“It would appear so. I talked to a friend who works for the Savannah Police Department.” Pete told them that the detective in charge of the case visited the women to question them a second time about the theft. “One of the sisters has a previous conviction.”
“For armed robbery,” Carlita said.
“Yes. She confessed to the theft, and then the oddest thing happened,” Pete said.
“Knowing Elvira, it’s hard telling what happened next,” Mercedes said.
“Elvira confessed. She told the investigators she was the one responsible for the theft, and her sister was trying to protect her.”
“They both confessed?” Glenda shook her head.
“Yep. Each of them claimed they were solely responsible, so the authorities arrested them both.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Carlita rubbed her brow. “Why would they both confess?”
“Because they’re both guilty,” Glenda dusted her hands. “I don’t feel responsible anymore, now that both of them admitted to committing the crime.”
“I have to say I’m surprised. It seems out of character for Elvira to admit to anything,” Mercedes said. “I guess we won’t have to worry about her anymore.”
The conversation turned to business, but Carlita only half-listened as she mulled over Pete’s shocking news. Something about the confessions didn’t ring true. Why would Elvira confess to stealing the painting? Obviously, she knew she would be a prime suspect not to mention her sister who had a previous rap sheet - for robbery no less.
Unless Pete was right…both sisters confessed in an attempt to protect the other one. Perhaps Elvira possessed a caring bone in her body after all.
Pete interrupted Carlita’s thoughts. “I’ve done a little sprucing up around here. Would you like to take a tour?”
“As a business partner, I suppose I ought to,” Carlita teased.
“And a pretty partner at that,” Pete flirted.
Carlita could feel her cheeks warm. “No need to turn on the charm. I’m not trying to back out of our partnership anytime soon.”
“Ah…you’re a hard woman to compliment,” Pete laughed.
“She can dish it out, but she can’t take it,” Mercedes mumbled.
“What was that, Mercedes?” Her mother lifted a brow.
“Never mind.”
Pete motioned for them to follow him up the gangway and inside the main parlor where he pointed out a few of the changes he’d made to the snack bar. “I did a little tweaking to help with traffic flow.”
He had also added a small indoor theater. “The theater is for the wee passengers who’re afraid of the firing cannons and sword fights upstairs.”
“That’s a great idea,” Carlita said.
They finished touring the main deck. Pete led them to the front of the ship and the captain’s quarters where a full-size bed sat next to the swinging hammock.
“You’re not sleeping in the hammock anymore?” Mercedes asked.
“Nah. These bones are gettin’ too old to be sleepin’ in one spot.” Pete crossed the room to the back and the wall of rectangular windows.
“Gunner is great.” Pete’s parrot squawked.
“I didn’t even see you there, Gunner.” Carlita smiled as she approached Gunner’s cage. “Are you behaving yourself?”
“Gunner is handsome.”
“Yes, you’re handsome,” Carlita agreed.
Pete joined them. “Gunner has learned a new song.”
“New song,” Gunner echoed.
“Sing them your new song.”
“Yo ho, yo ho. A pirate’s life for me. I strut on my perch, watchin’ the girls…the pirate’s life for me.”
“Bravo.” Carlita clapped her hands. “I love the song, Gunner.”
“Pretty girls for handsome Gunner,” Gunner said. “Carlita is pretty.”
“Thank you.” Carlita shot Pete a quick glance. “I wonder where he learned that.”
“I taught Gunner to appreciate beautiful women,” Pete said. “A pirate’s life gets lonely. I could use me a lovely lass.”
Carlita fanned her face. “I’m sorry I asked. This conversation went right off the tracks.”
“Ma doesn’t get out much,” Mercedes chimed in. “You two should hang out sometime.”
“I like that idea,” Pete tilted his head. “What do you say, partner?”
“Never mix business and pleasure,” Carlita quipped.
“I think you two make a cute couple,” Glenda added.
“How ‘bout it, Ma?” Mercedes pressed.
“We need to find something else to talk about.” Carlita changed the subject as they exited Pete’s private quarters. They climbed the stairs to the open deck where Pete showed them a few of the other changes he’d made.
Several employees wandered down the sidewalk and began boarding the pirate ship.
“We’ve taken enough of your time.” Carlita glanced at her watch. “We better let you get back to work.”
“Thanks for stopping by.” Pete followed the women down the stairs. “If you ever change your mind about a dinner date, lassie, you know where to find me.”
“Yes. Thanks, Pete.” Carlita gave him a quick smile, relieved when he turned his attention to the arriving employees. “We’ll see you later.”
The trio strolled away from the pirate ship, and Carlita playfully punched her daughter in the arm. “What was that all about?”
Mercedes smiled innocently. “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”
“You mean because I accepted your date with Sam on your behalf?”
“You said it.” Mercedes nodded toward the ship. “I’ve seen it for a while now. Pete likes you. He’s been waiting in the wings for John Alder to move away and out of the picture.”
“I think you’re wrong. Of course, he likes me. We’re friends and business partners.”
“No.” Glenda chimed in. “He likes you. I noticed it at Tony’s wedding. He couldn’t take his eyes off you.”
“Th-that’s absurd,” Carlita sputtered.
“We’ll see,” Glenda shrugged. “It wouldn’t hurt for you to get out once in a while, even if it is as friends.”
“Agreed.” Mercedes waited until they parted ways with Glenda to speak. “What do you think about Elvira and Dernice’s confessions?”
“I…it doesn’t make sense. Why would Elvira destroy everything she’s worked so hard to build over a painting she didn’t even like?”
“We’re talking about Elvira here,” Mercedes
