The Family Affair: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Cozy Mysteries Series Book 9)

by Hope Callaghan

  Carlita pressed the palms of her hands to her cheeks and she smiled grimly at the irony of the situation. What if Vito Castellini showed up to meet the family and was greeted by another thug who was looking for Shelby?

  “You’re not mad?” Shelby asked.

  “Mad?” Carlita shook her head. “No, Shelby. I’m not mad. You’re in a bind, and to no fault of your own.” She took a step back and spun in a slow circle.

  The apartment building was secure with more than enough security safeguards in place for a rental property, but if a hitman was stalking Shelby there was no place on earth where she would be safe.

  “I can’t tell you what to do, Shelby. Only you can make that decision. Tony and Vinnie have spent a fair amount of time around questionable characters. If you would like to stay, then I’m asking for your permission to fill them in on what you’ve told me.”

  “Tony is going to be furious.”

  “Maybe,” Carlita conceded. “He’ll get over it. I know my son and he loves you. He would never forgive himself if something happened to you.”

  Shelby’s face crumpled and she began to cry. “I never meant for any of this to happen. I hoped and prayed after meeting with Robert yesterday, he would be out of our lives forever.”

  Carlita rubbed Shelby’s back. “Honey, there are times when, no matter how hard you try to put the past behind you, it sneaks up and smacks you right upside the head.”

  “It’s a mess,” Shelby sighed. “I better check on Violet.”

  Shelby and Carlita stepped into the hall and Violet’s small face appeared in the doorway. “Mommy, Papa Jerry says I have to get dressed.”

  “Papa Jerry is right. It’s time to get dressed.”

  Violet gave her mother a pouty stare and disappeared from sight.

  “I’m going to run inside and let my uncle know we’re going to be across the hall.” Shelby slipped back inside the apartment and popped out moments later. “Violet is packing. Uncle Jerry and Aunt Ginny are determined we’re going to stay at their place.”

  She pulled the door shut behind her. “Maybe we should go to their house. They live out in the middle of nowhere, along with their guard dog, Ragnar. No one will get past Ragnar.”

  “As I said, I’m going to let you make that decision.”

  The women crossed the hall to Cool Bones’ front door and Carlita rapped softly. They heard a muffled sound coming from within and then the door opened.

  “Ah.” Cool Bones’ eyes lit. “To what do I owe the pleasure of a morning visit from two of my lovely neighbors?”

  Carlita took in the sweatpants, wrinkled Duke Ellington t-shirt and flip-flops. “We’re sorry to bother you. I hope we’re not interrupting.”

  “No, not at all. Come in.” Cool Bones shifted to the side. “I hope my sax practice playing isn’t disrupting you.”

  “Never.”

  Cool Bones practiced on his saxophone almost every day, like clockwork, from two in the afternoon until four, but it never bothered Carlita or Mercedes. In fact, Carlita loved to listen to the haunting melodies.

  Carlita followed Shelby into the apartment. “You know I love to hear you play.”

  “The only time I hear you play is on the weekends and only when I’m in the hall,” Shelby assured him.

  “Would you care for a cup of coffee? Tea?”

  “I’m fine,” Carlita said.

  “Me too.”

  “Belly up to the bar ladies.” Cool Bones motioned to the barstools.

  Shelby ran her hand along the top of one of the barstools. It was shaped like a music note. “These are awesome.”

  “Thanks. My daughter, Jordan, bought them for me for Christmas.”

  “Ah.” Carlita lifted a brow. “I forgot you left a message telling me you were in Atlanta over the holidays. It was awfully quiet around here while you were gone.”

  “Speaking of quiet…now that Elvira is gone, have you had any luck renting out her old apartment?”

  “You mean gone from the building,” Carlita joked. “Having her across the alley is almost as bad. Have you met her sister, Dernice?”

  “Yes. Elvira and her sister have stopped by the Thirsty Crow a coupla times. Elvira introduced her to me. It was the extent of our conversation.”

  “Elvira and Dernice are two peas in a pod,” Carlita said. “I rented her old apartment to a man by the name of Sam Ivey. He’s a popular tour guide in the historic district. I’ve only met him once.”

