Setup in Savannah: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Cozy Mysteries Series Book 7)

by Hope Callaghan

  Tony promised he would and then Carlita and the children made their way back upstairs. After frosting and sampling their cookies, the children headed to the living room to watch cartoons while Carlita and Mercedes cleaned up the kitchen. “What time is Autumn coming by?”

  “Around six o’clock. She’s comin’ right from work.”

  Carlita ordered a couple of pizzas along with some breadsticks for delivery and by the time the food arrived, Autumn followed the delivery driver inside.

  “Ooh. You got Carmela’s Pizza. I love Carmela’s,” Autumn smiled at the delivery guy. “Hey Zeke. I haven’t seen you in a while.”

  The young man nodded. “I finally nailed a job as a customer service rep at the downtown IRS office. I’m staying on at Carmela’s until the end of the week, so I can say good-bye to all of my regular customers.”

  Autumn wrinkled her nose. “We’re gonna miss you down at the newspaper.”

  “I haven’t seen you around there much either,” Zeke said.

  “I was promoted to assistant copy editor for digital services and my new cubicle is in the back of the building. They also upped my hours, so now I’m working full time.”

  “Congratulations. I thought you wanted to move into reporting.”

  “I do, but I’m gonna have to work my way up and I hope I do it fast. I hate reading and editing is the worst kind of torture,” Autumn said.

  “I better get a move on,” Zeke said. “Nice to see you. Stop by the IRS office someday and say ‘hi’.”

  Carlita collected the pizzas and handed Zeke a generous tip before passing the pizzas to her daughter. “He seems like a nice enough young man, and working his way up the ladder.”

  “He is, Mrs. G. We attended Savannah State University together, but never met until he started delivering pizzas.” Autumn turned to Mercedes. “What’s up? You sounded like you need a huge favor.”

  “I do,” Mercedes said. “We can talk about it after we eat.”

  Carlita fixed pizza plates for PJ, Noel and Gracie, who sat at the table while the women headed to the living room.

  Mercedes grabbed a slice of Hawaiian pizza and bit the end. “Are you working the day shift?”

  “Yep. Got a raise, got a promotion, if you can call editing a promotion and I’m working full-time now.”

  “Does this mean you’re not working say…Thursday evenings?” Mercedes asked.

  Autumn shoved the rest of her first slice of pepperoni in her mouth and reached for a second slice. “Spill the beans. What do you want me to do on Thursday evening?”

  “Join my author group over at The Book Nook and pretend you’re a newbie author,” Mercedes blurted out. “You only have to do it for a couple of weeks.”

  “It wouldn’t be a lie. I’ve never written a single word in my life,” Autumn said. “Why?”

  “I think there’s something going on in the group.” Mercedes told Autumn how she’d met with the group and left, returning after forgetting something and then spotted the others in the group meeting without her.

  “Maybe you just left before they did.”

  “Nope. Stephanie was already gone and Tom was in his car,” Mercedes said. “I think they wanted to have a private meeting, when I wasn’t around.”

  “Could be you’re paranoid.”

  “So you’re not going to help me out?” Mercedes asked.

  “I didn’t say I wasn’t going to help. Of course I’ll help, but you owe me one.”

  “A big one.” Mercedes tore off a part of her breadstick and dipped it in the container of marinara sauce. “Carmela’s does have pretty good pizza, but not as good as authentic New York style.”

  While they ate, Mercedes filled her friend in on the background of the other authors and offered some pointers on how to get a feel for what they thought of Mercedes.

  “You’re not gonna go to the meetings?” Carlita asked.

  “No.” Mercedes shook her head. “I’m gonna tell them I’m outta town, maybe that I had to head to New York.”

  After they finished eating, Autumn sampled the cookies before telling them she wanted to head home before dark. “Thanks for the pizza Mrs. G. Someday I’ll make it to New York to sample the real deal.”

  “You’re welcome,” Carlita said. “Maybe you can go up there with us someday.”

