This is a good, quick Barnes’ read starring the part-time Private Detective/Cab Driver, Carlotta Carlyle. As usual, Barnes does do her research. This time, Boston-based Carlotta gets involved with a case at her own work-place Green and White Taxi. Carlotta discovers four bugs in the restroom. Is it the FBI – they use the same type of archaic bugs? If not the FBI, then who could it be, and why?The FBI is systematically eliminated as the culprit. So, next on the list is the largest taxi company in town. The case definitely appears to be about taxi medallions. The main owner is begrudgingly eventually eliminated and his number two man no matter how good he looks for it does not appear to be the bugger. This leaves the mob? Which family, though, would be interested in the medallion and taxi racket? True, Sam Ginanelli, son of the leader of the famed Ginanelli family is a partner in the G&W Taxi business, but when the home shop is blown up with murder and mob hit dripping from it, motive is complicated. It surely was not for insurance reasons? He was not planning on selling the business and thus, the cabs and the medallions? Oh, yes, and Sam is almost killed in the bombing. Yep, it reeks of a mob hit.The case becomes very dangerous quickly and Carlotta’s old partner on the police force, Mooney, talks Carlotta into purchasing a more current hand weapon to replace her old .38. She buys a used S&W .40 (10mm) like the FBI has gone to. Carlotta buys the gun partly to soothe Mooney. Carlotta has no idea just how badly she needs to make this purchase.Cam
