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

by Lyndsey Cole

  By the time Hannah found Cal and checked that he had the address from Jack, Scarface brushed passed her, tucked Ruby’s phone into her back pocket, and continued walking without skipping a stride. “Let’s go,” Hannah said to Cal as she stuck her thumb in her pocket to keep contact with the phone. “Time to rescue Ruby and Olivia.”

  Cal’s truck bumped and bounced back down the dirt road. “How far is this house we’re going to?” Hannah asked.

  “After we pass your cottages, it’s only a few miles.”

  As they neared her cottages, Hannah’s arm reached across the front seat and hit Cal’s arm. “Pull in. I need to get something.” He swerved in to an empty parking lot.

  “I’ll wait here,” Cal said.

  Hannah quickly made a beeline to her cottage and stuffed a dark hooded sweatshirt and a baseball cap into a backpack. On her way back to the door, she saw Theodore sticking partway out from under her couch. She picked the well-loved bear up. “Poor Theodore. Olivia will be thrilled to see you.” He got squished on top of the sweatshirt and she was out the door.

  “Hannah? I didn’t expect to see you here. Is the raffle over?”

  “No, I have an errand to run before the winner is picked.” Hannah strained her neck, searching between Aaron and Cottage Four. “Where’s Laura?”

  Aaron harumphed and nodded his head. “You got her going with that buried treasure idea. She’s at the pub. She won’t budge until, as she puts it, she wins the map. She’s convinced her late father will somehow make sure her ticket is the winner.”

  “Right, I did see her there. Are you convinced too?”

  “Are you serious? I don’t believe in that mumbo jumbo stuff, and I’m not thrilled she’s investing,” Aaron made big air quotes around investing, “the rest of her father’s money. Dumb if you ask me. But she didn’t ask and it’s her money so I don’t have any say in how she uses it.” He stuck his hands in his pockets. “We had a big argument about the whole thing.” He stared into Hannah’s face. “You know what the worst part is?”

  Hannah shook her head.

  “Sherry Wolfe is just as hyped up about this, and she encouraged Laura to go for the map. Sherry said, even if it doesn’t pan out into much of a treasure, it’ll make a wild story and Laura could sell it to some tabloid.”

  “Sell the treasure?”

  Aaron puckered his lips. “No, the story. With photos. Sherry told Laura she knows someone,” again he used air quotes, “to sell the story to. Laura would write about how we found the capsized boat, the murders, all the suspicious people in town, and the treasure map.”

  Cal honked the horn in his trunk. Hannah looked over at him and he motioned for her to hurry up. “I’ve got to go but I’m fascinated with this idea. Did Sherry say who she knows?”

  “Naw. I doubt she knows anyone. She’s just a retired school teacher with a big imagination and a nosy personality. I wish I hadn’t been so friendly with her when she showed up with that gift basket for us. A bunch of stale snacks she probably cleaned out of her car and didn’t want to throw out. It’s in the car until I can safely throw it away without Sherry knowing.” Aaron walked to the beach looking completely depressed.

  Hannah threw her backpack onto the seat of Cal’s truck and jumped in next to it, slamming the door shut. “Let’s go.”

  “What was that all about with Aaron?” Cal asked as he put the truck into reverse and drove away.

  “He’s frustrated with his wife for buying so many raffle tickets. And she has a new best friend, too.”

  “Who’s that?”

  “Sherry Wolfe. She’s encouraging Laura to write a story about what’s happened since they discovered the capsized boat. Sounds odd to me.”

  “What do you mean? You think Laura might have something to do with the murders?”

  “Maybe. Looking back on the events, it seems odd how they found the boat first and Laura told me that her father had heard about this treasure. A strange coincidence or good planning to end up here at that moment?” Hannah shrugged. “It could be any of them.” She stared at the passing scenery through the window. “But I’m leaning toward Pearl. She’s had her fingers involved ever since Great Aunt Caroline asked her to help find Olivia’s dad. And, as far as Pearl is concerned, the treasure she’s after isn’t buried in a sand dune somewhere; it’s my property. She made that pretty clear.”

  “What’s in your backpack?” Cal jiggled it.

  “Clothes. I have a plan.”

