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

by Hope Callaghan

  “I…” Carlita slowly wandered to the window and stared at the side of Elvira’s building. “Does it involve illegal activities?”

  “Nope. There is one stipulation.”

  “Here we go.” Carlita rolled her eyes.

  “You have to pretend we’re partners.”

  “Which won’t be hard since you’ve already told everyone, including the cops, that’s the case.”

  “See? It will work out perfectly. The only snag is it would help me if I knew the name of the fourth Tybee property owner.”

  “I know who it is.” Carlita started to tell Elvira and then changed her mind.

  “Who is it?” she demanded.

  “Why does it matter to you? You plan to have me handle your dirty work.” Carlita watched as a Savannah police car turned onto the alley. They drove to the other end and pulled into the parking lot. “The cops are here.”

  “To see you?” Elvira asked.

  “It’s either me or Dernice. I have to go.”

  “Wait! What are you…”

  Carlita hung up. Detective Wilson and another man, this one a uniformed officer, exited the vehicle and began circling Elvira’s parking lot.

  Certain she was probably next on their list, Carlita made a beeline for the bathroom to get ready. While she showered, she wondered what kind of plan Elvira had in mind.

  Every time Elvira was involved, it didn’t end well. Somehow, there was a link between Tybee Island and the woman’s death. Perhaps Kim’s death was unrelated to whoever had forced Dernice’s van off the road.

  She finished showering and threw on a pair of slacks and a button-down blouse. Carlita made her way to her desk and computer. She switched it on and then typed in Mayor Clarence Puckett’s name.

  A handful of news stories popped up. There was a quote from him about the re-opening of the recently renovated city hall.

  He was also quoted singing the praises of Coastal Adventure and the new Tybee Island project, telling the news reporter he thought it was a wonderful opportunity for the island. He failed to mention he had a vested interest in the success of the venture.

  Below that was another story, this one about the authorities re-opening the investigation into Puckett’s wife’s death.

  Carlita’s heart skipped a beat as she read the story. The mayor’s wife, Mariella, had died several years back. Her death was ruled a suicide after her SUV was found partially submerged in the Savannah River. Mariella was still in the vehicle and buckled in the driver’s seat.

  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 sma
ll 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 with the IRS. What if Gibbons planned to use the sale of the property to pay off the family’s debt, but there was a holdout – Elvira?

  Hey! There was a commotion coming from the alleyway. Carlita scrambled out of the chair and dashed to the balcony door. She watched as a Savannah police officer escorted a handcuffed Dernice to the other end of the alley.

  Chapter 24

  Carlita snatched Grayvie up and darted back inside the apartment. She set the cat on the floor and ran out the door, not slowing until she reached the alley.

  It was too late. The police car, with Dernice inside, was gone.

  Elvira’s back door was ajar. “Hello?” Carlita hollered as she took a tentative step inside. She called out again and could hear someone talking.

  Carlita hurried through the apartment to the office where she found Zulilly pacing in front of the picture window, talking on her cell phone. She took one look at Carlita and turned her back.

  “…with the evidence. Listen. I have company. I have to go.” Zulilly abruptly ended the call. “Hello.”

  “Hello, Zulilly.” Carlita got right to the point. “I watched the police drive off with your aunt in the back of a patrol car. What’s going on?”

  “The investigators have evidence linking Aunt D to the Tybee woman’s death.”

  “What kind of evidence?”

  “They found a rope and a note with the woman’s name and address inside her work van.” Zulilly’s expression grew dark. “I suspected her all along. Aunt D was jealous of my mother.”

  “Why would she kill Kim Turbell? What does that have to do with Dernice being jealous of your mother?”

  “It’s obvious. To pin it on my mother. Her body was found in Mom’s building. You know what I think?” Zulilly didn’t wait for a reply. “Mom felt sorry for Aunt Dernice after she was released from prison and couldn’t find a job, so she invited her to come to Savannah and help her with the businesses.”

  Zulilly proceeded to tell Carlita that after her mother left town, Dernice began concocting a plan. “My aunt knew my mom would be a suspect in the woman’s murder. With Mom out of the picture, she could take over.”

  “I don’t know if I buy that. Have you talked to your mother and told her what happened?”

  “Not yet. I was getting ready to call her.”

  Carlita assumed Zulilly had been talking to Elvira, but apparently, she was already telling someone else. She had a sneaking suspicion that person was Zulilly’s father.

  It was possible Zulilly was correct. She knew the family dynamics and personalities better than Carlita. She remembered the other day when Dernice and she visited Coastal’s sales office. After they left the building, Dernice went back inside and talked to the woman. What if she told Turbell she would meet her at the property later and then murdered her?

  She dismissed the thought. The woman could have easily told co-workers or others she was meeting Dernice. Unless…Dernice told the woman she would be meeting Elvira.

  Thoughts and theories tumbled around in Carlita’s mind. There were too many suspects, too many possibilities. Somewhere in between was the truth.

  Zulilly’s cell phone rang, and she glanced at the screen. “I have to take this call. If you’ll excuse me.”

  She strode to the front door and held it open, waiting for Carlita to exit.

  Carlita could feel the woman’s eyes on her as she walked past the front window. Something wasn’t sitting right. Zulilly knew or was hiding something.

