Muffins and Mobsters

by Leena Clover

  Jenny packed a chocolate muffin for Jason’s breakfast and handed him a large cup of coffee. She promised her aunt she would be back before the lunch rush. Grabbing another muffin for herself, she propelled Jason out of the café.

  Jason munched on his muffin while Jenny explained who Peter Wilson was.

  “You think he’s going to be upfront with you?” he quizzed.

  Jenny didn’t have an answer for that.

  Peter Wilson was a tall, dark haired man dressed in grease stained jeans and flannel. Jenny guessed he was a few years older than her.

  He gave Jenny a curious look and shook hands with Jason.

  “Something wrong with that fancy car of yours?” he asked.

  “Jenny here wants to talk to you about something.”

  “Hi,” Jenny began. “My name is Jenny King. I work at the Boardwalk Café with Petunia.”

  “I know who you are,” Peter Wilson nodded. “My wife loves your cupcakes. They are something else.”

  Jenny thanked him for the compliment.

  “Do you know Petunia Clark?” she asked tentatively. “I mean, did you know her?”

  “Sure,” Peter Wilson shrugged. “Everyone in town knew her.”

  “Did you know her personally?”

  Peter Wilson wiped a wrench with a dirty rag.

  “What are you getting at?”

  “Look. You know someone shot Petunia, right?” Jenny’s voice quavered a bit but she plunged ahead. “I’m trying to find out what happened.”

  Peter’s eyebrows shot up.

  “You think I had something to do with it?”

  “I found an appointment book,” Jenny explained. “It says Petunia was going to meet you that day at 5 AM.”

  Jenny crossed her fingers behind her back while she spoke.

  Peter’s face crumpled.

  “I was supposed to meet her, okay? But I didn’t. My kid was sick. I was in the emergency room all night with my wife. That’s where I heard about what happened.”

  “What was your meeting about?”

  “It was private business,” Peter Wilson shrugged again. “You don’t need to know.”

  “Petunia’s gone now,” Jenny reasoned. “Look, I’m not sure how you knew her. But it looks like you had been meeting her for a while. Don’t you want her killer found?”

  Peter Wilson hesitated.

  “I was just keeping an eye on her,” he finally said. “Making sure she was alright.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “It’s a long story,” Peter said grudgingly. “I knew her way back when.”

  Jenny’s eyes widened.

  “Did you know her as Leona?”

  Peter Wilson finally showed some emotion.

  “Where did you get that name?”

  “Vinny told me everything,” Jenny said smugly. “Vinny Bellini. He was Petunia’s son.”

  “Vinny’s in town,” Jason added. “Do you know him?”

  “Vinny doesn’t know about me, okay?” Peter Wilson burst out. “I work for the Hawk.”

  “Your secret’s safe with us,” Jenny assured him. “Why don’t you tell us everything?”

  “Leona, she walked out on the family one day. The Hawk, that’s her papa, told me to keep an eye on her. I followed her down the coast to this little town. I been here ever since.”

  “So you’re with the family?” Jenny asked.

  Peter Wilson shrugged.

  “I was twenty five when I came here. I set up this garage and stayed on. I met a local girl and married her. I never went back.”

  “Why were you meeting Petunia?”

  “We have been meeting once a month for twenty five years,” Peter said. “My job was to make sure she was doing okay. I called the Hawk and let him know how his little girl was doing.”

  “Petunia knew that?”

  Peter shrugged.

  “It was the only way the Hawk would let her live on her own.”

  “Why meet at 5 in the morning?”

  “It was her idea.” Peter shrugged again.

  “Do you have any idea who shot her?” Jenny asked.

  “Leona’s secret was safe here. People forgot about her a long time ago.”

  Jenny and Jason drove back to town.

  “Do you think he’s a mobster too?” Jenny asked him.

  “Ask your boyfriend,” Jason grinned. “You should tell him about Peter.”

  They went to the police station and walked into Adam’s office. Adam thanked them for the information.

  “So Peter Wilson is part of the Bellini family? That’s news to us.”