  Cal parked his truck behind Jack’s car, which was behind Pam’s cruiser pulled into a hidden side street. Hannah grabbed the backpack and approached Pam who stood behind some trees. Without lowering her binoculars, she said, “Great. Draw more attention to me why don’t you.”

  “It’s my sister and niece and I’ve got a plan,” Hannah stated without any friendly greeting.

  Pam’s arm fell to her side and she turned around, exhaling a huff. “I can’t wait to hear this gem. Are you planning to waltz up to the front door and wait for someone to invite you in for tea and cookies?”

  “Sort of. I’m going to use this,” Hannah pulled Ruby’s phone from her back pocket, “and pretend I’m Pearl calling to talk to Ruby.”

  “Why will Rocky think it’s Pearl?”

  Hannah held up the phone. “This is Ruby’s phone. Rocky thinks Pearl has it, and with any luck, Pearl hasn’t figured out she’s lost it yet.”

  “I’m getting interested.”

  “Do you know the layout of the house?”

  Pam nodded.

  “Perfect. Is there a bathroom downstairs?”

  Pam nodded again.

  “Once I get Ruby on the phone, I’ll tell her to take Olivia and go in the bathroom. I’ll climb through the window and swap places with her. It won’t take Rocky too long to figure it out but it should buy us enough time to get Ruby and Olivia to safety.”

  “So, they kill you instead,” Pam said with sarcasm dripping from her words.

  “No, Pearl needs me alive to get what she wants. Ruby and Olivia are her bargaining chips. Plus, I’m pretty sure I can put enough doubt in Rocky’s brain to convince him to let me go.”

  “Okay. My first concern is getting Olivia to safety. If you want to jump into the fire for her, go ahead.”

  Hannah pulled the hooded sweatshirt over her head and coiled her hair under the baseball cap. She checked the phone for recent calls and hit Rocky’s number.

  “Yeah, Pearl?” Hannah was relieved to hear Rocky’s voice. The first step in her plan was sound.

  “Put Ruby on.” Hannah kept to as few words as possible and spoke quickly. She held her breath until she heard Ruby’s voice. “Pearl?”

  Hannah spoke softly into the phone, “Listen and stay calm. Take Olivia into the bathroom, turn on the water, and open the window. I’m coming in to trade places with you. Say, okay Pearl, and hang up.”

  Hannah heard Ruby’s words and the phone line was disconnected. The last thing Hannah did was tuck Theodore safely under her arm before she followed the tree line along the side of the property.

  Once she could see the open window, she sprinted to the house, staying as low to the ground as possible. The window was higher than she could comfortably reach. Panic set in until she saw a patio chair nearby. Dragging it under the window, she stepped up and felt Ruby’s hands grab her arms and pull her through into the bathroom. Hannah quickly pulled her hat and sweatshirt off, trading for Ruby’s hat and zippered fleece.

  Hannah nestled Theodore into Olivia’s arms. She crouched down and talked face to face to Olivia. “You need to keep him safe. Be quiet and do exactly what Mommy says.”

  Olivia, her eyes wide with the big responsibility Hannah bestowed on her, nodded solemnly.

  “Nice choice of clothes,” Ruby said as she pulled Hannah’s dark sweatshirt over her head.

  “It will help you blend in with the trees.” A quick hug and Ruby went out the window feet first. Hannah lowered Olivia and Theodore down to Ruby’s ou
tstretched arms.

  Hannah watched Ruby until she disappeared into the trees. She sat on the edge of the tub. That part went easier than expected, but now what?

  A loud knock on the door and Rocky’s voice brought Hannah back to her situation. “You okay in there?”

  “Olivia’s trying to poop. We’ll be a bit longer I’m afraid.” Hannah was confident that Rocky wouldn’t be able to hear any difference between Hannah’s and Ruby’s voices. They were always confused growing up.

  She heard Rocky mutter, “Geesh, too much information.”

  Hannah smiled to herself with that quick response that bought her some time. She forced her breathing to slow.

  Ruby’s phone rang. “This isn’t good,” Hannah said as the distinctive loon call sounded again.

  “Hey.” The bathroom door rattled. “Open up. I hear that crazy phone ringing.”

