She clicked away and headed to the bathroom. As she showered, she thought about Shelby. Was her daughter-in-law on drugs? Perhaps she was having an adverse reaction to a prescribed medication for her Addison’s disease.
As soon as the pawn shop opened, she made her way downstairs. Tony was in the back and seated at his desk.
“Hey, Son.” As she drew closer, she noted the dark circles under Tony’s eyes. “Rough night?”
“Rough morning. Shelby was in another mood. She was getting onto Violet about not eating her breakfast and sent her to her room.” Tony told his mother that he’d offered to take Violet for the day, which only seemed to make matters worse. “It’s getting bad.”
“Hang in there. Do you still want us to come by for dinner?”
“Yeah. Before Shelby flew off the handle, she seemed excited to be having you and Mercedes over.”
A customer arrived, ending their conversation. More customers followed suit, and Carlita hung around to help until the afternoon shift employee arrived.
She trudged up the steps and back into the apartment, her stomach grumbling as she made her way into the kitchen. “Now, what to eat?”
Gunner watched as she peered inside the fridge. “Cheeseburger.”
“You can’t have that.” She fed Gunner and was still trying to decide when her cell phone rang. It was her friend, Glenda Fox. “Hey, Glenda. Reese and I were just talking about you yesterday.”
“You’ve been on my mind lately. I know it’s short notice but was wondering if you were free for a late lunch.”
“I am.”
“It’s a beautiful day. Why don’t we meet in Monterey Square? I’ll bring the food. I have plenty of leftovers from an SAS luncheon. I’ll meet you there in say…forty-five minutes?”
“It’s a date. I’ll bring dessert.” Carlita thanked her friend for thinking of her and then dashed into the bathroom to freshen up.
After finishing, she placed two of the coconut cream cheese cupcakes she’d been experimenting with in a to-go container.
Rambo trotted into the kitchen.
“I suppose you can go with me. Where’s Grayvie?” Carlita did a quick check of the apartment. Suspecting that the cat was still in Mercedes’ bedroom, she tiptoed to the doorway. “Grayvie.”
There was a faint meow. A small gray paw batted at her from beneath the door.
She playfully tapped the cat’s paw and then eased the door open. Grayvie stalked out, rubbing up against Carlita’s leg and purring loudly.
Carlita scooped him up and his body rumbled as he began licking her chin. “Are you hungry?”
She portioned out his meal and added a handful of his favorite treats. “I’ll let you out on the balcony when I get home.”
While Grayvie ate, she assembled Rambo’s lunch and then placed it in the bottom of her backpack. The container of cupcakes was next. “Let’s go, Rambo.”
It had been some time since Carlita had visited Monterey Square. The square’s most famous attribute was the Pulaski Monument, erected in memory of General Casimir Pulaski, who died during battle while protecting the City of Savannah during the American Revolution.
Shortly after arriving in America, Pulaski met with both Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. Not only was Pulaski a revolutionary war hero, he’d also helped save Washington’s life.
Glenda was already there and stood waiting for them not far from the Mercer-Williams House, a landmark made famous by the novel, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Carlita gave her friend a warm hug. “It’s so nice to see you.”
“Same here. Like I said, you’ve been on my mind lately.”
They found the perfect spot for lunch, a bench under a towering oak tree. Only steps away, the impressive Mercer-Williams house served as their backdrop.
“I’m starving.” Carlita fed Rambo first and then eyed the bags Glenda was holding.
“So am I.” Her friend handed a soda and container of food. Inside was a BLT wrap, veggies and dip and a generous helping of creamy macaroni salad.
Carlita sampled a carrot and the dip first. “What’s happening in your world?”
“The Savannah Architectural Society is keeping me busy. It seems everyone is eager to start on renovations. How about you?”
“The same. I haven’t taken a day off in who knows how long. The kids and I are looking forward to our cruise vacation this fall.” Carlita thought about Elvira’s surprise. “We’re going to have company on the cruise.”
“Company?”
“Elvira and her sister.”
Glenda made a choking sound. “You’re kidding.”
“She sprung that little gem on me the other day.”
“It sounds as if it will be an exciting voyage.”
“Or a shipwreck in the making,” Carlita joked.
“So, how is business?” Glenda polished off the first half of her wrap and reached for her napkin.
“It’s all right. Good, I guess.” Carlita mentioned Sandy Sue’s Bar-B-Que. Without going into detail, she briefly told her about her two recent run-ins with the owners.
“I’m quite familiar with Sandy Sue Jarvis and her husband. They just opened for business and are already requesting an expansion. They want to add a pavilion, an eyesore if you ask me, to their property.”
“She was robbed at gunpoint last night.”
Glenda’s jaw dropped. “Seriously?”
“Yep. A cop showed up on my doorstep early this morning, asking me if I knew anything about it and wanting to check my surveillance recordings.”
“Surely, they don’t think you had anything to do with it.”
“Maybe not them, but I got the impression Sandy Sue was pointing fingers.”
Glenda cast Carlita a sympathetic look. “If it’s any consolation, I have what you might consider good news.”
Chapter 6
“I could use some good news,” Carlita said.
“The city, at the SAS’s recommendation, turned down Sandy Sue Jarvis’s request to add the pavilion.”
“I’m not against
