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

  Violet clapped her hands. “Frozen with Elsa and Anna.”

  “How could I forget Frozen is your favorite movie?” Carlita gave Violet a gentle hug. “Are you hungry? Would you like a snack?”

  Violet nodded. “Can I put the letters on the refrigerator?”

  “As soon as you wash up,” Carlita promised.

  Violet turned to go, and then noticed Vinnie and Brittney. She took a tentative step back.

  “Hi, Violet. Do you remember me?” Vinnie leaned forward.

  “No.” Violet shook her head and reached for Carlita’s hand.

  “I’m Tony’s brother.”

  “And I’m Brittney.” Brittney stepped closer.

  Violet’s eyes darted from Brittney’s face to her hot pink stilettos. “You have pretty shoes.”

  “Thank you,” Brittney beamed. “I was wondering what the weather was going to be tomorrow. I have a few jackets still in the car and told Vinnie not to bother bringing them up unless it’s going to be chilly.”

  “One of the local news websites is pretty accurate on their weather forecasts. I’ll check it out for you.” Carlita guided Violet toward the bathroom. “You better get washed up. Mercedes can help you.”

  Violet skipped ahead and Carlita grabbed her daughter’s arm. “You hear anything else from Tony?”

  “No,” Mercedes shook her head. “On the way here, Violet told me her daddy was coming to visit and that she saw him at the daycare the other day.”

  “Oh no.” Carlita knew little about Violet’s father, Shelby’s ex. What she did know was Shelby had been living in a women’s shelter before Carlita leased her the apartment across the hall.

  She hated to pry, figuring she had enough to worry about. The most important thing was that Shelby loved her daughter and was a good mother. “I wonder if this has something to do with the police questioning Shelby.”

  Violet skipped back into the living room. “I can’t reach the soap.”

  “I’m coming.” Mercedes followed her into the bathroom.

  Carlita settled in at her computer and clicked on the local news channel’s website.

  Savannah’s winter weather could be unpredictable, depending on which way the wind was blowing. Despite the unpredictable weather, Carlita was enjoying her first winter in the south and the downright balmy temperatures in the 60s.

  “It’s gonna be a little chilly tomorrow, but warming up nicely for the weekend,” Carlita told Brittney. She started to click out of the site when a breaking news report flashed across the screen and the image of a man appeared.

  Mercedes followed Violet into the living room. “Where did you put the alphabet magnets?”

  “In my backpack.” Violet dropped to her knees and began unzipping her bag.

  Carlita turned the volume up as a picture of an unsmiling man popped onto the screen. The banner stated the man’s body had been found in the riverfront district early that morning.

  Violet let out a small shriek and pointed at the picture of the man on the computer screen. “That’s my daddy.”

  Chapter 4

  Carlita quickly clicked out of the screen while Mercedes pressed her hands to Violet’s eyes and guided her into the kitchen. “That was my daddy,” Violet insisted.

  “How about some chocolate ice cream?” Mercedes asked. “I’ll even let you scoop it into the bowl.”

  Violet forgot about the picture of her father as Mercedes picked her up, and they peered into the freezer. “I think Nana has some sprinkles around here somewhere.”

  Carlita craned her neck to make sure Violet and Mercedes were out of sight of the computer screen before clicking on it. She popped her earphones in her ears and hit the play button.

  “…the city’s newest homicide and the details surrounding the man’s death. The local authorities are questioning several persons of interest. They are also interviewing the staff at the Journey’s End, the last known place where the victim was staying. We’ll give you an update later this evening during the eleven o’clock news.”

  The reporter moved to another story and Carlita exited the screen, her mind whirling. Shelby’s ex-husband was dead!

  “That was Shelby’s ex?” Vinnie leaned forward and whispered in his mother’s ear.

  Brittney stood next to her husband, a somber expression on her face. “Poor thing. I hope Tony is able to help Shelby sort this out.”

  Carlita held a finger to her lips. “We mustn’t let on to Violet or even Shelby what we saw. I’m sure we’ll hear from Tony soon enough.”

  The minutes crawled and Carlita finally gave up waiting for Tony to return with Shelby and decided it was time to eat dinner.

