“We shall go join the others.”
As Tori and Byron made their way upstairs, Cool Bones appeared, dragging a large luggage cart behind him. It rattled loudly as he attempted to push the cart up the ramp.
“Let me help.” Pete ran down the gangway and grabbed the other end, helping steer it the rest of the way up. The cart was filled with musical instruments and sound equipment.
“What’s all this?” Carlita asked.
“You can’t have a party without music,” Pete motioned to Cool Bones. “I have a spot cleared upstairs. Aft of the ship is a stage. The spot should be large enough for your band and equipment.”
Carlita recognized a couple of the men who followed behind as members of Cool Bones’ band. They joined the men and began discussing logistics.
There was a light tap on Carlita’s shoulder. She turned to find Roxy standing directly behind her. “Mrs. Garlucci, I need to run back to my car to grab my extra piece.”
Pete’s head whipped around. “Extra piece?”
“You know. Gun.” Roxy rolled her eyes. “Do you have any clue what is going on?”
Pete’s jaw twitched as he glared at her. “This is my ship, and I’m telling you that you don’t need an extra piece.”
“Fine. Then I’m going to grab some extra lead.” Roxy turned to Cool Bones, who was standing on Pete’s left and handed him an empty cup with a soiled napkin inside. “I’m done with this.”
“Huh?” Cool Bones’ jaw dropped as he stared at the cup.
Pete snatched the cup from his hand and thrust it back in Roxy’s. “Cool Bones is an invited guest. Take care of your own trash, lady, and I use the term loosely.”
Cool Bones seemed to take Roxy’s error in stride and smiled. “Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Charles Benson, also known as Cool Bones. Pete has asked me to play some tunes this evening.” He lifted his horn case.
A flicker of interest crossed Roxy’s face. “What kinda music?”
“Jazz.”
“Huh.” Roxy studied Cool Bones, giving him the once over. “I’m a bit of a jazz aficionado myself. Sorry about handing you my trash and thinking you were the hired help.”
“Apology accepted and no offense taken.” Cool Bones pressed a light hand to his chest, an amused expression on his face.
“I’ll catch up with you later.” Roxy eased past him and tossed her trash in a nearby bin before heading to the gangway, where she stopped to say something to one of Cool Bones’ band members on her way out.
“Now what?” Carlita’s eyes narrowed as she watched her.
“I don’t know. At least she’s not handing him trash.”
She finished making her way down the gangway and disappeared from sight.
“Who was that?” Cool Bones asked.
“Brittney’s bodyguard,” Carlita sighed heavily. “I’m sorry, Cool Bones, and I’ll apologize ahead of time because I’m certain she isn’t done insulting guests.”
“It’s okay.” Cool Bones patted Carlita’s shoulder. “No need to apologize. It’s all cool.”
Pete shifted his attention. “Let’s get you and your men upstairs, where you can grab a bite to eat before setting up.”
Carlita turned to go when she heard someone call her name. It was her friend and local trolley driver, Claryce “Reese” Magillicuddy.
“Hey, Reese.” Carlita smiled warmly as Reese strode up the gangway. “Did Pete invite you too?”
“Yeah. I’ve been transporting his customers from the local hotels to the docking area. We got to talking. Pete told me about him being part of the Christmastide Boat Parade and invited me. He sure has this thing decked out.”
“Yes, he does.” The women chatted about the holidays, and Carlita invited Reese, who was single and lived alone, to the Christmas dinner she was hosting at her restaurant for family and friends.
“Are you sure?” Reese asked. “I know all your kids are home for the holidays, and I wouldn’t want to impose.”
“Positive. The more, the merrier.”
Reese’s expression grew sober as she stared over Carlita’s shoulder and down the gangway. “Oh, no. Guess who just showed up.”
Carlita pivoted, following Reese’s gaze. “Seriously?”
Chapter 3
Carlita stared in disbelief. “Elvira.”
“Hey, Carlita. I bet you’re surprised to see me.”
“That’s an understatement.”
Elvira rocked back on her heels as she studied the side of the ship. “Ole Pete really knocked this one out of the ballpark. Christmas cruisin’. There’s nothing like being on the river to celebrate the holidays.”
Dernice, Elvira’s sister, and Luigi joined them.
“Hey, Carlita,” Luigi grinned.
“Hello, Luigi, Dernice. I had no idea Pete invited you to the party.”
“I’m back.” Pete eased in next to Carlita. “Hello, Reese. Glad you could make it.”
“Thank you for inviting me. This is the first time I’ve been this close to The Flying Gunner. It looks great.”
The sound of Cool Bones and his band warming up echoed from the upper deck.
Reese tilted her head and cupped her ear. “Cool Bones is here?”
“He and his band are part of this evening’s entertainment.”
“I’m gonna run up and say ‘hi’ before he gets rolling.” Reese hurried off while Pete turned his attention to Elvira and her mini entourage. “Elvira Cobb.”
“Hey, Pete.” Elvira shoved her hands in her pockets. “I was just telling Carlita you did a bang-up job on the decorating.”
“Thank you.”
“Where is everyone?”
“On the upper deck, enjoying some food and drinks. Feel free to join them,” Pete said.
“I hope you’re not too upset about us showing up,” Elvira said. “I figured you were hosting such a large party, you wouldn’t even notice a few extra bodies on board.”
Pete cast Carlita a puzzled look. “I thought you invited Elvira.”
“No.” Carlita lifted a brow. “I thought you invited her.”
“I…uh...” Elvira cleared her throat. “I kinda found out about the party from Cool Bones when I was down at the Thirsty
