Page 56 of Family Ties and Alibis

“This is nicer than I thought it would be,” Gina said.

“Right? It’s not Buckingham Palace, but we aren’t slumming it either.” Returning to the main area, Louisa pointed out the vending machines, the first filled with an array of junk food while the second offered microwaveable meals. “The food isn’t gourmet, but it’s something to fill your belly.”

“You won’t hear me complain.” Mercedes spun in a slow circle. “It’s clean, safe and the price is right.”

“We…uh…have a place in the works,” Gina said. “But we’re not sure exactly when we’ll get the keys.”

“How long are you allowed to stay here?” Mercedes asked.

“Officially, it’s only for a week.” Louisa tipped her hand back and forth. “Despite his hard-nosed reputation, Jimmy is a softy and will work with employees who have nowhere else to go. As long as he knows you’re trying to find a permanent place, he won’t kick you out. The guys have separate quarters down the hall.”

“That’s cool.” Jimmy Grimaldi didn’t sound like a cold-blooded killer, at least not to Mercedes. She mentally took him off her list of potential suspects and moved Ione to the top.

Several of the residents filtered into the kitchen to grab a bite to eat. Easy conversation. Friendly banter. The kind of environment workers thrived in—a sort of support system for people who were down on their luck and needed a hand up.

“Tomorrow is shaping up to be a busy workday,” Mercedes said. “I’m gonna heat up my ravioli dinner and head to bed.”

“I was only joking about the frat house part. We all turn in pretty early,” Louisa said. “Jimmy may be generous, but he also expects us to work hard.”

“We got no problem working hard.” Gina chose a single serving pepperoni pizza. After heating it in the microwave, she and Mercedes joined the others at the table.

While they ate, the women shared tidbits about themselves, nothing too deep or personal, merely glimpses into their lives.

“How ‘bout you?” One of the servers turned to Gina and Mercedes. “Are you new to town?”

“Brand new,” Mercedes said. “We got a place in the works so hopefully we’ll only be here for the night.”

“Good for you. Who is training you?”

“Char.”

The answer got an enthusiastic thumbs-up. “She’s a doll. There’s only one person you've gotta watch out for.”

“Who?”

“Ione,” the others answered in unison.

Gina played dumb. “Who is Ione?”

“The pit bull pit boss,” Louisa joked. “Trust me, you don’t wanna cross her.”

“I think I remember Char mentioning her. “

“She was dating Sal, one of the casino’s security guards. He’s dead, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Ione took him out.”

“No way.” Louisa rolled her eyes. “Ione let Sal get away with murder. He had her wrapped around his little finger.”

“I can’t imagine anyone wrapping Ione around their little finger,” another woman said.

“The bottom line is we don’t want to slip up and get on Ione’s radar,” Mercedes summarized.

“Not if you’re working in her sector, which I believe you are if Char is training you.”

“I would avoid her if at all possible,” Louisa advised. “She can make your life pretty miserable.”

“Do not, under any circumstances, touch her backpack. She never lets it out of her sight.”

Gina plucked a pepperoni from her pizza and popped it into her mouth. “What’s in it?”