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

by Hope Callaghan

  “Who says she’s licensed?” Mercedes asked.

  “Are you saying she’s not?” Tori gasped.

  “There’s always the possibility,” Carlita said. “We’re talking about Elvira.” She turned her attention to the woman, still lying on the floor. Soon, the crime scene investigators would arrive and secure the area. “Do you mind if we take a closer look before we’re booted out?”

  “We won’t touch anything,” Mercedes said.

  “I suppose.” Tori led them inside the pool house. Elvira had cleared the area, and the only person inside was Detective Wilson and another man. He lifted a brow when he caught a glimpse of Carlita. “Why is it whenever a body or crime has been committed you’re in the vicinity?”

  “I have no idea,” Carlita shook her head. “Just unlucky I guess. The poor woman looks as if she hasn’t been here long.”

  “You know I can’t discuss this with you,” Wilson said, and then he spoke to Tori. “We’ll need to question all of your employees as well as the security company you hired for this evening’s party.”

  “Of course,” Tori said. “Ms. Torrez has only been an employee of mine for six months or so. She came highly recommended. I don’t know her well, but I will give you whatever information I have.”

  “Ma.” Mercedes patted the top of her evening gown where she’d placed her cell phone for safekeeping and then tiptoed off to the side.

  Carlita gave her daughter a slow nod.

  “Pictures,” Autumn grunted.

  Carlita tapped Detective Wilson on the shoulder. “I was wondering if you’d taken the opportunity to check out the changing room or shower area of the pool house for evidence.”

  “Not yet.”

  “I think I might have seen something on first glance,” Carlita said. “Over here.” She crossed the room. “What a lovely stone fireplace.” She stooped to admire the interior, all the while her eyes scanning it for clues.

  Carlita straightened. “I see you have fireplace tools next to it. I wonder if one of those was used as a weapon.” She reached out to touch it and Detective Wilson lunged forward. “Don’t touch that. It’s potential evidence.”

  With all of the attention focused on Carlita and the fireplace, Mercedes was able to snap two quick photos of Ava’s body and a shot of the entire room. She slipped the camera behind her back when a second man approached her.

  “You’re going to have to leave this area,” the man said as he guided Mercedes out of the pool house.

  Detective Wilson turned to Tori. “I need to ask all of you, including you, Mrs. Montgomery, to step outside.”

  “Of course.” Tori, Carlita and Autumn, along with Mercedes gathered near the back of the pool.

  “Did you get any pictures?” Carlita asked her daughter.

  “You took pictures? I never saw you,” Tori said. “I never thought to take pictures.”

  “I’m sure you’re in shock,” Carlita said. “Between the gate crasher, someone attacking Byron, the robbery and now this, I’m beginning to think Beachy Bargains Pawn Shop had nothing to do with what is going on around here. Do you think it might be an inside job, as in one of your employees?”

  Tori sucked in a breath and briefly closed her eyes. “Iris.”

  “What about Iris?” Iris was Tori’s personal assistant, and the two were close. She’d been with Tori for many years, had been by her side after William’s death. Several times, Tori commented she didn’t know what she would do without Iris.

  “Iris and Ava could barely tolerate each other,” Tori said. “I was contemplating letting Ava go because the ongoing spats between them were disrupting my entire household.”

  Chapter 9

  “I thought your staff got along like peaches and cream,” Carlita said.

  “They did until Ava started working here.” Tori explained she’d hired Ava after hearing the family she’d previously worked for had fallen on hard times and could no longer afford to keep her. “She came highly recommended and as far as I know, there was never a problem. That was, until she laid eyes on Patrick.”

  “Who is Patrick?” Carlita had never heard Tori mention an employee named Patrick.

  “Patrick is my new maintenance supervisor, pool maintenance technician as well as my groundskeeper. Morris finally retired and I brought Patrick on board, also highly recommended.”

  “By the same people?” Carlita interrupted.

