Buttered and Scrambled With Murder (A Josie Rizzo Cozy Mystery Book 4) Read online

  Buttered and Scrambled

  With

  Murder

  A Josie Rizzo Cozy Mystery

  J R Pearson

  Copyright © 2016 J R Pearson

  All Rights Reserved.

  No part of this publication nor any of the information herein may be quoted from, nor reproduced, in any form, including but not limited to: printing, scanning, photocopying or any other printed, digital, or audio formats, without prior express written consent of the copyright holder.

  Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction.

  Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  EPILOGUE

  RECIPES: Josie and Tony’s Friday night dinner

  Dedicated

  To my unicorn-loving sister, Kayla. Thank you for enduring the many years of my craziness and not once slapping me across the face—even when I deserved it.

  Here's to many more!

  CHAPTER ONE

  "For heaven's sake! These stupid windows are locked!" Brad cried from the backseat of Tony's truck. "Will someone please open them?!"

  Sitting in the passenger seat, Josie snickered.

  "This isn't a laughing matter," Brad snapped. "Your dog is back here, tootin' up a storm and I don't think I'll last the rest of the ride."

  Josie exchanged a knowing look with her boyfriend, Tony. They both had been dog parents for years and were accustomed to the many pleasantries of owning a four-legged friend. One of them was being on the wrong end of Saturday's “free sausage treat fest” at Greenville's pet store.

  Unfortunately Brad, Josie's longtime best friend, was sharing the aftermath of the too-many heavenly dog treats with her corgi, Petey.

  "Do you people have no mercy?!"

  Josie ended Brad's suffering and hit the button to open the backseat windows, which he then practically shoved half his body through. If drivers didn't know any better, they'd say they saw a golden retriever trying to make a desperate escape from the confines of a black vehicle. Shiny golden locks of hair and a sometime goofy disposition—Brad most certainly fit the part.

  "Why can't you feed your dog normal food that's compatible with his digestive system?" he asked once he was firmly seated.

  "It's not just that. Petey is also excited too." Josie turned in her seat to smile at her poofy pooch. His chocolate-colored eyes sparkled and his tongue rolled out, creating his “I'm-So-Excited-That-I-Can't-Contain-Myself” grin.

  "He knows where we're headed," she explained.

  An obvious clue: the lightly chilled breeze that carried the smell of sea salt.

  They were headed to JewelCove, the birthplace of everyone in the car. Over the past few months, Josie had fallen hard for Greenville, but her heart always had a steady stream of yearning for the crawfish-eating town. As for Petey's excitement, he knew exactly what followed after crossing the short bridge into the Cove. Hugs and face-mushing kisses from a short, voluptuous older woman who loved to spoil him with bacon bits.

  Gina Rizzo. Josie's mom.

  Crap. I’m sweating already, Josie thought. One hand clutched her seat belt and the other twisted the material of her off-the-shoulder blouse over her stomach. I need air. Oh, wait, all the windows are already down.

  "For someone who grew up by the water, you look a little seasick," Tony said huskily. "I thought you'd be excited too." Josie wanted to flick the smirk off his handsome face.

  "Well, you don't hear me cracking fireworks out my butt," she pointed out. "And why aren't you attempting to make a U-turn?"

  "Jo, we're just having brunch with your parents."

  Brunch… with... my parents… Josie shuddered. "I was hoping to have a little more... uninterrupted time together before they started harping on us. I could kill Reese a dozen times again for purposely spilling the beans."

  Yeah, she was being dramatic, who wouldn’t? Her younger brother, Reese, confessed to outing her and Tony's new relationship to her mom. Josie was David and Gina Rizzo's only daughter amongst four bachelor-labeled brothers. In typical Gina fashion, she summoned Josie and Tony for a mid-morning brunch at the family’s breakfast diner, Sunny Side Up for those who didn't carry the Rizzo gene, to see the get together as a mild celebration for the new couple.

