Family Feud in Savannah: A Garlucci Family Saga (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Book 16) by Hope Callaghan (best books to read for beginners .TXT) 📕

Carlita gathered up the empty containers. She escorted her friend out of the courtyard, pulling the gate shut behind them. “Hopefully, you won’t run into any trolley traffic jams on your way back.”

Reese tapped Carlita’s shoulder. “Speaking of construction and detours, your street is blocked.”

Chapter 4

Carlita craned her neck, her heart sinking when she spied a pair of orange and white barricades. A detour sign led them away from Ravello’s and then circled back around…right past Sandy Sue’s Bar-B-Que. “The city can’t close streets without giving business owners notice.”

“I don’t think it was the city.” Reese motioned toward a man wearing a yellow vest and directing traffic right into the barbecue joint’s parking lot.

Car after car filled the parking area and spilled into an overflow lot near the back.

There were balloons, signs, and flashing lights. Alongside the restaurant was a row of black smokers with plumes of thick smoke pouring out of them.

“I…thought Jarvis told me their grand opening wasn’t until next week.”

“If this isn’t the grand opening, I hate to see how bad traffic is gonna get when they do have it.”

Carlita marched across the parking lot to where the attendant stood directing traffic. “What is going on?”

“I’m directing traffic.”

“Remove the barricades,” she demanded. “If you don’t, I’ll do it myself.”

“I.” The man stumbled back. He turned on his heel and hurried off.

Reese joined her friend. “This is a safety hazard.”

“And probably not even legal,” Carlita fumed.

The man returned, accompanied by a second man, this one wearing a three-piece suit. He gave Carlita the once over. “What seems to be the problem?”

“You can’t close the street.”

“My employee is directing traffic.”

“To your restaurant,” Carlita gritted out. “Remove the roadblocks.”

“No.”

“I’m calling the police.” Carlita’s hand shook as she pulled her cell phone from her pocket. She dialed the non-emergency number and asked the dispatcher to send a patrol car after briefly explaining the situation.

The man in the suit smirked, waiting until she ended the call. “You must be Carlita Garlucci. My wife said you stopped by here yesterday whining about some construction material in your dumpster.”

“Whining?” Carlita clenched her fists. “Your crew discarded construction waste in my dumpster without a permit or my permission. The city fined me.”

“I don’t know what to tell you.”

Reese placed a light hand on Carlita’s arm. “Let’s wait over here for the police.”

Carlita let her friend lead her back to the trolley stop. Tony arrived moments later. “You see this mess? I called the cops.”

“Me too,” Carlita muttered. “They’re not going to get away with this.”

Reese jangled her keys. “I gotta get the trolley back to the garage before they lock the gate. Thanks for dinner.” She wished Carlita luck and promised to call later.

The trolley pulled away, and a patrol car took its place. Carlita watched as the officer approached the two men. He had a brief word with them and began motioning toward the roadblocks. The suited man’s smug expression vanished as he and the other man began removing the barricades.

“Good. These people can’t just take over Walton Square. They act like they own the neighborhood.”

“Not by a long shot.” Tony blew air through thinned lips. “If they keep this crap up, some heads are gonna roll.”

The officer waited until the signs were gone and traffic was once again moving. Meanwhile, the suited man disappeared inside the restaurant. He returned with two to-go containers and handed them to the cop.

“Great,” Carlita sighed. “The jerk is bribing the cop with food.”

The officer joined them. “Mr. Jarvis claims there was some sort of misunderstanding. He asked me to apologize to you. Is there anything else you need from me?”

“No. Thank you for getting here so quickly.” The officer climbed into his patrol car and drove off, passing by another long line of cars as they made their way into the barbecue restaurant’s parking area.

“C’mon, Ma. There’s nothing you can do.” Tony escorted his mother to the pawn shop. “I don’t like how they’re playing dirty. We’ll keep an eye on them.”

Carlita wandered to the front window. “First, they’re dumping their trash in our bins, and now they’re diverting traffic to their restaurant. What’s next? Burn our restaurant to the ground?”

“They’re getting a little buzz seeing how they’re the new kids in town. Once the newness wears off, their business will die down.”

“I hope so.” To take her mind off her new neighbors, Carlita began running the end of day sales numbers while Tony placed the jewelry cases and weapons inside the store’s safe. After finishing, she flipped the door sign, her eyes drifting to the barbecue restaurant.

The parking lot was empty now. There were still a few lights on inside and a spotlight out back. Her nagging concern returned. Would Sandy Sue’s drive Ravello’s out of business?

There were plenty of restaurants in Savannah. Good restaurants. Great restaurants. Even Pirate Pete owned a restaurant – but not directly across the street from hers. And the other restaurants were not playing dirty, diverting traffic from other businesses to theirs.

Tony joined her. “I have a few extra minutes before heading home. Why don’t you, me and Rambo go for a walk?”

“That would be nice.” Touched by her son’s thoughtfulness, Carlita forced a smile. They stepped into the alley and she waited on the stoop while Tony ran upstairs to get Rambo.

Thrilled to be out of the apartment, the pup scampered down the stairs. He skidded around the corner and nearly bowled Carlita over in his excitement to be outdoors.

“Hang on, fella.” Tony attached Rambo’s leash before starting their walk.

They strolled past Shades of Ink, Steve Winters’ tattoo shop, making their way to the corner. Instead of turning left, they made a