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He folded his arms. “Was there a particular reason for your visit?”
Carlita arched a brow, answering his question with one of her own. “Do I need a specific reason? I still own this building and figured I might as well introduce myself to the neighbors.”
A flicker of surprise crossed the detective’s face. “Are you planning on hanging onto this property?”
“Let’s just say that I’m keeping my options open.”
“Then I’m sure you’ve also met Mr. Ziffra, who owns the check cashing business.”
“No. Actually, I haven’t. We met Ms. Cleary. Meeting her was as far as we got.”
“And you mentioned Mr. Enzo’s death to her.”
“Of course. It’s a cause for concern,” Carlita said.
“Especially considering you knew the man,” the detective pointed out.
“Correct. But knowing a man who shows up at my door to...”
“To collect a debt,” Ellery interrupted.
“Yes, to collect a debt. Although, as I’ve already said, we hadn’t reached an agreement.” Carlita told him she’d gone to the bank to work on securing the money to pay off the property. “Mr. Enzo wasn’t the lender. If you’re insinuating I might have had something to do with his death, what would be the purpose of me killing him?”
“It was an act of revenge, judging by the condition of Mr. Enzo’s body.”
“Regardless, do I look like a person who could break a grown man’s bones?”
“You couldn’t, but someone else could.” He pointedly stared at Vinnie. “Perhaps a family member?”
“I’m gonna guess my gun doesn’t match the murder weapon.” Vinnie shoved his hands in his pockets. “Otherwise, you would’ve already tracked me down for another round of whodunnit.”
“This isn’t funny,” Ellery snapped.
“I’m not laughing.”
“Let’s not beat around the bush. We both know you’re here snooping.” Ellery clenched his jaw and jabbed his finger at Carlita. “Stay out of my investigation.”
She could feel the tips of her ears burn. It was her turn to lose her cool. “Last time I checked it’s still a free country and I can talk to whoever I want.”
Ellery muttered something unintelligible under his breath. He climbed into his car, slammed the door, and sped off.
Vinnie dusted his hands. “You sure told him, Ma.”
“He’s a jerk,” she fumed. “If he’s the best Savannah has, then they need to keep looking.” Carlita made a move to head into her building when her cell phone rang. It was Arnie, Ravello’s head manager.
“Hey, Arnie.”
“Hey, Carlita. I’m sorry to bother you.”
“You’re not bothering me. What’s up?”
“We have a minor problem. One of the food truck workers, the driver, called out. He has the flu.”
“Crud. The music festival starts at one. I need to get our truck over there with two people.”
“I could go in a pinch.”
“No. I would rather have you at the restaurant. All we need is someone to drive the truck and serve food.”
