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

by Lyndsey Cole

  “Oh no. She told us about some nice trails along the beach and even brought us a basket of goodies when she found out we’re newlyweds. An odd assortment of snacks but the gesture was appreciated.” Aaron turned to leave. “I’ll talk to Laura but I’m pretty sure her mind is made up.”

  Hannah’s heart went out to this young man. He had an awful experience in her cottage when it should have been a romantic honeymoon getaway.

  The office door opened and an icy chill made Hannah shiver.

  “Hello, Mr. Masterson, not thinking of checking out all ready, are you?” Officer Pam Larson blocked the doorway with a half grin on her face. “You need to stay in town at least through the weekend.” Pam flung her arm toward the ocean. “But who would want to leave this beautiful paradise?”

  Aaron looked from Pam to Hannah. “I’ll explain the situation to Laura. And thanks for the offer. It looks like we will take you up on it, after all.” His glum face betrayed his real feelings about the situation as he walked passed Pam.

  Pam pulled the door closed. “What’s up with the newlyweds? I should imagine he and his wife would be loving it here—ocean, beaches, romantic walks under the stars.”

  “Yeah, well,” Hannah motioned for Pam to have the seat recently vacated by Aaron, “he walked in on Pearl Martini in his cottage. Searching for, what she called, her secret compartment, in his closet.”

  Pam entwined her fingers and rested her hands on her lap. “Ah, yes. Searching for the buried treasure in a closet?” Pam mocked Hannah’s comment. “I suppose next you’ll tell me she’s been digging holes all over the place.”

  Hannah leaned toward Pam. “As a matter of fact, her grandson, Rocky, has been doing just that, according to Aaron. His wife is spooked and they wanted to check out early.”

  “Oh, Hannah. You certainly didn’t inherit Caroline’s shrewdness. Don’t you see what he’s doing?”

  Hannah shrugged.

  “Did you offer him free lodging?”

  Hannah nodded. She slapped her forehead. “Are you serious? He made that story up about Pearl breaking into his cottage?”

  Pam put her hands behind her head and relaxed back in the chair. “I’ve seen everything, and his story is a bit farfetched. Let’s suppose there is a buried treasure, it wouldn’t be in a closet. And, even you would have noticed holes all over the place. I doubt that grandson, with an IQ of a pea, would know how to cover his tracks very well.”

  Pam was right. Hannah had to toughen up. If she had any chance of making this place a success, she couldn’t fall for every sob story that hit her ears.

  “I hear you’ve moved your grand opening to the Pub and Pool Hall,” Pam said. “I’m sorry you had to do that but it may turn out to be a brilliant strategy.”

  Hannah rolled her eyes. “How do you figure that?”

  “You’re an outsider.” Pam cocked her brows up. “That’s the reality of your situation until you’ve been in this town for a long time. Teaming up with Michael gives you legitimacy in the eyes of the townies. As long as your food delivers, and with Meg handling that you don’t have to worry, you’ll be able to make a smooth transition to your snack bar when it finally does open.”

  Hannah nodded but she was wary. Pam wasn’t usually friendly toward her, but Hannah hadn’t figured out Pam’s angle yet. There had to be an angle.

  “I want to see that map.”

  That’s the angle, Hannah thought. “I don’t have it.”

  Pam stood up. “Does it exist?”

  “Several versions exist.”

  “Don’t be cute. Even though I don’t believe there is a buried treasure, I do believe the idea of a buried treasure is connected to the two murders. And,” she pierced Hannah with a stare, “I’m positive it’s connected to your sister’s disappearance.”

  The air rushed from Hannah’s lungs. “You know about that?”

  “Of course I do. Everything reaches these.” Pam wiggled her ears with her thumb and first finger. “And I know where she is. She’s safe. For now. But she’s in danger. You too, for that matter. It doesn’t matter if I think there actually is a buried treasure, someone, or multiple someones, believe it’s real. That’s why I want all your guests staying put through the weekend.”

  “Even Sherry Wolfe and Aaron and Laura Masterson? You think they could be involved with the murders?”

