Dernice explained times were tough for the young mother and her daughter. “She filed for divorce, but Elvira had a hard time tracking Gremlin down. She and Zulilly moved around a lot, going wherever Elvira could make a buck.”
“Elvira cared for Zulilly.”
“She loved her unconditionally. Zulilly made up for the bad stuff, the tough stuff, including us being abandoned by our parents when we were young. Then one day, Gremlin showed up out of the blue. Elvira and Zulilly were living in a compound somewhere in the mountains. He served her with papers, claiming he had legal custody of Zulilly. The jerk ripped that young girl right out of her mother’s arms.”
“How horrible,” Carlita said.
“It broke Elvira’s heart. She tried to get her back, but with no permanent address, no steady job, no support system, the courts sided with Gremlin, who had cleaned himself up, gotten a steady job and moved to Hilton Head. He refused to let Elvira see Zulilly, even with supervised visits.”
“He sounds like a bad person.”
“Gremlin turned Zulilly against her mother. It took years for Elvira to start rebuilding their relationship. Fast forward to now. Elvira, seeing a business opportunity, purchased a prime piece of real estate, not knowing her ex – whom she doesn’t like – is part owner of the company looking to purchase it.” Dernice placed the divorce papers inside the desk drawer. “I think Zulilly is here doing her father’s dirty work.”
“Why would Elvira allow Zulilly to come down here, with all of this going on?” Carlita asked.
“She can’t tell Zu ‘no.’”
“I’m still confused. If Elvira is in Florida, dealing with the divorce, how does someone messing around here, not to mention forcing our van off the road, fit into all of this?”
“I don’t know. What I do know is that Elvira didn’t want me to sign for those papers and now I’m regretting going against her wishes. Gremlin’s attorneys can move forward, and she’ll have to surrender the information regarding her businesses if the courts request it.”
“What are you gonna do?” Carlita asked. “Are you going to tell your sister what you did and continue to let Zulilly hang around?”
“Elvira needs to come home. Zu needs to know we’re onto her and that I know her father is behind all of this.” Dernice placed her hands on her cheeks. “I hate to ask you since I know what my sister has put you through, but I’m at my wit’s end. Will you help me come up with an idea for setting some sort of trap, a way to confirm my suspicions about what’s going on?”
“I…” Carlita studied the woman’s face. She had more than enough on her own plate – and her own share of worries. She didn’t need any more. But the way Dernice looked at her, the look of pleading. The woman needed help, and Carlita was never good at turning people down.
She blew air through thinned lips. “Okay. I’m not sure how I can help, but I’ll try.”
“Tybee is the link. We need to go back there and take another look around.” Dernice was booked with jobs for the rest of the day, so the women agreed to meet first thing the following morning.
*****
Carlita was up early. Since Mercedes was still asleep, she left a note before heading to the car, where she found Dernice already waiting.
“I’ll drive.” Carlita jangled her keys. During the drive, the women discussed Elvira’s current location.
“I was up half the night thinking about the divorce papers,” Dernice said. “I’m almost certain that’s why Elvira was depressed and why she’s in St. Augustine.”
Carlita slowed as they passed by the gift shop Mercedes and she had previously visited. She circled the block and eased the car into an empty spot in front of a recently renovated building. A gold-lettered Sales Office sign filled the upper half of the building’s large picture window.
“Looks like they just opened.” Dernice reached for the door handle. “We should check it out.”
Once they entered the building, they approached a small counter displaying several brochure stands. A dark-haired woman who had been sitting at a desk near the back wall smiled pleasantly as she crossed the room to greet them.
“Good morning.” Carlita approached the counter. “We’re curious about your sign out front.”
“This is the sales office for Coastal Adventures. I’m Kim Turbell, one of Coastal’s sales representatives.” The woman removed a brochure from one of the nearby stands and handed it to Carlita. “We’re in the early phases of creating one of the most exciting communities on the coast.”
The brochure’s cover sported an inviting picture of a sandy beach with shimmering water as the backdrop.
Carlita flipped the brochure open, revealing a map of the future development. “It looks like it’s going to be a very nice resort.”
“The entertainment complex will be a premier vacation destination. We have two more developments to the south. One is on St. Simons Island and the other in St. Augustine,” the woman explained. “If you would like more information, you can jot your name on the signup sheet. You’ll be notified of our progress and when properties become available for purchase.”
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt.” Carlita scribbled her name and email address on the sheet. “I have a few investment properties of my own. It would be fun to own a vacation spot close to home. My granddaughter, Violet, would love it.”
Dernice pursed her lips. “You people are going to ruin the tranquility and footprint of this beautiful island, causing congestion and increased prices, not to mention higher taxes. Elvira should know better than to contribute to the ruining of a beautiful island like Tybee by greedy developers.”
“Elvira?” The woman’s head snapped up.
“Elvira Cobb,” Dernice said. “She’s my sister. She owns a property Coastal is interested in purchasing.”
Turbell’s expression grew grim, giving Carlita the impression the woman either knew Elvira or had heard her name before. Or it could have been Dernice’s reproach about ruining the island with big development. “I’m sorry you feel that way. Our company’s belief is the complete opposite. We believe this will help enhance the community by bringing in money for more services as well as tax breaks for businesses and homeowners.”
