The Scent of Bread

By Caroline Christian

An execution-style killing took place in a small town outside of Boston. The murder was believed to be a mob hit. But was it? Detective Regan didnt think so. He knew the victim too well, and he would not rest until he found out who really pulled the trigger. Little did he know that when the truth comes out, it would change the victims family forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514454268

Caroline Christian

Caroline Christian, a graphic designer for over twenty years, grew up in Canton, Massachusetts, where she published her first short story, “A Simple Cup of Coffee,” in 2012. Her second book, “The Half Empty Glass on Cedarcrest Road,” published in March of 2013, is a collection of six short stories. This is her first novel. Caroline and her husband have five children and now reside in Abington, Massachusetts.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

S he looked down, straight down, at something in her hands. All she could see was the number 5. What did it mean? She couldn't quite figure that out. After all, it was a vision; she guessed that it was a distant memory of some sort that kept popping up in her head over the last thirty years. Shake it off, Caroline. Shake it off, she kept telling herself. But over the years, this picture of the number 5 kept blurring her eyes like a cloudy day.

When Caroline was younger, this same vision appeared maybe once a year in a dream. Then, in her late teens and early twenties, it happened more often. It became a déjà vu after a while. But now, here in her late forties, it happened to her at least once a month. And as of late, it was getting to her because it was no longer appearing as a dream. She would be going about her business throughout her day, and that number 5 would appear like a flash of lightning crossing her path. She wanted to figure out what she was really seeing. Next time it came to her, she was going to pay attention to see if she could figure it out. It had to mean something.

That next time came sooner than she expected. A week later she was once again staring down at her hands and looking at the number 5. Only this time, the number 5, clear as day, was a birthday card. The vision that Caroline couldn't shake over the past thirty years had been of her own self sitting at a small table, holding a birthday card shaped into the number 5. All these years, for some godly reason, Caroline had been staring into the past of her own fifth birthday.

PART ONE

1

February 1967

T he restaurant was always buzzing. It was only open for breakfast and lunch, but the Jolly Chef was well-known to the townies and everyone loved the friendly atmosphere. Dick Cammarata ran the restaurant and, along with the help of his parents, Rocky and Carry Cammarata, owned it as well. Rocky took care of the bookkeeping and Carry still liked to help with the cooking here and there. But their son was there before opening every morning and would stay to turn the red Closed sign around in the front door at three in the afternoon. A deli that made Italian food located in the center of town was an attraction in itself. And with the food coming out of the kitchen with perfection, the place was never e mpty.

Dick's habitual routine was just that: a routine where he woke up, kissed his three sleeping children on the forehead, said good-bye to Bunny, his wife, then headed off to the Jolly Chef to open up for breakfast. The sun, if there was to be one that day, would just be coming up over the horizon but the birds were never quite awake yet. Most mornings it was still a tad dark. Four forty-five in the morning still proved to be nighttime in the sleepy eyes of the town, so Dick barely saw anyone on his way to work. Given that it was still winter, any early riser would still be locked in the comfort of their warm homes, daring not to open their doors to the cold outside. But not Dick. His routine was his routine year-round. Always with a smile on his face, he would open the side door of his cozy home and walk the quarter mile to work. Rain or shine, snow or blizzard, it was his legs that brought him to the restaurant each morning. He would leave the one car they owned for his wife so she could do whatever errands were needed for that day.

Today, on this crisp early February morning, Dick stepped out of his house, his cold breath forming a cloud. He grabbed the collar of his long black Armani coat with his gloved hands and pulled it over his ears. He would normally be wearing his hat, but Dick had left it at the restaurant the day before---at least that's what he believed. There was very little snow on the ground left over from yesterday's tiny brush of winter white, so no need for boots. He did, however, put galoshes over his expensive shoes so not to ruin them. Never in a million years would he buy such tasteful shoes, especially to wear to work. The floors at the restaurant, though mopped and shined throughout the day, would still have grease behind the counter where all the cooking took place. But his parents got him these shoes, telling him that he was on his feet all day. It was more important to wear comfortable, good supporting shoes when you were in this type of business. When you're on your feet all day, a bad pair of shoes could ruin your back.

