She clicked on the first article. Above the story was a picture of Officer Sam Ivey. Carlita glanced at the caption before scanning the first paragraph. “Oh no.”
Chapter 9
According to the story, dated October, 2016, Officer Ivey was in pursuit of a suspect who left the scene of a minor pedestrian accident. The vehicle pursuit started on the edge of downtown Savannah and the main road leading to the highway.
As Sam and the car he was pursuing entered a populated area, close to the highway, Officer Ivey abandoned pursuit, fearing the high-speed chase would end with additional injuries. He turned his siren and flashing lights off and reduced his speed, but the car he was pursuing continued to race down the road.
The suspect failed to navigate a sharp curve and broke through a guardrail, crashing into a large oak tree at a high rate of speed. Officer Ivey was the first to arrive, where a gruesome scene awaited him. It was the body of a young woman, Hailey Silverton. She hadn’t been wearing her seatbelt and had been thrown from the vehicle on impact.
An internal investigation ensued and the Savannah Police Department placed Officer Ivey on paid leave. After the investigation ended, he was released back to duty. He submitted his resignation less than a month later.
“How awful,” Carlita whispered. She read several more stories, all repeating the same thing and one of them adding that Ivey began offering walking tours in the historic district.
She wandered into the kitchen to turn the oven on and warm the bread. Mercedes emerged from her room and breezed into the kitchen. “What time is Tony coming for dinner?”
“He should be here shortly. I ran into Steve Winter during my walk with Rambo. We got on the subject of our new tenant, Sam Ivey, and the reason he quit the police force. There was some sort of incident and investigation. He couldn’t remember the details, so when I got home, I looked it up.”
Carlita briefly told her daughter what had happened and her theory Ivey gave up his career because he blamed himself for the young woman’s death.
“But he stopped pursuing her. It wasn’t his fault she was driving recklessly, not wearing a seatbelt and crashed.” Mercedes shifted her feet. “That’s what cops do…they chase the bad guys, or in this case the bad girls.”
“It does explain a little more.”
Tony arrived moments later and Carlita began assembling the food while Mercedes set the table. “We’ll eat first and discuss the business proposition later.”
The trio gathered at the table where Carlita piled pasta on her plate and then poured a generous amount of sauce on top. She grabbed the bowl of freshly grated parmesan cheese and sprinkled a spoonful on top.
Tony loaded his plate with food and reached for his fork. “This is good stuff, Ma. Something tastes a little different.”
“I added a few minced green olives. What do you think?”
“That I’m gonna gain five pounds.” Tony patted his stomach.
Mercedes nibbled on a noddle and then dipped it in the sauce. “Ma’s pasta is the best. You can eat it with or without sauce, although the sauce is delicious, nice and creamy, just the way I like it.”
“The sun-dried tomatoes give it a nice tang.” Carlita changed the subject. “How is business at the pawnshop?”
“Good. Now that the weather is warming up, we’re getting more foot traffic.” Tony rattled off some figures and told them he needed to run a few ads because the store’s inventory was starting to dwindle.
They discussed Ravello with Carlita telling her children that Bob Lowman said the last of the punch list was almost completed. “My plan is to start out managing the restaurant. Mercedes offered to help hire the staff. We still have to order food. I’ve talked with Pirate Pete at length about the restaurant business. He’s given me lots of great tips and information.”
Carlita tapped the tines of her fork on the edge of her plate. “I wonder if he would be willing to spare his restaurant manager for a day or two to train me on what I need to be doing.”
“That’s a great idea, Ma. I’m sure he’ll help you out,” Tony said. “Speaking of Pirate Pete, what are you thinking about his offer?”
“I’m on the fence,” Carlita confessed. “On the one hand, I’m always open to making more money. On the other hand, Lawson Bates is making waves, not only accusing Pirate Pete of sabotaging the Mystic Dream but also accusing Mark Fox, Glenda’s husband, of the same.”
