Wilson stopped when he reached the bottom of the stairs. “You would be surprised at how dumb some criminals are.”
Carlita waited for the man to step into the alley before slowly closing the door behind him. She trudged up the steps and joined Mercedes inside the apartment. “I don’t think I did Elvira any favors.”
“You didn’t mean to throw her under the bus,” Mercedes said.
“But that’s exactly what I did.” Carlita’s mood was gloomy for the rest of the evening as she mulled over what she’d told the detective.
Obviously, someone had taken the painting. The number of suspects would be limited to those who had access to the museum and the painting.
Perhaps Elvira, in a moment of lack of judgment, had decided to “borrow” the artwork and planned to return it. Carlita quickly dismissed the thought. Pulling that kind of stunt would be damaging not only to herself but also to her investigative and detective services.
After dinner, Mercedes offered to run some plates of food down to Tony to take home.
While her daughter was gone, Carlita dialed Glenda Fox’s cell phone number to let her know that Detective Wilson had stopped by. She planned to leave a message and was surprised when her friend answered.
“I was getting ready to call you,” Glenda said. “The authorities picked Elvira up. She’s being charged with stealing the painting.”
“I’m not surprised. Unfortunately, I think I’m partially responsible.” Carlita told her friend about her conversation with the detective, how Elvira had joked about taking the painting and suggested replacing it with her own artwork. “I told the detective she was joking, that you would have to know Elvira to understand she says and does some dumb things.”
“She’s in hot water now,” Glenda said. “Elvira isn’t the only one in hot water.”
“What do you mean…she’s not the only one?” Carlita asked.
“The authorities made a second arrest, and you’ll never guess who it is.”
Chapter 6
“A second arrest?”
“They arrested Dernice.”
Carlita’s eyes widened. “Elvira’s sister?”
“Yep. Apparently, she was one of the security staff on duty yesterday and into last evening before the artwork went missing,” Glenda said. “I’m not sure why they detained her, too.”
Carlita started to reply and then promptly closed her mouth. She knew exactly why the authorities had decided to take a closer look at Dernice. The woman was a former convict, imprisoned in California for armed robbery.
She carried the phone to the balcony door and stared down at her neighbor’s rear entrance. The place was dark. Carlita leaned to the side and peered down the alley where Elvira’s new company van was parked.
“Elvira also used Pirate Pete as a reference. He knows a lot of the stuff that goes on around Savannah. He may have some information about the theft, too.”
Carlita could hear a light tapping on the other end of the line.
“I feel kind of guilty,” Glenda said. “I told the detective when Elvira was employed by SAS, she was always getting into trouble. I didn’t mean to suggest she would actually steal a valuable painting, just that she was a pain in the rear.”
“I pretty much said the same thing. I also feel somewhat responsible for the fact Elvira is taking the heat, and that Dernice is, as well.”
“The authorities would not have arrested them unless they had some sort of proof they committed a crime,” Glenda said. “Hopefully, Elvira keeps her cool during the questioning.”
“That’s debatable,” Carlita muttered. “In the meantime, I think I’m gonna run by Pete’s place tomorrow morning to see what he knows.”
“Do you mind if I tag along?” Glenda asked. “We could have breakfast at Garden of Goodness.”
“Sure.” Before signing off, the women agreed to meet at the restaurant at nine the next morning.
“Who are you meeting?” Mercedes stood in the doorway.
“Glenda. We’re having breakfast and then stopping by Pete’s place to chat about Elvira’s dilemma.”
“Because you feel responsible,” Mercedes guessed.
“Yes. I should’ve kept my mouth shut, and none of this would’ve happened.” Carlita placed her cell phone on the counter. “Dernice has been detained, too.”
“Because of her past record?”
“Yep. The authorities must’ve started doing a little digging around and found out about Dernice’s criminal history.”
Mercedes leaned her hip on the doorway. “Do you mind if I tag along? I’m working at Ravello’s during the lunch hour, but I don’t start my shift until eleven.”
“Sure.” Carlita changed the subject. “How is Shelby?”
“Tony said I just missed her. She was getting restless and decided to give him a hand in the pawnshop this afternoon.”
“That’s a good sign.” Carlita stifled a yawn. “I think I’m gonna hit the hay a little early. Tomorrow is shaping up to be busy.”
It didn’t take long for her to get ready for bed. She glanced at the beam of light coming from under her daughter’s bedroom door and could hear rustling coming from within.
Rambo beat Carlita to the bedroom. He flopped down on his doggie bed while she settled in with her remote and turned the television on. She mindlessly flipped through the channels before switching both the television and bedside lamp off.
Carlita fell fast asleep and then woke halfway through the night. No matter which way she turned, she struggled to find a comfortable spot. Finally, in the wee hours of the morning, she gave up and crawled out of bed.
Rambo gave her a quick look before flopping over to face the wall.
“I agree. It’s way too early. Don’t mind me.”
She tiptoed into the hall. Mercedes’ lights were off. She could hear the faint hum of the floor fan coming from her daughter’s room.
After the coffee finished brewing, she carried a cup onto the balcony. The cool morning
