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) 📕

Although the bookstore was closed, Carlita could see the soft glow of a desk lamp somewhere in the back. Which wasn’t unusual – Cricket Tidwell, the owner and Mercedes’ friend, lived above the quaint shop.

They circled around and then continued on for one more block, strolling past the Parrot House Restaurant. The restaurant was open late, and a quick glance in the front window revealed several diners still inside.

“Do you think we should keep longer hours?” Carlita asked. “I mean, to draw in more people.”

“No. I think closing at nine gives diners plenty of time to eat.” Tony tightened his grip on Rambo’s leash as the pup made a mad dash for a trash can. “Are you still worried about Sandy Sue?”

“Yeah.” Carlita sucked in a breath. “I’m getting a bad feeling about the place.”

They made another turn and began heading back home, pausing briefly so that Tony could do a quick check of the property.

Mother and son made another stop in front of the courtyard where Carlita admired her newly installed solar lanterns that lit the entrance and walkway.

Ravello’s was their last stop. They checked to make sure, once again, the interior and exterior surveillance cameras and alarm were all working. Carlita pressed her forehead against the glass and peered inside.

“Hey, Ma.”

“What?” Carlita spun around.

“Check it out.” Tony jabbed his thumb in the direction of Sandy Sue’s.

Two patrol cars were parked in front of the restaurant’s entrance.

“I wonder what’s going on,” Carlita muttered.

“Who knows?” Tony shrugged.

They finished their walk near Carlita’s back door. She let Rambo in first and then turned her attention to her son, who had suddenly grown quiet. “Is everything all right?”

“Yeah.” Tony started to say something else and then paused.

She studied his face. “Are you sure?”

“I dunno…” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Shelby’s been actin’ weird.”

“Weird as in how?”

“Secretive and kinda crazy. Like one minute she’s Shelby and the next she’s screaming at Violet, screaming at me not to mention throwing things.”

Carlita pressed a hand to her chest. “Is she…has she been violent?”

“Not yet, but as mad as she’s getting lately at the minor things, I’m thinkin’ it’s possible.”

“What sort of minor things?”

“Violet leaving toys on the floor. Me forgetting to take out the trash, stuff like that.”

Carlita had noticed a change in Shelby. It started not long after Christmas when she began making excuses for not joining them for family dinners.

Because of Shelby’s Addison’s disease, Carlita had written it off, suspecting she wasn’t feeling well. “Do you think it may have something to do with her disease, maybe a change in a prescription drug she’s taking?”

“I think she’s on drugs and not the one from her doctor,” he said bluntly. “I can’t prove it, but she’s hanging around this so-called friend, Melanie. She’s been taking off in the evening, leaving me ‘n Violet at home.”

“What can I do to help?”

“I’m at my wit’s end. I noticed some odd bruises on her arms last night. When I mentioned them to her, she freaked out. Maybe you could try talking to her.” Tony shifted his feet. His eyes met his mother’s eyes. The look of concern was palpable.

“I’ll do it. Tomorrow morning if you want.”

“How ‘bout tomorrow night instead? You can come by for dinner. You and Mercedes.” Tony wasn’t one to go looking for trouble. In fact, of her three sons, he was the most laid-back and level-headed.

“We’ll be there.” Carlita patted his arm. “In the meantime, I am concerned about Violet. If you think it would be best, please bring her by on your way to work in the morning. Mercedes and I will watch her.”

“I’ll mention it to Shelby. Maybe she’s stressed out and needs a break.”

Tony thanked his mother. With shoulders hunched, he trudged off toward home. She said a small prayer for him as he made his way up the stairs.

Back inside the apartment, she flipped through the television channels. Nothing caught her eye, so she turned it off and settled in front of the computer. Her son’s admission, not to mention Sandy Sue and her antics, weighed heavily on Carlita’s mind. She couldn’t shake the feeling Sandy Sue and her husband were bad news.

She typed in Sandy Sue’s Bar-B-Que and skimmed through several stories about the restaurant. There was a picture of the woman Carlita had met earlier. She stood next to the man in the three-piece suit. Beneath the picture was the caption, “Sandy Sue and Carl Jarvis.”

The attached story was lengthy – a glowing report that went into great detail about the food being served as well as the couple’s history. According to the story, they had recently sold their interest in Big Hog’s BBQ to former partner, Gordon Coldwater. The restaurant was in a strip mall near the highway.

There were several quotes from the couple, laying out their plans for starting a new business venture and specifically mentioned the new restaurant across from Carlita. With each revelation, she grew more concerned, not to mention discouraged.

Sandy Sue and Carl Jarvis were planning to conquer the “restaurant world.” Depressed, she finally shut her computer off.

Pete called to check in while she was getting ready for bed. They talked briefly, and she was thrilled to hear he thought he’d found a partner for his St. Augustine venture.

Carlita congratulated him on the exciting news and then crawled into bed. Sleep eluded her. She was still awake when Mercedes returned from her date with Sam.

She finally fell asleep, but it was a restless sleep. Carlita woke early the next morning and stumbled to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee.

She could hear Gunner stirring in his cage. She lifted the cage’s cover and found the parrot