Merry Masquerade in Savannah: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Cozy Mysteries Series Book 8)

by Hope Callaghan

  She filled the teakettle with water, turned the burner on high and placed the kettle on top. The buzzer rang moments later, and Carlita hurried down the stairs to let Glenda in.

  “That was quick.” Carlita held the door.

  “Elvira wasn’t home. Isn’t that her car parked in the alley?”

  “Yes, that’s her car and Elvira is home. She was putting something inside her car not two minutes before you pulled up.”

  Glenda frowned. “So she’s avoiding me.”

  “Does it surprise you?” Carlita waved her friend up the steps and into the apartment. “What did she do this time?”

  “She plans to paint the front of her building chartreuse.”

  “Chartreuse?” Carlita asked.

  “Greenish-yellow. It’s not on the list of exterior colors approved by the SAS,” Glenda explained.

  “I bet not. You would think having been a previous Savannah Architectural Society member; Elvira would already know it’s not an approved color.”

  “What Elvira knows and what Elvira does are two completely different things.”

  Carlita laughed. “You got that right.” The teakettle began to whistle. “Would you care for a cup of tea? I’m trying a new flavor. It’s gingerbread cake, something Mercedes found online.”

  “I’d be delighted.” Glenda settled onto one of the dining room chairs while Carlita poured the hot water and grabbed two teabags. “I see you pulled a construction permit for the building next door. Are you getting ready to start on your restaurant renovations?”

  “Yes.” Carlita had been in the planning stages of her Italian restaurant, Ravello, for weeks and was ready to pull the trigger and have Bob Lowman and his construction crew begin the interior demolition. All she needed to do was pawn a few of her larger gemstones to fund the first phase of the project.

  It was on Carlita’s to-do list, but with Paulie’s visit, the pawnshop’s business picking up and now Tori’s request for assistance, not to mention the upcoming holidays, she’d been too busy to pawn them. Of course, she’d thought about taking them with her to Beachy Bargains, kind of ‘kill two birds with one stone’ plan, but decided against it.

  Not only did she not want Autumn to become suspicious of the value of the gems, she didn’t want to send up any red flags with Beachy Bargains, especially since Tori had already recently visited to sell a few of her own larger stones.

  Tony had offered to sell the gems in their pawnshop, but Carlita was worried that someone might be keeping an eye on them and looking for the gems, someone from the “family,” so she decided against it.

  Carlita and her children would have to plan a trip to a bigger city, maybe even Atlanta, to sell the number of gems needed to fund the new project. It would take some planning since it would be an overnight trip.

  With the holidays looming and business booming, she was beginning to wonder if she wasn’t taking on more than she could handle. She needed more of her children around, or if that wasn’t going to happen, they needed to hire more employees.

  “Are you attending the highly-anticipated holiday soirée?” Glenda asked.

  “If you’re talking about Tori Montgomery’s Merry Masquerade party, then yes.” Carlita clasped her hands. “I was over there for tea a few days ago and helped her with some of the minor party plans. It’s going to be fun. Are you coming?”

  “Yes. Although Tori and I don’t mingle in the same circles, all of the Savannah Architectural Society members were invited and of course, none of us would miss this for the world. Tori hasn’t had a party at Montgomery Hall in years,” Glenda said. “I wonder what made her change her mind.”

  “I don’t know, but I’m glad she did.”

  The women sipped their tea and chatted about business and family. Finally, Glenda stood. “I need to get going. If Elvira’s car is still parked in the alley, I’m going to pound on her door until someone opens it.”

  Carlita walked Glenda out of the apartment, down the stairs and onto the stoop, but when they got there, Glenda’s car was the only one parked in the alley.

  “She slipped through your fingers,” Carlita joked.

  “Like the slippery weasel she is.” Glenda rolled her eyes. “I guess I’ll save that battle for another day. Thanks for the tea. It was delicious.” She gave a small wave as she slipped her sunglasses on and slid behind the wheel of her car.

  Carlita waited until Glenda’s car had turned onto the road before returning to the apartment. She set the dirty cups inside the sink and reached for her cell phone. There was a message from Tori.

