Pirates in Peril
Made in Savannah
Cozy Mystery Series Book Ten
Hope Callaghan
hopecallaghan.com
Copyright © 2018
All rights reserved.
*****
This book is a work of fiction. Although places mentioned may be real, the characters, names and incidents, and all other details are products of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual organizations, events or persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.
No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.
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Alice, Amary, Barbara, Becky, Becky B., Brinda, Cassie, Charlene, Christina, Deb, Debbie, Dee, Denota, Devan, Grace, Jan, Jo-Ann, Joeline, Joyce, Jean K., Jean M., Katherine, Lynne, Megan, Melda, Kat, Linda, Lynne, Pat, Patsy, Paula, Rebecca, Rita, Tamara, Valerie and Vicki.
Allie, Anca, Angela, Ann, Anne, Bev, Bobbi, Bonny, Carol, Carmen, David, Debbie, Diana, Elaine, Elizabeth, Gareth, Ingrid, Jane, Jayne, Jean, Joan, Karen, Kate, Kathy, Lesley, Margaret, Marlene, Patricia, Pauline, Sharon, Sheila and Susan.
Contents
Complete List of Books
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Cast of Characters
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Join The Fun
Other Series You May Enjoy
Meet the Author
The Ghost Roast Restaurant – Marinara Sauce Recipe
Complete List of Books
(Click Links Below To Buy or Read FREE with Kindle Unlimited)
Audiobooks
(On Sale now or FREE with Audible Trial)
Key to Savannah: Book 1 (Made in Savannah Series)
Road to Savannah: Book 2 (Made in Savannah Series)
Justice in Savannah: Book 3 (Made in Savannah Series)
Swag in Savannah: Book 4(Made in Savannah Series)
Starboard Secrets: Book 1 (Cruise Ship Cozy Series)
Portside Peril: Book 2 (Cruise Ship Cozy Series)
Lethal Lobster: Book 3 Coming Soon!
Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery Series
A mother and daughter try to escape their family’s NY mob ties by making a fresh start in Savannah, GA but they soon realize you can run but you can’t hide from the past.
Key to Savannah: Book 1
Road to Savannah: Book 2
Justice in Savannah: Book 3
Swag in Savannah: Book 4
Trouble in Savannah: Book 5
Missing in Savannah: Book 6
Setup in Savannah: Book 7
Merry Masquerade: Book 8
The Family Affair: Book 9
Pirates in Peril: Book 10
Matrimony & Mayhem: Book 11
Swiped in Savannah: Book 12
Turmoil in Savannah: Book 13
Exes and Woes in Savannah: Book 14
Book 15: Coming Soon!
Made in Savannah Box Set I (Books 1-3)
Made in Savannah Box Set II (Books 4-6)
Garden Girls Cozy Mystery Series
A lonely widower finds new purpose for her life when she and her senior friends help solve a murder in their small Midwestern town.
Who Murdered Mr. Malone? Book 1
Grandkids Gone Wild: Book 2
Smoky Mountain Mystery: Book 3
Death by Dumplings: Book 4
Eye Spy: Book 5
Magnolia Mansion Mysteries: Book 6
Missing Milt: Book 7
Bully in the ‘Burbs: Book 8
Fall Girl: Book 9
Home for the Holidays: Book 10
Sun, Sand, and Suspects: Book 11
Look Into My Ice: Book 12
Forget Me Knot: Book 13
Nightmare in Nantucket: Book 14
Greed with Envy: Book 15
Dying for Dollars: Book 16
Stranger Among Us: Book 17
Dash For Cash: Book 18
Arsonist and Lace: Book 19
Court of Corruption: Book 20
Framed in Florida: Book 21
Murder on Summer Lane: Book 22
Alien Allure: Book 23
Book 24: Coming Soon!
Garden Girls Box Set I – (Books 1-3)
Garden Girls Box Set II – (Books 4-6)
Garden Girls Box Set III – (Books 7-9)
Cruise Ship Cozy Mystery Series
A recently divorced senior lands her dream job as Assistant Cruise Director onboard a mega passenger cruise ship and soon discovers she’s got a knack for solving murders.
Starboard Secrets: Book 1
Portside Peril: Book 2
Lethal Lobster: Book 3
Deadly Deception: Book 4
Vanishing Vacationers: Book 5
Cruise Control: Book 6
Killer Karaoke: Book 7
Suite Revenge: Book 8
Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’: Book 9
High Seas Heist: Book 10
Family, Friends and Foes: Book 11
Murder on Main: Book 12
Fatal Flirtation: Book 13
Deadly Delivery: Book 14
Reindeer & Robberies: Book 15
Transatlantic Tragedy: Book 16
Southampton Stalker: Book 17
Peculiar Poison: Book 18
Book 19: Coming Soon!
Cruise Ship Cozy Mysteries Box Set I (Books 1-3)
Cruise Ship Cozy Mysteries Box Set II (Books 4-6)
Cruise Ship Cozy Mysteries Box Set III (Books 7-9)
Cruise Ship Cozy Mysteries Box Set IV (Books 10-12)
Divine Cozy Mystery Series
After relocating to the tiny town of Divine, Kansas, strange and mysterious things begin to happen to businesswoman, Jo Pepperdine and those around her.