“I’ve heard the name, Lawson Bates, before,” Tony said. “He owns the Mystic Dream?”
“Yes, and it was damaged by fire the other morning.”
“What does that have to do with Mark Fox?”
“Mark is in charge of a new riverfront development and I suspect Lawson views it as competition. I dunno if I want to be involved in a project that already has troubles.”
“We got enough of our own without any help,” Mercedes joked.
“Ain’t that the truth.”
The trio finished their meal, and it was a joint clean-up effort. As they worked, Tony told his mother and sister that Shelby was starting to work on the wedding plans. The couple decided it would be a small, intimate affair at a chapel not far from Walton Square. All they needed to do was decide on a date.
If they timed it right, Ravello would be up and running. “We can always have a private luncheon at the new restaurant after the ceremony,” Carlita said.
“I like the idea. I wanna make sure Vinnie, Brittney, Paulie and Gina can make it since I want my brothers to stand up with me.” Tony nodded to his sister. “I think Shelby might ask you to stand up with her, too.”
Mercedes’ eyes lit. “I would love to be a part of the wedding.”
“Don’t say nothin’. I think Shelby wants to ask you herself.”
“My lips are sealed.” Mercedes made a zipping motion across her mouth.
“Now that will be something,” Carlita said.
“Mercedes keeping her mouth shut?” Tony joked.
Mercedes whacked her brother’s arm. “No! Ma meant having all of the family together again.”
The trio returned to the dining room table after they finished cleaning up, and the women waited quietly while Tony set the file folder on the table. “It looks like a standard agreement as far as I can tell, but then I’m no attorney.” He tapped the top sheet. “I don’t see a dollar amount. The space is blank.”
“We noticed that, too,” Carlita said. “Pete threw out a figure of twenty-five thousand dollars. I don’t know how much money we have left to invest. We still need start-up costs for Ravello.”
“I ran some numbers for the rentals and the pawnshop. We’re in the green on both fronts. My guess is Ravello will lose a little in the beginning. If we’re lucky, we’ll break even in four to six months. After that, if we play our cards right, we should be turning a profit.”
“I hope you’re right,” Carlita sighed. “Sometimes I wonder if I’ve lost my mind, taking on all of these businesses.”
“Nah. Those gems have given us the cushion we needed to get going. I did some preliminary numbers on the value of what we’ve got left.” Tony reached into his front pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. “I think it’s safe to sell them in the store since the mafia heat is off us these days. If we pawn off what we got left, we would still have around fifty grand to play with, give or take a couple thousand.”
“You mean invest in Pete and Tori’s venture,” Carlita said.
“Yep. I’ll leave that up to you.”
Carlita gazed at her son thoughtfully before sliding out of her chair. She wandered over to the fireplace mantle and the secret compartment.
“In a way, the gems have been my security blanket.” Carlita tugged the pouch of gems from their hiding spot and replaced the mantle before returning to the table.
She untied the bag and shook it lightly, sending the precious gems tumbling across the table.
The emeralds, rubies and diamonds twinkled in the overhead light. Carlita picked up a small d
iamond and rolled it between her thumb and index finger.
In an odd way, the gems were one of her last remaining connections to Vinnie. That and the Savannah property. Carlita had grown to love her new home. She loved the charm of the city, loved her neighborhood, and had made some genuine friends to boot, something she’d never done in New York, partly because Vinnie didn’t want friends. He was more interested in “business associates.”
Savannah was in her blood now and as each day passed, New York became more of a distant memory. Day by day, she was putting down roots.
Carlita shifted her gaze from the gems to her children. They were putting down roots and making friends…good friends. Pirate Pete was one of them. “I’ve made my decision. I’ll let Pete and Tori know that the most we can invest is twenty-five thousand. It will still leave us an extra cushion.”
Tony nodded his approval. “I have the cash on hand in the pawnshop account. You can use it now, and I’ll replace it when the gems sell.”
