by Tina Kashian
“Call the police!” Lucy shouted, heading down the aisle after Kristin.
Passengers stared agape. Kids chattered and pointed in excitement.
Reaching the front of the car, Lucy clutched the back of Kristin’s beach cover-up. “Stop! There’s nowhere left to run.”
“Get off me!” Kristin screamed, then wiggled out of the robe. Lucy was left with a fistful of beach cover-up, and Kristin was left with a bikini top and skimpy jean shorts. The driver finally noticed the disturbance and the tramcar came to a grinding halt. Lucy, holding on to nothing but Kristin’s cover-up, lost her footing and crashed to the rubber floor mat, reinjuring her already-skinned knee.
Kristin took advantage of Lucy’s fall and leapt off the tramcar.
Gritting her teeth, Lucy sprang to her feet. She wasn’t about to give up. Not after she’d chased Kristin all this way. She spotted Kristin running down the boardwalk stairs and onto the beach.
“Miss, you have to pay three dollars,” the driver said as he looked at Lucy like she’d lost her mind.
“I’ll mail it in,” Lucy said, then jumped off the tramcar in pursuit.
Running on the beach was harder than the boardwalk. Kristin, already winded, started to stagger. Lucy’s daily jogs on the boards and the beach really paid off now. Her knee stung and blood ran down her leg, but she wasn’t out of breath and felt she could run another half hour.
Kristin plowed into a sandcastle, knocking it over. Kids screeched in protest. One even threw an empty bucket at her, but missed.
She can’t keep going. Now I have her!
Kristin veered right and headed under the boardwalk. If Lucy didn’t stop her soon, Kristin could make it to the street and then to her car. In her panicked state, she could run into pedestrians and hurt people. Lucy couldn’t let that happen.
It was several degrees cooler under the boardwalk and the sand was damp. Lucy’s legs pumped and she gained ground until she was only an arm’s length away from Kristin.
In one last-ditch attempt, Lucy launched herself onto the woman and knocked her to the ground. They struggled, skidding across the sand. Kristin screeched in outrage, kicking and biting, but Lucy grasped her wrists and pinned them to the sand.
Lucy grit her teeth. “It’s over. The police are on their way.”
Kristin sagged as she panted to catch her breath. A seagull landed a foot away from her head to peck at a piece of popcorn that had flown from her hair.
“You shot your husband? Why?” Lucy asked.
“Archie deserved it.”
“No one deserves to be murdered.”
“Like hell! I knew about his affair to that . . . to that hair salon tramp.”
“Her name is Rita, and she’s not a tramp.”
“Whatever. She had the audacity to call me and tell me that he’d proposed to her . . . that he’d purchased an engagement ring for her. He deserved to die. I did both of us a favor.”
Her cold words caused a shiver to course down Lucy’s spine. Kristin was the spurned wife, but she turned out to be just as manipulative as her cheating husband.
Lucy thought of Jose stuck in a jail cell. He faced murder charges and deportation. Maria must be in a frenzy of worry. “You would let an innocent man take the fall for your crime?” Lucy asked.
“I did this town a favor. I suspected Archie was blackmailing more than one person. He was also worth more to me dead than alive,” Kristin said.
“Life insurance?”
“No. His businesses.”
Confusion creased Lucy’s brow. “Archie had only one, the boardwalk shop. He left it to his nephew, Neil.”
She laughed, a high-pitched sound. “One in Ocean Crest. He has businesses out of state. I get them all.”
This was news to Lucy, but it made sense. Revenge and greed. Two motives for murder.
“You won’t get anything now.” It was fitting that Kristen was caught under the boardwalk—the same place she’d shot Archie.
Lucy looked to the beach to see children jumping up and down and pointing to where she had Kristin pinned under the boardwalk. Bill, followed by Detective Clemmons and two other officers in uniform, came running.
“Lucy! Are you okay?” Bill asked.
Lucy released Kristin and stood. Clemmons pulled Kristin to her feet and cuffed her. Kristin shot daggers at Lucy the entire time.
