Mobsters and Lobsters (A Hooked & Cooked Cozy Mystery Series Book 2) by Lyndsey Cole Read Free Book Online

you this afternoon?”
    Ruby sighed and her shoulders sagged. “It wasn’t good. She found photos of me and Olivia in Lenny’s car.”
    “I was afraid of that. How did you explain it?”
    “I lied.” Ruby grabbed Hannah’s arm and stopped walking. “I told her I had no idea who Lenny is. Pam mumbled something about probably a stalker.”
    “Are you sure there was nothing in the photos to link you with him?”
    “With Olivia, no. I think he got those images when we were walking to or from school. He may not have figured out his connection to Olivia.”
    “So he was stalking you.”
    “In those photos, yes. But there was one that was kind of blurry that he must have taken when I met with him the other day. When I was walking back to my car.”
    Hannah started walking again. “I see this going one of two ways. The first is the best. For you. Lenny’s body turns up and he’s out of your life once and for all.”
    “And the other way?”
    “He turns up alive and Pam will be off your back but Lenny might figure out that Olivia is his daughter.”
    “You’re making a dangerous assumption, Hannah. What if Lenny has simply vanished into thin air? He’s done it before.”
    Hannah could hear Olivia talking to Petunia. “And if you stay at Aunt Hannah’s cottage, I’ll get to see you all the time. Me and Nellie.”
    Another problem, Hannah told herself—Olivia must have missed the part that Petunia was only a guest. She hoped it didn’t break Olivia’s heart when Petunia left, like so many others in her life. She picked up the pace, pulling Ruby along with her. “I hear someone talking and I can’t see Olivia.”
    They raced around the corner and laughed. Poor Sherry Wolfe was standing in the brush at the side of the path while Petunia stared at her. Olivia happily chatted to Sherry. “Don’t be scared of Petunia. She’s just a little potbelly pig.” Olivia bent down to examine the pig’s underside. “I don’t know where the pot is but she’s a sweet pig anyway. Do you have any pets? I want to get a cat but my mom says I have to wait until I’m six. I’ll be six on April something. Mom? What day is my birthday?”
    “Soon, honey. Let’s let the woman finish her walk in peace.”
    Sherry glared at Hannah but managed to pat Olivia on the head as she jumped by Petunia.
    “Nice walk, Sherry?” Hannah asked. “Did you see anyone along the beach?”
    Sherry paused. “What? See anyone? Ah, no. Just all of you. Why are you being so nosy? Can’t a person take a walk without being accosted?” She scurried away, her backpack slapping against her back with every footstep.
    “That was a strange reaction,” Ruby said as she stood looking backwards at Sherry’s retreating back.
    Hannah waved her hand, dismissing Sherry Wolfe’s comments. “I think Petunia scared her out of her comfort zone. She’s a retired teacher thinking about relocating to Hooks Harbor but I’m not sure Hooks Harbor is ready for someone like her, and it certainly looks like she’s not ready for a neighbor like Petunia.”
    The path opened up to a rocky shoreline. “This is where Lenny’s boat was found.” Waves crashed into the big rocky point. Hannah shuddered. “I don’t see how he could have survived. If the rocks didn’t smash him to bits, the cold Atlantic would do him in.”
    “I wish I had your confidence, but you don’t know Lenny. He’s always got a plan. He’s up to something. What about that map on his camera? We should study it some more and see if it ties in with this spot or somewhere else around here.”
    Hannah put her arm around Ruby’s shoulders. “Now you’re thinking. I knew this walk would be useful. I forgot about the map. How about we head back? Cal invited us all for dinner if you and Olivia want to come.”
    Olivia, with her big ears, heard that and jumped up and down. “Can we bring Petunia? Theodore would love Petunia.”
    “We’ll have to check with Pearl. She’s probably wondering