  Carlita rounded the corner and collided with Luigi, who was heading in the opposite direction. He reached out to steady her. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to plow you over.”

  “The police hauled Dernice off to jail. Zulilly seems to think she’s responsible for the Tybee Island woman’s death. I don’t buy it.”

  “Dernice called me a little while ago. She said something about the heat was on, and she had a feeling she was gonna take the fall. I was on my way over to check on her.” Luigi nodded in the direction of the building. “What about the daughter? Dernice thought she was up to no good.”

  “I was thinking the same thing. She’s been talking to someone on her cell phone and was anxious for me to leave.”

  “So maybe it’s her behind all of this,” Luigi said.

  “It could be. I don’t trust her.”

  “If she’s involved, she’s gonna make a move.”

  “Make a move?”

  “You know, tip her hand now that Dernice is out of the picture.”

  “You’re right. We should keep an eye on her.”

  Luigi pulled his car keys from his pocket. “I owe Dernice one. I say we do a little surveillance on Elvira’s dear daughter.”

  “A stakeout?”

  “In your very own neighborhood.”

  “Let me go grab my purse.” Carlita dashed up the stairs. She grabbed her purse and keys before joining Luigi, who was waiting for her at the other end of the alley. “Did she leave?”

  “Not yet. Hop in.” Luigi drove around the block and eased his car into a parking spot in front of Annie Dowton’s real estate office, adjacent to their alley.

  “Now what?” Carlita asked.

  “We wait.”

  Carlita grew silent, keeping her eyes trained on the alley. Every few minutes, she glanced at her watch. “What if she doesn’t leave?”

  “She will.”

  Carlita texted Mercedes to let her know she was running an errand and then dialed Elvira’s cell phone.

  “Hey, Carlita. I was getting ready to give you a call. There’s been a change of plans.”

  “Dernice is on her way to jail,” Carlita blurted out.

  “I heard. Zulilly thinks she’s responsible for Turbell’s death, that she was trying to set me up and take control of my businesses.”

  “There’s something fishy going on over here.”

  “Yeah. It’s looking like my sister is a conniving criminal and possibly even a killer.”

  “But what if it wasn’t Dernice? What if the evidence the police found in her van had been planted?”

  “By whom?”

  Carlita wanted to say, “By your daughter,” but knew that despite her strained relationship with Zulilly, there was no way Elvira would suspect her daughter of being responsible. Instead, she decided to switch tactics. “When was the last time you talked to Zulilly?”

  “Two minutes ago. She was getting ready to leave.”

  “But not before that?”

  “No. Why?”

  Carlita explained how she’d caught Zulilly on the phone, talking to someone. “It was right after Dernice’s arrest, at least half an hour ago.”

  “I’m on my way. I’m waiting on my Uber,” Elvira said. “I’ll talk to her when I get home. What about other employees? Is anyone around?”

  “No. Zulilly is the only one there.”

  “I’ll handle it from here.”

  “But…” There was no chance to discuss it. Elvira had hung up on her.

  Luigi draped his arm across the steering wheel. “She doesn’t think her kid is involved.”

  “Not a chance.” Carlita slid the phone in the pocket of her purse. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. What if Zulilly was right, and Dernice had double-crossed her sister? After all, she had a criminal record and spent time in federal prison.

  Was there jealousy between the sisters, perhaps even an underlying family feud? Did Dernice see an opportunity to take over while Elvira was out of the picture and dealing with her divorce?

  There was still the issue of
Ken Gibbons. He was in a tight spot with the IRS and needed money.

  Mayor Clarence Puckett wasn’t in the clear either. He was obviously deeply involved in Coastal Adventure’s project and had a vested interest in ensuring the property owners sold, and the deal went through. The fact he had purchased the property through a trust was suspect. Why not list himself as the owner?

  There was also Gremlin, Elvira’s ex. He had both motive and opportunity, not to mention he had to have known Kim Turbell, at least in some capacity.

  What if he had killed Kim Turbell and planted her body in Elvira’s building knowing she would be a suspect? With Elvira in jail, Gremlin could ramp up the pressure for her to sell the property, not to mention potentially be in line to seize her assets and businesses if they were still legally married.

  And now Carlita suspected Zulilly was more deeply involved than she previously thought. She had shown up on Elvira’s doorstep for a reason.

  “She’s on the move.” Luigi shifted the car into drive.

  Carlita’s head snapped up just in time to catch a glimpse of an EC Security Services’ van as it turned the corner.

  Zulilly didn’t even glance in their direction as she stopped at the stop sign and continued through the intersection.

  Luigi eased his vehicle onto the street keeping a safe distance between them.

  Zulilly made several turns before backtracking at one point.

  Carlita slid down in the seat as Zulilly did an illegal U-turn in the middle of the street. She passed by them, going in the opposite direction. “What is she doing?”

  “We might be too close, and she suspects someone is tailin’ her.” Luigi followed suit and did a U-turn. “She’s going faster.”

  They ran a light to keep up.

  Zulilly slowed. Luigi slowed. “She’s not onto us. I think she’s lost.”

  They crossed over a set of railroad tracks, entering an area of town Carlita had only been in once.

  The security services van pulled into a parking lot. Luigi steered his car onto the side of the street, a safe distance from the building.

  They watched as Zulilly exited the van. She cast an anxious glance around and then hurried toward the building.