Exes and Woes: A Garlucci Family Saga Novel (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Book 14)

by Hope Callaghan

  “Sorry. I had the fight or flight instinct.”

  Carlita rolled her eyes. “I’ve had enough fun for today.”

  The women were silent as they made a quick trek back to Elvira’s basement. Carlita climbed the ladder and waited for Dernice to join her. “I would install some sort of barricade or a door if I were you.”

  “If not, we’ll have people snooping around here like we just did.”

  “Exactly.”

  Dernice dropped the door in place and slid the bolt to secure it. “I got to thinking about Elvira’s list. One of the names sounded familiar.”

  “Which one?” Carlita asked.

  “Southern Holdings. I’m going to research my customer database to see if there’s a match.”

  The women stopped by the kitchen to wash their hands in the sink before making their way to the office.

  Zulilly was seated at one of the desks, her back to them.

  Dernice tapped her on the shoulder and made a sweeping motion with her hands.

  “What?” Zulilly frowned.

  “Out. Get out of my chair.”

  “This isn’t your chair. It’s my mother’s chair. The chair and everything else in here is hers.”

  “You’re a royal pain. Why don’t you go home? You’re in the way.”

  “Because my mother wants me here. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “You’re going…you’re going to get out of my chair.” Dernice whacked the back, jarring the chair’s occupant. “Out.”

  Zulilly flipped her purple locks off her shoulder and made a hissing sound as she slid out of the chair. She flung herself into the chair across from Dernice and glared at her aunt.

  “Glare at me all you want.” Dernice turned her attention to the computer. “Stop playing solitaire on my computer.”

  Zulilly ignored the comment. She snatched an ink pen off the desk and began clicking the end.

  Dernice clenched her jaw. “Do you have to do that?” she gritted out.

  “Is it aggravating you?”

  “What do you think?”

  “I think that’s why I’m doing it.” Zulilly continued clicking the pen. Click. Click. Click. Click.

  Dernice tapped the keyboard and ignored the clicks. “I think I figured it out,” she finally said.

  “You did?” Carlita hurried to her side.

  “Figured what out?” Zulilly stopped clicking.

  “None of your beeswax.”

  “You’re a witch.” Zulilly slid out of the chair and stomped out of the office. She slammed the front door on her way out.

  Dernice paused long enough to watch Zulilly pass by the front window. “She’s a chip off the old block.”

  “I’m afraid you’re right,” Carlita patted Dernice’s arm. “I thought you were going to rip the pen out of her hand and stab her with it,” she joked.

  “Now that’s an idea. I wish she would go home. I’m hardly able to say anything to her without her crying to her mother about how mean Auntie D is.” Dernice sighed heavily. “I want to make it through the next few days, for Elvira to come home and life return to normal.”

  “Can you have a normal life living with Elvira?” Carlita couldn’t help herself.

  “True.” Dernice tapped the computer screen. “I found Southern Holdings. Remember how I said I thought the name sounded familiar? We quoted a job for the owner a couple months ago.”

  Carlita squinted her eyes. “It’s hard to read. I don’t have my reading glasses.”

  “I’ll print out the quote.”

  The printer behind Dernice hummed. A single sheet of paper appeared. She plucked it from the tray and handed it to Carlita.

  Carlita’s eyes scanned the sheet. At first, she didn’t see it, until she got to the very bottom where it listed not only Southern Holdings, but also the name of the company’s owner.

  Chapter 18

  “Victoria Montgomery,” Carlita whispered. “There’s no way Tori is involved in Kim Turbell’s death.”

  “Victoria Montgomery.” Dernice repeated the name. “She’s the lady who caught Elvira sneaking onto her property. She called the cops and my sister ended up in jail.”

  “That’s her. Tori owns a small gift shop on Tybee Island.” Carlita began to pace. “Tori has lived on the island for years. She might know who owns the other company, Savannah’s Beach.” Carlita headed to the door.

  “Are you going to her place?” Dernice jumped out of the chair and hurried after her. “Can I go with you?”

