Chicken Caccia-Killer (A Jordan McAllister Mystery)

by Lipperman, Liz

  “Grab that big table over there,” Victor said, pointing to a vacant one. “That way we can all sit together. We’ll take turns getting our food.”

  Lola and Ray walked over to the table while the rest of them wandered around the food booths trying to decide what to sample. By the time Jordan made her way back there, her plate was piled high with baked ziti, asparagus risotto, sausage and peppers, and three cannolis.”

  “Don’t say a word,” she cautioned when Ray glanced down at her plate and frowned.

  “How you manage to stay so skinny is beyond me.” He shook his head. “And you don’t even work out.”

  “Oh, leave her alone,” Lola said. “And go get yourself a plate as big as hers. I’ll help you work it off later tonight.”

  “Criminy!” Rosie said as she joined them. “Did you not get the memo about keeping your bedroom adventures to yourself?”

  “Hey, guys.” Michael waved as he walked over with his own plate. “I have thirty minutes to kill before I have to get back to the broadcast. We’re having a blast. Come by later, and I might even put you on the radio.” He turned to greet Victor when he appeared with a plate piled even higher than Jordan’s. “You know pasta has a lot of carbs, right?”

  “I do know that,” Victor said, before shoving a huge bite of baked ziti into his mouth. “But thanks for reminding me. Now sit down so Jordan can tell us about the guy who killed Marco.”

  Alex turned to her. “You know who killed Marco?”

  Jordan huffed. “That’s exactly how rumors get started, Victor. I didn’t say I knew who the killer was. I only mentioned that I overheard a conversation where someone may have confessed to it.”

  Alex put down the fork and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Okay, let’s hear it, because frankly, right now Jeff Hamilton is at a dead-end as far as finding new evidence to clear my sister.”

  “Oh no. I thought after they talked to Tina and she admitted going up the stairs with another man the night Marco was killed that there would be enough reasonable doubt for them to clear Kate.”

  “Tina admitted going to the other bedroom up there, but she insists she was alone. She swears the witness—who no one can find—was mistaken. Jeff said we’d have to wait for the actual trial so he could subpoena her and try to get that information when she’s under oath.”

  “I’m pretty sure the other guy was Bernardo Petrone,” Jordan said. When all eyes turned her way, she explained. “I met him the other night when I played flag football with Gio. He pretty much told me he hated his brother and that he was in love with Tina Calabrese. I think the feeling is mutual, and that’s why she was so mad at her father for making her go through with the marriage to Marco.”

  “Wow! I need to call Jeff and tell him these new developments. Hopefully, it will give him something to work with,” Alex said. “As it stands right now, he’s suggesting it might be wise for Kate to cut a deal with the DA. So far they’re offering manslaughter with jail time, but he’s trying to get that changed to probation only.”

  “But Kate didn’t kill Marco,” Lola said. “Why would she agree to something like that?”

  “Because there’s no proof that anyone else was in the suite except her and Tina. And since Kate’s DNA was found under Marco’s fingernails and the police have determined that he was definitely pushed, it’s a crapshoot about how the jury will go,” Alex explained, unable to hide the frustration in his voice.

  “How can they be so sure that he was pushed rather than just being so drunk that he accidently fell over the railing?” Victor asked.

  “A few things,” Alex said. “A jumper lands close to the building, whereas someone who is pushed usually screams all the way down and ends up farther out on the pavement the way Marco did.”

  “Nowhere in the police report does it mention that anyone heard him screaming,” Ray said.

  “That’s true, but don’t forget, the ME determined that the gaping wound on the back of his head couldn’t have been caused by the fall since he landed facedown. The theory is that someone cold-cocked him, and he was probably unconscious when he went over the railing.” He turned to Jordan at the precise moment she shoved the last bite of cannoli into her mouth. “And what’s this about someone confessing to the murder?”

  For the next fifteen minutes, Jordan relayed the story about Frankie O’Brien and Romero Ortiz from the night before, specifically leaving out the part about Frankie hitting on her.

