Mobsters and Lobsters (A Hooked & Cooked Cozy Mystery Series Book 2)

by Lyndsey Cole

  Pearl shrugged. “I’m not sure. But Caroline kept the original.” She leaned toward Hannah with a glint in her eyes. “So, we can help each other. You want to know who that guy is and,” she leaned back with a satisfied grin, “I want the original map.”

  Alarm bells clanged in Hannah’s head and her stomach did a flip-flop but she forced herself to keep her face neutral. “Interesting proposition. I’ll think about it.”

  Pearl’s eyes widened. “So you have it?”

  “No.”

  “Oh. Well, the deal’s off then.” She wiped her hands together for emphasis.

  “I know where it is.” Hannah decided to use her trump card to flush out the rest of Pearl’s scheme. By now, Hannah was convinced Pearl was up to no good and was only out for the treasure. For herself. Apparently, Great Aunt Caroline never shared the hoax part of her buried treasure plan.

  Pearl’s hand slapped the table. “I knew it. I was never sure the whole thing was for real or not, but how else did Caroline keep this place afloat? Look around. I bet you’re trying to figure it out, too. There’s not enough coming in with the cottages and snack bar to even pay the taxes. She had to have another source of money.” The edge of Pearl’s lip twitched up. “I think that’s where your short fat guy came in. He came snooping around and I guess someone didn’t like it.” She leaned back in her chair. “We can split the treasure fifty-fifty. How does that sound?”

  Hannah stood up and carried the empty mugs to her sink. “Seeing as I have the map, it doesn’t sound very good for me. Would you take those odds?”

  Pearl rubbed her chin and stared at Hannah. “Don’t kid yourself, honey. You can’t carry Caroline’s lunch bucket in the bluffing department. You need my help.”

  Hannah placed both hands on the table and leaned inches away from Pearl’s face. “I don’t think so. The map is all I have to keep me from being the next one to get a knife in my back.”

  Pearl laughed. A deep evil laugh. “And what’s going to protect your sister Ruby and her sweet little girl Olivia? Huh? Answer that.”

  Hannah felt her hands turn to ice. She reached down and gave another treat to Petunia but never took her eyes off Pearl’s face. “I’ll protect them. Just like I always have.”

  “You are a stupid girl, Hannah Holiday. Caroline would be so disappointed in you and your recklessness.” She pushed herself out of the chair. “This isn’t over. Not by a long shot. I’ve waited too long to lose this treasure now, to the likes of,” she waved her hand, “you. I was patient waiting for Caroline to kick the bucket, but my well of patience is almost on empty. You better watch your back.” She walked to the door. “Come on Petunia.” She turned her head to look at Hannah one last time. “By the way, I need more towels in my cottage. Your rude employee, what’s her name? Meg? She refused to give me extra towels for Petunia’s baths.”

  The door slammed and Hannah sank into her chair. Nellie leaned against her, providing a bit of comfort. She stroked the soft fur until her hands stopped shaking. She wasn’t sure if it was from fear or anger. Probably both.

  Hannah looked around the small cottage that she now called home. “Okay, Great Aunt Caroline, I could use some help right about now.”

  Footsteps clumped on her porch, startling Hannah. Her heart raced. Was Caroline sending her help or was Pearl coming back to kill her?

  “You look like you just saw a ghost,” Jack said as he entered the cottage without knocking. “What’s going on?”

  Meg followed behind Jack. “Ready to hear our plan?”

  “It has to be better than the last plan that was thrown in my face fifteen minutes ago.” Hannah was skeptical that there was an easy solution.

  Meg and Jack looked at each other, puzzled by Hannah’s frustrated tone. Hannah summarized Pearl’s proposition and looked expectantly at her two friends. “What do I do now? She basically threatened Ruby and Olivia if I don’t hand over the map.”

  Jack rubbed his hands together and smiled. “I love a challenge. I’ll take care of Pearl. Caroline always said Pearl thinks she’s smarter than she is.” He checked the time. “You and Meg should get over to the Pub and Pool Hall. Drop some hints about the map and your raffle plans. Believe me, word will spread like wildfire.”

  “What about Ruby and Olivia? They’re sitting ducks in that little house.”

