Finally, the door swung open and they both headed inside, Lucy pausing to click the door shut behind them. Won’t take any chances of anyone sneaking in behind us this time, she thought to herself. She led the way to the cellar stairs and flipped on the light.

  “Here we are,” she said. “We found the bill of sale right there,” she said, gesturing. “The brick didn’t have any mortar around it,” she added.

  “Well, let’s get to looking!” Charlie said. Together, they started examining the wall.

  “Is that what it looked like?” Charlie asked, pointing to a spot about halfway down the staircase. It was another loose brick with no mortar around it. This one was easier to remove; it slipped right out of the wall in Lucy’s hand.

  “There’s nothing back there,” Lucy said, peering into the hole left in the wall. “Take a look,” she said, stepping aside.

  “No, no, look at the brick itself,” Charlie told her, gently touching her arm. Lucy finally glanced down and saw that in the back of the brick, a tiny hole had been carved out, and something wrapped in white fabric was stuffed inside.

  “Oh,” Lucy commented in surprise. She sat down on the stairs, Charlie taking a seat next to her. She carefully pried the little bundle from the back of the brick, unwrapping it to reveal a golden charm.

  “What is it?” Charlie questioned, his brow wrinkling as he peered at the charm resting in Lucy’s hand.

  “I think…I think it’s a horn. A corno, in Italian. It’s a good luck charm. It’s supposed to protect from the evil eye,” Lucy said slowly, as she turned the charm over in her hand. “He must have hidden this here as well.”

  “He must have left it here for us, to give the restaurant good luck” Lucy continued. “I know my mother wore a corno on her wedding day, and so did my grandmother, back in Italy. I wonder if this is the same one,” she said thoughtfully, turning the charm over in her hand before offering it to Charlie.

  “No, that’s for you,” Charlie said gently, closing Lucy’s hand around the golden horn as he put his arm around her. “Are you going to keep it?” he asked.

  “I’m going to put it right back where I found it,” Lucy said decisively. “It’s clearly working for us, and I’m not going to change a thing about it!”

  “I think that’s a very good idea,” Charlie said, squeezing her closer. Suddenly, he leaned forward and planted a kiss on her cheek, almost on her nose. “Sorry,” he apologized, leaning away.

  Without replying, Lucy leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. “No apologies necessary,” she said with a smile.

  She carefully rewrapped the little charm and inserted it back into the brick. Together, she and Charlie slipped the brick, still holding it’s precious cargo, back into the wall and headed up the stairs.

  Reaching the apartment, they both sat on the couch. “Thanks for suggesting that we go take another look,” Lucy said gratefully. “I wouldn’t have thought of it myself.”

  “Hey, I am a police officer!” Charlie said with a smile. “I’m happy to have been able to help.”

  “Now then,” he continued. “What exactly is the story with this little guy?” he asked, reaching out to scratch the kitten, who had jumped up between them. The cat responded with an appreciative purr.

  “I found him out in the alley. He was all alone under the stairs. I was trying to find someone who would take him off my hands, but, honestly, at this point, I think I’ve gotten used to him,” Lucy confessed.

  “Does he have a name?” Charlie asked.

  “Not yet. I haven’t really thought about it.” Lucy replied.

  “When I was little, I used to have a stuffed animal that was a brown tabby cat, just like him. I called it Moose. Why, I have no idea!” Charlie said, laughing. “Maybe I was just confused about what a moose actually was.”

  “Moose,” Lucy said, thinking it over while she fidgeted with her golden bracelet, a hand-me-down from her grandmother. “I like it. Moose,” she said again. The kitten picked up its head, looking right at her. “Well, I think it’s decided,” she laughed. “Welcome home, Moose.” The kitten flopped over onto her lap and started purring.

  “I think he likes it,” Charlie said with a laugh, petting the kitten. Lucy leaned back against the couch, resting for a moment and appreciating the little bundle of happiness sitting on her lap.

  After a moment, she sat back up. “Ready for dessert?” she asked Charlie.