  “Hi Carlita. Tori here, returning your call. Someone attacked Byron last night when he was locking up the courtyard.”

  Chapter 6

  Carlita quickly dialed Tori’s cell phone.

  “Hi Carlita. You got my message?”

  “Yes. Poor Byron. Is he going to be okay?”

  “Yes. Whoever hit him, knocked him out, but he was already coming to before the ambulance arrived. I insisted he make a trip to the hospital to be checked out. He’s upstairs in his room resting, but I’m concerned.”

  “Do you think the attack is somehow related to your damaged gate and the recent robbery?” Carlita asked.

  “Yes. Something is going on around here and I don’t like it. After the incident with the gate and William’s stolen weapons, I brought in a couple of extra security guards, but it hasn’t seemed to help.”

  “Maybe it’s one of them,” Carlita said.

  “I don’t think so. I had their backgrounds thoroughly checked before they ever stepped foot on the property.” Tori changed the subject. “You said you visited Beachy Bargains Pawn Shop and may have stumbled upon something.”

  “Yes.” Carlita breezed over the events leading up to Autumn’s investigative endeavor, how she found the array of weapons inside Mr. Goldstein’s office and managed to snap several pictures of the items. “If you give me your email address, I’ll forward the pictures for you to take a look at or if you want, I can text them to your phone.”

  “Oh, thank you, Carlita. I knew someone of your caliber would be able to help uncover some clues. I…I mean someone as street smart as you and your family.” Tori paused. “What I’m saying isn’t coming out right, is it?”

  “It depends on what you’re trying to say,” Carlita joked.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  “No offense taken. We are who we are, plus with our pawnshop experience, I can see why you asked for my help,” Carlita added graciously.

  Tori sounded relieved. “Yes. You’re wonderful to help me and I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”

  “Now that you mention it, I do have a favor to ask. The young woman who snuck into the back of the pawnshop and took the photos would love to attend your Merry Masquerade party. Her name is Autumn Winter and she works at the Savannah Evening News.”

  “Of course. Please extend the invitation to your friend. It’s the least I can do, and your son and his girlfriend, as well.” Tori rattled off her email address.

  “Thanks Tori. I’ll send the pictures shortly. Let me know if you see anything of interest.”

  Tori promised she would before she thanked Carlita again and ended the call.

  Carlita smiled at the phone in her hand. “This will be a party we won’t soon forget.”

  Little did Carlita know how memorable it would turn out to be.

  ***

  Thanksgiving Day dawned cool and clear. Carlita spent the morning baking cookies and as she worked, she thought about her first major holiday without her husband, Vinnie.

  Pirate Pete Taylor had stopped by the pawnshop a couple of days earlier to invite the entire Garlucci family to the Parrot House Restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner.

  Carlita suspected Tori Montgomery was behind Pete’s impromptu invitation after she’d confided in her that the family wasn’t up to celebrating with a big home cooked dinner and that she was missing Vinnie.

  Pete
rattled off the list of tempting dishes for the celebratory dinner, including herbed brown butter carved turkey breast, glazed pit ham and honey pecan fried chicken. “My topnotch chefs also plan to serve apple sausage stuffing, whipped potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese and sweet potato casserole.”

  When Pete told her there would be pumpkin tartlets and mini red velvet cupcakes for dessert she was sold. Carlita told him to put her down for five, including Shelby and Violet.

  “I’ll be savin’ a special table for you and your family. Be there at 4:30 and bring jackets. I have a surprise for all of you and the wee one, Violet.”

  Carlita thanked Pete for inviting them and insisted that she owed him a home-cooked Italian feast before the end of the year. After accepting the invitation, she’d almost called Pete to cancel, certain that the holiday would be hectic for the Parrot House and feeling guilty they would be taking up tables that could be given to paying guests, but she’d already told her children and Violet that there was a special surprise. There was no way she could cancel now.

  The pawnshop was closed for the holiday. Tony, Violet and Shelby arrived promptly at 4:15 with Violet leading the way as she skipped into the living room.