  “Tell her to stay here at your place. Nellie will protect them,” Jack said. “Call her now. I’ll wait until they get here. Then Pearl and I will have a good time. Maybe I’ll even let her take me for a spin in that sporty red car of hers. One thing I know about Pearl is she eats up flattery like others eat up creamy delicious chocolate bon bons.”

  Chapter 13

  Meg and Hannah drove to the Pub and Pool Hall. Meg insisted on driving her rundown, rattle-trap of a car. She said it would fit in with the local color better than Hannah’s yuppie Volvo station wagon. Hannah didn’t argue. She watched through the window as the houses of Hooks Harbor got farther apart and she tried to ignore the spring poking into her butt.

  “When is Michael going to fix those lights?” Hannah asked when they finally bumped into the pothole-filled parking lot. “Isn’t he getting tired of seeing ub and Poo all?”

  “He has fixed it several times, but someone always climbs up on the roof and knocks the same lights out. I guess it’s become the joke around the pool table. Michael’s afraid that one of these times, whoever climbs up will be so drunk they’ll fall off, break a leg, and sue him so he’s leaving it as is.”

  Hannah laughed. “Then he’d have to change it to u sue all.”

  “Not funny, Hannah.” But Meg did let out a small chuckle. She patted Hannah’s leg. “Ready to channel your inner Caroline and hit this place with both feet on the ground?”

  “Sure, whatever that’s supposed to mean. I’m not the new kid in town anymore.”

  “Yeah, right! You’ve only been here for what? Maybe four months? You’ll be the new kid in town until your hair turns gray and you get some character wrinkles on your face.”

  Hannah slid out of Meg’s car. “Looks busy tonight. I don’t think I’ve been here on a Friday night before.”

  “Really? You’re in for a treat. Friday night is when everyone spends a big chunk of their paycheck to get loud and rowdy and forget their problems. It’s usually Michael’s biggest night for bucks and trouble.”

  Hannah inhaled and exhaled. Noise drifted from the pub—music, yelling and a bit of loud indecipherable crashes. What was she walking into?

  Too late to worry about that. She squared her shoulders and tossed her head back. She checked for cash in her jeans pocket and shoved it down as far as possible. No sense risking losing any money.

  She felt Meg’s fingers tighten on her arm and she nodded toward the door. “That guy walking inside looks like trouble with a capitol T.”

  Rocky, Hannah said to herself. Let the fun begin.

  Michael nodded to Meg. His hands were full delivering drinks to his customers at the bar. With a tilt of his head, he motioned to a couple empty stools at the end of the bar. By the time they waded through the crowd, Michael had two beers sitting in front of the empty stools, waiting for them.

  “Glad you two are here. Lots of new faces in the crowd. And from the chatter I’m hearing, the new faces are also unhappy,” Michael said before he dashed away to satisfy other customers.

  “How does your brother stand dealing with this stuff day after day?” Hannah asked Meg.

  Meg took a long swallow of her beer. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “Michael loves drama. He may sound like he’s complaining but he thrives on this. Plus, the money’s not too bad.” She grinned. “Actually, he’s a wealthy guy but don’t let that get out. I’ve been sworn to secrecy.”

  A burst of arguing erupted by the pool table. Hannah elbowed Meg. “You were right on about trouble walking in. Looks to me like Pearl’s clan isn’t getting along too well.” Hannah slid off the barstool before Meg could stop her a
nd she marched toward the five men she remembered from Pearl’s cottage.

  Rocky saw her coming and gave her a toothy grin. “Hey Doll Face. I didn’t think this joint was fancy enough for the likes of you. Nice to know you don’t mind lowering your standards once in a while.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

  Hannah ignored his attempt at flirting with her. “And I didn’t think it was scummy enough for the likes of you, Rocky. But here you are, and it makes me curious what you and your cronies are doing hanging out at the pool hall in Hooks Harbor.”

  Conversation near Hannah died down. She felt many eyes on her. She had to be careful.

  “Just enjoying the scenery. And the women.” Rocky snickered. “They aren’t all as snooty as you, Ms. Hannah Holiday. As a matter of fact, I met a real nice dame staying in one of your cottages.”

  “Sherry Wolfe? The retired teacher? I wouldn’t have pegged the two of you having anything in common. Or is she standing in as a mother figure? You know, someone to teach you some manners and refine you a bit?”

