Dernice tapped the keyboard and ignored the clicks. “I think I figured it out,” she finally said.
“You did?” Carlita hurried to her side.
“Figured what out?” Zulilly stopped clicking.
“None of your beeswax.”
“You’re a witch.” Zulilly slid out of the chair and stomped out of the office. She slammed the front door on her way out.
Dernice paused long enough to watch Zulilly pass by the front window. “She’s a chip off the old block.”
“I’m afraid you’re right,” Carlita patted Dernice’s arm. “I thought you were going to rip the pen out of her hand and stab her with it,” she joked.
“Now that’s an idea. I wish she would go home. I’m hardly able to say anything to her without her crying to her mother about how mean Auntie D is.” Dernice sighed heavily. “I want to make it through the next few days, for Elvira to come home and life return to normal.”
“Can you have a normal life living with Elvira?” Carlita couldn’t help herself.
“True.” Dernice tapped the computer screen. “I found Southern Holdings. Remember how I said I thought the name sounded familiar? We quoted a job for the owner a couple months ago.”
Carlita squinted her eyes. “It’s hard to read. I don’t have my reading glasses.”
“I’ll print out the quote.”
The printer behind Dernice hummed. A single sheet of paper appeared. She plucked it from the tray and handed it to Carlita.
Carlita’s eyes scanned the sheet. At first, she didn’t see it, until she got to the very bottom where it listed not only Southern Holdings, but also the name of the company’s owner.
Chapter 18
“Victoria Montgomery,” Carlita whispered. “There’s no way Tori is involved in Kim Turbell’s death.”
“Victoria Montgomery.” Dernice repeated the name. “She’s the lady who caught Elvira sneaking onto her property. She called the cops and my sister ended up in jail.”
“That’s her. Tori owns a small gift shop on Tybee Island.” Carlita began to pace. “Tori has lived on the island for years. She might know who owns the other company, Savannah’s Beach.” Carlita headed to the door.
“Are you going to her place?” Dernice jumped out of the chair and hurried after her. “Can I go with you?”
“Yes. Maybe. I’ll have to call her first.” Carlita promised to let her know what Tori said and then returned home. After checking on Mercedes, she took Rambo for a walk to clear her head.
True, Tori had a colorful history and background, but Carlita was certain she wasn’t involved in strong-armed tactics designed to force Elvira or any of the other property owners to sell. Still, Tori’s past was, in some ways, as checkered as Carlita’s.
Over the years, the savvy businesswoman and her husband had not only amassed a small fortune, but they had also built Montgomery Hall, a massive estate encompassing a corner of the island. She also owned Summer Sparkle, a gift and jewelry shop on the island. Apparently, she owned other real estate, as well.
She mentally reviewed the list of possible suspects as they walked. Tori and Southern Holdings were off the list. Although Elvira was annoying, Carlita didn’t think she was capable of murder, at least not intentionally. Besides, she had an airtight alibi. Unless…she had hired someone to kill the woman, but what would be her motive? Plus, Elvira wouldn’t be dumb enough to leave the woman’s body inside a property she owned.
Up next was Ken Gibbons, another property owner. Last, but not least, was whoever owned Savannah’s Beach. Which is where a chat with Tori came in. If anyone knew who owned the company, it would be her.
They circled the block, passing by the Book Nook, the meeting spot for Mercedes’ local author group. Cricket Tidwell, the owner, stood in the doorway chatting with a woman.
Carlita gave her a friendly wave. They passed by Colby’s Corner Store just down the street before turning the corner.
Shades of Ink, Steve Winter’s tattoo shop, was up next. Steve was inside, near the large front window, talking on his cell phone. He caught Carlita’s eye and motioned for her to wait.
“Hold on, Rambo.” Carlita gave Rambo’s leash a gentle tug. “Steve wants to say hello.”
He stepped onto the sidewalk. “Hey, Carlita.”
“Hello, Steve. How’s business these days?”
“Business is booming. It looks like the pawn shop is rocking too.”
“It is, and so is Ravello’s. Speaking of Ravello’s, have you had a chance to ask Paisley about joining us for Thanksgiving dinner?”
“Yeah. That’s why I stopped you. We’ll be there.”
“Autumn, is coming, too.”
“Yep.” Steve shifted his feet as he nodded toward her buildings. “What happened the other day?”
“Which time?”
“The firefighters. Kaboom.” Steve’s hands flew in the air. “The explosion at Elvira’s place.”
“It was a propane tank explosion.”
“It sounded like a bomb going off. I figured Elvira was back in town.” Steve pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and plucked one out. He lit the end and took a big puff before blowing it over Carlita’s head.
“Not yet.”
They talked for a few more minutes about the upcoming holiday before Steve’s next appointment arrived. She told him good-bye, and as soon as they were home, Carlita called Tori. She didn’t answer, so she left a message, asking her to return the call at her earliest convenience.
Mercedes drifted into the kitchen and waited for her mother to finish. “Where were you?”
“A better question would be where wasn’t I?” Carlita joked. “Let me see. After Detective Wilson cornered me out back, I checked on the pawn shop and noticed the basement trapdoor was open.” She told her daughter how she heard an odd tink noise and noticed small chunks of brick and mortar piling up.
“Elvira came back,” Mercedes guessed.
“Nope. It was Dernice. I went over there to tell her to stop busting down my
