The Family Affair: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Cozy Mysteries Series Book 9) Read online

  Vinnie’s cheeks reddened. “I…uh. I wanted to surprise my family.”

  A wave of dread washed over Carlita as she narrowed her eyes, studying her son’s expression. “Yes, you mentioned a big surprise.” It started to sink in…the sudden change of plans over the holidays, the unanswered phone calls. The big surprise was Brittney.

  Vinnie clasped the woman’s hand. “Brittney and I married on Christmas Eve.”

  Carlita blinked rapidly, trying to digest the news of her eldest son’s announcement.

  “I thought you would be happy.” Brittney’s lip trembled and she looked as if she was going to start crying.

  “I…we are.” Carlita quickly recovered and patted her daughter-in-law’s arm. “It is a surprise. I had no idea, but I’m thrilled.” She turned to Mercedes. “Right Mercedes?”

  “Right.” Mercedes cleared her throat. “Congratulations. Welcome to the family. I’m only sorry we weren’t invited to the wedding.” She gave her brother a pointed stare.

  “Oh.” Brittney pressed a hand to her chest. “Vinnie popped the question unexpectedly. I thought we would have a longer engagement, but he and Daddy got to talking and we decided to head down to Daddy’s casino in Atlantic City to tie the knot.”

  “Atlantic City casino?” Carlita asked.

  Brittney nodded. “Yes, we got married at Treasure Cove Casino, the casino that Daddy owns. He’s making Vinnie the operations manager. Vinnie starts his new job right after we leave here. We’ll be living in a penthouse apartment on the top floor and I’ve already started renovations.”

  Brittney rattled on about the casino, about Vinnie’s new position, about the wedding; how she was glad that she wouldn’t be too far from her parents and they were so excited Vinnie was a part of the family now.

  When Brittney said the word “family,” the warning bells rang in Carlita’s head. She held up a hand. “Brittney, do I know your father? Is he from the Queens area?”

  “Oh, I’m sure you do, Mrs. Garlucci, I mean ‘Mom.’” She smiled hesitantly. “I hope it’s okay if I call you Mom.”

  Carlita nodded. “Yes, Brittney. Now that you’re a part of our family.” She shot her son a sharp glance and he lowered his eyes.

  “My last name is, I mean was Castellini.”

  Carlita stared blankly at her daughter-in-law. “The only Castellinis I know are Vito and Francesca.”

  Brittney’s head bobbed up and down. “Those are my parents.”

  “They’re…”

  Vinnie quickly cut in, realizing what his mother was about to say. “They’re great in-laws and we’ll all get reacquainted soon.”

  “How soon?” Mercedes shot back.

  Brittney answered. “Daddy is wrapping up a business transaction in Queens and then he and maybe Ma are heading here for a few days. Like one big happy family.” She clasped her hands together, looking pleased as punch.

  Carlita’s head began to spin and she grabbed hold of Vinnie’s car to steady herself. All of her hard work to get her family, her children away from the family had been in vain. Her eldest son not only refused to leave, he literally brought them to her doorstep. She stared at Brittney in disbelief.

  “Are you okay Ma?” Mercedes touched her mother’s arm.

  “I’m a little dizzy,” Carlita admitted. “I think I need to sit down.”

  “Me too,” Brittney said. “It’s hard to stand for too long in these shoes, although I just love them and own several pairs.” She twisted her foot to show off the pink shoes. “They’re Manolo Blahniks. They cost several hundred dollars and are worth every penny.”

  She turned her attention to Mercedes. “Vinnie told me that there’s a shopping center out near the highway and he thought maybe you would have time to take me shoe shopping.”

  “Of course,” Mercedes smiled politely and turned to her brother. “Bro, I think you should grab your luggage so we can go upstairs, before Ma passes out right here in the alley.”

  “Right.” Vinnie turned his attention to his mother. “You want me to help you upstairs first? You do look kinda pale.”

  “What about me?” Brittney pouted. “I could fall and break my neck on this loose gravel.”

  “I’ll be all right son. The initial shock, I mean, surprise is starting to wear off. You help Brittney, and Mercedes and I will grab your luggage.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so.” Vinnie popped the trunk and then lifted the lid.