  Mercedes walked Autumn to the bottom of the stairs. “Don’t forget. The authors meet at The Book Nook this Thursday at six.”

  “Got it.” Autumn gave a thumbs-up and hopped on her Segway. “Don’t worry. If anyone can find out if the other authors are setting you up, it’s me.”

  “Thanks Autumn.” Mercedes watched as Autumn coasted to the center of the alley and then sped off, disappearing from sight.

  Carlita kept her grandchildren busy, drawing pictures and arranging them on the refrigerator. After finishing their artwork, they started to watch a movie. Halfway through, she caught two of them dozing off, so she took turns getting them ready for bed.

  Instead of having the children sleep in the living room where Tony would wake them up when he came home from Shelby’s, she decided to let them sleep with her in her king size bed.

  She’d forgotten how much young children flopped around and woke up several times during the night. One time, PJ’s heel was pushing against the side of her forehead.

  Gracie was the first to wake and she began to wiggle around, which woke the others.

  Carlita left them in the bedroom to watch television while she toasted some pop tarts and carried them, along with some fruit, back to the bedroom in an attempt to let Tony and Mercedes sleep a little longer.

  Despite her best efforts, the children began to giggle and run around the small room.

  “I thought I heard someone giggling.” Mercedes stuck her head in the room. “Were you the one giggling?” She swooped Gracie into her arms and began tickling her. “Yep, this is the giggler.”

  She set her on the floor and Gracie scampered off.

  “Are you really gonna evict Elvira?” Mercedes asked.

  “Don’t tell me you stayed up all night worrying about Elvira.”

  “No. She was the least of my worries, but I heard some thumping out in the hallway already this morning. I figured it was her.”

  “She better be fixing the mess she made,” Carlita said. “And, yes, I am going to evict her before she burns our home and business down to the ground.”

  The thought of Elvira made Carlita’s blood boil. She’d reached her limit with the woman and there were ample sections of the lease Elvira had broken where it would be easy to get the woman out.

  “Don’t forget about our 1976 Tour tonight,” Mercedes said.

  “I already forgot. What time is it?”

  “It starts at nine. I’m gonna do a little more research today, before we head out.”

  “Great,” Carlita groaned. “I can hardly wait to track down ghosts.”

  Chapter 10

  “Do you want me to go with you?” Mercedes pointed at the eviction papers in Carlita’s hand.

  “No. Thanks for the offer, but I can handle this. If I’m gonna be a business owner, I’m gonna have to get used to doin’ unpleasant things,” Carlita said. “Elvira knows this is coming. The sooner I get this over with, the better.”

  Carlita had almost changed her mind about evicting her pain in the rear tenant. Almost. But she had put up with enough. On the one hand, she believed that deep down Elvira hadn’t set out to damage Carlita’s property and it wasn’t intentional when she impulsively placed herself in dangerous predicaments. It was the principle of the matter, and Elvira’s antics seemed to be escalating. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Carlita sucked in a deep breath, flung the door open and marched across the hall where she rapped loudly on her tenant’s front door.

  The door opened a crack.

  “I’m here to serve you with your eviction notice,” Carlita said.

  The door opened. Elvira held out her hand. “Okay.”r />
  Carlita handed the papers to her. “That’s it? You’re not gonna raise a stink?”

  “Nope.” Elvira shrugged her shoulders. “I knew after the small incident with the fire that you were going to follow through with your threat. Plus, my six-month lease is up in a couple of months. I’ve been on the hunt for a new place. I need to live somewhere that’s a little less rigid. All these rules and regulations are cramping my style.”

  “No hard feelings?” Carlita asked.

  “Not at all,” Elvira said. “I’ll have this place fixed up and looking brand new by the end of next week. In the meantime, I plan to start moving my stuff. I’ve already signed the paperwork for my new place and I have the keys.”

  She shifted to the side and pointed to a moving box on the floor near the door. “I’m clearing out the damaged bedroom first, so I can work on it.” Elvira placed the eviction papers on her desk. “I will get my deposit back and pro-rated rent that I’ve already paid, right?”

