Mistletoe Moussaka and Murder Read online

  Lucy spotted a set of double French doors. Curious, she walked to them and turned the handle. “Oh, look!” she cried out when the doors opened to reveal the view.

  A brick patio overlooked the pristine Jersey shore beach and the Atlantic Ocean. It was a cold but clear day, and the cloudless sky was an endless blue line in the horizon. The ocean stretched on forever and the waves were capped with white peaks. A light dusting of snow covered the sand.

  Snow on the beach was a sight to see. The Jersey shore tourism bureau had been working hard to create winter events that would draw tourists to the area year-round. It seemed to be working. Tourists had been traveling to Ocean Crest in December just to see snow on the sand and the boardwalk.

  After spending eight years in Philadelphia working as a lawyer for a big city firm, Lucy would never get tired of the sight. The patio would be ideal for a lovely wedding reception cocktail hour.

  Katie joined her on the patio, and the two stood gazing outside when a deep voice made them jump.

  “You were looking for me?”

  Lucy whirled to find a middle-aged man approaching. Of average height, his thinning, fair hair was styled in a bad comb-over, his face pockmarked. He held a clipboard in one hand. Dressed in a navy suit with a floral tie that looked like it matched the carpet, he extended his free hand. “Deacon Spooner.”

  Lucy shook his hand. “I’m Lucy Berberian, and this is my matron of honor, Katie Watson. I’m interested in having a wedding reception here.”

  “My price depends on the number of guests, the date, and your menu selection. Alcohol is not included and you need to arrange to have everything delivered.” He pulled a sheet from the clipboard and handed it to her.

  Lucy’s eyes nearly popped out of her head as she took in the figures. “That much?”

  His gaze traveled around the ballroom. “We recently renovated.”

  The price was well above Lucy and Azad’s budget. Azad wanted her to be happy, but not at this cost. If the other reception halls were this pricey, they would have to host a backyard wedding.

  Katie took the paper from Lucy, and her brow furrowed as she studied the numbers. “Are you negotiable? I work at the Ocean Crest town hall and we are looking for a venue to hold our annual holiday party. Can you offer a discount if we have both events here?”

  Deacon scoffed. “Why does everyone want something for free?”

  “Not free,” Katie argued. “Just a reasonable price.”

  He snatched the paper from Katie’s hand. “Time for you two to go.”

  Lucy and Katie gaped in astonishment as Deacon Spooner turned his back and caromed through a door in the corner of the dining room that must have led to his office.

  “Wow. I wasn’t expecting Deacon Spooner to behave like that,” Lucy mumbled beneath her breath.

  “What a jerk. I feel bad I made you come here,” Katie said.

  “It’s not your fault. How could you know?” Lucy asked.

  Together, they departed through the double doors and walked toward Katie’s Jeep.

  “He must only deal with rich people. Who else can afford that price?” Katie said.

  “And it didn’t even include liquor,” Lucy added.

  “We have to make a list of other places.”

  “Isn’t your township holiday party soon?”

  Katie worried her bottom lip. “In two weeks. It puts me in a bit of a bind.”

  “I’ll help you, just like you’re helping me,” Lucy vowed.

  They were almost to Katie’s Jeep when a voice shouted out, “Stop! Don’t you two go anywhere.”

  * * *

  Lucy spun around to see a tall man barreling toward them in the parking lot. “Who’s that?”

  Katie shook her head, looking just as perplexed as Lucy. “No idea.”

  The man halted before them. He was even taller up close, about six feet five inches. He was about the same age as Deacon Spooner, but more fit, and he wore a golf shirt, khakis, and brown suede shoes. His pencil-thin mustache made him look like Clark Gable, but without the movie star glamour. He flashed a grin and stuck out a hand. “I’m Norman Weston, co-owner of the Sea View.”

  Katie spoke up first and shook his hand. “I didn’t know Mr. Spooner had a business partner.”

  “He never tells anyone. I overheard part of your conversation. You work at the town hall?” He looked at Katie.

  “That’s right,” Katie said.

  “I was at Lola’s Coffee Shop and heard through the grapevine that your holiday party at Rocco’s fell through. I’d be happy to hold it at the Sea View for a reasonable price,” Norman said.