“I’m fine. She murdered Archie.”
“We heard,” Clemmons said. “Numerous phone calls came into the station.” He glared at her. “Just in case you forgot, Ms. Berberian, you are a civilian and not permitted to chase down criminals.”
“I understand, Detective. But I have to say, it was my best workout yet,” Lucy said.
The detective shot her a cold glare before dragging Kristin away.
“You’re bleeding,” Bill said with a frown.
“It’s only a skinned knee.”
Bill leaned close to whisper in her ear, “Good work, Lucy. I’ll drive you home.”
“Not yet. I have one more stop in mind.”
“Where?”
“The police station.”
* * *
“I’m sorry, but we can’t release Jose Alvarez. We already called the proper authorities about his status as an illegal alien and they are expected shortly,” Detective Clemmons said.
Lucy faced Detective Clemmons at the police station. Bill stood beside her. “You have to wait. Jose should have an attorney present,” Lucy said.
After Lucy had explained everything to Bill, he’d taken her straight to the station where they’d run into Maria as she was leaving from visiting Jose in his cell. She’d been distraught and her eyes were puffy from tears. Lucy had been concerned for the baby and had asked her to sit in the waiting room.
“Why are you here, Ms. Berberian? Are you representing Mr. Alvarez?” Clemmons asked.
“No. Ms. Clara Rose is on her way from Philadelphia,” Lucy said.
“Who?” Clemmons asked.
“I called a professional acquaintance at my former Philadelphia firm. Clara Rose specializes in immigration law and she has agreed to represent Mr. Alvarez.”
Clemmons rubbed his mustache with his thumb and forefinger. “An order for removal has already been issued. I don’t see how she can help.”
“She’s filed a motion to reopen Jose’s case.” Once the extenuating circumstances were presented along with any missing documentation, Clara was hopeful Jose’s green card would be renewed. “Blackmail,” Clara had said, most likely qualified as an extenuating circumstance. Clara was even hopeful that Jose could become a United States citizen one day.
Her words were a huge relief.
Jose would have needed two attorneys—a criminal defense attorney and an immigration attorney—but no longer. Kristin had been arrested for killing her husband, and the murder charges against Jose would be dismissed.
“I think you should listen to her,” Bill told Clemmons.
Detective Clemmons nodded curtly and, to everyone’s surprise, he cracked a smile. “For once, I’m happy to agree with Mrs. Berberian’s suggestion.”
Maria was summoned from the waiting room and told the news. A cry of relief broke from her lips, and she rushed forward to embrace Lucy. “How can we ever thank you?”
“Your flan was the best I ever tasted,” Lucy said.
Maria wiped tears of joy from her eyes and smiled. “Then you will have a lifetime supply.”
CHAPTER 30
Kebab Kitchen closed early that night. Everyone was gathered around a table full of Angela’s favorite meze—or appetizers—of hummus, tabbouleh, olives, and feta cheese. Raffi had brought out his favorite cognac, and Niari was drinking sparkling grape juice.
“Did Mokour Lucy really chase a killer down the boardwalk and end up tackling her on the beach?” Niari asked, her blue eyes wide.
“Where did you hear that?” Emma asked.
“I heard Azad say it to Butch in the kitchen,” Niari said.
Azad and Butch exchanged a glance. “You shouldn’t eavesdrop,” Azad admonished.
“Well, it’s true. Isn’t it?” Niari asked.
“Yes,” Lucy said. “But it wasn’t as glamorous as it sounds and you should never do anything like that.”
Niari rolled her eyes. “That’s what grown-ups say about everything.”
Lucy chuckled, then caught Azad’s gaze. He was frowning, definitely not finding anything amusing.
“Lucy, will you help me bring the baklava trays from the kitchen?” Azad asked.
She followed him through the swinging doors into the kitchen. Azad didn’t wait long before he pulled her behind the big industrial mixer. “You promised me not to do anything dangerous.”
