Mobsters and Lobsters (A Hooked & Cooked Cozy Mystery Series Book 2) (13 page)

“No bother Aaron,” Hannah said as she walked to her office.

“Don’t leave without me when you head over to the pub,” Cal called over his shoulder as he headed to his truck to unload the lumber.

Hannah opened the office door for Aaron. “Where’s your wife?”

“She’s finishing the packing. I’ll drop the key off on our way to the car. Is that okay?” Aaron shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

“Have a seat. Is everything all right?” Hannah pulled a chair closer to her desk for him.

Aaron looked around the room, everywhere but at Hannah. “Not really,” he finally blurted out. “That woman staying in one of the cottages has been awfully nosy.”

“Which one?”

“Not the teacher. She’s been respectful of our privacy. The other one. With purple hair and a pig.” Aaron paused. “I don’t want to cause trouble. Your cottage is amazing, and listening to the ocean has been very peaceful. We’d love to come back sometime.”

Hannah was pretty sure he didn’t mean what he just said but was trying to make her feel better. “I’d love to have you back.” Hannah rested her arms on her desk and leaned over toward Aaron. “What happened with Pearl? She was an old friend of my Great Aunt Caroline, who I inherited the cottages from, and she kind of showed up out of the blue. I never met her before. What did she do?”

“We caught her snooping around our cottage after we went out for a walk. She said she went into the wrong cottage by accident but, come on, it was locked. Somehow she broke in.”

Hannah nodded. “Did she take anything?”

“No. But she was down on her hands and knees rummaging around in the closet when we walked in.”

“Whatever for?”

Aaron flicked his wrist. “She laughed it off and mumbled something about her secret compartment.” He twirled his finger in a circle next to the side of his head. “I think she must have a few screws loose. Probably harmless but Laura’s been a nervous wreck ever since.”

“I’m sorry about that. I wish you had told me sooner so I could have had a word with her.”

“There’s more,” Aaron continued.

Hannah felt her stomach drop. What was Pearl up to? Searching for the buried treasure one cottage at a time? Is that what spooked Ruby to leave in such a hurry?

Aaron’s words broke through her thoughts when she heard him say
Rocky.

“What?”

“That kid Rocky. Every night we’d see him walking around. He’d pace off carefully, dig a hole, cover it, and repeat the whole process in a different direction. What’s he looking for? A body?” Aaron stood up. “We love everything about this place except your other guests. My advice if you want to make a go of it here—vet everyone better.”

Hannah was stunned. Pearl and Rocky were searching for the treasure. Right under her nose. How did she miss it?

She held Aaron’s arm. “Let me make it up to you. What you’ve just told me is completely unacceptable. Spend the rest of your week, no charge. Pearl is a bit, um, odd, but she’s not dangerous.”

“I don’t know,” Aaron waffled. “Laura’s really spooked. And those two murders? One right here under your snack bar? A bit much for us. We wanted peace and quiet by the ocean, and it would have been perfect without all those distractions.” Aaron stared at Hannah. “How can you be sure she’s not dangerous?”

Hannah chose to ignore the last question. “Talk to Laura. I’ll get the problem sorted out. Pearl’s grandson isn’t even supposed to be staying here. And Sherry Wolfe? Has she bothered you?”

“Oh no. She told us about some nice trails along the beach and even brought us a basket of goodies when she found out we’re newlyweds. An odd assortment of snacks but the gesture was appreciated.” Aaron turned to leave. “I’ll talk to Laura but I’m pretty sure her mind is made up.”

Hannah’s heart went out to this young man. He had an awful experience in her cottage when it should have been a romantic honeymoon getaway.

The office door opened and an icy chill made Hannah shiver.

“Hello, Mr. Masterson, not thinking of checking out all ready, are you?” Officer Pam Larson blocked the doorway with a half grin on her face. “You need to stay in town at least through the weekend.” Pam flung her arm toward the ocean. “But who would want to leave this beautiful paradise?”

