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

them.”
    The table fell silent, as they thought of how to proceed.
    “I’ll give you another minute or two,” Jeanne said, turning away. She had regained some of her poise, but her hands shook a little more than usual when she poured their coffee.
    “A couple of teenagers are missing?” Max asked Penelope after Jeanne had stepped away.
    Penelope busied herself fixing her coffee, adding cream until it was just the right color of light brown. “Rebekkah and Sabena, the girls who work for me as servers on set. No one has seen them since Friday night and the police are looking for them.”
    “How can someone go missing on an island this small?” Arlena asked.
    “I’m not sure,” Penelope said. “I just met with Rebekkah’s parents. They’re really worried about her, understandably.”
    “I talked with Rebekkah the other day after lunch. She has an interest in acting, was talking about starting a drama club over at the school,” Arlena said. “Sweet girl…I told her she should do it, form the club. And I offered to go and talk to whoever the teacher would be, see if they wanted any advice. I think she was going to set something up.”
    “Do either of them have a boat?” Max asked after taking a sip of coffee.
    “I’ve never heard them talking about their families owning boats. But I don’t know them all that well either,” Penelope said.
    “Don’t worry, Pen. I’m sure they’ll turn up soon. Let’s stay positive, and keep an eye out for them,” Arlena said. She put her menu down on the table and wrapped her hands around her mug of tea. “Oh look, it’s Gavin.”
    Arlena’s costar was in the doorway of the restaurant chatting with Jeanne, still wearing his sunglasses. When he noticed Arlena in the front of the room, he made his way over to their table.
    “Good morning, all,” he said.
    “Have you had breakfast? We have an extra seat,” Arlena said.
    “Not yet. That would be lovely, thanks,” Gavin said.
    “Max, this is Gavin McKenna. Gavin, this is my brother Max,” Arlena said.
    “Max Madison,” Gavin said, shaking Max’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve watched your show.” He took the empty seat next to Penelope.
    “Good to meet you too,” Max said. “I know Arlena is enjoying working with you.”
    “You’re a fan of Max’s show? The one with all the children of famous people behaving badly in Lower Manhattan?” Arlena asked, a bit incredulously.
    “Yeah, I’m a big fan, it’s quite entertaining,” Gavin said, removing his sunglasses. “I need coffee.”
    Penelope winced at his bloodshot eyes.
    “Rough night?”
    “Yeah, but that was two nights ago. I’m still hungover from Friday. I couldn’t even get out of bed yesterday.” Gavin looked longingly at his empty coffee mug.
    “Whatever you had in that flask got you, huh?” Penelope teased.
    Gavin grimaced and shook his head.
    “Has everyone decided?” Jeanne asked, suddenly at their tableside again.
    They made their breakfast orders, and Jeanne hurried away, stopping first to clear a few dirty plates and mugs from the table next to theirs.
    “Have you heard about the missing girls?” Penelope asked.
    “What girls?” Gavin asked, busy fixing his coffee.
    Penelope filled him in on what she’d learned from the police and her chefs.
    “And now they’re missing?” Gavin asked, momentarily distracted by something out the window.
    “Do you remember seeing Rebekkah or Sabena talking with anyone after we left?”
    Gavin sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. He was silent for so long Penelope thought maybe he had dozed off. His eyes snapped open suddenly and he said, “Yes, I do. I was sitting at the bar and they were with that young fellow who has been hanging around the set. The other one who works for you, right? Tall, thin, black hair?”
    “Regan?” Penelope asked.
    “I suppose so,” Gavin said. “He was talking to them and your other chefs, and that loud French guy in the Hawaiian shirt. I