Lacey Luzzi: S'mored: A humorous, cozy mystery! (Lacey Luzzi Mafia Mysteries Book 5)

by Gina LaManna

  Eventually I stopped asking. It became a point of tension between my grandparents and me. Carlos and Nora didn’t know why she’d left, didn’t know why she’d kept me a secret. I had no answers for them, either. The sad truth of the matter was that none of us knew what had been going on in my mother’s head.

  And we would never know.

  My mother was gone now, in a different place. I liked to think she was looking down on me, a guardian angel of sorts. Even though I wasn’t a regular churchgoer, I believed in God, and it was comforting to think that my mother’s presence was still around me. I’d needed to believe it during the lonely months after she’d passed away. I’d always had Meg – and for that I was grateful – but she couldn’t replace my mom.

  “I’ve never known someone who knew my mother as a child – besides Nora and Carlos and family members.” My voice cracked. “Do you think you could tell me some stories sometime?”

  “Of course, child. I have plenty of stories. And now, maybe I’m judging prematurely, but I think you’re more like her than you know.” Laurelei winked.

  “Why do you say that?” I asked.

  “Well, you’re barely here twenty-four hours and you’re already the talk of the town. Causing waves, all that sort of jazz you young people get up to.”

  “I’m not trying to cause waves!” My voice came out more indignant than I’d hoped for, but I couldn’t help it. I knew nothing about the guy in my car. “It just happened. It’s not my fault.”

  Laurelei’s eyes twinkled. “I’ve heard that exact same line from your mother.”

  “Oh wow, I want to hear this story.” Meg cracked her Coke open, listening as intently as I’d ever seen her listen before. “Lacey’s mom was a second mother to me. Actually, sometimes a first mother. I loved that woman, God rest her soul.”

  Laurelei’s face cracked into a grin. “Your mother became the talk of the town just by walking into it. She was a stunner, that woman. Long blond hair rolling halfway down her back by the time she was ten years old. Every man in this place had a crush on her at one point or another, old and young alike. She looked like – hmm, I don’t know the words. But she was beautiful.”

  “I’m not hearing how this is similar to me,” I said wryly. “Nobody in Tonka is bending over backwards to tell me I’m beautiful.”

  “Give it some time.” The waitress smiled. “But you have to admit you’ve caused a splash in town. We haven’t had this much excitement since your mother tried to lead a cow to the top of the Tonka water tower on the ol’ historic staircase.”

  “What?” Meg snorted. “Why on earth’d she do that?”

  “Your mother was a prankster! A smart one, too. Did you know that’s the first time our local cops figured out that cows can only go up a staircase? Something about the way their knees are built, the poor animals can’t get back down the stairs.” Laurelei’s smile grew brighter. “But the best part about it is that your mother couldn’t go through with it. She was such an animal lover, she led the cow up one stair and then gave up.”

  I sat in silence, digesting the story and reconciling it with my own memories. She’d always been fun, an unconventional mother, but I’d never seen her that carefree. She’d throw me great birthday parties and cuddle me close, but there had always been a tinge of worry in her eye or a crease of doubt on her forehead.

  It’d never dawned on me how lonely my own mother must have been, running away pregnant and without a job. Why had she run? The question had always niggled in the back of my brain, but I’d been thinking about it less and less since discovering Carlos and Nora. They didn’t want to talk about it, and I wanted to keep a healthy relationship with the only family I had left.

  But with Laurelei bringing back old memories, I wondered if maybe there hadn’t been another reason she’d disappeared. A man? I needed to think more on the subject, but for now I wanted to soak up as much of Laurelei’s tales as possible. When I zoned back into the conversation, I discovered Meg must’ve had the same thought, and had begun pestering Laurelei for more stories about my mom.

  “There was this one time on her summer break – I tell you, honey, we looked forward to the Luzzis coming up for their week of vacation every summer, never a dull moment with your mother around. Throw her siblings into the mix and…” Laurelei fanned her face. “I could just grab myself a bag of popcorn and watch the chaos unfold. Better than the cinema.”

  “Like what?” Meg asked, her eyes gleaming.

