Tony left the room while Carlita distracted Shelby, asking her if she’d visited her aunt and uncle lately.
The longer they chatted, the more concerned Carlita became. Shelby answered in disjointed sentences. Sometimes not at all.
Tony returned, carrying Violet, with Mercedes close behind.
“I’m staying at Nana’s.” Violet informed her mother.
Shelby’s smile was tight as she gave her daughter a peck on the cheek. “You are. Be a good girl.”
“I will,” Violet promised.
Tony handed Violet to his sister. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Shelby lowered her eyes, refusing to meet his as she muttered something unintelligible under her breath.
“How did we get to this point?”
His wife shook her head, refusing to answer.
“We can’t go on like this,” Tony said before walking to the door.
Carlita lingered behind, waiting for her son, daughter and granddaughter to exit the apartment. She touched Shelby’s arm. “If you need anything tonight, please call.”
“I will.”
“I’ll keep my phone with me.” Carlita hesitated before reluctantly following the others. She caught up with them at the bottom of the stairs. No one spoke as they made their way home.
Gunner greeted them as soon as the door opened. “Gunner the pirate.”
Violet darted to Gunner’s cage. “Nana has a bird.”
“You remember Gunner. He belongs to my friend, Pete.”
“What else can he say? Hey, birdie,” Violet sing-songed.
“Gunner is handsome.”
Violet and the parrot bantered back and forth until she grew bored. She played with Rambo and chased Grayvie before flopping down on the sofa.
Carlita flipped through the television channels until she found a cartoon that captured her attention, and then she joined her children in the kitchen.
“What just happened?” Mercedes asked.
“Shelby’s been actin’ funny lately. I invited you and Ma to dinner to see what you could make of it.” Tony shoved his hands in his pockets. “It all started a coupla months ago when Shelby met an old friend, Melanie, for lunch. Next thing I know, they’re hanging out. Afternoons turned into evenings out and then she got real moody.”
“Do you think she’s seeing someone on the side?”
“Nah.” Tony cast an anxious glance at Violet. “I think she might be on drugs.”
“What she did earlier is certainly out of character,” Carlita said. “Perhaps you can get her into counseling.” She helped her son log onto the computer and then joined Mercedes and Violet in the living room.
The rest of the evening passed quietly. Carlita half-expected a call from Shelby or for her to show up on the doorstep with an apology for the earlier scene. Neither happened.
Since Tony was sleeping on the couch, Mercedes offered to let Violet sleep with her in her room. With the sleeping arrangements completed, Tony tucked his daughter in. He waited for her to fall asleep before tiptoeing back into the living room. “Thanks for letting her sleep with you, Mercedes.”
“You’re welcome. I’m gonna do some work on my book while Violet sleeps.”
Carlita and Tony made quick work of getting ready for bed. She chatted with Tony briefly, making sure he had everything he needed before turning in for the night.
Despite the chaos of the day, sleep was elusive. Carlita tossed and turned for hours. Was Shelby on drugs? Perhaps it was the medication she was taking to control her Addison’s disease.
She woke early the next morning. Perhaps with the new day, clearer heads would prevail, and Shelby would be receptive to joint counseling.
Tony was already up, the blankets and sheets neatly folded in a pile, and the sleeper sofa returned to its original position. Her son was on the balcony, along with Grayvie and Rambo, a cup of coffee in hand.
Carlita’s first task was to feed Gunner, who was watching her every move. After finishing, she fed Rambo and Grayvie, poured herself a cup of coffee and joined him. “Morning, Son.”
“Hey, Ma. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“I didn’t hear a thing.” Carlita eased into the padded lounge chair. “I hope you got some rest.”
“I did. Violet came out once, asking for a drink of water. I was able to go back to sleep until Gunner decided it was time to get up. Apparently, he’s an early riser.”
“Crud. I’m sorry. I forgot to cover his cage.”
“It’s all right. He was singing a little ditty, something about a pirate’s life.”
Carlita had left the balcony door open, keeping an ear out for Violet in case she woke. Gunner hearing his name, started singing,
“Yo. Ho. Yo. Ho. A pirate’s life for me. I strut on my perch, watchin’ the pretty girls…the pirate’s life for me.”
“At least he’s not telling you to hide the body,” Carlita joked.
“Cops. Hide the body,” Gunner said.
Tony chuckled. His expression sobered. “I’m gonna talk to Shelby about joint counseling and counseling for her.”
