Page 37 of Family Ties and Alibis

“Ma made it.”

Carlita took a big bite. “It’s the best tiramisu I’ve ever tasted.”

“It is,” Mercedes agreed. “The mascarpone cream melts in your mouth.”

“Thank you,” Francesca beamed. “It’s my family’s secret recipe.”

“Ma has had people try to bribe her to get the recipe,” Brittney said.

“I bet.”

“The pumpkin cannoli is just as good,” Francesca said.

“Thanks. Like yours, it’s an old family recipe.” Carlita polished off the tiramisu before digging into the cannoli. The creamy cheeses mingled with the lighter vanilla flavor tickled her tastebuds.

She broke off an end piece, savoring the white chocolate morsel. “Not to toot my own horn, but this is one of the best batches I’ve made.”

The Garlucci family lingered over coffee, catching up and making plans for the remainder of their short vacation.

With everyone pitching in, both adults and children, they made quick work of clearing the table and storing the leftovers.

Not forgetting their aunt’s promise to take them to the Boardwalk, the children waited for her at the door, all of them except the youngest, Melody and little Vinnie.

“Can we go to the arcade first?” Gracie hopped on her left foot and then her right, doing a little dance.

“I suppose we can head to the arcade down the street.”

“If not, the arcade near the lobby is open,” Brittney said.

“We’ll burn off some of this energy first and swing by the hotel’s arcade as a last resort.”

“Shelby and I wouldn’t mind a brisk walk,” Gina said.

Carlita motioned to Brittney. “Why don’t you go with them? I’ll keep an eye on Vin and Melody.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

“I would offer to help, but I feel a migraine coming on.” Francesca rubbed her temples.

“No worries. I’ll keep the little ones busy.”

“What about you, bro?” Tony lightly punched Vinnie in the arm. “We can go downstairs and shoot a game of pool, if you’re feeling up to it.”

“I’ll stay with Carlita,” Pete said.

“You go on ahead with the guys,” Carlita noticed her young grandson’s eyelids were starting to droop. “I might catch some shut-eye with the little grands.”

Vinnie set the newspaper on the table. “We have a copy of the daily newspaper if you wanna catch up on the local happenings.”

The doorbell rang.

“I wonder who that could be.” Vinnie squeezed past the kids and opened the door.

From where she was standing, Carlita glimpsed a man she recognized as the assistant manager hovering in the foyer. They began talking in low voices. Vinnie nodded a couple of times.

He limped back into the room, his mouth set in a grim line.