  “Listen, Hannah. I’m not ruling anyone out. Not even you or your sister. We’re keeping a close eye on her, especially after she ran off last night. And that little stunt Aaron Masterson just pulled with you? Was he trying to put the spotlight on someone else?”

  Chapter 17

  Hannah stayed in her chair after Pam left. A wave of incompetence surged through every bone, making her feel like Pam just put her through a blender and poured her on the ground. And probably stirred up the mess with the toe of her shoe. Then buried it all in one of the holes that Aaron talked about.

  She sighed. At least the police were keeping tabs on Ruby and Olivia. She wasn’t happy with the reason for the monitoring, but at least it would keep her sister and niece safe.

  Before Hannah could get up from her desk and head to the Pub and Pool Hall, Cal walked into the office. “That bad, huh?”

  “Every time Pam talks to me, I doubt my ability to be running this business. What was Great Aunt Caroline thinking leaving it to me? No experience. No confidence. And pretty soon, no money.” Hannah rested her head on one hand.

  “Aren’t you the optimist today,” Cal teased. “Don’t forget what it says on my boat—Seas the Day. Are you ready?”

  She shook her head. “Not really. I don’t know where to start. Both Ruby and I are on Pam’s suspect list, along with Pearl, Sherry, Aaron, and Laura. And, most definitely, Rocky.” She looked at Cal. “I know I didn’t kill anyone, but the others? What do you think?”

  Cal’s eyes wrinkled at the corners. “Probably Ruby. You know what a violent person she is.” He motioned Hannah to follow him. “Let’s sit outside on one of your new picnic tables and listen to the surf. That always helps clear the mind. I’m a firm believer that if you’re out in nature, you will feel better. If the wind doesn’t blow it away, the sun will cook it out of you.”

  Hannah followed Cal outside. With each step, she did feel a bit better. Looking at his backside didn’t hurt. She giggled to herself. He turned and pointed at Hannah. “I caught you feeling better already. Let’s make a plan on how to attack this problem.”

  They sat facing the ocean. The waves, with their never ending rush in and out, crashing on the sand, actually gave Hannah strength. The ocean never gave up and she wouldn’t either.

  Cal nudged her with his elbow after Hannah’s fidgeting calmed down. “Good. I can hear your gears working. What have you come up with?”

  “The key to everything is the map. Even Pam admitted that whoever the murderer is believes it’s real. I suppose that makes sense. Everyone wants to think they will find that pot at the end of a rainbow.” She turned toward Cal. “Do you think it’s real?”

  “Me? Will that mean I’m a suspect?”

  She jabbed him in the side. “No. I was only thinking maybe we should be looking for the treasure.”

  “Ninety nine percent of me doesn’t believe it’s real. But who knows for sure? Caroline was full of tricks so there could be something to it.”

  “Good. That’s what I was hoping you would say. How about we create a buried treasure for someone to find?” She stood up and faced her snack bar. The yellow police tape was gone. “I know the perfect spot.”

  “The perfect spot for what?” Jack asked as he joined Hannah and Cal.

  “What happened to Sherry? You managed to ditch her without a scene?” Hannah teased.

  Jack shrugged. “She said she had someplace to be. I wasn’t about to argue. She did ask a lot of questions about the buried treasure. It’s funny how people latch onto a crazy idea like that.” He sat at the picnic table with Hannah and Cal. “Fill me in.” He sniffed the
air. “I can smell some plot hatching around here.”

  “I’ve decided it’s time to bury a treasure,” Hannah said as she chewed on the end of her braid. “Something, but I don’t know what.”

  “You’re a genius.” Jack leaned close to Hannah until their shoulders touched. “I’ve got an old lock box that’s kind of rusty on the corners. How about filling it with sand, shells, and sea glass? It will be a treasure chest of ocean valuables!”

  Hannah put her hand out, palm up, for a high five. “You’re the genius, Jack. Maybe we should throw in some sand dollars too, for the irony.” Her words stumbled over each other in her excitement.

  Jack slapped Hannah’s palm. “I’ll raid my beach collections and fill up the box nice and pretty.” Jack was already on his feet and heading to his house. “Be right back with the box and the map.”