  The meal was a solemn event, except for occasional chatter from Violet as she told them about her school, her friends and how her class was going to start working on Valentine’s cards.

  “Valentine’s Day is right around the corner,” Carlita said.

  “I’m making a special valentine for my mom, my daddy and even you.” Violet pointed to Carlita. “Nanas get special cards.”

  “I can’t wait to see it,” Carlita said.

  Vinnie reached for the pasta. “This pasta is delicious, Ma. What’s in it?”

  Carlita rattled off the ingredients. “Chicken breasts, elbow macaroni, light cream, garlic, some other spices and, of course, my special blend of herbs.”

  “It’s delicious, Ma,” Brittney murmured. “I’m stuffed.”

  “You sure?” Carlita eyed her daughter-in-law’s half-eaten plate of food.

  “Brittney doesn’t eat much. We’ll wrap it up and take it over to the apartment for later,” Vinnie said.

  Dinner ended and after clearing the table, Vinnie told his mother that he and Brittney were going to attempt to hook up their television. They planned to stop back later to tell everyone goodnight.

  Carlita followed them into the hallway. “I hope your brother shows up soon.” She eyed Shelby’s apartment door. “This is terrible.”

  “It’ll be all right.” Vinnie gave his mother a hug. “Thanks for dinner, Ma. We’ll stop by in a little while.”

  She waited until the couple disappeared into their apartment before slowly making her way into hers.

  Mother and daughter worked together to wash the dinner dishes. To keep Violet occupied, they pulled a chair to the kitchen sink and put her in charge of rinsing.

  When they finished, Carlita hooked Rambo’s leash to his collar. “Let’s take Rambo for a walk.”

  “Can I hold his leash?” Violet asked.

  “Why don’t we do it together?” Carlita suggested. “If not, Rambo will be walking you, not the other way around.”

  They circled the block and then decided to venture to the next block, past Shades of Ink, Steve Winters’ tattoo shop, to the corner, past Elvira’s businesses, EC Investigative Services and EC Security Services.

  She glanced in the front window and spotted Elvira seated behind the desk. Carlita gave a small wave, but didn’t slow her pace.

  They had almost cleared the front of the building when the door flew open and Elvira sprang onto the sidewalk.

  “Carlita. Hey! I thought that was you.” Elvira waved. “Wait up.” She hurried to join them. “Hi, Violet.” Elvira patted Violet’s head.

  “I had ice cream before dinner,” Violet informed Elvira.

  “Oh. That sounds good. What kind?”

  “Chocolate with sprinkles. When my mommy gets here, we’re going to watch Frozen.”

  “Sounds like fun,” Elvira motioned them inside the building. “You have a minute?”

  “I suppose.”

  Violet, Carlita and Rambo followed Elvira into the building.

  Dernice was seated at one of the desks. She looked up when they stepped inside. “Hey, Carlita. I noticed you got some company. Who’s the smokin’ hot Italian?”

  “I think you’re referring to my oldest son, Vinnie. He’s here visiting with his…” Carlita forced the words from her mouth. “New wife.�
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  “Barbie?” Dernice asked.

  “Brittney,” Carlita corrected.

  “No, she looks like Barbie, as in Barbie doll.” Dernice waved her hands in and out to demonstrate an hourglass figure.

  “And she looks like she’s twelve,” Elvira added. “How old is she?”

  “I have no idea,” Carlita said. “It’s none of my business and it’s none of your business, either,” she added pointedly. “Did you drag me in here to interrogate me on my new daughter-in-law?”

  “No.” Elvira shook her head and gave Violet a quick glance.

  Dernice caught the look. “Say Violet. I have a box of doggie treats in the kitchen. Would you like to give Rambo one?”

  Violet hopped on one foot. “Yes. Rambo likes treats.”

  Dernice and the child walked out of the office and Elvira turned to Carlita. “I caught a spot on the evening news about some guy by the name of Robert Towns. He was found murdered in a park not far from the river.” She lowered her voice. “Correct me if I’m wrong. Wasn’t Shelby’s ex-husband’s name Robert?”

