Chapter 12
“Did you say Benton? Isn’t Benton Cool Bones’ last name?”
“Cool Bones’ last name is Benson. Similar but not the same,” Carlita said.
“Bubba Benton.” Elvira muttered something unintelligible under her breath. “I ran into him the other day.”
“Actually, he mentioned meeting you,” Carlita said. “Although the way he described it, it sounded more like you interrogated him.”
Elvira ignored the comment. “What kind of name is Bubba?”
“Sounds like a redneck.” Dernice imitated a Southern drawl. “Based on the size of his tires, the flap-flapping sound they make and the lift on his truck, I’m gonna guess he’s a good ole South Georgia boy.”
“I never could get a straight answer out of him,” Elvira grumbled. “Your new tenant, huh? How many people are moving in?”
“Bubba is the only person who signed the lease,” Mercedes said.
“You sure you know what you’re getting yourself into with this one? I mean, I’m assuming you’ve done background checks, verified references, the important stuff,” Elvira said. “Redneck boys can be loud, rowdy and annoying.”
“I’m honestly surprised by your reaction,” Carlita said.
“Maybe she’s afraid she’ll lose her spot as the most annoying neighbor in Walton Square,” Mercedes joked.
“Very funny. I just…have had a bad experience with persons of his ilk.”
“It was…”
Elvira cut her sister off. “There’s no sense in dredging up the past.”
Carlita, her curiosity piqued, refused to let it go. “What was it? Don’t answer. I’ll take a wild guess. You were hot on the trail of a cheating spouse and almost got filled full of buckshot for sticking your nose in where it didn’t belong.”
Dernice slapped her knee and gave her a thumbs up. “You are so close to hitting the nail on the head.”
“Hey, it was good money. How was I to know I was stepping into a hornet’s nest? I barely got out of Hooter Hollow with my life.”
“Hooter Hollow?” Mercedes burst out laughing. “Maybe you’re the one who should be more selective about which investigative cases you take on.”
“Believe me, I learned my lesson,” Elvira said. “Regardless, I’ll be keeping close tabs on Mr. Benton.”
“His former landlord did nothing but sing his praises. He’s polite, well-mannered and employed.” Carlita promised she would let her know as soon as she had the lab results and stepped onto the sidewalk, closing the door behind them. “I think it’s funny Elvira thought Bubba might be your boyfriend.”
“It’s ridiculous,” Mercedes huffed.
“Why is it ridiculous?”
“He’s not my type.”
“What is your type?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Tall, dark, rugged, mysterious.”
“Hopefully, not mafia mobster mysterious.”
“No way. Sam was close to what I would describe as my ideal mate.”
“And yet it didn’t work out for you.”
“For a number of reasons. I’m perfectly content being single,” Mercedes insisted.
“You’re young. You have plenty of time to settle down, marry, have children.”
“Or maybe I won’t. Maybe I’ll stay single. Whenever I feel a maternal urge, I can babysit for Tony and Shelby.”
Carlita slipped her arm through her daughter’s. “Whatever makes you happy is most important.”
“Thanks, Ma.”
They circled the block and found Bubba’s truck, the moving van, and the other jacked-up vehicles lining the alley from end to end. A slew of men, all dressed in flannel shirts, jeans, and boots, were in the process of carrying several large pieces of furniture into the back of the building.
Mother and daughter lingered off to the side, waiting until the path cleared.
Moving quickly, they climbed the stairs and had almost made it inside Mercedes’ apartment when Bubba appeared.
“Hello, Mercedes, Carlita.”
“Hello, Bubba.” Carlita offered him a smile. “How’s it going?”
“Great. We’re almost done and will be out of the alley soon.”
“No problem.”
A trio of men, the ones they’d noticed carrying the heavy furniture, appeared.
Bubba motioned them into the hall. “I got a good crew of friends to help.”
A man, on the thin side, tall and with a brown beard and bright blue eyes, eased past Bubba. “Hello.”
“Where are my manners?” Bubba introduced his friends to Carlita, and she didn’t miss the flicker of admiration when they shook hands with her daughter, a striking woman who got more than her share of wolf whistles and catcalls.
“My pleasure,” the tall man, Chip, drawled.
They made small talk until Carlita insisted they didn’t want to hold them up. They stepped inside her daughter’s apartment and closed the door.
Bouncing on the tips of her toes, Carlita peeked through the peephole.
“What are you doing?” Mercedes hissed.