“It wasn’t dangerous. I was chasing Kristin on the boardwalk, a very public place.”
Azad frowned. “Lucy,” he said, his voice full of exasperation as he said her name. “Kristin shot and killed someone. She could have been carrying a gun.”
“But she wasn’t. And I’m fine. I couldn’t just let her get away.”
“How about calling the police?”
“I told other people to call the police.”
He let out a huff, then hugged her. “I can’t change you, can I?”
She melted into his arms. It felt too good to fight, and despite her words, it had been a harrowing day. “You wouldn’t want me to.”
“True.”
He lowered his head and kissed her. The touch of his lips sent the pit of her stomach into a wild swirl. This felt right and she knew deep in her bones it was meant to be between them. Their past was as entwined as her parents’ grapevine, and their future was an offshoot of the vine. He’d come back into her life, not just as the head chef, but as a grown man who’d changed.
Just like she had.
Her heartbeat throbbed in her ears. They still had a long way to go, but she believed Madame Vega’s advice was sound. The cards didn’t lie.
A burgeoning romance awaits on your horizon. Will you balance impulse with practicality and take a risk?
Yes. Absolutely. She could.
Pulling back, he gazed into her eyes. “Amazing. When can we do that again?”
“How about tonight?”
He flashed a sexy grin. “Absolutely. But first, let’s go out there and celebrate with everyone.”
* * *
Lucy followed Azad back into the dining room and was surprised to see more people had arrived. Bill and Katie. Sally and Butch. Michael and Mr. Citteroni from next door. Even Detective Clemmons stood by one of the tables with a plate in his hand. Her mother had been quick to serve him.
Clemmons finished chewing before he said, “Kristin confessed to killing Archie. She had a double motive—at first she just wanted his businesses, but then she learned about his affair with Rita. Archie had five out-of-state businesses, dealing in everything from clothing stores to shoes to sports equipment. Kristin arranged to be seen in her office by coworkers before she left unnoticed from a back door, drove a hundred and fifty-five miles—just under three hours—from New York City to Ocean Crest. She called Archie, lured him under the boardwalk, then shot him.”
“Did she admit to anything else?” Katie asked.
“She claims she didn’t break into Archie’s shop. I believe her. She had the keys and could have taken anything she’d wanted at any time,” Clemmons said.
“Oh? Then who do the police think was responsible?” Katie asked.
“Jose confessed to the first break-in after Lucy discovered his torn sweatshirt matched the piece of fabric caught beneath the rolling security gate,” Clemmons said. “Neil decided against pressing charges after learning his uncle had intentionally failed to properly renew Jose’s green card. The prosecutor has agreed.”
That was even more good news. Lucy could only imagine both Jose’s and Maria’s relief.
“What about the second break-in?” Katie asked, her blue eyes innocent.
Bill coughed and sputtered as he lowered his drink. Katie absentmindedly patted her husband on the back. Lucy didn’t think Bill’s coughing fit was from the cognac.
“We still don’t know. We changed our theory and now think the second burglary wasn’t related to the first break-in or the murder. It’s not uncommon for criminals to believe that a business is uninhabited and easy pickings after reading an obituary in the newspaper,” Clemmons said.
Lucy met the detective’s eyes and forced herself to stay calm. If the police believed that to be true, then she wouldn’t enlighten them.
“Well, I’m relieved the murderer was arrested,” Lucy’s mother said.
“Amen to that,” Raffi said.
The door opened and Neil stopped by the hostess stand.
“Hello, Neil,” Lucy said as she hurried over to greet him. “Can I help you?”
He ran a hand through his shaggy hair. “I heard about Kristin. I can’t believe she killed him.”
“I’m sorry.”
He shuffled his feet on the tile and lowered his eyes. “Don’t be. I stopped by to thank you for catching my uncle’s killer. And to let you know that I’m closing the shop.”
“To go to surf in Hawaii?”
He shook his head. “No. I’m working in my girlfriend’s father’s surf shop. I owe him some money for a surfboard. I guess all this craziness has convinced me to do the right thing and start over.”
