Page 55 of Shakedown in Savannah

Passing by the city limits sign, she put the pedal to the metal. With the sun shining down, Dernice cruised at a comfortable speed, wishing June was with her—a fellow rider who appreciated the freedom and pure magic of the Harley.

Something told her the woman had many more stories to share. A little sad yet philosophical. What stood out to Dernice was how June embraced life and lived it to the fullest.

She had little doubt June Cleary blazed her own path. Fearless to live in a sketchy side of town for all these years. Determined to run her business despite bombings, vandals, and now an unsolved murder. Would Dernice live to be her age with no regrets?

So far, she had plenty, not the least of which was her role in an armed robbery. Things hadn’t always been easy for Dernice Cobb. In fact, if not for Elvira, she had no idea where she would be right now.

Probably in prison or dead, mixed up with the wrong people. Despite Elvira’s laundry list of shortcomings, she was the best sister a person could ask for.

Dernice reached the highway and then circled around, heading back into town. During the ride, she mulled over her conversation with June. Clearly, nothing got by the woman, at least nothing that took place in her neighborhood.

She had the senior Vinnie’s number from the very start. The women and man she’d seen must’ve been Carlita, Mercedes and Tony and then later, Carlita and Vinnie. Dernice would bet money the other two were Enzo and Costanza. They fit the description. The Italian accents, the line of questioning.

June confirmed what Carlita had already told her. Yet, a comment the laundromat owner made in passing hit Dernice’s radar. It was a small thing which might turn out to be a big thing.

Chapter 22

“I miss hosting these family-style dinners in the hall.” Carlita circled the folding table, adding extra plates for Cool Bones, Autumn, and Sam, the tenants Mercedes invited at the last minute.

“Me too. Maybe we should start hosting them once a month, casual get-togethers,” Mercedes said. “It’s so much fun having everyone over.”

Autumn placed plastic cups next to the dinner plates. “And ditch our weekend courtyard soirees?”

“Nah. We can do both,” Mercedes said. “I love cooking for everyone and pasta fits my budget.”

“We could all chip in, turn it into a potluck,” Cool Bones suggested. “It’s good for the neighbors to get together.”

“Agreed,” Sam said. “Not to mention Mercedes is an excellent cook.”

“I learned from the best—Ma,” Mercedes said. “Instead of block parties, we’ll have hall parties.”

“Where’s Dernice?” Carlita looked around.

“She’s on her way,” Luigi said. “She wouldn’t miss a Garlucci dinner for nothing.”

“What about Elvira?” Tony asked.

“She couldn’t make it. Something about not wanting to leave Snitch alone. She asked if we would send a dish home with Dernice,” Carlita said.

“If we have any leftovers,” Sam added.

“Before I forget, Detective Ellery stopped by the pawn shop. He asked a few questions,” Tony said.

“What kinds of questions?”

“How long we’ve owned the pawn shop, how many apartment units we had, how long Ravello’s has been open. I also gave him a copy of the Morton Street loan agreement.”

“I was wondering when he would show up,” Carlita said. “Thank you for taking care of it for me.”

“No problem.”

The final guest arrived. The group gathered around the table, talking and feasting on delicious spaghetti and meatballs, along with buttery slices of thick garlic bread. Despite Mercedes insisting she wanted to handle the dinner herself, Carlita brought a tossed salad and grabbed dessert from the restaurant.

She waited until they were enjoying coffee and their decadent triple berry cheesecake before asking Dernice what she’d found.

“Like I figured, June was there. In fact, she lives there.”

“Lives in the same building as her laundromat?” Carlita asked.

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