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

was having a drink with Shane at the bar.” Gavin grimaced and shook his head. “And honestly after that things get a bit fuzzy. Afterwards a few of the guys from the crew were upstairs in my room, just listening to music and playing cards. I passed out right as the sun was coming up.”
    “Gavin, you’re lucky you had an extra day off to get that out of your system,” Arlena said, giving him a stern look.
    “We should hang out sometime,” Max said with a quick laugh.
    “So you didn’t see the girls leave the party?” Penelope asked.
    “Sorry, love. I can’t remember,” Gavin said sheepishly. Glancing at Max he said, “A few of us from the crew are going to Josie’s tonight. It will be a more mellow evening than Friday was, for sure. They’re having a local band in if you want to join us, meet some of your new coworkers.”
    “Sure, thanks,” Max said.
    Arlena wrinkled her nose. “That place is crawling with shellfish.”
    “It is called Josie’s Shrimp Shack. They’re not trying to be discreet about it,” Gavin said.
    Just then a young waiter came over to their table, a large oval tray on his shoulder. He placed their breakfasts down in front of them, pancakes for the guys and egg white veggie omelets for the ladies.
    “Could I get a fill up when you get a chance?” asked Gavin.
    The waiter smiled shyly. “Of course. Be right back.”
    “I love it here,” Gavin said, forking a big bite of pancake into his mouth. “Everyone is so nice. I could move into the Andrea Inn and be happy for the rest of my days. It’s our own private paradise, isn’t it?”
    Penelope stared at her plate and thought that it wasn’t a very happy paradise for Rebekkah and Sabena’s families, not at the moment at least.
    “It’s good you’re enjoying your time here,” Arlena said.
    “It’s nice to be somewhere warm where it’s not constantly raining,” Gavin said cheerfully. “It’s heavenly, being in the tropics, not having to put on a bunch of layers. And you can’t beat the smell of the ocean.”
    Penelope tried to focus on the conversation, but her mind kept wandering back to the last time she saw the girls, and to finding Regan in the state he was in on Saturday morning. She ate her breakfast without really tasting it as she went over it again and again. Her stomach began to tighten with worry and dread.

Chapter 6

      
    Arlena, Max and Penelope said goodbye to Gavin in the lobby of the Inn and walked out the front door to Ocean Avenue. As they headed back towards the marina, Penelope noticed a commotion in front of the empty building next to Sackler’s Market.
    “There’s those cops again,” Max said. “Who’s the punk rocker?”
    Penelope squinted and put her hand up to shade her eyes. “That’s Emilio Babineau, my old chef instructor.”
    Penelope saw Detective Williams standing next to Emilio with his hands on his gun belt, nodding as Emilio spoke.
    “I wonder what’s going on,” Penelope said.
    “They’re probably asking him the same questions they asked you,” Arlena said. “He was at the party too, and Gavin said he saw the girls talking to him.”
    As they got closer Penelope began to overhear their conversation. The three of them paused a few feet away, watching Emilio from behind as the detectives questioned him.
    “…zoning approved the remodel last week and the construction crew is coming over on Monday,” Emilio said. “I’ve been on the other side of the island at my house all weekend, which is another renovation site. I’m up to my ears with everything going on, getting permits, setting up meetings, trying to get both of these projects underway.”
    “Can anyone confirm your whereabouts on Friday night?” Detective Torres asked sharply.
    “My wife,” Emilio said quickly. “I called her from the house after I got home from the party. I’m sorry those girls are missing, I really am, but I had nothing to do with it. You can check. I’ve been with people all