“And these may be, too. Perhaps not as many, though,” Carlita said. “So, what happened back at the convenience store?”
“Cops been hittin’ up the local businesses. From what the kid in the store said, they printed off a grainy image of me ‘n Luigi outside your place, askin’ if anyone has seen us.”
“And the clerk told them he had…seen you?”
“He told ‘em he hadn’t, but I think he forgot until tonight. Me ‘n Luigi figure he’s probably gonna be callin’ ‘em to give ‘em a heads up,” Ricco said.
“And describing our cars.” Carlita’s breath caught in her throat. The net was closing in…between the police staking out her home and now visiting the area stores with a picture of the men, it was only a matter of time before they showed up on her doorstep with a search warrant.
Luigi took the words right out of Carlita’s mouth. “We gotta move. The tunnel was a slick trick, but we can’t be takin’ it during business hours. Me ‘n Ricco are gonna have to find somewhere else to lay low for a coupla days.”
“Even lower than the downstairs efficiency or having to sneak through tunnels.” Carlita pressed a hand to her mouth as a sudden thought - a suddenly brilliant thought -occurred to her. “I agree, and I have the perfect person who might be able to help.”
Chapter 16
“Where we goin’ again?” Brittney eyed the open water as they sped toward the south end of Tybee Island.
“Montgomery Hall. You’re going to spend a couple of days with my friend, Victoria Montgomery.” Carlita cast her daughter-in-law a quick glance. “It’s a magnificent estate. She has a full-time staff with butlers, housekeepers, and even a cook.”
“And she don’t mind Luigi and Ricco coming with me?”
“No. Victoria…Tori…is a close friend. She said she doesn’t mind and has plenty of room. I think this will be a nice change of pace for you.”
Carlita hadn’t explained to Brittney the real reason she was taking her to Montgomery Hall. She needed to get her, along with Vito’s men, out of sight until they could figure out who had murdered Davis Rutger.
Luigi and Ricco hadn’t been keen on the idea of leaving town, but after Carlita reminded them about the facts and threatened another few trips through the underground tunnels, they grudgingly agreed to give it a couple of days. She thought the matter was settled until Vinnie called that morning demanding to know why Ricco and Luigi wanted to come home.
Unfortunately, Vinnie explained he and Vito Castellini had their hands full in Atlantic City, with an overnight attack on a management employee. The attack was confirmation whoever was targeting the Castellini family had not given up.
Vito had even sent his wife, Francesca, Brittney’s mother, to Italy on an extended vacation to visit family. Reading between the lines, the situation was escalating. It was during her conversation with Vinnie that Carlita shared her plan to have the trio hide out at the Montgomery Hall compound, a virtual fortress with electric fences, trained guard dogs and armed guards, not to mention the estate was surrounded by water.
The prying eyes of the authorities would never find them there, at least that was Carlita’s hope. And since Tori was familiar with Carlita’s background, with the family, she’d contacted her friend, laying out the details of her dire situation.
Tori had immediately offered to take them in before Carlita could even finish filling her in, and she’d nearly burst into tears.
After making sure the coast was clear the following morning, Carlita and Brittney dropped Ricco and Luigi off at Pete’s restaurant to pick up their car. They were following in their sedan and stopped behind them as they approached the estate’s electronic gate and call box.
Carlita rolled down the window. “May I help you?” A robotic voice greeted them.
“Yes. This is Carlita Garlucci and family. Mrs. Montgomery is expecting us.”
There was a moment of silence before the gate swung open. The paved drive leading to the house was long and winding. Towering oaks, dripping with moss, lined both sides. Carlita rounded the circular drive and stopped in front of the courtyard’s massive wooden arched doors. “This is it.”
As if on cue, the double doors opened and a tall man, one who had scared the daylights out of Carlita the first time she’d met him, but who was now a dear friend, emerged.
Brittney’s mouth dropped open. “Who is that?”
“A good friend.” The smile never left Carlita’s face as she shut the car off and hopped out. She darted around the front. “Byron.”
