercedes, Autumn and Sam weren’t far behind, having already made plans to meet up with friends in the City Market.

All that was left was Paulie, Vinnie, and their families, along with Pete and Carlita. “I know you’re gung-ho to nab the burglars, but at least nobody died,” Vinnie said.

“True. I suppose I could let it go. The Sterlings aren’t hardened criminals.” Carlita pursed her lips. “It’s not even the fact it happened. I guess it’s the principle of the matter.”

“Because the father is covering for his daughters,” Pete said.

“Yep. If more people cared about doing the right thing, even if it means punishing your children for doing wrong, there would be less trouble in the world.”

“I admire your determination, Ma.” Vinnie squeezed her hand. “It’s a good thing you aren’t working up in Jersey with me. You would have a field day catching customers who do some…questionable things in the casino.”

“I’m sure I would.”

Long after the evening ended and Carlita and Pete turned in, she found herself wide awake and staring at the ceiling. Perhaps she should let it go despite the fact Russell Sterling wasn’t doing his daughters any favors by letting their behavior not only slide, but covering for them.

Even if they could prove Tracy Sterling was the person who broke into Elvira’s building—and hers—something told her Sterling would do everything in his power to bail her out.

*****

Dernice called Carlita early the next morning. “Frankie’s working. I’m gonna swing by there and hide out to collect the evidence.”

“Do you mind if I tag along?”

“Of course not. I’m hopping into Elvira’s car as we speak.”

“Elvira’s car?”

“I can’t very well take the van with EC Security Services plastered all over the side.”

“True. Good point.”

“I’ll swing by and pick you up.”

Carlita told her she would be waiting in the parking lot. She threw on some clothes, grabbed a jacket and her purse, and headed out. Because Fridays were typically busy with the pirate ship bookings for weekend events, Pete had already left the house.

With Rambo by her side, they trekked to the sidewalk. As promised, Dernice pulled up within minutes. Carlita opened the door. “Is it okay if Rambo goes with us?”

“Sure. Just don’t tell Elvira.”

“Not a peep.” Carlita ushered her pup into the back before hopping in. “I hope this works out, and this chick shows up for her weekly donut run.”

“She will. I’ll bet you fifty bucks she’ll be at the donut shop between eight thirty and nine.”

Cutting across town, they arrived at the small donut shop, a place Carlita had never noticed before, around quarter after eight. Stepping inside, they were greeted by a man, in his late twenties if Carlita had to guess, with dark curly hair and a scruffy beard.

The tantalizing aroma of cinnamon and freshly brewed coffee reminded Carlita she hadn’t had her morning fix.

“It smells good in here, Frankie.”

“Thanks. You want a cup?”

“We’ll take two.” Carlita pulled her credit card from her wallet, eyeing the glazed donuts in the display case. “Those look yummy.”

“They’re my best seller. You wanna try one?”

“Make it two, to go with the coffee.”

Frankie poured the coffees and set those, along with the donuts, on the counter before ringing up the purchase. “You gave me a brief rundown last night, but remind me of the game plan.”

“It’s simple. When Tracy Sterling gets here for her Friday morning donut run, hand her a cup of coffee. Not a to-go one, but a ceramic mug. We need her fingerprints.”

“She doesn’t drink hot coffee. Tracy is more of an iced coffee drinker.”

“Then serve her iced coffee in a glass,” Dernice said. “Maybe entice her by telling her you have something new for her to try.”

“For free. She’s cheap.”

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Carlita said.

“Good idea.” Frankie gave them a thumbs up. “I can do it.”

“Let’s go hide in the kitchen.” Dernice lifted the counter bar separating the employee area and led Carlita and her pup into the back.

Not a minute later, the overhead bell chimed. Carlita couldn’t resist. She peeked out the pass-thru to see who it was. A teenager stood at the counter, chatting with Frankie, who was fixing a cold-brew coffee and bagging a croissant.

The teen left, and it grew quiet. Long moments dragged by. Five. Ten.

Carlita started to pace, anxiously eyeing the clock. Half an hour had passed. Customers came and went. “Maybe she won’t show.”

“She’ll show.”

The bell chimed again.

Dernice tiptoed to the window. She quickly ducked down, silently mouthing the words, “she’s here.”

Frankie greeted the customer. A conversation ensued. Unfortunately, she and Dernice were too far away. Carlita couldn’t hear what was being said. The back and forth went on for several minutes. The bell chimed again and then it grew quiet.

Frankie appeared in the doorway. “The coast is clear. You can come out now. She’s gone.”

“Did you get the fingerprints?”

He held up a glass with a napkin wrapped around the bottom. “Was there ever any doubt? Am I good or what?”

“No, Frankie. You’re not good.” Dernice whistled loudly and gave him a hearty slap on the back. “You’re great. Now, all I need to do is get this thing over to the lab.”