  Mercedes gasped as she gazed inside. Every square inch was crammed full of luggage…large pieces, small pieces. There was even a hatbox.

  “It’s gonna take a coupla trips,” Vinnie said.

  “Don’t forget about the suitcases in the back seat,” Brittney said.

  Carlita’s eyes widened as she peered into the back seat of the car. It was stacked seat-to-ceiling with even more luggage. “I don’t think we’re going to be able to fit these in our apartment.”

  “I kinda figured,” Vinnie said. “I was thinkin’ maybe I could rent-a-bed from one of those rental places and put it in the empty apartment, if it’s still empty.”

  “It’s still vacant. My new tenant isn’t moving in until February first.”

  “Perfect,” Vinnie beamed as he offered his arm to his wife. “We can head inside and I’ll come back for the luggage.”

  “You and what army?” Mercedes joked.

  “Very funny, Mercedes,” Vinnie frowned.

  The group began making their way down the alley to the back of the apartment.

  Carlita caught a glimpse of a movement in the window of the building across the hall, Elvira’s window.

  She shifted her gaze, certain Elvira or one of her minions was watching them. Carlita opened the building’s door and stepped to the side. “You should say ‘hi’ to your brother before going upstairs. You can introduce him to…”

  Carlita’s words caught in her throat. She swallowed hard and forced them out. “…introduce Tony to your new wife.”

  Mercedes led the way into the back of the pawnshop. Inside were several customers, along with Tony and Josh, one of the pawnshop employees.

  Tony was in the front of the store, assisting a customer with his back to them.

  “Oh, a jewelry case,” Brittney made a beeline for the jewelry and Vinnie followed behind, leaving Carlita and Mercedes alone.

  “I’m shocked,” Mercedes said bluntly.

  “You’re shocked? I thought I was going to hit the ground,” Carlita hissed under her breath. “Vinnie up and married the mob boss’ daughter and not just any mob boss’ daughter, but the godfather. I feel like throwin’ up.”

  Mercedes’ eyes followed the couple as Brittney gazed inside one of the display cases. “She seems a little too innocent and naïve for big bro.”

  “Maybe it’s all an act to throw us off. She’s probably been sent here to spy on us. Think about it. We know for a fact the family has been down here, checking on us. Now they won’t even have to hide it. One of them is family now - literally.”

  A wave of nausea washed over Carlita. It was the worst-case scenario. “What was Vinnie thinking?”

  “I don’t know. What I do know is someone needs to have a serious conversation with him,” Mercedes said. “I think that’s why he kept it a secret. He knew you wouldn’t approve.”

  “We need to warn Tony.” Tony’s customer exited the store and she motioned him over while Josh made his way to the jewelry counter and opened the case for Brittney and Vinnie.

  Tony gave his brother a quick glance and made his way to his mother’s side. “I guess the hot blonde is Vinnie’s surprise.”

  “Wife,” Carlita said.

  “Wife?” Tony raised an eyebrow. “Vinnie got married?”

  “Yep,” Mercedes nodded.

  Tony let out a low whistle. “No wonder he didn’t tell you what he was up to.”

  “If I’d known, I would’ve knocked him out, tied him up and locked him in the apartment until he came to his senses.”

&nb
sp; Tony turned to study the couple. “She’s a looker, kinda young though.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Mercedes said.

  Brittney sashayed across the store. “Vinnie bought me this Tiffany watch. Isn’t it fabulous?” She waved a hot pink, diamond encrusted watch in their faces. “And such a bargain, too.”

  Mercedes said the first thing that came to mind. “It matches your shoes.”

  Carlita pointed to Tony. “Brittney, this is Tony, my middle son and Vinnie’s brother.” She turned to Tony. “Tony, this is your new sister-in-law, Brittney.”

  “Pleasure to meet you.” Tony shook her hand and motioned to the watch. “You have a good eye for jewelry. That’s a fine piece.”

  Tony snaked an arm around his older brother’s shoulders and gave him a man-hug. “Ma is gonna kill you,” he whispered in his ear.