  “Now don’t you go repeating this to anyone, I don’t wanna tarnish your mother’s reputation,” Laurelei said. “But you deserve to know some of this since it appears you ain’t ever heard it before.”

  I shook my head. “You’re not tarnishing anything. I love hearing these stories. Ever since I was born, my mom was too busy working and trying to put food on the table to pull a prank. I wish things could’ve been easier for her.”

  Laurelei paused, her eyes darkening with what seemed like sadness for a moment. “Child, your mother had a heart of gold, and I can tell you she didn’t lose it ’til the day she died, and then some.”

  “Nobody doubted that for a second.” Meg gave a nod, her voice cracking. “Now before you go making us cry, how about you make us laugh?”

  Laurelei’s eyes crinkled. She swiped at her cheek and then swallowed before continuing. “One year for the summer festival, she and a friend took three pigs from a friend’s family farm. They greased them pigs up real good and put badges on them: #1, #2 and #4.”

  I wiped a hand across my own eyes, my laughter bringing me to tears. It was probably a mixture of sad and happy, but mostly happy. I loved remembering my mother, and I could listen to Laurelei’s stories all day long.

  “How long’d they look for number three?” Meg asked.

  “Weeks!” Laurelei slapped a hand on her knee. “They didn’t figure it out until your mother was back in the Cities, bless her heart. Those Green Bay cops really didn’t like us that summer.” Laurelei poured us more coffee, still chuckling to herself as she leaned against the counter.

  I thanked her and took a sip of the warm, potent beverage, letting it slide down my throat before I spoke. When I did, I tried to sound casual. “Did you say something about a man in my mom’s life?”

  Laurelei turned abruptly, busying herself by setting the coffee pot back behind the counter, her lips pressed into a firm line. “I said no such thing.”

  “But you did.” Meg raised her hands innocently. “I’m just being honest, not taking sides.”

  “I don’t remember.” Laurelei tilted her chin out in a stubborn pout.

  “Please?” I asked. “I don’t know anything about my dad.”

  “How do you know I’m talking about your father?” Laurelei put a hand on her hip. “What if I was just referencing some boy she went with for a summer in high school? Summer flings happen, darlin’.”

  “Is that what happened with my mom?” My heart sped up. After initially asking Nora and Carlos if they knew who my father was, I learned quickly to leave that subject alone. “Did she get pregnant on a summer fling out here and then run away?”

  “You stop poking around, Miss Luzzi. I don’t think Carlos would appreciate you sticking your nose into all these rumors I’ve gathered over the years. It’s about time you ladies finished up, I think,” Laurelei eyed our half-eaten plates. “I’m not trying to be rude, but I’ve got to get ready to turn this place into the bar.”

  Meg glanced around. “This place converts to a bar? Isn’t it a little early? The lunch crowd isn’t even around.”

  “Gabe’s diner by day, Gabe’s dive bar by night. The one and only,” Laurelei said. “I get started early.”

  “This is the Gabe’s bar?” I asked, temporarily distracted from my previous questions about my mom and her mystery suitor. “Carlos did send us here, as a matter of fact.”

  “Is that right?” Laurelei’s tone lightened.

  I nodded, setting aside the family history question
s for now. I’d have time to pry into my mom’s past later. For now, I’d focus on getting any information about diamonds that I could – and then passing it along. That should be enough to keep Carlos happy.

  “What does Carlos think about that body ending up in your vehicle, missy?” Laurelei rested her hands against the ceramic counter, as if debating whether or not she wanted to kick us out. Apparently she decided she’d rather hear the gossip, and scooped Meg up another spoonful of scrambled eggs.

  “Carlos doesn’t know about it yet.” I bit my lip. “I forgot to call him.”

  Laurelei crossed her arms. “I heard you was workin’ for him, and I don’t like it. That business ain’t no place for a woman.”

  “What do you mean?” I opened my arms wide, turning and surveying the bar. “You’re a woman and you have your own restaurant. I’d call that independent.”

  Meg reached for a piece of bacon. “Plus, Lacey’s got the head of security sleeping in her bed, so I think she’s safe.”