  “Any other updates?” she asked Adam.

  “We are doing our job,” Adam told her curtly.

  “What now?” Jenny said when they came out of the police station.

  Barb Norton waved at her from a sidewalk. She seemed to have forgotten about their earlier altercation.

  “What is she up to now?” Jenny muttered to Jason.

  “Do you have a few minutes, Jenny?” Jason asked. “We need to discuss something.”

  They went to Jason’s office.

  “What is it?” Jenny asked urgently.

  “It’s about Petunia’s will,” Jason admitted. “Can we talk about it now?”

  “Is this about her last wishes? Maybe we should get all the Magnolias here.”

  “It’s more than that,” Jason hastened to explain. “This particularly concerns you.”

  “How so?”

  “She left you the Boardwalk Café.”

  “I plan to continue working there,” Jenny assured him. “As long as I’m not booted out.”

  “That’s just it, Jenny,” Jason smiled. “You own it free and clear. It’s yours to do with as you please. Petunia hoped you would continue running it though.”

  “What?” Jenny cried. “I don’t believe it. Why would she do that? She barely knew me.”

  “You meant a lot to her, Jenny. The rest of her estate will be settled between her sons.”

  “She had more money?” Jenny asked, surprised.

  “Millions,” Jason nodded. “It was part of her big inheritance from her father. She never touched it. Vinny and his brother get it all.”

  “I need a drink,” Jenny said, still feeling dazed. “What am I going to do with the café, Jason?”

  “Just keep working your magic,” Jason laughed. “And keep supplying me with chocolate cake.”

  Jason pulled out a chilled bottle of water from the refrigerator and handed it to Jenny.

  “I would much rather have her by my side,” Jenny said softly.

  “I know,” Jason said, squeezing her trembling hand.

  The midmorning sun warmed her back as Jenny walked back to the café, feeling guilty about benefiting from her friend’s death. She thought about selling the café and donating the money to charity. But she loved the Boardwalk Café. She could picture herself working there for years, baking sweet treats, making chocolates and feeding locals and tourists healthy, wholesome meals.

  Jenny struggled with her thoughts as she fried shrimp for the lunch special. She generously sprinkled them with seasoning and assembled the po’boy sandwiches that were so popular. She put two sandwiches in a brown paper bag and went out on the deck. Her eyes scanned the beach, searching for a familiar figure.

  The man stood at the water’s edge, drawing something in the sand with his stick.

  “Hello there,” Jenny called out, walking toward him.

  The man stared at her through hooded eyes.

  Jenny offered him the brown paper bag.

  “I am trying out a new recipe. Why don’t you tell me how you like it?”

  “I don’t take charity,” the man mumbled.

  “It’s not charity,” Jenny said hastily. “You’d be doing me a favor. I really need some feedback.”

  The man peered into the bag suspiciously. He pulled out the roll, bursting with crunchy fried shrimp. He stared at it longingly.

  “P
lease,” Jenny said. “I need your help.”

  The man took a small bite and chewed slowly. He took a bigger bite and wolfed the sandwich down in two minutes.

  “It’s good,” he said. “A bit spicy.”

  “I’ll tone down the spice then,” Jenny agreed.

  The man was pulling out the second sandwich.

  “Are you from around here?” she asked. “I’m new in town myself.”

  “Came here for a job,” the man offered reluctantly.

  “Me too,” Jenny said. “Where’s your family?”

  “Up in the mountains,” the man mumbled.

  “My son lives away from me too,” Jenny volunteered. “I miss him.”

  The man laughed suddenly. He had finished eating the sandwich. He thrust the brown paper bag in Jenny’s hands. He picked up his stick and gave her a salute.

  Before Jenny could say anything else, the man turned his back on her and started walking away. He scratched something in the sand with his stick and rubbed it off with his foot, muttering to himself.

  Jenny realized she didn’t even know his name.

  Chapter 6

  The Magnolias had gathered on the deck of the Boardwalk Café.