  Josie, drenched in R.I.Z.Z.O., knew this was really an interrogation. Wedding-bell loaded questions. Dates of when her mom should be booking JewelCove’s reception hall. And the ever-repentant rehash of her mom's dream of becoming a grandmother before her hips were replaced by titanium.

  "They were bound to find out about us eventually." Tony shrugged. Oh, how Josie longed to gain his nonchalant composure.

  "Yeah, but I planned on that happening when scientists eventually discovered another planet for humans to live on, and me securing a spot on the next shuttle." She nervously twisted strands of her brown hair. Brad's head suddenly appeared beside her elbow.

  "Sweetie, it’s not like they're meeting a total stranger. Your parents already know and love Tony," he said. A smug Tony nodded in agreement. "Although, if things go chaotic—which I'm totally counting on, since, hello, it involves the Rizzos—I'm here to help." Brad flashed a heroic smile. Josie palmed his sculptured face and shoved him back.

  "Oh, please. You're just here to eat my mom's pancakes."

  "That is also true."

  Josie sighed and welcomed Tony's warm hand that captured hers, squeezing it in reassurance.

  Moments later, they cruised over the bridge that carried folks above the rich ocean, then passed the ancient faded sign reading:

  Welcome to JewelCove! Your desired seafood haven!

  She watched familiar storefronts pass by. One included a multi-generation-owned wooden shack bait and tackle shop. She and her brothers use to peek through the front glass to see the live lobsters that were kept in an aquarium.

  The streets barely held more than ten cars at a time since every necessity was in walking distance of neighborhoods. Tony stopped at an empty intersection, then turned left down JewelCove’s main avenue. On Josie's right, the 2.5-mile length boardwalk ran parallel with the street, shops, and wide range of seafood restaurants. Toasty white sand met the wooden planks, then led out to the dark blue water. Seagulls screeched and glided high amongst the clouds. The soft sound of waves tapping the wet sand beckoned Josie to dip her toes in. The slight chilly temperature delayed beach-goers looking to tan. However, it didn't prevent fishermen from sailing away to make the many catches of the day. In the distance, Josie spotted the sails of small boats dotting the water's surface. Behind her seat, Brad held Petey in his lap, both in a relaxed stupor as they gazed at the sea.

  Tony hooked another left and the blue roof that contained the words Sunny Side Up—All Day & Night Breakfast Diner, loomed ahead. Despite the craziness that harbored inside, Josie was proud of what her parents accomplished with the diner. Her mom and dad bought the cozy joint right after they married thirty years ago. It was the only diner in JewelCove that served various breakfast dishes 24/7. Local food critics and those from afar praised the sweet and savory meals—that Josie was no stranger to—having
being raised in a french toast-scented household.

  David and Gina were culinary wizards who inspired her to cook and create her food blog, Good Eatin' For the Curvy Soul, informing the world that good food was everywhere just like the kind her parents served up every day.

  All you have to do is look.

  ***

  Tony shifted the car into park. Everyone filed out. Josie was stretching her arms—procrastinating, no less—when on the street a couple feet away, a limo slowly drove by. The rear window was down. Josie could clearly see inside: it was an older gentleman with gray polished hair and suit-clad broad shoulders. He glared at the diner, then shifted his hard gaze on her. An eerie feeling coated her spine.

  "Jo?" Tony touched her shoulder, making her jump. "You okay?" He frowned.

  "Um." She stole another glimpse at the limo. It briefly stopped at a crosswalk before disappearing around the corner. "Yeah," she shook herself. Strange.

  Petey's nose led the way inside the diner, as Josie, Brad, and Tony trailed after him. Sunny Side Up had floor-to-wall windows that introduced customers to the balmy sun as they enjoyed fluffy pancakes. Red cushioned booths lined the walls and black-top metal tables occupied the middle. A long silver counter with red stools was built in front of the kitchen, which was visible through a rectangular serving hatch. There, she spotted her oldest brother, Rob, at the grill.