  “It was.”

  “They said they were questioning persons of interest. What’s Shelby’s take?”

  “I don’t know,” Carlita answered honestly. “I haven’t discussed it with her yet.”

  Elvira’s eyes widened. “You have Violet. Shelby is down at the police station, isn’t she?”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  Carlita’s cell phone beeped. She pulled it from her pocket and glanced at the screen. It was a text from Tony, telling his mother he was waiting for her in the apartment.

  “We’ve gotta run.” Carlita glanced past Elvira. “Violet, it’s time to go.”

  Violet, Rambo and Dernice joined them.

  “It’s time to go home,” Carlita said.

  “Rambo says thank-you for the doggie treats,” Violet said.

  Elvira followed them to the door. “I’m gonna swing by your place tomorrow. I think I may be able to help.”

  “I hope we won’t need it.” Carlita and Violet stepped onto the sidewalk, circled around the side of the building and made their way past the parking lot and Tony’s car.

  She held the door for Violet and Rambo, and followed them up the steps. When they reached the apartment, Carlita whispered a quick prayer that Tony wasn’t alone and Shelby was with him.

  If not, she had no idea what she was going to say to Violet.

  ***

  Carlita herded Violet into the apartment where Tony was pacing near the balcony doors. “You’re alone.”

  “Shelby is home,” Tony said in a clipped voice. “You can take Violet over there. Shelby is waiting for her.”

  “Okay.” Carlita turned to Violet. “Grab your backpack off the couch and I’ll take you home.”

  Violet darted to the other side of the room and hugged Tony. “Bye-bye Tony Baloney.”

  Tony smiled as he hugged the small child. “Good-bye Violet.”

  “What’s up with the nicknames?” Carlita ruffled Violet’s hair. “I’m Nana Banana and Tony is Tony Baloney.”

  “Because it’s funny.” Violet skipped across the hall and opened the apartment door, which surprised Carlita. Shelby was always careful to keep her front door locked at all times.

  She followed Violet into the apartment. “Shelby?”

  A pale Shelby emerged from the hall and met Carlita near the door.

  “Mommy.” Violet ran across the room. “Nana and I walked Rambo and Dernice gave him treats. I ate chocolate ice cream before dinner and there’s a pretty lady visiting Nana.”

  “There is?” Shelby kissed her daughter’s cheek. “It sounds like you had fun at Nana’s house.”

  Violet nodded. “Can we watch our movie now?”

  “We can in just a minute. You go get it ready. I need to talk to Nana.” Shelby motioned Carlita into the hall and pulled the door closed behind her, leaving it open a crack. “Thank you for taking care of Violet.”

  “I normally don’t like to stick my nose in my children’s affairs, but what is going on?” Carlita asked bluntly. “Tony is across the hall, wearing a hole in my floor. You’re white as a ghost and Violet said her daddy is coming for a visit.” She didn’t mention the news clip on television. She wanted to hear what Shelby had to say.

  Shelby briefly closed her eyes and then opened them. “My ex, Robert, managed to find Violet and me.”

  Carlita interrupted. “I know you came from a women’s shelter, and I never felt it was my place to ask, but do you have a restraining order?”

  “No.” Shelby lowered her gaze. “I started the process. Before I finished filing the papers, Robert and I reached an agreement. He promised he would leave the area if I didn’t pursue the restraining order. Everything was going fine until he contacted me, insisting we meet. He said he was working on some big deal with some important people and was going to give me a signed consent to terminate parental rights in exchange for cash.”

  “Where is Robert now?”

  Shelby glanced over her shoulder and inside the apartment. “He’s dead. Someone shot him in a park not far from the riverfront district.”

  “Surely, this doesn’t involve you.”

  “It does. I agreed to meet him this morning and that’s when I found his body near a clump of bushes.” Shelby’s lower lip started to tremble. “I called 911. After the police showed up, I went to the station with one of the officers. I’ve been there all day.”

  “They can’t pin Robert’s death on you because you were the one who found his body,” Carlita said.

  “That’s what I thought too, until a couple of hours ago when one of the investigators told me they found some papers in Robert’s pocket. He planned to petition the court for custody of Violet. He lied to me.”

