Murder on the Half Shell (A Red Carpet Catering Mystery Book 2)

by Shawn Reilly Simmons

  “Regan was with me on Friday night. I can testify to his whereabouts and whatever else you may need,” Gavin said, walking towards them.

  “Excuse me, who are you?” Detective Williams asked.

  Gavin glanced back at the crowd and smiled. “I’m Gavin McKenna, the as-yet-unknown actor from England, here to film this illustrious period movie on this crazy beach with my very talented friends.”

  Detective Williams leveled his gaze at Gavin. “So, you’re saying he was with you on Friday night. With you where?”

  “In my room upstairs,” Gavin said. “All night.”

  Penelope glanced at Sienna, expecting her to be shocked or angry, but she only stood with the others with her serene smile still in place.

  “Gav,” Sienna said, stepping forward. “Why didn’t you speak up sooner and save this young man the trauma?”

  Gavin shook his head and put his arm over Regan’s shoulders. “I’m sorry, Regan. I should have come to your defense before now. Please forgive me. As for you all,” Gavin said to the silent and shocked group, “I guess the charade is over. And maybe my leading man career as well.”

  Detective Williams sighed. “So you have an alibi witness. But how do I know he’s not lying for you?”

  “Detective,” Gavin said, “I just admitted to being gay in front of my coworkers and my fiancée. Well, she already knew. But really, you don’t think I would just do that for no reason, do you?”

  “I saw Regan’s car in the parking lot that night,” Jeanne said, stepping forward. “I did wonder at the time why it would be here. He usually parks at Rose’s. But then I forgot all about it.”

  “Okay,” Detective Williams said, slipping his notebook back into his pocket. “And you didn’t go out at all after you got back to the Inn? You didn’t happen to see anything out of the ordinary on Ocean Avenue?”

  “No,” Regan said, his gaze still on the floor, his voice just above a whisper. “I didn’t see anything.”

  “My room faces out onto the ocean, Detective,” Gavin said. “Lovely views, but none of the street side of the building.”

  Detective Williams nodded and turned to go. Everyone relaxed and began talking to each other in murmured tones.

  “Detective,” Penelope said, catching him in the doorway. “Is there any update on Rebekkah? Do you know how she’s doing?”

  He looked down at her and said, “She hasn’t woken up yet, but her vital signs are stable. Of the two, she was in better shape when they were first brought in. The doctors are cautiously optimistic, but there’s no way to tell when she’ll come out of the coma.”

  Penelope thanked him and turned back to group, heading right over to Regan, who had slumped against the wall of the hallway. “Hey, how are you doing?”

  He shrugged and said, “Okay, I guess. Relieved I’m not getting arrested right now, but I wasn’t expecting to be outed in front of everyone.” He shrugged and studied his shoes.

  “Regan,” Penelope said. “I’m glad you’re okay. And it makes no difference to us. We care about you.”

  Regan looked at her with an expression of mild surprise and gratitude.

  “Well, my secret is out now. I’ve felt so isolated for so long. I don’t know anyone else on the island who is gay. And then Gavin came along.”

  They looked over at Gavin, who was holding hands with Sienna again and talking with Max and Arlena.

  “Do your parents know?” Penelope asked.

  “No. I guess I should head over and talk to them before they hear it from someone else. News travels fast around here.”

  “Okay, see you tomorrow?” Penelope said.

  Regan untied his apron and pulled it from his waist, folding it into a square. “Yeah, I’ll be here.”

  “Regan, wait a minute,” Gavin said, noticing he was about to walk out the front door. The two of them stepped outside on the front porch. Gavin spoke to Regan in a hushed voice, his hand on his shoulder. After a few minutes they hugged and Regan walked down the front steps to the avenue. Gavin came back inside and rejoined the group.

  “Gavin, why didn’t you tell us before now?” Arlena asked. “You know it doesn’t matter, right?”