  Rocky’s eyes narrowed. “A school teacher? That’s not what she told me.” He scratched his head. “Can’t believe anything you hear around this dopey town.”

  Meg finally managed to get Hannah’s attention and whispered to her, “Challenge him to a game of pool. That’ll ruffle his ego when you beat him.”

  “So, Rocky, I’ve got a proposition for you.”

  “Oh, I like the sound of that, Doll Face. I knew you’d eventually see the light.”

  “A game of pool. For a map if you win. Pearl already tried to bargain for it. And,” she paused, “a one thousand dollar donation to the Hooks Harbor Library if I win.” Hannah noticed Rocky’s eyes darken. She leaned close enough to smell the beer on his breath. She whispered, “Yeah, you didn’t expect her to go behind your back bargaining for the map, did you? You two were a tag team. Did she have you do all her dirty work for a cut? Huh?” Rocky’s jaw muscles kicked into high gear, but for once he bit his tongue and kept quiet. Hannah handed him a pool stick. “You can break.”

  Hannah felt sweat drip down her side. It tickled but nothing was funny about the situation she’d put herself in. This map was all she had to smoke out the killer, and if she misjudged Rocky and lost the game, well, she couldn’t even think about that option.

  She saw Rocky quickly wipe sweat from his upper lip. Good, he was feeling the heat, too.

  His break was powerful and the purple, solid four ball crashed into the side pocket. Rocky smiled and smirked at Hannah. “I’ve gotcha now Doll Face.”

  Hannah smiled. “Not on your life, Rocky.” Her words threw him off enough that he just missed his next shot. He glared at Hannah.

  Hannah walked around the table and called her shot. With each ball she sank, her confidence grew until she had one striped ball left. She missed.

  Rocky’s mouth twitched. “Such a shame. You were doing okay for a dame.” He studied the table and sank four more solids. “I let you feel good about yourself for a few minutes, Doll Face. I can smell that treasure and it smells like a million bucks.”

  Rocky lined up his cue stick for another shot. A difficult one. Hannah noticed a slight shake. She smiled. He missed and left her setup for an easy shot to win.

  “Tough break, Rocky.” Hannah easily sank her last striped ball and the eight ball to win.

  Rocky cursed under his breath. “You cheated.”

  Meg stood between the two players. “None of that trash talk. Lose like a man or get out.” She glared at Rocky.

  “Before you go,” Hannah said, “I’ll give you another chance to get the map you so covet. I’m raising money for the Hooks Harbor Library and I’ll raffle it off at four tomorrow afternoon. Your one thousand dollar check will be the perfect start.” She looked around the pool hall. “Spread the word. Let’s get the whole town out for this event. I want to honor the memory of my Great Aunt Caroline with this gesture. And, who knows, maybe the treasure map will lead someone to a fortune.”

  The pub buzzed with chatter.

  Rocky leaned toward Hannah, his stale breath hot on her cheek. “Think you’re cute, don’tcha. You’ll regret this, just like your cute little niece’s dad and his sidekick.”

  Hannah’s blood ran cold. “What did you say?”

  Rocky’s mouth twisted into a sneer. “I thought that might get your attention. Your sister always running away from Mr. Bigshot Lenny DiMarco. Want to rethink your plans with that map before someone else gets hurt?”

  Hannah clenched her fists into tight balls. She would have loved to bury them in Rocky’s face until her fear dissolved but she refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing he hit a nerve. “Not on your life, you low-life piece of scum.”

  Rocky shrugged. “Have it your way, but make sure you lock your doors good and tight, Doll Face.” He laughed as he left the pub with the rest of his clan after he slapped the one thousand dollar check on the pool table.

  Chapter 14

  “That went well,” Meg said after she and Hannah returned to their stools at the end of the counter.

  “What’s wrong, Hannah?” Michael asked.

  Hannah stood up. Was it that obvious that she was worried? So much for a poker face today. “I need to go home and check on Ruby and Olivia.”

  “Stay here,” Michael said. He motioned to one of his buddies. “Drive to Hannah’s cottage and keep an eye on it until she gets home. Make sure no one goes in or out.”

  A simple nod, no words, and Michael’s friend disappeared.