  “Yes, it is.” Brittney didn’t appear to hear Tony as she smiled brightly and admired her new watch.

  “Are Shelby and Violet going to join us for dinner?” Carlita asked. “I’m making Tuscan chicken macaroni and cheese.”

  “I hope so,” Tony said. “Shelby had to work all day. I left her a message and figured she’d call me back on her lunch break. I haven’t heard back. I should try again. I’m getting kinda worried.”

  “I’m sure she’s fine.” Carlita patted her son’s arm. “We better head upstairs. Vinnie has a lot of luggage to unload.”

  “You wanna borrow my apartment?” Tony asked.

  “No, they need more space,” Mercedes quipped. “Their luggage won’t fit inside your apartment.”

  Carlita pinched Mercedes’ arm.

  “Ouch.”

  “Vinnie and Brittney are going to stay in the vacant apartment since our new tenant, Mr. Ivey, won’t be moving in until February.”

  Tony promised he would join them after the store closed and the others retraced their steps through the back of the store before climbing the stairs and making their way into their apartment.

  Carlita pulled out a tray of munchies from the fridge and then started a pot of coffee while Vinnie lugged the luggage up the stairs to the empty apartment.

  While the coffee brewed, Mercedes offered to track down a few pieces of furniture from the local rental place, including a bed, a sofa and a television.

  Vinnie was vague on the length of time they would be staying, which left Carlita wondering how long she would have to worry about the mob showing up on her doorstep.

  After Vinnie stowed the luggage, the foursome congregated at the dining room table. The conversation centered on Brittney, the new penthouse apartment and Vinnie’s new job.

  Brittney rattled on, giving Carlita a chance to study her. She seemed innocent, perhaps a little too innocent or maybe she had led a sheltered life, which wasn’t unusual for a female “family” member.

  Carlita gazed at Mercedes, remembering how Vinnie and she had attempted to shelter their daughter from the “family.”

  Looking back, she would’ve done things differently and prepared Mercedes for the real world. After Vinnie’s death, Carlita and her daughter had struggled to figure out not only how to open bank accounts, but how to balance those accounts and handle business transactions.

  As Brittney talked, Carlita could see the young woman was head-over-heels in love with Vinnie. She gazed thoughtfully at her son. Was Vinnie in love with her or was he using her to expand his position within the “family?”

  She hoped, or at least suspected, it was some of both. Vinnie was a good son, but she was shocked by the announcement, especially after Vinnie’s first failed marriage to Michele. He’d sworn off ever marrying again.

  Carlita turned to her daughter. “Any luck with the furniture rental?”

  “Yes. The rental place promised to drop the stuff off sometime before five o’clock. There was an extra fee, but at least Vinnie and Brittney won’t be sleeping on the floor.”

  True to their word, a big box truck arrived an hour later, and Mercedes and Carlita helped Vinnie and his new bride settle in. It was early evening when they finished, giving Carlita just enough time to warm the Tuscan chicken dinner. She was in the process of setting the table when Tony showed up.

  She took one look at her son’s face and knew something was wrong. Carlita dropped the oven mitt on the counter. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s Shelby. She’s at the Savannah-Burnham Police Department being questioned.”

  Chapter 3

  “The police department?” Carlita’s hand flew to her mouth.

  Mercedes overheard the conversation and hustled into the living room. “The cops are here?”

  “No.” Tony ran a ragged hand through his hair. “Shelby is down at the police station. I don’t have the details. She called and asked me to pick Violet up from the daycare since I’m the only one on the approved list of people allowed to pick her up.”

  “You better go, son. Don’t worry about dinner.”

  Tony nodded. “I’ll be back with Violet as soon as possible.”

  “Wait.” Mercedes held up a hand. “I’ll go with you. You can sign Violet out of the daycare, I’ll bring her back here and then you can run over to the police department to find out what’s going on.”

  “That’s a great idea, Mercedes,” Carlita said.

  Mercedes grabbed her purse and followed Tony into the hall, passing Vinnie and Brittney, who were on their way over.

  “Where they goin’?” Vinnie asked as the door to the apartment building slammed shut.