  Carlita smiled. “Look at that adorable outfit. I want to take your picture.”

  Violet tugged on the bottom of her shirt. “Mommy bought me this new outfit because the pilgrims came to Savannah.” She posed as Carlita snapped a picture of her and her festive holiday outfit. On the front of the brown blouse was a pink turkey. Orange and white ruffles lined the edges of the sleeves and a pair of pink sneakers peeked out from under the ankle ruffles of Violet’s bright orange and white leggings. “Did you bring a warm jacket?”

  Shelby nudged her daughter to the side and stepped into the living room. “Yes. We’ve been looking forward to the Thanksgiving feast all day. We’ve never been to the Parrot House so that in itself will be a treat.”

  “You look festive, Ma.” Tony touched the sleeve of his mother’s beaded blouse.

  “Thanks son. Mercedes should be ready any second.”

  “I’m ready.” Mercedes breezed into the living room. She knelt down and gave Violet a warm hug. “There’s our pretty princess. Pirate Pete said there will be lots of food. I hope you’re hungry.”

  Violet patted her tummy. “I’m starving. Mommy said we couldn’t eat because we had to save our appetites for Thanksgiving dinner.”

  “Violet.” Shelby shook her head. “You had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, some goldfish crackers and grapes for lunch.”

  “But that’s not real food,” Violet insisted.

  Carlita chuckled. “We better get going before Violet faints from hunger.”

  The family walked the short distance to the restaurant. The parking lot was packed, without a single empty parking space in sight. The inside waiting area was just as busy and standing room only.

  “I’ll let the host know we’re here.” Tony wound his way past waiting guests and returned with one of the greeters, who led them down a long hall, to the front of the restaurant and then to a room in the back.

  A cheery fire burned brightly in the fireplace and they settled in at a round table in the corner. “I’ll let Pete know you’re here. He has a special surprise for you after dinner.” The greeter told them the meal was being served as a Thanksgiving Day buffet and where it was located before heading back to the front.

  The server arrived promptly and took their drink orders. She repeated what the greeter had said, and that Pirate Pete would be along shortly to greet them.

  Carlita heard Pirate Pete and his parrot, Gunner, before she saw them when Gunner began greeting diners at a nearby table. “You be dinin’ with some scurvy pirates today, I tell ya.”

  By the time Pirate Pete and Gunner reached their table, the parrot was on a roll. “Scurvy Pirates. You’ll be walkin’ the plank.”

  Violet covered her mouth and giggled. “Gunner is funny.”

  The parrot squawked. “Gunner is handsome.”

  Mercedes laughed. “Yes, you are handsome, Gunner.”

  “Aye mates,” Pirate Pete patted Violet’s head. “I’m glad ta see all you landlubbers here. Don’t forget ta try the pirate punch.”

  “It’s even safe for the wee lass,” he added.

  “There’s a mutiny at hand,” Gunner said.

  Pirate Pete tilted to the side and gazed at the parrot on his shoulder. “Has anybody ever told you that you talk too much?”

  “Gunner is handsome,” Gunner replied.

  Pete shook his head. “We best be makin’ our rounds. Enjoy your food.”

  Carlita thanked Pirate Pete for inviting them and the others echoed her sentiment before Pirate Pete excused himself, but not before reminding them that he would stop back later for the surprise.

  Tony, Shelby and Violet loaded their plates first and Carlita waited until they returned to fill an empty plate with roasted turkey and pecan chicken. She added a generous scoop of mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and balanced a soft dinner roll on the edge of her plate.

  The food was delicious and the honey pecan chicken was her favorite dish. She dabbed at the corners of her mouth and eyed Violet’s plate. Even Violet had managed to eat a respectable amount of her food, although it may have been because her mother told her no dessert unless she ate most of her meal.

  “I am going to have to invite Pirate Pete over for an Italian feast to repay him.” Carlita didn’t see Pete sneak up behind her. “I’ll be takin’ you up on that. It’s almost time for my special surprise. Are you done feastin’ yet?”

  “I think I can squeeze in one of those pumpkin tartlets and a slice of the German chocolate cake first,” Tony said.

