Pirates in Peril: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Cozy Mysteries Series Book 10) Hope Callaghan (unputdownable books TXT) 📖

Carlita snapped her fingers. “Davis. I couldn’t remember your landlord’s name. Thanks for reminding me.”

Elvira stomped her foot. “Crud. I knew I shoulda just shut up.”

“I’m not going to contact Davis, but you should be mindful of what you do. One of these days you’re going to get into real trouble.”

“No risk, no reward.” Elvira shrugged. “I’m willing to take my chances.”

Carlita shook her head as Elvira slipped inside her apartment and closed the door behind her. “One of these days, Elvira. One of these days.”

The rest of the day passed uneventfully with Mercedes holed up in her room working on her book. She emerged around lunchtime to grab a bite to eat and then went right back to work.

Later that afternoon, Shelby and Violet stopped by to drop off some flowers Violet insisted they pick for Nana.

Carlita’s heart melted at the little girl’s thoughtful gift. “I love them Violet. Thank you so much.” She knelt down to give her a gentle hug. “I ran into Beebs the other day. He asked when you and I were going to visit him and Miss Tori.”

“I drew a picture for Beebs. We’re going to swim in Miss Tori’s swimming pool.”

“I think it will be too chilly for a February swim. We might have to wait until the water warms up.”

Carlita stood. “Let me get with Tori to see what day works for her and Beebs.”

Shelby smoothed her daughter’s hair. “Violet includes Beebs in her nightly prayers and asks God for him not to be sad anymore.”

Sudden tears burned the back of Carlita’s eyes as she thought of how Byron/Beebs lost his young granddaughter, Lilly, a couple of years back. According to Tori, Violet reminded him of her.

“I shall get with Tori in the next day or so to plan a visit,” Carlita promised.

After Violet and Shelby left, Carlita wandered to the computer and sank into the chair. She started sorting through her emails when her cell phone began to ring.

It was Carlita’s son, Vinnie.

“Hey, Ma.”

“Hey, son. How are you?”

Vinnie cleared his throat. “I’m fine.”

Carlita’s heart skipped a beat, immediately sensing something was wrong. “You don’t sound fine. Son, what is it?”

“It’s about Brittney.”

Chapter 18

“We’re going to have a baby.”

Carlita said the first thing that popped into her head. “Already? I mean you just got married. I thought you would spend some time getting to know each other first.”

“It wasn’t planned.” Vinnie paused. “I thought you would be excited.”

“I am. I mean. Yes, of course, Son. You’ll make a wonderful father.” Carlita shifted the phone to her other ear. “A lot has changed for you in the last few months. Marrying Brittney, moving to New Jersey, starting a new job and now a baby.”

“Ain’t it great?” Vinnie said. “Things are lookin’ up for Vinnie Garlucci.”

“Yes, they are. I’m happy for you…happy for Brittney.” Carlita swallowed hard and forced the next words out. “Happy for the Castellini family.”

“Thanks, Ma. I already told Paulie and Tony the good news. I’ll let you tell Mercedes.” Vinnie rattled on about his new job; how he loved living in New Jersey and that it was a great place to raise a family.

They chatted about Tony and Shelby’s upcoming wedding. Carlita questioned him about Emmett Pridgen, and Vinnie claimed he only met him once. Finally, he told his mother he needed to get back to work.

“I love you, Son. Congratulations again. You’ll be a wonderful father.” She told her eldest son good-bye and then sat staring blankly at the phone.

Mercedes waltzed into the dining room. “Who were you talking to?”

“Vinnie. He called to tell me Brittney is pregnant.”

“What? A baby already? They just got married.”

“I said the same thing. He seems excited.”

“Wow. Better him than me.”

Carlita gave her daughter a pointed stare. “You don’t even have a boyfriend.”

“See? Like I said, better him than me.” Mercedes glanced at the clock. “It’s getting late and I’m getting hungry.”

“I haven’t thought about dinner.” Carlita suggested pizza and Mercedes easily agreed. After placing the order, the women wandered into the living room to wait.

“I couldn’t find anything else on Mark Fox, Emmett Pridgen or Pirate Pete.” Mercedes reached for the television remote. “Pete’s only link to Lawson is the pirate ship and the fact he was guarding his ship the night of Lawson’s attack.”

“With what you said earlier, I’m beginning to think Mark Fox argued with Lawson. Glenda even told me beforehand that Mark planned to confront Lawson the night of his attack. Add in Mark’s mysterious limp, plus the fact Kyle Flinch said Lawson was secretly meeting with someone who spoke Spanish.”

Carlita continued. “I was certain it was one of Lawson’s employees. There’s still the damage to the Mystic Dream. Glenda insists Mark was out of town when the damage occurred.”

“Maybe Mark had someone do the dirty work for him, knowing he had an ironclad alibi,” Mercedes suggested.

“I hadn’t considered that angle. We’re still missing something. Maybe I shouldn’t meet Pete in the morning to interview potential employees.”

“I say you go to cover all of the bases. Plus, we’re going to need workers for Ravello soon.” Mercedes flipped through the channels as Carlita mulled over the possible suspects. She started to say something else when the outer bell rang. “Our pizza is here. I’ll go down and get it.”

She hurried out of the apartment and down the steps before peering out the peephole. She swung the door open and motioned the delivery person into the hall. “Pizza for Garlucci?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I already paid for the pizza and breadsticks and left a tip online.”

“Yes. Thank you. I need you to sign the receipt.” The man handed her a pen and a slip of paper.

After signing, she handed it