  “Okay. Now we can get back to making our plans for tomorrow.”

  No sooner than those words were out of his mouth, the door opened and Jack entered. “Good, you’re still here.”

  “Where’s Pearl?” Hannah asked, her voice betraying deep concern. “Ruby and Olivia are alone at my cottage. Pearl and Rocky both threatened to use them to get the map.”

  Jack put his hand on Hannah’s arm. “They’re fine. The cottage is locked up tighter than a vault and Nellie is with them. Don’t worry. Besides, Pearl dropped me off here on her way to town.”

  Michael had a pad of paper and jotted down information as fast as Meg dictated. Meg turned to Hannah. “Don’t worry about tomorrow, we’ll get the food all put together. I’ve got Caroline’s recipes, which I doubt I’ll even need, and I’ll get up early to prepare the lobster rolls, clam chowder, and slaw here in Michael’s kitchen. I can do it in my sleep if I have to.”

  With Hannah’s worries calmed, Jack pulled Hannah to a corner table for two. “I got some information from Pearl.”

  Hannah was skeptical. “How do you know if you can believe anything she says?”

  “Like I told you before, Pearl caves to flattery. She’s always been like that, and I think she’s interested in me.”

  “Oh? I didn’t think she was your type. Too wild.” With a twinkle in her eye, she added, “It must be that red convertible.”

  Jack shrugged. “Nope. She’s not my type, but I did enjoy the ride. I know how to play her game to get what I want. She was always jealous of the close relationship Caroline and I had, and she thinks she can push in on that now that Caroline is gone. Pearl would get enormous satisfaction from thinking she won that competition.”

  “A game only she was playing, right?”

  “Yeah, I suppose so. She always wanted to beat Caroline at something.”

  “Okay. It doesn’t seem like it would be particularly satisfying to beat someone who’s no longer walking the earth,” Hannah said. “So what did you learn from her?”

  Jack leaned back. “The short fat guy? Marco Russo. Caroline hired him to find Olivia’s dad.”

  Hannah shot forward. “What? Why would she do that?”

  “According to Pearl, she wanted whoever the dad was to pull his weight financially in Olivia’s life. Caroline approached Pearl for a recommendation. You know, because of her ties with that shady crowd. The only problem was, once Caroline found out who he was, she understood wh
y Ruby kept it a secret.”

  Hannah pulled her braid and chewed on the end. “But she opened a can of worms, didn’t she?”

  “Uh huh.” Jack nodded. “She sure did, especially since she paid Marco with a copy of the map.”

  Hannah leaned back. “Something doesn’t add up. How did Lenny get a copy of the map? Did Marco give it to him?”

  “Pearl seems to think Marco shared the map with Lenny to get Lenny’s help finding the treasure. Not exactly a match made in heaven.”

  “And Pearl told you all this because … ?” Hannah raised her eyebrows and waited for Jack’s response.

  He grinned and twitched his eyebrow. “Like I said, she’s got a crush on me.”

  Hannah stood up. “Let’s see if Meg and Michael are done with their planning. I’d really like to get home, check on Ruby and Olivia, and get a good night sleep before tomorrow arrives. With the way these last couple of days have gone, tomorrow will most likely be another doozy.”

  “Hannah?” Jack touched her arm, keeping her at the booth and away from the crowd. “Pearl is a conniving creature. One talent she always beat Caroline in was manipulating people to get her way. She’s dangerous.”

  “Dangerous enough to have killed two people to get that buried treasure?”

  “I think that’s more than possible.”

  “Yeah, the thought crossed my mind, too. Pearl, together with her grandson Rocky. Do you think they’re working together on this?”

  Jack pursed his lips. “That’s a tough call. My guess would be that Pearl wants it all for herself. She has always been the greedy type. But, Rocky is her grandson. I suppose if she could be sure none of it would go to her ex-husband, Tony, maybe she would work with Rocky.”

  “I suspect they’re both dangerous, whether they work together or alone,” Hannah said before joining Meg at the bar and taking a glance at her notes. “How’s the plan coming?”

  Meg slipped her notebook in her pocket. “Done. Everything’s all set for tomorrow. Michael will get the word out. We’ll start serving at noon and the raffle winner will be picked at four. How does that sound?” She looked at Hannah and Jack.