  “There’s been a small issue with Shelby. Tony and Mercedes are on their way to pick up Shelby’s daughter, Violet, from the daycare. As soon as Mercedes and Violet get here, we’ll eat.”

  “What about Tony and Shelby?” Vinnie noted the look on his mother’s face and quickly changed the subject. “We got everything situated over in the apartment. Thanks for letting us hang our hats there during our stay.”

  “It’s cozy,” Brittney said.

  “I’m glad you like it. Would you care for some water? Sweet tea?” Carlita asked.

  “I’ve never had sweet tea,” Brittney patted her hips. “I try not to eat too many sweets. Bad for the figure. I suppose I can try it, just this once.”

  Carlita filled three glasses with ice and tea, handed one to Brittney and the other to Vinnie before grabbing her own and lifting the glass. “I propose a toast.”

  Vinnie and Brittney lifted their glasses.

  “To the family.”

  Vinnie lifted a brow as he clinked his glass and then took a small sip. “That was an interesting toast.”

  “It’s been an interesting day, wouldn’t you agree?” Carlita asked.

  “No arguing with that.”

  “This tea is delicious. Is it homemade?” Brittney took another sip.

  “Yes. I got the recipe from a friend who’s a native southerner.” Carlita took a sip.

  “I’m trying to watch what I eat or drink.” Brittney cast Vinnie a sly look. “Vinnie and I plan to start a family soon. We better get started if we’re going to have six little bambinos before Vinnie gets too old.”

  Carlita choked on her tea and spewed it out.

  Vinnie patted his mother on the back. “You okay Ma?”

  “It went down wrong,” Carlita gasped. “Did you say you want six children?”

  “The more the merrier,” Brittney sing-songed. “Right Vin?”

  “We’re still hammering out the details,” Vinnie said.

  “You make it sound like a business transaction.”

  Brittney set her drink glass on the table and tottered across the room where Rambo lay sprawled out in front of the balcony doors. “Hello, Sambo.” She delicately patted the dog’s head.

  “Rambo,” Carlita corrected.

  Brittney wiped the palm of her hand on her designer jeans. “Do you mind if I step onto the balcony?” She began fanning her face. “It’s a little stuffy in here.”

  Vinnie strode across the room and unlocked the door
. “It’s a beautiful day and a lot nicer than Atlantic City right now.” The couple stepped onto the balcony and Carlita joined them.

  “There’s not much of a view,” Brittney wrinkled her nose. “The apartment we’re in has a much prettier view of the courtyard.” The woman rattled on about the casino penthouse again and Carlita met her son’s eye.

  He gave her a small shrug as he eased himself onto one of the lounge chairs.

  Carlita’s eyes drifted to Elvira’s apartment building across the alley. Dusk was setting in, and she could see a small light on in what Carlita knew to be the apartment’s cramped bathroom.

  Except for a casual chat with Elvira and her sister, Dernice, on New Year’s Eve, there hadn’t been much activity in or around her former tenant’s building. Most people would think that was a good sign when one’s neighbor was a busybody, but it was not necessarily the case when it involved Elvira.

  Quiet could mean something completely different. In fact, it was a little too quiet. Carlita made a mental note to stop by her ex-tenant’s apartment to see what she was up to when she spotted their car pulling into the alley.

  Mercedes climbed out of the car. The rear passenger door shot open and young Violet bolted from the passenger seat. She skipped to the back of the car, grabbed Mercedes’ hand and they began making their way to the apartment entrance.

  “Hey Mercedes,” Carlita waved.

  “Hey Ma.” Mercedes waved back and Violet began hopping on one foot. “Nana Banana, Mercedes bought me this.” She thrust something in the air and Carlita squinted her eyes. “What is it?”

  “Magnets.”

  “For the fridge,” Mercedes said. “I thought it might give Violet something to do while we wait for Shelby and Tony.”

  When they reached the apartment, Violet ran across the living room floor and out onto the patio. “Nana, Tony went to get mommy and then later, we’re going to watch my favorite movie.”

  “You are?” Carlita knelt down so that she was eye level with the young child. “What movie?”