“It’s beginning to look that way,” Elvira said grimly. “I need to pinpoint exactly who at the museum had access to my application so I can narrow down the list of suspects. What about the pictures you took of the inside of the storage room?”
Carlita handed Elvira her phone and she silently studied the pictures. “They’re dark and grainy.”
“Because it was dark inside.”
Elvira handed the phone back. “Thanks for trying.”
“You’re welcome.”
Elvira and Dernice returned home while Carlita unlocked the back door to the apartment.
Autumn limped inside. “Do you think it was an inside job?”
“I give it a fifty/fifty chance,” Carlita said. “I’m beginning to think they should take a closer look at Astrid. It concerns me Elvira doesn’t know who she really is. She’s lying about her identity which means if she’s hanging around, we’re going to have to be more cautious until we can find out the truth…figure out her real story.”
Autumn lifted her injured ankle and hopped up the steps. “Do you really think she has a phobia of enclosed spaces?”
“I don’t know. I have a feeling one day soon we’ll know who she really is, and I’m not sure we’re going to like what we find.”
*****
Carlita helped Autumn pack a bag of ice and settle in on her sofa before returning home. She opened the front door. The overpowering fruity scent of peaches and lilacs filled the air.
“Mercedes?” Carlita followed the scent through the apartment and to the back.
The bathroom door was shut. She could hear Mercedes humming.
“Hey.” Carlita rapped on the door. It flew open, and she stumbled back. “I need to buy a bullhorn and call you from a distance.”
“Sorry, Ma. I didn’t know you were home. I heard the pounding on the door and thought someone was trying to break in.”
“Maybe because you write too many scary stories.” Carlita tugged on a strand of her daughter’s hair. “I love the ringlet curls. It softens your scowl.”
Mercedes scowled.
“See? I was gonna remind you about your date with Sam, but I see you’re already getting ready.”
Her daughter impatiently swiped at one of the curls. “It’s not a date. It’s a non-date. Besides, this was your idea. I should make you go in my place.”
“Sam doesn’t want me. He wants you.” Carlita critically eyed Mercedes’ pale lavender button-down blouse and patterned gypsy skirt. “I guess the outfit will do. Why don’t you borrow my diamond pendant necklace and matching earrings? It would look nice with your outfit.”
“That’s overkill. I’m not dressing fancy. Besides, this is the dog’s date, not mine. I’m along as a tour guide so Rambo can show Sadie his stomping grounds.”
“And have dinner,” Carlita reminded her, the grin on her face widening.
“Stop gloating,” Mercedes gritted out. “I spent all day at work trying to come up with an excuse to get out of this non-date.” She tossed her hairbrush in the makeup basket and followed her mother to the living room. “Maybe I’ll get lucky, and he won’t show up.”
“Oh, he’ll be here,” Carlita predicted. “My perfume is a nice touch. I haven’t worn that in months.”
“Not since your last date with John Alder, before he sold his place and moved away.” Mercedes’ tone softened. “Pops has been gone for a while now, Ma. Maybe it’s time for you to get out there, too.”
“Ah.” Carlita waved dismissively. “I don’t need to get out anywhere. I don’t have time for men, for dating. I’m too busy. Besides, I’m set in my ways now.”
“What about Pete?”
“Pete?” Carlita lifted a brow.
“Pirate Pete Taylor.”
“What about him?”
“He likes you,” Mercedes said.
“I like him, too.”
“No, I mean he likes you. He taught Gunner to say ‘Carlita is pretty - or maybe Gunner overheard Pete say it and is repeating what he heard.”
Carlita’s cheeks reddened. “That’s ridiculous.”
“Is it?”
Before Carlita could respond, there was a light knock on the door. She sprang to her feet. “Sam’s here.”
She opened the door. “Hi, Sam. Come in. Mercedes just finished getting ready.”
Sadie let out a small yip.
“And look at you.” Carlita bent down to admire Sadie’s pink bow. “It looks like you’re ready for your doggie date.”
