Why would Lawson Bates accuse Pete of damaging the Mystic Dream? Surely, there was plenty of room for more than one tourist boat on the river.
The sound of a car horn pulled her from her musings. Her heart skipped a beat as she watched the Channel Eleven News van careen around the corner. It was heading her way.
Chapter 4
“Uh-oh!” Carlita dove behind a clump of bushes lining the side of the building and crouched down. She fumbled with the screen of her cell phone and tapped out a quick message to Pirate Pete. Don’t open the door. Channel Eleven News out front. She pressed send and prayed Pete would check his phone before opening the door.
The news van stopped in front of the entrance. Brock Kensington and the two camera operators exited the vehicle and made their way up the steps.
Carlita held her breath certain that at any moment Pete would open the door expecting to see her. Instead, he would find the news reporter shoving a microphone and a camera in his face.
The seconds ticked by and Carlita’s legs started to cramp, but she refused to budge, certain the slightest movement would give her and her hiding spot away.
Brock Kensington rapped sharply on the door. “I don’t see a vehicle. Maybe Taylor isn’t here.”
Numbness spread from Carlita’s feet and her knees began to wobble. Please…hurry up and leave.
“This is a bust,” Kensington grumbled. “We might as well head to Emmett Pridgen’s office.”
The trio returned to their van and climbed back inside.
As soon as the doors shut and the van rumbled off, Carlita rolled onto her backside and began massaging her calves.
The door to the restaurant slowly opened and Pirate Pete emerged. “Carlita?”
“I’m over here.”
“Over where?”
“In your bushes.”
The bushes parted and Pirate Pete peered in. “What are you doin’ in my bushes?”
“I was hiding from the reporters.” Carlita crawled out of her hiding spot. She reached for the wall to steady herself and slowly stood.
“I thought that was my job.” Pirate Pete extended a hand. “Let me give you a hand.”
Carlita gingerly stepped onto the asphalt. “I sent you the text to tell you I was here. Next thing I know, the nosy news crew was pulling in. I did the first thing I could think of.”
“I appreciate the warning.” Pete led her inside and closed the door behind them. “I have a feeling I haven’t seen the last of them. They’ll be back.”
“I’m sure they will.”
Carlita followed Pete to his office where he motioned her inside before closing the door behind them. “Savannah Fire Chief, Earl Gillison, called. He’s going to stop by this afternoon to ‘chat.’”
“Hopefully, Lawson doesn’t show up on your doorstep.” Carlita pointed at Gunner’s empty birdcage. “Gunner isn’t here today?”
“He’s home. I didn’t dare bring him through the tunnels. He gets a little freaked out.”
“I don’t blame him.” Carlita leaned forward in her chair and began massaging her knees.
“I’m sorry you had to hide out in my bushes. I appreciate the heads up.” Pete changed the subject. “How did you happen to find out about the fire on board the Mystic Dream?”
“Rambo and I were taking a walk down by the river. When we reached the Mystic Dream, I noticed right away something was wrong.”
Carlita told Pete she smelled the smoke first. “When we got closer, I spotted the fire trucks parked in front of the riverboat. From what I could tell, it appears most of the damage was in the back.”
“The authorities believe the damage was intentional and not accidental?” Pete asked.
“That’s my guess.” Carlita’s head bobbed up and down. “The roving reporter, Brock Kensington, marched right up to Lawson Bates and asked him. That’s how I found out Lawson is accusing you of damaging his riverboat.”
“The man has his share of enemies. Any number of people could’ve been responsible for the damage to the riverboat.”
“I heard that, too,” Carlita said. “You weren’t the only one. He also named Mark Fox and the city development manager as suspects.”
Pirate Pete lifted a brow. “Emmett Pridgen?”
“Yes, that was the name.” Carlita leaned back in her chair. “Do you think he’s naming you because you told him you were opening a pirate ship in Savannah?”
“Could be.” Pirate Pete scratched his chin thoughtfully. “He wasn’t too keen on the idea, I’ll give you that. Thanks again for the warning.”
