Swiped in Savannah: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Book 12) by Hope Callaghan (pocket ebook reader .txt) 📕

Carlita was curious. “Do you know who the special visitor is?”

“Nope. Even the boss man is tight-lipped about the honorary guest. My friend, Dixie, the one who works at the Greyhound terminal, said she heard it was a duke or duchess.” Reese attempted her best British accent. “Royalty from across the pond.”

“A member of the royal family?”

“That’s what Dixie heard. I don’t care if it’s the queen herself, I’m not going anywhere near that mess…not if I can help it.”

With a couple quick turns down more narrow alleys and a near miss with a low hanging tree branch, they arrived at the Elmwood Square stop.

“If you plan to hitch a ride home on my trolley, come back to this stop. I can’t get down the other square, at least for the rest of the afternoon.”

“Will do. Thanks for the lift.” Carlita gave her friend a thumbs up before making her way down the steps.

It was a short walk from the bus stop to the Savannah Architectural Society’s office. The office was empty except for a receptionist at the front desk, a young woman Carlita had never met. She approached the counter. “Hi. I was hoping Glenda Fox might be in.”

“She’s over at Darbylane Museum greeting Savannah’s special guest.”

“Her, too?” Carlita shifted her purse.

“Yeah.” The woman scooched forward. “I heard an honest-to-goodness duke from England is coming to town today to view the Cotswold Georgian Exhibit.”

“I guess I should’ve called first to make sure she would be in the office. Do you know when she’ll be back?”

“No, but she’s going to be there for a while. I’m sure if you head that way, you’ll be able to track her down.”

“I took the trolley over here, and the driver had to turn off onto a side alley. We couldn’t even get near the place. It’s a madhouse.”

“Isn’t it exciting?” The woman beamed. “I wish I wasn’t stuck here working so I could meet royalty.” A dreamy look filled her face. “I wonder if he’s married.”

Carlita almost replied he was probably a hundred years old but didn’t want to burst the woman’s dream bubble. She thanked her for the information and stepped out of the office.

It would be at least another hour before Reese and the trolley circled back around. She reluctantly made her way to the end of the block. It was either wait here or join the crowd.

It wasn’t much of a choice. She turned left and made her way to Bay Street. Pedestrians crowded the sidewalk. She moved from side to side, dodging tourists and bicyclists. There was even a group of tourists on Segways.

She neared the museum and noticed several local news vans lining the street. The area directly in front of the museum was roped off. A crimson carpet runner ran from the top of the steps all the way down to the end of the sidewalk.

She caught a glimpse of Glenda, standing off to the side with several other SAS members. Glenda’s husband, Mark, was there, too.

Carlita’s eyes scanned the clusters of people gathered together and talking loudly. There was a sudden movement near the museum’s entrance as a uniformed security guard escorted a woman down the steps. It was Elvira.

She eased past several bystanders until she was standing on the other side of the velvet rope and at the bottom of the steps. “Elvira.”

Elvira motioned for the woman to step beyond the rope.

Carlita waited until the woman walked away before trying a second time to get her attention. “Elvira.”

Elvira caught Carlita’s eyes and hurried over. “Hey.”

“You look pretty snazzy in your uniform,” Carlita teased. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“It’s new.” Elvira brushed imaginary lint from the lapel of her jacket. “I figure I oughta look my best since I’m meeting royalty.”

“How on earth did you get this job?”

“It was easy-breezy,” Elvira cleared her throat. “You gotta know how to schmooze the right people. EC Security Services beat out four other bids to get this highly coveted gig. In the end, I presented them with an offer they couldn’t refuse. This place is more secure than Fort Knox.”

“So you bribed the person in charge of hiring the security company to guard the exhibit.”

“Let’s just say I greased a few palms. I may have also had to fudge a few things along the way, but you didn’t hear it from me.”

“It looks like every resident who lives in the city of Savannah is on hand.”

“The crowds’ll die down soon,” Elvira predicted. “They’re all waiting for prince…err, duke or whatever to show up. Last I heard his plane hadn’t even touched down.”

“Someone should let these people know.”

“Mayor Puckett made an announcement, but it hasn’t fazed them. I guess they don’t have anything better to do on a Wednesday morning.” Elvira shot Carlita a curious glance. “What are you doing here? An art exhibit doesn’t strike me as your cup of tea.”

“I’m waiting for Reese and the trolley to return. What do you mean…this isn’t my cup of tea?”

“I dunno.” Elvira waved dismissively. “I figured something to do with food or gambling would be more your speed.”

“My son works at a casino, and I own a restaurant. That doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate the arts,” Carlita said.

A woman dressed in a uniform identical to Elvira’s and a nametag, Astrid Herve, joined them. “Bonjour.”

“Bonjour,” Elvira replied.

“La carte,” the woman replied.

Elvira rolled her eyes. “You said menu. You’re gonna have to keep working on your French, Astrid.”

“I thought I said the crowds.” The young woman eyed the growing masses. “The natives are starting to get restless.”

“Well, we can’t let ‘em in yet.” Elvira grabbed Carlita’s arm. “I’m taking my neighbor on a quick tour. You stay here and hold down the fort for me until we