Page 34 of Family Ties and Alibis

“Are you having any luck, Mr. and Mrs. T?” Luigi asked.

“I won a little, not nearly as much as Mercedes. Vinnie got jumped.”

Tony made a choking sound. “Jumped in the casino?”

“Outside, near the back door.”

Taking turns, Pete and Carlita filled the others in on what had happened.

Paulie waited until they finished. “Do you think it could have something to do with Sal’s death?”

Carlita had wondered the same thing: if the two incidents were somehow linked. The thought of it sent an icy chill down her spine. Was Vinnie in store for a fate similar to Sal’s…being knocked unconscious and dumped in the ocean?

“The thought had crossed my mind,” Pete admitted. “Vinnie refused to go to the hospital to get checked out. We escorted him back to his apartment a few minutes ago.”

“I’m sure he’ll want to keep this on the down-low,” Mercedes said.

“It’s too late. I noticed a local news crew filming while the cops and ambulance were still here.”

Tony looked around. “It hasn’t affected business.”

“Not yet,” Luigi said. “Demo told me a few of the employees are talking about Sal’s death. Dealers are a cautious bunch, out of necessity. They see a lot go down, so I don’t see them getting too cranked up about it.”

The dealers raked in cash tips every night. Perhaps some bad actors had come up with a plan to rob casino employees. “You don’t think they’ll be worried about being mugged or robbed?”

“Was Vinnie robbed?”

“I don’t think so. At least he didn’t mention it.”

Luigi cleared his throat. “Most of ‘em know how to protect themselves. Although it could be more of a concern for the cocktail gals who pocket cash tips.”

“I never thought about this, but you’re right,” Carlita said. Poor Vinnie. Sal’s threat and subsequent death, with him being questioned. His attack, and now the thought that some of his employees might be targeted by bad actors. “You know the saying…when it rains, it pours.”

“I hate to state the obvious, but this is more than likely gonna spread like wildfire, even if Vinnie tries downplaying it.”

“I think keeping it a secret is highly unlikely based on the fact that he has a big old knot on the side of his forehead,” Pete said. “Not to mention he may have also broken his thumb.”

“He’ll stand out like a sore thumb, literally.” Mercedes pulled her phone from her pocket. “I’m sending him a text telling him I hope he feels better soon.”

“I wonder if Brittney is gonna want to host a big Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow,” Paulie said. “Tell ‘em we understand if they decide not to host dinner.”

“There’s a burger joint down the street,” Tony said. “I noticed a sign on the door saying they would be open tomorrow.”

“It doesn’t matter what I eat for Thanksgiving, as long as I’m with my family,” Carlita said.

“There’s never a dull moment in the Garlucci family,” Luigi said. “Regardless of where we celebrate, I’m betting it will be a memorable Thanksgiving.”

Chapter 14

“What can I do to help?” Carlita slid the apron over her head.

“Nothing. Ma and I have everything almost ready to go.” Brittney placed the stuffing next to the bowl of mashed potatoes.

Vinnie, limping and with a bandage on his forehead matching the bandage wrapped around his thumb, placed the turkey platter in the center of the table.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Son?”

“I feel a hundred percent better. My thumb is still a little sore and I think I pulled a leg muscle, but other than that, my headache is gone.”