Cinco de Mayo
by Pho
"But Cass, it's Cinco de Mayo." Tom Ryan glared in exasperation at his partner.
"I don't care if it's Cinco de Juno, I will *not*, repeat not, eat at that restaurant." Cassy shoved a file folder into the cabinet and returned her ex-husband's glare.
"But, but we promised Ramone we'd come to his grand opening."
"Wrong!" Cassy shook a finger at Tom. "*You* promised. You go."
"I promised for both of us."
"Well, that was your mistake, now wasn't it?"
"Cass…"
"No, Tom. Everything Ramone touches falls apart. Remember the parrot? And his *last* cooking venture? With his luck, *we'll* get food poisoning."
Tom smothered a laugh as he conceded the point reluctantly. "Well, it's possible, but on opening day, just how spoiled could the food be?"
Cassy stared in astonishment. "This is *Ramone* we're talking about."
"Okay, St. John, two. Ryan, zero." Tom put on his best hangdog expression and added in a cock-eyed smile for good measure.
"You could always take … Harry." Cassy looked up from her desk, wincing slightly at Tom's downtrodden look.
"He still hasn't forgotten Ramone's PI days."
"Oh. Yeah. Those." Cassy sighed for a moment.
"Hey, they weren't all bad." Tom objected. "He did dispose of the bomb."
"Ha!" She snorted with laughter. "You mean the bomb he supposedly disarmed before it blew up in the trashcan?"
"That would be the one." Tom had to laugh at the memory of the all-too-close-call.
"Still," she conceded, "he *did* save your life there."
"And I haven't been allowed to forgot that fact either." Tom sighed. "How do you think he got me to agree to come to the grand opening of his new restaurant? Besides, he's promised to cook something extraordinary in my, uh, our honor."
Cassy started to giggle. "Okay, I'll go, but on one condition."
"What?" Tom asked suspiciously.
"You notify the fire department ahead of time."
******
Restaurant Row was already packed with tourists and locals alike as the Palm Beach Cinco de Mayo celebration got underway. A variety of bands, covering all ranges of sounds, and an equally wide range of talents, were playing at various points along the route. Tom and Cassy took in the sights and paused briefly to listen to a steel drum quartet. Tom shook his head in dismay as she bought and nibbled on a frozen yogurt treat. "You'll spoil your appetite, Cassy."
"Better safe than sorry, I always say." She retorted quickly. "At least this way, *I* won't go hungry.
Tom's reply was cut short by an excited voice. "Sergeant Ryan! Sergeant St. John! You have come!"
"Hi Ramone!" Cassy smiled at the man. "Of course we've come. There's no way we'd miss the opening of your new restaurant, was there, Tom?"
Her partner gave her a sideways look as he replied, "Of course not, Ramone. So where is it?"
"Where is what, Sergeant Ryan?"
"Your restaurant. I don't see any new ones anywhere nearby." Tom frowned as he surveyed the nearby buildings.
"Oh, no, I cannot afford to rent a space on the main mall. I have a little location on another street, but do not worry, it is not too far away. Particularly for someone as lovely and fit as Sergeant St. John." Ramone gallantly kissed her hand as he spoke.
"I'm sure it's not far Ramone." Cassy smiled brilliantly and took Tom's arm. "You just lead the way, and we'll be right behind you."
"As you wish, Sergeant St. John." He glanced around and snapped his fingers. A small boy of about twelve appeared from nowhere at his side. Ramone ruffled his hair affectionately as he quickly introduced the child. "The son of my second cousin once removed." Turning his attention entirely on the boy, he spoke quickly. "Run back to the restaurant, Pedro, and make certain that Juan Miguel has today's special prepared for the Sergeants St. John and Ryan. Go quickly."
Nodding impishly, the child sped off, quickly disappearing into the crowd.
Cassy frowned. "Isn't he a little young…"
"Pedro? Oh, no, he is fourteen years of age, but is small for his age. He has also taken many Karate classes and will earn his black belt at his next trial." Ramone spoke with obvious affection for the young teen and Cassy felt her warning radar drop offline at his words.
The Palm Beach duo dutifully followed behind the excited restaurateur as he greeted friends and competitors alike on the crowded streets. Tom admired his enthusiasm as the man handed out cards announcing the grand opening of his restaurant and inviting one and all to come join the celebration. After about fifteen minutes, Cassy's patience ran out as she interrupted a conversation between the jack-of-all-trades and a balloon vendor. "Ramone, *when* will we get there? We've been walking forever."
"I am very sorry, Sergeant St. John. I have been so involved in informing the people of my restaurant that I have forgotten to take you there." He motioned toward a narrow alleyway. "Please, follow me, this is a very short cut to my building."
"An alley?" Cassy stared at her white designer tennis shoes. "Is … it safe?"
"There are many policepersons on the mall. I do not--"
"She means, is it muddy, Ramone?" Tom nodded toward Cassy's shoes with a cat-eating-the-canary grin on his face.
"Oh! I see. No, it is a very clean alley, Sergeant St. John. And should there prove to be a problem, I will be very happy to carry you so that your shoes do not get dirty."
Tom smothered a laugh as Cassy tried to respond politely to the other man's gallantry. "Uh, thank you, Ramone. I'm, uh, certain that I won't have to impose upon you."
"Oh, it will not be an imposition, Sergeant St. John. Not at all." Ramone smiled broadly as he darted into the narrow space, followed by a reluctant pair of detectives.
True to his word, the alley was short and clean and came out in the middle of another group of lesser known, and populated, restaurants. Ramone put his hands on his hips and grinned as he nodded toward a sign across the street that read -Ramone's-. "There! There is my new life!"
"Catchy name." Cassy whispered to Tom who shushed her as Ramone turned around.
"Shall we go in? I am sure your dinner is ready!" Ramone bounced on his heels as he followed the detectives through the door.
Tom and Cassy paused in the entry for a moment to allow their eyes time to become accustomed to the dim lighting. As the almost garish décor came into focus even Tom caught his breath and stared in astonishment at his partner. Ramone led the way to a table near a window and lit the candle, calling for Pedro as he did so. "Pedro?"
"I am here, cousin Ramone. Cousin Juan Miguel is taking the meal out of the oven even now."
"Excellent, Pedro, now go to the basement and bring up our best wine. There is nothing too good for Sergeants St. John and Ryan."
He motioned to the pair to sit and vanished into the kitchen. Cassy watched him leave. "Tom…"
"I swear, Cass, I didn't know." Tom glanced around, still stunned by what he saw.
"But, but…"
"I know. Only Ramone would think of this."
Their conversation was cut short as Ramone returned, carefully balancing a tray of food. Within moments, he'd served his guests, then disappeared to find Pedro, and the wine. As Cassy watched him leave, Tom cautiously tried his dinner, and nodded his head in surprised approval. "Try it, Cassy. It's very good."
"But Tom…"
"Trust me on this, Cassy." Tom chewed happily. "Ramone just may succeed at this venture."
"But it's Cinco de Mayo, Tom!" Cassy cried in disbelief.
"And your point is, Cassy?"
"But, but it's a *German* restaurant, Tom!"
"Yes, but the Knockwurst is really good! And…" Tom sniffed the air in delight. "I smell apple strudel."
The End