Turmoil in Savannah: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Book 13)

by Hope Callaghan

  Tony picked up. “Pat Duce, Phil’s sister, ends up in prison. The brother takes over and re-opens the club. Somehow, the Savannah Six become involved…possibly because Davis Rutger is butting in on his business. Phil Duce has him murdered, and his body is dumped across the street from not only our home but also two of our businesses.”

  “It’s all beginning to make sense.” Carlita pressed a hand to her chest. “What if Phil Duce found out Ricco and Luigi were staying here? He takes Rutger out, knowing the authorities are going to investigate the area, talk to me, maybe even see the video footage of Ricco and Luigi.”

  “Yep.” Tony smiled grimly. “It’s the perfect setup. Duce and his men get away with murder…literally…and Luigi and Ricco - Vito’s men are on the hook.”

  “Luigi and Ricco better not meet with Duce.” Carlita’s voice rose an octave. “They could be walking into a trap.”

  The courtyard gate rattled, and Carlita caught a glimpse of Steve Winter. She hurried to the gate to let him in. “Hey, Steve.”

  “Hey, Carlita. The guy working at the pawnshop said you were out here with Tony. Hey, Tony.”

  “Steve.” Tony polished off the last bite of meatball and shoved the empty container in the bag. “How’s business?”

  “Not bad.” Steve fumbled inside his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. “Smoke?”

  “No, thanks. Shelby is hounding me to quit,” Tony said.

  “That’s why I’m never getting married. Gotta give up too many of my bad habits.” Steve turned to Carlita. “Was Reese with you earlier?”

  “Yeah. I’m sure you heard about the incident on board the trolley the other day, how Davis Rutger got into it with Phil Duce, pushed him out the emergency exit and then Rutger ends up dead.”

  “With Duce having a perfect alibi. He was in the hospital.” Steve cupped his hands around his cigarette and lit the end. “Wouldn’t be surprised if one of his go-to boys did the deed. Duce’s a tough nut.”

  “Sounds like the Savannah Six are, as well.”

  Steve nodded as he took a deep drag on the cigarette. “They’re trouble, for sure, but not nearly the bad apples as Duce, et al., are. Word on the street is they’re getting involved with the big boys from Atlantic City.”

  “You don’t say.” Carlita and her son exchanged a quick glance. “Involved as in how?”

  “Racketeering, illegal gambling, who knows what else.”

  “Speaking of the Savannah Six, a couple of the members have unique ring tattoos around their necks. Autumn mentioned you did some work for them before they started causing trouble,” Carlita said.

  “Yeah.” Steve sauntered over to one of the potted yellow begonias and flicked his ashes in the dirt. “I was the one who did the ring tattoos. Guess it had some significant meaning to them. Circle of friends or something like that.”

  “Circle of friends,” Tony snickered.

  “I call bull on it,” Steve said. “It was a gang marking all day long. Seen enough of them to know. I get interesting tattoo requests every day.”

  “I’m sure you do.”

  “And some unusual locations, too.”

  “I can only imagine.” Carlita reached for her cell phone. “Rutger’s killer left a unique carving on his chest. I was hoping you might be able to tell me what it means.”

  “Cops already stopped by to ask me about it.”

  “Was this what they showed you?” Carlita pulled up the picture Luigi had taken and handed Steve her phone.

  “Yep. It’s kinda hard to see with the amount of dried blood. Someone did a number on him.”

  “I suspect the carving has some significance to Rutger and/or his killer,” Carlita said.

  Steve handed the phone back and took another drag off his cigarette. “You know…now that I look at it again, I think it might be the work of my buddy, Mick, over at West End Tattoo Shop. Not the sloppy knife cut, but the basic design. You think you can send me a copy?”

  Carlita cast Tony a glance. On the one hand, she was anxious to figure out what the tattoo symbol meant. On the other hand, if the picture got into the wrong hands…namely Rutger’s killer or the authorities, they would want to know where she got it.

  Tony read his mother’s mind. “It’s okay if the cops find out I took the picture.”

