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

you. I’m sure you know by now Roxy Ciccone, the woman who caused so much trouble at the party last night, has died. I was wondering if you or Mark remember anything about the party or Roxy that might be significant.”

“Pete warned us the police asked for a copy of the guest list and that they might contact us. As far as Roxy goes, I don’t remember much about the woman.” Glenda explained that after she and Mark arrived, they headed upstairs to grab a bite to eat before Mark changed into his Santa suit.

“He changed on board the ship?” Carlita interrupted. “Did he use the main restroom on the lower deck?”

“No. He used a small bathroom on the upper deck, in the back. He didn’t want any of the children to see him enter the bathroom as a stranger and come out as Santa.”

“That makes perfect sense,” Carlita said. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“No problem. After Mark changed into the Santa suit, we switched spots, and I used the same restroom to change into the Mrs. Claus outfit.”

“The bathroom in the back,” Carlita verified.

“Right. It’s the same one I’m assuming Pete used to put Roxy in after she attacked poor Mercedes,” Glenda said. “Of course, you would know more about that than I do.”

“Yes, that was the bathroom he put her in,” Carlita said.

“That’s about all. Like I said, after we ate, Mark and I spent most of our time with the children. Your grandchildren are absolutely adorable. They were so sweet. Gracie came back later and shared a piece of her candy with Santa.”

“Thank you. They are good kids, and they talked about Santa and Mrs. Claus all morning.”

“Ask her about Mark,” Elvira tapped Carlita’s shoulder and whispered in her ear.

“Yes. Right. Glenda, do you know if Mark remembers anything significant about Roxy?”

“As a matter of fact, he and I discussed it at breakfast after Pete filled us in on what had happened. Neither of us remembers much about her other than the incident. She did talk to us before the ship departed, demanding to know who we were and what our real names were.” Glenda started to say something else and then stopped.

“What is it?” Carlita prompted.

“I hate to be nosy, but who was she? We got the impression she wasn’t one of Pete’s guests.”

“She was there to protect my daughter-in-law.”

Glenda’s voice grew small. “That’s what Mark and I thought…maybe she had something to do with your son. He works at a casino up north if I remember correctly.”

“He manages a casino in New Jersey,” Carlita confirmed.

“So, maybe your daughter-in-law can give you more information since Roxy stayed close to her most of the evening.”

“You’re right.” Carlita was certain Jersey Joe had already spoken to Brittney at length, but it wouldn’t hurt for them to have a chat with her, as well.

“Elvira here. So, after Roxy was escorted out of the party, you never saw her again.”

“Nope,” Glenda said. “Mark left once to use the bathroom. He planned to go upstairs and then remembered Roxy was up there, so he went downstairs.”

Carlita shot Elvira a triumphant gaze. “Thank you for calling me back. Maybe we can get together for coffee sometime next week.”

“That would be great.” There was a moment of silence on the other end. “You don’t think the police will suspect Mercedes had anything to do with Roxy’s death, do you?”

“I think the police will have several suspects, including Mercedes,” Carlita sighed.

“If I can help in any other way, please let me know.”

Carlita thanked her friend before ending the call. She waved her cell phone in the air. “See? Santa is innocent.”

“Maybe,” Elvira shrugged. “I’m still not ruling anyone out. Can you send me a copy of the guest list? I want to take a look at it.”

Elvira waited for Carlita to forward the list and then printed a copy.

The trio gathered around the desk, studying the names:

The Garlucci Family: Carlita, Mercedes, Vinnie + 2, Paulie + 4, Tony, Shelby, Violet

Security? (Ask Carlita)

Annie Dowton

Mark and Glenda Fox (Santa and Mrs. Claus)

Tori Montgomery

Byron Greeley (Tori’s butler and friend)

Sam Ivey

Cool Bones & the Jazz Boys: Charles Benson, Duke Drake, Lee Strange, Savannah Blue

Autumn Winter

Claryce “Reese” Magillicuddy

Ken Gibbons

There were a few more names on the list, some that looked vaguely familiar to Carlita, perhaps because Pete had mentioned them.

There was a list of employees and a small legend, indicating whether they were The Flying Gunner employees or the Parrot House restaurant employees at the bottom.

“Hey.” Carlita elbowed Elvira. “I noticed your buddy, Ken, is on the list. I don’t remember seeing him there.”

“He couldn’t make it. Looking back, it’s probably a good thing. Ken has a somewhat sketchy background,” Elvira said. “He would definitely be considered a person of interest.”

“Which is why you should never have gotten involved in the Agamerian Project,” Dernice said.

Carlita perked up. “I’m dying to know what this super-secret project is.”

“It’s…”

Elvira wagged her finger at her sister. “Confidentiality agreement.”

“Right.” Dernice cast Carlita an apologetic look. “I can’t talk about it. Although I would love to. It’s absolutely fascinating.”

“Dernice,” Elvira warned as she shook her head.

“Fine.” Dernice changed the subject. “So, now what? We have a list of suspects, all family…literally and figuratively, and a few friends. How do we figure out who had it in for Roxy?”

“I say the next move is to have a chat with Brittney. She’s the one who was closest to Roxy and should be able to give us the most information about her actions before being locked up in the bathroom.”

“Locked up is such a harsh term,” Carlita shifted uneasily. “More like detained.”

“Locked up. Detained. The cops are going to look