Carlita interrupted. “That’s interesting. I wonder why she didn’t go back to Big Hog’s instead of coming here.”
“I asked the same question. Mei claims she’s moving into the downtown area and wanted a job where she could walk to work.”
The explanation sounded plausible to Carlita. “Did she say why she was leaving Sandy Sue’s?”
“Now, that’s where it gets a little interesting.” Arnie tapped the tip of his pen on the desk. “Each time we talk, she gives me a different reason. One is that Sandy Sue doesn’t have enough customers. Mei also claims she thinks the tips will be better here at Ravello’s since it’s more of a high-end restaurant versus a barbecue joint.”
“Possibly,” Carlita said. “Is that all?”
“I get the impression Mei does not like the Jarvises and Sandy Sue in particular. She said the work environment was toxic.”
“I see.” Carlita had little doubt that Sandy Sue was difficult to work for.
“You can chat with her later. She’s training this evening.”
“I think I will.” Carlita thanked him for the update and told him she’d be back later to cover her shift.
After leaving, she swung by Elvira’s place to check on her. Dernice answered the door and told her that Elvira had taken a painkiller and was napping.
“I feel somewhat responsible for her accident,” Carlita said.
Dernice waved dismissively. “Don’t blame yourself. Elvira was getting a little too cocky. She’ll be fine.”
“Tell her I stopped by to check on her.”
“I will.”
With time on her hands before her shift began, she gathered up her gardening tools, along with a tray of flowers she’d picked up at the local farmer’s market, and headed down to the courtyard.
Halfway through her sprucing up project, she heard the rumble of Reese’s trolley as it pulled up to the trolley stop. She noticed someone hurrying toward it.
Carlita ducked back, watching as an animated Sandy Sue said something to Reese.
Reese shook her head, and then reluctantly took something from the woman.
Sandy Sue finally left while Reese continued waiting for passengers to board the trolley.
Curious to find out what Sandy Sue had given her, Carlita darted across the street and approached the driver’s side window. “Hey, Reese. I saw Sandy Sue flag you down and give you something.”
“She did.” An odd look crossed Reese’s face.
“What was it, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I…” Reese greeted a passenger before resuming their conversation. “She’s not playing fair with you.”
Carlita’s scalp tingled. “What do you mean?”
Reese plucked a slip of paper from her visor and handed it to Carlita. It was a discount coupon. She could feel the tips of her ears burn as she read Sandy Sue’s coupon:
Twenty-five percent off for bringing in a restaurant receipt from Ravello’s. Offer good through July 31st.
Carlita clenched her jaw. “She’s trying to steal my customers.”
“It would seem that way. It’s a little underhanded.”
“She wants you to give these to trolley passengers?”
“Yep. I took them but haven’t handed out a single one.”
Carlita’s eyes flashed with anger.
“Don’t let her get under your skin. Besides, karma is gonna come back and bite that woman.” Reese apologized but said she needed to get going.
Still aggravated, Carlita watched as the trolley pulled away. She finished sprucing up the courtyard, unable to shake Sandy Sue’s words and her insinuation the police suspected her of being involved in the robbery.
Admittedly, she had both motive and opportunity. Motive would be not only competition setting up shop directly across from her, but antagonizing Carlita to the point of diverting traffic and forcing her to call the cops.
There was also the incident of Sandy Sue’s contractors dumping their construction waste in Carlita’s dumpster.
Last, but not least, was the confrontation between Carlita and Sandy Sue, only hours before she was robbed.
The escalating animosity between the two made Carlita uneasy. Sandy Sue struck her as being vindictive. Throw in all the other things going on in the woman’s life and it was a recipe for another confrontation, one Carlita was eager to avoid. She had her own share of problems.
Determined not to let the woman get under her skin, she finished up and returned home. Mercedes and she shared a quick bite to eat, and then she freshened up before heading to Ravello’s.
The change in seasons had also brought a change in diners’ habits. During the winter months, business picked up late afternoon and tapered off in the early evening.
With more daylight hours and locals out enjoying the weather, they arrived a little later and lingered a little longer, which was good for business. She also found they were purchasing more after-dinner drinks and desserts.
The hours flew by. Several times, Carlita caught a glimpse of her new employee training with one of the restaurant’s more experienced servers.
Tony stopped by to grab a bite to eat. In between customers, Carlita chatted with him. He didn’t stay long, claiming he needed to head home and catch up on some paperwork.
By the time the restaurant closed, Carlita’s feet hurt, but her mood was much improved. No matter what Sandy Sue Jarvis did, she was determined to rise above the woman’s irritating ways and be the bigger person.
She pitched in to clean up the front, and after finishing, limped to the back.
The new employee, the woman Carlita had seen earlier, stood talking to Arnie.
He caught Carlita’s eye and motioned for her to join them. “I’m glad you haven’t left yet.” Arnie pointed to the woman. “Mei Zhao, meet the owner of Ravello’s, Carlita Garlucci.”
Chapter 22
“Mei Zhao.” Carlita blinked rapidly. “You worked across the street at Sandy Sue’s Bar-B-Que.”
“I did. I was working at Big Hog’s BBQ for