  “This could really be helpful, Jordan,” Alex said, visibly excited. “Remind me to give you an extra long kiss tonight.” He held up his hand as Rosie’s eyebrows furrowed into a V. “I know. I know. No more talk about that. Let’s finish up here so I can take my favorite girl on the Ferris wheel and show her the stars.”

  By the time they’d finished eating, everyone was fired up about trying the games and the rides. Alex stepped away from the table to make the phone call to Kate’s lawyer. Jordan was anxious to see if Gio and his friend Vince had entered the Bocce ball tournament so she could cheer them on.

  As they cleared the table, Alex returned to the group with a grin. “Jeff’s optimistic about the new developments. Hopefully, he’ll be able to use—” He stopped talking when the phone rang in his hand. “It’s my mother. If you’ll excuse me, I need to make sure everything’s okay.” He stood and moved away to a quieter spot.

  When he returned several minutes later, he shook his head, a grim expression on his face.

  “What happened, Alex? Is it something about Kate?” Jordan asked.

  “Not Kate. It’s Georgette Calabrese. The police just found her body in a car on an abandoned cattle ranch about five miles north of here.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  “Oh my God!” Victor exclaimed. “Was she murdered?”

  Alex shrugged. “They won’t know until the ME does an autopsy, but the initial guess is that Georgette Calabrese died of heat stroke. They think she was in the car for several hours, and you know how hot it was today.”

  Jordan couldn’t believe what she was hearing. First Marco Petrone is murdered, then Ginny Bruno goes missing, and now Georgette Calabrese was dead. Could it be that the Italian Festival was somehow cursed? “Are they sure it was Georgette and not Ginny?” she asked as the thought suddenly popped into her head.

  “It’s Georgette,” Alex said. “My mother found out when Emilio called a little while ago.”

  “Oh boy! I’ll bet he’s freaking out. First his future son-in-law and now his wife,” Lola said. “I wonder if that’s why he was so distraught earlier when he came to see me at the psychic shop.”

  Alex turned to face her. “Emilio Calabrese came to see you today?”

  “Right after lunch. He was pretty upset and asked me to read his tarot cards.”

  Alex tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. “Did you get the impression that he was nervous about something?”

  “Oh yeah. He was nervous, alright. I think he wanted me to tell him that everything in his life would be okay.”

  “Hmm. The cops said Georgette’s car was like an oven with a temperature reading of over 150 degrees when they found her. She had to have been in the hot sun for at least an hour, probably longer. Going on that assumption, it’s possible Emilio knew about her when he came to see you.”

  “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Victor asked, moving closer to Alex. “You think he might’ve killed his own wife?”

  “Whoa! Don’t go jumping to conclusions, my friend. I’m only suggesting that Georgette may have already been dead when Emilio went to Lola’s shop. That’s all.” Alex raised his hand to his mouth to cover a yawn. “Sorry, guys, between the day job and my sister, I’ve been running on fumes. Would y’all mind if I cut out early to spend some alone time with Jordan? I’ve got a hot case going on over in Ellis County right now that we’re ready to move on, and I have to be in Dallas by nine tomorrow morning.”

  Jordan smiled up at him, suddenly feeling like a teenager about to get h
er first kiss. Since his mother and sister had arrived in Ranchero two weeks before, she’d barely seen Alex. She was already anticipating cuddling up to him in her warm bed. “I’m pretty tired, too,” she said, turning to her friends. “So I guess we’ll see you guys back at the apartment?”

  “I’ll go home with Michael,” Victor said.

  Ray waved them on. “Go enjoy each other. I’ll take the girls home in a little while. Keep us informed about Emilio, will you, Alex?”

  “Will do.” Alex reached for Jordan’s hand. “Are you disappointed we’re not staying around to have that Ferris wheel ride?”

  She shook her head. “Let’s see. A ride with lots of people around or just you and me at my apartment? What do you think?”

  He grinned, making her wish they were already there. She wasn’t sure she could wait much longer to feel his body next to hers.