  The smell of sage sausage and bacon emitted from the portal and out into the restaurant. JewelCove patrons ate and loitered by neighbors' booths, walking soundlessly on the carpeted floor. Some stopped to wave at Petey, who wobbled in like he owned the place. Set up at the far end of the small diner was a long table with a booth of equal length on one side and chairs on the other, which had seating for twelve. One spot was currently taken.

  Her dad looked up from the newspaper he was reading, a smile spreading wide at the sight of her. He had the best smile. It lit up his whisky-hued eyes, crinkling their corners. Standing over six feet—a gene he hadn't passed a single inch down to Josie—and as wide as a grizzly bear. Her dad had the heart of a koala bear, though, and cropped brown hair that showed signs of thinning and large callused hands that battled with many spatulas.

  "Tater Tot!" he bellowed. Josie inwardly cringed. Shoot, I forgot about the nickname. From the chuckles that escaped Brad and surprisingly Tony, they weren't going to let her forget again. She shot a glare over shoulder before hugging her dad. She inhaled his scent that reminded her of home.

  Aftershave, cheap cologne, and turkey bacon.

  Next, her dad extended his hand to Brad, who bypassed it with an enthusiastic hug.

  "It's good to see you, David," Brad said, forgoing formalities.

  "You too," David gave a hearty laugh. Brad never ceased to amaze him. Even after years of friendship with his daughter.

  "How are Linda and Stan?" her dad inquired, referring to Brad's parents.

  "Pretty swell. They started construction on the second hotel. The opening should be next spring."

  Linda and Stan Clifton were filthy rich and owned Clifton Cruises and The Clifton Hotel, a five-star, fifty-floor hotel on a resort off the coast of JewelCove. Brad was their only child, although the popular cruise line and year-round booked hotel became his siblings. It caused the spotlight to shift and permanently stay away from him. This didn't produce ill feelings between the Cliftons. It just made Brad want to find his own spotlight.

  He pursued an acting career in the city of West Emily, but ended up getting small parts in onstage plays. After a few years of that, Brad ditched the lack of camera-using productions and moved to Greenville, where he worked alongside Josie and Tony at a gourmet hot dog eatery—In The Box bistro—while holding out for a position in his new career choice: modeling.

  Lucky for him, the senior art class had an opening for a nude model.

  Unlucky for everyone else, Brad, shamelessly stripping down, inspired seventy-year-old Ms. Robinson to skinny dip in the town lake.

  Back in the present, Josie stepped aside for her dad to greet Tony.

  "It's been a while," her dad stated, mimicking his previous actions by extending his hand. This time it was met with a firm grip.

  "It has, sir." Tony nodded. Ten years to be exact, he thought. Unlike Jo—he was the only one who could call her that—he refrained from taking in the town's scenery during the whole ride to the quaint diner. In fact, he was trying his hardest to remain numb, disallowing any sort of effect to take hold.

  A decade has passed. I've moved on. He told himself. My future doesn’t lie here... Josie snaked her arm around his waist, providing the warm crutch he needed.

  It lay with her.

  "We have some catching up to do then," the older man said. "Once Gina—"

  "THERE'S MY JOSIE! ROB! PUT DOWN THE SAUSAGE AND COME SAY HI TO YOUR SISTER!"

  Josie gulped before turning around to face a wave of high-energy, soul-piercing green eyes and big curls. She inherited those big curls, her mom's five foot height, and ample attributes. She also hoped to look just as beautiful as her mom did—who was pushing fifty this year. Her mom wore a lavender-flowered, sleeveless sundress, dark green flats, and an apron with the words "Watch It! These Buns are Hot!" written in bright pink. She mushed Josie into a face-in, bosom-smothering hug, peppering her with kisses. Josie wildly flailed her arms. Her mom stepped back to take her chin in a firm grip and moved it side to side.

  Not this again. Josie spread her arms out as if she was going through security at the airport. Which wasn't far from the truth.

  Her mom circled around before stepping in front once more, then she peeled back Josie's eyelid.