  “Technically, you signed a six month lease.” Carlita paused. “I’ll cut you a deal and let you out of your lease a little early, but you won’t get a refund for the rest of this month and if the apartment is in move-in condition after you’re out, I’ll refund your deposit.”

  “That’s gonna put me in a pinch,” Elvira said. “Paying rent on two places.”

  Carlita lifted an eyebrow.

  “Okay. It’s a deal.” Elvira picked up the box and followed Carlita into the hall. “Can you pull my door shut?”

  Carlita pulled the door shut and followed Elvira to the top of the stairs. “You’re gonna have to make a ton of trips moving your stuff in your little car.”

  “I’m not driving to the new place. I’m walking.” Elvira shifted the box and slowly made her way down the steps. “Walton Square is a desirable location. It took some digging around to find a vacant space in this area, enough room for an apartment, a storefront to sell and display my artwork, not to mention a place where potential clients who are looking to hire EC Investigative Services can come.”

  “You’re moving somewhere here in the neighborhood?” Carlita stumbled down the stairs and followed Elvira into the alley.

  “Yep. I’m moving over there.” Elvira nodded at the building on the other side of the alley. “Got it for a steal. The rent is even less than what I was paying you. It’s a little rough around the edges, but with my track record it’s probably better that way. You wanna check it out?”

  “I thought it was for sale.” Carlita hurried to keep up with Elvira.

  “The owner, Davis, took it off the market. I’m renting it month-to-month, but figured if my investigative business or art store takes off, I might put in an offer myself.”

  The color drained from Carlita’s face. “Y-you would be my permanent neighbor.”

  “Cool huh? Can you hold the box while I get the key?”

  Carlita took the box and waited while Elvira fumbled inside her pocket and pulled out a single key. “I’ll have to change the locks. It’s on my to-do list, right after I fix the teensy amount of damage to your apartment.”

  “It’s not teensy. There’s extensive smoke damage not to mention holes in the wall.”

  “An easy fix.” Elvira twisted the key and pushed the door. It groaned loudly in protest. “I still have to get the power turned on. I left a flashlight over here.”

  Carlita caught a whiff of a musty smell and followed Elvira into the large, open space.

  “It’s like a blank canvas.” Elvira switched the flashlight on, illuminating the cavernous interior of the main floor. “I figure I can add a wall over there and put EC Investigative Services on that side. I won’t need much space, only enough room for a desk, a couple of chairs and a waiting area.”

  She made a sweeping motion with her hand. “The art showroom will take up more space. I plan to bring in other artists to rent out sections and if I play my cards right, I’ll be living here rent-free.” She stepped over to a dilapidated counter, which sported a chipped, cast iron sink. “It’s got the basics, although it could use a little deep cleaning.”

  “Or a gut job,” Carlita muttered.

  Elvira ignored the comment. “The bathroom is over here.” She tugged on a small door. “It’s a little cramped. Since it’s only me, it’ll work for now.”

  “I can appreciate your optimism, Elvira, but this place needs a lot of work.” Carlita stepped into the small bathroom and bounced on her tiptoes as she peered out the grimy window in front of the sink. It was eye level with Carlita’s rear entrance.

  She shifted her gaze to the second story. There was an unobstructed view of Carlita’s balcony.

  “Great view of your place, huh? I’ll show you the rest.”

  Carlita exited the small bathroom and followed Elvira across the open space to the front. She opened the door and they stepped out onto the sidewalk. “This place has excellent street exposure. I figure one of those custom flashing signs should get potential customers attention.”

  “What about parking?” After Elvira moved out, Carlita would need the empty parking spot for a new tenant.

  “It’s down here.” The women made their way to the end of the block and turned left. Elvira stopped abruptly in front of two large gray gates. “I don’t have a key yet, but you can see a double parking spot back here.” She tilted her head and eyed Carlita. “I could rent out one of the spaces to you for extra tenant parking.”

  “That’s a thought.”

  “I heard about Mercedes’ mess and the author’s death down by the river.” Elvira shook her head. “I wish I could help dig into it a little, to see if I can find anything out, but I have my hands full.”