  “We need to send our girl off in style,” Betty Sue ordained. “Spare no effort or expense.”

  “Petunia left clear instructions about what she wants,” Star reminded her.

  “We’ll do all that,” Jenny nodded. “And we’ll throw her the biggest party this town has ever seen. Right here at the Boardwalk Café.”

  “That’s a great idea, Jenny,” Molly said eagerly. “How can I help?”

  “We’ll have a party alright,” Heather said emphatically. “But what about finding out who shot Petunia? Have you made any progress at all, Jenny?”

  Jenny told them about meeting Peter Wilson.

  “Adam says his real name is Fabio Lombardi. He was being trained as a capo or something before he dropped everything and came here.”

  “So he gave up a fancy career in the mob to come look after our Petunia?” Heather asked.

  “Sounds like it,” Jenny agreed.

  “Does he have a gun?” Molly asked. “Why couldn’t he be our shooter?”

  “He was more like a bodyguard, remember?” Jenny said. “And he has an alibi. He was in the hospital all night, taking care of his sick kid.”

  “Bummer,” Heather said. “That would have been too easy.”

  “Does anyone benefit from Petunia’s death?” Betty Sue asked. “Isn’t that what you always look for, Jenny?”

  “You’re right, Betty Sue. Jason told me Petunia left all her money to her sons.”

  “So that goon Vinny benefits?” Molly asked.

  “He’s not going to kill his mother for a few dollars,” Star dismissed.

  “She walked away from him,” Jenny mused. “And it’s not just a few dollars, Star. Jason said it’s in millions.”

  “Maybe you should talk to him,” Betty Sue said grimly.

  Heather and Molly jumped up.

  “We are coming with you, Jenny.”

  “He’s living in one of Jimmy’s cottages,” Jenny said. “It’s barely a mile out.”

  Jenny told them to settle down. She assembled some sandwiches for lunch and made sure Star could handle the crowd by herself.

  Vinny walked into the café just as they were getting ready to leave.

  “Hello sweetheart,” he said, smiling at Jenny.

  Vinny was dressed in another cream colored suit, with his signature hat perched jauntily on his head. His three companions wore their uniform of dark clothes and leather jackets. Jenny figured they spent more on their wardrobe than she did.

  “I was just coming to see you, Vinny,” Jenny said.

  “It’s my lucky day,” he smiled. “How about a spot of lunch? We are starving.”

  Jenny led them out on the deck.

  “I would kill for this view,” Vinny drawled.

  He laughed heartily when he saw the expression on Jenny’s face.

  “Relax, I’m joking.”

  Six Pac, Smiley and the third man sprawled on the chairs around Vinny. Jenny had learned he was called Biggie. He was barely five feet tall and weighed under a hundred pounds.

  Chowder was on the menu that day, with tomato mozzarella sandwiches. Vinny tucked a napkin under his chin and started on his soup. He waved a hand at Jenny.

  “What did you want to talk about?”

  “Jason told me Petunia left you a lot of money.”

  Vinny shrugged.

  “A little bit. Why?”

  “How do I know you didn’t shoot her for the money?”

  Vinny put the spoon back in his soup. His eyes had turned hard.

  “You think I killed my Ma?”

  “You could have,” Jenny said boldly. “Where were you that day between 5 and 8.”

  “I was up in Jersey sleeping next to my wife,” Vinny said coldly. “Not that I owe you any explanation.”

  Smiley spoke up.

  “You got some guts, lady.”

  “A few million dollars is a lot of money,” Jenny mumbled.

  “You know how much money I got?” Vinny asked her with a smile. “I have billions, in this country and offshore. I don’t need the money.”

  “Maybe you had a grudge against her,” Jenny shrugged.

  “For the last time, lady, I didn’t whack my Ma.”

  Vinny slurped the last of his soup and picked up his sandwich.

  “Someone told me you are some hotshot detective. Is this all you got?”

  “Money is generally a big motive,” Jenny persisted.

  “That lawyer told me my Ma left you this café,” Vinny said. “How do I know you didn’t pull the trigger?”

