Exes and Woes: A Garlucci Family Saga Novel (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Book 14)

by Hope Callaghan

  Luigi and Carlita followed her through the apartment to a set of metal cabinets in the back. She opened a cabinet door and stepped aside. “I had no idea this was here.”

  Carlita’s heart skipped a beat as she inched closer and peered inside. The base of the cabinet was missing. She could make out what appeared to be a door…a door that looked very familiar.

  Chapter 4

  “It’s a trapdoor,” Carlita said.

  “One of the firefighters noticed a cutout on the floor. That’s when we opened the cabinet and found the door. Mind lending a little muscle to pull the cabinet out of the way?” Dernice flexed her muscle and pointed at Luigi.

  “Sure.” Luigi stood at one end of the counter, Dernice at the other and Carlita in the middle.

  On the count of three, they pulled. The cabinet made a cracking noise but refused to budge.

  Dernice opened an end door and stuck her head inside. “There are a couple of screws keeping it in place.” She ran out of the room, returned with a set of screwdrivers and made quick work of removing them.

  The trio tried again, this time easily sliding the cabinet away from the wall.

  Luigi and Carlita stepped off to the side as Dernice grasped the brass handle. “Here goes nothing.” She pulled hard, but it refused to budge. “It’s heavier than I thought.”

  “I’ll open it.”

  Dernice moved out of the way, making room for Luigi. The door was no match for his strength. He easily lifted it and then leaned it against the wall.

  A strong, musty smell wafted up.

  Dernice cautiously peered over the edge. “It’s a pit of darkness. Let me grab a flashlight.” She fumbled inside a nearby cabinet, pulled out a flashlight and shined it into the opening. The beam of light illuminated a wooden ladder. There was a dirt floor at the bottom.

  Carlita could’ve sworn something furry and black scurried by. “You gonna check it out?”

  “I…” Dernice swept the flashlight along the perimeter. “Later. I need to find out what’s going on in Tybee first.”

  “Are you ready to head over there?” Carlita asked.

  “Yeah. If you have time, I’m ready to go.”

  *****

  During the drive to Tybee, Dernice vented about her sister, her secretive attitude and the trouble she was causing. Carlita didn’t interrupt, and honestly, she couldn’t disagree with anything she said.

  It took them longer to find Elvira’s property than it did to drive there. Dernice eased into an empty parking spot in front. The buildings on both sides were boarded up. All three were in a similar, sad state of disrepair.

  It struck Carlita as odd that only one of the vacant buildings sported a for-sale sign. It was stapled to a sheet of plywood covering the front.

  Dernice consulted a scrap of paper she dug out of her pocket and rattled off the address. “This is it.”

  They exited the vehicle and gathered near the entrance.

  Dernice tried the door. “It’s locked. Good thing I brought these.” She removed a small tool from the case she was carrying and inserted it into the doorknob’s keyhole. With a couple of twists, the door swung open.

  “I’ll go first.” Luigi placed a light hand on his jacket pocket as he eased past the women and entered the building.

  Empty shelves lined the right-hand wall. To the left were several storage boxes.

  Carlita studied the stack of boxes. “Caution. Flammable materials.” Emblazoned on the side of the top box was a fire symbol.

  Dernice flipped the flaps and pulled out a bottle of nail polish remover. “This place must’ve been a beauty salon or supply store.” She set the remover back inside. “I wonder if Elvira has even seen this place.”

  “Didn’t you say she was handling the area’s security detail right before she took off?”

  “She was, and now that I think about it, we were hired a few months back to keep an eye on a business that was planning to build a large development.” Dernice told them the company was being targeted by locals who were protesting the company’s project.

  “So when Elvira found out what was going on, she must have decided to buy a property, hoping to turn around and sell it for big bucks.” Carlita tapped her chin thoughtfully.

  “That’s what I’m thinking.”

  The trio finished their search near the building’s rear exit.

  “Hang on.” Luigi ran a light hand over the doorjamb. “Someone tried to get in.”