  “We’ll have to take that chance.” Carlita tapped the screen as Steve rattled off his cell phone number. “You should have it.”

  Steve pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “Yep. I’ll run it by Mick this afternoon. Ten bucks says the cops already questioned him, too. They also wanted to know if I’d seen a coupla big, burly guys hanging around the area recently.”

  Carlita’s heart skipped a beat.

  “I told them I hadn’t seen anybody suspicious. I mean, I own a tattoo shop, you own a pawnshop. Who doesn’t look suspicious?”

  “What’s your opinion?” Carlita asked. “Do you think the Savannah Six took their boss out? Reese mentioned some sort of possible argument between them shortly before the confrontation with Duce.”

  “My money is on Phil Duce’s involvement. He has the perfect alibi since he was in the hospital at the time of Rutger’s death. The Savannah Six are small potatoes compared to Duce and his friends.”

  “That was Tony’s theory, as well.”

  “I better get back to my shop. My next appointment will be showing up soon.” Steve promised to let her know as soon as he heard anything on the tattoo and then strode out of the courtyard.

  Carlita waited until he was gone. “Luigi and Ricco better cool it with Duce and his men. What if we’re right and they’re about to be framed - or even worse - it’s payback time for a perceived involvement in putting Pat Duce behind bars?”

  “I’m already on it.” Tony switched his cell phone on. “I’m sending both of them a message telling them they better stay put for a couple of days. Whether or not they’ll listen is another story.”

  *****

  Tony headed home to the apartment while Carlita ran upstairs to get ready for her shift at the restaurant. It was a busy Saturday afternoon, and it was music to her ears every time she swiped a credit card and rang up a sale.

  The staff had settled into a comfortable routine. It was almost too good to be true, how well both the restaurant and pawnshop were plugging along.

  Tony swung by a couple of hours later to tell his mother Shelby and Violet wouldn’t be home until evening and offered to pitch in at the restaurant.

  “I appreciate the offer, Son. I’m just finishing here. They have enough staff to cover the evening shift, and I think we both deserve a few hours off. I’m not in the mood to cook supper. I was thinkin’ about heading to the Thirsty Crow to grab a burger and listen to Cool Bones and the Jazz Boys.”

  “Mind if I tag along?”

  “I would love the company. Maybe we can talk Mercedes into going with us.” Carlita told her son she would call him within the hour.

  She returned home and found her daughter inside her room hunched over her laptop, classical music blaring from the laptop speakers. “Knock. Knock.”

  Mercedes spun around. “Hey, Ma.”

  “What?” Carlita cupped a hand to her ear. “I can’t hear you.”

  “Sorry.” Mercedes turned the music down. “Classical music helps build momentum for my action scenes.”

  “The bullets are flying and so are the musical notes,” Carlita joked.

  “Something like that. What’s up?”

  “Tony and I are heading to the Thirsty Crow to grab a bite to eat and listen to Cool Bones and the guys around eight. You wanna go with us?”

  “What about Shelby and Violet?”

  “They’re with Shelby’s uncle and won’t be home until later.”

  Mercedes cast a longing look at her laptop. “I was moving along on the story.”

  “You still have time to crank out a coupla thousand more words,” Carlita teased. “Come with us. It’ll be nice to hang out together.”
/>   “Yeah. Sure. What time?”

  “I figured we could leave around seven-thirty. It will give us enough time to grab a burger before the band starts.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Mercedes returned to her story while Carlita headed to her desk. She sorted through several invoices, checked her emails and then the weather to make sure there was no rain in the forecast. She slid the chair back, and her eyes fell on the slip of paper with the Savannah Six names and the notes she’d jotted down:

  Quinton Jackson. A local with no previous record.

  Axel Bell. A local with no previous record.

  Kellen Saylor. Moved to area not long ago. Only incidents involved the Savannah Six and ferry captain. No tattoo.

  Clifton Boggs. Longest rap sheet. Violence against a law enforcement officer, lifetime resident. Ring tattoo.

  Lisa Zant. Rap sheet. Drug possession, disturbing the peace. Ring tattoo.