So off to work Dick went with his hands in his coat pockets, collar up over his ears, and the bottom half of his face tucked into the inside of his coat. And still a smile appeared across his face. He lived almost in direct view of the restaurant, save for a bunch of backyards and some parking spaces belonging to the other businesses on Washington Street. But the walk up the hill, on the badly paved road, was steep and unkind to anyone at any age trying to make it to the top. Dick Cammarata was thirty years old. He was certainly not old, but not as fit and young as a teenager was. It would not be wise to take a fall on the slippery snow. A broken ankle or cracked tendon could easily happen to someone at his age, even if he was in good shape. He kept his head down, protecting his face from chafing because of the strong early morning wind. As bad as the walk might have been, it was a short walk.

Dick crossed the quiet street, which would be busy with traffic in two hours, and by five a.m. he opened the door to the warmth of the restaurant.

2

I just don't understand you, Bunny. You have everything going for you.

It may look that way to you, Sandra, but things aren't all peaches and cream, you know. Bunny nodded to the waitress who was offering more coffee to her and her friend. They were sitting at a booth having an early lunch at a small delicatessen in Cambridge, Massachusetts. My life is totally drab.

Sandra took a sip of her now full cup of coffee. Drab? Are you kidding me? You are married to a handsome man, you've got three beautiful children who keep you busy, and Dick's family is so big it keeps entertainment at a constant! Not to mention that the family has money. You know what your problem is? You can't keep your legs closed!

Bunny crossed her legs subconsciously. Keep your voice down, Sandra. That's unfair, and you know it! Especially coming from a prude such as you. And just because the family has money doesn't mean he has money. A lot, you know. She pushed her plate aside and took a sip of her coffee. I like adventure, Sandra. Life with the Cammaratas is not as exciting as you may think.

Oh, please. You're getting too old for this adventure crap. It must be the money then. Does money really mean that much to you? Sandra shook her head in disgust.

I've always told you I wanted to marry a rich man. I think we were in seventh grade when I first mentioned it to you. We may have just been kids, but I was serious, even back then. Bunny smiled at the memory.

Sandra stared at Bunny, eyeing her with contempt. Then why on earth did you bother to marry the man if he doesn't have money?

"Sandra, look at the family. Look at what they have. I thought he had money. I was wrong. But how the hell was I supposed to know? It's not like you can just come straight out and ask the question!"

Excuse me, ladies. How are you both doing this afternoon?

A man appeared out of nowhere, standing at the side of their booth. He spoke to both of them, but his eyes were fixated on Bunny. When both women just stared at him without answering, he continued to speak. Forgive my intrusion. My name is Julian. He put his hand out, and after a quick glance at his outstretched hand, Bunny took it, providing him with the handshake he seemed to be looking for.

I'm Bunny, and this is my friend Sandra.

Well, it's a pleasure to meet you both. After a minimal glance at Sandra, he remained focused on Bunny. For such a beautiful woman, I find it hard to believe your name is Bunny. What is your given name? The man had a quiet yet intriguing voice. Bunny had no problem responding to him.

It's Elaine. I don't like it, therefore everyone calls me Bunny.

Julian slid himself into the booth, forcing Bunny to scuttle over. He never asked if he could join them, but his authoritative nature took over. Well, personally I think Elaine fits you perfectly. It's a beautiful name, fitting for a beautiful woman.

Sandra was not happy with this invasion, but Bunny was clearly mystified. Feel free to join us. She said this, taunting him. Bunny was always one to be in control.

Julian could see this about her immediately. He kept that thought to the back of his head and played on with his own little game. I overheard you talking, and I thought maybe I could be of some assistance.

Bunny looked over at Sandra, who was unsure at what was going on. Whatever are you talking about, Mister . . . umm?

Stone. But call me Julian. Please. He gave a warm smile. Actually, it was rather a creepy smile. Something about him gave mixed messages to Bunny. She liked that she couldn't quite figure him out. That alone was a challenge. She returned his smile.