  “Yes. Maybe. I’ll have to call her first.” Carlita promised to let her know what Tori said and then returned home. After checking on Mercedes, she took Rambo for a walk to clear her head.

  True, Tori had a colorful history and background, but Carlita was certain she wasn’t involved in strong-armed tactics designed to force Elvira or any of the other property owners to sell. Still, Tori’s past was, in some ways, as checkered as Carlita’s.

  Over the years, the savvy businesswoman and her husband had not only amassed a small fortune, but they had also built Montgomery Hall, a massive estate encompassing a corner of the island. She also owned Summer Sparkle, a gift and jewelry shop on the island. Apparently, she owned other real estate, as well.

  She mentally reviewed the list of possible suspects as they walked. Tori and Southern Holdings were off the list. Although Elvira was annoying, Carlita didn’t think she was capable of murder, at least not intentionally. Besides, she had an airtight alibi. Unless…she had hired someone to kill the woman, but what would be her motive? Plus, Elvira wouldn’t be dumb enough to leave the woman’s body inside a property she owned.

  Up next was Ken Gibbons, another property owner. Last, but not least, was whoever owned Savannah’s Beach. Which is where a chat with Tori came in. If anyone knew who owned the company, it would be her.

  They circled the block, passing by the Book Nook, the meeting spot for Mercedes’ local author group. Cricket Tidwell, the owner, stood in the doorway chatting with a woman.

  Carlita gave her a friendly wave. They passed by Colby’s Corner Store just down the street before turning the corner.

  Shades of Ink, Steve Winter’s tattoo shop, was up next. Steve was inside, near the large front window, talking on his cell phone. He caught Carlita’s eye and motioned for her to wait.

  “Hold on, Rambo.” Carlita gave Rambo’s leash a gentle tug. “Steve wants to say hello.”

  He stepped onto the sidewalk. “Hey, Carlita.”

  “Hello, Steve. How’s business these days?”

  “Business is booming. It looks like the pawn shop is rocking too.”

  “It is, and so is Ravello’s. Speaking of Ravello’s, have you had a chance to ask Paisley about joining us for Thanksgiving dinner?”

  “Yeah. That’s why I stopped you. We’ll be there.”

  “Autumn, is coming, too.”

  “Yep.” Steve shifted his feet as he nodded toward her buildings. “What happened the other day?”

  “Which time?”

  “The firefighters. Kaboom.” Steve’s hands flew in the air. “The explosion at Elvira’s place.”

  “It was a propane tank explosion.”

  “It sounded like a bomb going off. I figured Elvira was back in town.” Steve pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and plucked one out. He lit the end and took a big puff before blowing it over Carlita’s head.

  “Not yet.”

  They talked for a few more minutes about the upcoming holiday before Steve’s next appointment arrived. She told him good-bye, and as soon as they were home, Carlita called Tori. She didn’t answer, so she left a message, asking her to return the call at her earliest convenience.

  Mercedes drifted into the kitchen and waited for her mother to finish. “Where were you?”

  “A better question would be where wasn’t I?” Carlita joked. “Let me see. After Detective Wilson cornered me out back, I checked on the pawn shop and noticed the basement trapdoor was open.” She told her d
aughter how she heard an odd tink noise and noticed small chunks of brick and mortar piling up.

  “Elvira came back,” Mercedes guessed.

  “Nope. It was Dernice. I went over there to tell her to stop busting down my wall, we found a tunnel and another trapdoor.”

  “Where did it lead?”

  “To an empty building with a perfectly functioning alarm system.”

  Mercedes grinned as her mother recounted how the alarm went off, Dernice shoved her out of the way and tore down the makeshift ladder. “It was every man for himself, or in this case, every woman for herself.”

  “At least you know where you stand.” Mercedes changed the subject. “Have you had any luck figuring out who owns the other properties on Tybee Island?”

  “As a matter of fact, Tori is one of the owners.”

  “Seriously?” Mercedes’ eyes grew round as saucers. “You don’t think she has anything to do with the woman’s death, do you?”

