“I’m sure it will be a huge success. I promise I’ll be one of your first customers.”
“That would be nice.” Carlita motioned to his building. “When are you opening your bed and breakfast?”
“There’s been a change of plans.” John paused and cleared his throat. “I’m on my way to Annie’s office. I’m putting the place up for sale.”
Carlita’s heart plummeted. “You’re moving?”
“Yes, before the end of summer. I’ve been offered a consulting job out west, one that’s too tempting to turn down.” John eyed the side of his building. “I thought coming back to Savannah would be like coming home again, but things have changed.” He shrugged. “Or maybe I changed.”
“It happens to the best of us.” Carlita smiled softly. “We’ll miss having you in the neighborhood.”
“I’ll miss being here. By the time this place sells and I pack up, Ravello will be up and running and you’ll barely even notice I’m gone.” John said wistfully.
“Perhaps one day you’ll change your mind. You’ll return to Savannah and things will be different.” Carlita was sure he caught her meaning that perhaps things would change between them. Maybe it was wishful thinking. Time marched on and although she was saddened by the unexpected news, she was happy for him.
Carlita impulsively hugged her friend. “No matter where life takes you, please stay in touch.”
Rambo began to tug on his leash, his signal he was ready to go. “I better get going.” Carlita swallowed the lump in her throat, quickly turned and walked away. She never was good at good-byes.
John’s announcement hurt her heart a little, and she wondered if perhaps she cared for him more than she wanted to admit, or more than she dared allow.
Either way, it was probably best. She would be busy running all of her businesses…too busy to spend time and energy on a relationship.
Rambo led the way as they strolled past the Book Nook. Carlita caught a glimpse of Tillie, the owner, who was chatting with a shopper near the front window. She gave her a quick wave when she caught her eye.
They passed by Colby’s Corner Store and then turned back onto their street.
It had been weeks since Carlita had seen Steve Winter, the owner of Shades of Ink tattoo shop. Steve was also Autumn’s brother. Carlita tugged on Rambo’s leash. “Let’s stop by and say hello to Steve.”
Steve was behind the counter working on his laptop. He glanced up and then did a double take when he saw who it was. “Carlita. I was just thinking about you the other day, wondering when that fabulous new restaurant of yours is going to open.”
“Soon. Less than a month. How are you? I haven’t seen you around much lately.”
“I’ve been working like crazy.” Steve rolled his eyes. “Not to mention, Paisley has been keeping me on my toes.”
“Have you finished your upstairs apartment?”
“Yep. We moved in last weekend. You wanna check it out?”
“Sure.”
Steve locked the front door of the tattoo shop and then led Carlita to the back. They climbed a narrow set of steps, which opened to a small hall.
Steve’s upper level was small, with room for only one apartment. It was modern and sleek and Carlita complimented him on the renovations.
After touring the apartment, they made their way back down. “Autumn told me you rented one of your units to Sam Ivey, a former Savannah cop.”
“Yes, and I had no idea he was a cop. He seems so young.”
“In his early 30’s if I recall correctly. Heard he quit the police force after there was some sort of incident and internal investigation involving him.” Steve unlocked the front door of the shop and followed Carlita onto the sidewalk. “It was a few years back and I forget the details. You could probably look it up online. I’m sure the story is still floating around out there in the internet world.”
“I might just do that.” The two of them chatted for a few more minutes before a customer arrived for his tattoo appointment.
Carlita told Steve good-bye and then made her way back to the apartment. When she reached the hall at the top of the steps, she glanced in the direction of her new tenant’s unit.
Curious to find out what had caused the young man to quit the police force and embark on a career of historical walking tours, she headed to her computer as soon as she got inside.
While the computer started, she checked on dinner and then set a loaf of garlic bread on the counter.
She read her emails first, before opening a new search screen. She typed in “Police Officer Sam Ivey Investigation.” Several articles popped up. Carlita reached for her reading glasses and slipped them on.
She clicked on the first article. Above the story was a picture of Officer Sam Ivey. Carlita glanced at the caption before scanning the first paragraph. “Oh no.”
Chapter 9
According to the story, dated October, 2016, Officer Ivey was in pursuit of a suspect who left the scene of a minor pedestrian accident. The vehicle pursuit started on the edge of downtown Savannah and the main road leading to the highway.
As Sam and the car he was pursuing entered a populated area, close to the highway, Officer Ivey abandoned pursuit, fearing the high-speed chase would end with additional injuries. He turned his siren and flashing lights off and reduced his speed, but the car he was pursuing continued to race down the road.
The suspect failed to navigate a sharp curve and broke through a guardrail, crashing into a large oak tree at a high rate of speed. Officer Ivey was the first to arrive, where a gruesome scene awaited him. It was the body of a young woman, Hailey Silverton. She hadn’t been wearing her seatbelt and had been thrown
