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

“That’s why Luigi quit,” Brittney hurried on. “He and Roxy broke up. I think Luigi really liked her. She started seeing another one of Daddy’s employees, and Luigi found out. Right after that, we came down here, and Luigi decided to quit.”

“Case solved.” Elvira slammed the palm of her hand on the table. “Luigi and Roxy got into it. He took her weapon, waited until everyone was busy with the party, went to the back, confronted her, they argued, Roxy pulled her knife and then bam! Next thing you know…heave ho…Roxy has gone overboard.”

“Maybe it was an accident,” Brittney whispered.

Before Carlita could reply, the apartment door opened, and Vinnie appeared. “How’s it goin’?”

“I…” Carlita sucked in a breath. “Brittney told us that Luigi and Roxy once dated. That’s why Luigi quit the ‘family’ and came down here. It was because of Roxy.”

“You told them that, Brit?” Vinnie crossed the room. “That was months ago.”

“Son, the investigators are going to come back. That’s why they checked you, Mercedes and me for signs of an injury. It’s apparent Roxy injured her attacker when she surprised them with the knife.”

“What’s that got to do with Luigi?”

“He has a cut on his arm.” Carlita showed him where.

“You’re sure?” Vinnie asked. “Cuz Luigi swears he didn’t touch Roxy and didn’t go back there after Pete locked her up.”

“All I’m telling you is what I know. He has an injury. Someone else’s blood was found on the deck, I’m almost certain of it. I asked Thryce about it when we were in Autumn’s apartment. He didn’t deny it. Instead, I got the standard, ‘I can’t discuss the case.’”

Vinnie grimaced. “I’ll go track Luigi down.”

“He’s working a job at the convention center.” Elvira shut the tape recorder off and placed it on top of her notepad. “He’ll be there for another couple hours.”

“Then, I’ll wait until he gets done to talk to him.”

Brittney slid out of the chair and placed a hand to her forehead. “I’m not feeling too good. I think I’m going to lie down.”

Vinnie escorted his wife to the bedroom.

Elvira waited until she heard the bedroom door close. “Is she for real?”

“Who?”

“Brittney. Talk about the definition of an airhead.”

Carlita bristled. “Vinnie loves her, and she’s a good mother. I also think she’s much more aware of what’s going on than most people give her credit for.”

“So, it’s an act.”

“Perhaps, at least some of it.”

“Well, that’s a wrap.” Elvira pushed her chair back. “Another case solved by EC Investigative Services.”

Carlita followed her to the door. “I’m sure you’re thrilled all of the clues point to Luigi. Now you can get rid of him, and Dernice can’t stop you.”

Elvira reached for the doorknob. “Just between the two of us, he was kinda growing on me. Although I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t care for the manner in which he was hired.”

“Dernice needed help. She hired him when you went MIA.”

“Yeah, well, getting back to Luigi. He isn’t a bad guy. He’s good at what he does. Maybe he’ll get second-degree murder if it was a crime of passion. I’m guessing Vinnie and you will be contacting the authorities so I won’t have to get involved.”

“We’ll handle it from here.”

After Elvira left, Carlita wandered around the apartment. She’d grown fond of Luigi. He was a good tenant, and by all indications, a good employee. He didn’t strike her as the “killing kind,” but then again, he had been a part of the “family.”

Crimes of passion were hard to predict. Roxy certainly knew how to push all of the right buttons. Maybe she had pushed Luigi’s one too many times.

Vinnie joined his mother a short time later, looking as glum as she felt. “I’m having a hard time believing Luigi stabbed Roxy.”

“Me too. If what you told me is true and he has a fresh cut on his arm, it’s only a matter of time before the investigators return and check him and the others for injuries.”

An hour passed, naptime ended, and Luigi still hadn’t returned. Vinnie left him a message, and when he didn’t call back, Carlita briefly wondered if he took off, knowing he would soon be on the investigators’ radar.

The family gathered for dinner and then headed out to the parade. There was still no sign of Luigi. Carlita was beginning to believe he was behind Roxy’s death – whether it was intentional or not.

Oddly enough, there was no sign of Jersey Joe, either, and Carlita wondered what he was up to and where he was lurking. Perhaps he was tailing Luigi, having made the same series of discoveries.

Ricco’s mood was somber, and Carlita suspected Vinnie had pulled him aside and explained the situation.

Fortunately, the children enjoyed the parade and weren’t picking up on the gloominess of their grandmother, father and “family” friend.

Carlita didn’t think there was anything that could top the boat parade and fireworks, but the downtown Christmas parade was a close second.

It started with a Santa Claus float. Santa sat in a black wingback chair next to a fireplace while elves dressed in green and white costumes danced around him.

“Hey,” Mercedes jabbed her mother in the ribs. “Do you see the elf? Isn’t that…”

“Reese.” Carlita clapped her hands. She caught her friend’s eye as she twirled around Santa. She reached into her elf apron and tossed some candy into the crowd, aiming it in the direction of Carlita’s grandchildren.

They scrambled to their feet and snatched up the treats.

“The elf waved at us!” PJ shouted.

“Yes, she did.”

“The elf bears a striking resemblance to Reese,” Tony laughed. “That woman is all over the place.”

A local high school marching band followed Santa’s float, entertaining the