  “No, but she owns property on Tybee. Ten bucks says she knows who owns Savannah’s Beach.” As if on cue, Carlita’s cell phone began to ring. “There she is now.”

  Carlita tapped the screen and put the call on speaker. “Hi, Tori. Thanks for returning my call. I need your help and wondered if you had time for a quick chat.”

  “Of course. I always have time for you. Your call sounded urgent.”

  “Urgent, as in I’m a suspect in the death of a real estate agent for Coastal Adventures.”

  There was a brief silence on the other end. “Are you serious?”

  “Unfortunately. Dernice, Elvira’s sister, and I stopped by Coastal’s sales office the other day to do a little investigating for Elvira, of all people. I signed the clipboard for more information about the new Coastal Adventures project only hours before the woman was found dead inside Elvira’s property.”

  “Oh, dear. I hadn’t heard the details about the woman’s death. Well, I may be able to be of some assistance. I haven’t seen you in ages. If you’re not busy, why don’t you come by now? Byron would love to see you, as well.”

  “I don’t want to impose.”

  “You’re not,” Tori insisted.

  “There’s one more thing…I would like to bring someone with me if you don’t mind.”

  “Not Elvira,” Tori chuckled.

  “Close. Her sister.”

  “I believe I may have met her, but the memory is vague. Is she anything like Elvira?”

  “No, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have quirks of her own,” Carlita joked. “We’ll be there within the hour.” She thanked Tori and ended the call, waving the cell phone in the air. “We may be in luck. Tori may be able to help us with information about the other Tybee property owners.”

  Chapter 19

  Carlita grabbed her keys and swung by Dernice’s place to get her before heading out. The trip to the island was slowed by road construction connecting the mainland to the island.

  “Looks like they’re already gearing up for the big development,” Dernice said as they stopped to wait for a front-end loader to move out of the way.

  “You should see Coastal’s place in St. Augustine. It’s a huge complex with an amusement park, shops and restaurants. There’s also a bunch of brand-new townhomes for sale.” Carlita steered around the loader and gave Dernice a sideways glance. “You mentioned before that you had no idea Elvira was purchasing real estate.”

  “Not until I opened the mail and found the deed,” Dernice sighed heavily.

  “That was a heavy sigh.”

  “I don’t know about my sister sometimes. She gets harebrained ideas and doesn’t stop to think them through.”

  They reached Montgomery Hall, a virtual fortress with an electronic gate and call box. A large body of water surrounded the property. It reminded Carlita of a moat, offering Tori both privacy and protection.

  Carlita rolled the window down. She pressed the call box button and waited for the beep. “Carlita Garlucci and guest to see Tori.”

  There was a muffled sound on the other end, and the gate silently opened. “Thank you, Wentworth,” Carlita said.

  “You’re welcome, Mrs. Garlucci.”

  Dernice eyed her with interest. “You’re on a first-name basis with Montgomery’s staff?”

  “I am.”

  Dernice gazed out the passenger side window. “I forgot how large this place was. It reminds me of a ritzy country club.”

  “You’ve been here before.”

  “Yeah, right after I got into town and started working with Elvira. We handled the security for a big Christmas shindig.”

  “It was the Merry Masquerade party. I forgot all about it. It was a great party.”

  The paved drive leading to the house was long and winding. A canopy of towering oaks, dripping with moss, lined both sides.

  Carlita circled the drive and parked in front of the courtyard’s massive arched wooden doors.

  Dernice unbuckled her seatbelt. “I wonder how much it cost to build this place.”

  “I have no idea and don’t you dare ask Tori,” Carlita warned. “It’s none of our business.”

  The courtyard doors slowly opened. Byron, Tori’s right-hand man, and someone Carlita considered another close friend, emerged. He approached the driver’s side door and held it while she grabbed her purse.

  She exited the car and gave him a warm hug. “How are you, Byron? It seems as if the only time I see you anymore is when I’ve managed to get myself involved in some sort of crisis.”