  “There’s dessert too?” he asked in mock astonishment. “Listen, I am always ready for dessert,” he said. “Literally, anytime, day or night,” he continued, smiling.

  “Well, good!” Lucy exclaimed, moving Moose from her lap to the couch and standing back up. “Ally made us something special. She may have gotten a little carried away,” Lucy admitted. “She was excited.”

  “What did she have to be excited about?” Charlie asked as Lucy pulled Ally’s beautiful fruit tart out the refrigerator and prepared to slice it.

  “Well, I don’t exactly go on a lot of dates,” Lucy confessed. “Neither of us do. We spend too much time in the restaurant,” she said with a shrug. “So when one of us does, it’s big news,” she continued, carrying two plates with big slices of the tart back to the couch. Ally had filled the homemade shortbread crust with creamy vanilla custard before topping it with fresh strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, kiwis and peach slices, all tossed in a fruit glaze that made them sparkle under the bright lights.

  “Wow, she made this?” Charlie asked in awe as Lucy delivered the plates. “She sure did,” Lucy said, sitting down. “Ally is really talented. We’re very lucky to have her here,” she said, pausing to take a bite. She smiled as the cool vanilla flavor filled her mouth, before quickly being overpowered with the bright flavors of the fresh fruit topping.

  “This is delicious!” Charlie exclaimed. “But not as good as the pasta,” he said quickly, smiling. “But I don’t want to talk about Ally. Tell me more about yourself,” he requested, taking another bite.

  “I mean, you know a lot of it,” Lucy said with a smile. “I was born here in Boston, and I’ve lived in this apartment since I was born. My grandparents retired from the business before I was even born, but they were still around until they passed away. They moved into a ground-level apartment a few blocks from here. My nonno died when I was about eight, and Nonna passed a few years later.” Lucy paused to take a breath, and another bite of the delicious tart.

  “I grew up here, went to Johnson & Wales, and then came back here. After a few more years, my parents retired and moved out west, to be with my other set of grandparents, and here I am,” she finished, shrugging. “That’s all there is to it.”

  “I still think it’s so cool that this place has been in your family for three generations,” Charlie marveled, looking around as he set his empty plate on the coffee table.

  “Well, it’s not too impressive.” Lucy laughed. “The place is awfully small,” she said.

  “Well, that’s certainly true,” Charlie conceded jokingly, returning Lucy’s smile.

  “Now it’s your turn,” Lucy said. “Did you grow up around here?” she asked, getting up to refill their wine glasses.

  “I was actually born in Atlanta, Georgia,” he said with a smile.

  “Really?” Lucy asked in astonishment.

  “I know, I know,” Charlie said. “No one ever pegs me for a southern boy. I did move up here when I was twelve, though,” he continued.

  “And why was that?” Lucy asked, returning to the couch.

  “Well, my parents both passed away, in a car crash,” he said, looking down into the glass of wine Lucy had just returned to him. “I came up here to live with my uncle, who basically raised me.”

  “Oh, Charlie, I’m so sorry,” Lucy apologized. “I never should have asked.”

  “No, no, it was a long time ago,” he said. “So, I moved in with my uncle, up in Revere, and he raised me. I joined the army after I graduated from high school, and then the police force after that. I still live up in Revere—but I have my own house now!” he added with a laugh.

  “Hey, you’re doing better than me,” Lucy said with a grin. “I still live in my parents’ place!” They both laughed.

  With that, Charlie set down his glass of wine. “I’m sorry, but I think I have to get going,” he apologized. “My shift starts at six tomorrow,” he explained.

  “Of course, of course,” Lucy said. “I’m sorry to keep you out so late,” she said, noticing that the clock hanging on the wall showed the time as close to midnight. Wow, she thought. We’ve been talking for a lot longer than I realized.

  “Not at all,” Charlie said. “I had a really great time, Lucy.” He stood up and put on his jacket, standing nervously by the door. Lucy got up and joined him there, ready to lock up after he left. “I’m always careful after that break-in a few months ago,” she told him with a smile.