“She is, and so am I.”
Mercedes joined her mother. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Yes. Sadie and I have been looking forward to our tour all day,” Sam shifted his arm from behind his back to reveal a large bouquet of fresh flowers. “This is from Sadie and me, to thank you and Rambo for agreeing to show us all of the doggie hotspots.”
“For me?” Mercedes’ breath caught in her throat. She slowly reached for the bouquet. “I…thank you.”
Carlita gazed at the orange roses, yellow sunflowers and gold chrysanthemums tucked in among an array of magnolia and autumn leaves. “You are so sweet.”
“Thank you…Sam.” Mercedes caressed the tip of one of the roses. “They’re beautiful.”
“I’ll put them in some water if you two want to get going.”
Mercedes carefully handed the bouquet to her mother. “Thanks, Ma.”
“You’re welcome.” Carlita called Rambo to the door and waited for her daughter to clip his leash to his collar. “Have fun. Don’t hurry back.”
The smile was still firmly in place as she quietly closed the door behind them. Something told Carlita the relationship between her daughter and their handsome tenant had finally taken a turn.
Carlita hummed under her breath as she puttered around the apartment. She wondered how Sam and Mercedes’ date was progressing, and then she began mulling over the list of possible suspects in the artwork’s theft. Was it an inside job? Or could it have been one of Elvira’s employees?
Tony stopped by after the pawnshop closed. “We’re ordering pizza for dinner. Shelby asked me to invite you to come over.”
“Thank you, Son. I was just wondering what to have.”
“I figured we could discuss Shelby working part-time with us.”
“Sure. Give me a few minutes to freshen up, and I’ll head your way.”
“Mercedes can come, too.”
“She’s with Sam.”
“Sam Ivey?” Tony lifted a brow.
“Yes. Mercedes and Rambo are showing Sam and his new pup, Sadie, all of the doggie hotspots around here.”
“You don’t say.”
Carlita motioned to the bouquet of flowers, prominently displayed on the coffee table. “He brought her flowers.”
“Ah,” Tony chuckled. “And Mercedes didn’t punch him in the face?”
“No. I think she’s finally coming around.”
“It’s about time.”
Carlita promised to be along shortly. After a quick trip to the bathroom, she checked to make sure the back door was locked before stepping off the stoop.
There was a serene coolness to the evening air, and Carlita believed it was a sign that Sam and Mercedes were having a wonderful time.
She picked up the pace and strolled toward the opposite end of the alley. A bright beam of headlights bounced off the back of the building as a vehicle turned in her direction.
The car crept closer before coasting to a stop.
Carlita’s eyes squinted as she attempted to figure out who it was. It finally dawned on her when she recognized the all-too-familiar vehicle, and her heart skipped a beat.
Chapter 11
Detective Wilson stepped out of his unmarked police car. “Mrs. Garlucci.”
“Detective Wilson.” Carlita greeted him with a curt nod. “What brings you to my doorstep once again?” Although she asked the question, she was certain the detective’s visit was related to Elvira and the museum’s missing
artwork.
“I have a few more questions I would like to ask about the recent theft of the painting from the Darbylane Museum.”
“Of course. I already told you everything I know when you stopped by yesterday.”
“Are you sure you didn’t leave out a few extra details?” The detective gazed at Carlita expectantly.
“No. Elvira used me as a reference. I know nothing about the theft of the painting.”
There was a brief pause before the detective spoke. “Then let me refresh your memory.” He removed a notepad from his front pocket and flipped it open.
“The museum’s surveillance cameras captured you, along with Elvira Cobb, entering the museum via the rear entrance at approximately two o’clock p.m. the day the artwork went missing. Ms. Cobb accompanied you to the Cotswold Georgian Exhibit. You stood there for several moments studying the painting before the two of you returned to the hallway.”
“Yes. As I explained to you the other day, Elvira was waiting for the special guest’s arrival, so she took me on a quick tour of the exhibit. It doesn’t mean I had anything to do with the museum’s theft.”