  Laurelei’s eyes flicked to the plate that was now missing a slice of bacon. “Only reason I own this place is because my husband went and died on me twenty years ago. I was forced into independence. His name was Gabe, of Gabe’s bar.”

  “Well, Carlos sent me here for a reason.” I gave her an imploring stare. “Mainly to stop by and send his regards. And make sure everything is okay.”

  “You’re sure he said that?” she asked, her eyes wary.

  “Positive.” I was lying a little bit, but it was a white lie. Carlos had given me some information about diamonds, but it really wasn’t up to my discretion to share.

  Laurelei’s eyes shifted up and down the empty dining hall. The place was between breakfast and lunch. I assumed the lunchtime crew had yet to flood the place and claim their seats.

  “I see you know something that you’re not telling us, Miss Laurelei.” Meg shook her finger. “Naughty naughty, you trying to lie in front of Lacey’s psychic. Lying by omission is still a lie, and I can see right through you, clear as day. I don’t appreciate that, from one bacon lover to another.”

  “She’s not really psychic,” Laurelei said to me, as if only halfway convinced. “That’s impossible.”

  “That’s what they want you to think,” I whispered. “Meg and her seer friends don’t tell anyone about their gifts. You’re lucky she’s sharing it with you.”

  “Tell me one thing,” Laurelei said, leaning in to Meg. “Is it gonna be a good year for customers?”

  Meg closed her eyes and hummed. At first, she hummed a load of nonsense, but it eventually turned into Mary Had a Little Lamb. Thankfully, Laurelei didn’t seem to catch on to the nursery rhyme.

  “It’s gonna be the best year yet if you order that one thing you’ve been wanting to order.” Meg opened her eyes and gave a firm nod. “Tell me, what were you planning to order?”

  Laurelei inhaled a sharp breath. “I was gonna get a new espresso machine. I was debating because the folk out here aren’t fancy, and they like their regular coffee.” Laurelei’s eyes widened. “But I been eyeing one of them espresso thingers with steamed milk. I think it’d bring some real classiness out here to Tonka. And you can bet your bottom dollar Carlos would like it.”

  “Well, there ya have it,” Meg said. “Now you know I’m telling the truth.”

  Our host gave a wide-eyed nod. “No doubt about it. All right, well I guess if Carlos asked – he’s been real kind to me, keep in mind, great tipper that man – I’ll do what I can to help him out, but I’m not jeopardizing my bar or getting in the middle of nothing.”

  “We’d never ask you to.” I reached out, placing a hand palm up on the bar. “Carlos just wants to know how things are going. He’s not even here, and I’m not big or intimidating enough to do much about anything.”

  “Exactly. Look at these pea-sized biceps.” Meg squeezed my arm. “Mashed potatoes.”

  “Well, I don’t know much of anything.” Laurelei coughed. “But Carlos has been a good friend, so I’ll fill you in on the Tonka gossip column.” Her eyes shifted down the bar. “I’m not saying it’s bad, but I’ve got some new customers lately.”

  I glanced at Meg, trying not to give anything away.

  “They been coming here about…” Laurelei tipped her head back in thought. “Oh, a month or so. At first, I didn’t think nothin’ of it. They ate like fat kids, they tipped well, and they minded their own business. Good customers.”

  “What changed?” I asked.

  “Nothing, really. They still come in here, pretty regularly. They said they’re truckers, but that’s the odd thing. They don’t look like truckers to me.” Laurelei shook her head. “I have experience with truckers, if you know what I mean. These men aren’t truckers. I don’t know why they’re lyin’, but they are.”

  “Do you know where they’re from?” I asked.

  Laurelei shrugged. “They’re young and supple, heard one of ’em mention Chicago.”

  “Do you have any ideas what they’re up to?” I asked. “How often are they in here?”

  “Two, three times per week.”

  “Is that normal?” I asked.

  “What’s normal?” Laurelei shrugged. “It’s a little often for the normal truckers I get in here – they tend to make it around once or twice a week. But these guys…let me tell you something. They don’t make friends.”

  “Make friends with who?” I asked.