  Gavin smiled and said, “You’re lovely, Arlena, and it’s true that it shouldn’t matter. I always wanted to be out, but my manager and agent told me I should keep my sexuality quiet if I wanted to be considered a leading man and get any role I wanted.”

  “I think that’s all changing now, Gavin,” Max said. “It’s not like people have to be untrue to themselves like in the old days, right?”

  Gavin shrugged. “I guess so. I hope so. Well, I’ll be the example now, won’t I? We’ll see how my career goes after this all comes to light.”

  “So the wedding’s off?” Sienna jokingly pouted.

  Gavin laughed.

  “I suppose it is. You’re free to go.”

  “I’ll never go too far from you,” Sienna said, kissing his cheek.

  “I need a drink,” Gavin said. “I’m heading up to the roof. Care to join us?”

  Arlena and Max agreed and they all headed upstairs.

  “You coming, Pen?” Max asked, looking back over his shoulder.

  Penelope glanced at Joey and said, “I don’t think so. Not tonight.”

  “Okay, see you tomorrow,” Max said and caught up with the others.

  Penelope looked at Joey and said, “What do you want to do tonight?”

  Joey shook his head and said, “I have no plans, Penny Blue. What would you like to do?”

  “Come up to my room while I change and we’ll think about it,” she said, turning to go up the stairs.

  Chapter 24

  When they got to Penelope’s room, Joey stepped out onto the balcony while Penelope took a quick shower and changed into a dark blue sundress. She opened her mini fridge and pulled out a chilled bottle of wine, placing it, a wine key and two long-stemmed glasses on the table in front of Joey. He opened the bottle as Penelope took the seat next to him, fanning her long blonde hair so it could dry in the warm breeze.

  “I got some information you wanted,” Joey said after he’d filled their glasses.

  Penelope took a sip and paused a beat, thinking. “Oh, right. You looked into Emilio’s background?”

  “Yes, and Emilio Babineau isn’t squeaky clean, that’s for sure, but he’s got no criminal history involving interfering with minors,” Joey said, sitting back in his chair and admiring the view. The sun was dipping close to the water and the sky was lit with vibrant orange and pink slashes.

  Penelope glanced at him and said, “What did you find?”

  “He’s got an interesting past,” Joey said. “Some drug arrests, mostly minor stuff like marijuana possession. But he did get arrested once for possession of heroin.”

  Penelope put her glass down on the table and turned to Joey. “Emilio was involved with heroin? When?”

  Joey sat forward in his chair and said, “Twenty years ago, roughly. He was a youthful offender for all of his arrests.”

  Penelope nodded. “He talks about rebuilding his life after a rough childhood in interviews, and he alluded to some trouble in his past, but I never knew any specifics.”

  “He hasn’t been arrested since then, so legally he’s clean. Maybe he’s just gotten good at not getting caught.”

  Penelope picked up her wineglass and eased back into her chair. “I’m just having a hard time understanding why he would do the things he did on Friday night. He’s smart enough not to drive after he’s had too much to drink, but dumb enough to drink with a group of underage kids and then invite them into his house. Why take such a risk?”

  “He probably wasn’t thinking clearly at the time, Penny,” Joey said. “He was drunk. They all were, right?”

 
; “I suppose. That’s what I’ve heard anyway,” Penelope said. “But I still feel like he couldn’t have done what they’re saying. I can’t picture him leaving two incapacitated girls by themselves without trying to help them. Then the next minute I think maybe he could have, especially when I think about the things Summer said. I got the feeling she hates him.”

  “If what she says is true, that’s not surprising. And clearly Emilio has a temper, which we’ve all seen, and maybe she saw up close, if they were involved.”

  “I suppose,” Penelope said.

  “Let’s just say, maybe he drove the girls back to town and they got into an argument about something and he just left them behind and went home. If he was drunk it’s possible he didn’t realize how bad off the girls were,” Joey suggested.

