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

Autumn said. “I stopped by to find out if you’re still looking for a tenant for the efficiency unit downstairs.”

“Yes. We’re still searching,” Carlita said.

“No.” Mercedes shook her head. “I think we found someone. Besides, Ma and I decided to turn it into a short-term rental unit.”

“Really?”

“The famous author, Angelica Reynolds, is interested in it.”

“I’ve never heard of her,” Autumn said. “An author, huh?”

“You’ve never heard of Angelica Reynolds?” Mercedes gasped.

“Don’t worry, Autumn. Neither have I.”

“I wanted to thank you again, for letting me take the apartment. The timing was perfect for me to move in. Sam Ivey living in the same building is an added bonus.”

Mercedes made a small grunting sound. “He can be a jerk.”

Carlita ignored her daughter’s comment. “Sam is a wonderful tenant, and so is Cool Bones. I’m sure you’ll like living here.”

“I already do.” Autumn glanced at her watch. “I better get going before I’m late for work.”

“And I better get downstairs to meet Tony and open the pawnshop.” Mercedes dashed out the door and Autumn followed her.

Grayvie, Carlita’s cat, began circling her feet. She reached down and patted his head. “I know. It’s time for breakfast.” She finished filling her pets’ food dishes before pouring another cup of coffee and wandering out onto the deck with Rambo.

Her first task of the day was to meet with Ravello’s chef to start tweaking the restaurant’s menu. She planned to eliminate several of the items that weren’t selling and try to find some new ones to spice things up, not to mention add additional profit to the restaurant’s bottom line.

She returned to the computer where she found a new appetizer and an entrée, both of which sounded promising. She printed copies before shutting her computer off.

It was time to check on Mercedes to see if she needed help. Carlita unplugged her cell phone from the charger and noticed she’d missed a call.

It was her friend, Glenda Fox. The call was recent. Carlita checked her volume noticing she’d turned the ringer off.

She dialed her friend’s number and the call went to voice mail. “Hey, Glenda. It’s Carlita. I see I missed your call. I stopped by the SAS yesterday to pick your brain. I need some help drumming up business for Ravello’s.”

She asked her friend to return the call before slipping the phone into her pocket. “C’mon, Rambo. Let’s check on Mercedes.”

Carlita and her pooch exited the apartment at the same time Cool Bones, aka Charles Benson, stepped out of his.

“Hello, Carlita.”

“Hi, Cool Bones.” Carlita pointed to the saxophone case her tenant was holding. “You on your way to practice?”

“Yes, ma’am. Mercedes stopped by the Thirsty Crow last night to say ‘hi.’ I was telling her we got a big gig coming up over at the convention center.” Cool Bones motioned to Autumn’s unit. “I see you rented Shelby and Violet’s old apartment to Autumn Winter.”

“Yes. Now all I have to do is find a tenant for the efficiency downstairs. I think we’re going to start doing short-term rentals.”

“You don’t say. I’ll keep my ears open and let you know if I hear of anyone who might be interested.”

“Thank you. I’ll take all the help I can get.”

Cool Bones joined her, and they made their way down the steps to the hall. “Looks like it’s gonna be a beautiful day.”

“Yes, it does. Have a good one.” Carlita watched her tenant exit the building before opening the pawnshop’s back door.

The store was busy for a Thursday morning. Carlita jumped in to help her daughter and the part-time employee.

Glenda returned Carlita’s call, but she was busy helping a customer, so she let it go to voice mail. Finally, there was a quiet moment. She stepped out of the pawnshop before listening to her friend’s message.

“Hi, Carlita. Glenda here. Sorry I missed your call. I’m sure you’ve heard about the art exhibit at Darbylane Museum. Elvira and her security company were hired for the event. You’ll never guess what she did.” Glenda ended the cliffhanger call, asking her friend to call her back.

Chapter 4

She quickly dialed the number.

“Hey, Carlita.”

“Hi, Glenda. I got your message, something about the art exhibit and Elvira.”

“Yeah. I’m right around the corner from your place. I figured I would swing by so we can talk in person.”

“I’m standing in front of the pawnshop,” Carlita said.

“I’ll be there in less than a minute.”

Carlita rounded the corner, nearly colliding with her friend. They both took a quick step back.

“You weren’t kidding about being right around the corner,” Carlita joked.

“It’s such a nice morning; I figured I would walk over.” Glenda slid her cell phone into her front pocket. “Elvira is down at the police station being questioned about Darbylane Museum’s missing artwork.”

Carlita remembered the conversation with Elvira, how she joked about swapping out one of the pieces of artwork for one of her own. “You wouldn’t happen to know which piece is missing, would you.”

“A Piece of Renaissance. It’s rumored to be worth millions.”

“Elvira gave me a private tour of the museum yesterday. She pointed out that particular piece, made a joke about how she could swap it out and no one would even notice.”

“You don’t think…” Glenda’s voice trailed off. “No. Elvira has been known to do a lot of dumb things, but she would have to be off her rocker to steal that piece of art.”

“All I can say is if she thought she was being funny and played a prank, it backfired.”

“Unfortunately, our names are also getting thrown around. The authorities called me first thing this morning to ask me a few questions.”

“Why you?”

“Because Elvira listed me…listed us as references.”

“Us?” Carlita shook her head.

Glenda pointed to Carlita. “You and me. She used both