  “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear,” he murmured under his breath, picking up the pace. When she was slow to follow suit, he nudged her. “Keep up, woman. We’ve only got about ten hours, and I plan to make the most of every one of them.”

  * * * * *

  Waking up in Alex’s arms the next morning felt exactly like she knew it would, and if she were a cat, she would be purring right now. She glanced up and met his gaze, noticing the way his eyes crinkled with mischief when he saw her looking.

  Yawning, he slid the covers off. “I would give anything to stay here all day with you, love, but I can’t. My guys are closing in on a gang of men selling weapons to all the wrong people, and I need to get to the office to coordinate the takedown.” He bent over and gave her a long kiss that made her wish his job didn’t require taking on all the evil people in the world.

  She pushed out her lower lip in a pout. “I knew you were a love ’em and leave ’em type from the moment I first met you.”

  He laughed, pointing his finger at her. “After we put the criminals in jail today, and my mom and sister are back in Houston, you just try to get rid of me. And why would I want to leave, anyway? Didn’t I use the ‘L’ word on you not too long ago?”

  Her eyes opened wide. “I thought it was something you say casually to everyone.”

  He pulled her close. “Just for the record, I’ve only said it one other time in my life to someone who didn’t qualify as close family, so no, there was nothing casual about it.” He lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “I don’t know if you feel the same way, but I promise that’s a conversation we’re going to have in the near future.” He kissed her lips lightly and then crawled out of bed and padded to the shower.

  He loves me! she thought, taking a deep breath and releasing the air slowly. She wasn’t sure exactly how she felt about that, though. There was no doubt she had deep feelings for the man, even tingled just being near him, but it had only been a little over a year since her life had been all about the guy she thought she’d grow old with.

  And look how that had ended. She had to be sure she was ready to make that kind of commitment, assuming that’s what he wanted to talk about. Was it possible he just wanted an exclusive commitment? Weren’t they already at that stage?

  For the first time since moving to Ranchero, she felt the need to talk to her mother. Sylvia McAllister had been the only one who’d recognized how hurt Jordan had been after Brett broke her heart. Even made a surprise visit to Dallas to make sure her daughter was okay. Jordan’s father and brothers, on the other hand, had a much different plan to deal with it. They were ready to hop in the pickup, drive like maniacs, and beat the crap out of her ex.

  But her mother had talked them out of that, knowing it was the last thing Jordan needed. Although it might have given her a smidgeon of satisfaction, she’d known even then that the feeling wouldn’t have lasted. What she’d needed had been for someone to hold her while she cried and to listen without judging. Sylvia McAllister had come through with flying colors. And although she hadn’t bombarded Jordan with advice about what to say or do, she’d helped by letting her talk it out and grieve for a lost love without saying, “I told you so.”

  Jordan desperately wanted to talk to her now.

  “Penny for your thoughts,” Alex said, emerging from the bathroom with his hair still dripping and his lower body covered with only a towel.

  She smiled up at him. “I was wishing you didn’t have to run into Dallas today,” she said, before moving her eyebrows up and down. “And how much I’d like to swipe that towel away from you right now.”

  “You are such a devil. You know I need to be on the road soon and yet you tease.” His grin covered his face. “Hold that thought, though. As soon as I put a few criminals behind bars, I’ll find a way for us to be together again tonight.” He turned and walked back into the bathroom before sticking his head out the door. “Did I mention that I might have a few minutes to run by Myrtle’s and pick up a few pieces of her famous Chocolate Chip Coffeecake before I leave?”

  That diverted Jordan’s attention away from the sexy stuff. “I’ll put on the coffee.”

  Much later, after they’d devoured the coffee cake and Jordan was alone again in her apartment, she pulled out her laptop and began to work on the next day’s culinary column. Before long, she was so engrossed in a story about Italian traditions that she’d nearly lost it when her phone suddenly blared out Carrie Underwood’s When He Cheats.

  Grabbing it, she glanced at caller ID. Alex’s mother. Why was she calling? She hit Talk, more than a little nervous. “Hello.”

