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

“We’ll continue where we left off, perhaps tomorrow after we’re done cleaning the courtyard.”

One of the employees returned. “Sorry, Boss. Do we need to clean the fryer?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll let you go.” Carlita gave him a small wave and made the short walk home where she found her children had all gathered inside the apartment. “Sorry if I’m holding you up.”

“Not at all,” Vinnie said. “We ordered pizzas. They should be here anytime.”

The pizzas arrived, and while they ate, the family discussed visiting the zoo the next day and then heading downtown to the City Market street parade the following evening. As soon as they finished eating, Shelby, Tony, Paulie and Gina rounded up the kids and headed home.

Not long after, Vinnie and Brittney turned in for the night, and Mercedes returned to Autumn’s place.

After everyone was gone, Carlita took Rambo out for his final evening patrol. Her gaze drifted to Elvira’s place. The lights were off, and the place was dark. She wondered how Luigi and Ricco had fared with Jersey Joe.

She wasn’t sure what to think about the man. On the one hand, he seemed reasonable, but on the other hand, she wasn’t fooled by his laid-back demeanor. Joe Mariani had been hired by Vito for one reason, which was to find out what had happened to Roxy.

Carlita thought about the investigation and was somewhat surprised the police hadn’t shown up on her doorstep yet. The fact they hadn’t filled her with uneasiness.

After Rambo finished, they returned inside for another restless night. She heard the baby cry a couple times, the floor creaking as steps were taken and whispering voices as baby Vinnie’s parents tended to him.

She was accustomed to Mercedes lurking around half the night, working on her latest novel, but the baby crying and voices were something she wasn’t used to. It didn’t help that every time the baby cried, Rambo whined.

The last time she heard him was early morning. Carlita lay there for over an hour, trying to go back to sleep before finally giving up.

She was prepared this time and had gotten the coffee ready the previous night. It finished brewing, and she poured a cup before stepping onto the balcony for her morning weather check. It was going to be another crisp and cool day in Savannah.

Carlita returned inside and settled in front of the computer to catch up on her emails and look at the business accounts and online ledgers. After she finished, she flipped through all of the wonderful pictures she’d taken at the party.

There was a family photo Reese had taken, and a second one with all of them plus Pete. Deeming it the perfect Christmas gift, Carlita placed an online order to the local office supply store that offered picture printing services. She ordered several copies and was thrilled to discover they would be ready for pick up that afternoon.

After placing her order, she continued scrolling through the pictures until she got to the one of Cool Bones and the Jazz Boys with the fireworks bursting in a dazzling display of color overhead. She had managed to capture the perfect shot.

Remembering her promise to Cool Bones to give him a copy, she placed another order and added it to her pickup.

It was nearly nine when she finished her bookwork, and Vinnie joined her. “Hey, Ma.”

“Morning, Son.”

“Did we keep you up last night? The baby was fussy.”

“It’s okay.” She smiled as she watched him wander into the kitchen and pour a cup of coffee.

“Brittney’s in the bathroom getting ready. We’re going to eat breakfast downtown and then meet up with the others at the zoo.”

“Sounds like a good plan.”

“Do you want to go?”

“No, thanks. You go on ahead. I promised Pete I would help him clean up his courtyard.”

Vinnie sipped his coffee, studying his mother over the rim of the cup. “You like him.”

“I do.”

“He seems like a good guy.”

“He is,” Carlita agreed.

“Do you think you two are gonna get serious?”

Carlita studied her son thoughtfully. She remembered how her relationship with John Alder had started out with so much promise and then fizzled. Looking back, it had been too soon. Carlita hadn’t been ready. She was still mourning the death of her husband.

Things were different now. Pete was different. “Maybe. Are you okay with that?”

“I am. In fact, I think it’s time. Pops wouldn’t want you to spend the rest of your life alone.”

“Probably not. Had it been the other way around, I would’ve wanted him to find someone.” Carlita changed the subject. “Brittney mentioned another baby last night. You think you’re ready for another one?”

“Not yet, but I’m not getting any younger, you know?” Vinnie joked. “How’s it workin’ out with Luigi and Elvira?”

Carlita tipped her hand back and forth. “So-so. He likes working for her, I think.”

“Luigi’s a good guy.”

“You don’t think he took Roxy out, do you?”

“No. She was irritating, but not irritating enough to snuff out,” Vinnie said. “Or stab.”

“Right.”

The outer bell rang, and Carlita jumped. “Now, who could that be?”

“Tony or Paulie?”

“Tony has a key.” Carlita hurried to the window and lifted the blind to have a peek outside. “Great.”

Chapter 16

“What is it?” Vinnie asked.

“Not what, but who. The cops are standing on the back stoop.”

“I figured they were gonna show up sooner, rather than later.” Vinnie joined his mother. “You want me to go down and see what they want?”

“Maybe we should both go.”

Before they left, Vinnie made a quick stop in the back of the apartment to give his wife a heads up that the cops were there and to finish getting ready.

During Carlita’s initial