“Ms. Cobb is a suspect.”
“Surely, you don’t believe the person who was in charge of keeping the artwork safe is the same person who stole it.”
“We have several suspects. No one has been ruled out.” Wilson gave Carlita a pointed stare. “In fact, the museum curator claims surveillance cameras caught you sneaking into the storage room this afternoon. Would you like to explain what exactly you were doing?”
Carlita’s heart sank, and her mind raced as she tried to come up with a plausible explanation for being involved in Elvira’s dirty work. Even she had no sane reason for why she’d agreed to help. “I…was looking for the restroom and accidentally ended up in the storage room.”
“You were in there for one minute and forty-nine seconds. I’m sure you must’ve realized upon entering the room that it wasn’t the restroom.”
“True.” Carlita knew she was busted and decided to come clean. “Listen, Elvira did not steal the artwork. I did not steal the artwork. I told her I would take a quick look around, which is what I did.”
“These incidents now put you on the list of suspects,” Wilson said.
“It won’t be the first time,” Carlita muttered. “Elvira has a way of getting me in trouble without even trying. You’re wasting your time. I’m an honest, hardworking business owner who also happens to reside in this community. I would be crazy to risk my reputation over a painting.”
Detective Wilson motioned toward the apartment building. “Speaking of business…I hear you have an efficiency for rent. I’m in the market for a place to live. Since I’m here on a regular basis, maybe I should just move in.”
Carlita lifted a brow. “To keep an eye on me?”
“Kill two birds with one stone,” the detective smirked.
“Sam Ivey is already a tenant. One person with a law enforcement background is enough,” Carlita shot back.
“Sam Ivey?” It was Wilson’s turn to look surprised. “He’s one of your tenants?”
“Yes and a wonderful tenant at that.” Carlita consulted her watch. “If you don’t have any other questions, I have a dinner date with my children.”
Wilson tipped his hat. “I’m done…for now.”
“That sounds like a threat.”
“More of a promise.” Wilson returned to his vehicle. Carlita watched him drive off before making her way to Tony and Shelby’s apartment.
She climbed the steep steps and knocked on the door. Shelby peeked out before sliding the chain lock. “Hello, Carlita. Come on in.”
Carlita gave her new daughter-in-law a warm hug. “You look good, Shelby. Are you feeling better?”
“Yes. I’m on medication now.”
Violet darted across the room and flung herself at Carlita.
“There’s my violet Violet,” Carlita teased as she plucked at the child’s ruffled purple dress.
“Nana Banana.” Violet uncurled her small fist to show her grandmother a cookie crumb. “Mommy and I made cookies today. They’re gooden free.”
“Gluten-free,” Shelby laughed. “They’re chocolate chip.”
Carlita inspected the brown smudge on Violet’s pudgy palm. “Yes, I can see that they are.”
Violet licked the spot and wiggled free. When she was on the floor, she slipped her sticky hand into Carlita’s hand. “Tony and Mommy painted my room. Come see.” She tugged Carlita across the kitchen, through the living room to her bedroom.
“This is lovely,” Carlita admired the cotton candy pink walls before pointing to the prancing unicorns, smiling princesses and stately castles sprinkled across the top of the bedcover. “You have a new bedspread.”
“Yep.” Violet solemnly nodded. “I picked it out. Unicorns are real.”
“And so are princesses.” Carlita ruffled Violet’s hair. “In fact, I think you’re a princess.”
“Now don’t go telling her that. She’ll make me her servant.” Tony stood in the doorway, his arms crossed. “Thanks for coming by on such short notice.”
Carlita turned. “Thanks for inviting me, Son. You’ve got this place lookin’ like a real home.”
The trio returned to the dining area where Shelby was setting the table. “Have a seat. The pizza should be here any moment. Can I get you a glass of lemonade or a soda?”
“I’ll take a Coke if you have it.” Carlita eased onto a chair while Tony helped his wife. Violet wiggled onto her lap. “Tony said you had something you wanted to discuss.”
