“Plus, you already got one,” Carlita said.
“Right.” Pirate Pete continued. “Because our area is a top tourist destination, I thought - what better way to invest our money than to combine all of our expertise to treat tourists to something special, something they can’t get anywhere else?”
“At least not in Savannah,” Tori said. “I’m sure you heard the talk about a casino gambling boat.”
“You could say that,” Carlita said. She didn’t mention her son, Vinnie, along with Vinnie’s new father-in-law, recently visited to explore the gambling boat venture.
“We certainly weren’t interested in opening a gambling boat because it brings in a certain criminal element,” Tori said.
“You have no idea,” Carlita mumbled. “So what have you come up with?”
“A pirate ship,” Pete said.
“A pirate ship?” Carlita wrinkled her nose. “Where do you get a pirate ship?”
“I have a friend who lives in Florida, over in the Bay Area. He owns a pirate boat and says business is booming, so I took a trip down there. I was impressed by the success of his pirate ship and after checking it out, I thought why not? I already have a pirate restaurant, why not a pirate ship?”
“Where do I fit in? I don’t know anything about the pirate business. Mafia? Check. Pirate? No.”
“But Pete does,” Tori said. “The Savannah gambling boat is already in the works and has pretty much paved the way for more riverfront business ventures.”
“What if the city doesn’t approve a pirate ship venture?” Carlita was painfully aware of all of the red tape involved in starting a business, not to mention obtaining permits and business licenses.
“The permit is already in place.” Tori winked at Carlita. “It pays to have connections. Now all we have to do is wait for our ship to come in.”
“Very funny.” Carlita shifted in her chair. “How…much does a pirate ship cost?”
“Tori and I already ponied up the money. The ship is, as Tori said, on its way.”
“Where do I fit in?”
“We need cash,” Pete said bluntly. “We spent most of our money on the ship. Now we need some money to get the business up and running.”
“We still need to hire workers, lease the dock space and pay for advertising.” Tori rattled off the list. “Both you and I would be more of silent partners. Pete plans to handle the day-to-day operations.”
“I have an agreement already drawn up.” Pete reached for a file folder on his desk and handed it to Carlita. “We don’t need an answer today. I think you should take it home and go over it, have your kids go over it.”
“As well as an attorney,” Tori said. “Regardless of whether you want to join us in the venture, our friendship is of utmost importance.”
Victoria, aka “Tori” Montgomery and Carlita had become friends after Elvira went missing and she discovered her tenant was hiding out on Tybee Island, searching for gems. Elvira snuck onto Tori’s property, was taken down by Tori’s guard dog and promptly arrested.
After Carlita helped smooth things over, Tori, along with Pirate Pete, invited her to lunch, which was the beginning of the trio’s unique friendship.
Carlita glanced at the folder. “It sounds intriguing. Won’t we be butting heads with the casino boat owners? Some of those casino owners can be ruthless.”
Vito Castellini, her son Vinnie’s father-in-law, instantly came to mind.
“The customers would be two completely different sets of clientele. I’m certain Savannah is big enough to support both businesses,” Pete said confidently. “I’ve done my research. I believe we have an excellent chance to run a successful tourist venture and make some money.”
“I’ll give this serious consideration,” Carlita promised. She had another sudden thought. “I wonder what the owners of the new riverboat, the Mystic Dream, will think when a pirate ship shows up on the shores of the Savannah River.” The riverboat, a Savannah landmark, had recently been sold and renamed. The new owners had added small cabins and there was talk of offering overnight trip packages.
Tori and Pete exchanged a quick glance.
“You already know?”
“Lawson Bates, who also happens to be Mayor Clarence Puckett’s cousin, owns the Mystic Dream.” Pirate Pete told Carlita he met with Lawson and even toured the Mystic Dream. “After the tour ended, I mentioned to Lawson my idea of bringing a pirate themed boat to the shores of the Savannah River.”
“And he wasn’t as thrilled with the idea as you thought he would be,” Carlita guessed.
“Lawson threatened to toss Pete off the side of the boat,” Tori said.
“He’s not keen on the competition.”
“You could say that.” Pirate Pete leaned back in his chair. “We exchanged a few words. I lost my cool and said some things. I hoped Lawson would see that there was room enough for all of us.”
“I’m sure Lawson heard all about the gambling boat and is concerned they will be invading his turf,” Tori said.
“Now we come along and he’s feeling the heat,” Carlita said. “I don’t know Lawson Bates. I do know the mayor. He seems like a reasonable man.”
“Clarence is a decent man,” Tori agreed. “A fair man, if you will. We may hit a little resistance with Lawson moving forward with our venture.”
“It won’t be the first time for me,” Carlita said.
Tori stood. “I hate to rush, but I need to get going. Byron will be here to pick me up at two-thirty.”
Carlita followed Tori out of the office and Pirate Pete brought up the rear. “I would like to take a day or so to look over the
