Pirates in Peril: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Cozy Mysteries Series Book 10)

by Hope Callaghan

  “Stay here.” Carlita slammed the apartment door shut and darted to the back of the building where she found her former tenant clinging to a metal grate. “What in the world?”

  “I’m stuck.” Elvira’s legs swung back and forth. “I need a ladder.”

  “What are you doing?”

  “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m hanging on for dear life,” Elvira gasped. “I need a ladder.”

  “Hold on. I’ll see if the restaurant workers have a ladder that will reach you.” Carlita ran inside the building and into the kitchen. “I need a tall ladder. Quick!”

  One of the workers dropped what he was doing. “There’s one in front.” He hurried out of the room and returned moments later carrying a large metal ladder.

  “I think that will work. Follow me.” Carlita led the way out of the building and to what was left of the fire escape. “She’s stuck.”

  “You got that right.” The man unfolded the ladder and slid it forward until the top rung was directly below Elvira’s feet.

  “Hold on.” The man slowly climbed the ladder. When he reached the top, he grasped the edge of the metal grate with one hand and Elvira’s left leg with his other. “You’re going to have to wiggle back a little and then start sliding down. I’ll guide you.”

  Elvira grunted, but did as the man said and slowly inched her way backward.

  Carlita shaded her eyes and held her breath as she watched the man guide Elvira to safety. “Whew!”

  The man backed down the ladder with Elvira following close behind him.

  “Thank you for helping us,” Carlita said.

  “Yeah.” Elvira swiped at her pant legs. “Thanks. You’re a real life saver.”

  Carlita shifted her gaze from Elvira to the fire escape. “What in the world were you doing?”

  “I was trying to reach the second story window. I almost cleared the landing when a chunk of it broke off and fell to the ground.” Elvira pointed to a section of rusted ladder nearby. “I almost went down with it.”

  “I need to get back to work.” The worker snapped the ladder together and picked it up.

  “Wait!” Elvira grabbed his arm. “Do you mind if I borrow the ladder for a few more minutes? I wanna go back up.”

  “Are you crazy?” Carlita gasped.

  Judging by the look on the worker’s face, he had the same thought.

  “The fire escape is dangerous. What if the other section breaks off and you aren’t as lucky this time?” Carlita asked.

  “It’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

  “Suit yourself. Bring it back when you’re done.” The worker returned to the restaurant. When he reached the doorway, he looked back and shook his head before disappearing into the building.

  Carlita faced her former tenant. “I thought the upper level of your building was empty.”

  “It was. I mean it is empty…at least I thought it was until the other night. There’s something strange going on over here.”

  Chapter 6

  Elvira unfolded the ladder and adjusted the legs. “I keep hearing funny noises at night and now during the day, so I thought it was time to check it out.” She scampered to the top and then gingerly stepped onto what was left of the landing.

  “You sure you wanna do this?” Carlita shaded her eyes and gazed up. “What if that thing gives way like the rest of the fire escape?”

  “Then I’m going to sue the city. There has to be some sort of safety code about making sure fire escapes are operational and safe.” Elvira bounced on the tips of her toes and the fire escape creaked under her weight.

  Carlita stumbled backward. “You’re crazy.”

  “Eh. I’ve been called worse.” She swiped her hand across the grimy windowpane and then stuck her forehead against it. “Can’t see anything but a bunch of storage boxes.”

  She grasped the bottom of the sash and gave it a tug. It refused to budge. “I figured this was going to happen.”

  Carlita rolled her eyes. “It’s locked for a reason.”

  Elvira ignored Carlita’s comment as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small metal tool. She jammed the tool in the windowsill, and began wiggling it back and forth. “It’s going to…”

  There was a faint popping sound. “Perfect.” Elvira slid the tool into her back pocket, lifted the window and stuck her leg inside before turning back. “Call the cops if I’m not out in ten minutes.”

  She eased through the open window and disappeared from sight.

  Carlita stood there for what seemed like forever, listening to muffled banging sounds.

