Page 14 of Shakedown in Savannah

“Carlita Garlucci-Taylor,” she corrected. “We had this conversation a few hours ago.”

“Former Queens, New York resident and wife of Vincent Robert Garlucci?”

“My former husband is deceased. He died several years ago.” Carlita suspected they were toying with her. She was in no mood for games. “And you are?”

“I’m Costanza. This is my associate Enzo.”

“What do you want?” she bluntly asked.

“We’re here to discuss a past debt you and your husband owed.”

“Owed who?”

“The family. We’ve been sent here to negotiate a deal.”

“I don’t know who you are or where you’re from, but I know nothing about a past debt. I’m going to ask you to leave. If not, I’m calling the police.”

“I don’t think you want to call the cops,” Enzo said. “Things could get real ugly real fast. The boss has instructed us to try to reach an agreement.”

“You’re talking in circles. What debt did I and my former husband owe?” she demanded.

“He was a shylock,” the man explained. “I’m not sure how much you know about that…end of the family business.”

“I’ve heard the term.”

“He collected money, but also owed some at the time of his death.”

Carlita’s mind whirled. She felt sick to her stomach. Vinnie had, once again, left her holding the bag. “How much money?”

“Two hundred and fifty thousand. With interest, the figure is closer to half a million.”

Her jaw dropped. “Half a million dollars?” she gasped. “I don’t have that kind of money lying around.”

“You got a nice little setup here. Pawn shop. Popular restaurant. Apartment building. I’m sure it all brings in a tidy sum of money.” The taller of the two men, the one with a toothpick sticking out of his mouth, began rolling it around.

Carlita watched him roll it…side to side, side to side. Using his tongue, he flipped it over. She thought he was going to choke on it. Instead, he spit it on her floor.

It took all her willpower not to demand he pick it up and throw it in the trash. “These businesses belong to me and my children. We’ve worked hard to get them up and running.”

Both fear and anger coursed through Carlita’s veins. If what these men were saying was true, the “boss” had sat back, all this time waiting for her to work her tail off building successful and profitable businesses, only to swoop in and try to take it from her.

“Our boss…he’s a fair man. He figured you might not be open to paying this debt off right away. He’s willing to strike a deal,” Costanza said.

Her eyes narrowed. “What sort of deal?”

The man, the one who appeared to be in charge, pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and unfolded it. “I have two other names. Mercedes Garlucci and Anthony Garlucci.”

“Those are my children. Both work at the family businesses.”

“I see.”

“Their names are also on the property deeds.” Carlita suspected from the look on their faces they were already aware of the fact. “I don’t make any decisions without my family’s input.”

“There’s nothing to decide. You’ll either accept the offer or not.”

“And if I don’t?” Carlita asked.

“It would be in your best interest not to reject it.” Enzo shifted his feet.

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