“Just as I suspected.” She chuckled. “You have some new admirers. Bubba’s buddies were elbowing him, slapping him and congratulating him on snagging an apartment in a building with a pretty neighbor.”
“They did not.”
“I’ll bet you.” Carlita held out her hand. “Fifty bucks says Bubba asks you out before he makes his next rent payment.”
“He probably already has a girlfriend.”
“If I recall correctly, his ex is the reason he moved. Something about her taking a job out of the country and he couldn’t afford the rent on his previous apartment on his own.”
“Well, again, as I’ve mentioned several times, I’m not the least bit interested.”
“But you’re not willing to bet me,” her mother teased.
Mercedes pointedly changed the subject and asked if Carlita had given any more thought to plans for Thanksgiving, which was right around the corner.
Vinnie had invited the family to come to New Jersey. Despite the busyness of the holiday, Carlita was seriously considering it.
“Maybe it’s time to take Vinnie up on his offer and head north for Thanksgiving,” Mercedes said. “A trip to check out big bro’s swanky penthouse is long overdue.”
“I wouldn’t mind going. Arnie can handle the restaurant. Tony has enough employees to cover the pawn shop.”
“Do you think Pete can find someone to manage The Flying Gunner and his restaurant?”
“I’ll have to check, but before I do, we should find out if Vinnie and Brittney still want us.”
“I can call them right now.” Mercedes, never without her cell phone more than an arm’s length away, tapped the screen.
Vinnie’s distinctive Jersey drawl echoed across the lines. “Hey, Mercedes.”
“Hey, Vin. I’m here with Ma and have you on speaker.”
“Hey, Ma. I was thinkin’ about calling you. How did Luigi and Dernice’s engagement party go?”
“Other than two people getting what we believe is food poisoning and one of them dying, it was nice.”
Vinnie whistled loudly. “You served some bad food?”
“We’re not sure yet. Mercedes and I dropped samples off at a lab a short time ago. I should know tomorrow.”
“Who was it? Anyone I know?”
“The guy who died was a friend of Dernice and Luigi’s, part of their biker club. We’re kinda thinking it might have been linked to an accident which happened a few days ago when one of the riders got hurt.”
“Don’t forget about the woman,” Mercedes said.
“Yes, and a woman also showed signs of food poisoning. It’s a mess.”
“Sounds like it,” Vinnie said. “What about the woman? How’s she doing?”
“Yvonne, an employee of Elvira’s, is recovering but also talking about hiring an attorney.”
“I’m sorry to hear about it. I hope it all works out.”
“Me too.”
“The reason we’re calling is Ma and I were wondering if we’re still invited to come up there for Thanksgiving.”
“You bet. Brittney and I would love to host you. Bring Luigi, Dernice and Elvira with you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I believe Elvira invited herself the last time I was down and brought up the subject of you visiting.”
“I’m sure she did.” Carlita rolled her eyes. “It would be me, Pete, Mercedes, Tony, Shelby, the girls, Luigi, Dernice and Elvira. Ten of us.”
“Paulie and Gina are planning on coming down for the holiday.” Vinnie told her he kept a block of premium guest suites at the casino hotel available for VIP guests. “We got plenty of space to treat you. The hotel’s spa is top-notch, one of the best on the East Coast.”
“I can’t remember the last time I visited a spa,” Carlita said.
“We also have Michelin-starred restaurants. The boardwalk is open but not as busy as during the summer months. If you’re lookin’ for a nice, relaxing break, Treasure Cove Casino is the place to be,” her son said.
“It sounds tempting.”
“I’m sold,” Mercedes said. “I might even try a hand or two of blackjack.”
“Our head dealer, Merlin, is the best in the biz,” Vinnie said. “Should I set aside some suites?”
“Maybe hold them until I can get with the others to see if it’s a go. The holidays are our busy time. I’m not sure if Pete will want to take time off.”
“Let me know. I hope you can make it, Ma. We would love to see you.”
“I’ll let you know by tomorrow,” Carlita promised before telling her son goodbye.
Mercedes ended the call and waved her phone in the air. “Vinnie sounds excited.”
“He does.”
“You want me to send a group text asking the others if they’re interested?”
Thunk. A dull thunk shook the wall, followed by loud voices coming from the hall.
“I was thinking more along the lines of a family meeting. Pizza and planning,” Carlita said. “Sounds like the move might be getting a little hairy next door. Let’s have it at Pete’s and my place.”