by Leena Clover
“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.
“Please,” 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 tuck
ed 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.”
“Why not?”
“It’s too soon, Jenny. We haven’t talked about starting a family. I don’t even know if he wants kids.”
“Of course he wants kids,” Jenny argued. “He’s young and single. He’s never been married. Why wouldn’t he want children of his own?”
Molly considered that for a moment.
“It does seem logical,” she agreed. “But what if he’s mad at me for this?”
“Chris is a sensible young man,” Jenny said firmly. “He’s going to support you through this. I’m sure.”
“We just started seeing each other,” Molly mumbled.
“You love him, don’t you?” Jenny asked.
“This is a big decision,” Molly said, shaking her head. “I am not sure what I want myself.”
“I think you should discuss this with Chris.”
“I don’t want him to influence me either way. Maybe I should sit on this for a while.”
“Is that fair to him?”
“I don’t know, Jenny,” Molly said, finally taking a sip of her tea.
Jenny talked with Molly some more, forcing her to calm down. Heather burst into the café, slightly out of breath.
“I called her,” Molly told Jenny.
Heather collapsed in a chair.
“Sorry I’m late. I was helping Grandma with laundry.”
“Molly has some news,” Jenny smiled. “Tell her, Molly.”
Heather clapped her hands in glee when she heard.
“That’s fantastic! Why don’t you look happy, Molls?”
“She’s still processing it,” Jenny explained. “I was dazed for days when I found out I was pregnant with Nick.”
The girls talked for a while, trying to cheer Molly up.
“Are you coming to the town hall meeting tonight?” Heather asked them. “Barb’s forming her mosquito committee.”<
br />
“You mean she was serious about that whole extermination thing?” Jenny asked.
“Of course,” Heather laughed. “Barb’s always serious about her projects. She is asking for volunteers.”
“I have my hands full at the café,” Jenny said.
“That won’t matter to Barb,” Heather told her. “I’m sure she will rope you in one way or the other.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“No one in this town has ever escaped from Barb’s clutches.”
Jenny was tired from her long day but she forced herself to get started on the next day’s prep. An hour later, she went home, her mind in turmoil. Her aunt made her famous baked macaroni and cheese for dinner.
“Where’s Jimmy?” Jenny asked.
“He’s having dinner with some friends tonight,” Star said diplomatically.
Jenny knew that was code for a support group meeting.
“Jimmy’s doing good, huh?” she asked her aunt.
Star blushed and nodded.
“Have you finalized the menu for the memorial?” she asked.
“Why don’t we talk about it now?” Jenny offered. “We need all Petunia’s favorite dishes. She loved my crab puffs, and the tiny pimento cheese sandwiches. We’ll have fish and chips from Ethan’s Crab Shack. I’ll make a few salads.”
“What about desserts?”
“Cupcakes and the chocolate berry cake she liked.”
“People will bring food, you know,” Star warned. “Get ready for a lot of casseroles.”
“Have you made a guest list?”
“Oh honey,” Star said sadly. “We don’t need a guest list. The whole town will turn up.”
“What about Vinny?”
“I expect he will turn up too,” Star said.
“I can’t believe she’s gone,” Jenny said, fighting back tears. “How are we going to survive without her?”
Chapter 7
A big black SUV with dark windows screeched to a stop in front of the Boardwalk Café. A short, skinny man wearing a red track suit and a white fedora stepped out. He tottered into the café, followed by a tall, beefy man dressed in a leather jacket. The old man sat at a window table. His companion stood behind him.
Jenny greeted the man with a smile.
“What can I get you?”
“You must be Jenny,” the old man said. “Sit down.”
Jenny stared back at him, mystified.