  “Elvira” Carlita cupped her hands to her mouth. “What’s going on?”

  The only answer was another dull banging noise.

  “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” Carlita gingerly stepped on the bottom rung of the ladder. “I should leave her there.”

  Common sense told her to leave Elvira to her own devices, but Carlita knew she couldn’t - not if she thought her former pain-in-the-rear tenant might be injured.

  With each rung Carlita climbed, she called Elvira’s name.

  When she reached the top of the ladder, she leaned forward in an attempt to peer inside the open window. The only thing visible was stacks of storage boxes.

  Carlita grabbed hold of the base of the fire escape and wiggled it. Small chunks of rust fell to the ground, but the escape stayed put.

  “I must be as cuckoo as she is,” Carlita muttered under her breath before she tentatively stepped onto the escape.

  It let out a sharp snapping sound. Carlita quickly scrambled across the metal bars and vaulted through the window. In her haste to reach safety, she kicked the ladder. It teetered back and forth before falling over. The ladder made a loud clatter as it hit the ground.

  “What was that?” Elvira hurried to the window.

  “The ladder. I accidentally knocked it over when I was crawling through the window.”

  The women peered down at the ladder, lying on its side. “Great. Now how are we going to get out of here?”

  “There has to be a stairway leading down to the first floor,” Carlita said.

  “There is.” Elvira motioned Carlita to follow her. The women zigzagged past several stacks of boxes before stepping into a narrow hall. It reminded Carlita of the layout of her own apartment building.

  Inside the hall were several doors, all of them closed. “Don’t bother trying to get into the other rooms. They’re all locked.” Elvira pointed to the other end of the hall. “There’s the stairs to the lower level.”

  “Great.” Carlita took a step forward.

  “You’re wasting your time. The exit is sealed off.”

  Sure enough, there was a wall at the bottom of the stairs.

  “I’ll give Mercedes a call. She can come over and set the ladder back up.”

  Elvira followed Carlita to the open window. “Good idea. I would call Dernice, but she’s working and I’m the only one home, which is why it seemed like the perfect opportunity to see what was going on around here.”

  Carlita started to text her daughter and then stopped. “Crud. I just remembered. She’s not home. I’ll have to try Tony.”

  She texted her son and he promptly replied he was with a customer and it would be a couple of minutes. She sent a reply, thanking him and then slipped the phone into her pocket. “Did you find anything?”

  “Find what?” Elvira asked

  “That someone was messing around up here?”

  “Oh that. No, but I found some other interesting stuff.” Elvira darted to a stack of boxes and dropped to her knees. She flipped the flaps, reached inside and pulled out an old wooden steamer case.

  “Check this out.” Elvira lifted the lid, removed a large piece of velvet material and handed it to Carlita.

  Nestled inside was a gem-encrusted knife. Along with the knife were several old coins.

  “These have to be worth some serious cash. Look how old they are.”

  T
he first thing Carlita thought of was Pirate Pete and Tori. She ran her thumb over a ruby. “This does look old. I wonder if there are more.”

  “I was trying to figure that out right before someone vaulted through the open window and then we lost the ladder.” Elvira reached for the knife.

  “Wait.” Carlita tightened her grip on the handle. “Do you mind if I take a picture of it? I want to see if I can figure out its history.”

  “Sure, but if it’s worth anything, it belongs to me,” Elvira said. “Finders, keepers…”

  “It belongs to the owner of this building, not you.”

  Elvira held it up to the light while Carlita took several pictures.

  “Are there any other treasures inside the box?”

  “Nope. That was the only thing. Like I said, I haven’t had a chance to go through the rest. I have a hunch this place is a gold mine.” Elvira began digging around inside the box while Carlita stood near the window, waiting for Tony to arrive.

  Elvira rummaged through several of the boxes. The only things she found were stacks of dated newspapers, some vintage clothing, rusty gardening tools and a stack of tattered paperback books.

  Tony appeared in the window. “I would ask you why you’re in here, but since this involves Elvira, I don’t think I wanna know.”