Aaron looked from Pam to Hannah. “I’ll explain the situation to Laura. And thanks for the offer. It looks like we will take you up on it, after all.” His glum face betrayed his real feelings about the situation as he walked passed Pam.

Pam pulled the door closed. “What’s up with the newlyweds? I should imagine he and his wife would be loving it here—ocean, beaches, romantic walks under the stars.”

“Yeah, well,” Hannah motioned for Pam to have the seat recently vacated by Aaron, “he walked in on Pearl Martini in his cottage. Searching for, what she called, her secret compartment, in his closet.”

Pam entwined her fingers and rested her hands on her lap. “Ah, yes. Searching for the buried treasure in a closet?” Pam mocked Hannah’s comment. “I suppose next you’ll tell me she’s been digging holes all over the place.”

Hannah leaned toward Pam. “As a matter of fact, her grandson, Rocky, has been doing just that, according to Aaron. His wife is spooked and they wanted to check out early.”

“Oh, Hannah. You certainly didn’t inherit Caroline’s shrewdness. Don’t you see what he’s doing?”

Hannah shrugged.

“Did you offer him free lodging?”

Hannah nodded. She slapped her forehead. “Are you serious? He made that story up about Pearl breaking into his cottage?”

Pam put her hands behind her head and relaxed back in the chair. “I’ve seen everything, and his story is a bit farfetched. Let’s suppose there is a buried treasure, it wouldn’t be in a closet. And, even
you
would have noticed holes all over the place. I doubt that grandson, with an IQ of a pea, would know how to cover his tracks very well.”

Pam was right. Hannah had to toughen up. If she had any chance of making this place a success, she couldn’t fall for every sob story that hit her ears.

“I hear you’ve moved your grand opening to the Pub and Pool Hall,” Pam said. “I’m sorry you had to do that but it may turn out to be a brilliant strategy.”

Hannah rolled her eyes. “How do you figure that?”

“You’re an outsider.” Pam cocked her brows up. “That’s the reality of your situation until you’ve been in this town for a long time. Teaming up with Michael gives you legitimacy in the eyes of the townies. As long as your food delivers, and with Meg handling that you don’t have to worry, you’ll be able to make a smooth transition to your snack bar when it finally does open.”

Hannah nodded but she was wary. Pam wasn’t usually friendly toward her, but Hannah hadn’t figured out Pam’s angle yet. There had to be an angle.

“I want to see that map.”

That’s the angle, Hannah thought. “I don’t have it.”

Pam stood up. “Does it exist?”

“Several versions exist.”

“Don’t be cute. Even though I don’t believe there is a buried treasure, I do believe the
idea
of a buried treasure is connected to the two murders. And,” she pierced Hannah with a stare, “I’m positive it’s connected to your sister’s disappearance.”

The air rushed from Hannah’s lungs. “You know about that?”

“Of course I do. Everything reaches these.” Pam wiggled her ears with her thumb and first finger. “And I know where she is. She’s safe. For now. But she’s in danger. You too, for that matter. It doesn’t matter if
I
think there actually is a buried treasure, someone, or multiple
someones
, believe it’s real. That’s why I want all your guests staying put through the weekend.”

“Even Sherry Wolfe and Aaron and Laura Masterson? You think they could be involved with the murders?”

“Listen, Hannah. I’m not ruling anyone out. Not even you or your sister. We’re keeping a close eye on her, especially after she ran off last night. And that little stunt Aaron Masterson just pulled with you? Was he trying to put the spotlight on someone else?”

Chapter 17

Hannah stayed in her chair after Pam left. A wave of incompetence surged through every bone, making her feel like Pam just put her through a blender and poured her on the ground. And probably stirred up the mess with the toe of her shoe. Then buried it all in one of the holes that Aaron talked about.

She sighed. At least the police were keeping tabs on Ruby and Olivia. She wasn’t happy with the
reason
for the monitoring, but at least it would keep her sister and niece safe.

Before Hannah could get up from her desk and head to the Pub and Pool Hall, Cal walked into the office. “That bad, huh?”