"All right, Julian. What is it you overheard?"

I heard you have an interest in money. And I believe I can help you with that. Shall we talk?

3

T he Jolly Chef was situated right smack in the center of town. It was a small restaurant with ten booths lined up along the left wall. At the front of the store, looking out at the main street, were three small tables that could seat two patrons each. A couple of floating tables that could seat four were situated in the center of the room awaiting the anxious customers that were due to arrive in an hour or so. A glass case that rode almost the full length of the right-side wall covered deli meats, calzones, pizza, and any other specials that the Cammaratas decided to put out that day. Just before the deli case, closest to the window, was a soda fountain (most popular with the teenagers for their after-school han gout).

Behind the line was a vast display of kitchen appliances. There were two huge stoves that held four pots on average in a single day. Three pots sat atop the burners of one stove. The other had just one. There was fresh tomato sauce on a daily basis, fresh meatballs that were always on the ready, and a pot of boiling water to cook whatever pasta the customers want. A different soup every day would be in the loner pot on the other stove.

Dick poured himself a cup of coffee after it had finished brewing. He drank it black and strong. He cracked a few dozen eggs in a large container and began whipping them to a fluffy consistency. After putting the eggs aside, he grabbed ten loaves of dough that his mother rolled out the day before. These were placed on baking sheets to rise. Dick brushed some egg wash on each then sprinkled a little bit of sesame seeds on them. He placed them in a 350-degree oven to bake for a good twenty minutes. These breads would come out of the oven a nice golden-brown color, smelling fresh, a scent that kept the customers coming. Dick used these fresh-made breads for sandwiches at lunchtime or sliced bread to go on the side with pasta. At breakfast, if anyone orders French toast, this will also be the bread he'll use. His mother had also made fresh rolls the night before at her own home. She'll be bringing those into the restaurant when she arrives around eleven. Lots of customers like to have the fresh, bulky rolls for their sandwiches. The Jolly Chef is known for the best meatballs in town, so meatball sandwiches are a huge seller. And everyone knows how fresh the bread is.

After putting the bread in the oven, Dick turns his attention to the stove. It's always good to start the sauce early. Letting the tomatoes cook for hours with a variety of fresh meat added in brings incredible flavor to the sauce. Stirring the sauce he so quickly prepared, he turned his head toward the sound of the opening door. Good morning, Kelly! How are you?

Kelly was his best worker. She was always on time and had no issues, no complaints, and no problems. Always with a smile on her face, she would walk in, grab a cup of coffee, and immediately get to work. She loved her job. At age nineteen, you would think the young girl would care more about her social life than the hustle and bustle of the Jolly Chef. But Kelly looked at her job as her social life. Not only did the familiar townies come in to eat, but many of her friends came in for a bite and if not to eat, then to just say hello to her. Dick had no problem with that. He would tell Kelly to take a break, grab herself a fountain soda, and sit with her friends. Yes, working here at the Jolly Chef was something Kelly enjoyed.

Good morning, Mr. Cammarata. How are you? After putting a box of doughnuts on the counter, Kelly went to the back and hung her coat and pocketbook at its designated spot, poured her coffee, and immediately started adding doughnuts into the large dome situated on the counter. The restaurant sold doughnuts that were made from a local business just down the street. Charlie's Doughnuts was a huge success. Dick always bought the doughnuts from Charlie and kept a dozen or two on the counter for those customers who came in for coffee but wanted the best doughnuts in town. Kelly always picked up the doughnuts on her way to work. She liked to help out as much as she could for Mr. Cammarata. After all, he was so nice.

Kelly thought her boss to be handsome, with his dark-brown hair cut short, his clean-shaven face, his dark-brown eyes, and that always-present smile. She wished he wasn't married, not only because she had a crush on him, but also because she thought his wife was mean to him. He was so caring and nice to his wife and the kids. And he never said a bad thing about her, but Mrs. Cammarata seemed to be rude to him.

Quite a cold morning out there! How's Charlie doing this morning? Busy as usual?