Divine Intervention: Book 1
Divine Secrets: Book 2
Divine Blindside: Book 3
Divine Decisions: Book 4
Divine Christmas: Book 5
Divine Cozy Mystery Book 6 (Coming Soon!)
Samantha Rite Mystery Series
Heartbroken after her recent divorce, a single mother is persuaded to book a cruise and soon finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly adventure. Will she make it out alive?
Waves of Deception: Book 1
Winds of Deception: Book 2
Tides of Deception:
Book 3
Samantha Rite Box Set – (Books 1-3-The Complete Series)
Sweet Southern Sleuths Short Stories Series
Twin sisters with completely opposite personalities become amateur sleuths when a dead body is discovered in their recently inherited home in Misery, Mississippi.
Teepees and Trailer Parks: Book 1
Bag of Bones: Book 2
Southern Stalker: Book 3
Two Settle the Score: Book 4
Killer Road Trip: Book 5
Pups in Peril: Book 6
Dying To Get Married-In: Book 7
Deadly Drive-In: Book 8
Secrets of a Stranger: Book 9
Library Lockdown: Book 10
Vandals & Vigilantes: Book 11
Fatal Frolic: Book 12
Sweet Southern Sleuths Box Set I: (Books 1-4)
Sweet Southern Sleuths Box Set: II: (Books 5-8)
Sweet Southern Sleuths Box Set III: (Books 9-12)
Sweet Southern Sleuths 12 Book Box Set (Entire Series)
Cozy Mystery Collections
Summer Sleuths Cozy Mysteries Collection
Cozy Mysteries Collection (Heart and Holiday Edition)
Fall Into Murder 6 Book Fall Themed Cozy Mystery Collection
Cozy Mysteries 12 Book Box Set: (Garden Girls & Cruise Ship Cozy Mystery Series)
Cozy Mysteries Cookbook (Free w/Newsletter signup)
Cozy Mysteries Cookbook-Recipes from Hope Callaghan Books
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Subscribe To My Free Cozy Mysteries Newsletter!
Cast of Characters
Carlita Garlucci. The widow of a mafia “made” man, Carlita promised her husband on his deathbed to get their sons out of the “family” business, so she moves from New York to the historic city of Savannah, Georgia. But escaping the family isn’t as easy as she hoped it would be and trouble follows Carlita to her new home.
Mercedes Garlucci. Carlita’s daughter and the first to move to Savannah with her mother. An aspiring writer, Mercedes has a knack for finding mysteries and adventure and dragging her mother along for the ride.
Vincent Garlucci, Jr. Carlita’s oldest son and a younger version of his father, Vinnie is deeply entrenched in the family business and not at all interested in leaving New Jersey for the Deep South.
Tony Garlucci. Carlita’s middle son and the second to follow his mother to Savannah. Tony is protective of both his mother and his sister, which is a good thing since the female Garlucci’s are always in some sort of a predicament.
Paulie Garlucci. Carlita’s youngest son. Mayor of the small town of Clifton Falls, New York, Paulie never joined the “family business,” content to live his life with his wife and young children away from a life of crime. His wife, Gina, rules the family household with an iron fist.
Chapter 1
Mercedes stepped inside the apartment. She slinked past an oversized armoire blocking her path and reached for the handle of her Segway.
“You’re in the way,” a deep male voice growled from the stairwell.
“Give me a sec.” Mercedes tugged on the handle, firmly wedged behind the large piece of bedroom furniture. “I’ll be out of here as soon as I move this out of the way.”
“It shouldn’t be parked there in the first place when someone is trying to move in. You’ll have to leave it ‘til later. There’s no way to get it out right now.”
Mercedes could feel her blood begin to boil as she lifted her gaze, her eyes locking with the most unusual combination of blue-green eyes. The man arched his brow, his lip curling at the corners in a mocking smirk.
“I wasn’t aware a tenant was moving in today.” Mercedes added extra emphasis to the word tenant and crossed her arms as she forced herself to defy the unpleasant man who was staring down at her. “A little notice would have been appreciated and I certainly would have moved my Segway to a safer spot.”
The stairs creaked as the man slowly descended the steps, making his way past the armoire until he was standing mere inches from Mercedes, who was trapped in the corner. “Mrs. Garlucci was aware I was moving in. Are you the cleaning lady?”
“Cleaning lady?” Mercedes sputtered. A hot heat burned up her neck. “I’m Mercedes Garlucci, part owner of this property.”
The statement was a bit of a stretch. Technically, Mercedes’ mother, Carlita, was the sole owner of 210 Mulberry Street, a restored apartment building in Savannah’s beautiful and historic Walton Square.
“Huh.” The man crossed his arms, mimicking Mercedes’ stance.
The duo continued their stare down for several long seconds, until Mercedes’ palm itched with the overwhelming desire to slap the smirk off the stranger’s face.