  “You’re right, and it looks like it was recently.”

  Luigi tested the door. “It still opens and shuts.” He slid the bolt across the top. “This flimsy lock ain’t gonna stop someone from gettin’ in here, not that there’s anything worth stealing.”

  “Great. This is just one more thing for me to worry about,” Dernice said.

  With a final sweep of the building’s interior, they climbed back into the van for the return trip. They had gone about a mile when Carlita noticed Dernice kept glancing in the rearview mirror. “Is everything all right?”

  “I dunno.” Dernice stopped for a red light and looked back again.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I think we’re being followed.”

  “We are?” Carlita peered into the passenger side mirror. A black car was close behind them.

  Luigi unbuckled his seatbelt and shifted so he could see through the rear cargo door windows. “They’re tailgating.”

  “A little too close for comfort,” Dernice said.

  The van reached the stretch of road connecting the island with the mainland.

  Carlita’s gaze never wavered as she watched the car behind them continue to tailgate. There was a sudden jolt, and she grabbed the dashboard to steady herself. “What was that?”

  “They bumped the van.” Luigi pulled his gun from his pocket. “They’re gonna do it…”

  Before he could finish his sentence, there was another jolt. Dernice fought to maintain control as the van started to swerve.

  The second jolt sent Luigi off balance. He quickly regained it and climbed over the seat. “I wanna roll the windows down.”

  “They don’t open. You can slide the sides open.”

  “That’ll have to do.” Luigi crawled to the back corner. “Hang on.”

  There was another jolt. The jolt forced the front tires of the van onto the soft gravel, pulling them off the road.

  The black sedan swerved, straddling their lane and the oncoming traffic lane.

  Carlita’s heart raced as the vehicle pulled even with them. The passenger side window lowered, and a gun appeared.

  “They’re gonna shoot!” Dernice jerked the wheel, sending their vehicle into a semi-spin.

  Pop. Pop. The rapid-fire echo of gunshots filled the van.

  Chapter 5

  As if in slow motion, the van veered back onto the road before coming to a screeching halt.

  Through the front windshield, Carlita watched as the sedan roared off, turning into a small black dot before disappearing.

  “You all right?” Luigi vaulted over the bench seat.

  “We…I think we’re fine,” Dernice answered in a shaky voice. “They were shooting at us.”

  “They wish. I got off the first shots,” Luigi bragged. “I nailed the passenger side mirror too.”

  “Maybe it was a distracted driver who accidentally bumped us.” Dernice cautiously steered the van back onto the road.

  “Three times and with a gun pointed out the window?” Luigi shook his head. “Not a chance.”

  During the remainder of the drive, Carlita kept her eyes peeled, half-expecting the vehicle to reappear and either shoot at them or force them off the road again. She let out a sigh of relief when Dernice turned onto their street.

  “Hey, Luigi, you got time to fill out some paperwork?” Dernice asked.

  “You still interested in hiring me?”

  “I like your style. You know how to handle yourself under pressure, not to mention you saved me…saved
us from taking a bullet. I admire that in a man.”

  “Then, you got yourself a new employee.”

  When they were back at EC Security Services’ office, Dernice handed Luigi an application.

  His eyes skimmed the front. He flipped it over. “I don’t have much of a work history.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Dernice waved dismissively. “I found out everything I need to know on the trip back here. The paperwork is a formality. You got my back, and that’s what matters most. Besides, I know you worked security detail for a mafia boss in New York and New Jersey.”

  “Mrs. G. told you that?”

  “Elvira ran a thorough background check on each of the guests at Tony and Shelby’s wedding a few months ago when she offered the company’s security services as their wedding gift.”

  “She did?” Carlita briefly closed her eyes. “Why am I not surprised?”

  “She was curious.” Dernice cleared her throat. “Your skills are unique, and you get the job done.”

  “Get the job done?”

  “Not only did you protect us, but the boss, the family kingpin, is still alive…right?” Dernice asked.

