“I’m glad. Spending time with Violet has been good for Byron and you’re welcome, dear,” Tori said. “I’m glad you could make it.” She gave Shelby and Violet a gentle hug and squeezed Tony’s hand.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, son,” Carlita said and then waited until they disappeared from sight. “I see almost everyone is gone.”
“It’s been a lovely party…well, mostly lovely, except for Ava’s unfortunate demise.”
“Have you had a chance to talk to the investigators yet?” Carlita asked.
“Yes, and you’re never going to believe what they discovered.”
Chapter 10
Carlita waited until another group of guests said their good-byes. “What did the investigators discover?”
“The weapon that killed Ava was found next to her body. It was a 17th century Mughal dagger. The authorities are asking me to supply them with a detailed list of guests in case they decide to question them, as well.”
“Let me guess. The weapon is an antique weapon and one from your husband’s collection,” Carlita said.
“Yes. The dagger is one of the pieces that went missing from the drawing room. I filed a police report and a claim with my insurance company. You know what this means.”
“It means that whoever broke into your drawing room and stole pieces from William’s collection may very well be living under your roof.” Carlita felt a light tap on her shoulder and turned to face Mercedes and Autumn.
“Have you tried this?” Autumn held up a berry tartlet. “Oh my gosh. These are delicious.” She tossed the last bite into her mouth and licked her fingers.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying the food.” Tori turned to Carlita. “Back to Ava’s body. If it was an inside job, I need some inside help. I’ve been thinking about this ever since Detective Wilson told me about the murder weapon and I have a huge favor to ask.” Tori paused, as if considering her next words.
“I’ll help in whatever way I can,” Carlita said.
“My thought was you and your daughter could stay at Montgomery Hall, under the guise that your home is uninhabitable at the moment. While you’re here, you can do a little undercover investigation, if you want to, of course.”
“Stay here at Montgomery Hall?” Mercedes gasped. “Who would turn down a chance to be waited on by servants and butlers, to stay in such a swanky place?”
“You could consider it a mini vacation,” Tori enticed. “I have more than enough room and to be blunt, I need help. Now that Iris is involved and Byron has already been attacked, I need a couple of extra sets of eyes and ears.”
“I have to run it by Tony first,” Carlita said. “We’ll need to make sure the pawnshop is covered. Bob Lowman, my construction guy, is going to start the demo on my restaurant soon. When were you thinking?”
“The sooner, the better. Would tomorrow be too much of an imposition?” Another couple approached. “Hold that thought.” Tori escorted the couple to the courtyard exit.
Mercedes grasped her mother’s arm. “Oh my gosh. You’re going to say yes, right?”
“I don’t know,” Carlita said. “It appears there may be a killer on the loose under the Montgomery roof.”
“That has never stopped us before,” Mercedes pointed out.
“I’d do it in a heartbeat,” Autumn said. “In fact, I might have to stop by for a grand tour, if you decide to stay here, of course.”
Tori waited until the guests disappeared into the night before turning her attention to Carlita. “Well?”
“If Tony can cover the store for a couple of days, we’ll do it,” Carlita said.
***
“I think I have everything.” Mercedes dragged her large suitcase to the center of the living room floor.
“We’re only going for a couple of nights. Won’t your overnight bag work?”
“I have some extra goodies in here.” Mercedes patted the top of the suitcase. “We need to be prepared in case Ava’s murder turns into a full blown investigation.” She trailed behind her mother as she wheeled her suitcase to the hall door. “I’m glad Tony was able to find someone to help cover the store and I’m sure Rambo will love staying with Shelby and Violet. Grayvie will get lots of visits from Violet and Shelby, too.”
“They’ll both be spoiled rotten by the time we get home,” Carlita predicted. “Remember, this is a working vacation. Our goal is to find out as much as we can about the other employees, who had it in for Ava, who might have knowledge of the missing weapons in the drawing room.”
Mercedes opened the door. “I was thinkin’ Montgomery Hall reminds me of the house in the movie Clue. The drawing room is the study, then there’s the library. The only thing missing is the ballroom and a billiard room.”
“Well, I’m thinkin’ your imagination is working overtime.”
Carlita and Mercedes swung by the pawnshop to tell Tony they were leaving. The store was deader than a doornail. “Where is everybody?”
“I dunno.” Tony pointed at the front window. “I was just listening to the radio and they were talkin’ about a late fall tropical depression heading our way. It was supposed to stay out to sea and miss us completely. Now they’re saying the storm has picked up speed and is on a direct path toward Savannah. Maybe everyone is stocking up on supplies or home battening down the hatches.” He turned to his mother. “You sure you wanna head to Montgomery Hall with a storm on the way?”
“I heard mention of it too.” Carlita frowned. “Tori’s home is on the water, not to mention an island. I hope we don’t get a lot of rain. Maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”
“It’s a great idea,” Mercedes
