Page 39 of Family Ties and Alibis

Carlita held a finger to her lips and pointed toward the kids.

Tony mouthed the words, “Sorry.”

Easing onto the scooter, she wheeled herself into the other room. “What time is it?”

“Four.”

“Four o’clock?” she gasped.

Pete tugged on a wayward strand of his wife’s hair. “Were you snoozing with the kids?”

“I guess so. I put my head on the pillow and the next thing I know you’re out in the hallway banging around.” Carlita smoothed her hair. “How was your game of pool?”

“We got bamboozled,” Paulie snickered. “I had no idea Luigi was a pool shark.”

“I barely squeaked out a win,” Luigi chuckled. “I don’t call making a few bucks bamboozling…more like sharpening my skills.”

“We had a good time,” Pete said. “In fact, we’re planning a rematch for tomorrow.”

“What happened with the employees? Did they walk out?”

Vinnie ran his hand across his brow. “Crisis averted.”

“Tell your Ma what Ahnee said,” Paulie said.

“Right. A table dealer told me a manager over at Quick Cash is offering my dealers a sign-on bonus if they jump ship.”

“No kidding. A competitor is trying to lure your dealers away?”

“It seems so, although it doesn’t make sense. Word on the street is Quick Cash is struggling to pay the dealers they have now.”

“My theory is they figure if they can hire the popular dealers, customers will follow,” Luigi said.

Carlita thought about it. The strategy made sense. Although not a gambler herself, she’d heard a popular dealer was worth his weight in gold. Gamblers sought out their favorite dealers and formed a sort of loyalty or allegiance to them. “How will you stop them from leaving if the other manager is offering a more lucrative wage and benefit package?”

Vinnie rubbed his thumb and index finger together. “Dealers depend on tips. Treasure Cove delivers the customers who willingly pay for good service.”

“So it would be a gamble for them to quit and go elsewhere unless they were certain the customers would follow,” Paulie theorized.

“Correct, which is what I pointed out to them. Still, it burns me to hear what’s been going on behind my back.”

“Maybe the manager or owner of Quick Cash Casino is behind Sal’s death and your attack.” Carlita showed them the notes she’d jotted down. “Sal worked for this casino. I’m thinkin’ he may have been paid to target Treasure Cove. Sal got ticked at his boss or bosses, threatened to spill the beans and they took him out.”

“I suppose this could have been the case.”

“What about Vinnie’s attack?” Tony asked. “Seems a little too coincidental that he was jumped right after Sal was murdered.”

“Bad publicity,” Carlita said. “Sal’s death and Vinnie being investigated. Vinnie’s attack only hours later. You just said the manager was trying to steal your dealers.”

“We all know theories and solid proof are miles apart,” Pete said. “Proving they’re behind it will be difficult.”

“Difficult but not impossible,” Carlita insisted.

“I love you, Ma.” Vinnie gave her a gentle hug. “Hopefully, this is the end of the excitement.”

Baby Vinnie hollered loudly, calling his dad’s name.

“I gotta go get Vin.”