  “Sam Ivey.” Cool Bones tapped his chin thoughtfully. “I’ve heard the name before.”

  “Like I said, he’s a tour guide in the area. I’ve seen his ads in some of the local tourist magazines. He’s moving in February first.”

  “I look forward to meeting him. I doubt he’ll give you as much trouble as Elvira did.”

  “I hope not.”

  “You say he hasn’t moved in yet? I could’ve sworn I saw a man and woman go into the apartment last night.”

  “That was my oldest son, Vinnie, and his new wife, Brittney. They’re here for a visit.”

  “Oh.” Cool Bones straightened his back. “I thought your older son was single and you were tryin’ to convince him to move to Savannah.”

  “He was single.” Carlita blew air through thinned lips. “He married over the holidays. It’s a long story.”

  “I see.” Cool Bones nodded. “He surprised you with his new wife.”

  “More like sprang it on me,” Carlita grumbled. “It’s a mess.”

  “And none of my business. I’m sure you’re not here to tell me all your family woes.”

  “You’re right. The reason we’re here is Shelby and I are looking for information on another of the local clubs, this one is in the riverfront district. I forget the name of the place.” Carlita turned to Shelby.

  “The name of the place is the Black Stallion Club.”

  Cool Bones’ eyes narrowed. “The Black Stallion is no place for nice women like you. My former business partner, Smooth Sully, plays there. He quit the Jazz Boys and started his own band, the River Rats.”

  “What do you mean ‘it’s no place for nice women like you?’”

  “They’re a rough bunch down there. Pat, the owner, has been linked to some nefarious activities, questionable acquaintances and criminal business dealings.”

  “Possibly even a hangout for killers,” Shelby whispered.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Cool Bones nodded. “Far be it from me to stick my nose in where it don’t belong, but I’m gonna warn you to steer clear of the place. Why are you asking about the Black Stallion?”

  “Shelby’s ex-husband was trying to persuade her to meet him there and she and I were trying to figure out why.”

  “I don’t know how you feel about your ex, but he had better watch his back if he frequents that place. If he’s not careful, he’ll end up pushing up daisies.”

  “Dead,” Shelby said. “It’s a little late. My ex was murdered yesterday and the authorities are trying to pin it on me.”

  “You don’t say.” Cool Bones let out a low whistle. “Let me get this straight. Your ex-husband tried to talk you into meeting him at the Black Stallion. He was murdered and now the authorities suspect you’re the one who murdered him?”

  “Correct.” Shelby nodded. “And I think I’m being followed.”

  “This is quite the conundrum. At the risk of sounding nosy, do the authorities have evidence implicating you?”

  Shelby laid it all out for Cool Bones, her escape to the women’s shelter, her move to the apartment, how her ex had tracked her down and asked to meet with her, wanting cash in exchange for custody of Violet.

  “I agreed to meet Robert in a small park not far from the river. When I got to the meeting spot, I found his body. Someone shot him.”

  “Did he mention anyone who might be after him?”

  “He said he was working on some big deal. He also mentioned he was making fast cash as a bookie.” Shelby motioned helplessly. “When he offe
red to sign off on his parental rights in exchange for money, I emptied my bank account, hoping to get rid of him for good.”

  “Tell him the other part, what the authorities found,” Carlita said.

  “Robert had no intention of signing away his parental rights. The authorities found a paper requesting custody instead. He was tricking me.”

  “Whew.” Cool Bones scratched his chin thoughtfully. “I don’t see an easy way out of this Shelby. What does Tony think about this?”

  “We’re not speaking. I never told him I was going to meet Robert, to give him money in the hopes he would go away.”

  “He’s a hot-headed Italian, just like his father,” Carlita said.

  “I see. I wish I could help you, but my only connection to the Black Stallion Club is my former business partner. While you’re waiting for the authorities to sort this out, I would keep a low profile. Those people down at the Black Stallion, they mean business.”

  A cold chill ran down Carlita’s spine. It was even worse than she suspected. She reached over and squeezed Shelby’s hand.