  “Thanks, Tony, and you’re right,” Carlita sighed. “You don’t want to know.”

  Elvira ignored the comments. “I think I’m going to hang around here for a while to see if I can figure out a way to get into the other storage rooms.”

  “You’re on your own,” Carlita warned. “I’m leaving with Tony and returning the ladder.”

  “I won’t have a way out,” Elvira whined.

  “Your choice,” Carlita said.

  “Fine. I guess I’ll go, too.”

  Carlita watched as Elvira tucked the velvet bag containing the knife and coins under her arm. “That doesn’t belong to you.”

  “I’m borrowing it,” Elvira said.

  “Whatever.” Carlita gingerly stepped onto the fire escape while Tony made his way down the ladder. When he reached the ground, he held the ladder steady. “Is anyone watching the shop?”

  “Yeah. Josh just got here. Otherwise, I would’ve had to close shop to come rescue you.”

  “I appreciate it, son and I’m sorry to bother you.” Carlita hopped onto the ground and they both watched Elvira close the upper window and scamper down the ladder.

  “That was fun.”

  “It depends on who you ask.”

  “Where’d you get the ladder?” Tony asked.

  “I borrowed it from one of the construction guys working at Ravello.”

  “I’ll take it back.” Tony carried the ladder to the building across the alley and Carlita turned to Elvira. “What are you going to do with the knife?”

  Elvira shifted her feet. “Technically, you’re right and it doesn’t belong to me. I guess I need to put it back where I found it, but first I want to do a little research.”

  “I have a friend who might be able to help,” Carlita said.

  “That’d be great.” Elvira turned to go and then turned back. “Thanks, Carlita, for saving my butt.”

  “You’re welcome, Elvira.”

  Tony joined his mother and they waited for Elvira to return to her apartment.

  Carlita slipped her arm through her son’s arm and they began walking across the alley. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about a family meeting. Tori and Pirate Pete have offered me…offered us a business proposition and I want to go over it before making a decision.”

  “I’m free tonight. Shelby and Violet are visiting a friend after Shelby gets out of work.”

  “I’m having a late lunch with Glenda Fox; which reminds me I need to get a move on. What time do you think you can make it?”

  “Is seven too late?” Tony asked.

  “Sounds good to me. Mercedes should be home by then.”

  When they reached the hall, Carlita thanked her son again for rescuing them and hurried up the steps. She grabbed her purse off the counter, which was sitting next to the Savannah Trolley BOP Mercedes had purchased for her.

  She picked it up and slipped it into the side pocket of her purse. “I guess I should try the trolley.” Carlita walked to the corner and gazed up and down the street before consulting her watch. She remembered Claryce telling her that the trolley would be by every hour.

  Sure enough, and right on time, the trolley made its way toward her. The door opened and Carlita climbed the steps.

  “Hello, Carlita.” Claryce gave her a mock salute.

  “You remembered my name?” Carlita grinned as she scanned her card.

  “Yep. I’ve got a mind like a steel trap.” Claryce tapped the side of her forehead. “Where ya headed?”

  “The City Market District.”

  “Perfect. Have a seat and we’ll be on our way.”

  Unlike the previous ride, the trolley was filled with passengers. Carlita made her way to an empty seat by the window. As she rode, she thought about Pirate Pete and Tori’s offer. On the one hand, she wanted to help her friends.

  On the other, she would have her hands full once Ravello opened, not to mention Tony and Shelby’s upcoming wedding.

  She also needed to find tenants for Tony’s efficiency and Shelby’s two-bedroom apartment.

  Perhaps she should let Mercedes become more involved in the rentals. Although Mercedes helped Tony in the pawnshop, they had enough staff to cover most shifts and the pawnshop was Tony’s baby.

  Of course, Pete and Tori mentioned they were looking for more of a “silent partner,” someone who could help with start-up cash. And that was another thing…she needed to figure out the value of the remaining gems.

  Tony would be able to give her a ballpark figure, since he dealt with jewels and gems at the pawnshop.