Before she could change her mind, she grabbed the business checkbook and wrote out a check to Pirate Ventures, LLC, the name listed at the top of the agreement. She signed her name and jotted down the date before placing the papers back into the file folder.
“You gonna deliver the check in the morning?” Mercedes asked.
“No. I think I’ll run it over to the Parrot House this evening.”
“I’ll go with you,” Mercedes said. “I could use a little fresh air.”
Carlita and Mercedes followed Tony out of the apartment and down the steps. They stopped outside the door to his studio apartment. “You want me to go with you?” Tony asked.
“Nah. I’m sure we’ll be fine,” Carlita said. “Thanks for helping me figure this one out. I don’t want to have too many irons in the fire. I also don’t want to pass over a promising business venture.”
Tony patted his mother’s shoulder. “Pop would be proud of you, Ma. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, son.” Carlita’s throat clogged. “It means a lot. I want to make all of my kids proud. I also want to leave something behind for you, including my grandchildren and future grandchildren.”
Tony wagged his finger at his mother. “Don’t be gettin’ any ideas. At least not yet. Shelby and I aren’t even married.”
“I know. No rush.” Carlita thanked her son a second time, and Mercedes and she stepped into the alley.
The evening air was cool and she rubbed the sudden goosebumps on her arms. “I’m already having second thoughts. Maybe I should sleep on it.”
“I say we keep going.” Mercedes placed a hand on her mother’s back and propelled her forward. “You made the right decision. If you’re nervous about it, maybe you could change the agreement to twelve months instead of two years.”
“But then it would look like I don’t trust Tori and Pete,” Carlita said.
“It’s a business arrangement,” Mercedes said. “Don’t let your emotions get in the way of making a sound business decision.”
“True. I don’t wanna be wishy washy,” Carlita said. “I’m gonna leave it like it is.”
“Good. I think we’ll be fine. Plus, it’s only twenty-five thousand bucks.”
“Only? Only twenty-five thousand bucks? That’s a lot of money.”
“Let me rephrase that.” Mercedes linked arms with her mother as they strolled to the end of the block. “At least it’s not a hundred grand.”
When they reached the Parrot House, the restaurant lobby was standing room only. The hostess told them Pete was out for the evening and wouldn’t be back until morning. She offered to leave the file in his office.
Carlita thanked the young woman after handing her the folder and mother and daughter stepped out onto the porch. “You think she’ll put it in his office?”
“Yes. You worry too much.” Mercedes kept up the conversation during the walk home. She told her mother she was making progress on her new book while her mother teased her about killing off the character who was like their new tenant, Sam Ivey.
“After you told me why he quit the police force, I felt bad for the way I killed him off.”
“How did you kill him?”
“Sam was on a solo cave diving excursion. He became trapped in one of the cave’s chambers and died when his oxygen tank ran out. It took days before the rescuers recovered his body.”
“Mercedes,” Carlita chided. “That’s terrible.”
“What? I was going to have him eaten alive by an alligator.”
Back at the apartment, Carlita decided to turn in early. Now that she didn’t have to worry about whether to invest in the business venture, she slept soundly and woke to Rambo whining at the bedroom door.
“Ugh!” Carlita glanced at the bedside clock. “I overslept.” She grabbed her robe and joined Rambo in the hall.
Her first stop was the kitchen to start a pot of coffee and then they headed outdoors. After a quick trip to Rambo’s favorite spot, they darted back inside, nearly colliding with Sam who was on his way out.
“I’m sorry.” Carlita took a quick step back and Sam grinned.
“Good morning, Mrs. Garlucci.”
“Carlita.” Carlita patted her ruffled hair. “Sorry for the bed head look. I overslept.”
“You look as fresh as the morning dew,” Sam complimented.
“And you look very dapper.” Carlita pointed at Sam’s striped seersucker suit.
