Exes and Woes: A Garlucci Family Saga Novel (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Book 14) by Hope Callaghan (good summer reads .TXT) 📗

Puckett had taken out a substantial life insurance policy on Mariella only a few short months before her suicide, and her family had sued to have the case re-opened.

The last paragraph ended with news about Puckett’s involvement in Coastal Adventure’s project as both a property seller and investor.

Carlita read the story twice. Puckett’s wife had died, and he collected on a large life insurance policy. He was now investing in the Coastal Adventure’s project and had even touted it as a benefit to the community. No one would benefit more than a man who was financially involved.

Had Kim Turbell found something out about Coastal? About Elvira’s ex or even Puckett? The mayor moved up a notch on her list of possible suspects.

Despite Carlita’s fear that the cops would be pounding on her door at any moment, it never happened. Thinking she had dodged a bullet and the police weren’t after her, she decided it was time to head to the nearby superstore to stock up on Thanksgiving Day dinner supplies. Carlita finished working on her shopping list. Mercedes still hadn’t made an appearance, so she left a note on the kitchen counter and headed out.

The store was packed with holiday shoppers, and it took her twice as long as usual to find everything on her list. Returning home, her first stop was the restaurant to drop off the frozen turkeys.

The morning prep crew hadn’t arrived yet, so Carlita let herself in the back door and carried them to the walk-in freezer. She taped notes on top to let the staff know the turkeys belonged to her before returning to the car.

It took several trips from the parking lot to the apartment to unload the groceries and even longer for her to make room inside her cupboards and the fridge.

Feeling festive and in the holiday spirit, she’d even purchased a cornucopia centerpiece, a smiling scarecrow and some spice scented fall candles for the fireplace mantle.

Carlita had just finished decorating when someone rapped loudly on the hall door. She eased it open to find a sheepish Sam Ivey standing on the other side.

“Good morning, Sam.”

“Hello, Carlita. I’m sorry to bother you so early. Mercedes stopped by last night after the movies and forgot her cell phone. I’m heading out for my first tour. Is she up?”

“Not yet.”

“Could you give this to her?” Sam held out Mercedes’ phone.

“Of course. I’m surprised she forgot it. She takes this thing everywhere.”

“She may have been distracted,” Sam teased mischievously.

“I’m sure she was. Thanks again for the awesome tour last night. Pete and I both enjoyed it immensely.”

 “Where did you end up going for dinner?”

“The Sunrise Bar and Grill on Tybee Island. It was very good.”

“I know the owner, Ken Gibbons. He’s a vet.”

“Yes. I met him. Pete knows him, as well. I heard he was wounded while serving,” Carlita said.

“Yeah. Ken came back to take over the family restaurant business a few years ago and had to clean up a few family messes.”

“I can certainly sympathize.”

“I think he’s back on track now and no longer plans to put the restaurant up for sale again.”

Carlita perked up. “He was planning on selling his restaurant?”

“I…I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s none of my business.”

“Why would he have to sell the restaurant?”

Sam frowned. “I can’t tell you. I’m sorry.”

“When you were still a cop, you served him papers in an official capacity.” Carlita could tell from the look on Sam’s face she was on the right track. “He returned, wounded. Gibbons took over the family business. It was in some sort of trouble that involved money.”

Sam shook his head.

“It’s okay.” Carlita lifted a hand. “I shouldn’t have put you on the spot. One of Coastal Adventure’s real estate agents was found dead…strangled, inside Elvira’s investment property. Atlantic Deep, the owner of Coastal Adventures, is attempting to purchase her property. They’re also trying to purchase a vacant property Ken and his family own, along with a couple of others. I’m trying to figure out why the body was in Elvira’s building. I’m still leaning toward Elvira’s ex somehow being involved.”

“Elvira’s ex?” Sam smiled. “Poor guy.”

“They have a daughter together, Zulilly, who showed up on Dernice’s doorstep a few days ago, insisting her mother wants her here.”

“Maybe you should do a little more digging around in the ex’s background if that’s your plan.”

“It is.”

Sam wished her luck and warned her to be careful before heading out.

Carlita set Mercedes’ cell phone on the counter and wandered to the balcony doors. Dernice’s back door was open, and the police car was still in the parking lot. It had been there for hours now.

Grayvie, who had followed her out, caught sight of a bluebird and let out a throaty growl, his tail thumping against the deck boards. He began making another noise as a second bird joined the first.

“You talking to the birdies, trying to convince them to come closer?” Carlita patted his head and returned inside, leaving the door open for him.

Deciding Ken Gibbons was still on her radar and that he needed a little more research, she switched her computer on and began digging into Sunrise Bar and Grill’s history.

There were several stories about Gibbons receiving a hometown hero’s welcome and a small quote from him about taking over the family business. The story was almost two years old.

She scrolled the screen and found another story, this one only a few weeks old about the family business experiencing financial woes. Carlita clicked on the link and discovered that the IRS was investigating them for tax evasion.

Carlita’s head began to spin. Putting the pieces together, Gibbons had returned from active duty and discovered his family was in trouble