  Davis Rutger. Ringleader. Ring tattoo.

  Based on her limited information, Carlita believed at least a couple of the Savannah Six, the locals, had no previous run-ins with the law enforcement until Davis Rutger and Kellen Saylor came to town. Reading between the lines, they met up with Clifton Boggs and Lisa Zant, who were also locals and who had previous arrest records.

  Somewhere along the line, Davis Rutger formed the Savannah Six and became the ringleader, the one who called the shots.

  Perhaps Phil Duce had set up Rutger’s death so it appeared to be one of the Savannah Six or he caught wind of Luigi and Ricco’s arrival and knew they were in town at Vito’s request. If Phil Duce connected the dots and was aware of his sister’s previous contact with Vito and Vinnie, he saw the perfect opportunity to take Rutger out, causing the Savannah Six to scatter.

  Duce figured the police would discover Luigi and Ricco’s presence, pick them up for questioning, take one look at their backgrounds and charge them with Rutger’s murder.

  Carlita and Mercedes were ready and waiting when Tony arrived. During the walk to Market Street the trio discussed business and Brittney’s visit and then the conversation turned to Rutger’s death.

  Carlita briefly laid out her theory…Phil Duce and his men had set Luigi and Ricco up to take the fall for Davis Rutger’s death. “All Duce’s men had to do was place an anonymous call to the cops about two suspicious men hanging around at the time of Rutger’s death, the cops check the area surveillance cameras and see them on the tapes.”

  “It’s possible,” Tony agreed. “Speaking of cops, I think they’re tailing us.”

  “Now?” Carlita glanced around.

  “Yep. They’re rookies but cops nonetheless.” Tony motioned to his mother’s cell phone. “Anything on your tracking app?”

  “Not yet. Maybe Luigi and Ricco took your advice or talked to Vito, and he told them to stay put.” Carlita checked the tracker app again. “Yeah. Nothing. The cops can follow us all night long. They’re wasting their time.”

  They reached the Thirsty Crow and found Cool Bones and his band setting up in the back. They chatted with them for a few minutes before finding an empty table near the front.

  Carlita and her children ordered burgers and fries, and the food arrived hot and fast. By the time they finished eating, the band had begun playing. They listened to a couple of sets, and then Carlita’s eyes began to droop.

  “You look tired, Ma,” Tony said. “I’m ready to head home. I’m sure Shelby and Violet are back by now.”

  “I am pretty beat.” Carlita reached for her purse.

  Tony stopped her. “I’m buying.”

  “Thanks for dinner, Son.”

  “You’re welcome. We should do this more often.”

  The City Market district was busy for a Saturday night. There were several bars along the main strip, and music wafted from the open doors. They reached Elmwood Square, a quieter area of town.

  “What a beautiful night,” Carlita breathed deeply, gazing up at the twinkling stars. “Gotta love Savannah in November.”

  “It’s a lot nicer weather than New York,” Mercedes said.

  They exited Elmwood Square and turned onto a side street when Carlita’s phone started to beep. She pulled it from her pocket and studied the screen. “Here we go.”

  Chapter 21

  “Luigi and Ricco are on the move?” Tony guessed.

  “No. Steve Winter sent me a text. He said he has some information for us.” Carlita stepped off to the side and dialed Steve’s cell phone number.

  “Hey, Carlita. I heard back from my buddy, Mick.”

  Steve started to say something else, but Carlita missed it because her phone was beeping again, this time almost non-stop.

  “Hang on Steve.” Carlita pulled the phone away from her ear. It was the tracking app. It showed Tori’s place and the red dot moving at a fast clip along US-80, heading toward the mainland. “Ricco and Luigi are on the move.”

  She returned to the line. “Sorry, Steve.”

  There was no reply. “Steve?”

  “He’s gone.” Carlita stared at the phone. “He must’ve hung up.”

  “What about Luigi and Ricco?” Tony motioned to his mother’s phone.

  “They’re in their car, heading toward the mainland.”

  “Let’s take a detour toward the river,” Tony suggested. “Maybe we can head them off.”