“You’re welcome.” Carlita glanced at her watch. “I should go. I’m meeting Glenda Fox for a late lunch. I warned her, as well.”
“Are you going to warn Emmett Pridgen?”
“No. I heard Kensington tell his crew he wanted to head to Pridgen’s office when he found out you weren’t going to answer the door.”
“Better him than me.” Pete stood. “I’ll walk you out.”
Carlita paused when they reached the parking lot. She squinted her eyes and studied her friend’s face. “I haven’t had time to review the agreement yet and was wondering about the money.”
“We weren’t sure how much you were comfortable investing,” Pete replied. “We’re hoping for at least twenty-five thousand.”
“I see. Now that I have a dollar figure, it will help me make my decision.” During the short walk home, Carlita mulled over the offer. Was she taking on more than she could handle? Three businesses would keep her hopping…a fourth might be too much.
Back at the apartment, Carlita opened the alley door and stepped inside. A loud thump, thump echoed from upstairs.
“What in the world?” Carlita climbed to the top of the stairs and placed her hand on the hall wall. The sound was coming from her apartment. She fumbled with the lock and then swung the door open. “Mercedes?”
The music was even louder inside the apartment, so loud that it rattled the doorknob.
Carlita marched down the hall and pounded on her daughter’s bedroom door. “Mercedes Garlucci!”
The music continued.
“This is crazy.” Carlita backtracked through the apartment and stepped onto the balcony. Rambo was right behind her. “I’ll bet the racket is hurting your ears, too.” She patted her pooch’s head and then dialed her daughter’s cell phone number.
“Hello?”
“Mercedes, what is going on?” Carlita yelled into the phone.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” her daughter calmly replied.
“The racket! Turn down the racket and meet me on the balcony.” Carlita jabbed the end call button and began massaging her temples.
“Hi, Carlita.”
Cool Bones, Carlita’s rear tenant, leaned over his balcony railing and waved. “You having a party?”
“If there’s a party, I wasn’t invited. I apologize for the racket.”
“No worries. When you got a minute, I want to run something by you.”
“I’ll be over as soon as I figure out what is going on.”
Cool Bones chuckled. “Good luck.” He stepped back inside and she heard his sliding door close.
The music suddenly stopped and Mercedes joined her mother on the balcony. “What’s up?”
“I was going to ask you the same thing.” Carlita placed a fisted hand on her hip. “What’s up with the disco music? I heard it as soon as I walked into the building.”
“I was listening to music.” Mercedes shrugged. “Sometimes it helps put me in the writing mood. You weren’t home. I figured I wouldn’t be bothering anyone.”
“Except the neighbors.”
“Shelby is at work.”
“What about Cool Bones and our new neighbor, Sam Ivey?”
“Oh.” Mercedes frowned. “Cool Bones.”
“He was out on his balcony, wondering what the racket was.”
“Sorry.” Mercedes let out a puff of air, blowing her bangs out of her eyes. “I
forgot about Cool Bones.”
“Because you were too focused on irritating our new tenant,” Carlita guessed.
“He started it.”
“Started what?”
“He was playing some annoying classical music. It was giving me a headache.”
“And yours didn’t?” Carlita rolled her eyes. “This nonsense has got to stop. I’m sorry you and our new tenant got off on the wrong foot, but he’s here for a year, unless he does something to break the terms of his lease, so you two might as well make peace.”
Mercedes crossed her arms and met her mother’s hard stare.
“You’re stubborn as a mule.” Carlita lifted both hands and stared skyward. “I give up.”
Mercedes followed her mother into the living room. “I’ll run next door and apologize to Cool Bones.”
“And Mr. Ivey,” her mother added. “Cool Bones asked me to stop by his place. Hopefully, he doesn’t want to move out because you’re making all of us miserable.”
Mother and daughter exited the apartment and made their way to the apartment directly behind theirs. Carlita tapped lightly and the door opened.
