Page 5 of Takedown in Savannah
“I would have seen them carrying bags of stuff out,” Pete said. “I realize this isn’t the outcome you had hoped for, but it’s time to move on.”
Elvira wandered over to the wall, the one facing the river, and placed her palms against the cold concrete.
Carlita could almost see the woman’s wheels turning. “They dug up every square inch of this place.”
“But something was down here.” Elvira pivoted, turning to face the trio. “Right? I mean, it’s not like I’m imagining what we saw.”
“There were drag marks, which match what may have been a smaller boat,” Pete said. “I suppose a logical conclusion would be the pirates stashed their plunder under the restaurant. When the coast was clear, they loaded it onto a boat and dragged it out of here.”
“Regardless of what happened to the pirate’s plunder, it’s long gone,” Dernice said.
Elvira scratched her head. “But gone how far? What if they never made it all the way to the river?”
Carlita and her husband exchanged a knowing glance, both realizing exactly where Elvira’s train of thought was heading.
“Don’t even go there,” Pete warned.
“I’m calling Janet Gigowski.” Elvira snatched her cell phone from her pocket. “Crud. I don’t have cell service down here.”
“Call her for what?” Dernice asked. “Do you think Carlita and Pete are lying?”
“Of course not. I’m wondering if they would consider expanding their search.”
Pete made a timeout with his hands. “Nope. You can get the thought right out of your head.”
“Why not?” Elvira pouted. “We’re so close.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m running a business here. Expanding the excavation area would be disruptive to my customers.”
“And to us,” Carlita said. “Not only is the restaurant Pete’s livelihood, but this is also our home.”
“What if we limited it to a certain area? We could start small, over by the edge of the property and close to the river.”
“I’m not interested. I’ve been dealing with this for weeks…months, and am ready for life to get back to normal.”
Elvira grew quiet.
Carlita wagged her finger at her. “Don’t be getting any big ideas about sneaking over here.”
Pete dusted his hands. “I have the final say. As far as I’m concerned, it’s over.”
Elvira trudged toward the hole in the wall, grumbling and mumbling under her breath. She crawled over the ledge and stood waiting for them to join her, a sour frown etched on her face. “All of my hopes and dreams have been crushed.”
“There’s still Alaska,” Dernice reminded her. “You can dig up there to your heart’s content.”
“I would rather dig here, close to home.”
“But…”
Elvira held up her hand. “You don’t have to keep repeating yourself. I get it. You’re not interested in finding treasure that could make you rich beyond your wildest dreams.”
“Maybe you should change your mindset,” Carlita said. “Count your blessings and be happy with what you have.”
“Thriving businesses, a boyfriend who cares enough about you to bail your butt out of jail. Sharky even dragged his friends into your mess. And a sister who helps you,” Dernice said.
“I’ll get over it, but it’s gonna take a day or two.”
“Disappointment runs deep.” Carlita changed the subject. “Based on our earlier conversation, what are you going to do about Luigi?”
