“It sounds lovely.” Tori accompanied Carlita to the front door. “I’ve been tossing around the idea of holding a fall ball Thanksgiving weekend. I haven’t had one in years, and thought it might be time to shed my reputation as a recluse.”
“A fall ball? It sounds intriguing,” Carlita said.
“It is - or was - a grand affair, a chance to dress up. Guests disguise themselves with masks and there’s a big reveal at the end of the party.”
“I haven’t been to a party in years.”
“Neither have I.” Tori opened the front door. “The more I think about it, the more I’m warming to the idea. It would be fun.”
“Count me in.” Carlita thanked Tori for the tea and the information and then headed to her car.
When she reached the road, Carlita rolled her window down and turned her radio up. Traffic on the main road, connecting Tybee Island to the mainland, was light and she hummed along with a catchy tune, enjoying the warm sea breezes as she drove.
Despite the cloud of suspicion hanging over Mercedes’ head, things were going well. Carlita was looking forward to Thanksgiving and now Tori’s party. It would give her an opportunity to meet more locals and perhaps even make some new friends.
When she reached the apartment building, she drove into the alley and parked in an empty spot next to Elvira. Carlita hadn’t seen much of her troublesome tenant since her kidnapping at Fort Pulaski, and it was almost a relief not to have to deal with the woman.
Carlita had stopped by Elvira’s apartment the other day, after hearing a loud pounding sound coming from her place early in the morning. Elvira opened the door but refused to allow Carlita inside, telling her the apartment was a mess and she wasn’t up to having guests.
Carlita peeked inside Elvira’s car before wandering down the alley and into the apartment building.
Mercedes’ Segway was gone and she remembered her daughter mentioning she had a lunch date with Detective Zachary Jackson. She confided in her mother she wanted to hear what he had to say about Jon Luis’ murder investigation.
Carlita started to head up the steps, but changed her mind and made her way into the back of the pawnshop to see if Tony needed anything.
The store was busy and she caught her son’s eye. He motioned for her to wait, so Carlita walked the aisles, straightening merchandise and checking out the new inventory of items.
When Tony wasn’t working, he spent most of his free time with Shelby and Violet. The couple had planned to visit an art show in Charleston, South Carolina and were going to spend the weekend, leaving Violet with Carlita for a couple of days, but Shelby abruptly cancelled the trip, telling Tony she wasn’t ready to leave Violet home.
Carlita didn’t press the issue and hoped it wasn’t because she didn’t trust her to watch the young child. Or maybe when she found out Gina and her grandkids were coming for a visit, she didn’t want to burden Carlita.
Although that wouldn’t have been the case. Carlita loved Violet as if she were one of her grandchildren.
“Can I get some help over here?” A woman motioned to the jewelry display case, so Carlita grabbed the keys from the desk and made her way over.
“My grandmother had a cameo brooch almost identical to this.” The woman pointed to an antique 14k white gold brooch.
“It’s a gorgeous piece.” Carlita lifted the brooch from the tray and handed it to the woman. “We had a pair of matching earrings, but it looks like we sold ‘em already.”
The customer turned the brooch over in her hand and squinted her eyes as she studied the price. “I see you’re asking $275 for this piece. Would you be willing to take $175 cash?”
Carlita shook her head. “Unfortunately, I would lose money sellin’ it to you for that low of a price. I’d be willing to go down to $250.”
“$245,” the woman countered.
“Sold,” Carlita said. “You can pay over there.”
The woman handed the brooch back, and they walked over to the cash register where Carlita rang up the purchase, wrapped the jewelry in tissue paper and slipped it into a plastic bag.
Tony made his way over and watched as the woman exited the store. “Look at Ma…wheelin’ and dealin’. How much did she get you to come down?”
“The tag said $275 and I sold it for $245,” Carlita said. “I hope that’s okay.”
“Not bad.” Tony shrugged. “She’s a regular. Comes by here about once a week, always lookin’ for a bargain. I think she’s got one of those online shopping sites for antiques. She buys from us, marks up the price and sells all over the country.”
“Not a bad gig,” Carlita said. “Maybe we should consider ramping up our own website and sellin’ stuff online.”
“It’s a lotta work and I don’t have time,” Tony pointed out. “Plus, we have a decent spin on our merchandise as it is. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Carlita patted her son’s arm. “As usual, you’re right. It was just an idea. How you holdin’ up with Paulie taking a few days off?”
“It’s been a little hectic.” Tony lowered his voice. “I heard him and Gina gettin’ into it out in the hallway this morning. She was givin’ him grief about the internet café business and…”
Tony’s voice trailed off.
“And what?”
“Well, I wasn’t gonna say nothin’, but she said she wasn’t gonna move here ever, so I think you can forget about that one.”
Carlita frowned. “I’m not surprised. I shoulda known it wasn’t gonna happen.” She looked around.
