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

She secretly hoped it wasn’t the announcement they would be adding to the family, although Vinnie and Brittney had both assured her that wasn’t it.

After she finished wrapping the gifts, she placed them under the tree and turned the Christmas lights on.

She settled in at the computer to check the weather for Savannah’s downtown Christmas parade and then clicked on the local news.

“Identity of woman found floating in the Savannah River has been released.” Beneath the caption was a small picture of a smiling Roxy.

Carlita’s heart sank as she read the first paragraph.

Chapter 20

“Roxy Ciccone, a visitor from the New York area, was found dead and floating in the Savannah River. Ms. Ciccone fell off the pirate ship, The Flying Gunner, a Savannah tourist attraction owned by local businessman Pete Taylor. Mr. Taylor also owns the Parrot House Restaurant, a decades-old and popular fixture with locals and tourists alike.”

The story vaguely described the incident onboard the pirate ship, where Pete detained Roxy. Although the reporter didn’t come right out and say it, the writer alluded to the fact that a “close” family friend had an altercation with Roxy shortly before the incident.

It ended with a statement that the police were following up on several leads involving some locals.

Carlita leaned back in the chair and stared blankly at the screen. They hadn’t come out and named Mercedes as a person of interest, but it would only be a matter of time before reporters started sniffing around.

One thing would lead to another…the reporters would start probing into Roxy’s background, link her to Vinnie, to his mother and the restaurant.

What would happen to her businesses? Would customers shy away from Ravello’s? From shopping at Savannah Swag? And what about Pete? They had named both of his businesses.

Carlita snatched her cell phone off the desk and dialed Pete’s number.

“Hello, Carlita.”

She got right to the point. “I thought you should know the local news has a front-page story about Roxy’s death. They mentioned your name and your businesses. They might as well have given your address and phone number too.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end. “I saw it,” Pete said quietly. “My dining room manager already showed it to me.”

“We need to figure out who stabbed Roxy and fast.” Carlita told him what she’d discovered, how she suspected Roxy had gotten one in on her attacker. “While the investigators were here, they checked Mercedes and me for injuries.”

“I got the same courtesy call from a local authority.”

“Was it Officer Thryce?”

“No. That name doesn’t ring a bell.”

“Luigi has an injury to his inner arm. I’m not sure if it’s consistent with being stabbed, but it’s a long, dark cut.”

“What did he say about it?” Pete asked.

“I didn’t ask him, at least not yet.”

The couple talked for a few more minutes, and then her phone began beeping. It was Elvira.

“Elvira is calling. She must have something.” Carlita ended the call and answered the other line.

“When’s the airhead-in-law coming back?”

“Brittney?”

“How many airhead daughters-in-law do you have?”

“Zero, but if you’re asking about Brittney, she and the others should be back soon. We’re going to the downtown Christmas parade after dinner.”

“Don’t you people ever stay home?” Elvira sighed heavily. “No wonder you’re looking aged. I would be exhausted if I did that much running around.”

“I don’t care to discuss my age or my health, at least not with you. I’ll call you as soon as they return. We won’t have much time.”

“We won’t need much,” Elvira promised. “I can get what I need with ten questions or less.”

There was a noise in the outer hallway. A door slammed, and it was followed by loud voices.

“I just heard the door slam. I think Brittney and the others are back.”

“Good. I’ll be over there shortly.” Elvira hung up before Carlita could reply.

Her grandchildren burst into the apartment first, all talking excitedly over the top of each other. Violet raced across the room to show her grandmother her face painting. “Look what I have.”

“That’s so cute.” Carlita oohed and aahed over each of their face paintings.

Shelby motioned to Violet. “Okay, you got to show Nana your monkey. Now, it’s time to head home and rest before the parade.”

“But I’m not tired,” Violet pouted.

Her mother crossed her arms, giving her “the look.”

Carlita sneaked in a quick hug. “I’ll see you in a little while.”

Gina and her clan weren’t far behind them, leaving Vinnie, Brittney and the baby, who was already asleep in his carrier. “I’m going to put him down in his napper,” Brittney whispered.

After she left, Carlita poured two glasses of tea and handed one to her son. They made their way onto the balcony, and she closed the door behind him. She eased into a chair and then noticed movement in the alley that caught her eye. It was Elvira.

“Elvira!” Carlita called out.

Elvira shaded her eyes. “Is now a good time to talk to Brittney?”

“As good as any.”

Vinnie guzzled his tea. “Sorry, Ma. Elvira’s my cue to run down to the pawn shop to see if Tony needs help.”

Carlita followed him to the hall and waited for Elvira at the top of the stairs.

“I hate to be pushy, but time is of the essence.” Elvira placed a seventies-style handheld recorder on Carlita’s dining room table and plopped down in a chair. “Do you think Brittney will mind if I record our conversation? I can replay it later and go over the details.”

“Seriously?” Carlita lifted a brow. “I’ve never seen you do this before.”

“It’s something new I’m trying.”

“Hello.” Brittney hovered in the doorway.

“Brittney, Elvira is here to ask you a few questions.”

Elvira patted the seat next to her. “Have