Page 63 of Takedown in Savannah
Vinnie told his mother he had left a message for Luigi, warning him the cops were digging into his past.
“Dernice has a friend who works down by the river. According to him, the San Maris Gang’s activities are about to hit national news.” Carlita told her son about Dernice’s conversation with Shrimpy.
Vinnie let out a low whistle. “You gonna give the cops a heads up?”
“Yes, but I want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row. Right now, my ducks are wandering off in different directions. Shrimpy insisted he thought he was being watched, and now Dernice can’t get ahold of him.”
“If the gang thinks he knows something he shouldn’t, they’re gonna wanna shut him up,” Vinnie grimly replied. “She might never see the guy again.”
“I hope this isn’t the case, but I’m afraid you could be right. Seeing how Dernice was the last person to talk to him, she could also be in trouble.”
“With the copsandthe gang.”
“Yep. So, I’m trying to figure out the best way to handle this without putting anyone else in danger. If this heist is as big as Shrimpy seems to think it is, the gang has been working on it for a while and will do everything in their power to make sure it doesn’t get messed up.”
“You want me to drive down and lend a hand?”
“I appreciate the offer, Son. Unfortunately, it’s only hours away. There’s no time.” Carlita told him they were meeting at six to come up with a game plan. “By the time you make it down here, it will all be over.”
“I’m gonna try getting ahold of Luigi again.”
“Please don’t mention Elvira threatening to fire him. Dernice and I are hoping to change her mind, and I don’t want him worrying.”
Vinnie promised he wouldn’t and cautioned his mother to be careful before hanging up.
Faced with the escalating situation, Carlita pulled out all the stops, jotting down various scenarios, and tapping into everything she’d learned about solving crimes over the years.
Luigi was in deep trouble. If the San Maris Gang successfully scored the heist of the century, he was almost guaranteed to be singled out for his alleged involvement. The sad part was he’d cleaned up his act. Unfortunately, like the Garluccis, the past had a way of catching up, incriminating and vilifying an innocent person.
She said a small prayer for Dernice’s friend, Shrimpy. What he inadvertently overheard may have cost him his life. The gangbangers weren’t a group to be messed with.
Carlita hoped he was somewhere safe and off the radar, waiting for the gang to move on to the next town or city they set their sights on.
Ring.Deep in thought, Carlita jumped when her cell phone rang. It was Pete asking where she was.
“Home trying to figure out the best way to stop the San Maris Gang from robbing a cargo ship headed for Savannah.” Carlita filled him in, starting with their tunnel search. “I don’t know for certain, but from what we’ve been able to figure out, they’re using the River Street tunnel to get to and from their boat.”
“Funny you should mention the boat. The speedboat we noticed has been cruising up and down the river.”
“Today?”
Tink.Her cell phone chimed.
“I sent a photo. Check it out.”
Carlita tapped the text and clicked on the link. The speedboat they’d caught on the surveillance recordings appeared. Becauseof the blurry photo, it was impossible to see who was driving it, although there appeared to be several passengers on board.
“This has to be their boat. We should call the cops.”
“And tell them what? A boat we think might be involved in a heist that hasn’t happened yet is patrolling the river?” he asked.
“True. We have no proof. Only the statement from Shrimpy, a man who has a criminal record and is now missing,” Carlita said. “So now what do we do?”
Pete’s voice grew muffled. “Brad and I have discussed it. He’s going to contact his friend who works at the station and tell him what we know.”
“So they can set up a stakeout?” Carlita asked. “According to what Shrimpy told Dernice, the gang has been tracking the cargo ship and know around what time it will be in the vicinity.”
“Using navigational mapper apps.” Pete told her they regularly used them to monitor the waterways. “Do you remember what time Dernice told you this would happen?”
