Page 62 of Takedown in Savannah
“Because he either can’t or won’t. Maybe they got suspicious and took him out,” Elvira theorized.
“That’s what I’m thinkin’,” Luigi said. “After he took off, what happened?”
“I was walking home when I got the feeling I was being followed.” Dernice told them she made a few zigs and zags. “By the time my Uber showed up, I was certain of it. It’s a male, about five foot eight or nine with dark hair, wearing a plain white shirt and jeans.”
“You could have gone to the police station,” Elvira said.
“And tip my hand so the gang suspects Shrimpy spilled the beans? No way would I put his life in danger. So I had the driver drop me off at the airport.”
“How did your tail know where you went?”
“I’m not sure he did, but I wasn’t taking any chances because I was still feeling like I was being watched,” Dernice said. “Better safe than sorry.”
“You know it,” Luigi said. “If your informant Shrimpy is telling the truth, this heist is going down tonight.”
“Correct. I don’t think he was lying. Why would he?”
“A major heist, stealing drugs being shipped here,” Carlita murmured. “It’s the perfect crime.”
“They have the teamandthe means,” Elvira said.
“The escape route, people who have been paid off to let it happen,” Dernice said. “We need to let the cops know so they can bust them.”
“And get me off their radar,” Luigi added.
“Before we alert the authorities, I want to check out a couple of things,” Carlita said. “Let’s meet up around six.”
With a plan in place, Luigi dropped Carlita off at home. After walking Rambo, she returned upstairs and spread everything she had out on the counter—the tunnel maps, the list of places the gang had hit.
Tracking down her notes, she added Dernice’s update and the possible heist.
Tink.Her cell phone rang. She glanced at the screen, quickly snatching it up when she discovered it was her oldest son. “Hey, Son.”
“Hey, Ma. Got a minute?”
“Sure. What’s up?”
“I’m calling to ask you the same thing. The Feds showed up on my doorstep this morning asking about Luigi. Something about him being investigated as part of a criminal ring down there. I think he’s in serious trouble.”
Chapter 26
“The cops showed up at Treasure Cove Casino?” Carlita asked.
“Yeah,” Vinnie said. “Something about a gang down in Savannah. Reading between the lines, Luigi got caught in a sting and now they’re taking a closer look at him.”
Carlita thought about Skip Wilson, who had stopped by Elvira’s place to ask about Luigi. “Great.”
Vinnie told his mother that he had assured the cops Luigi wasn’t involved. “When they start poking around, taking the time to dig into someone’s past, it’s usually pretty serious. I’m sure Elvira put in a good word for him.”
“She’s gonna fire him, or at least that’s her plan.”
“For being investigated?” he exploded. “She’s no saint.”
“Exactly. She’s involved in some sort of highly sensitive case, for lack of a better word, and is doing whatever she can to stay off the cops’ radar.”
“What does Dernice think?”
“She and Elvira got into a huge fight over it.”