  “Mrs. O’Brien told me about Patrick.” Tori shook her head. “He’s done an outstanding job, not to mention he’s an attractive man…a little too attractive apparently. Iris and Ava both took a liking to him and I put part of the blame squarely on Patrick’s shoulders. He enjoyed both women’s attention and I believe he has played the two against each other.”

  Tori continued. “I had no idea what was going on until I heard Ava and Iris arguing in the courtyard. Iris accused Ava of hitting on Patrick. Of course, Ava became defensive. I thought the two were going to duke it out right there. Thank goodness, I walked out there when I did. Unfortunately, I had to give both a written reprimand and Iris was upset.”

  “Poor Iris,” Carlita murmured.

  “Well, at least you won’t have to worry about the women not getting along anymore,” Autumn said.

  “Iris wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Tori said. “Even if she didn’t care for Ava. She would never murder or harm anyone.”

  “But someone did,” Mercedes said. “Do your employees live here at Montgomery Hall?”

  “Yes.”

  Two uniformed police officers approached them before Tori could finish answering. “Mrs. Montgomery?”

  “Yes. I’m Victoria Montgomery. Is there something you need?”

  “We’d like to ask you a few questions.”

  “Of course.” Tori followed the officers to the other side of the pool.

  Mercedes waited until they were out of earshot. “We need to get our hands on a list of the employees and maybe even scope out the employee living quarters. I think this was an inside job.”

  “I’m beginning to suspect the same,” Carlita said. “But Tori hasn’t asked for our help.”

  “True.” Mercedes shifted her gaze to the French doors and the crowd milling about inside the drawing room. “I’m sure the rumor mill has already shifted into high gear.”

  “I feel sorry for Mrs. Montgomery,” Autumn said. “The poor woman can’t seem to catch a break.”

  Carlita didn’t have time to answer before Tori waved them over. “They’re going to be here for some time. I need to go back inside to attend to my guests.”

  The women stopped when they reached the courtyard entrance. “I hate to impose, but would you mind sticking around after the party ends? I would ask Iris to stay with me, but as you can see that won’t be possible, not until the authorities clear her and all of my other staff.”

  “Of course,” Carlita said.

  “We’ll stay, too,” Autumn quickly added. “Four heads are better than two.”

  Tori drifted to the other side of the room to chat with Pirate Pete, and Carlita wondered if she was telling Pete what had happened. The two were not only business associates, but also close friends.

  “I haven’t had time to check out the desserts yet,” Autumn said. “The table in the formal dining room is loaded with goodies.”

  Mercedes and Autumn headed out of the drawing room and Carlita slowly trailed behind. Someone at the party had attacked poor Ava and killed her…but who? What if Tori was wrong and Iris had murdered the woman in a fit of rage?

  Tori said Iris wouldn’t hurt a fly, but jealousy made people do crazy things.

  Carlita meandered from room to room, stopping briefly to say hello to Glenda Fox and her husband. She also chatted with Tony and Shelby, who were gushing over the grand gowns and gems. There had to be millions of dollars’ worth of gems inside Montgomery Hall. No wonder Tori hired extra security - an armed robber would have a field day!

  After circling the entire lower level of t
he home, Carlita decided to spend some time observing the employees. Did they know about Ava’s death? Surely, the rumors were swirling and most, if not all, knew what had happened.

  She hadn’t heard much chatter from the other guests, wondering what was happening inside the pool house. Would the police ask all the guests to stay until they were questioned? There were hundreds of guests. It would take hours for the investigators to talk to every single person.

  Carlita found herself in the kitchen, a beehive of activity as workers darted back and forth, loading trays with food and drinks and hurrying out of the kitchen. She made her way to Iris’ side.

  “Hello Mrs. Garlucci.”

  “Hello Iris. You’ve done a wonderful job helping Mrs. Montgomery with the party this evening.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’m sorry to hear of the incident out back with Ava.”

  Iris paused, a tomato-laden bruschetta hovering in mid-air. “She was a nasty woman.” She slid the appetizer onto the tray.

