Page 58 of Family Ties and Alibis

Gina grabbed her backpack off the bunk bed. “I’m gonna go brush my teeth.”

“Me too.”

Moving at a quick clip, the sisters-in-law hurried to the bathroom. A stall was occupied but cleared while they stood at the sink, brushing their teeth.

Gina waited until the room was empty. “We struck gold tonight.”

“My money is on the girlfriend.”

“Same. I think Ione and Sal got into a fight and she took him out.”

“I wonder why Jimmy didn’t fire them,” Mercedes whispered in a low voice. “Maybe he really is afraid of Ione.”

“Could be. Or she could have some dirt on him she’s hanging over his head,” Gina said. “How ironic is it, Ms. X, aka Ione, told investigators Sal was afraid of Godmother Garlucci?”

“It was a lie,” Mercedes said. “To try to throw the cops off and put the heat on Ma and Vinnie.”

“Everyone here has warned us to stay off Ione’s radar. You know what this means.”

“We need to get on the pit boss’s radar, the sooner the better.” Mercedes plucked the surveillance travel kit containing the recording device and earpiece from her bag. “And figure out a way to get this inside her gold goodie bag without having her rip our arms off.”

Chapter 23

Char stood waiting at the bar for Gina and Mercedes early the next morning. “How was your sleepover at the Quick Cash female frat house?”

“Not bad, although it doesn’t really have a frat house vibe, at least we didn’t think so.”

“I guess it all depends on who is staying there. I think the current group is a tamer bunch.”

“Everyone was super friendly.” Mercedes rubbed her palms together. “I got a good night’s sleep and am ready to roll.”

“Glad to hear it.” Char helped them get set up and then took off to attend a weekly staff meeting.

Working her way around the casino floor, Mercedes noticed a different pit boss in the location where Ione typically worked.

She finished gathering orders and hung around the bar waiting for her beverages, mostly coffee, tea, and lattes, to be filled.

“How’s it going?”

Mercedes turned to find Gina standing behind her. “She’s not here.”

“Not yet. I promised Paulie we would wrap this up today and head back to the hotel.”

“I told Ma the same. She said she hardly slept last night, worrying about us.” Mercedes tugged on her hair, tightening her ponytail. “As soon as I spot Ione, I’ll put our ‘irritate Ione plan’ into motion.”

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

“One hundred percent. What’s the worst she can do?” Mercedes answered her own question. “Fire me?”

“True. Well, good luck.” Gina gave her a peace out sign. “The best way to gauge a person’s personal anger level is by ticking them off. Hopefully, her level isn’t off the charts.”

“Ione doesn’t want to mess with a Garlucci. We can get down and dirty when we have to.”

“You’re a scrapper for sure.” Gina wished her luck again and hustled off with her drink tray.

Despite being busy, the clock ticked slowly, with Mercedes passing by Ione’s designated area every fifteen minutes. Break time came and went, and she began to wonder if it was the woman’s day off.

Finally, near the lunch hour, Ione made an appearance. She stood casually leaning against a blackjack table, chatting with the dealers.