  “I don’t know. I guess that’s possible, but why would he lock them inside his own building?” Penelope asked. “He had to realize when they were found the police would come directly to him.” Penelope thought for a minute. “Who else would have left them in there? Shane has a key, but he has nothing to gain and everything to lose in all of this. He’s the main investor in the restaurant and having Emilio, his celebrity chef, behind bars can’t be good for business.”

  Joey nodded and said, “Yeah, I thought about why Shane might want Emilio out of the picture. Do you think he’d go through all of this to get a shot at his wife?”

  “Dominique?” Penelope asked, lightly rubbing her chin with her finger. “It seems like a lot to go through just to make a pass at someone’s wife. She’s gorgeous, but Shane is a rich and powerful guy. Wouldn’t there be an easier way to do it?”

  “I don’t know, think about it. If Emilio gets locked up, for ten years at least, that clears the way for Shane to make his move on her. Prison is hard on a marriage. I can’t imagine Dominique would be too thrilled with Emilio if he gets put away for his association with two underage girls.”

  “Well, when you put it that way it sounds more plausible,” Penelope said, pouring herself some more wine. “Shane’s a jerk but I still can’t believe he would risk his career to frame Emilio.”

  “You’d be surprised what some people will do to get what they want, Penny, especially people like him, ones who are used to never hearing the word ‘no.’”

  “So, if you were investigating this case, what would you be doing?” Penelope asked.

  Joey thought for a moment and said, “If I were convinced, as you are, of Emilio’s innocence—”

  “I’m not convinced,” Penelope interrupted. “I’m just leaning towards him being innocent based on my history with him and how he feels about his wife. I can’t see him blowing up his whole life in one drunken evening. Everything seemed to be going great for him until Friday night.”

  “Right, okay, you’re not convinced; you’ve got a gut feeling he isn’t our guy. So, if it were my case, I’d look to see who benefits from Emilio going down. And from my experience, you can count on it either being personal, financial or part of a bigger crime that we don’t know about. If you feel he’s innocent and that he’s being framed, you need to find out who gains the most from Emilio being out of the picture,” Joey said, topping off his own glass.

  Penelope stared at the sunset, lost in thought. “I can’t think of anyone besides Shane, and I don’t even think that makes sense.”

  “Emilio’s a businessman in a competitive industry. Maybe he’s got enemies who don’t want to see him become successful. The guy’s a hothead. I’m sure he’s ticked off his fair share of people over the years,” Joey said.

  “I can see that,” Penelope said. “Emilio’s never been one to bottle up his emotions. But I always thought that was part of his whole persona. You know, poor kid comes up out of nowhere, lives the rock and roll lifestyle, then cleans up and makes it big in the culinary world.”

  “That’s a good story,” Joey said. “It will be interesting to see how the rest of his story plays out.”

  “You know, he mentioned not everyone was behind him bringing his restaurant chain to the island. After all the trouble Shane went through to get permission to film here, I figured he was going through some of the same issues with the locals. Maybe someone is trying to stop the restaurant from being built and getting rid of Emilio at the same time.”

  Joey sat forward in his chair and nodded. “You might have something there, Penny Blue. Did Emilio ever mention specifics to you about the restaurant? Anyone in particular very vocal about not wanting a Craw Daddy’s location on Andrea Island?”

  “Not that he said. I haven’t heard anyone complaining about it. I’ll ask Jeanne when I see her if she knows any gossip.”

  Joey’s phone pinged in his pocket and he pulled it out. He read the screen and smiled, turning it around to show Penelope.

  She read the text, “You owe me one, partner. Christine Amato, Brattleboro, VT. Amato’s Farmers Market.”

  “Looks like my partner tracked down your old classmate,” Joey said. “Want to give her a call?”

  Penelope nodded, already reaching for her phone. She pulled open the business’s page and dialed the number. It rang a few times and then a woman answered. “Amato’s.”

  “Could I speak with Christine, please?” Penelope asked.

  “Speaking,” the woman said sweetly.

  “Christine, it’s Penelope Sutherland,” Penelope said hopefully.