“Carlita. It’s good to see you again.” He gave her a warm hug.
“You, too.” Carlita waited until Brittney and Vito’s men joined them to make the introductions.
Luigi shoved his hands in his front pockets, eyeing the tall man curiously. “You remind me of that tall spooky guy who rode around in an old hearse. Smirch or something.”
“Lurch from the Addams Family.” Brittney pressed a protective hand across her stomach. “I think he’s dead.”
Carlita caught a twinkle of mischief in Byron’s eyes. “I’m still alive and kicking. Tori has been anxiously awaiting your arrival.”
“Thank you.” Carlita stifled a laugh at Brittney’s expression. Byron was less of a threat than any of Vito’s henchmen.
Byron turned on his heel, his heavy steps crunching on the gravel drive as he led them through the double doors, past the meticulously manicured courtyard of gorgeous fall perennials, ones with deep hues of purple flowers.
They circled the tiered center fountain before reaching the home’s grand front entrance. Byron opened a second set of doors and motioned for them to step inside.
It had been several months since Carlita’s last visit to Montgomery Hall. The ornate entry never ceased to take her breath away. Arched wall cutouts lined a cavernous rotunda. Recessed lights circled the rotunda, accentuating extensive works of fine art.
Byron waited until they were in the grand entrance before closing the door, the sound echoing across the imported Italian marble floors. “Mrs. Montgomery will join you in the drawing room.”
“Holy smokes.” Luigi let out a low whistle. “This place is the bomb. What did you say the broad did for a living?”
“Broad?” Byron scowled at Luigi, and Carlita reached out to grab his arm. “He meant no harm.”
Byron shot him a hard look before leading them down a long hall. He stopped in front of a door near the end. “Mrs. Montgomery will be along shortly. Would you care for coffee or bottled water?”
“No. I…we’re good. Thank you, Byron.”
Byron smiled at Carlita, ignored the others and exited the room.
Carlita spun on her heel. “Please don’t insult my friends. They’re doing me a huge favor by taking you three in. The less talking you do, the better.”
“I was just makin’ conversation,” Luigi shrugged. “Who knew broad was a bad word?”
Carlita sucked in her breath, briefly closing her eyes as she prayed that she wouldn’t have to take advantage of Tori’s generous offer for more than a day or two. If not, she feared the trio would quickly wear out their welcome.
“Carlita.” Tori breezed into the room. “It’s so good to see you again.”
“You, too, Tori. I’ve been meaning to get in touch, but the businesses are keeping me hopping. Thank you for allowing my houseguests to hang their hats here for a couple of days.”
“Anything to help a friend.” Tori waved dismissively. “I’m happy I can be of assistance.”
Carlita made the introductions, and the women chatted while Ricco sauntered across the room to the animal heads mounted on the mahogany-paneled walls. Beneath the mounts was an array of weaponry. “Looks like you’re a big game hunter,” he commented. “You like to kill stuff. I like to kill stuff. We have a lot in common.”
“Ricco,” Carlita gasped.
He acted as if he hadn’t heard her. “Semi-automatic’s my game. It would take too long to do damage using one of these
antiques.”
Ricco turned, eyeing Tori with interest. “You don’t strike me as the big game type.”
“I’m not. The weapons and mounts were my husband’s doing.” Tori offered the man a patient smile as if amused by the exchange. “I hang onto them for sentimental reasons.”
“You never used any of these weapons?”
“I have, but not for many years.” Tori’s lower lip trembled, as if she was trying to keep from laughing. “Of course, if I were forced to take up a weapon to protect myself, I’m sure I could pull it off.”
“So be on your best behavior,” Carlita joked.
There was a small noise coming from the hall. Wentworth, another of Tori’s staff, appeared in the doorway. “The rooms are ready, Mrs. Montgomery.”
“Perfect. Thank you, Wentworth.” Tori turned her attention to her houseguests. “Wentworth and Byron will help retrieve your bags and show you to your rooms.”
