Page 41 of Takedown in Savannah
“Be careful.”
She promised she would and then headed home. It had been hours since she’d last eaten, so Carlita assembled a sandwichand settled in at the bar. While she ate, she studied the map again. Her gut told her the gang was linked to the river. Were the targets random or strategic?
Carlita grabbed a yellow pad and began jotting the names of the businesses and individuals who had been hit:
-Pawn shop near City Market.
-Jewelry store.
-Credit union near the highway.
-Hotel on River Street.
-Museum near River Street.
-Black Stallion.
-Brick District home.
-Brick District home #2.
Several other businesses, including two additional pawn shops, made the list, which was a major concern for Carlita.
She thought about sending Tony a text but immediately dismissed the idea. Savannah Swag was already well-protected. Besides, if they were unlucky enough to be included in the San Maris Gang’s future plans, her businesses were heavily insured.
Carlita wondered which homes in the Brick District, an area of town where many of Savannah’s rich and powerful residents lived, had been broken into.
She pulled up the online stories, reading each one line by line. By all appearances, the gang had settled in with no plans of moving on, and why should they? They were running a lucrative operationifthe recent crimes had been committed by the same group.
Going with the theory that it was the gang, Montgomery Hall would be a prime target. Tori Montgomery’s Mediterranean-style mansion was filled with antiques, jewelry, possibly even piles of cash.
Like their store, it was well-protected, meaning the San Maris Gang would be idiots to break in and try robbing Tori. They would be shot on sight, no questions asked.
Working her way back to the top, Carlita re-read the most recent story mentioning Luigi’s name and even hinting at ties to organized crime.
If she had learned one lesson after leaving New York and moving to Savannah—you could walk away from a life of crime, but there was a good chance it would come back to haunt you. The Garlucci’s past seemed to keep coming back almost like clockwork, not only creating havoc but bringing with it some sketchy characters.
She scrolled to the top of the page and clicked on the photo taken at a location the gang had targeted by the river. Carlita pressed on the tip of her reading glasses, closely studying the photo, but nothing popped out as a potential clue.
She jotted a few more notes before taking Rambo out for a bathroom break and then ran inside to freshen up. She had almost finished when Dernice sent a text, letting her know she was on the way.
Carlita grabbed her purse and headed downstairs. While she waited, she traipsed around the yard, wondering when Elvira would show up again, this time with a metal detector in hand.
Off in the distance, twinkling lights danced across the Savannah River. A freighter silently slipped past. It drifted out of sight, replaced by the local ferry, crossing over to Hutchinson Island to drop visitors off at the hotel or convention center.
The silhouette of The Flying Gunner, with tall masts and lights strung from end to end, floated along the river. She could hear the faint echo of music, a lively tune that was part of thepirate’s act. Meanwhile, the surveillance cameras hidden inside the cannons recorded everything.
Would they catch the San Maris Gang sneaking off to their secret location? She hoped so. If not, she wasn’t sure Pete would be on board with letting them try again.
The music faded, replaced by the roar of an engine revving. The roar grew louder. A flash of bright light bounced off the side of the apartment.
Carlita’s eyes grew round as saucers. “What in the world?”
Chapter 18
Dernice steered her custom chrome Harley into the parking lot and coasted to a stop. “You ready to ride?”
“On your motorcycle?”