  Hannah looked at the phone, angry with herself for forgetting to silence the ringer. This wasn’t part of the plan. What was she going to do next? She really didn’t think it through beyond getting Ruby and Olivia out. Should she run for it, too?

  A loud crash sent the door splintering at the hinges. Rocky held a phone to his ear. “They got away, Nana. Looks like we got the big prize instead. She climbed right into the trap like you predicted.” Hannah’s stomach clenched at the sight of Rocky’s lopsided grin.

  Chapter 21

  “You’ll never get away with this, you know.” Hannah kept her voice calm and soothing—while her insides twisted into knots—hoping she could find a crack in Rocky’s defenses.

  He smiled and motioned for her to come out of the bathroom. “Don’t be so sure, Doll Face. Nana’s a sharp cookie. Don’t underestimate her.” He patted Hannah’s pockets and found both phones—hers and Ruby’s. “You won’t be needing these.”

  “What’s your plan with me, Rocky? Surely, Pearl can’t be thinking of killing me like she did Marco and Lenny.”

  “Sit over there.” He pointed to a couch against a wall away from any windows. “And keep quiet. I need to think.”

  Hannah made sure to walk as close to the picture window as possible. She assumed Pam still had her binoculars trained on the house. She wanted them to know she was okay. At least for the moment.

  “Why does Pearl want my property, Rocky?”

  He scowled when his eyes met hers. “What are you blabbering about?”

  “The cottages and snack bar. What are her plans with the property?”

  “We’re after the map to find that buried treasure. She didn’t tell me nothin’ about no property.” Rocky sank into a soft chair. “She told me to buy up as many raffle tickets as possible, but then she told me to come here.” He shrugged. “I guess her plan changed.”

  “Without telling you? That doesn’t sound like a plan that you’re a valuable part of.”

  “Yeah. You’ve got a point. Why would she do that?” He ran both hands through his dark, wavy hair.

  “Is she going to let you have the buried treasure and she’s taking the big prize? The ocean front property?” Hannah let that sink in before hitting Rocky with the real shocker. “That buried treasure? I’m not convinced it even exists.”

  Rocky stood up quickly. “You’re selling the map. Are you scamming everyone?” Anger burned in his eyes.

  Hannah sat forward and held up both hands. “I’m raffling off a map I found in my Great Aunt Caroline’s papers. And for a good cause, in case you forgot. I won’t benefit from it. I never made any promise about what anyone might find from following the map, though. This whole thing took on a life of its own, starting with that boating accident.” She leaned back and forced herself to relax and talk with a soothing voice. “What can you tell me about that, Rocky? About the boating accident involving Marco and Lenny?”

  Rocky paced around the small living room. “Marco botched that up royally,” he muttered more to himself than to Hannah. “Nana was furious.” He spun around and glared at Hannah. “After Lenny led everyone to your doorstep, Marco was supposed to get rid of that dope once and for all and find the treasure.”

  “What happened?”

  “Nana should never have trusted that slimy investigator.” He punched his right fist into the palm of his left hand. “But, no, she refused to listen to me. Lenny left his bags at your place. How stupid was that?”

  “Completely foolish. Lenny couldn’t disappear without a trace with all that evidence under my nose.”

  Rocky whipped around. “Exactly. You get it, but Nana wouldn’t listen to me.”

  “That upsets you, doesn’t it, Rocky? Pearl has to do things her way, doesn’t she?”

  “That’s why she can’t stay married. She has to be the boss.” He scowled. “What should I do?”

  “I don’t know.” Hannah realized this could be a tricky question. She had to lead Rocky to his own conclusions instead of telling him what to do like everyone else. “What if you call Pearl and try to find out what she’s really up to?”

  “Yeah. Good idea.” He pulled out his phone and dialed. He scowled. “She’s not answering.”

  Hannah held her hand out. “Let me try. With Ruby’s phone.” Hannah’s heart beat so hard she thought it might burst through her chest.

  Rocky hesitated. “All right.” He held the phone out but pulled it back as Hannah reached for it. “No funny business,” he said before he finally gave her the phone.

  Hannah made a quick decision and hit Pam’s number instead. If Rocky heard her answer, at least she might sound like Pearl from where he stood across the room. “What?” Pam’s voice rang loud and clear in Hannah’s ear.