He's as busy as always. Business is definitely booming over there. Kelly was done adding all the doughnuts to their perspective location. She wrapped her apron around her waist. I swear---they line up at the door at exactly five thirty in the morning. It's almost six now, and the place was already busy! So how are the kids?

The kids are great, Kelly. Thanks for asking. They're the only reason I wish I didn't have to go to work every day. I love when my wife brings them here. Someday you'll know what it's like to have kids. It's a feeling that I just can't explain. It's one you have to experience on your own. Dick was staring into space as the thought of his three children took him out of the restaurant. They were the world to him, and he just couldn't get enough of them.

Caroline was his youngest. At almost two years old, she was quiet, barely learning how to speak. She said mama and dada, but it seemed that Caroline took no effort or interest in speaking at all. He and Bunny thought it was time to ask the doctor if she had a speech impediment.

Turning three in a couple of weeks was his son, Tony. The little toddler was a terror, but nothing more than any other toddler was. He was a typical boy, full of trouble. God help me when he gets older, thought Dick.

And the oldest was Leanne. When Dick first met his wife, she was carrying around the most beautiful little baby. At the time, Leanne was only a year old. Elaine, better known as Bunny to all who knew her, used to come into the restaurant with the baby for some coffee and a simple breakfast. On occasion, she would come in with her friend Sandra for lunch. Dick would always stop what he was doing and walk over to her table just to say hello. He was attracted to this woman, and he loved making the baby laugh. Leanne took to him without a fuss, and from there on in, he and Bunny began their relationship.

Earth to boss! Earth to boss! Kelly repeated until Dick snapped out of it. I hope Mrs. Cammarata brings the kids in today. They are adorable. I love spoiling them.

You're too good, Kelly. They've definitely taken a liking to you. Clearly, spoiling them is working.

He laughed then turned back to the stove. There was still a lot to do, not that he worried. His brother was a big part of the restaurant as well, and he would be in just after the breakfast rush. Vincent enjoyed doing the cooking. The two of them were a great team. He could call his sister, Christine, to step in if he was in a bind. But he didn't really want to. She was too busy getting ready for her first child.

The morning crowd started pouring in---and fast. A lot of customers were there for a quick cup of coffee. Kelly, knowing this routine, had started brewing the coffee when she got in. She always made a pot of decaf for the few customers who didn't need their caffeine fix in the morning. Jimmy, a twenty-year-old who worked at the Jolly Chef for some quick cash, wasn't as efficient as Kelly was. Dick didn't think he'd last the summer. But nevertheless, he was a good kid just trying to find his way. He immediately grabbed a couple of tables that Kelly hadn't had a chance to get to.

Dick grabbed the orders that Kelly and Jimmy gave him and started the eggs going. A quick muffin, Charlie's doughnuts, or simply a slice of homemade toast were some of the easier orders. But breakfast during the week was never difficult. It was the weekend breakfasts that were crazy. Both he and Vincent needed to be behind the line together in order to get the food out quick enough on Saturdays and Sundays. Not to mention that breakfast and lunch would intermingle with each other, so it was far from easy on the weekends. But this was only Thursday.

After the breakfast crowd had diminished, Dick started preparing the lunch menu with the help of his brother, who had come in around ten. Vincent would take over the grill for lunch, but he helped prep whatever they decided to make that day. Vincent took pride in his cooking. His mother taught him well. He could make the meatballs just like Carry. He took note that, per usual, Dick had the sauce already on the stove ready to go.

I was thinking about throwing on a nice beef-barley soup today. What do you think, Vinnie?

Yeah, that sounds good. I'll start preparing some now. You must have been in early as usual. It looks like all the prep work's been done. Has Ma brought the rolls yet?

No, but she should be here soon. In the meantime we have fresh bread from this morning. Do your magic with the soup, and I'll get some calzones in the oven. Dick grabbed at the calzones he had prepared hours earlier and threw them in the oven after brushing the top with a little egg wash. No sooner were they in the oven when Carry Cammarata walked through the doors with two big bags of rolls.