“What about the car?” Ricco asked. “We’re parked out front.”
“Wentworth will show you to the garage.” Tori shot Carlita a quick look. “Although no one will enter the property without first getting through the gate, I would assume you want to keep the car out of sight.”
“Yes. Please.” Carlita smiled gratefully. “I was hoping they could park it somewhere…secure.”
“I’m ready to put my feet up and rest.” Brittney tottered to the doorway. “All of this moving around is exhausting.”
Ricco followed Brittney from the room while Luigi lingered behind.
“Yes, Luigi?” Carlita asked.
“I was just gonna say…I’m sorry about the broad comment. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Broad comment?” Tori asked.
“I was askin’ your guy what you did for a living to afford a swanky place like this.”
“I see. Well…perhaps in some circles I am a ‘broad.’ No offense taken.”
“Thanks.” Luigi followed the others into the hall, and Carlita waited until they were gone. “I’m gonna apologize for their actions ahead of time. They’re a little…shall we say…rough around the edges?”
“I suspected as much.” Tori motioned to a pair of overstuffed chairs in front of the fireplace. “I know you told me you needed to keep these three out of sight, and it has something to do with that horrid Savannah Six member’s death. Did they kill him? Because I would think the city would award them some sort of medal of honor for ridding the city of the vermin.”
“They didn’t, but they are suspects. They were caught on Annie Dowton’s surveillance cameras the night the guy died. The police are searching for them.”
“And they’re not completely innocent upstanding citizens,” Tori guessed.
“They have rap sheets,” Carlita said bluntly. “They didn’t take Rutger out, but easily could have based on their career paths.”
Tori answered with an equally blunt statement. “They’re family from up north.”
Carlita nodded. “Sent down here with my daughter-in-law because of a family situation in Atlantic City. She isn’t safe there. She isn’t safe in New York, and now it doesn’t look like she’s safe in Savannah.”
“She’s perfectly safe here.” Tori reached out and patted Carlita’s hand. “And so are the other two. In fact, they might liven the place up.”
“They’re guaranteed to do that. I don’t know how I can ever thank you for allowing them to stay,” Carlita said. “I owe you one.”
“Perhaps I could stop by to enjoy another fabulous meal at Ravello’s.”
“Absolutely. Which reminds me, I’m hosting a fall bash. I invited Pete, along with some of the other locals and friends, to a party at the restaurant the Saturday after Halloween.”
“Invitation accepted. I need to get out more.”
“Byron, Wentworth and Mrs. O’Brien are invited, as well.”
“Thank you.” Tori changed the subject, and they chatted about Pirate Ventures, their partnership with Pete. “How is Pete these days?”
“He’s doin’ good. We had breakfast a coupla days ago before all heck broke out…dead bodies, police stakeouts, the Black Stallion Club’s owner being thrown out of the trolley’s emergency exit.”
Tori interrupted. “I thought they closed that dreadful place.”
“It reopened under Phil Duce’s management.”
“Duce.” Tori tapped her chin. “Another family member.”
“Yeah, and they’re still up to their old tricks. In fact, before Luigi and Ricco ended up on the run, they found out there was some sort of trouble brewing between the Savannah Six and local area business owners.”
“Trouble?”
“I think it involves whoever took Davis Rutger out. Either Rutger’s own crew or an area business associate, possibly even Duce’s doing. Things are coming to a head. The only problem is I don’t know where or when. From what the guys said, it’s happening soon. Vito Castellini has them on the hunt down here, too. They finally admitted it last night. They’re doing some sniffing around about some backdoor deals, illegal gambling opportunities…who knows what else.”
“And you’re sure they didn’t take this Davis Rutger man out?” Tori asked.
“Almost positive. First of all, they just arrived in town.”
Tori interrupted. “So maybe they did do it. Maybe this Vito person sent them down for a hit.”
“True.” Carlita shifted as she considered Tori’s suggestion. “I guess they could have, and now seeing as there’s a possible connection between some of the business owners down here and the Savannah Five. Still, they swear they didn’t whack him.”