  Lucy wasn’t surprised he’d learned of the doomed Rocco’s and the township employee holiday party. Lola’s Coffee Shop was one of the heartbeats of Ocean Crest. Townsfolk loved two things: coffee and gossip.

  “That’s wonderful! But what about your partner? Mr. Spooner doesn’t seem the agreeable type,” Katie said.

  Norman waved a dismissive hand. “Despite what Deacon thinks, he doesn’t have full control over the business. I have a say, too.”

  “Good news.” Katie glanced at Lucy before turning back to Norman. “But what about Lucy’s wedding?”

  Norman smoothed his mustache. “I’ll revisit the quote Deacon gave you.”

  Even though Norman Weston’s offer was kind, Lucy wasn’t positive she wanted to have her reception here. Deacon had left a sour taste in her mouth.

  “That’s kind of you,” Lucy said. “But if you don’t mind my asking, why the difference between you and Mr. Spooner?”

  Norman stilled. “Let’s just say that business partners have a way of bringing out either the best or the worst in each other.”

  Based on Norman’s tone, Lucy believed it was the latter in their case.

  Chapter Two

  “I’ve decided to run into the ocean alongside you and Katie tomorrow,” Eloisa Lubinski said.

  Lucy stared at her landlady in shock. It wasn’t just the woman’s outfit that caught her attention—a flamboyant flapper dress complete with feathered headdress and dancing shoes—but the fact that Eloisa Lubinski was in her eighties.

  Lucy set down her purse on her kitchen table. Her eccentric, elderly landlady occupied the first floor of her beach home and rented the second floor to Lucy. She’d asked to come upstairs to chat, and now Lucy knew the reason. “You sure you want to participate in the Polar Bear Plunge?” Lucy asked.

  Eloisa shot Lucy a challenging look. “What? You don’t think a senior citizen can’t freeze her boobies alongside you?”

  Whoa! Eloisa’s breasts were definitely not something Lucy wanted to picture in her mind. No. No. No! How did one erase a mental image?

  Lucy cleared her throat. “I didn’t mean to offend you. I was just wondering why.”

  “Why not? I’m not getting any younger, and if others are willing to do it to raise money for the senior center, why shouldn’t I? I’ll benefit from the place more than all of them.”

  “I just figured you’d wait with Azad on the beach, holding hot chocolate and a warm towel.”

  Eloisa raised a tweezed eyebrow. “Azad will be on the beach?”

  Oh brother. Her landlady had a fondness for Kebab Kitchen’s chef, and it wasn’t for his culinary talents.

  “He has to work up until the last minute, but he said he’ll take a break from work to be there,” Lucy said.

  “Hmm. Maybe he’ll want some company.”

  “I’ll be sure to tell him.” Lucy shot her a sidelong look. “That is if you decide not to jump in.”

  “I’m thinking about sitting this one out now. I’ll let you know.”

  Before moving into the second floor of the widow’s beach home, Lucy had been living in Katie and Bill’s guest bedroom. When her brother-in-law and real estate agent, Max, had first shown Lucy this place, she’d been hesitant. But the rent was in her budget and it was a short walk to Kebab Kitchen, and she’d decided to give it and her landlady a chance.
Lucy had packed her bags and taken the outdoor restaurant cat, Gadoo, with her. She hadn’t regretted it.

  A low growl drew Lucy’s attention. Eloisa’s shih tzu had awakened Gadoo, and the cat swatted at the dog. Gadoo’s razor-sharp claws just missed the canine. Lucy had no doubt that if Gadoo wanted to slice the dog’s nose, he would have. After circling the couch and eyeing each other, the two settled down together on the cushion.

  “Cupid and Gadoo have been getting along nicely,” Eloisa said.

  Getting along “nicely” was a bit too strong to describe their relationship. Gadoo tolerated the shih tzu. Sometimes the cat even let the dog share his cat bed. The dog’s overbite and topknot may have looked adorable, but the shih tzu’s appearance and name were deceptive. He wasn’t exactly as loving as his Roman namesake, and he had a tendency to growl at people, especially Lucy.