She was surprised and impressed. “Well, good for you. Would you like something to eat?”
His gaze met hers and he cracked a smile. “Sure.” He joined the group and Angela handed him a plate with a large piece of baklava.
Neil took a bite and chewed. “This is awesome.”
Angela beamed.
The door swung open again and Ben and Mayor Huckerby stepped inside. For a small celebration, it was quickly turning into a town event.
“Hello, Mayor. Hello, Ben,” Angela said, greeting the two men.
“We wanted to stop by in person to announce that the beach festival is set to resume tomorrow morning with a beach volleyball competition.”
Lucy clasped her hand to her chest. “Wonderful!”
“We want to thank you as well, Lucy. You put yourself at risk by figuring out Kristin was the real killer and chasing her down,” Ben said.
“I wouldn’t have known if it wasn’t for Madame Vega,” Lucy said. “She deserves to share the credit.”
“We’ll have to thank her then,” the mayor said.
Ben accepted a glass of cognac from Raffi, then motioned for Lucy to speak privately. “I want to personally thank you. Vanessa told me you spoke with her at Mac’s Pub. She said you saw us together at the Pussy Cat, but I suspect you learned about our relationship in an entirely different fashion.”
Trepidation traveled down Lucy’s spine. If he knew she’d never visited the Pussy Cat, then he had to know that Lucy learned of his relationship with Vanessa another way. Did he suspect she was the one who broke into Archie’s shop, found the pictures, and mailed them to Detective Clemmons?
Ben must have sensed her unease. His expression eased. “Don’t worry. I’m grateful. My lips are sealed if yours are. Everything that has happened has shown me what is truly important. I’ve decided not to run for mayor, but to continue to run the barber shop with Vanessa by my side. I truly care for her.
“Who will run for mayor instead?”
“Theodore Magic, of Magic’s Family Apothecary, has expressed interest.”
Lucy’s lips eased into a smile. “I’m sorry about the election, but if Vanessa makes you happy, then you should introduce her to the town. I’d start at Lola’s Coffee Shop. Good coffee has away of bringing out the kindness in others.”
Ben’s eyes brightened with gratitude. “Good advice. Thank you.”
Lucy’s heart danced in happiness as she watched the group of people in Kebab Kitchen’s dining room.
The beach festival had resumed. Their small town would be all right. And best of all, her
inner circle of family and friends was growing.
Author’s Note
This mystery series is straight from my heart. For almost thirty years, my Armenian-American family owned a restaurant in a small town in South Jersey. My mother was a talented cook and the grapevine in our backyard was more valued that any rosebush. I’d often come home from school to the delicious aromas of simmering grape leaves, stuffed peppers and tomatoes, and shish kebab. Lunch at school would be hummus and pita instead of peanut butter and jelly at a time when hummus wasn’t as popular as it is now. It wasn’t always fun as a teenager to have an eccentric, ethnic family, but I’ve grown to value my roots and my own colorful cast of family members. In contrast, my husband is like Katie’s family—they can almost trace their roots back to the Mayflower. We have two young daughters who have the best of both worlds, and yes, they both know how to make hummus and baklava and like them.
I loved writing this book, and I’m happy to share my own favorite family recipes with you. Enjoy the food!
RECIPES
Lucy’s Date-Stuffed Cookies
For the Dough
½ pound unsalted, softened butter
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons sugar
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup warm water
For the Filling
1½ to 2 pounds pitted and chopped dates
1 tablespoon unsalted, softened butter
1 cup hot water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
For the Egg Wash
1 egg, slightly beaten
Use an electric mixer on medium speed to mix butter, oil and sugar. Add flour, baking powder, and water and mix on medium speed. The dough should be a soft, pliable consistency. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and set it aside for thirty to forty-five minutes at room temperature.
Now you are ready to prepare the date filling. Combine dates, butter, hot water, sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl and mix on medium speed until well combined.