  “Good!” he declared. “Thanks for making dinner,” he continued, reaching out and taking her hand.

  “Of course. I had a really great time too, Charlie,” Lucy said. “Thank you for coming,”

  “I’ll give you a call soon,” Charlie said. “We can go out again, or maybe I can cook for you next time,” he offered.

  “Will you actually call?” Lucy asked skeptically.

  “I promise,” he said, squeezing her hand. With that, he opened the door and stepped out onto the balcony. “Have a good night,” he said, disappearing down the stairs.

  “You too,” Lucy called out into the darkness.

  Chapter 13

  The next morning, Lucy and Ally met in the dining room, bright and early. They had assembled all the memorabilia from the trunk in Lucy’s apartment and were planning a new display for it right by the host stand, where people would be able to look while they waited for a table. Lucy had even included the picture of her teenaged grandparents, the one that had come all the way from Italy.

  “Alright, here’s what I’ve got,” Ally said, dropping two bags on the table. She had offered to swing by the frame store on her way over to the restaurant and pick up supplies to get all the memorabilia neatly displayed.

  “And this, too!” she announced, revealing that in her other hand, she carried a takeout tray from the coffee place at the end of the street. “You’re the best!” Lucy cried, eagerly accepting the cup of coffee Ally offered.

  “I know, I know,” Ally replied, laughing. Together, they unpacked the frames and laid them out on the table. Arranging and rearranging the pictures and menus, they were finally able to agree on a final layout, Ally having spent the morning relentlessly teasing Lucy about her date the night before. They had just started to take the backs off of the frames when they were interrupted by a knock at the door.

  “Who could that be?” Ally wondered out loud, squinting as she tried to see who it was through the pebbled glass in the doorway.

  “I have no idea,” Lucy responded. “It’s not Lucas, that’s for sure. I think he’s afraid of us now. And clearly, he would have just barged in anyway,” she said with a dry laugh.

  Lucy crossed the restaurant to unlock the front door, curious about who it could be. She swung open the door to reveal an older woman, immaculately dressed, with a platinum bob.

  “Andrea Anders!” Lucy said in surprise, recognizing the woman with the platinum bob who had left her business card the other night. “I’m sorry, we don’t open for a few more hours,” she said apologetically.

  “Of course, dear, but that’s not why I’m here,” Andrea said confidently, stepping over the threshold. “You never called me. Why not?” she asked, moving her sunglasses to the top of her head. Ally crossed the room to join them.

  “Well, frankly, Ms. Anders, I’m not interested in selling the building,” Lucy said firmly. “But thank you for your interest,” she continued politely. Suddenly, they were interrupted by the sound of a ringing phone.

  “Shoot, I’m sorry!” Ally apologized, pulling her cell phone out of her pocket. She headed through the swinging door into the kitchen.

  “Our executive chef, Alison Pope,” Lucy said belatedly as they watched Ally disappear.

  “Oh good, I’d like to speak to her as well. Lucy, I’m not interested in buying your building,” Andrea explained. “I’m interested in you,” she continued with a smile. “As you may know,” she continued, “my husband and I own the Anders Restaurant Group. We own several restaurants in Beacon Hill and Back Bay,” she said, naming two of the more exclusive neighborhoods in the city.

  Taking a breath, she continued, “We feel that the next opportunity for Beacon Hill will be an authentic Italian restaurant, and we feel that it will be very lucrative. We mean to take advantage of the opportunity, and we want you on board,” Andrea said with a smile.

  “What?” Lucy said, her head spinning. “Me? What do you want me to do?” she asked, wrinkling her brow in confusion.

  “After you passed our little test the other night, with Philip playing the rude customer, we decided that we want you to come work for us. We want you to open the restaurant and be the general manager,” Andrea explained, her tone patient.

  “No, no, I can’t do that,” Lucy protested. “What about Alba? I can’t leave it. I would never,” she said, shaking her head.