  “Listen, Pearl,” Hannah blurted out. “Rocky’s bringing me to the pub. He said I need to be there for the drawing so people don’t get suspicious.” Hannah kept her eyes on Rocky’s face and relaxed slightly when the edge of his mouth twitched up into a grin. He nodded and gave her two thumbs up. She nodded with the phone tight against her ear. “Yeah. That’s right.”

  Hannah slipped the phone in her own pocket at the same time she gave Rocky the message. “Pearl said she’ll talk to you when you get me there. She said it’s a smart idea.”

  Rocky’s face broke into a big smile. “Smart, huh? It’s about time she gives me some credit. Let’s go, Doll Face.”

  Hannah let out a deep silent exhale. She could relax. Rocky took her story hook, line, and sinker. Now she only had to get back to the pub without Pam interfering. Pam’s words on the phone to Hannah were—I hope you know what you’re doing. Hannah had the same thought.

  Rocky led the way. He stopped suddenly and Hannah smacked right into his back. She stepped sideways and peeked around to see what happened. This might be interesting, she thought.

  Rocky looked at Hannah. “What are they doing here? Haven’t these two been staying at your cottages?”

  Hannah nodded her head. “Yeah, but I have no idea why they’re here. Just play it cool and ask them what they want. Or do you want me to talk to them?”

  He used his elbow to push Hannah in front of him. “You talk to them. They’re your guests.”

  Laura slid out of the driver’s side of her car. “We watched you sneak away from the pub and decided to follow you. It got pretty exciting when you climbed through the window.”

  Sherry stepped from the passenger side. “Yeah, you know, follow the trail to the money, or buried treasure in this case.” She giggled.

  “Sorry to disappoint you two sleuths, but I’m heading back to the pub right now. Where’s Aaron?” Hannah asked, pretending she didn’t already know about the rift between Aaron and Laura.

  Laura flicked her wrist dismissively. “He’s not interested in the buried treasure like,” she glanced at Sherry, “we are. He decided to take a walk on the beach instead.”

  Right, Hannah thought. “You left him at the cottages? How do you know he’s not searching for the treasure on his own?” She smiled with satisfaction when both their faces fell. “Maybe you’d better get back and keep a
n eye on him.”

  Rocky finally found his voice. “Let’s all stick together. I don’t like the idea of anyone stealing that treasure away from me. Come on. You two in my car with Doll Face.”

  Doll Face? Hannah saw Laura mouth the name to Sherry. They both covered their mouths.

  “I better grab my tote,” Laura giggled.

  When she opened the back door, Rocky’s eyes lit up. “Are those snacks? I’m starving.”

  Laura handed the basket to Rocky. “Help yourself.” She slung her canvas tote over her shoulder and slid into the backseat of Rocky’s car. “My girlfriends aren’t gonna believe this cloak and dagger stuff,” she said to Sherry. “And if I win the buried treasure?” She squealed with excitement.

  Rocky dropped the basket on Hannah’s lap after he dug around and came up with some peanut butter cups. “Want anything, Doll Face?”

  Hannah shook her head. Her stomach was tied in knots. She wasn’t going to send any high fat snacks down to turn the knots into cement blocks. What did she get herself into? Any of these three people could be a killer. Although the way Laura was acting like such a ninny, Hannah doubted whether she could have committed cold blooded murder. Twice.

  She let her hand rest on her pocket with Ruby’s phone. At least she might have a chance to get a call off in an emergency. With that thought, the phone rang. Silence fell inside the car.

  “It must be Pearl. Answer it,” Rocky ordered.

  “Pearl?” Hannah let herself breathe when she heard Pam’s voice ask her what was going on. “Yeah, we’re on our way, Pearl. Wait for us at the pub.” Hannah put the phone away from ear and whispered to Rocky, “Want me to tell her anything else?”

  “Yeah. Tell her I’m expecting her to tell me all the details about Marco and Lenny. I don’t plan to take the rap for something she did.”

  Hannah relayed the message. She hesitated before she hit disconnect, wanting to keep the call on speaker phone, but that could be too risky. Laura giggled in the back seat and Sherry talked nonstop about how much money they would get for this story.

  “It’ll be huge,” Sherry said. “Especially with the photos you have.”