“I’m on my way to meet a group of Tupperware ladies. They booked an early morning walking tour.” He placed a tan straw hat on top of his head and gave it a light tap. “I love Savannah this time of the year, don’t you?”
“Yes, but then I love Savannah all year-round.” Carlita wished Sam a good day and then waited until he stepped out before closing the door behind him. She could hear him whistling as he walked away and she thanked God for giving her a wonderful new tenant, even if Mercedes disagreed.
Back upstairs, Carlita filled Rambo and Grayvie’s food dishes and then fixed a bowl of cereal. She poured a cup of coffee and took both onto the balcony to enjoy the cool and quiet morning.
As she ate, she thought about Ravello again. Was she getting in over her head?
It was a little too late to change her mind. The restaurant was almost ready. Would she regret investing in Pete and Tori’s new business venture? She needed to make sure they weren’t expecting more than a silent partner.
After finishing her cereal, she headed to the computer to check the weather. It was going to be another beautiful day and she began jotting down a list of things she needed to do before Ravello opened.
One of those was to ask Pete if he could spare his restaurant manager for a day or two. She also needed to come up with appetizers for Cool Bones’ party.
Carlita turned her computer on and checked her email before beginning her search for recipes. She printed off a handful of promising ones and studied the list of ingredients.
Carlita could hear Mercedes rustling around in her room and glanced at the clock. It was time to call Tori and Pirate Pete to give them the good news. She dialed Pete’s cell phone first. The call went right to voice mail, so she tried Tori’s number.
Tori picked up right away. “Oh dear. Carlita, I was getting ready to call you.”
“I tried calling Pirate Pete. The call went right to voice mail.”
“You haven’t heard,” Tori said.
“Heard what?”
“Someone attacked Lawson Bates last night on the dock near the Mystic Dream.”
Chapter 10
“You’re kidding.” A cold chill ran down Carlita’s spine. “Is he going to be okay?”
“He’s in the hospital in a coma. The authorities have already stopped by here to ask me a few questions since my name is listed as the second lessee for the pirate ship’s docking slip. I assume they’ve already talked to Pete or are with him now since he’s the other lessee listed.”
“Because Bates told the authorities, specifically the fire chief,
he suspected Pete of setting fire to and damaging his riverboat.” Carlita pressed a hand to her chest. “That’s awful.”
“It is terrible. I left a message asking Pete to call me. I’m sure I’ll hear back shortly.” Tori changed the subject. “Have you made a decision on partnering up with Pete and me on what may now be our short-lived business venture?”
“Yes. I talked to my children last night. We ran some numbers and as you know, I need to hold onto some of my money for Ravello. We figured we could safely invest twenty-five thousand if that helps.”
“It would help immensely. I’ve got most of my money tied up in stocks right now.” Tori breathed a sigh of relief. “Are you sure you want to partner with us now that it appears there will be an investigation? The city may put a hold on our business license until they can sort out this sordid mess with Lawson and his riverboat.”
“That might pose a problem, more for you than for me. I guess I should talk to Pete. I know you and Pete didn’t damage the Mystic Dream, and I know neither of you injured Lawson.”
“The best we can hope for is that Lawson makes a full recovery and can tell the authorities who attacked him.” Tori paused. “We had such high hopes for this venture.”
“Don’t get discouraged,” Carlita said. “I’m sure it will all work out.”
Carlita thanked Tori for including her in the venture and promised they would talk again soon. She disconnected the call and started to set her cell phone on the counter when she remembered what Glenda told her - how her husband, Mark, planned to confront Lawson when he returned to Savannah the previous evening.
Could it be Mark and Lawson had words, the argument escalated and Mark attacked Lawson? If that were the case, why would the authorities question Tori and Pete?
She quickly dialed Glenda’s cell phone. It went to voice mail and then she promptly received a text message from her friend, telling her she would return the call as soon as possible.
Pirates in Peril: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Cozy Mysteries Series Book 10) Page 7