Numbness spread from Carlita’s feet and her knees began to wobble. Please…hurry up and leave.
“This is a bust,” Kensington grumbled. “We might as well head to Emmett Pridgen’s office.”
The trio returned to their van and climbed back inside.
As soon as the doors shut and the van rumbled off, Carlita rolled onto her backside and began massaging her calves.
The door to the restaurant slowly opened and Pirate Pete emerged. “Carlita?”
“I’m over here.”
“Over where?”
“In your bushes.”
The bushes parted and Pirate Pete peered in. “What are you doin’ in my bushes?”
“I was hiding from the reporters.” Carlita crawled out of her hiding spot. She reached for the wall to steady herself and slowly stood.
“I thought that was my job.” Pirate Pete extended a hand. “Let me give you a hand.”
Carlita gingerly stepped onto the asphalt. “I sent you the text to tell you I was here. Next thing I know, the nosy news crew was pulling in. I did the first thing I could think of.”
“I appreciate the warning.” Pete led her inside and closed the door behind them. “I have a feeling I haven’t seen the last of them. They’ll be back.”
“I’m sure they will.”
Carlita followed Pete to his office where he motioned her inside before closing the door behind them. “Savannah Fire Chief, Earl Gillison, called. He’s going to stop by this afternoon to ‘chat.’”
“Hopefully, Lawson doesn’t show up on your doorstep.” Carlita pointed at Gunner’s empty birdcage. “Gunner isn’t here today?”
“He’s home. I didn’t dare bring him through the tunnels. He gets a little freaked out.”
“I don’t blame him.” Carlita leaned forward in her chair and began massaging her knees.
“I’m sorry you had to hide out in my bushes. I appreciate the heads up.” Pete changed the subject. “How did you happen to find out about the fire on board the Mystic Dream?”
“Rambo and I were taking a walk down by the river. When we reached the Mystic Dream, I noticed right away something was wrong.”
Carlita told Pete she smelled the smoke first. “When we got closer, I spotted the fire trucks parked in front of the riverboat. From what I could tell, it appears most of the damage was in the back.”
“The authorities believe the damage was intentional and not accidental?” Pete asked.
“That’s my guess.” Carlita’s head bobbed up and down. “The roving reporter, Brock Kensington, marched right up to Lawson Bates and asked him. That’s how I found out Lawson is accusing you of damaging his riverboat.”
“The man has his share of enemies. Any number of people could’ve been responsible for the damage to the riverboat.”
“I heard that, too,” Carlita said. “You weren’t the only one. He also named Mark Fox and the city development manager as suspects.”
Pirate Pete lifted a brow. “Emmett Pridgen?”
“Yes, that was the name.” Carlita leaned back in her chair. “Do you think he’s naming you because you told him you were opening a pirate ship in Savannah?”
“Could be.” Pirate Pete scratched his chin thoughtfully. “He wasn’t too keen on the idea, I’ll give you that. Thanks again for the warning.”
“You’re welcome.” Carlita glanced at her watch. “I should go. I’m meeting Glenda Fox for a late lunch. I warned her, as well.”
“Are you going to warn Emmett Pridgen?”
“No. I heard Kensington tell his crew he wanted to head to Pridgen’s office when he found out you weren’t going to answer the door.”
“Better him than me.” Pete stood. “I’ll walk you out.”
Carlita paused when they reached the parking lot. She squinted her eyes and studied her friend’s face. “I haven’t had time to review the agreement yet and was wondering about the money.”
“We weren’t sure how much you were comfortable investing,” Pete replied. “We’re hoping for at least twenty-five thousand.”
“I see. Now that I have a dollar figure, it will help me make my decision.” During the short walk home, Carlita mulled over the offer. Was she taking on more than she could handle? Three businesses would keep her hopping…a fourth might be too much.
Back at the apartment, Carlita opened the alley door and stepped inside. A loud thump, thump echoed from upstairs.
“What in the world?” Carlita climbed to the top of the stairs and placed her hand on the hall wall. The sound was coming from her apartment. She fumbled with the lock and then swung the door open. “Mercedes?”
The music was even louder inside the apartment, so loud that it rattled the doorknob.
Carlita marched down the hall and pounded on her daughter’s bedroom door. “Mercedes Garlucci!”
The music continued.
“This is crazy.” Carlita backtracked through the apartment and stepped onto the balcony. Rambo was right behind her. “I’ll bet the racket is hurting your ears, too.” She patted her pooch’s head and then dialed her daughter’s cell phone number.
“Hello?”
“Mercedes, what is going on?” Carlita yelled into the phone.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” her daughter calmly replied.
“The racket! Turn down the racket and meet me on the balcony.” Carlita jabbed the end call button and began massaging her temples.
“Hi, Carlita.”
Cool Bones, Carlita’s rear tenant, leaned over his balcony railing and waved. “You having a party?”
“If there’s a party, I wasn’t invited. I apologize for the racket.”
“No worries. When you got a minute, I want to run something by you.”
“I’ll be over as soon as I figure out what is going on.”
Cool Bones chuckled. “Good luck.” He stepped back inside and she heard his sliding door close.
The music suddenly stopped and Mercedes joined her mother on the balcony. “What’s up?”
“I was going to ask you the same thing.” Carlita placed a fisted hand on her hip. “What’s up with the disco music? I heard it as soon as I walked into the building.”
“I was listening to music.”