  “Alive and kickin’. I like you gettin’ right to it and not beating around the bush. I think we’re gonna work good together.” It didn’t take long for Luigi to fill out the application. He signed his name and handed it back. “When do I start?”

  “How about right now? I’ll pay you a flat fee to guard the building for the next several days. I’ll even throw in three hots and a cot if you want.”

  “I appreciate the offer for a place to stay, but I’m pretty comfortable in my apartment.”

  “Suit yourself,” Dernice shrugged.

  “I’ll be back in ten to start patrols.” Luigi followed Carlita out of the building. He waited until they were a safe distance away before speaking. “How well do you know this lady and her crazy sister?”

  “Unfortunately, a little too well.” Carlita explained how Elvira had been a former tenant. “I ended up evicting her. The last straw was when she set her apartment on fire. Instead of me getting rid of her, she bought the building next door. Why? Are you having second thoughts?”

  “Not a chance. I just like to know the deal.” Luigi led the way inside their building. He trudged to the end of the hallway and stopped when he reached his apartment door. “Thanks for getting me a job, Mrs. G.”

  “You’re welcome, Luigi. I think this is gonna be good for both you and Dernice. She needs help, and you landed a job that’s right up your alley.” Carlita wished him luck before returning home.

  It was time to start tinkering with one of her Thanksgiving Day recipes. She slipped an apron on and then sorted through her recipe box until she found her mother-in-law’s eggplant parmesan recipe. She wanted to give it a test run before serving it to her family and friends.

  After preheating the oven, the first step was to peel and slice the eggplant. She dipped the slices in a bowl of beaten eggs followed by breadcrumbs. She finished dipping each of the slices and arranged them on a baking sheet before sliding them into the hot oven.

  When the eggplant finished baking, she placed a single layer on the bottom of a baking dish. She topped the eggplant with spaghetti sauce, followed by a layer of mozzarella and parmesan cheese. She repeated the layering until she ran out of eggplant and sauce and finished with a heavy-handed dose of both kinds of cheese so that it coated the top.

  The last step was to sprinkle fresh basil on top before popping it into the oven.

  “Something smells good,” Mercedes said as she wandered into the kitchen. “Whatcha making?”

  “Nonna Maria’s eggplant parmesan.”

  “You haven’t made that in years. I’ll be your official taste tester.” Mercedes leaned her hip on the counter. “So, what’s the scoop on the explosion next door?”

  “It was an accident.” Carlita told her daughter about the rusted propane tank. “The cops and firefighters checked the place out to make sure it was safe for Dernice to return inside. You’ll never guess what they found.”

  “A booby trap?” Mercedes joked.

  “You got the trap part right. They found a trapdoor hidden beneath an old cabinet.”

  “Leading to a basement?”

  “I think so. Luigi and I helped her pull the cabinet out of the way but didn’t have time to check it out. I’m sure Dernice will later. We also made a quick trip to Tybee Island.” Carlita briefly told her daughter about the dilapidated property and the damaged door. “On the way back here, the car behind us bumped us. At first, we thought it was an accident until they did it again. They forced Dernice’s van off the road and began waving a gun at us.”

  Mercedes’ eyes grew wide. “Did they shoot at you?”

  “Luigi never gave them a chance. He got off the first shots and managed to take out one of the car’s mirrors.”

  Mercedes let out a low whistle. “Dernice better watch her back.”

  “She hired Luigi.”

  “Now that’s a match made in heaven.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” Carlita set the timer on the oven. “While this is baking, I’m gonna run down to the pawn shop for a minute.”

  “I’ll keep an eye on it.”

  “Thanks.” Carlita removed her apron before making her way to the bustling pawn shop. She sprang into action, ringing up several sales. Finally, the shop cleared, and she joined her son in the back.

  “Thanks, Ma. One minute the store is empty. The next, it’s full,” Tony said. “You ever find out about the explosion next door?”