  A car honk sounded, and Eloisa peered out the window. “That’s Edna. We’re dancing tonight. If we don’t get there early, all the senior men will be taken. Not many still kicking.”

  That explained the flapper dress. Eloisa turned toward the door that led to her own downstairs living area and whistled for Cupid. The little shih tzu reluctantly left the couch and trotted over to her side.

  “Good sharing, Gadoo. I know Cupid can be a bother sometimes,” Lucy said.

  The black-and-orange cat blinked his yellow eyes. After refilling his food and water bowls, Lucy poured herself a mug of decaffeinated green tea and cracked open the balcony door. The cat jumped off the couch and joined her on the patio.

  Most evenings, Gadoo could be found outside on the patio or visiting Kebab Kitchen, where Lucy’s mother still left out cat food for the feline.

  It was a cold December evening, but Lucy wore a heavy sweatshirt and jeans. She loved this view, morning or evening, and it had been another bonus when deciding to move here. Eloisa’s home was oceanfront, and Lucy sat outside every morning with a mug of coffee and took in the magnificent view. Now, the moon cast a shimmering glow on the ocean. The calming sounds of the waves and the scent of salt air was brisk and refreshing. A breeze blew on her cheeks. Unlike in the spring and summer seasons, she couldn’t stay outside now for long, but she wouldn’t give up this time. Gadoo wound his body around her feet and purred. She rested her feet on the railing and watched the grass on the sand dunes dance in the breeze, then the dark beach beyond.

  A movement below caught her attention, and she focused to see a man walking in front of the sand dunes. He was dressed in black, and from this distance, she couldn’t tell if he was wearing sweatpants or jeans. Exercising at night in the cold seemed odd, but who knew? Maybe it was the only free time he had. Or maybe he was like her and enjoyed the beach no matter the season. He headed across a walkway to the beach and disappeared from sight. She dismissed him from her thoughts and sipped her tea and relaxed.

  She could see the blinking red and green lights of the neighbor’s Christmas tree. All throughout Ocean Crest, homes were festively decorated. Soon the town would have its annual Christmas tree lighting in the park, as well as other numerous holiday parties and festivities planned for the season.

  Thanks to Katie, Kebab Kitchen’s Christmas tree was decorated. As for Lucy’s apartment, Azad said he’d help her select a tree, and he and Lucy could decorate it together.

  After a half hour, Lucy’s cheeks felt red and her fingers tingled with cold. She reluctantly decided it was time to go inside. She needed a good night’s sleep to prepare for the Polar Bear Plunge. Just as she slid the patio door closed, Cupid started barking downstairs.

  Gadoo’s ears perked up.

  Eloisa wouldn’t be home for at least another hour, and Cupid often barked at a stray cat or a passerby. She didn’t know how much comfort she could offer the agitated shih tzu, but she also knew his high-pitched barking would keep her up.

  She cracked the door that led to Eloisa’s downstairs living space. “Enough, Cupid!” She used the command Eloisa often issued to calm the dog down.

  Cupid kept barking.

  She’d have to calm the dog herself. Halfway down the stairs, she called out to the dog once more. But rather than cease, his barking escalated.

  Then she heard it. Or rather, she heard someone.

  Booted footsteps sounded on the front porch. Then Lucy heard the squeak of the front door as somebody else entered the dark, empty house with her.

  * * *

  Lucy had called 911 as soon as she’d realized a burglar was in the house. Thankfully, Katie’s husband, Ocean Crest Detective Bill Watson, had been driving by and was the closest officer to the scene. He’d been promoted to detective a couple of months before. Tall and handsome, with blue eyes, Bill was just as imposing in a gray suit and blue tie as he’d been in an officer’s uniform.

  Lucy stood next to Bill on the front porch as he faced the intruder. “Who are you?” Bill asked, his tone serious.

  “Vinnie Pinto. And I wasn’t breaking in. Eloisa Lubinski gave me a key.”

  Vinnie was older, although she couldn’t discern his exact age. He was one of those people who could be either sixty or eighty. Of average height and weight, with a full head of salt-and-pepper hair, he had a hawkish nose that looked like it had been broken more than once in a bar brawl. He was dressed in dark clothes—black jacket, sweatpants, and running shoes. Lucy wondered if he’d been the mysterious man walking on the beach. He might have watched her sitting on the patio, thought she was preoccupied, and then headed back to the front of the house to break in.