  “Mrs. Montgomery said you two didn’t get along.”

  “That’s an understatement. I prayed every night Mrs. Montgomery would fire the odious woman.” Iris set another goody on the tray. “I didn’t kill her, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

  “I believe you.” Carlita patted her arm. “The police will be questioning all of the staff including you.”

  “I have nothing to hide. I wasn’t anywhere near the pool house this evening.” Iris carefully placed two more appetizers on the tray and then lifted it. “Maybe they should question the security company too.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Because the security company had access to almost all of Montgomery Hall. They were here yesterday, setting up the security perimeter and the one in charge…I can’t remember her name Bernice, Eloise, something like that.”

  “Dernice,”’ Carlita corrected. “What was Dernice doing?”

  “She spent more of her time on her radio, yelling at the workers. They were walking around here as if they owned the place, going into areas they shouldn’t have. I finally told the woman to remind them that the upper floor was off limits and she needed to keep a closer eye on her staff.”

  “And what did she say?”

  “Her face turned bright red. I thought she was going to bite my head off and I’m pretty certain she was going to say something snappy, but instead she nodded her head and walked away.”

  “Thanks for sharing what you know with me Iris.”

  “You’re welcome.” Iris balanced the tray on her shoulder and carried the tray of food through the swinging kitchen door.

  Dernice was a convicted felon although, according to Elvira, it wasn’t her fault. But what if she wasn’t as innocent as Elvira insisted? What if someone from Elvira’s security company had murdered Ava?

  Any of them would have had ample opportunities to catch a Montgomery employee in the pool house, but what was Ava doing in the pool house? Had she planned a clandestine meeting with one of her co-workers?

  She needed more information about Ava. Carlita’s head spun as the list of possible suspects grew.

  The soft strains of a violin echoed in the hall and she followed the sound into the sunroom where a dance floor had been set up. Twinkling lights dotted the trees lining the walkway leading into the sunroom.

  “Would you care for a dance?” A deep voice echoed in Carlita’s ear.

  Carlita jumped, placing a hand on her chest as she spun on her heel and came face to face with John Alder. Her heart did a backflip.

  “John,” she whispered breathlessly. “I…of course. I didn’t know you were back in town.”

  “I got in last night.” He reached for Carlita’s hand and they walked to the edge of the dance floor. “I finally sold off the last of my Atlanta properties, which means that I’m here in Savannah for good.”

  “I’m happy for you. It’s hard being torn between two places.” Carlita thought of New York and her children, Paulie and Vinnie, Jr., who were still there. “I believe you still owe me a dinner date,” she teased.

  “You’re right. Are you free next Saturday evening? I heard the Savannah area troupe is doing a live performance of A Christmas Story.”

  “A live performance?”

  “It’s a musical,” John said.

  “I’ve never been to a musical.”

  “You’ll enjoy it.” John’s hand circled Carlita’s waist and she floated onto the dance floor. He glanced up at the clear glass ceiling. “What a beautiful night. It’s hard to believe there’s a storm sitting out there in the water.”

  Carlita followed his gaze.

  “I heard about it on the local news as I was walking out the door. The storm, Tropical Storm Rex, was to take a turn out to sea, but now forecasters are predicting a turn inland. The projected path is a direct hit for Savannah.”

  “I’ve never been in a tropical storm before.”

  “Let’s keep our fingers crossed it keeps on moving.” John lowered his gaze and pulled Carlita close to him as they circled the floor.

  A tingling warmth filled Carlita’s body and she was glad the lights were dim, certain her cheeks were bright red.

  Despite John’s attempt at light conversation, all Carlita could focus on was his hand on her waist and his warm grip. She caught a whiff of a musky, earthy cologne and her heartbeat ticked up a notch when their eyes locked.

  “You look stunning in that dress,” John complimented.

  “And you look dapper in your tux and tails,” Carlita said. All too soon, the last strains of the song faded away and John reluctantly released his grip. He escorted Carlita off the dance floor.

  “John.” Another guest waved at her companion and started to make his way over.