  The woman hesitated a few seconds and said, “Who?”

  “Penelope Sutherland…we were students together in culinary school.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t put that together right away…what can I do for you?”

  Christine sounded distracted, and Penelope didn’t think she remembered exactly who she was.

  “I’m calling about Emilio Babineau. We’re working together now,” Penelope said. She anticipated Christine’s reaction, hoping the woman wouldn’t hang up on her or rush her off the phone.

  “Emilio Babineau,” Christine said warily, lowering her voice.

  “Yes, and, well, it’s kind of a sensitive topic. We’re opening a new restaurant and I’m his consulting chef…some issues from his past have been brought up by the investors and the local press. Frankly, we’re trying to head off any negative buzz before opening. I was wondering if you could help us out, shed some light on what happened back when we were all in school together.” Penelope raised her eyebrows and shrugged her shoulders at Joey, who gave her a thumbs up from across the table.

  Penelope could hear the woman pull the phone away from her ear and speak to someone in the background. She came back on the line and said, “I don’t think I can, we’re busy now and—”

  “Please, we’re getting close to launching the new place in Florida, and our financing might be in jeopardy. I just wanted to see—”

  “Are you really working with Emilio?” the woman cut in, the wariness in her voice increasing.

  “Yes, and I’m sorry to bring it up, but I remembered you were involved in an incident with him, back in school, and I wanted to see if anyone had come around asking you anything about him.”

  “No, I haven’t been in touch with anyone. To be honest, I haven’t thought about school for a long time, or talked with anyone from back then either, until now. You don’t have to worry about me saying anything. I wish you all the luck with your new venture. So if you’ll excuse me…”

  “Wait, Christine, can you tell me what happened between you and Emilio in your own words? Just so I know what we’re up against in case it comes out?”

  Christine hesitated a few moments then said, “Let me call you back on my cell phone. I’m at the front register and I don’t want to be overheard.”

  A few minutes later Penelope’s phone rang and she snatched it up, walking out to the balcony.

  “I remember you now, Penelope. Emilio always ta
lked about how much potential you had in the kitchen.”

  “Thanks…he always encouraged me, all of us, as I remember. So, you moved to Vermont?”

  “Yeah, my husband’s family is here. We own a small farm and an attached general store, us and his parents. We’ve got two little ones, another on the way,” Christine said, a small laugh in her tone.

  “Congratulations,” Penelope said.

  “We’re happy. Busy. Vermont is so peaceful…I was never one for the hustle of the city,” Christine said, her tone light and airy. “We got married right out of school…my husband is a chef too, self-taught, restaurant. Not from the institute. We do some catering on the side once in a while, so I keep my hand in the kitchen when I’m not busy with the kids.”

  “You got married right out of school? So not long after everything happened with Emilio,” Penelope said, veering the conversation back to the matter at hand.

  Christine faltered a minute and said, “Yes, it was soon after he left, after we all graduated.”

  “Can you tell me what exactly happened?” Penelope asked gently.

  “It was such a mess.” Christine sighed. “I wouldn’t want what happened then to derail his work now. He was so wonderful to be around. I’d never had anyone pay so much attention to me before…I was naïve and I took that attention the wrong way, and I fell in love with him. Luckily for me, he never acted on it, even though I threw myself at him once after a few of us went out to dinner. I managed to get him alone, I’d had two glasses of wine, for the first time in my life, and I went to kiss him…he pushed me away, gently, and drove me home. He never mentioned it again, but it was hard for me to be around him after that, I was so embarrassed.”

  “So you never had an intimate relationship with Emilio?”

  “No. And I initiated the one encounter we had, not him. I feel terrible about everything that happened afterwards.”

  “I talked to Summer Farrington too…she told a very different story about things that happened between her and Emilio,” Penelope said. She pressed the phone closer to hear ear to hear over the wind on the other end, Christine obviously outside while she talked. She pictured her walking through the fields of her farm.