Certain her mother would be furious, not to mention the sneaking suspicion the action would somehow cause her opponent to emerge the victor, she quickly changed tactics and forced a smile. “If you would be so kind as to back up, I’ll get out of your way.”
The man took a step back, giving Mercedes a wide berth to slip past him. She was almost in the clear when he abruptly stepped forward, as if he was going to block her again.
“Pfft.” Mercedes bolted past him and picked up the pace, taking the stairs two at a time. She could feel the heat of his stare as his eyes bore into her back. “Jerk,” she hissed under her breath as she flung the apartment door open.
She stormed into the apartment, slamming the hall door so hard, the pictures hanging on the wall rattled.
Startled by the loud bang, Carlita Garlucci spun in her chair and clutched her chest. “For Pete’s sake, Mercedes. Please don’t slam the door. You scared the daylights out of me.”
“Sorry, Ma.” Mercedes marched across the room. “That man is making my blood boil.”
“I know your brother can be aggravating at times, but you two need to learn to walk away from each other when you disagree.”
“I’m not talking about Tony.” Mercedes jabbed her finger toward the door. “It’s the rude, arrogant, egotistical, self-important tenant across the hall.”
Carlita frowned. “Are you talking about Mr. Ivey, our new tenant? He’s such a nice young man. Earlier this morning, he saw me struggling with my bags of groceries and helped me carry them to the apartment. Now there’s a real gentleman.”
“Not to me. I noticed there was furniture in the downstairs hall, so I thought I would be nice and move my Segway to make more room. The jerk had the nerve to get onto me about leaving my stuff in the way.”
“I’m sorry, Mercedes. I forgot to tell you Mr. Ivey was moving in today. It completely slipped my mind after Bob Lowman caught me in the alley to go over some details for the new apartment.”
Mercedes shuffled across the room. “Did Tony and Shelby approve the final reno changes?”
Tony, Carlita’s middle son, had recently become engaged to Shelby Townsend, one of Carlita’s tenants. Tony currently lived in a small efficiency on the lower level behind Savannah Swag, the pawnshop Carlita and her children owned. Shelby rented a two bedroom, one bath apartment across the hall.
The couple planned to move into a larger place, one where they would have room to expand their family and give Violet, Shelby’s daughter, siblings.
Carlita came up with the idea to add a larger apartment above the adjacent building, which would house Ravello, Carlita’s restaurant. The timing was perfect.
Since Ravello was close to being finished, Lowman’s crew was able to start working on the three bedroom, two-bath unit. The new apartment would be ready in time for the couple’s summer wedding, giving the family of three a new home to start their new life.
“Yes.” Carlita slowly nodded. “The apartment is coming along nicely. Which reminds me…” She slipped her reading glasses on and turned her attention to the computer screen. “I need to start running some ads to rent out Tony’s efficiency and Shelby’s apartment before the wedding.”
“I�
�ll let you handle the ads if you let me screen the tenants,” Mercedes muttered. “We don’t need another Sam Ivey moving in. One is enough.”
Carlita jotted a reminder note on her to-do list. “I’m sorry you two got off on the wrong foot. Once Mr. Ivey settles in, I’ll invite him to dinner, so we can all get better acquainted.”
“Remind me not to be here.” Mercedes walked into the kitchen and poured a glass of lemonade. “I thought you were supposed to meet Pirate Pete and Tori this afternoon.”
“Fudge! I completely forgot.” Carlita sprang from her chair and jogged to her bedroom.
“You forgot?” Mercedes trailed behind her mother. “You’ve been talking about this meeting all week.”
“I know.” Carlita grabbed her purse and hurried to the door. “Pete and Tori are excited about this new venture, but I’m not sure I can handle another business. Once Ravello is up and running, we’ll have our hands full running the restaurant and the pawnshop, not to mention being a landlord.”
“You might want to take the fire escape instead,” Mercedes joked. “Getting by our new tenant on the stairs is going to be impossible.”
“Mercedes,” her mother chided. “You need to give Sam Ivey a chance.”
“I think he hates me and he doesn’t even know me.”
Carlita stepped into the hall and Mercedes joined her. “Good luck at your meeting. Maybe Tori and Pete are looking for a silent partner.”
“I’ll find out soon enough. We’re meeting at Pete’s place. I’ll be back a little later.” Carlita sidestepped two men, who were carrying a couch up the stairs.
The new tenant stood at the bottom of the stairs, directing the movers. When Carlita reached the landing, she stopped to chat.
She could hear the tinkle of her mother’s laughter and Ivey’s low voice. He chuckled and patted Carlita’s arm before she stepped out of the building. Mercedes quickly slipped back inside the apartment, anxious to avoid another confrontation.
Carlita pulled the door shut behind her and then hurried to the sidewalk.
When she reached the entrance to the Parrot House, she stopped to catch her breath before stepping into the restaurant’s lobby and making her way to the hostess station. “Yes, I’m looking for Pete. I have a meeting with him at two o’clock.”
Pirates in Peril: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Cozy Mysteries Series Book 10) Page 1