Beauty Expos Are Murder by Libby Klein

Author:Libby Klein [Klein, Libby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2021-03-23T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 30

If anyone in Cape May County would know about shady dealings and connections, it was these racketeers. I filled their cups with steaming Ipsahan. “Lay it on me, ladies.”

Mrs. Dodson dabbed her mouth with a cloth napkin and cleared her throat. “I ran a background check on Alexandra Larusso.”

Mrs. Davis tittered. “You mean your daughter Charlotte ran a background check.”

Mrs. Dodson gave a reprimanding eye roll at her more lighthearted friend. “I told her what to type. Anyway. We discovered that Alexandra came to the country on a student visa. She didn’t graduate from any college or university, and her visa was about to expire when she was fortunate enough to marry a US citizen.”

Aunt Ginny held up a cucumber sandwich. “That would be our Gia, who had gotten his citizenship a few years earlier.”

Mrs. Davis giggled. “Lucky girl.”

Mrs. Dodson continued her report. “Gia filed for a separation two and a half years into the marriage, so they didn’t stay together long enough for Alexandra to get permanent resident status. While background information doesn’t tell us what Alex did for the next few years, we do know that she moved around a lot. Charlotte found addresses in six states, and all of them were connected with different men’s names on the utility bills.”

Aunt Ginny rolled her eyes. “I’m sure that’s just a friendly coincidence.”

Mrs. Dodson snickered. “In addition, she has some minor traffic violations in Connecticut and she passed a couple bad checks in New York.”

Mother Gibson added a few well-placed interjections: “Mmm-mm-mm.”

Aunt Ginny adjusted her tiara. “But wait for the big one.”

Mrs. Dodson paused for dramatic effect. “Two months ago she was picked up in Los Angeles and charged with indecent exposure and public intoxication on Rodeo Drive.”

Mother Gibson helped herself to an egg salad triangle. “That’s probably how the uncle found her.”

Mrs. Dodson folded her hands over the top of her cane and looked around the room triumphantly.

“Well,” I asked, “if she is in the US on a marriage green card, wouldn’t she be a citizen by now? It’s been six years or so.”

Mrs. Dodson shook her head. “She’s had her visa renewed, but no formal citizenship application is on record because she would need her husband’s signature.”

Mrs. Davis grinned. “Probably too busy running around. How did she get the money to afford trips to New York City and Los Angeles?”

Victory held up a chocolate cherry sandwich. “Theis is my favorite one.”

Aunt Ginny ignored Victory. “Someone must be bankrolling her.”

“Well, that’s something to think about, isn’t it?” I said. “What about the arrests? Doesn’t Immigration send you back when you break the law?”

Aunt Ginny put her bejeweled hand over mine. “They were all misdemeanors, honey. And she’s still technically married to a US citizen.”

A very peeved “ahem” sounded behind me. Joanne looked like she’d just done a vinegar colonic and wanted to share her disappointment. “The next time you want to have twenty tables for tea, you can serve them yourself.”

“I’m so sorry. I’m coming right now.”

Victory called after me as I was leaving the room, “Bring more candee sayndweich.

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