“Carlita darlin’.” Pirate Pete’s voice boomed over the phone. “You’re up early, lass.”
“I could say the same about you. Thank you for the updated tour schedule.”
“You’re welcome. How’s the new houseguest?”
“Sleeping. Her companions almost shot me last night while I was walking Rambo. Mercedes moved out and is staying in Autumn’s apartment. Reese had a run-in with the Savannah Six at the trolley stop across the street. And that was my yesterday.”
“That’s all?” Pirate Pete joked. “So, you’re telling me that you’re bored.”
“Right,” Carlita chuckled. “If that’s bored, I don’t want to know busy.”
“Now that I’ve gotcha on the phone, how about joining me for breakfast?”
“Breakfast?”
“Why not?”
“Right. Why not?” Carlita smiled. “When and where?”
“I’ll swing by to pick you up in half an hour.”
“I’ll be waiting by the back door.”
“See you then.”
Carlita hung up and then ran to her room to grab some clean clothes before heading to the bathroom to shower. She was looking forward to catching up with Pete. They could discuss the restaurant business.
Fall had been a busy season, and Thanksgiving was right around the corner. According to what Carlita had heard, Christmas and New Year’s were also busy times for tourism. She planned to cash in on the holidays as much as possible.
The pawnshop was doing good. Tony seemed to enjoy having Shelby around to help when Violet was in school and she was feeling up to it.
All in all, life was good for the Garlucci family…except for the black cloud of whatever was going on up in Atlantic City and hanging over Vinnie’s head.
After showering, Carlita ran her fingers through her hair to smooth it before applying a light layer of foundation and a single layer of mascara. Since the morning was cool, she slipped into a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. On her way out, she grabbed a light jacket.
Carlita stepped onto the stoop as Pirate Pete rounded the corner. “Right on time.”
“We both are matey. Do you mind a short walk?”
“Of course not. It’s a beautiful morning.”
Pirate Pete offered her his arm, and they strolled out of the alley and onto the sidewalk. “We’re goin’ to a new place I’ve been meaning to check out. Have you heard of Sunny’s? It’s in Bonny Square.”
“Nope. Never heard of it.”
While they strolled, they chatted about business and the holidays. “I’m hosting a fall get-together at the restaurant for family and friends in a couple of weeks, the Saturday after Halloween. There’ll be lots of food. I would love for you to join us.”
“I’ll be there with a hearty appetite,” Pete promised.
“I was thinking of inviting Tori, too.”
“Aye. I haven’t seen her in a while.”
“Me, either.”
When they reached the restaurant, Pete held the door, waiting for Carlita to step inside. The couple found a quiet spot in the corner. After they ordered, the conversation turned to local events.
“You mentioned Reese and the Savannah Six,” Pete prompted.
“Yes.” Carlita filled him in on what had happened the previous day. “It’s a good thing we got there when we did. Reese could’ve been badly hurt.”
“They’re a troublesome bunch,” Pete sipped his coffee. “Nothin’ but trouble since Davis Rutger moved to town.”
“They’re gaining a reputation and not in a good way.”
Their food arrived, and Carlita enjoyed every morsel of her “Savannah Square” omelet, crispy hash browns and homemade toast. Pete had also ordered the omelet, but his was a lumberjack version filled with everything but the kitchen sink.
Carlita was hungrier than she realized and managed to eat her entire breakfast except for a wedge of toast, which Pete promptly polished off. The check arrived, and he refused to allow her to pay her half. “I can’t getcha to go on a dinner date with me. The least I can do is claim I finally got a breakfast date.”
“That’s not true,” Carlita laughed. “As soon as life settles down, we can have a bona fide date.” Their eyes met, and her heart skipped a beat at the unreadable expression on Pete’s face.
“I would like that, lassie,” he said softly.
“Well,” Carlita cleared her throat, “now that we have that settled, I need to head home. I’m working at the restaurant today and need to finish some chores around the house.”
The stroll back was a little slower as they talked about life in Walton Square. Carlita had thoroughly enjoyed her date with Pete and was sorry to see it end.
“We need to do this again sooner rather than later,” Pete said.
“I agree. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for breakfast.”
“You’re welcome.” Pete started to say something but abruptly stopped. “I’ll be seein’ ya later.”
“Absolutely.” Carlita waited for Pete to exit the alley and turn the corner before returning inside.
She started up the stairs when the pawnshop’s back door flew open. Tony, Luigi and Ricco strode into the hall, a serious expression on their faces.
“Is something wrong?”
“You could say that,” Tony said.
“We got a situation,” Luigi blurted out.
Chapter 6
Carlita said the first thing that popped into her head. “Does it involve Brittney or Angelica?”
“No,” Ricco shook his head. “Me and Luigi, we was doin’ a patrol of the neighborhood early this morning. We noticed someone messing around in the bulldozed lot across the street, so we been keepin’ a close eye on it and that’s when we found ‘em.”
“Found who?” Carlita asked.
“The dead guy,” Luigi said. “We ain’t called the cops or nothin’ since…”
Carlita finished his sentence. “Since the two of you have rap sheets a mile long.”
“It’s a possibility,” Ricco hedged. “Luigi and me waited ‘til we figured you guys were awake to let you know in