“And tons of cash in your pocket,” Dernice muttered.
“Thank you for your time.” Carlita grasped Dernice’s arm, certain trouble was brewing on the horizon. She propelled her out of the building and onto the sidewalk. “I think she took your opinion personally.”
“Did you see the look on her face when I mentioned Elvira’s name?” Dernice glanced back inside the sales office. “They must have crossed paths.”
“I wouldn’t doubt it. Since we’re already here, we might as well check on Elvira’s place again. It’s right around the corner.”
“Hang on. I’ll be right back.”
Before Carlita could stop her, Dernice returned inside.
Carlita watched as she approached the counter. The woman frowned and waved her arms. There was a brief exchange, and then Dernice exited the building.
“What did you say?”
“I asked her if she knew Elvira, and she said ‘no.’ I think she’s lying.”
The women walked to the end of the block, where they found a row of abandoned buildings. A bulldozer sat poised to level the landscape.
“Let’s go in the back this time.” Dernice tromped between Elvira’s building and the one next to it. The buildings were so close together, Carlita could touch both walls.
Clusters of weeds pushed up through the cracks in the crumbling concrete. There was a tall wall at the end of the narrow strip of land, separating the businesses from what appeared to be a residential neighborhood.
“I wonder what the neighbors think about Coastal Adventures,” Carlita said.
“They probably hate it.” Dernice slid a small window up. She snaked her hand inside and leaned forward. “I…almost have it.” She let out a small gasp as the door popped open.
Carlita followed Dernice into the building. A small storage closet she hadn’t noticed during their previous visit was to her right. She curled her lip and let out a gagging sound at the putrid smell of something decaying. “Gross.”
“Something crawled in here and died.” Dernice pulled her cell phone from her pocket and switched the light on. Pinching her nose with one hand and shining the light with the other, she stepped to the center of the cavernous space. “There’s a peek a boo of the ocean I didn’t notice before. This is primo real estate. Elvira could potentially be sitting on a gold mine.”
They finished touring the interior of the building. Dernice checked to make sure the remaining windows were locked before they returned to the small rear courtyard. “I want to take a closer look at the cameras before we leave.”
Carlita wrinkled her brow. “Can you operate cameras without electricity and wiring?”
“No. We have a couple of sets that look legit but are fakeroos. I spotted one the other day when we were here. They’re almost as effective as the real deal.” Dernice eased to the side, and something crunched under her feet. She dropped down for a closer inspection. “Uh-oh. Wait until Elvira finds out about this.”
Chapter 11
“Someone busted the camera.” Dernice lifted what was left of the camera’s lens. The lens cover and a mounting bracket were scattered nearby. “Elvira’s not gonna be happy about this.”
“Should we report this to the authorities?” Carlita asked.
“To file a claim for damages?” Dernice tossed the broken piece into the nearby bushes. “There’s nothing in here worth claiming. Besides, the camera is only worth about fifty bucks on a good day. Her deductible would be more than the cost of replacing it.”
Carlita swept the pieces away from the door with the side of her shoe. “I don’t see the point in damaging a camera.”
“Unless whoever it was thought they might be recorded.”
The women retraced their steps, making their way along the narrow walkway to their starting point. Dernice rounded the corner and nearly collided with the woman from the sales center. She took a quick step back and then did a double-take. “You again.”
“We figured since we were here, we might as well have a look around,” Carlita said. “We noticed some of these buildings are still for sale.”
“Not for long. All of this.” The woman made a sweeping motion. “Everything here is in the process of being purchased.”
“Everything? What if one of the owners doesn’t want to sell?” Dernice asked.
The woman smiled smugly. “They will. All of them will. It’s only a matter of time.” Her cell phone chimed, and she excused herself before strolling off.
Carlita watched her walk away. “She seems pretty confident the owners are all selling. Maybe she knows something we don’t.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
Thankfully, the trip home was uneventful, and there were no incidents of vehicles attempting to run them off the road.
“I think it’s safe to assume the people who are still open for business are the holdouts and in no hurry to sell.” Carlita slid out of the front seat and waited for Dernice to join her in the alley. “If Elvira’s ex is as close to his daughter as you say, I’m sure he knows Elvira isn’t around. Why bother having the attorneys send certified mail to her personal residence or business address if she isn’t here?”
“Your guess is as good as mine. I can’t worry about it any longer. I have businesses to run. I’m willing to help my sister, but I’m beginning to think she doesn’t want my help. I’m sorry I wasted your time.”
“I don’t mind,” Carlita said. “I know you’re stressed out. Hopefully, Elvira will come back soon.”
“And on that note, it’s time for me to get back to work.” Dernice climbed into one of the company vans, gave Carlita a quick wave and drove off.
Mercedes was already up when Carlita returned home. She was sprawled out on the sofa, the television remote in hand. “How was Tybee? Did you learn anything new?”
“Elvira is married. Her husband sent legal papers inquiring about her assets, and I signed up to get more information on the new Tybee Island project.”
