Page 13 of The Beachside Cafe 6
Cameron snorted. “You’re fine. It was our first case together, you were emotionally involved in it, and you weren’t prepared to see a suspect in absolutely everyone. It’s always good to hold everyone else in some suspect, mostly to protect yourself from getting hurt by them in one way or another. But to remember to give them the benefit of the doubt, too. You have to weigh it carefully. I think you did an amazing job under the circumstances.”
Jaymee gave him a loving smile. “Well, you would say that, wouldn’t you? You love me and all.”
Cameron joined the rest of them as light laughter went around the group. “I do love you. But I also know good business and have been a PI for enough years to know when I see somebody who would be good at it, too. If I didn’t think you were good, I wouldn’t have offered you the partnership. I’m not trying to lose money. I would consider you an asset. I mean, I will and do consider you an asset, because you’ve already said you will join the firm. Just you and me, figuring out what everyone else is up to and making sure they tow the line.”
Again, everyone in the group laughed softly.
Jaymee was happy, looking around her at her friends and family. What good had come from such tragedy. She couldn’t wait to see what her future would hold.
NINE
The grand celebration for the hometown hero was in full swing when Cameron came through the door to the kitchen into the lobby carrying a large rectangular cake. In blue icing on top were written the words “Grand Bay Hero of the Day Carmine Russo”.
Everyone sang “He’s a jolly good fellow” and Carmine took it with his usual humility, grinning so big, his face was filled with wrinkles.
Jaymee had gotten used to the old man and was glad she’d brought him on board. She was glad she was able to do something for him, after all he’d gone through. Saving the young man from being shot was the second time he himself had escaped death. It gave her pleasure to see him looking so happy and content.
The cake was distributed and they all sampled it first, expressing their delight in the taste to each other.
Jaymee had the lobby of the restaurant set up so that there was a table of honor. Carmine sat in the very middle and was surrounded by herself, Cameron, Alex and Cheyenne. Also, to everyone’s surprise, Carmine’s niece, Isabelle, had shown up after seeing her uncle’s face in the newspaper. She was beaming with pride, telling everyone she didn’t know about her uncle and when she was told about him and she’d seen what he’d done, she had to come meet him.
Cameron stood up when everyone was about halfway done with their slice of celebration cake. He was holding the newspaper dated the day before.
“Can I have your attention please?” he said, loudly. Everyone stopped talking and gave him what he asked for. “I’m holding here our local Grand Bay Times.” He held it up and waited a second or two for those in the audience who were prematurely cheering. He grinned at them before continuing, “There is an article in here about a friend of mine and something he did that took a lot of guts and bravery. Yes, we all know it’s our own Carmine Russo, the man who can do anything here in Saltwater Café, from bartending and making the best drinks possible, to cooking and cleaning like no other. We’re proud to have you in our fold, Carmine. Just so you know, you are very appreciated.”
Carmine grinned up at Cameron. Jaymee watched her fiancé praise the older Italian man, biting her bottom lip through her radiant smile.
“Thank you, Cam-”
Cameron held up his hand to stop Carmine. “I’m not done. I’ve got to read this article for everyone here, just in case they missed it. Then you can thank us if you want. But we don’t need it. We are simply recognizing a man who had the courage to do what many didn’t.”
Cameron dramatically opened the paper and shook it a few times, clearing his throat loudly. When he spoke, his voice boomed through the room.
“Local hero, Carmine Russo, stopped a near murder at Saltwater Café, where he works as a bartender and all-around helper. It has been told to this reporter that Mr. Russo is a man to be respected. Just a few short years ago, he was working in research science, alongside some of the most prestigious minds our California coast has to offer. Mr. Russo since left that job and is now employed by Jaymee Mason…” He stopped and grinned at Jaymee, who flushed. She knew she’d been mentioned in the paper but didn’t know Cameron planned to read it aloud to everyone.
Several guests turned to her, clapping softly and nodding at her as if she’d somehow assisted Carmine in saving the young man’s life by tackling the suspect and making him drop his gun.
“…at Saltwater Café, located on the South side of Angel, near the corner of Broadway. Ms. Mason has reportedly said that Mr. Russo came to her as a surprise and she has reaped the benefits of his employment ever since. He is highly respected and well-liked by all who meet him and this reporter can see why. He is a smart man with plenty to say, and apparently all the bravery needed to be an action hero or maybe a super hero. The jury is still out on which one.”
Cameron closed the paper and shook it in Carmine’s direction. “She’s right, you know. You are both of those things. For a man of your age to make the kind of decision you did and succeed… the odds were against you, you must admit.”
Carmine stood up and shook Cameron’s hand. “Again, thank you for this. I do appreciate it. I don’t know if I feel like a hero or not. I’ve never had a chance to feel like one before. I am proud of myself, though. I can admit that. I don’t know about hero status though. Either of those.”
“Well, you should,” Cameron said in a teasing voice. “You look like an old, frail man but you’re actually Thor under there somewhere.”
Carmine laughed delightedly. “I’m not going to stop you if you want to keep talking like that. It’s kind of nice.”
The audience laughed with him.
Cameron turned to the rest of the guests again. “We are planning on expanding the café and buying up another property. This will be a restaurant that Carmine has agreed to man himself. He will make the decisions for the restaurant, with Jaymee’s approval, of course…” He gestured to Jaymee, bowing slightly at the waist. She grinned at him, “including the hiring and firing. So if you know anyone who is really good in the food industry, send them our way. We expect the construction of the business to be finished in the next four months. Due to a sudden influx of money, we don’t see it taking nearly as long as setting up this café. Also, we aren’t making a brand-new building, not constructing on an empty lot. We’ve found a nice building that we think we can remodel to suit our needs. So we’ll need those kind of workers first and then people who can work inside with Carmine. Tell your friends they can get an application for that here or online.”
When Cameron was done with his speech, he nodded at everyone and sat down, telling them to enjoy their cake and not to forget a drink to go along with it.
Jaymee scooted her chair slightly closer to his and leaned against his shoulder. He patted her head and kissed her forehead. “How are you feeling, darling?”
“I feel fine,” Jaymee replied. “I’m so glad you gave that speech. You really are amazing, you know that?”
“I’m not.”
