Murder on the Half Shell (A Red Carpet Catering Mystery Book 2) by Shawn Reilly Simmons Read Free Book Online

were with Regan. He said he would make sure they got home okay. They all live in that development off the main avenue, past Rose’s. When we left, the party was winding down, but there were still a bunch of people hanging out.”
    Penelope pictured the development he was talking about. It was the only large cluster of houses on the island, three or four winding streets with modest ranchers that looked like they might have been new in the 1970s. She figured it would be about a fifteen-minute walk from the beach party to where the girls lived.
    “Have any of you guys seen Regan this weekend?” Penelope asked, remembering how she had found him early Saturday morning, passed out on the avenue.
    “We haven’t. The other chefs from our crew went over to the mainland Saturday morning, and they’re not back yet,” Quentin said, shrugging. “Maybe they know something, but I doubt it.”
    “You guys didn’t want to get off the island with them?” Penelope asked, shifting her weight and adjusting her backpack on her shoulders.
    “Nah,” Francis said. “We hiked on the other side of the island and camped out Saturday night. Just came back into town for breakfast an hour ago.”
    Penelope thought for a moment and said, “Do me a favor and call me when the whole team is back on the island. I want to have a meeting with all of us together. In the meantime, keep an eye out for the girls, and let me know if the police want to talk to you again.” She smiled reassuringly in response to their worried glances, then walked over to the hostess podium.
    “Jeanne,” Penelope interrupted.
    “Penelope, have you met Rebekkah’s parents?” Jeanne said, making the introductions.
    Rebekkah’s mom looked at her with a confused expression, her face creased with worry. “You’re from the movie,” Mrs. Flores said, hugging her arms around her chest, her purse strap twisting in the crook of her arm.
    “I wanted to let you know, if I can help with anything, please give me a call.”
    Penelope reached into her backpack and pulled out her business card, handing it to Mrs. Flores. Mr. Flores looked down at Penelope sternly, not offering a hello or and handshake, his face a mask of concern.
    “We’ll do anything we can to help find them,” Penelope said earnestly.
    Mr. Flores shook his head and turned abruptly away, storming back into the hallway of the Inn. Jeanne followed him out, wringing her hands.
    “He’s upset. We all are,” Mrs. Flores said distractedly. Her large brown eyes were glassy and red, and her jaw was set in a firm line under her soft features. “It’s not like them to worry us like this. They’re good girls.”
    Penelope nodded. “I know…I really hope they turn up soon. Please call me if you think of anything I can do, or if you need to talk to anyone from the production. I can put you in touch with whoever you need.” She pointed out her cell number on the card in Mrs. Flores’ hand.
    “You know, that’s why we let her come to work for you. She earned our trust, never breaking her curfew, keeping up her grades,” Mrs. Flores said. “Me and her dad, we both work at the school; we keep a close eye on her.”
    “It sounds like this is totally out of character for both of them,” Penelope said. She thought to herself that wasn’t great news. If the girls had a history of running away or breaking curfew, maybe their sudden disappearance wouldn’t be as upsetting. Two girls who normally followed the rules vanishing into thin air was harder to explain, and definitely more troubling.
    “I have to get home, in case she calls. The police said we should,” Mrs. Flores said. She thanked Penelope and followed her husband out into the hallway.
    Penelope wound her way over to Arlena and Max’s table and took a seat, motioning to a worried-looking Jeanne with her empty coffee mug. She hurried over with a steaming carafe.
    “They’re in such a state,” she said. “Such a nice family, I feel so badly for