“Married?” Mercedes’ mouth fell open. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. The attorneys sent a certified letter. I think Elvira is in St. Augustine, trying to deal with it. According to Dernice, she thought Elvira and her husband divorced years ago.”
“Wow. I can’t believe Elvira was ever married.”
“Or that Elvira is a mother. Take your pick.”
Mercedes hopped off the sofa. “So, what’s this about signing up for information? Are you thinking about investing in a beachfront getaway? Because if you are, it sounds awesome. I would even volunteer to handle the management.”
“The management company would be in charge of rentals, but I think the family would get good use out of a vacation destination.” Carlita warmed to the idea. “It could be our mini-vacation spot, close to home. Speaking of home, I need to stock up on some groceries. I’m heading over to Colby’s.”
“Grab some of their pastrami.” Mercedes patted her stomach. “I’ve been craving it.”
Colby’s Corner Store was a short trek from the apartment. Carlita stepped inside and gave a quick wave to Faith Colby, the daughter of the owner. She filled her basket, checking off the items on her list before heading to the checkout.
“Hello, Mrs. Garlucci. I haven’t seen you around in a while.”
“Ravello’s is keeping me busy.”
Faith smiled, the dimple in her chin deepening. “Dad and I ate there a couple of nights ago. We shared the family sampler platter. Everything was delicious and the portions were huge. We even came home with leftovers.”
“The sampler platter is spaghetti and meatballs, chicken fettuccine and one more thing.” Carlita tapped the side of her forehead.
“Shrimp in a garlic sauce over a bed of linguine.” Faith smacked her lips. “It was delicious. Oh, and the bread was fresh from the oven. Dad and I polished off an entire loaf and brought another one home. Our server, Bella, even threw in some of your amazing butter sauce to go.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Speaking of the restaurant, I’m hosting a family and friends Thanksgiving dinner there at six on Thanksgiving Day. You and your dad are invited.”
“Thank you. I’ll have to check with him. Last year we ate at a restaurant near the highway. It wasn’t very good.” Faith finished scanning Carlita’s items and placed them in her reusable grocery bags. “When do we need to let you know?”
“Next week would be great.” Carlita took the receipt and shoved it into her purse before reaching for the bags. “Tell your dad I said, ‘hi,’ and I hope you can make it.”
During the walk home, Carlita mulled over Elvira’s disappearance. Although the woman was working through a personal crisis, she couldn’t envision her leaving Dernice with the burden of running the businesses for much longer.
Mercedes met her mother at the door and grabbed one of the bags. She followed Carlita into the kitchen. “You remembered the pastrami.”
“How could I forget? It was the first item on my list.” While Mercedes put the groceries away, Carlita whipped up a couple of pastrami on rye sandwiches.
Rambo waited until they settled in at the dining room table. Then, he parked himself in front of Carlita’s chair and stared at her with hungry eyes. Grayvie, not to be left out when treats were involved, scooched in next to him.
“I have some for each of you.” She tore off a piece of meat and fed it to her cat before giving Rambo a whole slice. “That’s enough.”
“You spoil them rotten.” Mercedes took a big bite of her sandwich.
“So do you.” After they finished their food, Mercedes offered to clean up while Carlita eased onto the sofa and kicked her shoes off. Planning to rest for only a couple of minutes, she leaned her head back and dozed off.
“The kitchen is
clean. I’m heading to my room.” Carlita jumped at the sound of Mercedes’ voice. She covered a yawn. “Excuse me. I’m more tired than I thought. Thanks for cleaning up.”
“You’re welcome.”
After she left, Carlita leaned her head back again and closed her eyes. “Maybe I’ll take a quick catnap.”
Grayvie leaped onto the back of the sofa and slunk along the top. He surveyed the situation before finding an open spot perfect for him and wiggled in next to her. Carlita patted his head, her eyes growing heavy as she dozed off again.
She wasn’t sure how much time passed when she abruptly woke. She groggily gazed around the room. Something had jolted her. It wasn’t Rambo. He was sprawled out on the floor next to her, sound asleep.
Carlita shifted her sleepy cat and did a mental shake to clear her head. She’d been napping for over an hour.
Ding. She was halfway to the bathroom when the doorbell rang. Retracing her steps, Carlita wandered over to the window to see who was standing on her back stoop. It was Dernice.
As if sensing Carlita watching her, Dernice looked up.
Carlita held up a finger and then made her way down the steps.
“Did you get my text?”
“No. I was taking a nap. I haven’t checked my phone. What’s up? Let me guess…Elvira decided to come home early.”
“No. She’s dead.”
Carlita’s jaw dropped. “Elvira is dead?”
“Not Elvira. The woman.”
“What woman?”
“Kim Turbell, the woman from Coastal Adventures. It just came across the ham radio. Her body was found inside Elvira’s building.”
Chapter 12
Carlita blinked rapidly. “You’re kidding.”
“I haven’t confirmed it yet, but that’s the chatter on the radio. It’s coming from reliable sources.”
“This means…” Carlita grappled to understand the implications of the woman being dead – and the fact that she and Dernice were among the last to see her alive.
Exes and Woes: A Garlucci Family Saga Novel (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Book 14) Page 6
