Page 17 of Family Ties and Alibis

“Maybe we should track Luigi down,” Pete said.

“Good idea.” Carlita told her daughter-in-law goodbye, remaining silent until she and Pete reached the elevators. “I hope Vinnie has an ironclad alibi about his whereabouts last night.”

Pete pressed the down button. “I’m sure he’s getting his ducks in a row in case the investigation heats up.”

“Maybe Luigi can fill in a few of the blanks, seeing how he knew Tomaria from way back.”

Reaching the casino floor, they found Tony and her tenant in the smoking lounge, adjacent to the casino’s main thoroughfare.

Tony spotted them first. “Hey, Ma, Pete. How was your stroll along the Boardwalk? I’m sure Violet kept you hopping.”

“We had a ball.” Carlita gave them a brief rundown of what they’d done. “I’m not sure who had more fun—the kids or me and Pete.”

“Shelby mentioned the police returning when we dropped Violet off,” Pete prompted.

Luigi’s expression grew grim. “I was with Vinnie when they showed up. They took him down to the police station. I texted him a few minutes ago, asking if everything was okay. He hasn’t replied.”

Carlita’s stomach churned. “This can’t be good.”

“Nope,” Tony said. “Luigi and I figured it might be time to do a little digging around ourselves.”

“How?” Pete asked.

“My buddy, Demo, knew Sal. I’m waiting for him to go on break so we can chat.” He put his cigarette out and stood. “I see him coming now.”

A man, in his mid-thirties, on the bulky side with dark wavy hair and wearing the same clothes she’d noticed the table dealers wearing, approached.

“Hey, Luigi.” He grasped his hand, simultaneously giving him a side hug. “Sorry I couldn’t hang out with you and the other guys last night. The old lady has been bustin’ my chops about not coming home after my shift.”

“No problem. I figured we would eventually catch up.” Luigi introduced Carlita, Pete, and Tony to his friend.

“I heard Vinnie’s family was coming to town. It’s my pleasure to meet you.”

Carlita grasped the man’s hand. Firm. Assured. Strong. She had no doubt he would be perfectly capable of knocking a few heads together if needed. His smile was warm, genuine, somewhat of a rarity within “the family.” “Luigi speaks highly of you.”

“Me ‘n Luigi go way back, to the Castellini days,” Demo said. “I keep meaning to visit him in Savannah and now I might actually make it there seeing how my buddy is getting hitched.”

“Dernice planned to come with us but wasn’t able to make it,” Luigi said. “You’ll get to meet her at the wedding.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Demo nudged his head toward the poker tables. “You hear anything new about Sal’s death?”

“Pete and I happened to catch a news report about his body washing up on shore early this morning.”

“From what Vinnie has told us, the dude was bad news,” Tony said.

Demo plucked a pack of smokes from his pocket. “He was trouble. He tried passing counterfeit bills at the cashier’s counter. I caught him wonging and turned him in.”

“Which is when Vinnie escorted him out and banned him from ever returning,” Tony said.

Demo lit a cigarette and took a long drag. “Heard Sal threatened to burn Treasure Cove down.”

“He did,” Luigi confirmed. “I’m thinkin’ he planned to make good on his threat, seeing how they found a gas can near his body.”

“No kidding.” Demo grimaced. “The clown probably decided since he was being banned from casinos, he might as well start torching them.”

“He was trying the same shady stunts at other places here on the Boardwalk?” Carlita asked.

“Not only pulling stunts, but he almost got fired for sleeping on the job.”