  “Jordan, do you have plans for today?” Natalie asked.

  “I was going to work on my story for Sunday’s paper. I have to have it in by six tonight. Why?”

  There was a pause. “I know you don’t like Emilio—”

  “I don’t dislike him,” Jordan interrupted. “There’s just something about the man that makes me uncomfortable.”

  “I know. But I was hoping you’d do something for me that will probably take you out of your comfort zone.” There was silence as Alex’s mother waited for Jordan to respond. When she didn’t, Natalie continued. “Kate took the car and is with Jeff Hamilton at the DA’s office, and of course, you know that Alex is in Dallas. I need a ride.”

  Anticipating something way worse, Jordan was pleasantly surprised at the request, and she chose to ignore the reference about Alex spending the night at her apartment. “Of course, Natalie. Where do you want me to take you?”

  “To Emilio’s hotel room.”

  For one of the few times in her life, Jordan was speechless. Out of her comfort zone? What Natalie was asking was more like out of her comfort country. How could she take Alex’s mother to her ex-boyfriend’s hotel room in all good conscience?”

  “He called a little while ago and begged me to come over. He sounded really distraught over Georgette’s death.”

  Jordan’s first instinct was to say ‘Not no, but hell no.’ “Are you sure this is something you want to do, Natalie? Because going to his hotel room could be misinterpreted by a lot of people.”

  “Sounds like you’re one of them,” Natalie responded a little sharply before her voice softened. “He’s an old friend, Jordan, and right now, he has no one else to turn to.”

  “What about Tina? She must be grieving for her stepmother, too.”

  “He gave me the impression he’s worried about her and doesn’t want to add to her emotional state.”

  “Worried about her? Why?” Jordan asked, getting more confused by the minute. Was Emilio afraid his daughter would do something crazy or harm herself over this?

  “I don’t know. He only said he’d do anything to protect her, and he wants to talk to me.” She paused, as if allowing it all to sink in. “So, will you take me, or do I need to call a cab?”

  Jordan mulled this one over for a moment before deciding Natalie would be safer if she had someone with her. “Okay, I’ll get dressed and be over there in thirty minutes.” Even as she said it, she was already praying when Alex found out that she’d helpe
d his mother visit an old boyfriend, he wouldn’t hold it against her.

  “Terrific. I’ll be waiting outside.”

  Jordan chugged the last of her coffee, shut down her laptop, and took a quick shower. By the time she pulled up in front of Alex’s house, Natalie was pacing back and forth on the front porch. When she saw Jordan’s car, she raced out to greet her.

  “I can’t thank you enough,” she said after she was settled in the front seat. “I’ve never seen this side of Emilio before.”

  “I hope you know what you’re doing,” Jordan cautioned, stopping before she spilled the beans about Emilio’s visit with Lola the day before. Better to keep that information to herself, along with the suspicion that it was possible Emilio had already known about his wife’s death when Lola read his tarot cards.

  “Don’t worry,” Natalie said, reaching over and patting Jordan shoulder. “This won’t turn out badly. I promise.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  There was very little conversation on the drive to the Crown Royale Hotel. Pulling up to the entrance, Jordan couldn’t help glancing at the spot where Marco Petrone had landed when he’d fallen from the balcony. She fully expected to see a chalk outline of a dead body and was disappointed there was none. If she hadn’t witnessed the horrific event, she wouldn’t have guessed that the driveway had once been a crime scene.

  “Let the valet park the car,” Natalie said. When Jordan shot her a look, she added, “You drove. I’ll take care of parking.”

  “We’ll split it,” Jordan said, not wanting Alex’s mother to think she was cheap. But after spending the extra bucks for the shoes to go with the dress she’d worn to the party, her budget was stretched to the limit.

  “Deal.” Natalie stepped out of the car when a young man appeared out of nowhere and opened the door.

  Jordan was already out of the car when he attempted to do the same for her, and she handed him the keys. After taking the ticket from him, she and Natalie walked through the exquisite glass doors onto the marble floor where she was reminded once again how luxurious the lobby was.