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

still see the shoreline in the distance.
    Max and Arlena had been arguing over whether or not they should worry about sharks in the water. The argument didn’t last long and soon Joey and Penelope heard splashes and laughter coming from the ocean three levels down. 
    “Do you know of anyone who’d want to hurt those girls, Penny Blue?” Joey asked out of nowhere.
    Penelope turned onto her side to face him, propping her head up. “They’re sixteen-year-old girls. How many enemies could they possibly have?”
    “You’d be surprised. Who knows what goes on in the lives and minds of teenage girls? I’ve dealt with some seriously mean girls before. Some of them fight just as much as the boys do, only their fighting can be even more vicious.”
    “I never thought about that,” Penelope said. “I remember high school being rough here and there but nothing like that.”
    “It’s easy to overlook when you’re so far removed from it, but bullying has gotten way out of control, especially now with all this online stuff. Kids are ganging up and harassing others through Facebook and Twitter. We don’t have any control over it. And the parents…they can’t be bothered sometimes.” Joey shook his head.
    “I suppose the police will be looking into all of that, right?” Penelope asked, sitting up all the way and facing him, cross-legged on her chaise.
    “Maybe. Maybe not if they’re convinced of Emilio’s guilt. It depends on how good the detectives are, what evidence they find.”
    “So much revolves around technology now. Whenever the girls were on a break they would sit behind the tent and text, or listen to music together. It struck me as funny, because they’d be sitting right next to each other and not talking, but texting on their phones…maybe to each other, who knows?”
    “It’s a different world.” Changing the subject, Joey said, “You ready to go for a swim?”
    Penelope gazed out at the ocean, marveling at how it appeared to go on forever until it just dropped off at the edge of the sky. “I’m ready if you are,” she said.

Chapter 12

      
    Max, Penelope and Joey took a left on Ocean Avenue and headed towards Josie’s Shrimp Shack for dinner. Arlena had decided to stay behind on the boat and read, the idea of hanging out at Josie’s unappealing to her. The open-air bar looked like it was pieced together with driftwood. Multicolored hurricane lamps made from mason jars hung from wooden beams underneath the thatched roof. Waxy cream-colored candles, nestled in sand from the beach, flickered in more mason jars, illuminating each of the tables.
    “You can sit anywhere you like,” a woman called to them from across the main room.
    They made their way out onto the deck, choosing a square wooden table near the railing in the corner. Penelope gathered her long skirt in her hands before sliding across the bench to her seat, being careful not to pull her long sundress on any splinters.
    The same woman who’d greeted them approached their table, tucking a dark curl behind her ear. She wore a black Josie’s Shrimp Shack shirt and a short black apron tied tightly at her waist. After they made their drink orders she said, “We have a shrimp feast special tonight, all you can eat for thirty a head. Comes with fries and coleslaw too. If you’re interested in our other items, they’re listed on the back of the menu. But I highly recommend the shrimp. It’s the best deal on the beach tonight. Let me get those beers for you,” she said, turning on her white sneakered heel.
    The waitress came back with their drinks and they placed their orders, shrimp feasts all around. “Your first batch will be up shortly. My name’s Jen. If you need anything just yell or wave me down. I’ll be around all night.” She moved away quickly to greet new guests at the door.
    “She’s got a lot of running to do,” Penelope said. Most of the seats inside were filled and the patio was filling up too. Besides the