  Shelby began to shake. “I’m going to prison for a murder I didn’t commit. Who will raise Violet?”

  Carlita’s heart went out to Shelby and she placed an arm around her shoulders. “The authorities will get to the bottom of this. They can’t convict an innocent woman.”

  “You weren’t there. The investigators were talking as if the case was already wrapped up. All they need to do now is put the cuffs on me.” Shelby buried her face in her hands.

  “You need to get a grip. Violet needs you right now and falling apart isn’t going to help.” Carlita’s mind spun as she tried to wrap her head around what Shelby was saying. “Tomorrow, after you’ve had a good night’s sleep, you can come over and tell us everything you know.”

  “I don’t want to involve you in my mess,” Shelby sobbed. “It’s useless. I need to plan for Violet’s future without her mother.”

  “Nonsense,” Carlita insisted. “We’ll get to the bottom of it. I’m sure Tony will do all he can to help, too.”

  Shelby lifted her head, her tear-stained cheeks breaking Carlita’s heart. “Tony won’t help. On the way home, I tried to explain to him why I met with Robert. I wasn’t trying to get back with him, but he was mad. He said I never should’ve agreed to meet with Robert alone and he couldn’t trust me any longer.”

  Carlita stared at the young woman in disbelief. “He said that?”

  Shelby nodded, her face crumpling. “I don’t blame him. I should’ve told him from the beginning about Robert. I didn’t want him involved.”

  “My sons have a lot of pride. They got that from their father. He was angry because he felt you didn’t trust him and said whatever came to mind. I’ll have a talk with him.”

  Carlita stiffened her back. “Now you need to go inside and spend time with Violet. She missed her momma. As soon as you get out of work tomorrow, we’ll meet to go over everything you know.”

  Shelby sucked in a shaky breath. “That’s another thing. I don’t have to work tomorrow. The post office put me on indefinite leave, until the authorities clear my name.”

  “Oh dear. This is getting dire.”

  “It’s hopeless,” Shelby whispered.

&
nbsp; “No, it’s not. Challenging? Yes. Hopeless? Not by a long shot.” Carlita walked Shelby back inside the apartment. “Let’s meet at nine tomorrow morning. In the meantime, Tony and I are going to have a talk.”

  Carlita gave the young mother an encouraging smile and then made her way back inside her apartment, where she spied her son standing on the balcony, smoking a cigarette. “Tony Garlucci…I need to have a word with you.”

  Chapter 5

  “Shelby made it perfectly clear she doesn’t want me involved in her business and I’m not gonna force myself on someone who doesn’t trust me,” Tony repeated for the second time.

  “Son, Shelby has a lot on her plate. She didn’t want to involve you and my gut tells me there’s more to the story. I’m thinkin’ maybe she was trying to protect you.”

  “It’s my job to protect her.” Tony began pacing the deck. “Bottom line is that words were said neither one of us can take back.”

  Carlita glanced at her watch. “Shelby and I are going to get together in the morning to try to figure out what happened to her ex.”

  “He got offed and it’s apparent someone was trying to set Shelby up to take the fall. She was the one who agreed to meet him.” Tony’s face reddened. “What was she doin’ hanging around her ex?”

  “She told me she was going to pay him money in exchange for a signed consent to get rid of him.” Carlita quickly realized how that sounded. “I don’t believe for a minute Shelby gunned down Violet’s father.”

  “You got your work cut out for you on this one,” Tony said. “Did Shelby tell you the police found a text on Robert’s cell phone where she told him he better leave her and Violet alone or else?”

  Carlita’s heart plummeted. “No.”

  “She claims she sent that to him before he demanded money in exchange for giving up his parental rights. The cops have already wrapped up the investigation and it’s only a matter of time before they show up on Shelby’s doorstep and charge her with Robert’s murder.”

  “We don’t have much time, then.” A light rapping on the front door interrupted the conversation.

  “Maybe that’s Shelby.” Carlita hurried to the front door. “Be nice, be civil. Shelby - and Violet – they both need you now more than ever.”