“Since you’re my only ‘mafia’ connection, I only know what I watch on television. I thought most mafia hits filled someone full of lead.”
“They are, and Rutger was strangled.”
“Perhaps the killer or killers were concerned about the sound of gunshots.”
“I’m pretty sure they have silencers so that would have been a non-issue.” Carlita ran a ragged hand through her hair. “I guess there’s a chance they took Rutger out. The motive would be Vito sent them down here for a hit and opportunity would be luring him to the vacant lot.”
“I see.” Tori leaned back in her chair. “Even if your houseguests did take Rutger out, I’m confident they wouldn’t see me or anyone in my household as a target.”
“And you wouldn’t be, but you’re my friend. I hate to put you in a potentially dangerous situation,” Carlita fretted.
“My dear, I have been surrounded by questionable associates for most of my life. Luigi and Ricco are not after me.” Tori pointed to the antique weaponry on the wall. “Although I may have to make sure one of my antiques doesn’t grow legs and walk away while they’re here.”
Tori stood. “I’ve been following the Davis Rutger story with some interest. He came from California, via Atlanta, and was the nephew of a former governor. Not long after his arrival, he assembled a small group of thugs who have been terrorizing the tourist businesses as well as tourists.” She slowly turned. “Why Savannah? Why come here?”
“That’s the million-dollar question. Something happened on Reese’s trolley, perhaps some sort of trigger which resulted in Rutger’s demise.” Carlita scooched out of her chair. “I think I have an idea.”
Chapter 17
“According to Reese, there was some sort of argument between the Savannah Six and Duce before Davis Rutger shoved Phil Duce out the trolley’s emergency exit. What if the killer was also on board the trolley?”
“Is there a way to find out who was on board?” Tori asked. “Perhaps it’s a matter of process of elimination.”
“I’m sure there’s a tracking system for regular pass holders.” Carlita began to pace. “I’ll see if Reese has some way to access it. If we can figure out who was on board the trolley the morning of the incident, we may have the name of the killer or killers. Obviously, the Savannah Six are all suspects, but what if it was someone else?”
“I’m sure the authorities have also gone over the records,” Tori pointed out.
“Probably, but they keep going back to Reese, which tells me none of the passengers hit their radar. I need to get my hands on those records.” Carlita patted Tori’s shoulder. “You’re brilliant. Thank you for the idea.”
“You’re welcome. I hope you’re truly onto something.”
Carlita sobered. “I’m still concerned about having Brittney, Luigi and Ricco under your roof, especially if one of them is responsible for Rutger’s death.”
“They’re a part of the family,” Tori lowered her voice.
“Yeah.”
“And both part of a higher-ups ‘A-team.’”
“Yes.”
“Which means they already have a few hits under their belt,” Tori whispered.
“True.”
“I’m not in any more danger right now than I was an hour ago.”
“I still…”
Tori held up a hand. “I want them to stay. As I said earlier, they might actually liven things up.”
“Thank you, Tori.”
“You’re welcome.” Tori walked her to the door. “Since my compound is gated, Luigi and Ricco will have to go through the gate if they plan to leave the property.”
“Right.”
“Which means I’ll know when they’re leaving.”
It dawned on Carlita where Tori was headed. “Which means you’ll know if and when they leave.”
“Correct, and I have one even better. Follow me.” Tori led the way out of the house, across the courtyard and to the parking garage in the back.
Inside were several of Tori’s luxury vehicles including a pristine classic silver Rolls Royce. Parked near the front and off to the side was Ricco and Luigi’s vehicle. They strolled past the car, making their way to the small office.
Wentworth was inside, staring at a computer monitor. On the screen was an image of the front gate and bridge. “You have ‘round the clock surveillance of the front gate?”
“I do. One can never be too careful. You never know when some crazy person might try to scale the wall and sneak inside,” Tori said.
Turmoil in Savannah: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Book 13) Page 12