“Yes.” Shelby gave her husband a quick glance. “We’ve been talking about…my recent health issues and work. I’ll be bored silly sitting home all of the time. My job at the post office is going to be too much if I’m trying to reduce stress.” She handed Carlita the soda.
“Thank you. So you think you would like to work here, with us?”
“Yes. I’ve never waited tables, but I’m a quick learner. I could pitch in wherever or whenever you need me.”
“I like the idea. I think it’s a win-win for everyone.” Carlita sipped her Coke. “We need extra help. If you’re able to be flexible, between the pawnshop and Ravello’s, I think we can keep you as busy as you want to be.”
They discussed Shelby’s possible positions until the pizza arrived.
Tony set the box in the center of the table, and Carlita reached for a slice dripping with cheese. “This looks delicious. It must be Carmela’s.”
“It is.”
During dinner, the trio talked more about the businesses, discussed the upcoming birth of Vinnie and Brittney’s baby and then Tony mentioned Mercedes. “I can’t wait to hear how Mercedes and Sam’s date went.”
“Her non-date.” Carlita tapped the side of her packet of parmesan.
“Sam and Mercedes are dating?” Shelby smiled. “I thought Mercedes couldn’t stand Sam.”
“I suspect her feelings for him may have changed.” Carlita told them Sam had adopted a dog from the local shelter. “She even took the time to dress up - well, dressed up for Mercedes, and she was wearing my perfume.”
“Ah. She’s got it bad,” Tony joked. “Mercedes and perfume?”
“Well,” Shelby said. “I think it’s wonderful. All of the Garlucci children have found love.”
Tony kissed his wife’s cheek. “Yes, it appears that they have.”
Violet made a gagging noise and wrinkled her nose. “Yuck.”
Carlita chuckled. “Violet, maybe it’s time to spend the night with Nana again.”
“Really?” Violet bounced out of her chair. “Tonight?”
“Maybe not tonight but soon.”
The family finished eating, and Shelby began clearing the table. She placed an extra slice of pizza in a to-go container.
“Thank you for the snack.” Carlita leaned in to hug Violet. “Give me a day or so to get caught up, and then you can spend the night. We’ll build a fort in the
living room. You and Rambo can camp out.”
“Can Grayvie come, too?”
“Yes, of course. Grayvie can camp out too, although I’m afraid he would be more interested in sleeping on top of the fort. I better get going. I’m curious to find out if Mercedes has returned from her date.”
Carlita didn’t mention it to Tony and Shelby, but she was also concerned about her surprise visit from Detective Wilson. Looking back, it hadn’t been a wise move on her part to become involved in Elvira’s shenanigans.
For the hundredth, maybe even the thousandth time, she asked herself why she felt sorry for Elvira.
She thought of the homeless woman, Astrid. Although Elvira could be a huge pain in the butt, she appeared to have at least one soft spot in her heart, however small it might be.
Carlita hugged Shelby good-bye. “Let me know when you’re ready to begin helping out in the restaurant and pawnshop.”
“I will.”
Tony followed his mother to the door. “You want me to walk you home? It’s pitch black out.”
“Nah. It’s only one building over.”
“At least let me follow you to the alley.”
Carlita carefully navigated the steep stairs. The overhead street lamps illuminated the narrow alley, casting shadows in the dark corners.
“You sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Tony asked. “I don’t mind.”
“Nah.” Carlita waved dismissively.
He turned to head back up the stairs while Carlita began cautiously dodging the dips in the gravel alley.
Ping. Her head shot up at the faint pinging sound coming from the direction of the parking area.
A shadow darted in front of the cars.
Burap. A chill ran down Carlita’s spine at the sound of a heavy clanking noise. Someone was in the parking lot. She took a tentative step. “Hello?”
Her eyes squinted as she peered into the darkness. “Who’s out there?”
Carlita slowly crept to the rear bumper of her car, and she had the distinct feeling someone was watching her.
Swiped in Savannah: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Book 12) Page 9