Cool Bones opened it wider, motioning the women to come in. “Carlita, Mercedes. How was the disco party?” he teased.
“It’s over and I’m sorry,” Mercedes apologized.
“It’s okay. I figured you was paying me back for all of the times I practice my sax in the apartment.”
“Our new tenant, Mr. Ivey, and she have gotten off on the wrong foot and she was paying him back for some imaginary offense.”
“It wasn’t imaginary.” Mercedes stomped her foot in frustration.
“He seems like a nice man,” Cool Bones replied. “I met him this morning. We exchanged business cards. He’s going to recommend the Thirsty Crow to his customers, and I’m going to recommend his walking tours to our patrons.”
He patted Mercedes’ arm. “Maybe you did get off on the wrong foot. It happens to the best of us.”
“How is business?” Carlita asked.
“We got some great gigs lined up, which reminds me. I wanted to talk to you about something.”
Chapter 5
“Sure,” Carlita said. “What’s up?”
“I was thinking about me and the Jazz Boys hosting a little get-together a week from this Friday. I would like to invite the owners of the Thirsty Crow and a dozen or so of the locals who support our business.”
“Here at the apartment? It sounds like fun. You know how I love parties.” Carlita had already hosted several events since moving to Savannah, one of them a block-party to get to know her Walton Square neighbors. “Do you need help?”
“No, but I was wondering if we could use the courtyard since my apartment is on the small side.”
“Absolutely. What time?”
While Carlita and Cool Bones discussed the upcoming party, Mercedes wandered to the window and gazed out.
“It’s a shame Ravello won’t be up and running before the party.” Carlita snapped her fingers. “I could whip up a few of the appetizers I plan to put on the menu, if you want.”
Cool Bones patted his stomach. “Carlita, you know that’s an offer I can’t refuse. You are hands down one of the best Italian cooks in the entire south.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Carlita joked. “I’ll start working on a small sampler menu. In the meantime, I’ll let the other tenants know the courtyard will be unavailable not this Friday, but next.”
She rattled on as the trio made their way into the hall. “I also have several boxes of twinkle lights from the last courtyard party if you would like to borrow them.”
The door to Sam Ivey’s apartment opened and the handsome young tenant stepped into the hall. He smiled at Carlita and Cool Bones. When his eyes met Mercedes’ eyes, the smile vanished. “Hello, Mrs. Garlucci, Cool Bones.” He pointedly ignored Mercedes and focused his attention on Carlita.
“I’m done moving everything into the apartment and finished filling out the apartment checklist you gave me.” He handed Carlita a sheet of paper.
Carlita glanced at it. “Thank you. I hope you found everything in working order.”
“It is. I’m enjoying the courtyard view. It’s been fairly quiet, except for a short time ago when there was some loud music, but it didn’t bother me.”
“Too bad,” Mercedes muttered under her breath, and her mother pinched the back of her arm.
“Ouch!” Mercedes scowled at her mother.
Cool Bones chuckled and winked at Mercedes before turning his attention to his new neighbor. “I was telling Carlita my band, the Jazz Boys, and I would like to host a party down in the courtyard a week from Friday. You’re welcome to join us.”
“I’ll have to check my appointment calendar. If possible, you can count me in. It will give me a chance to meet some of the other neighbors.”
“You’ll love living in Walton Square.” Carlita grasped her daughter’s elbow and propelled her forward. “We’re glad you’re here, Mr. Ivey.”
“Sam,” the man interrupted. “You can call me Sam.”
“Yes. Sam.” Carlita cleared her throat. “I’m not one to beat around the bush. I’m going to just speak my mind.”
The smile returned to Sam’s face. “I appreciate that.”
“It appears you and my daughter, Mercedes, may have gotten off on the wrong foot the other day. She seems to think you don’t like her.”
“I never said that,” Mercedes gritted out.
