Christmas Family Style in Savannah: A Garlucci Family Saga Novel (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Bo by Hope Callaghan (summer reading list txt) 📕

Carlita was last. “You’re the best. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she said gratefully.

“I think I had more fun than they did,” Reese’s gaze drifted to the family, standing near the curb waiting for Carlita to join them. “You’re one lucky lady, Carlita Garlucci. You have a beautiful family. Cherish them forever.”

“I will, Reese. Believe me, I will.”

Chapter 10

The children chattered excitedly about Reese the Elf and the trolley ride all the way home.

“You keep on spoilin’ the grandkids, and they’re never gonna wanna leave,” Paulie joked.

“Just making some memories and making sure the kids don’t forget about Nonna when I’m gone.”

“I have a little more shopping to do.” Brittney passed the baby to her husband. “I wouldn’t mind heading to the outlet mall.”

“I’ll go with you,” Gina offered. “I have a few things to pick up.”

“They have a wonderful children’s park not far from the mall,” Shelby said. “We can take the kids to the park and go out for lunch to get out of Carlita’s hair for a little while and then spend the rest of the afternoon shopping.”

“You’re not in my hair,” Carlita argued.

“But I’m sure you have some things you need to take care of.”

Gina motioned to Mercedes. “You want to go with us?”

“Actually, I have a few things to take care of myself,” Mercedes said. “You go on ahead.”

“I’m sure the stores will be just as packed as the downtown area.” Carlita followed her family around the corner. There was a tall man wearing a dark suit and smoking a cigar standing on her stoop. He casually turned and watched the Garlucci family approach.

“Joe,” Vinnie was the first to speak. “I thought I was gonna get a call to pick you up at the airport.”

“I snagged a seat on standby. I figured I might as well rent a car since it looks like I’ll be doin’ some running around town.” Jersey Joe Mariani stepped off the stoop. “Hello, Brittney.”

“Joe.” Brittney smiled politely. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Your father’s been keepin’ me busy in the city.”

“We’ll run upstairs to get the kids ready for our shopping trip.” Gina herded her children inside. Shelby and Violet followed behind with Brittney and the baby bringing up the rear, leaving the Garlucci siblings and their mother in the alley with Joe.

He waited until Brittney pulled the door shut. “I’m sure you all know Vito sent me down here because of Roxy’s death. I’ve already done a little research. Another boater found her body in some sorta Christmas parade. She’d been knifed, and the cops ain’t callin’ the cause of death yet.”

“In a nutshell,” Vinnie said. “I already told Vito the owner of the vessel and I went to the police station to identify her body. Roxy was my employee, and we were on a family outing on a friend’s ship.”

Joe eyed Carlita with interest. “Who are you?”

“This is my mother, Carlita Garlucci, my sister, Mercedes and my brothers, Paulie and Tony.”

Joe’s eyes slowly circled the group, and Carlita got the distinct impression he was sizing them up. He studied Tony last. “You look familiar. I’ve seen you before.”

“I was in the ‘family’ briefly before gettin’ out.”

“Up in Queens,” Joe said.

“Up in Queens,” Tony echoed. “Until I moved down here with my mother and sister.”

“What about down here? You got connections?”

“Nope. I’m out,” Tony said. “You got any more questions for me?”

“No.” Joe turned to Paulie. “What’s your story?”

Paulie, determined not to be intimidated by Vito’s henchman, squared his shoulders and made eye contact. “I have nothing to do with the ‘family,’ and you ain’t interrogating me.”

Joe cracked a smile, seemingly amused by Paulie’s reaction. “Just gettin’ a feel for the family.” The smile quickly vanished, and his expression grew grim as he focused his attention on Vinnie. “Vito’s taking Roxy’s death hard. He made a vow to her father to take care of her, and he ain’t one to take those vows lightly.”

He continued. “I want the names of anyone who came in contact with Roxy before her death.”

Carlita’s stomach churned. Jersey Joe wanted the names of her friends…Pete, Tori, Byron, Reese, Annie Dowton, Cool Bones, Mark and Glenda Fox…innocent people who had nothing to do with Roxy’s death.

What would happen if Jersey Joe determined one of them was responsible for – or had contributed to – Roxy’s death? Would he mete out punishment “family” style?

Pete had escorted Roxy away from the party, and he had locked her inside the bathroom. When Jersey Joe found out, what would he do to Pete, even if he wasn’t directly responsible for the woman’s death?

Carlita shot her son a terrified look, and he attempted to offer a reassuring smile, but she could tell from the way he stood, the way he replied to Jersey Joe, that there was cause for concern.

“Since Roxy was physically under my supervision, I believe we should conduct our investigation jointly,” Vinnie suggested. “It was a large gathering, there were a lot of people, and it was dark.”

Joe’s hand shot up as he stopped him. “Don’t be makin’ excuses for anyone. You know how Vito feels about excuses.”

“I’m not makin’ excuses. All I’m trying to do is explain that there was a lot goin’ on last night.”

A car turned onto the alley. It was one of Elvira’s employees.

“Why don’t we head inside where we can talk in private,” Tony reached for the doorknob. “We have an office area in the back of the pawn shop.”

“I want to chat with Ricco and Luigi too,” Joe said. “Get them over here.”

Paulie, Vinnie and Tony, accompanied by Joe, made their way inside and into the pawn shop while Carlita and Mercedes lingered behind.

Carlita clenched her fists as the door