Mobsters and Lobsters (A Hooked & Cooked Cozy Mystery Series Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

cottages.
    “Well, I’ll trust you to keep a tight ship here,” she complained as she checked her watch. “I’ll have to walk double time to keep on my schedule.”
    Jack and Hannah watched Sherry’s receding figure walk at a brisk pace, her backpack reflecting the morning sun.
    Hannah jabbed Jack in the side. “What were you telling me about a red convertible yesterday? Maybe you and Pearl? Meant to be?”
    “I don’t think so. She’s a wild one, a friend of Caroline’s from waaaay back. I only met her the one time we went skinny dipping, but Caroline shared a lot more stories that will never pass these lips.” He moved his fingers as if zipping his mouth closed.
    “Maybe she’s changed,” Hannah said with one eyebrow up.
    “Maybe not . Did you look at her? Purple hair, purple eye shadow, a hippy dippy skirt, and a pig? She’s more woman than I can manage. Everything screams loud and obnoxious.” Jack lowered his voice. “Caroline told me Pearl’s first husband, Tony Amato, had ties to the mob. Can you imagine what Pam would say about that?”
    Hannah laughed. “Okay. You’ve made your point. Thanks for the background info. I’ll see if I can get her to stay at the Paradise Inn instead of here. I’m booked. There are no empty cottages.”
    “Not technically,” Jack stated. “But Cottage Two looks pretty empty to me. What do you think happened to that Lenny guy? If he’s the one in that capsized boat, you’ll have an empty cottage for Pearl.”
    Cal’s truck drove in loaded with new beams for the snack bar. “Looks like I’m late for the party. Whose flashy convertible is this?”
    “Don’t ask,” Jack said.
    “You’ll meet her soon enough I’m sure,” Hannah added.
    “Her?” Cal asked with too much enthusiasm.
    Hannah smacked his arm. “Yeah, her , but she’s a bit too old for you. Jack skinny dipped with her and Caroline many moons ago.”
    Cal wiggled his eyebrows and elbowed Jack. “Sounds like a catch.”
    “I’m going home for breakfast. I’ll be back in a while,” Jack said, ignoring Cal’s dig.
    “Is she that bad?” Cal asked
    “I’ll let you judge for yourself. But watch out for her pig, Petunia.”
    “What?”
    Hannah laughed at Cal’s confused expression and walked to her office, hoping to have some luck sorting out her new weird problem.
    The first thing Hannah noticed when she opened her office door was the smell of cigarette smoke. The second thing was the sound of Pearl sobbing. Hannah waved her hand in front of her face and coughed. “Sorry, but there’s no smoking in here.”
    Pearl stabbed her cigarette out in an empty coffee mug. She hastily wiped her cheeks. “I gave up smoking ages ago but I keep one for emergencies. Hearing the news about poor Caroline made me remember how we used to sneak out of her bedroom window when we were kids to smoke on the roof. That cigarette was for her, wherever she may be.” Pearl made a grand gesture upward with her arms.
    “About accommodations,” Hannah began.
    Pearl stroked Petunia. Hannah couldn’t be sure, but it sounded like Petunia was purring, or maybe it was soft grunting. Whatever it was, she was beginning to think Petunia was adorable.
    “Don’t worry. We don’t need anything fancy. You can put us anywhere.” Pearl dabbed her eyes carefully, just enough to absorb the tears but not smudge the purple eye shadow. “And there’s something else.”
    Hannah sat down opposite Pearl and Petunia. She waited as patiently as possible.
    Pearl sighed. “Now that I’m getting over my initial shock and I have a good look at you, I should have realized from the moment I saw you that you must be Caroline’s great niece, Hannah. The new owner.”
    Hannah nodded.
    “You are the spitting image of Caroline.” She cocked her head sideways. “It’s a bit eerie, to be truthful.” She smoothed a piece of paper on the desk and slid it toward Hannah. “Take a look at this. It came with the letter.”
    Hannah picked