“I don’t know where she got that impression,” Sam drawled, his eyes slowly shifting to Mercedes. “We did have a slight exchange over her Segway when I was moving in.” He tilted his head. “I do apologize, Ms. Garlucci, if I hurt your feelings.”
He said it in such a way Mercedes was certain that the last thing he was - was sorry.
Sam Ivey extended a hand. “Shall we start again?”
Mercedes resisted the urge to slap his hand away, fully aware her mother and Cool Bones were watching. Not to mention it would make her appear childish. She hesitantly placed her hand in his and a jolt of heat coursed through her veins.
She quickly jerked her hand back. “Of course.”
Sam’s eyes twinkled and he slowly slipped his hand into his pocket. “I was wondering about the local cable company, if you could tell me who you use.”
Carlita rattled off the name of the cable company and Mercedes excused herself, slipping back inside the apartment and closing the door behind her.
She pressed a hand to her beating chest, surprised by her reaction to Sam Ivey’s touch.
She immediately pushed the thought aside, chalking it up to her intense dislike of the man, certain her body was trying to warn her away.
Carlita returned to the apartment a short time later. “Why did you run off? I was hoping you and Mr. Ivey, I mean Sam, could get to know each other better.”
“I…didn’t have anything to say.” It was the truth. As soon as Mercedes touched Sam Ivey’s hand, her mind went blank, and she didn’t like the feeling one iota. She quickly changed the subject. “What’s for lunch?”
“I’m having a late lunch with Glenda Fox. You’re welcome to join us.”
“Nah. I think I’ll call Autumn to see if she wants to run to the shopping mall with me.”
“Have you had a chance to look at Pete and Tori’s agreement?”
“I gave it a quick glance. It looks like a standard agreement. I didn’t see a dollar amount. I gave it to Tony to see what he thinks.”
“Thank you.”
“I love the pirate idea,” Mercedes said. “Maybe we should take another dinner cruise on the Mystic Dream to check it out.”
“The Mystic Dream isn’t going to be going anywhere anytime soon.” Carlita briefly told her daughter about the damage to the boat. She mentioned how she overheard the news reporter say the owner, Lawson Bates, was pointing fingers not only at Pirate Pete, but also at Glenda’s husband, Mark. “I called Glenda to give he
r a heads up and that’s when she asked if I could meet her for lunch.”
“Maybe you don’t want to get involved in this business venture. It sounds as if Bates might be the type to pay Pete back and damage the pirate ship.”
“That’s a thought, Mercedes. I wonder if Pete thought about that, too.”
“I’m gonna give Autumn a call.”
“I think I’ll take Rambo for a walk.”
Mercedes returned to her room while Carlita went in search of her pooch. “You wanna take a quick walk around the block?”
Once outside, Rambo trotted down the alley toward his favorite parking lot watering spot.
While they walked, Carlita thought about the damaged riverboat and Lawson Bates. What if Lawson convinced himself Pete was the one responsible for the damage and he decided to seek some sort of revenge?
The last thing Carlita needed was to battle a Savannah business owner who had it in for one of her business partners…or even her!
Thankfully, she hadn’t committed to Pete or Tori yet. Perhaps it was best if she postponed her decision for a day or two, to see what happened once the pirate ship arrived.
After Rambo watered the grass, they swung by Ravello to inspect the final restaurant renovations.
She found the workers in the back, installing high-end appliances in the commercial grade kitchen. She admired the spacious walk-in cooler, large oven, eight-burner cook top and gleaming stainless steel range hood.
After the brief tour, they exited through the back door and returned to the alley. “What a beautiful day,” Carlita told her pooch as she fished her house keys out of her front pocket.
“Help!”
“Did you hear that?” Carlita glanced over her shoulder, but didn’t see anything. “My hearing must be going.”
She shoved the key in the lock and twisted the knob when she heard a loud clanging noise and a second call for help.
Carlita nudged Rambo inside the apartment.
It was then, she noticed someone dangling from the second story fire escape of the building across the alley.
Pirates in Peril: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Cozy Mysteries Series Book 10) Page 4