Carlita tried accessing the database the pawn shop used for not only researching the value of items but also for tracking transactions and recording customer information.
She tried logging on several times, but the database wouldn’t pull up. She called Josh over. “I can’t log onto the database.”
“It’s been glitchy.” The shop’s employee tapped the keys. “The first trick is to hold the control-alt-delete key.” Nothing happened. “Crud. It really is down.”
He turned to the customer who was still waiting at the counter. “I’m sorry. It seems our system is down. I can handwrite your information.”
“Forget it. I heard the same thing last time I was in here. I’ll take my merchandise somewhere else.” The man snatched the box of cards from the counter and stormed out.
Carlita sucked in a breath. “Looks like we need to get a new database.”
“Tony is aware of it.” Josh grabbed a black book off the desk. “We’ve been using this to log sales when it goes down. All you have to do is jot down the name of the seller or person pawning an item. Tony also requires identification and a contact number, if you can get the seller to give it to you. Some claim they don’t have a phone.”
“Will do.” Carlita thanked him and then headed to the jewelry counter.
The next few hours dragged by. During her downtime, she thought about Shelby’s abrupt departure and then Sandy Sue’s insistence Carlita was behind the robbery.
Elvira had mentioned Sandy Sue’s employees didn’t seem to care for her, which was no surprise. From her brief interaction with the woman, she came across as both abrasive and rude.
Around four, Carlita headed to Ravello’s. Once inside, she printed off a profit-and-loss statement. Business had dropped off the last few days, and she wondered if it had anything to do with Sandy Sue’s.
She had a brief meeting with the chef, the head cook, and the front of the house waitstaff to go over any of their concerns. The meeting ended, and then she and the head chef did a quick inventory.
They were in the back comparing numbers when the hostess hurried into the kitchen. “Oh, good. You’re still here. Two people who work for the city are out front. They’re asking to speak with the manager or owner.”
Chapter 9
Carlita approached the man and woman standing in the lobby. “My employee said you were looking for the owner or manager of this restaurant.”
“We’re with the Savannah-Burnham Department of Regulation. We’ve received two separate complaints regarding this restaurant.”
It felt as if someone had punched Carlita in the gut. Her first thought was Sandy Sue Jarvis. “Complaints?”
The man flipped the top of the iPad he was holding and tapped the screen. “Cross contamination. Improper food storage.”
“My restaurant passed a state inspection last month with flying colors. I believe my score was 98 out of 100.”
“Then you won’t mind if we take a look around?” the woman asked.
“Absolutely not.” Carlita led them to the kitchen.
She stood off to the side, watching as the city’s inspectors made their way to the walk-in cooler. They moved on to the freezers and then joined her after a quick check of the employee’s restroom.
“It appears all is in order, Ms. Garlucci,” the man said. “We appreciate your cooperation and will file our report.”
“So, this is the end of your investigation?” Carlita asked as she escorted them to the front door.
“It is. The file will be closed.”
Carlita stopped them before they made their way out. “Can you tell me who filed the complaint?”
“All complaints are confidential, ensuring the whistleblower won’t risk losing their job for doing the right thing.”
“Or the wrong thing,” Carlita muttered.
“That happens as well,” the woman admitted. “False complaints are a common occurrence.”
“Like mine.”
The woman cast her an apologetic smile and followed the investigator out onto the sidewalk. The two of them had a brief conversation before making their way across the street to Sandy Sue’s.
Arnie, Carlita’s kitchen manager, joined her. “They’re gone? What did they say?”
“They found no violations. They’ll file their report, and the investigation will be closed.”
“Should we call a meeting with employees, to go over sanitation standards?”
“I don’t think it’s necessary. Anyone could have filed the complaint. Besides, I don’t think it was an employee.” Carlita continued staring at Sandy Sue’s. The investigators were still there.
“You think it was the owners of the new barbecue place?” Arnie asked.
“I’m almost one hundred percent certain it was.” First it was the dumpster incident. Then it was Sandy Sue’s employee diverting traffic. Perhaps the owners thought Carlita was behind Sandy Sue’s robbery. And now, if the officials were responding to a complaint at Sandy Sue’s, something told her that the woman would, once again, think Carlita was responsible.
Were both restaurants being targeted? If so, by who? Carlita hadn’t an inkling of an issue with inspections or customer complaints.
Of course, there was always the occasional customer who had a less-than-desirable dining experience, but Carlita and her staff were always quick to address any issues.
“I don’t think it would hurt to have a meeting with the staff, to go over our code of conduct. The last thing we want is for rotten reviews to surface,” Arnie said.
“Reviews.” Carlita pressed her palms together. It had been weeks since she’d last gone online to check for new customer reviews. “You don’t think…”
Arnie’s eyes mirrored her own. “We should look.”
Carlita followed her manager into the kitchen. It didn’t take long for them to do a quick online search, typing Ravello’s Italian Eatery, Savannah, Georgia in the search bar.
Thankfully, nothing new or negative popped up. There were a few complaints…cold food, undercooked pasta. Each reviewer also stated the staff immediately rectified the situation.
“There’s nothing new.” Carlita