“I was thinkin’ the same thing, Son. Shelby might need someone she isn’t related to – to help her sort through whatever is eating at her.”
“Thanks for letting us spend the night.”
Carlita suggested leaving Violet for the day. “I’ll handle the pawn shop. That way, you two can spend some time together sorting through what’s going on.”
“I’m gonna take you up on the offer. Shelby’s an early riser. I’m sure she’s up by now.”
Carlita wished him luck and made him promise not to worry about Violet or the pawn shop. After he left, she roused Mercedes to fill her in and ask her to keep an eye on the child.
“Sure.” Mercedes blinked rapidly. “What time is it?”
“Seven.”
“Agh.” Mercedes pulled the covers over her head. “This is not even an acceptable time of day.”
Carlita ignored the comment. “Maybe Violet will sleep in.”
Rambo stood in the hallway watching her close the door. “I know. You’re ready to go out. It’s gonna be a busy morning. Let’s get your walk in.”
She grabbed his leash and her keys on the way out. Their first stop was to check the dumpster. Carlita was relieved to find that the city’s sanitation department had finally emptied it.
The morning temperature was mild, in the seventies, with low humidity. According to the local weatherman, a picture-perfect day was in store.
Carlita and Rambo made their rounds, passing by Elvira’s place first. They reached the stop sign. Deciding to change up the route, they headed in the opposite direction. One block up and catty corner was a 24-hour diner and coffee shop. Both were busy.
They continued on, passing by the Savannah Theatre and circling back around past the Historic District’s police station.
Back in Walton Square, they strolled past the pawn shop, the courtyard, and Ravello’s. Her eyes were drawn to the barbecue joint, where a familiar van was parked off to the side.
She watched as Dernice made her way around the front. Carlita whistled loudly and then waved to the woman as she hurried toward her.
“Hey, Carlita. Rambo.” Dernice patted the pup’s head.
“Good morning. What’s going on?”
“Mrs. Jarvis was robbed at gunpoint the other night.” Dernice explained as soon as Elvira heard the news, she promptly approached the owners about installing upgraded surveillance equipment. “Not only did they bite on the surveillance equipment, but they also hired us to monitor the place until they’re able to get the equipment installed.”
Carlita shifted Rambo’s leash to her other hand. “Have you heard exactly what happened?”
“After closing, Mr. Jarvis left to give a couple employees a ride home while Mrs. Jarvis stayed behind to finish cleaning up. While he was gone, a masked robber stormed in, waving a gun and demanding cash.”
“Do you have any idea how much w
as taken?”
Dernice didn’t have a number, but Elvira had told her it was a substantial sum. “The lady is a trip. I’m surprised she didn’t scare the robber off.”
“She doesn’t like me, not after I got onto her about dumping her construction waste in my dumpster, not to mention calling the cops when she diverted traffic into her parking lot.”
“I heard. She’s not a fan of yours.”
“The feeling is mutual.” Carlita told her how the cops had shown up on her doorstep after Sandy Sue named her as a suspect. “So, how did the patrol go last night?”
“I dunno. Luigi was in charge of the night patrol. I took over a few minutes ago.”
“Speaking of Luigi, how are you two getting along?” Carlita batted her eyes.
Dernice’s face turned a shade of red. “He’s a great guy. I’m still not sure what he sees in me.”
“You’re a good person, Dernice. You and Luigi have had your share of hard knocks. I think you’re well suited for one another.” Carlita turned to go. “I’m not one to butt into someone else’s business, but if I were you, I would be cautious. I’m not sure I entirely trust Sandy Sue and her husband. They’re not afraid to employ some underhanded tactics.”
I appreciate the warning. You know Elvira. She won’t turn down business, no matter who it is.”
Back at the apartment, all was still quiet. She peeked in on her daughter and Violet. The child sat cross-legged on the bed while Mercedes braided her hair.
“Mercedes is braiding my hair.”
“She is. It’s beautiful.” Carlita thanked her daughter before making a beeline for the bathroom.
When she emerged, she found Violet at the table, munching on a frosted pop tart and banana. “Now that’s a winning morning meal.”
“I let Violet decide,” Mercedes said.
“Bananas are good for you,” Violet informed her.
“They are, and so are pop tarts.” She kissed the top of the child’s head as she playfully tugged on a braid.
“Mercedes and I are going to take Rambo for a walk.”
“Rambo would love that.” Carlita reached for her cell phone and noticed she had missed a call from Tony. She stepped onto the balcony and dialed her son’s number.
“Hey, Ma. You got a minute?”