  “It was a faulty old propane tank. The investigators aren’t sure what ignited it. There’s some damage to EC Security Service’s front entrance door, but it’s nothing that can’t be repaired.”

  “Was anyone hurt?”

  “Thankfully, no. Dernice had placed the tank by the door, planning to swap it out for a new one. She left right before it blew,” Carlita said. “Dernice is having a rough day. Luigi and I rode along with her to Tybee to check out a property. On the way back, the car behind us forced her van off the road and the driver pulled a gun on us.”

  “Are you kiddin’ me? That’s nuts. Sounds like a case of road rage.”

  Carlita hadn’t considered that. “I suppose that could have been the case. Before I forget, Dernice hired Luigi to keep an eye on the place. It’s on a trial basis.”

  “Good for him.”

  The door chimed, and a customer stepped inside. “I’ll let you get back to work.” Carlita returned home and was greeted with the tantalizing aroma of herbs.

  Mercedes was standing at the stove, staring at the bubbling dish. “I just took it out. It looks delish.”

  “I hope this tastes half as good as it smells.” Carlita waited for it to cool slightly. She eased a generous spoonful of the layered eggplant into two small dishes and handed one to her daughter.

  Mercedes studied the layers before sampling the dish. “You added your special Italian seasoning.”

  “Only a pinch.”

  “This is the best eggplant I’ve ever tasted.” Mercedes polished hers off and filled her dish a second time. “I was thinkin’ about what you said – how Dernice hired Luigi. Does she know about his background?”

  “Yes, thanks to Elvira’s snooping. Dernice confessed she already knew about his work history – or at least enough to make an informed decision, which I think is one of the reasons she decided to hire him.”

  “Luigi will be good at protecting the business.”

  “Without a doubt.” Carlita slid the baking dish to the back of the stove. “We’ll have to give this a chance to finish cooling before covering it.”

  Rambo, the family pooch, trotted to the kitchen and planted himself in the doorway.

  “You wanna go for a walk?”

  He extended his paws, stretching into a downward dog pose as he rubbed his face on the floor.

  “I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’” Carlita stepped over him a
nd headed for the door. “You wanna go with me and Rambo?”

  “I’ll pass. I was right in the middle of an action scene when the timer went off. Maybe next time.” Mercedes returned to her room while Carlita followed the pup down the steps and into the alley.

  “Hang on.” Carlita clipped his leash to his collar. “Which way should we go?”

  She was still contemplating their walk when a compact car zoomed around the corner and turned into the alley.

  Carlita tightened her grip on the leash and watched as the purple-haired driver sped past. The car swerved into an empty parking spot right next to Elvira’s car.

  Chapter 6

  “Looks like Dernice has company.” Carlita and Rambo strode to the other end of the alley.

  The driver cast Carlita a glance as she slung a backpack over her shoulder. “Hey.” A thick layer of bracelets jangled as she reached inside the back seat.

  “Hello.” Carlita offered the woman a tentative smile.

  “What?” The woman pulled out a gym bag and slammed the door shut.

  “What?”

  “Why are you staring at me? Am I parked in the wrong spot?”

  “I…it depends. This is the parking area for EC Investigative Services and EC Security Services.”

  “Then, I’m in the right place.” The woman slid her sunglasses on top of her head and studied the building. “It’s a little smaller than Mom let on.” She turned her attention to Carlita. “You live around here?”

  “Mom…” Carlita lifted a brow as it dawned on her who the purple-haired, Volkswagen-driving woman was. “You’re Zulilly.”

  “Zulilly Fontaine. You know my mom?”

  “Elvira,” Carlita said.

  “Yeah. She’s not here.”

  “No, she’s not.”

  “Which is why I’m here. I’m here to help Aunt Dernice until Mom gets back. She’s worried about her.” Zulilly began walking.

  Carlita and Rambo trailed after her. “You plan to stay here?”

  Zulilly abruptly stopped. “You’re asking a lot of questions. Who are you?” she asked rudely.