“If you’re not too busy hanging out with Autumn.” Mercedes clamped a hand over her mouth.
“Busy with Autumn?” Sam shook his head. “I helped her move. I would do the same for you and your mother.”
“I think a doggie tour is a wonderful idea.” Carlita placed a light hand under her daughter’s elbow. “We have a breakfast date this morning, but I’m sure Mercedes and Rambo could fit you in a little later …right Mercedes?”
“You’re a tour guide. I’m sure you know all of the areas. You don’t need me to show you around.”
“True, but I don’t know the hot spots for my new four-legged companion. I’m sure Rambo has some favorite areas.”
“He does.” Carlita eyed her daughter expectantly.
Mercedes clenched her jaw and gazed at her mother defiantly. “Fine. Yes. I think Rambo and I could fit you in our busy schedule unless you’re working.”
“No. As a matter of fact, I have a few tours this morning but took this evening off. Perhaps we could make it an official date, and I can take you to dinner,” Sam suggested. “We’ll call it a doggie and dinner date.”
“I…”
Carlita was certain Mercedes was going to refuse and quickly cut her off. “Mercedes would love to have dinner and a doggie date. She’ll see you around five then?”
“Yes.” Sam grinned as Carlita took control of the conversation. “Five o’clock sounds perfect.”
“She’ll see you then.” Before Mercedes could protest, her mother propelled her across the hall and down the steps. She didn’t stop until they were on the back stoop.
“Why did you do that?” Mercedes slammed the door behind them.
“Because it’s time you got it through your hard head that you and Sam have a chemistry. It’s high time you stop treating him like a frenemy.”
“We don’t have a chemistry,” Mercedes argued. “Besides, he likes Autumn.”
“Says who?”
“Says me. He helped her move in. They’re making dinner plans.”
“Mercedes.” Carlita wagged her finger. “That’s absurd. He even said himself he would have helped us move, too.”
“Yeah. Well…” Mercedes kicked at a pebble. “He was just trying to be nice. I don’t think he expected me - expected you - to say yes to a date.”
“I have to agree he expected you to say ‘no,’ but I’m also sure he’s thrilled. You should’ve seen his face light up when you finally agreed.” Carlita linked arms with her daughter, and they strolled to the end of the alley. “Someday you’ll thank me for butting in.”
“I doubt that.”
Carlita changed the subject, and they began discussing the missing artwork. Both agreed they didn’t believe Elvira or Dernice was responsible for the painting’s disappearance.
“I’m hoping Pete can shed some light on the mysterious missing artwork. His pirate ship isn’t far from the museum. He may have heard something from the guests about the theft. After all, both are popular tourist attractions.”
They reached the restaurant. Glenda was already inside and seated at a corner table. She gave Carlita a quick hug and turned to Mercedes. “It’s nice of you to join us this morning, Mercedes. I didn’t think you were a morning person.”
“I’m not, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to tag along and visit with Pete and Gunner. I guess he’s expecting us?” Mercedes asked.
Carlita gave her daughter a blank stare.
“Pete doesn’t know we’re heading his way?”
“He does,” Glenda smiled. “I talked to Pete last night, to find out if he would be at the restaurant or on his pirate ship. He’s at the ship this morning.”
A server approached. “Coffee?”
“Please.” Carlita held up her cup.
The woman took their order. Carlita waited until she was gone. “The pirate ship adventures have been selling out. I wonder if business will slow now that the kiddos are back in school.”
“We can all compare notes,” Glenda said. “The Riverfront Inn, Ravello’s and the pirate ship.”
The food arrived a short time later, and the conversation drifted to Mark’s Riverfront Inn and business at the SAS. After finishing their meal, Carlita insisted on picking up the tab. “It’s my turn.”
Mercedes and Glenda waited on the sidewalk while she paid the bill.
It was a short walk from the restaurant to the riverfront district. The skies were overcast, and a stiff northerly wind blew across the water.
Carlita shivered and tugged her sweater around her neck. “I’m not used to this chilly air anymore.”
Mercedes rubbed the sides of her arms. “We’re turning into true Southerners,” she joked. “I don’t think we could survive a winter up north.”
“And who wants to?”
The trio reached the pirate ship. The gangway was down.
“Hello?” Carlita took a tentative step. “Anybody home? Pete, are you here?”
Heavy steps echoed on an upper deck, followed by a clambering on the stairs.
Pete appeared. “Well, shiver me timbers.” A smile lit his face as he strode to the gangway. “If it isn’t three fine-looking lasses come upon my merry ship.”
“It’s good to see you, too, Pete.” Carlita gave her friend a warm hug before taking a step back. “You staying busy these days?”
“Business slowed down a tad now that fall is here, but not too bad. How about your new restaurant?”
“It’s slower than I would like,” Carlita confessed. “I have nothing to compare it to, so I was hoping you could ease my mind.”
“Come on in. I’ll show you what’s new, and then we can talk shop.”
“We’re also here to see what you’ve heard about the theft at the museum,” Glenda said.
“Well, now that, matey, is an open and shut case.” Pete hooked his thumbs in his front pockets.
“They caught the culprit?”
“In a roundabout way you could say that. Elvira Cobb and her sister both confessed to the theft.”
Chapter 7
“Confessed?” Carlita blinked rapidly. “You mean to say Elvira and Dernice are responsible for the missing
