Family Feud in Savannah: A Garlucci Family Saga (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Book 16) by Hope Callaghan (read with me txt) 📗

“My new princess dress.” Violet placed a sticky palm on each side of her grandmother’s face. “I had chocolate with marshmallows.”

“That explains your sticky fingers.” Carlita carried her back inside where Tony stood near the kitchen sink. He looked as if he had lost his best friend. There was no need to ask if he had an update. His face told the story.

“How’s it goin’ at the pawn shop?”

“It’s busy. Josh showed up for his shift, so I thought I would check in.”

“Nothin’ new. Haven’t heard a peep.”

“Mommy is visiting a friend,” Violet announced.

“That’s what I heard. I invited you and Daddy for dinner.”

“Can we have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? We don’t have any jelly.”

“I’ll make you a very special PB&J,” Carlita promised.

“I gotta get to the store,” Tony said. “We’re running low on groceries.”

“Would you like me to go for you?”

“Nah. Violet and I can handle it.”

“I better get back to the pawn shop. I’ll see you later for dinner at six. Josh said he can cover while we eat.”

“Sure. Six.” Tony’s eyes met his mother’s eyes. They were hollow. Empty. As if someone had sucked the life from her son.

Feeling helpless and knowing there was nothing she could do to help, she attempted an encouraging smile. She gave Violet a hug and told her she would see her later before returning to the pawn shop.

Mercedes caught up with her in the back. “Any news?”

“Not a peep. Violet thinks her mother is visiting a friend.”

“This is awful.”

“I feel so helpless.”

A customer approached the counter, and Mercedes began ringing up the purchases while Carlita wandered to the window. Her eyes drifted to Sandy Sue’s Bar-B-Que, which was now officially open for business. There were several cars parked in the lot.

Tidy rows of picnic tables lined the grassy side yard, and she could see people eating. Outdoor dining in Savannah was definitely a draw for tourists and locals alike. Unfortunately, Carlita didn’t have enough room for outdoor dining – unless she converted her courtyard into a dining area.

She immediately dismissed the idea. It was too far from the kitchen and would be cumbersome for servers to keep running back and forth. Not to mention it would be easy for unscrupulous diners to eat and run without paying for their meals.

A familiar figure scurried past the window. Elvira caught Carlita’s eye and hurried over. “Hey, Carlita.”

“Hello, Elvira.”

Her eyes darted around the shop. “Where’s Tony?”

“Taking the day off. Is there something I can help you with?”

“No. I…” Elvira hesitated, a rare reaction for her.

“What is it?”

“What with the barbecue joint being robbed, not to mention your dumpster situation, I’ve been monitoring surveillance camera recordings each day. The cameras picked up something interesting.”

It dawned on Carlita what Elvira might be alluding to. “Something that was recorded late last night?”

“Yeah. I saw you and Mercedes head over to Tony and Shelby’s place. Then, I saw you come back. Tony and Violet were with you.”

“And Shelby wasn’t,” Carlita said.

“Right.”

“So, your snoop detector engaged, and you decided to find out what happened.”

Elvira had the good graces to appear the teeniest bit embarrassed. “Yeah. It was around eleven-thirty, a coupla hours after you all left.” She told Carlita the camera recorded Shelby leaving the apartment, carrying two large suitcases. “She climbed into the passenger seat of a white or light-colored car and they drove off.”

“White or light-colored,” Carlita repeated. “Did your cameras happen to catch the license plate?”

“All but one number.”

“Would you mind sending me a copy? I would like to share it with Tony.”

“Sure. Yeah. Is everything okay? I ran into Shelby in the alley the other day. She looked at me like she had no idea who I was.”

Carlita pressed a light hand to her forehead. “There are some issues I would rather not discuss since it’s none of our business.”

“Gotcha. That’s what I thought. I’ll text the clip to you,” Elvira said. She turned to go, and Carlita stopped her. “Hey. How’s it going over at Sandy Sue’s?”

“It’s only temporary.” Elvira’s cell phone chimed. “Speak of the devil. Hang on.” She tapped the screen. “Elvira Cobb speaking. Yes. Yes, Mrs. Jarvis. I placed the order for your surveillance equipment. No. I’m nearby. An hourly written report? I suppose I could. You don’t...”

Elvira pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it. “She hung up on me.”

“She’s not a very nice person.”

“I’m finding that out. She’s not nice to me or her employees.”

Carlita perked up. “She’s having trouble with her employees? Maybe one of them robbed her the other night.”

“I already put that bug in her ear. She’s insisting it was you. She seems to think you’re trying to drive her off and ruin her business.”

“More like the other way around. I’m well aware of her accusation. That’s why the cops showed up on my doorstep.”

“As soon as I get the hourly patrol report over to her, I’ll send that surveillance footage,” Elvira said.

“Thanks.”

As promised, Elvira’s text arrived within the hour. Carlita grabbed Mercedes, and they stood off to the side, watching the short video.

The images were slightly grainy, but there was no doubt it was Shelby who exited the apartment, maneuvering two large suitcases to the rear of a waiting car. She placed both in the back and then climbed into the passenger seat.

The last clip was of the vehicle’s taillights, along with a partial view of the license plate.

Mercedes waited until the recording ended. “You gonna show this to Tony?”

“Yeah. Later, after dinner. He might have some idea who owns this vehicle.” Carlita hustled to the counter to help a customer who was eager