4

B unny was busy at home with the three kids. God, she just wanted to drop them off somewhere. She had a busy day ahead of her. She was meeting up with that creepy thug in less than an hour, and she didn't want her children around. She was safe knowing Dick would be at the restaurant 'til at least four thirty. Her husband is a creature of habit for sure. That in itself would give her plenty of time to come up with a plan she's been working on with this man. She called her mother-in-law, but Carry was already on her way to that stupid restaurant. Fresh baked rolls---who gives a shit?

Mama, eat! Mama, eat!

Tony was stomping his foot. He was hungry. It was just past eleven, and the kid wanted to eat again. Well, too bad. He can wait 'til lunchtime. Then again, that's when that creep, Julian Stone, would be coming over to the house. He was due to be over around noon. She thought for a bit and decided to feed the kids at quarter to twelve. That way, not only will they be busy eating, but also they won't bother her because they'll no longer be hungry. With the problem solved, she started pacing nervously.

However, as far as Tony was concerned, his problem was not solved. Mama, eat!

Jesus, Tony! Here's a cookie. Now get the hell out of my sight! She went into the living room to make sure the other two kids were content.

Leanne was watching television, and Caroline was just sitting there. Caroline was an easy baby. Rarely cried. But all she did was stare into space. She was adorable though. Leanne was a bossy one. She would yell at her brother and sister any time they got in her way. But right now she was too involved in whatever was on that damn TV.

Bunny went back into the kitchen and decided to prepare the lunches for the kids so that they would be ready. Peanut butter and jelly. Good enough. She made all three sandwiches and cut off the crusts. Then she put apple juice in three bottles. Leanne shouldn't be using a bottle anymore and hardly did, but Bunny couldn't be bothered today. She was going to use a bottle, and that was that. Leanne had buckteeth, and the dentist said the bottle needed to go. So they'd been giving Leanne a cup from there on in. But today Bunny was doing things her way. This meeting was too important to her. She didn't have time for spills. God, she didn't have time for the kids at all.

After putting the sandwiches and bottles in the fridge, she looked at her watch. It was now eleven thirty. She began pacing again. She went into the bathroom to check her makeup. Bunny sat on the toilet, just because. She washed her hands, checked her hair and makeup once again, and went to the side window. She peeked outside. She barely knew this man. It was possible that he could show up early. She wouldn't mind if he did. She wanted this whole damn thing over and done with. She just couldn't sit still.

At eleven forty she took the kids' lunches out of the fridge, giving her something to do. She set up the table with their plates, napkins, and bottles. She grabbed Caroline's high chair and set up Tony's hook-on high chair. Bunny picked Caroline up off the living room floor and told the other two that lunch was ready. Tony and Leanne ran past her and into the kitchen.

Tony, I was first! Leanne yelled at her younger brother and pushed him behind her. She plopped down in her seat while Bunny placed Caroline in her high chair.

I no want the baby seat! Tony was at it again. He didn't like sitting in the hook-on seat. I big boy now! He started punching the seat with his fist and then tried to pull it off the table.

Tony, stop! His mother smacked him on his bottom. You're sitting in the booster chair and that's final! Bunny did not want to have to clean up regular chairs after the kids spilled all over them. Julian needed a clean seat, and she sure as hell didn't have time to clean up chairs after these three.

Whaaaaaa. I tell Daddy on you! He blew his mom a raspberry with his tongue as she picked him up into the seat.

Leanne was already just about finished with her sandwich and didn't really care that she was drinking out of a bottle. She was too busy watching her brother get a spanking and loved every bit of it. Caroline hadn't started her sandwich yet. She just stared at it.

When Bunny took notice of this, she sighed. Oh god, Caroline. Just pick it up and take a bite. But Bunny knew better, and she walked over and pulled apart her daughter's sandwich into little pieces so Caroline would eat them. That did the trick. With all three content at the moment, she once again walked to the window. No sign of anyone.

Mama, why do you keep looking out the window? Leanne was being curious. She kept staring at