“Where did it lead?”
“To an empty building with a perfectly functioning alarm system.”
Mercedes grinned as her mother recounted how the alarm went off, Dernice shoved her out of the way and tore down the makeshift ladder. “It was every man for himself, or in this case, every woman for herself.”
“At least you know where you stand.” Mercedes changed the subject. “Have you had any luck figuring out who owns the other properties on Tybee Island?”
“As a matter of fact, Tori is one of the owners.”
“Seriously?” Mercedes’ eyes grew round as saucers. “You don’t think she has anything to do with the woman’s death, do you?”
“No, but she owns property on Tybee. Ten bucks says she knows who owns Savannah’s Beach.” As if on cue, Carlita’s cell phone began to ring. “There she is now.”
Carlita tapped the screen and put the call on speaker. “Hi, Tori. Thanks for returning my call. I need your help and wondered if you had time for a quick chat.”
“Of course. I always have time for you. Your call sounded urgent.”
“Urgent, as in I’m a suspect in the death of a real estate agent for Coastal Adventures.”
There was a brief silence on the other end. “Are you serious?”
“Unfortunately. Dernice, Elvira’s sister, and I stopped by Coastal’s sales office the other day to do a little investigating for Elvira, of all people. I signed the clipboard for more information about the new Coastal Adventures project only hours before the woman was found dead inside Elvira’s property.”
“Oh, dear. I hadn’t heard the details about the woman’s death. Well, I may be able to be of some assistance. I haven’t seen you in ages. If you’re not busy, why don’t you come by now? Byron would love to see you, as well.”
“I don’t want to impose.”
“You’re not,” Tori insisted.
“There’s one more thing…I would like to bring someone with me if you don’t mind.”
“Not Elvira,” Tori chuckled.
“Close. Her sister.”
“I believe I may have met her, but the memory is vague. Is she anything like Elvira?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have quirks of her own,” Carlita joked. “We’ll be there within the hour.” She thanked Tori and ended the call, waving the cell phone in the air. “We may be in luck. Tori may be able to help us with information about the other Tybee property owners.”
Chapter 19
Carlita grabbed her keys and swung by Dernice’s place to get her before heading out. The trip to the island was slowed by road construction connecting the mainland to the island.
“Looks like they’re already gearing up for the big development,” Dernice said as they stopped to wait for a front-end loader to move out of the way.
“You should see Coastal’s place in St. Augustine. It’s a huge complex with an amusement park, shops and restaurants. There’s also a bunch of brand-new townhomes for sale.” Carlita steered around the loader and gave Dernice a sideways glance. “You mentioned before that you had no idea Elvira was purchasing real estate.”
“Not until I opened the mail and found the deed,” Dernice sighed heavily.
“That was a heavy sigh.”
“I don’t know about my sister sometimes. She gets harebrained ideas and doesn’t stop to think them through.”
They reached Montgomery Hall, a virtual fortress with an electronic gate and call box. A large body of water surrounded the property. It reminded Carlita of a moat, offering Tori both privacy and protection.
Carlita rolled the window down. She pressed the call box button and waited for the beep. “Carlita Garlucci and guest to see Tori.”
There was a muffled sound on the other end, and the gate silently opened. “Thank you, Wentworth,” Carlita said.
“You’re welcome, Mrs. Garlucci.”
Dernice eyed her with interest. “You’re on a first-name basis with Montgomery’s staff?”
“I am.”
Dernice gazed out the passenger side window. “I forgot how large this place was. It reminds me of a ritzy country club.”
“You’ve been here before.”
“Yeah, right after I got into town and started working with Elvira. We handled the security for a big Christmas shindig.”
“It was the Merry Masquerade party. I forgot all about it. It was a great party.”
The paved drive leading to the house was long and winding. A canopy of towering oaks, dripping with moss, lined both sides.
Carlita circled the drive and parked in front of the courtyard’s massive arched wooden doors.
Dernice unbuckled her seatbelt. “I wonder how much it cost to build this place.”
“I have no idea and don’t you dare ask Tori,” Carlita warned. “It’s none of our business.”
The courtyard doors slowly opened. Byron, Tori’s right-hand man, and someone Carlita considered another close friend, emerged. He approached the driver’s side door and held it while she grabbed her purse.
She exited the car and gave him a warm hug. “How are you, Byron? It seems as if the only time I see you anymore is when I’ve managed to get myself involved in some sort of crisis.”
“I am well, Mrs. Garlucci. It’s good to see you. Mrs. Montgomery is looking forward to your visit.”
Dernice joined them. “Byron Greeley.”
“Hello, Dernice.”
“You two know each other?”
“We hang out at Big Joe’s Pool Hall sometimes. Byron is an ace shooter.”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” Byron complimented. “I haven’t seen you around lately.”
“I don’t have any free time right now. My sister decided to pull a disappearing act. She left me with a big mess.”
“Left us with a big mess,” Carlita interrupted. “Which is why we’re here.”
“Follow me.” Byron plodded ahead, leading the way through the inner courtyard and to the front door.
“These are some swanky digs.” Dernice blew air through thinned lips. “You live here, Byron?”
“I do.”
The front door opened, and Tori appeared, a wide smile on her face.