  Cal chuckled as he watched Hannah and Jack scheme. “I know my part in the plan,” he said as he walked toward the snack bar. He was on his hands and knees looking under the snack bar by the time Hannah joined him. “Hiding the treasure under here will only work if it looks like I’m working on this last beam. Otherwise, all the nosy people around here will be suspicious.” They walked to his truck. “Somehow, I need to dig a deep hole, get the box in and make it look like it’s been there all along, then slide the last beam in place.”

  “But you need to leave a big enough opening for someone to still be able to crawl in and find the treasure.” Hannah stood with her hands on her hips watching Cal.

  Cal pursed his lips. “How will this lead to the murderer, though? With the map being raffled off, anyone in town could search for it.”

  “True, but do you think anyone else in town would have killed Marco and Lenny? No one even knew them. I think the killer will keep an eye on whoever wins the map.”

  “I’m going to start working. You’ll need to distract anyone who comes around.” Cal got his shovel and started digging a trench where the last beam needed to go. Hannah busied herself, setting up the new picnic tables with umbrellas.

  Aaron and Laura strolled by with a blanket and picnic basket. “It’s kind of quiet around here today,” Aaron said to Hannah as he looked around at the mostly deserted parking lot.

  “I imagine most people will be at the Pub and Pool Hall.”

  “What’s happening there?”

  Hannah slid the last umbrella into its stand. “Today was supposed to be the grand opening for my snack bar but, well, I couldn’t have it here.” She grimaced. “For obvious reasons. So, the Pub and Pool Hall is the new location. And I’m not sure if you heard about the raffle?”

  Laura’s eyes lit up. “What kind of raffle? I love raffles.”

  “My Great Aunt Caroline left me a map for a buried treasure.” Hannah watched a quick look pass between Aaron and Laura. “I’m raffling it off this afternoon. All the money will be donated to the Hooks Harbor Library.”

  “You’re kidding!” Laura almost shouted. “My dad was always on the lookout for that kind of thing.” She looked at Aaron and grinned. “He was sort of like the original treasure hunter. His friends always made fun of him but I still have all his notes on his research. That’s sort of why we ended up here. He heard rumors about a treasure but died before he could follow up on the leads.” Laura’s eyes filled with tears and she looked away from Hannah.

  Hannah’s heart quickened. She hated to admit it, but Pam read those two to a T. Did Laura just spill the beans on something she should have kept secret? Maybe they weren’t even on their honeymoon. Hannah made a mental note to look into that detail.

  “Well, that does it then,” Laura said with excitement, a tremble still clear in her voice. “We hadn’t decided what we were going to do today, but the Pub and Pool Hall sounds like the place to be.” Laura pulled Aaron toward their car. He kept glancing back at Hannah, making the hairs on her neck stand up.

  Jack parked next to Cal’s truck. He slid out and looked around quickly. “Is the coast clear?”

  Hannah nodded. “Aaron and Laura just left. Sherry hasn’t come back, and Pearl is gone, too.” She popped the trunk of Jack’s car. “This is perfect. Some rust, some dents, a lot of scratches in the enamel.”

  Jack smiled. “I added a few dents with a hammer. Glad you approve of that touch.” He opened the lid to expose the treasure inside.

  Hannah’s eyes widened. “Where did you find all this beautiful glass? It sparkles in the sunshine.” She dug her fingers in the box and sifted through blue and green sea glass mixed with smooth rocks, sand, shells, and a few sand dollars. A slight scent of salty ocean drifted to her nose.

  “Caroline and I always gathered something when we walked the beach.” Jack looked at the treasure, his thoughts lost in long ago adventures. “This comes from fifty plus years of collections. I suppose it’s fitting to donate it to this cause even though I’m sad to part with the memories. If it flushes out a killer, Caroline would say I put it to good use.” Jack picked up one piece of green glass and tucked it into his pocket before he gently closed the box and locked it. “Here.” He handed the key to Hannah. “This should go with the map.”

  She nodded vigorously. “Nice touch. Makes the map more real.”

  Jack grinned. “The map is real now. We have to make sure it leads to the snack bar.”

  Cal pushed his wheelbarrow to the back of Jack’s car. “I’ll slide this under my tarp and get it into place. The hole is ready for the buried treasure.” He slid the treasure box into the wheelbarrow and it landed with a dull thump. “This is turning into an exciting adventure.”

