Swiped in Savannah: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Book 12) by Hope Callaghan (ereader android .TXT) 📗

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.

She began backing up and had managed to clear the parking lot when a figure lunged forward, grasping a gun that glimmered under the streetlight.

Chapter 12

“Help!” Carlita shrieked in terror. She stumbled backward and lost her footing. The pizza container flew from her hands as she fell. A sharp pain shot up her back.

The shadowy figure flew between the cars and loomed over her. “What are you doing?”

“Tony!” Carlita screamed as she flung both arms over her head.

“What’s going on?” Tony raced across the parking lot brandishing a gun. He aimed it at the intruder. “Hands in the air!”

The woman tossed the weapon on the ground and bolted. She collided head-on with Carlita’s passenger side mirror and bounced off before tumbling to the ground. “Oof.”

Tony dashed between the cars as he released the safety on his gun. “Make a move, and you’re dead.”

“I thought someone was trespassing.”

“Trespassing?” Tony growled. “You’re the one trespassing. I’m callin’ the cops.”

Carlita fumbled with her phone, her hands trembling. “I’m doin’ it right now.”

“You’re making a big mistake. I’m a guest of Elvira Cobb. I’m staying with Elvira.”

Carlita lowered the phone, eyeing the woman more closely. “You’re…Astrid, Elvira’s new employee.”

“Yes. She told me I could stay here.”

Tony kept his gun trained on the woman. “What are you doing wandering around in the parking lot after dark?”

“I’m not wandering around. I’m settling in.”

“Settling in?” Carlita shook her head, confused.

“I have a tent. Elvira told me I could pitch my tent here.”

“You’re kidding.”

“No. I’m claustrophobic in confined spaces, so Elvira gave me the okay to set up camp out here. Who are you?”

“Carlita Garlucci, Elvira’s former landlord and neighbor.”

“Oh…you’re the mafia lady.” Astrid rolled onto her knees.

“Mafia lady?” Carlita placed her hand on the back of her car and slowly stood.

“Elvira told me you have mob ties.”

“Mob ties.”

“Yeah. I think she was just kidding. She told me to watch my p’s and q’s or I might end up in the Savannah River with my hands tied behind my back and my heart carved from my chest.”

“Oh, she did…did she?”

“Maybe she was trying to scare me.” Astrid motioned to her weapon nearby. “You mind if I grab my weapon?”

“Yes, I mind.” Tony took a step closer.

“I’ll take it.” Carlita scooped up the gun. “I’m hanging onto it until we can get to the bottom of this mess.”

“I’ll stay here,” Tony said. “You go track down Elvira.”

“I’ll be right back.” Carlita carefully made her way down the alley.

When she reached Elvira’s back door, she pounded loudly. “Elvira.”

She waited for a moment and then tried again. “Elvira! Open the door.”

The door flew open. Carlita lifted the gun.

“What in the world?” Elvira flung her hands across her chest and jumped back. “What’s going on?”

“This.” Carlita waved the gun in her face. “I was on my way home from Tony’s place, and your new tenant nearly shot me with this gun.”

“Shot you? I…Wait a minute.” Elvira reached for the weapon. “Give me that.”

“Not so fast.” Carlita thrust the weapon behind her back. “Whatever possessed you to let a homeless person - not to mention a person who is concealing their true identity - to pitch a tent in your backyard? Someone is going to get hurt.”

Carlita could feel her blood pressure rising. “What were you thinking?”

“Chillax. You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.”

“Mountain out of a molehill? Astrid, or whoever she is, almost shot me. My blood would be on your hands.”

“That’s a stun gun. Not a real gun,” Elvira pointed to the weapon. “I issue one to each of my employees when they’re working security detail. Even if she accidentally pulled the trigger, all you would’ve felt was a little sting.”

Carlita took a closer look at the weapon. Elvira was right. In the dark, and at first glance, it looked like a gun. “A little sting? I’ll show you a little sting.” She tightened her grip and pressed the butt of the stun gun against Elvira’s arm before pulling the trigger.

“Agh.” Elvira’s body began to shake. Her eyes grew wide; she let out a gurgled sound and crumpled to the floor.

“Elvira?” Footsteps clattered on the floor behind them, and Dernice appeared. She gazed at Carlita holding the gun. “You shot my sister!”

“Yes, and I enjoyed it immensely,” Carlita said.

Dernice’s eyes grew round as saucers. She dropped to her knees and reached for her sister’s