  “I hoped to avoid talking business tonight,” John mumbled. He smiled at the man and bent down to whisper in Carlita’s ear. “Save the last dance for me.”

  “I will,” she answered softly and turned to go, feeling the heat of John’s stare on her back. He had done it again…made Carlita feel like she hadn’t in a long time, desired and desirable.

  Carlita zigzagged around the groups of guests and made her way to the courtyard to cool her face and catch her breath.

  “Nana!” Violet’s small voice rang out and she turned to see the child skipping toward her. Byron wasn’t far behind.

  “Mrs. Tori gave me this.” She held out a decorative egg. It reminded Carlita of a Fabergé egg.

  “Let me see.” Carlita took the small egg from Violet and held it up for a closer inspection. The outside of the egg was a shade of deep burgundy. Detailed scrollwork adorned the exterior and on each side was a painted scene of a man and woman dancing, dressed in period clothing.

  “There’s a ballerina inside.”

  Carlita handed the egg back to Violet, who twisted a small screw on the top of the egg and the sides slowly opened, revealing a miniature figurine twirling in the center.

  Carlita squinted her eyes. “She’s holding something.”

  “It’s a cracker,” Violet explained.

  “A nutcracker,” Byron said. “This is a replica of the Fabergé egg and plays Tchaikovsky's classic melody, ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.’”

  “It’s beautiful.” Carlita gently closed the lid and studied Byron’s face. “Tori gave this to Violet?”

  “Yes,” Byron nodded. “Violet was admiring it.”

  “I promised Beebs and Mrs. Tori that I would take extra good care of it,” Violet said solemnly.

  “Beebs?” Carlita lifted a brow.

  “That’s him.” Violet patted Byron’s arm. “I call him Beebs now.”

  “Beebs it is.” Byron held out the case. “We better return to our post before Mrs. Montgomery discovers we’re missing.”

  “Okay.” Violet carefully placed the egg inside the protective case and handed both to Byron for safekeeping.

  Tori emerged from the home and escorted a couple to the courtyard entrance. It appeared
guests were beginning to leave. She watched as her hostess hugged the woman and patted the man’s arm.

  Taking their cue, others lined up as they thanked Tori for a wonderful evening. It had been wonderful, except for Ava Torrez’s death.

  Carlita wondered how the investigators were doing and if they had started questioning the employees. She also wondered if they planned to chat with the EC Security Services’ employees.

  With a quick nod to Byron and Violet, Carlita stepped back inside and headed to the back and the pool area. It had been a couple of hours since Ava’s body was discovered. Both of the crime scene investigators and Detective Wilson were still inside the pool house, but Ava’s body was gone. She watched them for several minutes, wondering what they’d found.

  “There you are.” Tony and Shelby, who was carrying a sleepy Violet, joined her.

  Carlita smiled softly. “I think Violet had more fun than all of us put together.”

  Shelby smoothed her daughter’s hair. “Yes, she did. She’s officially adopted Byron, or Beebs, as she calls him. Did you see the gift Mrs. Montgomery gave her?”

  “It’s beautiful,” Carlita nodded. “Byron seems to have taken to Violet.”

  Shelby gave her daughter a quick glance and lowered her voice. “Byron’s only granddaughter, Ellie, was killed in an automobile accident over on Bay Street two years ago. Tori didn’t go into too much detail, only to say he was heartbroken and she thinks Violet reminds him of Ellie.”

  “Oh how awful.” Carlita blinked back sudden tears. “Poor Byron.”

  “I know. It’s a terrible tragedy.” Shelby tightened her grip on her daughter. “Violet has always been a sensitive child. She must’ve sensed something in him when she met him. Adults…we tend to judge people on first impressions, and I must admit, my first impression was that he was cold and aloof.”

  “I’m sad to say I’ve done the same, so many times,” Carlita changed the subject. “You’re leaving?”

  “Yes. Cinderella’s carriage is about to turn into a pumpkin,” Tony said.