“Every time Pam talks to me, I doubt my ability to be running this business. What was Great Aunt Caroline thinking leaving it to me? No experience. No confidence. And pretty soon, no money.” Hannah rested her head on one hand.

“Aren’t
you
the optimist today,” Cal teased. “Don’t forget what it says on my boat—
Seas the Day
. Are you ready?”

She shook her head. “Not really. I don’t know where to start. Both Ruby and I are on Pam’s suspect list, along with Pearl, Sherry, Aaron, and Laura. And, most definitely, Rocky.” She looked at Cal. “I know I didn’t kill anyone, but the others? What do you think?”

Cal’s eyes wrinkled at the corners. “Probably Ruby. You know what a violent person
she
is.” He motioned Hannah to follow him. “Let’s sit outside on one of your new picnic tables and listen to the surf. That always helps clear the mind. I’m a firm believer that if you’re out in nature, you
will
feel better. If the wind doesn’t blow it away, the sun will cook it out of you.”

Hannah followed Cal outside. With each step, she did feel a bit better. Looking at his backside didn’t hurt. She giggled to herself. He turned and pointed at Hannah. “I caught you feeling better already. Let’s make a plan on how to attack this problem.”

They sat facing the ocean. The waves, with their never ending rush in and out, crashing on the sand, actually gave Hannah strength. The ocean never gave up and she wouldn’t either.

Cal nudged her with his elbow after Hannah’s fidgeting calmed down. “Good. I can hear your gears working. What have you come up with?”

“The key to everything is the map. Even Pam admitted that whoever the murderer is believes it’s real. I suppose that makes sense. Everyone wants to think they will find that pot at the end of a rainbow.” She turned toward Cal. “Do
you
think it’s real?”

“Me? Will that mean I’m a suspect?”

She jabbed him in the side. “No. I was only thinking maybe we should be looking for the treasure.”

“Ninety nine percent of me doesn’t believe it’s real. But who knows for sure? Caroline was full of tricks so there could be something to it.”

“Good. That’s what I was hoping you would say. How about we create a buried treasure for someone to find?” She stood up and faced her snack bar. The yellow police tape was gone. “I know the perfect spot.”

“The perfect spot for what?” Jack asked as he joined Hannah and Cal.

“What happened to Sherry? You managed to ditch her without a scene?” Hannah teased.

Jack shrugged. “She said she had someplace to be. I wasn’t about to argue. She did ask a lot of questions about the buried treasure. It’s funny how people latch onto a crazy idea like that.” He sat at the picnic table with Hannah and Cal. “Fill me in.” He sniffed the air. “I can smell some plot hatching around here.”

“I’ve decided it’s time to bury a treasure,” Hannah said as she chewed on the end of her braid. “Something, but I don’t know what.”

“You’re a genius.” Jack leaned close to Hannah until their shoulders touched. “I’ve got an old lock box that’s kind of rusty on the corners. How about filling it with sand, shells, and sea glass? It will be a treasure chest of ocean valuables!”

Hannah put her hand out, palm up, for a high five. “You’re the genius, Jack. Maybe we should throw in some sand dollars too, for the irony.” Her words stumbled over each other in her excitement.

Jack slapped Hannah’s palm. “I’ll raid my beach collections and fill up the box nice and pretty.” Jack was already on his feet and heading to his house. “Be right back with the box and the map.”

Cal chuckled as he watched Hannah and Jack scheme. “I know my part in the plan,” he said as he walked toward the snack bar. He was on his hands and knees looking under the snack bar by the time Hannah joined him. “Hiding the treasure under here will only work if it looks like I’m working on this last beam. Otherwise, all the nosy people around here will be suspicious.” They walked to his truck. “Somehow, I need to dig a deep hole, get the box in and make it look like it’s been there all along, then slide the last beam in place.”

“But you need to leave a big enough opening for someone to still be able to crawl in and find the treasure.” Hannah stood with her hands on her hips watching Cal.

Cal pursed his lips. “How will this lead to the murderer, though? With the map being raffled off, anyone in town could search for it.”