  "Mom, must we do this every time we see each other?" Especially in public with dozens of people watching? She pulled away to peek over her shoulder and saw Brad silently laughing from behind his hand, and Tony's body vibrating as he stared intently at a menu. Obviously he was doing his best to not combust from laughing too. Jerks.

  "Can't I just check to see if my daughter is looking all right?" Her mom continued the inspection by pinching Josie's waist.

  "Ow!"

  "There's not enough fat here." Her mom frowned. "Are you on a diet?" The dreaded hands on hips came into play. "Because I'll have you know Franny's daughter, Phyllis, recently went to the hospital for skipping out on meals. The lack of food made her drop like a sack of potatoes and turn purple." Her dad rolled his eyes until Josie was sure he could see his brain. Hmm, so that's where I get it from.

  "Gina, sweetheart, for the last time," he said with such control, "Phyllis went to the hospital because she had an allergic reaction to a peanut."

  "Who can confirm that?" Gina arched a perfectly-shaped brow.

  "Franny can! She told me herself!"

  "Well, it's ridiculous that her daughter is that thin. Give her a ham and fried egg melt every day for a whole month, and I guarantee her body will be strong enough to handle any ol' nut."

  David dropped his head in defeat. Out of Josie's peripheral vision, Rob came to stand on her left.

  "Hey, squirt," he grinned down at her. She returned the grin with a slight shake of her head.

  At the age of twenty-nine, Rob was tall, handsome, and manned the grill of the diner. He was the homebody of all the siblings, never venturing out past a five-mile radius from the area they grew up in. He inhabited a cabin he built ten minutes from the diner and fished during his free time. Much to their mom's dismay, he was single too. Josie pegged him as the quiet, mysterious brother whose independence was an important factor to him. He had the usual Rizzo stubbornness gene and was the mellow one in the family. She never witnessed his bad side, but she suspected that when revealed, the Earth would split and hot lava would spew in the air.

  Yeah, a bit much, but usually the quiet ones were the most dangerous. She and Rob watched their mom exchange a wiggle hug with Brad, sneak a piece of meat from her apron pocket to give to Petey, then move on to squeeze Tony as if he were her own and pat his cheek. A warm smile that gl
ittered in his eyes split across his face. Calm washed over Josie. A thick cloud of wariness she'd been holding was finally released.

  She, shockingly, wasn't holding her breath and waiting for an outburst from her mom.

  It was Tony she was watching closely, given it had been years since he stepped foot in Jewel Cove. But David and Gina Rizzo were the pure essences of what loving parents should be—bat crap crazy, all which he was robbed of when his mother had been murdered by his father. Josie was worried that experiencing that horror would be on constant replay since being in the presence of the ones who lived next door to him during the darkest moment of his life.

  Over her mom's head, Tony winked at her, making her knees buckle and reassuring her that everything was fine.

  "All right," Gina clapped her hands twice. "We’ll have plenty of time to catch up and discuss a few certain things." To Josie, she gave a pointed look that read: I sincerely hope you're not on a diet so you can fill out my old wedding gown.

  "Take a seat. The food is ready to be brought out."

  No one hesitated to grab a chair. Josie scooted in with Tony on the booth side, their thighs pressed together, though neither made a move to create space. Brad came in next. Josie caught a glimpse of Petey's furry butt following her dad into the kitchen.

  Greedy little thing.

  "Rob," her mom said, looking to her oldest. "Anything from Reese or Russell?"

  "Yeah, they can't make it. They're close to solving a case they've been working on."

  Identical twenty-three-year-old slick twin hackers, Reese and Russell were the youngest federal agents to work the cyber-crime division in West Emily.

  "What kind of boss doesn't let their employees have a nice brunch with family? Doesn’t he or she know I've been slaving in front of the stove while also serving customers to cook a meal for those boys who I barely see and nearly spent fifteen hours giving birth to? The least their boss could do is send a note of apology."

  "I'm sure that’s something you should bring up during the next parent-teacher conference, Ma." Rob joked, dodging his mother's smack upside the head. "Richie is coming. Said he's bringing a plus one."