Page 11 of Takedown in Savannah
“You can have mine.” Wilson reached into his pocket and tossed a pack of cigarettes onto the table. “Help yourself.”
“Thanks.” Luigi lit a cigarette and blew the smoke over his head, reminding himself he needed to remain calm and cool. Blowing his lid wouldn’t help the situation. In fact, he was proud of himself for not going ballistic and resisting arrest.
But this was the new and improved Luigi Baruzzo. He had worked hard to clean up his act, to become a responsible and respectable member of the community. Not only responsible and respectable, but to contribute to the betterment of Savannah, the place he called home.
“So…what were you doing over by the Walton Square jewelry store?” the detective asked.
“I was doing my job, patrolling the neighborhood.” Luigi told him how he and his partner, Ed, had gone around once, patrolled another section and then he returned. “I noticed glass on the sidewalk in front of the store and heard the alarm. Your guys showed up around the same time because as soon as I got close, the cops swarmed the place.”
Wilson began scribbling in his notepad. “You were patrolling the block when you noticed glass on the sidewalk and then heard the store’s alarm.”
“Correct.”
“Where were you before the alarm went off?”
“Over by the Savannah Swag pawn shop and Shades of Ink tattoo, the businesses that are right around the corner.”
“Did you see anyone else?”
“I chatted with the tattoo shop’s owner for a minute. My partner took off to meet up with our boss, Elvira Cobb.”
“Elvira Cobb.” The cop tapped his pen on top of the notepad. “She owns the security services company you’re employed by?”
“She does.”
Detective Wilson excused himself. He stepped away and began talking to a uniformed officer, who stood listening near the door. He returned to the table after the man left the room. “In full disclosure, and I’m sure you already know, we’re running a check on you.”
“I figured as much.”
The detective asked several more questions about Luigi’s exact whereabouts and previous employment. He answered honestly, having nothing to hide.
“Hey, Skip.” The second officer returned, motioning to his partner.
Luigi lit another cigarette, closely watching the exchange. He could tell by the way they talked that his background check had shown some interesting history, possibly even a report about how he attended the police academy years ago.
Both men joined Luigi, each taking a seat across from him. “You got a little cop in you.”
“I do.”
“You finished the academy and quit.”
Luigi took a long drag of the cigarette. “My friend was gunned down by a cop who worked both sides, mainly with the mob cops.”
The men eyed him with interest. “You familiar with the mob?”
“Look.” Luigi snuffed out the cigarette and leaned forward in his chair. “I’m not part of the San Maris Gang. I’m clean. I haven’t been in trouble in a long time, and I don’t want trouble now. So, if you have something on me, throw me in the slammer. If not, it’s been a long day, and I would like to go home.”
“We can’t keep you.” Detective Wilson placed a light hand on the back of his neck. “Despite the fact that you’re not squeaky clean.”
“My past is my past. I can’t change it.”
“I’m warning you right now…if you’re part of the San Maris Gang, we’ll take you down sooner rather than later.”
“I hope you get ‘em.” Luigi shoved his chair back. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I would like my stuff back so I can get out of here.”
The second officer led Luigi down the hall to the front desk. After a brief exchange, a box containing his belongings appeared. Checking to make sure they returned it all, Luigi clipped his gun to the holster, shoved his cell phone in his pocket, grabbed the keys and radio from the box and sauntered toward the exit.
He turned back, noticing Detective Wilson standing near the desk, watching him like a hawk.
