The apartment building was secure with more than enough security safeguards in place for a rental property, but if a hitman was stalking Shelby there was no place on earth where she would be safe.
“I can’t tell you what to do, Shelby. Only you can make that decision. Tony and Vinnie have spent a fair amount of time around questionable characters. If you would like to stay, then I’m asking for your permission to fill them in on what you’ve told me.”
“Tony is going to be furious.”
“Maybe,” Carlita conceded. “He’ll get over it. I know my son and he loves you. He would never forgive himself if something happened to you.”
Shelby’s face crumpled and she began to cry. “I never meant for any of this to happen. I hoped and prayed after meeting with Robert yesterday, he would be out of our lives forever.”
Carlita rubbed Shelby’s back. “Honey, there are times when, no matter how hard you try to put the past behind you, it sneaks up and smacks you right upside the head.”
“It’s a mess,” Shelby sighed. “I better check on Violet.”
Shelby and Carlita stepped into the hall and Violet’s small face appeared in the doorway. “Mommy, Papa Jerry says I have to get dressed.”
“Papa Jerry is right. It’s time to get dressed.”
Violet gave her mother a pouty stare and disappeared from sight.
“I’m going to run inside and let my uncle know we’re going to be across the hall.” Shelby slipped back inside the apartment and popped out moments later. “Violet is packing. Uncle Jerry and Aunt Ginny are determined we’re going to stay at their place.”
She pulled the door shut behind her. “Maybe we should go to their house. They live out in the middle of nowhere, along with their guard dog, Ragnar. No one will get past Ragnar.”
“As I said, I’m going to let you make that decision.”
The women crossed the hall to Cool Bones’ front door and Carlita rapped softly. They heard a muffled sound coming from within and then the door opened.
“Ah.” Cool Bones’ eyes lit. “To what do I owe the pleasure of a morning visit from two of my lovely neighbors?”
Carlita took in the sweatpants, wrinkled Duke Ellington t-shirt and flip-flops. “We’re sorry to bother you. I hope we’re not interrupting.”
“No, not at all. Come in.” Cool Bones shifted to the side. “I hope my sax practice playing isn’t disrupting you.”
“Never.”
Cool Bones practiced on his saxophone almost every day, like clockwork, from two in the afternoon until four, but it never bothered Carlita or Mercedes. In fact, Carlita loved to listen to the haunting melodies.
Carlita followed Shelby into the apartment. “You know I love to hear you play.”
“The only time I hear you play is on the weekends and only when I’m in the hall,” Shelby assured him.
“Would you care for a cup of coffee? Tea?”
“I’m fine,” Carlita said.
“Me too.”
“Belly up to the bar ladies.” Cool Bones motioned to the barstools.
Shelby ran her hand along the top of one of the barstools. It was shaped like a music note. “These are awesome.”
“Thanks. My daughter, Jordan, bought them for me for Christmas.”
“Ah.” Carlita lifted a brow. “I forgot you left a message telling me you were in Atlanta over the holidays. It was awfully quiet around here while you were gone.”
“Speaking of quiet…now that Elvira is gone, have you had any luck renting out her old apartment?”
“You mean gone from the building,” Carlita joked. “Having her across the alley is almost as bad. Have you met her sister, Dernice?”
“Yes. Elvira and her sister have stopped by the Thirsty Crow a coupla times. Elvira introduced her to me. It was the extent of our conversation.”
“Elvira and Dernice are two peas in a pod,” Carlita said. “I rented her old apartment to a man by the name of Sam Ivey. He’s a popular tour guide in the historic district. I’ve only met him once.”
“Sam Ivey.” Cool Bones tapped his chin thoughtfully. “I’ve heard the name before.”
“Like I said, he’s a tour guide in the area. I’ve seen his ads in some of the local tourist magazines. He’s moving in February first.”
“I look forward to meeting him. I doubt he’ll give you as much trouble as Elvira did.”
“I hope not.”
“You say he hasn’t moved in yet? I could’ve sworn I saw a man and woman go into the apartment last night.”
“That was my oldest son, Vinnie, and his new wife, Brittney. They’re here for a visit.”
“Oh.” Cool Bones straightened his back. “I thought your older son was single and you were tryin’ to convince him to move to Savannah.”
“He was single.” Carlita blew air through thinned lips. “He married over the holidays. It’s a long story.”
“I see.” Cool Bones nodded. “He surprised you with his new wife.”
“More like sprang it on me,” Carlita grumbled. “It’s a mess.”
“And none of my business. I’m sure you’re not here to tell me all your family woes.”
“You’re right. The reason we’re here is Shelby and I are looking for information on another of the local clubs, this one is in the riverfront district. I forget the name of the place.” Carlita turned to Shelby.
“The name of the place is the Black Stallion Club.”
Cool Bones’ eyes narrowed. “The Black Stallion is no place for nice women like you. My former business partner, Smooth Sully, plays there. He quit the Jazz Boys and started his own band, the River Rats.”
“What do you mean ‘it’s no place for nice women like you?’”
“They’re a rough bunch down there. Pat, the owner, has been linked to some nefarious
