“Yeah.” Mercedes nodded.
“His office is right there.”
Mercedes slowly walked across the deck. She leaned over the railing, her eyes focused on the Mystic Dream. “You said the riverboat is temporarily shut down.”
“That’s what the employees told me,” Pete confirmed.
“Perfect,” Mercedes said. “I have an idea.”
Chapter 11
“I’m not sure about this, Mercedes.”
“We’ll be fine, Ma. Pete will be our lookout. All Autumn and I have to do is climb the ladder up the side of the Mystic Dream, slip inside Lawson’s office, have a quick look around and then sneak back off. It’s gonna be a quick and easy in and out, guaranteed.”
“I can’t believe Pete is going along with this,” Carlita said.
“Because it’s a simple operation. Plus, Pete’s a pirate. That’s what pirates do.”
“Pirates engage in illegal activities. What if you get caught?”
“Who’s gonna catch us? Lawson is in the hospital. Who knows how long it will be before the Mystic Dream is up and running again. Once that happens, our chance to try to figure out what Lawson may have been up to will be over.”
Carlita followed her daughter into the living room. “But the authorities already searched Lawson’s office. What if you’re wasting your time?”
Mercedes shrugged. “Nothing ventured. Nothing gained.”
The doorbell rang and Mercedes ran down the steps, returning moments later with Autumn in tow.
“How are you Autumn?” Carlita gave the young woman a warm hug. “I haven’t seen you in ages.”
“I’ve been keeping busy at the newspaper. When I’m not working, I spend a lot of my free time with Cole.” Autumn grinned, the dimple in her cheek deepening. “Did Mercedes tell you I have a new boyfriend? He’s a cop.”
“Yes, and now that you mention it; does your cop boyfriend know you’re going to break into the Mystic Dream’s office?” Carlita asked.
“We’re not breaking anything,” Autumn said. “Just entering.”
“At least we hope we won’t break anything. Autumn is kind of a klutz.” Mercedes slung her backpack over her shoulder.
“Am not,” Autumn pouted.
“I’m kidding.” Mercedes squeezed her friend’s arm. “We need to get going. Pete is waiting for us.”
Autumn stepped into the hall and Mercedes joined her while Carlita trailed behind. When they reached the alley, Carlita caught a glimpse of movement near the tenant parking lot and she watched as Sam Ivey strolled toward them. He was wearing the same seersucker suit Carlita had seen him in early that morning.
“You had a long day,” Carlita commented.
“Long and tiring.” He tipped his hat to Carlita, ignored Mercedes and turned to Autumn.
“Autumn Winter, this is Sam Ivey, our new tenant.”
“Hey, Sam. It’s good to see you again,” Autumn said.
“Hey, Autumn. I didn’t know you knew the Garlucci’s.”
“I met them the day they moved to Savannah.”
“How’s Cole?” Sam asked.
The two made small talk and Mercedes and her mother exchanged a quick glance. They needed to get Autumn away from Sam before she slipped and told him what they were up to.
“We should get going.” Mercedes tugged on Autumn’s arm.
“You’re right. Well, it was nice to see you again,” Autumn said.
“Tell Cole I said ‘Hello.’”
“You coming with us, Ma?” Mercedes asked.
“You go on ahead. I’ll be along shortly.”
The young women walked away while Carlita and Sam Ivey made their way inside. “Is your daughter always impatient and in a hurry?”
Carlita laughed. “Sometimes. It depends.”
They trudged up the steps and paused when they reached the upper hall. “I have something for you. Hang on a sec.” Carlita darted into the apartment. She grabbed a plate of cookies she’d baked that morning and carried them into the hall.
“This is my welcome to Walton Square gift.” She held out the tray of cookies.
Sam eyed them with interest. “They look delicious.”
“It’s an old family recipe. The cookies are sugar cookies and the frosting made with cream cheese and lemon zest, my secret ingredients.”
“I can’t wait to try them. Thank you.” Sam took the tray. “Being a bachelor and all, I mainly survive on fast food and frozen dinners.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Carlita almost invited her new tenant to dinner, but changed her mind. Although Mercedes and he had reached a truce of sorts, she didn’t dare push her luck. “Ravello will be opening soon. You can come visit as often as you like.”
“I will certainly do that.” Sam shifted the tray to his other hand. “At the risk of sounding nosy, I was wondering…how many children do you have?”
“Four. My youngest son, Paulie, lives in New York with his wife, Gina. He’s the mayor of Clifton Falls, a small town in upstate. My middle son, Tony, runs the pawnshop downstairs. You’ve already met him.”
“He’s the one who’s engaged to my new neighbor, Shelby.”
“Yes.” Carlita nodded. “My oldest son, Vinnie, just got married and moved to New Jersey with his new wife. He’ll be down for the wedding in a couple of months and, of course, you know Mercedes.”
“Yes.” Sam solemnly nodded. “Four kids and three businesses. You’re a busy lady.”
“You betcha. I must like it,” Carlita joked. “The kids and the businesses keep me on my toes, especially the kids.” She thought of Vinnie’s recent marriage to Brittney Castellini, the daughter of the head of the New York mafia and before that, Paulie’s temporary split from his wife, Gina.
“I’m sure Mercedes is a handful.”
“She has her moments. Most of the time, Mercedes is the least of my worries.”
“Thanks again.” Sam lifted the tray of cookies. “I’ll return the dish when I’m done.”
“No hurry,” Carlita said. “Have a nice evening.”
As Carlita locked the apartment door and headed out to meet up with