  “Thank you, Charles. What you’ve told us has been helpful.” She turned to Shelby. “Maybe you should go to your uncle’s place after all.”

  “The farther away, the better.” Cool Bones opened the door and followed the women into the hall. “I’ll keep my ears open. If I hear anything at all, I’ll let you know.”

  Carlita started to thank him and then impulsively reached out and hugged him instead. “You’re a doll, Cool Bones. I don’t care what Elvira says.”

  Cool Bones’ laughter echoed in the hall and continued even after his door closed.

  Shelby stared at the closed door. “I’m scared out of my mind. I’ve never visited anyone in jail, let alone been incarcerated.” Her lower lip began to tremble.

  Carlita wrapped her arms around the young woman. “I promise Shelby, I will do everything in my power to keep that from happening. You need to keep your chin up, for Violet’s sake.”

  They walked across the hall. “If you decide to stay at your uncle’s place, pop by and let me know you’re leaving so I won’t worry.”

  “I will,” Shelby promised. “Thank you for everything.” She reached for the doorknob before turning back. “One more thing. Could you please tell Tony I’m sorry?”

  “Yes, and then I’m going to strangle him,” Carlita joked.

  Shelby gave Carlita a sad smile and then quietly slipped inside.

  Carlita was halfway to her apartment when the downstairs doorbell chimed. She hurried down the steps. When she reached the bottom, she grabbed the knob and then peered through the peephole.

  Standing on the other side of the door was a man, and he had his back to her. The man slowly turned and Carlita’s breath caught in her throat.

  Chapter 8

  Vito Castellini’s tall frame filled the peephole. Carlita watched as he lifted his gaze and cased the joint.

  “Good grief.” She pressed her forehead to the door and prayed she was going to survive. “When it rains, it pours,” she said under her breath before yanking the door open.

  Vito stood front and center on the stoop. On either side of him were two big, beefy bodyguards. One of them slid his hand into the jacket of his pinstriped suit and pulled out a gun.

  “Put that away.” Vito motioned to the man brandishing the weapon. “We ain’t gonna shoot anyone, at least not yet.” Vito shifted his attention to Carlita. A slow smile crept across his face.

  “Carlita Garlucci. I bet you’re surprised to see me,” Vito said. “Are Vinnie and my daughter, Brittney, around?”

  “Y-yes.” Carlita’s words stuck in her throat. “They’re upstairs. Brittney mentioned you might be stopping by for a visit.”

  Vito shoved his hands in his pockets and looked around. “So this is the old Delmario place? You know he got whacked for double-crossing the family, right?”

  Carlita wasn’t sure if it was meant to be a warning. She wasn’t taking any chances. “Yes. I mean, I didn’t know that for certain. I’ve heard rumors George’s killer was never caught.”

  Vito Castellini laughed. “And they never will. I see you’re having some work done on the property. It’s lookin’ good. You got a pawnshop. That’s a solid business venture. Vinnie told me you own rental properties, too.”

  “Yes, that’s right.” Carlita nodded. “I’ll be opening a restaurant soon, Italian of course. You’ll have to come back for a visit after it opens.” Carlita knew she was rambling, but Vito was making her nervous.

  His henchman were staring at her as if they couldn’t wait to whip out a couple of sawed off shotguns and fill her full of lead.

  “Would you like to come upstairs for coffee or something…” Her voice trailed off.

  “I got some business to take care of downtown, but I got a coupla minutes to spare.”

  “Your wife, Francesca, didn’t come with you?”

  “She don’t like riding for long,” Vito said.

  “You didn’t fly?” Carlita motioned them inside and began to shut the alley door when she noticed Elvira’s door across the alley was ajar. It quickly closed.

  “Me and my men, we can’t fly with our…shall we say…extra luggage?”

  “I see.” Carlita reached for the handrail. “I’m sure certain items might pose a problem.”

  When they reached the top of the stairs, Carlita paused, offering up a quick prayer Mercedes was holed up in her bedroom. Tony was working in the pawnshop and as far as she knew, Vinnie and Brittney were in their apartment.