  “I would never do that!” Jenny said, sucking in her breath. “I loved Petunia. She gave me a chance when I had nothing.”

  “Okay,” Vinny said, nodding his head. “So you and I both had nothing to do with it. Let’s agree on that, shall we?”

  Jenny found herself nodding her head.

  “I want you to find out who shot my Ma,” Vinny continued. “Name your price.”

  “I don’t want money,” Jenny said, scandalized. “I want justice for Petunia.”

  “Okay then,” Vinny said. “Just let me know if I can help.”

  Vinny and his goons stayed on the deck for the next couple of hours, eating pie and drinking coffee.

  Jenny walked to the police station as soon as they left.

  “Any updates?” she asked Adam. “Do you have any suspects yet?”

  “One or two,” Adam said, looking at her thoughtfully.

  “Who is it?” Jenny asked. “Her sons inherit millions from her death. You think they have a part in this?”

  “Her sons are already rolling in money,” Adam told her. “I don’t think a few millions would make a difference.”

  “So money wasn’t the motive?”

  Adam shrugged.

  “Hard to say.”

  “What do you mean, Adam?”

  “Don’t you inherit the café?” he asked.

  Jenny’s face changed color as she processed what Adam had said.

  “You think I had something to do with it?”

  “I don’t think that, Jenny. But since we are talking about motives …”

  “I had a generous divorce settlement. I don’t need the money.”

  Adam leaned forward, twirling a pencil in his hand.

  “You spent most of it on buying that monstrous house of yours. The café is an unexpected windfall. Admit it.”

  “Of course it’s unexpected,” Jenny cried. “You think I knew this was going to happen?”

  “The Boardwalk Café is an asset you can bank on for the rest of your life.”

  “You know what I earned at the café last year?” Jenny asked. “Nothing! That’s because I didn’t take any pay. The café was barely breaking even. In fact, I put up some capital to help Petunia out.”

>   “Did you disagree with the way Petunia was running the café?”

  “No. Why are you asking all these questions?”

  “You changed the menu, didn’t you? Did Petunia agree with your ideas?”

  “She was a bit hesitant at first, I guess,” Jenny said honestly. “But she saw how popular my food was getting. She was the one who suggested we revamp the menu.”

  “You’re sure you didn’t have any arguments with her?”

  “Where is all this going, Adam?” Jenny asked, frustrated. “Why are you giving me the third degree?”

  Adam sighed.

  “The police are looking at you as a person of interest, Jenny.”

  “That’s ridiculous!”

  “Is it?” Adam asked. “You stood to gain by Petunia’s death. You were right there at five in the morning. And you were very familiar with Petunia’s routine.”

  “I don’t have a gun.”

  “That’s the only thing in your favor.”

  “You don’t really think I am guilty?”

  “I’m just doing my job, Jenny.”

  Jenny’s gaze hardened as she folded her arms.

  “I guess I better go get a lawyer then.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Adam agreed.

  Jenny walked out without another word.

  Molly was waiting for her at the Boardwalk Café. She jumped up as soon as she saw Jenny.

  “Can we talk?” she asked urgently.

  “Sure, Molly,” Jenny said, taking her hands in hers. “What’s the matter?”

  Molly burst into tears.

  “It’s so unexpected. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Calm down and take a deep breath,” Jenny ordered. “I’m making some chamomile tea for us.”

  Jenny brewed tea while Molly paced in the tiny kitchen.

  “What’s going on? Why are you so nervous?”

  Jenny took Molly by the shoulders and made her sit down.

  “Tell me everything,” Jenny said gently, adding honey to their tea and placing a cup before Molly.

  “I think I’m pregnant!” Molly blurted.

  “That’s wonderful news, Molly,” Jenny said, her eyes shining with pleasure. “That’s the best thing I have heard in the past few days.”

  “How could this happen, Jenny?”

  “Do I really need to tell you that?” Jenny joked. “Have you told Chris yet?”

  “No. And I’m not going to.”