Carlita detected a hint of panic in Tony’s voice. “Sure. What happened?”
“I would rather not discuss it over the phone. Can you stop by the apartment? You’re not gonna believe this.”
Chapter 8
Mercedes waited for her mother to end the call. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. Tony asked me to stop by.”
“Am I going home now?” Violet asked.
Carlita gave a slight shake of the head. Mercedes placed her arm around Violet. “I thought you wanted to take Rambo for a walk.”
“Okay. Can we go to Leopold’s for ice cream?”
“I don’t think Leopold’s serves ice cream this early, but we can check.”
Violet began hopping up and down on one foot. “Can we leave now?”
“Sure.”
Carlita and Violet waited near the front door while Mercedes grabbed her phone and purse.
They reached the alley and parted ways with Carlita heading straight to her son’s. She reached the top of the stairs and found the door ajar. “Tony?”
“In here.” Tony was standing near the sliders that overlooked the street. His second-floor apartment offered a bird's-eye view of Sandy Sue’s Bar-B-Que. “Did you know Elvira is working for the barbecue joint?”
“I ran into Dernice this morning when I was walking Rambo. Sandy Sue and her husband hired EC Security Services to patrol the place until Elvira can install some upgraded equipment.”
“The woman never misses an opportunity,” Tony said.
Carlita glanced around. “Where’s Shelby?”
“Gone.”
“Were you able to talk to her before she left?”
“No. She’s gone, as in she packed up her stuff and left sometime last night.”
Carlita’s jaw dropped. “Did she leave a note?”
“Nope. No note. Nothing. Nada. Zip.” Tony told his mother he called Shelby’s aunt and uncle to ask if they’d heard from her. “I tried her friend, Melanie, and anyone else I could think of. No one has seen or heard from her.”
“What about Violet? She left her daughter?” Never in a million years would Carlita have believed Shelby could just walk off, leaving her beautiful little girl behind.
“I don’t know, Ma. She’s not answering her cell phone. I left a message asking…begging her to call me. She took half of what we had in savings two days ago, so she’s been planning this for at least a coupla days. Maybe longer.”
Tony rubbed his brow. “I guess she decided she needed more than a few hours away from me. From me ‘n Violet.”
“We could contact the police and file a missing person report.”
“She left of her own free will.” Tony’s jaw tightened. “Shelby packed her bags and hit the road.”
Carlita began pacing. “I could put the word out. Maybe Reese’s friend, the one who works at the Greyhound Bus Terminal, sold her a ticket.”
Tony held up his hand. “And then what? I track her down and beg her to come home just so she can leave again? I shoulda seen the signs. Her picking fights. Her going out at night with Melanie.”
“Maybe Melanie is lying, and she knows where Shelby is.”
“I thought the same. Again, I can’t drag her home against her will.”
Mother and son discussed the next step. Both agreed that keeping Violet’s routine as normal as possible was a priority. They would tell her that her mother went to visit a friend.
“Shelby loves Violet. She’s not thinking straight. She’ll be back for her,” Carlita predicted.
“Six months ago, I would’ve said the same. Not now. Shelby changed. Something changed. I have no idea what she’s thinking.”
Carlita could see her son was hurting. The look on his face made her heart ache. She hugged him tightly. “It’s gonna be okay. We’re here. Me and Mercedes. I gotta get down to the pawn shop and open for business. Why don’t you take today off? Mercedes and Violet are out walking Rambo and then stopping for ice cream. You can pick her up at the apartment and then join us later for dinner.”
Tony, only half listening, nodded absentmindedly.
She reluctantly left after he insisted he would be all right and claimed he wanted to give the apartment a more thorough search.
She made it to the pawn shop with minutes to spare. Mercedes showed up not long after, offering to help. Tony had texted his sister, asking her to drop Violet off at the apartment. In between customers, Carlita filled her in on Shelby’s departure.
The morning flew by and, before Carlita knew it, the shop’s part-time employee arrived to take over.
Eager to find out if there was any news on Shelby, Carlita headed straight to their apartment. Violet answered the door.
“Hello, Violet.” Carlita scooped her up.
“Tomorrow is show and tell. My friend, Bee, is bringing her pet bunny. Last week Hayden showed us a coin his dad found in the backyard. It’s worth a hundred million dollars.”
“My goodness. He’ll be very rich,” Carlita smiled. “What are you going to take?”
“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?”
Family Feud in Savannah: A Garlucci Family Saga (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Book 16) Page 5