  She led them into the apartment. The burly bodyguards made their way to the balcony doors and peered out. Vito chose to walk around the apartment.

  Carlita nearly passed out when he stopped in front of the fireplace and ran the palm of his hand over the mantle…the same mantle where she’d stashed the cache of gems. “Nice fireplace.”

  “Thanks,” she croaked. Her hand shook as she smoothed the front of her skirt. “I can’t remember if you said you would like a cup of coffee.”

  “Yeah. Why not?” Vito never turned as he continued walking along the fireplace, studying the display of family photos scattered along the mantle.

  Mercedes emerged from her room. “I thought I heard voices, Ma.” She stopped abruptly at the sight of the men inside the apartment. “I didn’t know we had company.”

  Carlita forced her voice to remain even. “Mr. Castellini, this is my daughter, Mercedes. I don’t know if you ever met her.”

  She gripped Mercedes’ arm. “Mercedes, this is Brittney’s father, Vito Castellini and his...business associates.”

  “Hello.” Mercedes’ eyes widened for a fraction of a second and she turned to her mother. “Would you like me to run across the hall to let Vinnie and Brittney know her father is here?”

  “I would appreciate that.” Carlita attempted a smile and Mercedes headed out the door.

  With no choice but to leave Vito unattended and snooping around her living room, Carlita hurried to the kitchen to start making the coffee. She quickly dumped fresh coffee into the basket, filled the coffeemaker with water and flipped the switch on.

  Grrr. Rambo let out a warning growl.

  Carlita had completely forgotten about her pooch and hurried into the dining room where he stood growling at the men, his teeth bared.

  She darted to the other side and grasped his collar. “I’m sorry. Rambo isn’t used to strangers.” Carlita shooed her dog onto the balcony and shut the door behind her. She latched the doggy door so he couldn’t sneak back in.

  Thankfully, Mercedes returned moments later with Vinnie and Brittney.

  “Daddy!” Brittney flew across the room and into her father’s open arms. “I thought you weren’t going to come after all. What a wonderful surprise.”

  “Yeah. Wonderful,” Carlita muttered under her breath.

  One of Vito’s goons cleared his throat and pinned her with a pointed stare.

  Vinnie followed his wife and extended
a hand to his father-in-law. “So you decided to come down here and take care of a little business after all.”

  “I did.” Vito nodded. “We also stopped to check on my places in Atlantic City. You still planning to head up there day after tomorrow to start work?”

  “Yes, sir. We’ll be in Atlantic City this Sunday evening and I’ll start work Monday morning.”

  “Good.” Vito curled his lip as he glanced around. “This place is okay. Not enough action for me, if you know what I mean. I can see how it might appeal to your Ma.”

  “We love it here,” Mercedes said. “It’s a lot safer than living in Queens.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far,” Carlita said. “I think the coffee is ready.” She motioned for Mercedes to join her in the kitchen while Vinnie and Brittney chatted with Vito.

  Vito’s goons watched the women walk into the kitchen where they had an unobstructed view, making it impossible for Carlita and Mercedes to have a private word.

  “Grab the container of pizzelle cookies and carry them to the coffee table. I’ll pour the coffee.”

  “Sure Ma.” Mercedes did as her mother asked and Carlita joined her moments later.

  Vito settled in on the couch and took the cup of coffee Carlita offered. “Thanks.” He took a sip before turning his attention to Vinnie. “You take care of that business matter for me yesterday?”

  Vinnie gave his mother a quick glance before nodding. “Yes, sir. All taken care of.”

  “Good.”

  Carlita perched on the edge of the recliner and began silently praying that Vito wouldn’t stay long.

  Thankfully, Brittney chattered on about the penthouse renovations, and then rattled off the things she and Vinnie planned to do during their brief stay in Savannah.

  Vito patiently listened to his daughter ramble on and then glanced at his watch before abruptly standing. “We gotta get going, Brit.”

  His bodyguards silently crossed the floor and stood next to the door.

  “Already? You just got here,” Brittney whined.