  “Come to my cottage after you get it buried,” Hannah said. “We’ll check the map and make sure it will lead someone to the right spot.”

  Jack followed Hannah inside. He opened the map she found several months earlier after she moved in and cleaned out her great aunt’s belongings. “I’ve been studying this map and I think we were right when we first looked at it.” Jack pointed to an X. “This certainly could be under the snack bar. And with Lenny getting stabbed in that spot, people will think he was hot on the trail of the treasure. I’m confident that our buried treasure will be discovered.”

  Hannah’s phone rang just as Cal entered and she answered before the second ring. “Ruby?”

  The blood in Hannah’s veins ran cold. It was not Ruby’s voice that answered. “Sorry, she can’t come to the phone right now, dear.”

  “Pearl, put Ruby on,” Hannah demanded.

  “Hold your horses, dear. There’s plenty of time for you to talk to your sister after you listen to what I need.”

  “The map?”

  Pearl laughed a deep belly laugh. “Oh, Hannah. Again, you disappoint me. The Hooks Harbor folks can beat themselves to death over that silly map. No, I want Caroline’s property in exchange for your sister and your adorable niece. Olivia, right? Doesn’t that sound like a fair trade?”

  The phone slipped from Hannah’s fingers. Cal caught her as her legs buckled and he helped her to the couch. “What is it?” he asked, panic in his eyes.

  Jack picked up the phone. “Pearl? Are you still there?”

  “Yes, love,” her voice, on speaker phone, filled the room. “What was that horrible crash? Is Hannah all right? She can’t fall apart now or who knows what will happen to Ruby.” The phone went dead.

  Chapter 18

  “She’s bluffing,” Jack said. “She won’t hurt Ruby or Olivia. The last thing Pearl wants is to end up in jail where she would have to share a cell with someone. She doesn’t share well.”

  “I know you’re trying to make me feel better but it’s not working,” Hannah said, her elbows on her knees and her head resting on her hands. “Desperate people aren’t predictable. Pearl showed up with an agenda and her cute potbelly pig as a distraction. I completely overlooked the possibility of another plan. The map was her way to connect with Great Aunt Caroline, or a sideshow to keep her grandson occupied. I never suspected she was after Great Aunt Caroline’s property.”
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  “Your property,” Cal corrected. “It’s yours now, Hannah, and Pearl’s not going to take it away.”

  Jack was at the door. “I’m going to find Pam and make sure she’s right on this. Pearl won’t get far.”

  “Pam already told me someone was keeping an eye on Ruby and Olivia. Pam screwed up and somehow Pearl got by.” Hannah’s voice betrayed her fear.

  “Don’t count on it. Pam probably knows exactly what’s going on,” Jack said, trying to reassure Hannah before he left.

  Hannah pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Jack has way more confidence in his daughter than I do. At the moment.”

  “At least he’s on it. Let’s get over to the Pub and Pool Hall. You have a grand opening to attend. This will be your chance to woo everyone in town with your beautiful smile, Meg’s delicious lobster rolls, Caroline’s clam chowder, and a buried treasure.”

  “Is the treasure buried under the snack bar?”

  “Uh huh. And the last beam is in place, too. I didn’t want to make it too easy for someone to squeeze under, but it’s possible. A tight fit, and not for anyone with claustrophobia.”

  “I’ll lock everything up good and tight and grab the map. Be right out.”

  Hannah found an old envelope from a box full of Caroline’s papers that she had saved. She slid the map and key inside, licked it, and pressed it until the glue stuck. She scrunched it, dropped it on the floor, and stepped on it a couple of times to dirty it up.

  “This will have to do. Sorry Nellie. You’ll have to stay here and guard everything. No dogs allowed in the pub.” She slammed and locked the door, double checked to be sure it was secure, and joined Cal in his truck.

  After passing through town, they bumped down the dirt road and passed Meg’s car which was still stranded on the side of the road with its blown out tire. Cars spilled out of the Pub and Pool Hall parking lot, filling every possible spot. Cal swerved between two small cars, his truck only inches from each car.

  “How will we get out?” Hannah asked.