  “I appreciate the offer,” Carlita said. “I’m hoping the investigators will be able to track down Jon Luis’ killer instead of trying to pin it on my daughter.”

  The women retraced their steps and Carlita stopped when she spotted a rusty wrought iron gate. “You have a courtyard?”

  “Yeah. I forgot to mention it,” Elvira kicked the bottom of the gate and it creaked as it swung open. “It needs some cleaning first, but I think it will be the perfect spot to work on my art.”

  Thick vines covered the brick walls. Carlita inched forward, keeping to the center of the overgrown walkway when she stumbled on a cobblestone that jutted out. Her arms flailed wildly as she fought to regain her balance.

  “I forgot to mention you need to watch out.”

  The interior of the courtyard was in the same sad state of disrepair as the inside of Elvira’s new home.

  Carlita said the first thing that popped into her head. “You have your work cut out for you.” They stepped into the center of the courtyard where Carlita spun in a slow circle. “There’s plenty of space. I think it might even be a little larger than my courtyard once you get rid of the overgrown brush and weeds.”

  “Yep. But first things first.” Elvira led the way as they wandered out of the courtyard. She pulled the gate shut. “I have to get my apartment in tip top shape. I’m gonna need my deposit money back, so I can start working on this place.”

  “It shouldn’t take you long,” Carlita said. “If, as you say, they’re only minor repairs.”

  The women re-entered the building, strode across the open space and stepped through the back door, into the alley. While Elvira locked up, Carlita strolled to the center of the alley and studied the exterior of the building and the second story windows that faced her apartment.

  Elvira joined her.

  “What about the second story?” Carlita pointed up.

  “I haven’t been up there. The stairs are in the back, up the left side but there’s a shiny new deadbolt on it.” Elvira shrugged. “I tried to pick the lock but it’s one of those heavy-duty ones. I’m tempted to shimmy up the side of the building one of these days to have a look around.”

  The women stepped back into the lower hall of their apartment building and Carlita closed the door behind them. “If you need help moving t
he big stuff over to the new place, holler and I’ll have Paulie and Tony take it over there for you.”

  “Thanks Carlita. I might take you up on the offer.” Elvira grabbed the handrail. “Dernice should be here any day. She can help me move whatever smaller stuff I have left. I’m sorry for any trouble I’ve caused you. I know I can be a little impulsive.”

  “A little?”

  “Okay, a lot,” Elvira said. “But I never meant any harm.”

  “Let’s let bygones be bygones,” Carlita patted Elvira’s arm. “I’m glad you didn’t burn my place down.”

  “Whew!” Elvira rolled her eyes. “Me too. For a minute there, I thought the place was a goner. As soon as I have the bedroom repaired, you can come over and check it out.”

  She sauntered across the hall to her door. “It’s gonna be kinda lonely living over there by myself.”

  “Look at it this way, instead of being across the hall, you’ll be across the alley,” Carlita said, although she wasn’t sure if that was going to be a good thing, or a bad thing.

  Chapter 11

  “Are you almost ready Ma?” Mercedes hollered into the hall. “We gotta get a move on or we’ll be late for the ghost tour.”

  “I’m ready.” Carlita ambled into the living room. “Are you sure I should be wearing all black?”

  “I don’t want to stand out,” Mercedes said.

  “And you don’t think wearing all black will make us stand out?”

  Mercedes ignored her mother’s question and pointed at her dangling purple earrings. “I would ditch the earrings if I were you. I read somewhere that ghosts like to attach themselves to gemstones. We don’t wanna be bringin’ any unexpected guests home.”

  “Better safe than sorry.” Carlita removed the earrings and set them on the table next to the door. “I’m ready.”

  “We’re gonna have to hustle.” The women hurried into the hall, down the stairs and out into the alley. “It’s about a ten minute walk, which should get us there at nine on the dot.” Mercedes patted her pocket. “I got the forty bucks to pay for the tour in my pocket.”