  The trolley rolled to a stop near Ellis Square and Carlita made her way off.

  “You gonna ride back later?”

  “Maybe,” Carlita said. “I’m not sure yet.”

  “Don’t forget, the last trolley runs until seven-thirty.”

  “Thanks, Claryce.”

  Claryce gave her a thumbs up and waited until a few of the other passengers and she were off the trolley before pulling back onto the street.

  City Market was bustling with pedestrians. She could hear the faint echo of music coming from one of the more popular restaurants.

  Carlita wasn’t sure exactly where the Garden of Goodness restaurant was located, so she walked to the end of the main thoroughfare and crossed the street to the other side.

  Up ahead, she spotted a familiar figure who began waving. Carlita hurried to Glenda’s side and gave her friend a hug. “I hope I’m not late.”

  “You’re right on time.” Glenda smiled as she gazed at Carlita’s hair.

  “What?” Carlita patted her head. “Is something wrong?”

  “There appears to be a cobweb clinging to your hair.” Glenda tugged on a strand of hair. “I got it.”

  “Elvira,” Carlita muttered.

  “Is she still living in the building across the alley?” Glenda asked.

  “Yes, and she’s as troublesome as if she were still one of my tenants. Maybe even worse now.”

  The women stepped inside the restaurant. The hostess led them to the spacious open-air courtyard in the back. “Have you dined with us before?”

  “Nope.” Glenda shook her head. “This is our first time.”

  The young woman rattled off the daily specials and then told them their server would be right with them.

  Carlita’s mouth began to water as she studied the lunch menu. “I gotta try the cheesy Italian potpie.”

  “That sounds good,” Glenda said. “You can’t go wrong with flaky crusts, melted cheese and chunks of chicken.”

  The server arrived to take their order. Glenda chose the steak and potato pie while Carlita ordered the Italian potpie.

  After
the server walked away, Glenda turned to her friend. “Lawson Bates is on the warpath.”

  Chapter 7

  “He’s accusing you of sabotaging the Mystic Dream,” Carlita guessed.

  “Yes. He showed up on our doorstep not long after you called, looking for Mark. Thankfully, Mark is travelling. Actually, he’s out of the country in Colombia, South America, but I don’t think this is the last we’ve seen of Lawson.”

  “You’re not the only ones. He accused Pete Taylor and Emmett Pridgen of being involved, too.”

  “Mark mentioned Pete Taylor obtained a permit to operate a pirate ship for tourism. That would definitely make Lawson angry and Pete a suspect.”

  “Along with Emmett Pridgen,” Carlita said. “Although I’m not sure why Lawson named him.”

  “But what possible motive would Mark have to damage the Mystic Dream?” Glenda shook her head.

  “Does Mark have anything to do with the new development in the riverfront district? Lawson may be looking at it from that angle.”

  “Yes, he’s on the development board. There are a number of other board members. Mark is the main contact for the project.”

  “Bingo,” Carlita said.

  “Well, he can accuse away, but he doesn’t have an ounce of proof,” Glenda said. “I’m going to call Mark after our lunch, to fill him in on what you said. I think we’ve spent enough time talking about Lawson.”

  The women discussed upcoming Savannah events including the spring gardens and mansions tour. The tour highlighted a number of the downtown district’s award -winning homes and gardens.

  “Is your home going to be part of the tour?” Carlita asked.

  “Not this year. I decided to take a year off and enjoy the tours instead of working.”

  The server returned with a tray full of food. She eased Glenda’s steak and potato pie in front of her, followed by Carlita’s Italian potpie. “Be careful. Both of these dishes are hot.”

  Carlita picked up her fork and poked a hole in the top of the pie. The fragrant aroma of garlic wafted out and she licked her lips. “This looks delicious.”

  She scooped out a large spoonful and blew on it to cool it off before taking a small bite. The garlic, mingled with the rich tomato sauce and melted cheese was the perfect combination. “This is delicious,” Carlita murmured. “You have to try it.”