  “I wish that wasn’t the case, but I do understand. If my first option didn’t work for you, how about this one?” Andrea continued. Lucy was dimly aware that Ally had reentered the dining room. Andrea spoke, offering, “What if we act as your financial backers, and open a second Alba location? Operating under the Anders umbrella, of course. We will invest in you, and you will be able to continue, operating both restaurants. After hiring some managers, of course.”

  Lucy felt even more confused. A second Alba? she thought to herself. “I-I need to think about this, Ms. Anders,” she finally responded. “I need some time,” she said.

  “Of course, dear,” Andrea replied with a smile. “I’ll leave you to it. Please, feel free to call if you have any questions. Otherwise, I’ll be in touch in a few days. You do still have my card, right?” she asked.

  “Yes, of course…that is, I think so,” Lucy stuttered. She had no idea where that business card had ended up.

  “Here, have another,” Andrea said, pressing one into Lucy’s hand. “And one for Ms. Pope, as well,” she said, nodding in Ally’s direction and adding a second card to Lucy’s hand. “Tell her congratulations from us at Anders. Have a wonderful day now, ladies,” she said, striding through the front door back out into the sunlight.

  “What just happened?” Ally called out, hurrying across the restaurant.

  “I…I’m not really sure,” Lucy admitted. “She wants to finance us to open a second location. Another restaurant. She and her husband own a restaurant group, I guess. They ate here the other night,” she told Ally, showing her the business card.

  “The Anders group?” Ally read. “I’ve actually heard of them. They own a lot of really good restaurants, Luce,” she told her friend. “What are you going to do?” Ally asked, entwining her fingers.

  “I told her I’d have to think about it, but I have no idea. No idea at all. Do you think we could handle a second restaurant? We can barely stay on top of things here,” Lucy said, thinking out loud. “But I bet it would be a lot of fun,” she added.

  “It’s kind of funny, actually,” Lucy continued. “The whole time you’ve been waiting to hear about this award, I’ve been wishing there was one for restaurant owners,” she admitted to her friend. “But really, this is kind of like getting an award, isn’t it?”

  Ally’s face lit up in excitement. “Speaking of the award—that phone call, I’m a finalist! I’m a finalist for the Outstanding Young Chef award!” she exclaimed. “I’m going to Charleston in October for the award ceremony!”

  “Ally, congratulations!” Lucy cried out. “I’m so, so, so proud of you!” she said, hugging her friend. “And listen, I really am sorry about the way I was acting. I was jealous, plain and simple,” she continued. “But it was stupid. You deserve all the success in the world,” she told her friend.

  “Thank you,” Ally said. “But that’s so strange. How did she know that I’m one of the finalists?” Ally wondered. Suddenly, her expression changed as something clicked.

  “She must have nominated me,” Ally said slowly. “Or someone from Anders. I guess they would have told her that I was selected as a finalist,” she continued.

  “Oh my gosh,” Lucy realized. “That makes total sense. Of course. They must have been interested in us for a while, not just since the other night,” Lucy added thoughtfully. “If we do decide to open another restaurant, having an Outstanding Young Chef nominee - or winner - would certainly be good for their business.”

  “I guess we’re better at this whole restaurant thing than we thought!” Ally said, linking her arm through Lucy’s and guiding her back to their makeshift workstation. “Soon, everybody will want a Moretti-Pope restaurant on their block!” she declared with a grin.

  A NOTE TO THE READER

  I sincerely hope you have enjoyed reading Secrets in the Cellar. Please consider leaving a review by following the link below. Even a short review can help another reader decide if the book is right for them.

  http://www.amazon.com/review/create-review?&asin=B089ZTHQ8N

  Read the next North End Mystery, out in August 2020!

  HEIST ON THE HARBOR

  Lucy Moretti and her best friend, Ally Pope, are hard at work getting ready to open their next restaurant, Corno, with their new business partners, Philip and Andrea Anders. When the couple offers them a celebratory night out on a harbor cruise, it’s hard to say no! But once on board, they find that a group of thieves have different plans. In addition to stealing their valuables, one of the thieves took a shot at the boat’s captain, murdering him in cold blood before fleeing into the night.

 

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