  “We haven’t been able to reach Mrs. Lubinski to verify your story. Ms. Berberian is her tenant and she does not know who you are,” Bill said.

  Vinnie shot Lucy a menacing look. “You’re the one who called the cops on me?”

  Lucy straightened her spine and glowered back. “You’re the one who broke in.”

  “I already told you and the officer. I didn’t break in. Why else would I have a key?” He dangled the key in front of both Bill and Lucy.

  Good question. A thought occurred to her, and she shook her head. “You could have stolen it.”

  “Eloisa and I are longtime . . . friends. I wanted to surprise her.”

  “Well, you surprised me instead.” Lucy found it hard to believe Eloisa would be friends with this man, or anything else for that matter. Even more unbelievable was that Eloisa would give him the key.

  “You said you wanted to surprise Mrs. Lubinski. Why?” Bill asked.

  Vinnie shifted his booted feet on the driveway. “We’re both in the Polar Bear Plunge tomorrow. I thought she’d like to know.”

  “You are?” Lucy asked, surprised.

  “Why not just call her?” Bill asked.

  “I called the house, but there was no answer. Last I knew, Eloisa doesn’t have a cell phone.”

  Lucy was beginning to wonder if he was telling the truth. He could have called when she was sitting outside on the patio with Gadoo and she didn’t hear the downstairs phone ring. It was true that Eloisa didn’t carry a cell phone. She claimed she’d survived all her life without one just fine and didn’t need to learn new technology.

  Lucy’s parents, Angela and Raffi, were stubborn when it came to new technology like the new computerized inventory for Kebab Kitchen, but she was grateful they owned cell phones.

  “We’ll have to confirm your story with Mrs. Lubinski. Until she returns, you can sit with me at the station.”

  Vinnie glared at him. “Are you arresting me?”

  “Not yet. But I’m still taking you to the station for more questioning,” Bill said.

  “I want a lawyer.”

  “That’s your prerogative.”

  Just then, headlights flashed and a car turned into the driveway. Lucy’s heart pounded. “Mrs. Lubinski’s home! Now we can confirm your story.” There was only one way to solve this mystery. Lucy started down the driveway.

  Eloisa stepped out of the car and waved at her friend as the car pulled away. She carried her feathered hea
ddress and her shoes. She started up the driveway and raised a high heel in greeting when she spotted Lucy. “My heel broke, so I had to call it an early night.” Eloisa halted and frowned when she noticed the two men. “What’s going on?”

  Bill spoke up first. “This man used a key to get into your home. Lucy called the police. He claims you two are friends and that you gave him a key. Do you know him?”

  Eloisa joined the trio on the porch. She squinted from the bright porch light and shot the man a pointed look. “What are you doing here, Vinnie?”

  Vinnie shook his head. “Hey, Eloisa. Just tell them you gave me the key.”

  Quick as a teenager, Eloisa reached out to snatch the key from his fingers. “I did.”

  “You gave him permission to enter your house?” Bill asked.

  “I most certainly did not.”

  “Then why does he have a key?” Lucy asked.

  Eloisa sighed. “He was my property manager a long time ago. I fired him.” She turned to Vinnie. “Last I heard, you were driving a trash truck around town.”

  Vinnie nodded once. “I still am.”

  “What’s this funny business of you showing up here, then?” Eloisa asked.

  “I heard you were going to be one of the ocean plungers tomorrow. So am I.”

  “So? That’s what you came here to tell me? You could have visited in the morning like a normal person. You’re lucky Cupid didn’t bite you,” Eloisa said.

  “Who’s Cupid?”

  “My mean dog.”

  Vinnie scowled at that.

  It was the first time Eloisa had called Cupid mean. Did she really realize the shih tzu was scary, or had she said it for show? Some people put out signs, “Beware of Dog,” even if they didn’t have a dog. Was Eloisa trying to scare Vinnie? As far as Lucy was concerned, Cupid’s growl was frightening, even if he was only ten pounds.