Page 42 of Takedown in Savannah
“Sure.” She kicked the kickstand down. Reaching into the saddlebag, she removed a helmet and handed it to Carlita. “We can cover more ground.”
“I don’t remember the last time I rode a motorcycle.”
“Seriously?” Dernice whooped loudly. “You’re in for a real treat. This baby is the Cadillac of motorcycles.”
“It looks nice, like it would be fun to cruise around on.” Carlita inched closer, noticing a bobblehead sporting an uncanny resemblance to the Harley’s owner. “Is this you?”
“It’s Bonnie the Bobblehead. She’s my wing girl and keeps me safe on my travels.”
Carlita tapped the side of her plastic head, making her bobble. “How cute. I’ve never seen a custom bobblehead before.”
“Elvira makes fun of it every time she sees it.”
“She has no room to talk.”
“Right? I figured if we had to work, we might as well do it in style.” Dernice laid out her plan, which was to follow the route the San Maris Gang had taken.
Carlita slid the helmet on and secured the strap. “Does Luigi know what we’re doing?”
“Yeah. He wasn’t on board at first until I told him our main goal was to figure out what the gang’s next step might be, not to confront them.”
“The ringleader holds the key,” Carlita quipped. “If we can figure out who is in charge of the group, we’ll be a step closer to clearing Luigi’s name.”
“I was thinking the same thing.” Dernice tapped the top of the saddlebag. “You can put your purse here.”
“Thanks.” She set her purse inside and closed the lid. “While I was waiting, I reread some of the recent news stories and confirmed what you suspected.”
“About how most of the hits have taken place near the river?”
“Yeah, which got me thinking.”
“We should monitor the river area?”
“It would be best if I showed you.” Carlita swung her leg over the side and settled onto the back seat.
“Hang on.”
“I’m hanging.”
Dernice revved up the engine and away they went.
Making a wide loop around the perimeter of the parking lot, they exited through the back. With a quick right turn, they began cruising along Bay Street, the main drag running parallel to the river.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Carlita could feel herself relax. The cool evening air. The vibrant city lights. The wind in her face. She was starting to understand the Harley’s appeal…an open road that could take you almost anywhere.
Similar to what Carlita and Rambo had done earlier on foot, they traveled all the way to the end of the street where it intersected with the road leading to Talmadge Memorial Bridge.
Dernice loosened her grip on the throttle and coasted into a nearby parking lot. “From what I mapped out, the San Maris Gang’s territory—or in this case targets—end right about here.”
“At the 516 loop,” Carlita said. “It’s almost like they made a big square and work inside it.”
“Close to the river.”
“Bingo.” Carlita suggested they take River Street down to Gunner’s Landing. “The Flying Gunner is gone, but I want to show you something.”
“Your wish is my command.” Dernice turned onto a side street. Reaching the busy tourist district, they slowed to a crawl, weaving around parked cars and pedestrians. Finally, they reached their destination.
Carlita climbed off, and Dernice followed suit. “After reading the stories, plus what you found, I agree with your theory that the gang isn’t land-based and they’re using the river to travel back and forth.”
