“Hey.” Dernice clapped her hands. “What about the new chick who moved into Carlita’s building? The young woman? I’ve seen her around before. Her brother owns the tattoo shop down the street.”
“Autumn Winter,” Carlita said. “She’s helped out a time or two. I could ask her to tag along.”
“She might just work,” Elvira nodded approvingly.
“First, I’ll need to see if she’s available.” Carlita made her way to the front sidewalk. Elvira and her sister followed close behind.
She began dialing Autumn’s cell phone number but quickly disconnected the call. “I should try the Savannah Evening News’ main telephone number.”
Carlita searched for the number and pressed the “call” button. “Savannah Evening News. Gail speaking.”
“Yes, I was wondering if I could speak with Autumn Winter please.”
“One moment.”
Background music played until Autumn answered. “Autumn Winter.”
“Hi, Autumn. Carlita here.”
“Hi, Mrs. G.”
“I’m sorry to bother you at work.”
“You’re not bothering me. I just clocked out and was getting ready to head home.”
“I have a huge favor.” Carlita corrected herself. “Actually, Elvira, my neighbor, has a huge favor to ask.”
“Elvira. Why does that name sound familiar?” There was a moment of silence on the other end. “I know why she sounds familiar. She was your tenant.”
“And now my alley neighbor.”
“She’s the talk of the news department. I heard she worked at the security company in charge of the art exhibit. She confessed to stealing the famous artwork before changing her mind.”
“She owns it…the security company, EC Security Services. It’s kind of a long story. I’m at Elvira’s place now. She and her sister claim they aren’t responsible for the theft of the painting. They want me to have a look around the museum and a certain area in particular. I need a distraction.”
“You want me to be your distraction?”
“Maybe. I would ask Mercedes to go with me, but she’s working at the restaurant and has plans for later this evening. I’m not sure how long this will take.”
“It won’t take long,” Elvira whispered.
Carlita motioned for her to be quiet. “If you’re uncomfortable helping me, I completely understand.”
“You know I’m always up for an adventure, Mrs. G. I’m in. When are we heading over there?”
“We’ll leave as soon as you get here. I want to get this over with.”
Autumn promised she was on her way and would be home shortly.
Carlita ended the call and waved her phone at Elvira. “I’ll help you out this time since I feel somewhat responsible for your detainment. At the first hint of trouble, I’m out of there.”
“You’ll be fine.” Elvira patted Carlita’s shoulder. “All you gotta do is tell them you were looking for the bathroom and took a wrong turn.”
“That’s a flimsy excuse.” Carlita sucked in a breath, already regretting her decision to help. “But I guess it’ll have to do. I’ll run home and wait for Autumn.”
“Don’t forget about us.” Dernice followed Carlita through the building to the alley. “We’re gonna be in the vicinity the entire time.”
“That’s reassuring,” Carlita joked. “I’ll swing by as soon as we’re ready to go.” She stepped back into her building, all the while wondering how the women had managed to talk her into participating in their snooping…and why she’d even agreed.
A breathless Autumn appeared on Carlita’s doorstep a short time later. “Are we ready to get this mission underway?”
“I’m ready if you’re ready.” Carlita dropped the earpiece and mic in her jacket pocket.
Elvira and Dernice were already in the alley waiting.
“We can take the new company van,” Dernice offered.
“No. We can’t. Not with EC Security Services emblazoned on both sides. We’ll stand out like sore thumbs.”
“Elvira has a point,” Carlita agreed. “We can take my car or walk. It’s not far.”
“I’m not walking,” Elvira grumbled. “I get enough exercise standing on my feet day in and day out.”
“The car it is.”
The women strolled to the other side of the alley, and Carlita unlocked the doors. “I need to stop by the restaurant to let Mercedes know I’m leaving.”
“Don’t tell her what you’re doing,” Elvira said. “The fewer people who know what’s up, the better.”
“Fine. I won’t tell her until it’s over.” Carlita dashed inside. She found Mercedes standing in front of the server station entering an order.
“Hey, Ma.”
“Hi, Mercedes.” Carlita peered into the restaurant’s dining room. “How’s business?”
“Pretty good, actually. The lunch special is our best seller. It’s the Italian sub with a side of pinzimonio, the Italian-style crudites. I think we’re onto something with these specials.”
“That’s music to my ears. I stopped by to let you know Autumn and I are heading to the museum. Elvira has convinced us to help her out, and Autumn agreed to be my distraction.”
“Help her out?”
“I’ll explain later. I shouldn’t be gone more than a couple of hours.” Carlita retraced her steps, giving the line cook and kitchen staff a wave before returning to her car.
She climbed inside and reached for her seatbelt. “Have the authorities talked to the man you were with the night the artwork was stolen?”
“Spelling? I don’t know. I’m sure they have. I have a good instinct for people. I don’t think he has anything to do with the missing artwork,” Elvira said. “What about the artist himself? Abbott something. What if he lifted his own painting?”
“Why would he do that? He’s in the business of selling, not stealing,” Dernice argued.
“We can’t rule out Elizabeth Portsmith.”
“Who is Elizabeth Portsmith?” Carlita asked.
“She’s some big shot loudmouth who has something to do with the historic district,” Dernice waved dismissively. “No way.”
“Portsmith is the Director of the Riverfront Historical District,” Elvira elaborated. “I think she’s cunning, crafty and definitely a suspect. She was watching the exhibit like a hawk. Every time I walked into the exhibit area,
