Free Mobsters and Lobsters (A Hooked & Cooked Cozy Mystery Series Book 2) by Lyndsey Cole Page A

I’ll have to shoot her.” He slipped his handgun from his holster.
    “NO!” Pearl shrieked and lunged at the detective. “You’ll have to shoot me, too.”
    Without thinking, Hannah rushed toward Petunia, furious that the detective even considered shooting the defenseless pig. In one scoop, she had Petunia in her arms and carried the squealing pig away from the snack bar. “You ought to be ashamed,” she scolded the detective.
    “Well, get it out of here. Next time, I won’t give a warning.” The detective glared at Hannah. “What’s your name?”
    “Hannah Holiday,” she said loud and clear, but knowing deep down that this would come back to haunt her.
    “Oh, Petunia. Are you all right?” Pearl glared at the group of detectives. Hannah could see that she was shaking with anger. “Hannah, you saved my baby. I’ll be indebted to you forever.” Pearl took Petunia and kissed her head. She attached the leash and walked back to Rocky. “Are you just a dumb coward? Why didn’t you rush in and save Petunia?”
    Rocky flicked his wrist. “It’s only a pig. We coulda had her for dinner.”
    Pearl slapped Rocky on the cheek. “You stupid kid. You’d better watch your tongue or—”
    Rocky cut her off and hissed, “Be quiet Nana before you say something—” His eyes darted to all the other people watching their drama. “Before you say something you can’t take back.” The scent of sweat lingered in the air as he stomped away from Pearl and passed close to Hannah.
    Sherry left the office and headed straight for Hannah. “You’ve certainly made a mess of my vacation. I wanted a scenic quiet spot to relax and,” she waved her hand around, “all it is here is chaos, pigs, and murder! Don’t expect me to pay for this. I’m letting you know right now that I’m demanding a refund.”
    “So you’ll be checking out? I’ll refund the unpaid balance,” Hannah said, trying to remain calm.
    “No, I’m not checking out. I’m not allowed to leave this . . . this . . . this joke of a vacation paradise. I expect a refund for the whole week I prepaid.” Sherry stood with one hand on her hip and jabbed the finger of her other hand in Hannah’s face.
    “Unbelievable,” Hannah replied under her breath as she turned her back on Sherry. What had she gotten herself into, dealing with psycho guests like this nut case? Was it true that the customer was always right? Hannah didn’t think so. Not in this case when the events were completely out of her control.
    Pam motioned for Hannah to join her in the office. “Not how I expected to start my day. How about you, Ms. Holiday?” Pam closed the door behind Hannah.
    Hannah didn’t even feel that comment warranted an answer so she sat and waited.
    Pam sat in Hannah’s chair with her elbows on Hannah’s desk and her hands clasped together. “You found the body?” Pam stared.
    “Technically, I think it was Petunia who found the body.”
    “The pig?”
    “Yes.”
    Pam jotted down a quick note.
    Hannah imagined it said something like, smart aleck witness, probably the murderer.
    “How did the pig get loose?” Pam leaned back in the chair. “I was under the impression that the pig would be under control while it was a,” she cleared her throat, “a guest here.”
    “Apparently, Petunia figured out how to open the cottage door. It won’t happen again,” Hannah promised.
    Pam’s left brow rose. “I hope not.” She paused.
    The silence made Hannah nervous. What did Pam already know?
    Pam leaned forward. “You were the first person to find the body?”
    “No. That would be Sherry Wolfe, my guest staying in Cottage Three. I heard a scream and assumed Sherry was startled by Petunia until she pointed to the legs sticking out from under the snack bar.”
    “But you called 911.”
    “I did. Sherry told me to call.”
    Pam scribbled some more notes.
    Blames other people for actions , Hannah imagined Pam writing.
    “Do you know who the deceased is, Ms.