  Carlita slid her chair over. “Do you have a minute to join us?” she asked Pete.

  “Yeah. Things are quietin’ down.”

  Their server hurried over, coffee pot in hand. “Would you care for coffee?” She poured a cup for Carlita, Mercedes and Pirate Pete before refilling Violet’s glass with the pirate punch. While they finished their dessert, Pirate Pete regaled them with stories of his family’s history and some of his adventures up and down the Savannah River.

  “You should write a book,” Mercedes said. “I can help you if you want.”

  “Ah, that’s kind of you Mercedes.” Pete shifted his gaze and stared out the window. “Your surprise has arrived.”

  “Yipee!” Violet sprang from her chair and tugged on her mother’s arm. “C’mon. We gotta go see our surprise.”

  The group followed Pete to the sidewalk, where a festive trolley sat parked in front of the restaurant.

  “Ho! Ho! Ho!” Santa Claus stepped off the trolley.

  Violet’s eyes grew wide as saucers and her mouth fell open as she gazed at the jolly old elf. “Santa Claus?”

  “Hello Violet. Are you ready for a ride on the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley?”

  “Yes.” She began to hop on one foot. “Do you have elves with you?”

  “I’m afraid I’m alone today. The elves are busy working at the North Pole, getting ready for Christmas.” Santa reached into the trolley and retrieved a small gift bag. “Jingle, one of my elves, asked me to give you this.” He handed the bag to Violet and she gazed at Shelby, who nodded. “You can see what’s in it.”

  The others gathered around, curious to see what Jingle had given Violet. She wiggled the bow off the front and handed it to her mother. “We need to keep this mommy. An elf made it.”

  She stuck her hand into the bag and pulled out a pink felt purse. “A pretty pink purse!”

  “There’s something inside,” Santa said.

  Violet carefully unhooked the clasp and peered inside. “It’s candy.” She pulled out a handful of suckers, a candy cane and a cupcake pop.

  “What an adorable purse.” Shelby helped drape the purse over her daughter’s shoulder. “We’ll have to save the candy until later.”

  “Jingle made this for me,” Violet whispered in aw
e. She reached for Santa’s hand and gazed at him earnestly. “Please tell Jingle that I love my gift.”

  Carlita’s eyes burned and she blinked rapidly as she gazed at Pirate Pete, who winked at her.

  “I’ll be sure to let Jingle know,” Santa assured her.

  The group posed for photos before boarding the trolley. Several other families boarded and after everyone was seated, the trolley rolled away from the restaurant.

  “I’ll see you later,” Pirate Pete waved good-bye.

  “Don’t forget to look for the pieces of eight,” Gunner squawked.

  The trolley turned onto Bay Street and Santa began singing a rousing rendition of Jingle Bells. The passengers sang a medley of Christmas carols as the trolley toured the historic district, making its way through several of the squares. Pedestrians and bikers waved and smiled as the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley circled the city.

  The trolley stopped at the visitor’s center for hot chocolate and candy canes before resuming their ride and caroling. Too soon, it ended where it began at the Parrot House. By then, Violet was rubbing her eyes and burying her head in her mother’s shoulder.

  Tony helped Shelby and Violet off the trolley. Carlita was the last one off and she paused when she reached the front where Santa stood waving good-bye.

  “Thank you for making this a wonderful start to the holiday season, Santa.” Santa winked and Carlita could’ve sworn she’d seen him before. She leaned closer. “Do I know you?”

  “Of course you do.” Santa’s eyes twinkled. “Everyone knows Santa Claus.”

  Carlita slowly smiled. “Of course. We all must believe in a little magic.” She squeezed his arm before grabbing the handrail and stepping off the trolley.

  More passengers boarded and Santa gave a cheery wave as the caroling trolley drove off.

  “I’m going to run inside and thank Pirate Pete,” Carlita said.

  “We all need to.” Shelby kissed the top of her daughter’s head. “He’s made this day magical.”

  They found Pirate Pete in the back, regaling diners with pirate lore and they waited until he finished. Gunner was still with him.