Elvira sprang to her feet. “I’m up for a little extra cash. How much do you want to bet?”
“Fifty bucks.”
“This will be an easy fifty bucks.” Elvira cackled gleefully and held out her hand. “It’s not binding unless we shake.”
Dernice shook. “Fifty bucks says you won’t have a bike unless you steal it.”
“I don’t need to steal a motorcycle,” her sister haughtily replied.
“This should go without saying, but when I say bike, I’m not talking about a tricycle a three-year-old rides.”
“I’ll have a motorcycle, shiny, new and one you’ll be salivating over,” Elvira vowed.
“I can’t wait to see it. The ride starts tomorrow morning at nine over at the fairgrounds. Let’s plan to meet in the alley at eight thirty.”
“Sounds good to me.” Carlita gave Dernice a fist bump. “I have to admit, I’m more than a little curious to see what Elvira’s ride looks like.”
Tink.Carlita’s cell phone chimed. “I gotta run. Tori Montgomery and I are having lunch over in the Brick District.”
Mercedes whistled loudly. “Fancy.”
“She hasn’t been feeling well lately. The doctor ordered a slew of tests and she finally has the results.” Carlita crossed her fingers. “I hope it’s nothing serious.”
“See you in the morning,” Elvira said.
“We’ll be here, ready to roll.” After parting ways with Mercedes in the alley, Carlita climbed into her car for the drive to the other side of town, which might as well have been a different world.
Visitors arrived at one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in the entire country as soon as they drove through the massive wrought-iron gates, passing by the towering live oaks canopying overhead, creating an enchanting tunnel of trees.
The epitome of old money and oozing Savannah charm, it was where the who’s who of the South lived in mega-mansions, hand-crafted by artisans featuring imported finishes and furnishings sourced from all around the world.
She pulled under the portico. A parking attendant promptly appeared to offer her a hand and park her car. Topnotch service and a country club staff team who didn’t miss a beat, all a part of the moneyed world of Savannah’s wealthy.
As soon as Carlita gave the woman at the counter Tori’s name, she was whisked away to a table near a tiered fountain offering an unobstructed view of Brick District Golf Club’s 9thhole through the floor to ceiling window.
“Carlita.” Tori slid her chair back.
She stopped her. “Don’t get up.” Carlita circled the table and gave her friend a gentle hug. “You’re looking well.”
“Better than when you last saw me.”
“I have to confess I’ve been more than a little concerned about you.”
“Hence the reason for your weekly calls, to check on me,” Tori said.
“Guilty as charged.” Carlita eased into the seat across from her friend, unfolded her napkin and placed it in her lap. “Hopefully, the doctor has given you some good news.”
“I’ll spare you the boring details. My diet needs to change. I need less stress and more exercise. My blood sugar has become an issue and I’m getting old,” Tori joked.
“Aren’t we all?” Carlita asked. “In other words, we live in a stressful world.”
The server arrived to take their order, recommending the Mongolian beef lettuce wraps with an Asian cucumber salad side dish.
“It sounds delightful. I’ll have the special.”
“I will as well.” Tori waited until the server left. “Speaking of stress, Ravello’s was on the news.”
Carlita’s shoulders drooped. “I threw a surprise engagement party for Elvira’s sister, Dernice, and Luigi, my tenant. Sonny Skidz, a guest who also works for the City of Savannah, got food poisoning and was rushed to the hospital. He wasn’t the only one who fell ill.”
