Pups in Peril: Book 6
Dying To Get Married-In: Book 7
Deadly Drive-In: Book 8
Secrets of a Stranger: Book 9
Library Lockdown: Book 10
Vandals & Vigilantes: Book 11
Fatal Frolic: Book 12
Sweet Southern Sleuths Box Set I: (Books 1-4)
Sweet Southern Sleuths Box Set: II: (Books 5-8)
Sweet Southern Sleuths Box Set III: (Books 9-12)
Sweet Southern Sleuths 12 Book Box Set (Entire Series)
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Swag in Savannah: Audiobook 4
Cast of Characters
Carlita Garlucci. The widow of a mafia “made” man, Carlita promised her husband on his deathbed to get their sons out of the “family” business, so she moves from New York to the historic city of Savannah, Georgia. But escaping the family isn’t as easy as she hoped it would be and trouble follows Carlita to her new home.
Mercedes Garlucci. Carlita’s daughter and the first to move to Savannah with her mother. An aspiring writer, Mercedes has a knack for finding mysteries and adventure and dragging her mother along for the ride.
Vincent Garlucci, Jr. Carlita’s oldest son and a younger version of his father, Vinnie is deeply entrenched in the family business and not at all interested in leaving New Jersey for the Deep South.
Tony Garlucci. Carlita’s middle son and the second to follow his mother to Savannah. Tony is protective of both his mother and his sister, which is a good thing since the female Garlucci’s are always in some sort of a predicament.
Paulie Garlucci. Carlita’s youngest son. Mayor of the small town of Clifton Falls, New York, Paulie never joined the “family business,” content to live his life with his wife and young children away from a life of crime. His wife, Gina, rules the family household with an iron fist.
Chapter 1
Carlita Garlucci eased her 1977 Lincoln town car along the private drive to the Montgomery Hall entrance. When she reached the gate, it took her a few moments to realize something was amiss…the gate was open.
“That’s odd.” She rolled the window down and pushed the buzzer to ring the house.
“Can I help you?”
“This is Carlita Garlucci. Mrs. Montgomery is expecting me. The gate is already open. Do you want me to drive through?”
There was a long moment of silence.
“Hello?”
“Yes. Drive through.”
Carlita crept through the opening and as she passed by, she noticed the right hand side of the gate was open and intact, but bent.
Byron, Victoria “Tori” Montgomery’s butler, met her in front of the courtyard door. She could’ve sworn the man smiled as he bowed slightly and stepped to the side. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Garlucci.”
“Carlita.” She waved a hand. “How are you today?”
She was surprised when Byron responded. “Someone broke our gate.”
“I noticed,” Carlita said. “What happened?”
“I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” Byron plodded along the paved sidewalk as he led Carlita into the grand hall. “Mrs. Montgomery is in the drawing room.”
She followed him across the gleaming marble floors, down the long hall, to the door at the end where he knocked lightly and swung it open.
Tori Montgomery’s back was to them as she stood staring out the French doors overlooking the meticulously manicured rear lawn and pool.
“Mrs. Garlucci has arrived,” Byron announced.
“Carlita.” Victoria spun on her heel and faced her friend. “It’s so nice to see you.”
“Thank you for inviting me.” Carlita gazed around the room. “Something looks different in here.”
“Good eye,” Victoria nodded. “We had a recent break-in and someone stole several antique weapons, as well as a dreadful sword my husband, William, refused to part with. From what Byron told me, it also appears that part of my front gate has been damaged.”
“It is,” Carlita confirmed. “I would think between your guard dog and a state-of-the-art security system, this place would be safer than Fort Knox.”
“You would think so.” Tori glided across the room to a side table. “Would you care for a cup of tea or coffee?”
“No thanks.” Carlita shook her head. “I’m good for now.”
Tori poured hot water into a cup and steeped a tea bag inside before gently easing into a wingback chair. “Please. Sit. How is business? How is your family?”
“Good. Everyone is fine.” Carlita told Victoria that Paulie and Gina had patched things up and returned to New York, business at Swag in Savannah had picked up and they were looking forward to cooler weather.
“One of the reasons I asked you to stop by is because I’m still planning a masquerade party, but instead of calling it the fall ball I’m renaming it the Merry Masquerade.”
“It sounds like fun,” Carlita said. “I’m not good at party planning, but I’m willing to offer my two cents.”
The women discussed the party at length, but Carlita had a niggling feeling the party wasn’t the real reason she was there. There was something else. Finally, she couldn’t stand it any longer. “Why am I really here?” she asked bluntly.
Tori shifted uneasily. “I…sold a few of the gems that you gave me to a pawnshop in the Hilton Head area last week. The next day someone broke into Montgomery Hall and I wonder if the two are somehow connected.”
“And you thought