  “I am well, Mrs. Garlucci. It’s good to see you. Mrs. Montgomery is looking forward to your visit.”

  Dernice joined them. “Byron Greeley.”

  “Hello, Dernice.”

  “You two know each other?”

  “We hang out at Big Joe’s Pool Hall sometimes. Byron is an ace shooter.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself,” Byron complimented. “I haven’t seen you around lately.”

  “I don’t have any free time right now. My sister decided to pull a disappearing act. She left me with a big mess.”

  “Left us with a big mess,” Carlita interrupted. “Which is why we’re here.”

  “Follow me.” Byron plodded ahead, leading the way through the inner courtyard and to the front door.

  “These are some swanky digs.” Dernice blew air through thinned lips. “You live here, Byron?”

  “I do.”

  The front door opened, and Tori appeared, a wide smile on her face. “Hello, Carlita.” She gave Carlita a gentle hug before her sharp blue eyes zeroed in on Dernice.

  Carlita watched as she sized the woman up, guessing that she was comparing her to her irritating sibling. “You must be Dernice. I vaguely remember meeting you some time ago.”

  “I’m easy to forget, unlike my sister.” Dernice extended a hand. “Dernice Cobb. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us today.”

  “You’re welcome. Please. Come in.” Tori led them into the opulent foyer, past the arched wall cutouts lining the cavernous rotunda.

  Dernice paused to admire a work of art. “You have a Zao Wou-Ki piece.”

  Tori lifted a brow and stared at Dernice. “I do. I just acquired it a few weeks ago. You’re familiar with his work?”

  “Familiar? He’s one of my favorites.” Dernice leaned in as she studied the art. “Never seen one of his works in real life before. This is a magnificent piece.”

  “It is.” Tori joined Dernice, and they admired the painting. “In his later years, Wou-Ki was known for his post-war and contemporary art.”

  Dernice pointed to the silhouettes of two men in the lower left-hand corner. “This is a brush-and-ink technique. Zao was only twenty-one when he presented his first exhibition in Chongqing.”

  Tori slowly nodded. “His formative years were largely influenced by Western modernism and the work of the Impressionists and Expressionists. It was after his move to Paris that his paintings began to shift toward abstraction.”

  “He’s b
een dead almost a decade now.” Dernice sucked in a breath. “What I wouldn’t give to have been able to pick his brain before he died.”

  “Are you sure you’re related to Elvira?” Tori joked.

  “Elvira dabbles in art too,” Carlita said. “Remember the time she set her apartment on fire, working on a creation?”

  “I don’t recall hearing that story,” Tori said.

  “It was a bust, and she was using a blowtorch. She set the curtains on fire.”

  “I remember you mentioned Elvira setting her apartment on fire, but I didn’t hear the part where she used a blowtorch,” Dernice snorted. “That was dumb.”

  “And so was using it inside an apartment building, next to a set of curtains. It was the last straw. I evicted her.”

  “Gotta love my sister. My life is complete now that I’ve actually seen a work by Zao.” Dernice shoved her hands in her pockets and rocked back on her heels. “If you don’t mind me asking, how much did this piece set you back?”

  “Set me back?”

  “How much did it cost,” Dernice clarified.

  “Dernice,” Carlita gasped. “Your question is crass and rude.”

  “It’s all right.” Tori waved dismissively. “I purchased this particular piece for seventy-five thousand dollars.”

  “Whoa.” Dernice made a choking sound and pressed a hand to her throat.

  “Some have cost more. Some have cost substantially less.”

  “You have more pieces?”

  Carlita thought Dernice was going to pass out.

  “As a matter of fact, I do.” Tori resumed her pace and continued down the hall to the study.

  Byron was waiting for them at the end and held the door. “Would you like tea service?”

  Tori shifted to the side, waiting for her guests to enter the room. “Do you have time to stay for tea?”

  “I can,” Dernice answered. “Heck, I would move in here if I could, although I don’t know where I would park my Harley.”

  “Harley?”

  “My motorcycle.”

  Tori burst out laughing. “You are most certainly an intriguing woman.”