  “Me! Of all people. I’m friendly, ain’t I?” Laurelei narrowed her eyes at me. “I’m a sweet, young soul.”

  I gave a small smile. “Of course you are!”

  “You the sweetest, sexiest thing on the wrong side of thirty,” Meg said. “I’m not there yet, Miss Laurelei, but I will be soon. I’m coming fast, so watch out. I might catch ya.”

  “We’ll see when the time comes. I take care of my body, mind you.” Laurelei lit another cigarette, contradicting herself. “These boys – they’re young, mind you. They’re transporting something, but it ain’t Walmart junk or cement. It’s something top dollar. One of ’em wears a diamond earring that I bet is worth my entire bar.”

  “How do you know it’s real diamonds?” I asked, working hard to keep my voice level. “Couldn’t it be that fake stuff?”

  “A girl knows her diamonds.” Laurelei looked at me as if I were completely uncivilized. “At least, the ladies do.”

  “Amen.” Meg held up her hand for a high five, but nobody jumped on board. She quickly decided to scratch her head instead of leaving her hand hanging in the air.

  “When would be a good time to swing back if I wanted to catch a glimpse of them?” I asked. “I won’t say anything. I’m just doing my due diligence for Carlos. Want to say I laid eyes on them myself.”

  Laurelei squinted. “I don’t want nobody getting hurt on my watch. I ain’t getting on Carlos’s horseshit list.”

  “We won’t get hurt,” I promised. “I’ll bring Anthony, the security guy. If something were to happen, it’d be his head on the line.”

  “I don’t think that’s a great idea,” Laurelei said. “In fact, I think it’s a terrible one, and you should stay away.”

  “But…” I started.

  “But I’d like to extend you a formal invite to karaoke tomorrow night. Right here.” Laurelei spread her arms wide. “It’s been awhile since this town has seen some action. I miss the days your mother ran wild.”

  I stood up, gesturing for Meg to do the same. I pulled as much money as I could out of my wallet and left a generous tip as I nodded to the owner. “We’ll see you tomorrow night. Thanks for the food and the talk.”

  “I’ve got more of both,” Laurelei said. “Don’t be a stranger, you two. Lacey, it’s nice to meet you. If it means anything, you’re most definitely your mother’s daughter. There’s not a doubt in my mind her blood runs through your veins.”

  As strange as it was, Laurelei’s closing words calmed me. I hadn’t expected to unearth sentimental stories and waves of emotion when
Meg and I had set out to find waffles, but stranger things had happened.

  But as we left, I had more questions than ever. What were these fake truckers doing in Gabe’s bar? What did Laurelei know about my mother’s mystery man – and possibly my father? And who in the heck had been found dead in my trunk last night? Though we’d unearthed some information, I felt like I’d taken ten steps backwards.

  “We have a lot of work cut out for us,” I said, as Meg and I climbed back into the Fiat.

  “Yeah.” Meg gave a firm nod. “You’re going to be fending off those Italians all day in addition to working for Carlos and trying to avoid more dead bodies in your car.”

  I groaned, wishing Marco and friends would just disappear and make things one tiny bit easier.

  “Some vacation,” I grumbled.

  “I don’t know what you mean,” Meg said. “I expected nothing less from you. We’re the adventuring type. As much as I like laying out on the lake, I’d get bored after about ten minutes.”

  “You’re right,” I sighed. “We can get rid of the Italians today, talk to the truckers tomorrow – and I have no idea how to start investigating about the body.”

  “Yeah, but you forgot the most important thing.” Meg leaned forward and turned on the radio.

  “What did I forget?” I asked, as she fiddled with the staticky stations.

  “We need to pick out a karaoke song.”

  Chapter 17

  I’d barely twisted the front door open before a hand closed on my wrist and pulled me inside.

  “I need to talk to you,” Anthony said, hauling me down the hall.

  “Hello to you, too.” Slightly alarmed by his wild-eyed, crazed look, I let him half-drag me down the hall. “Is everything okay?”

  “No. Everything is not okay,” Anthony said, his voice murderous. He turned the corner into the kitchen, stopped abruptly, and turned right back out.