  “I’m up for it,” Mercedes frowned as she patted her pocket. “I left my gun at home.”

  “I got mine.” Tony lowered his voice. “I never leave home without it.”

  The trio changed direction and began heading toward the Riverfront District. Carlita trailed behind, keeping one eye on the sidewalk and the other on the tracking app.

  The red dot on the screen continued to move at a fast clip. “I think we’re gonna get there about the same time.” Carlita and her children reached the corner of Bay Street and waited for the light to change before crossing to the other side.

  “Hold up. Let me try calling Steve back.” She dialed his number.

  “Hey, Carlita. Sorry about that. I had to take another call. I was telling you my friend, Mick, recognized the crude carving on Rutger’s chest.” Steve proceeded to describe the person who came in inquiring about a similar tattoo.

  “Y-you’re sure?”

  “Positive. Cops are already on it. They talked to Mick yesterday about the carving. I’d appreciate it if you leave my name out of it if you mention this to anyone.”

  “As in the cops,” Carlita said.

  “Yeah.”

  “Gotcha. Thank you for letting me know.” She disconnected the call, waving the phone in the air as she filled her children in on what Steve had said.

  “That shifts everything into a completely different light,” Tony said. “We gotta get to Luigi and Ricco before they walk right into a freakin’ setup.”

  “I’ll try calling.” Carlita tried both of their cell phone numbers, but there was no answer. “They’re not picking up.” She set her phone to vibrate and picked up the pace as she followed her children down the hill.

  Tony kept one hand on his jacket pocket, leading the way as they crept to the corner.

  Carlita slowed to check her phone. “We need to turn right.”

  “Hold up.” Tony motioned toward two cars which were pulled off to the side. Several people stood next to the cars. The lamppost gave off little light, making it impossible to count heads. “We gotta stay outta sight.”

  Carlita slipped into a dark doorway and consulted her phone. “Luigi and Ricco are close. They stopped about a block away.”

  “To park and walk the rest of the way,” Tony whispered. “The element of surprise.”

  “Do you think she’s here, too?” Mercedes leaned forward.

  “I don’t know,” Carlita lowered her voice. “Steve said he was a hundred percent certain Lisa Zant was the woman asking about the tattoo. If she’s responsible for Rutger’s death, I have a hunch more than one person was involved.”

&nbs
p; A movement behind the dumpster caught Carlita’s attention. “We’re not alone. Is that Ricco and Luigi?”

  “No. It’s the cops who were following us earlier.”

  The trio remained motionless, watching as the officers quietly crept closer to the parked cars.

  “Text Luigi and tell him to get out of here,” Tony said. “Tell ‘em it’s a trap.”

  Carlita’s heart pounded loudly as she fumbled with the screen. “I hope they’re payin’ attention.” She thought about the cops who had been tailing them. A frightening thought occurred to her…What if Phil Duce and the Savannah Six had joined forces, planning to take down Vito Castellini’s men by tricking them into a meeting?

  Carlita prayed Luigi and Ricco got the message. Her cell phone vibrated, and she nearly jumped out of her skin. She cupped her hands around the screen to block the light. The red dot was slowly moving away from the river.

  Pop. A popping noise shattered the eerily quiet night air.

  Tony shoved his mother and sister against the doorway.

  Things moved fast after that, as the people standing near the vehicles scattered and began running in different directions.

  The shadows came to life as a small army of figures emerged. “Freeze! Police! Drop your weapons.”

  A car door slammed, and one of the vehicle’s engines roared to life. The tires squealed as the car’s driver made a desperate attempt to maneuver onto a side street. It narrowly missed one of the officers, who managed to jump out of the car’s path seconds before impact.

  Carlita shifted her attention from the unfolding scene to the dot on the app. The dot had reached the main road leading back to Tybee Island and Montgomery Hall. “Thank God. Luigi and Ricco are gone. What’s happening?”

  “I can’t see nothin’, just a bunch of people on the ground and cops everywhere,” Mercedes said.

  “We gotta stay put.” Tony crouched low; his eyes trained on the unfolding scene. “The cops tailed us. They know we’re here.”