Burned to a Crisp (Cookies & Chance Mysteries Book 3)

by Catherine Bruns

  Josie's eyes opened wide with surprise. "I bet she's the one. It would fit."

  "What did Luigi say about all this?" I asked Brian. "Have you talked to him?"

  "Not directly, but my partner did. He claims it's his money, but he has no legal grounds to prove this, and if he's foolish enough to try, he could be looking at a long line of charges against himself. So let's just say he isn't very happy right now." Brian looked at my sister. "The senior Napoli basically accused you of the crime."

  Gianna's nostrils flared. "Maybe I should go talk to him myself."

  "No," Grandma Rosa shook her head. "That would not be wise."

  "You're not going anywhere near him." I had another thought. "Could Luigi have taken his own money? What if he killed Bernardo in order to file a claim on the missing money, but he had the cash all along…is that possible?"

  Brian's jaw tightened. "We've thought of that, but why would he drag Gianna into it?"

  Her lower lip trembled. "If it hadn't been for that juror asking me out, Bernardo probably would have gone to prison, and I think that's what Luigi wanted."

  Brian rose. "I've got to get back to the station. I'd appreciate it if all of you would stay away from the Napoli family, okay?" He turned to Gianna. "There's no need for you to go down to the station tomorrow. I'll relay everything you said, but my boss will probably want to talk to you at some point."

  "That's fine. Thanks, Brian," she said gratefully.

  He nodded at Josie and Grandma Rosa then his gaze met mine. "Would you walk me out? I'd like to talk to you for a moment."

  I pushed my chair back and glared at Josie, praying she wouldn't say anything. She kept her eyes fixed stoically on the carpet.

  When we reached the screen door, he held it open to let me exit first. I walked with him to his squad car, neither of us saying anything. Finally, he turned to face me.

  "I just wanted to tell you again how sorry I am about the other night. It was totally uncalled for and unprofessional of me."

  God, this was uncomfortable. "It's okay, Brian. Really." He was standing so close that I was able to inhale the woodsy scent of his cologne. While he looked handsome as always, I felt nothing but friendship for him. Another man was in full possession of my heart.

  He grinned. "I actually lied in there. I'm not going back to the station. I have a date tonight."

  My ears perked up. "Wow. Who's the lucky girl? Do I know her?"

  "Her name is Ally Tetrault. She's a nurse at Colwestern Hospital."

  I opened my mouth in surprise. "Ally was in high school with me. I haven't seen her since I moved back home. Please tell her I said hello."

  Brian groaned in obvious frustration then smiled. "Of course she had to be a classmate of yours. Pretty hard to find someone around here who doesn't know you."

  "Ally's terrific," I said. "I hope it goes well."

  Brian got into his car and started the engine. I leaned against his open window, and he reached over to take my hand in his for a moment, saying nothing. For the teeny tiniest moment, I felt a little bit jealous of Ally, and then it disappeared forever. I released my hand from Brian's and gave him a thumbs-up. "She's a lucky girl."

  He smiled, his green eyes cascading more warmth than the bright June sun. "Take care of yourself, Sally."

  With that, the squad car pulled out of my parents' driveway and disappeared down the street.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  After closing down the bakery operation for the night and then eating dinner with Grandma Rosa, Gianna and I had returned to my house. It was almost nine o'clock by then, and I was exhausted from the events of the day. My parents had not returned from the contest, but my mother had sent me and Gianna a text of her in the orange thong bathing suit. She said she'd placed second in the swimsuit competition. The finals were not being held until Thursday morning, but she would be busy most of tomorrow posing for pictures with the other contestants. I prayed my father would accompany her. Every day that he and that coffin spent in the living room, my business died a little more. No pun intended.

  Gianna decided to turn in early and settled into the guest room to watch some television. I had sent Mike a text earlier, asking what time he might be home. I'd brought him back some peppers stuffed with meat and rice—one of his favorites—that my grandmother had prepared for supper. I hadn't received a response yet and felt myself getting antsy. I texted him again and this time received an immediate reply.

  Sorry, baby. Trying to finish up a few things. Keep that nightie ready.

  I took Spike for a walk, which he seemed to appreciate. Fortunately, Mike had installed a doggie door for him in the kitchen that led to a small fenced yard out back since we both worked long hours and couldn't run home often during the day. I let him run around the yard for a bit and realized I'd forgotten to bring the mail in. I walked down the driveway to the box and grabbed several envelopes. One was addressed to Mrs. Sally Donovan (To Be.) I smiled to myself. How I loved seeing my married name in print. I opened the envelope without further thought, assuming it was probably from a venue hoping to gain business from the wedding.

  Inside was a typed note that smelled heavily of a man's fragrance. Aqua Velva, maybe? It read:

  If you don't want to get burned like your shop, stop asking questions.

  My heart hammered against the wall of my chest. Terrified, I ran into the backyard, scooped up Spike, and shut us into the house, slamming and locking the door behind us. I activated the alarm, planning to shut it off before Mike got home. I texted him again, but there was no response.

  What had I done? I hadn't purposely tried to make trouble this time. Victoria had come to me with questions about Gianna. Sergio and Rufus had sent for Josie and me. Luigi had come to my parents' house—I hadn't gone to him. The only thing I'd done was try to find my sister and keep her safe, yet somehow, I had managed to tick off a killer again. This was getting to be an all too common occurrence. Who the heck was behind this?

  Of course, I didn't know all of the enemies Bernardo had made, but it seemed likely that I might have already encountered the murderer. Victoria, perhaps? The man had cheated on her numerous times, but she went along with it. What woman in her right mind would be fine with that?

  Crap. I didn't want to, but I placed a call to Brian, letting him know about the note. His phone rang three times and then went to voicemail. Oh, that's right. He was out on his date. I left a quick message telling him about the note. Within five minutes, Mike called.

  "Where are you?" My voice trembled.

  He caught the anxiety in my voice. "Baby, what's wrong?"

  I told him about the note. "Can you come home now?"

  There was a slight hesitation before he spoke. "All right, I'm on my way. Don't turn the alarm off until I'm in the driveway."

  I disconnected and stole a peek into Gianna's room, but she was already sound asleep. As much as I wanted the company, I didn't have the heart to wake her. She needed the rest. I returned to my room and pulled the covers up around me. Spike jumped up on the bed, and I cuddled him against my chest. I didn't like being afraid. And why had Mike hesitated on the phone?

  It seemed like forever, but ten minutes later Mike's headlights shone in the driveway. As I went to shut off the alarm, I busied myself with rapid mathematic calculations in my head. Webster's Restaurant was at least twenty minutes away. How had he gotten here so fast?

  I waited by the door for him, trying to decide how I'd ask where he'd really been. He opened the door and then immediately shut and locked it behind him, set the alarm, and then drew me into his arms. "You okay?"

  I buried my face in his chest. "Yes, now that you're here."

  He kissed the top of my head and wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we walked into the kitchen. He peered into the refrigerator at the Pyrex dish I'd brought for him. "Oh, wow. Your grandmother made stuffed peppers?"

  "Give me the dish, and I'll heat it up for you."

  Mike grabbed a bottled water out
of the fridge and then spotted the note I'd left on the countertop. I watched his jaw harden as he read it. "This is from one of those Napoli characters. I'd bet on it." He carefully placed it inside a plastic sandwich bag then handed it to me. His eyes darkened as he reached for me again. "It took every bit of restraint for me to not punch that goon in the face when I saw his hands on you today."

  "Lucky for us you showed up when you did." I changed the subject. "How are the floors coming at the restaurant?"

  I felt him tense slightly against me "Everything will be done in a few days." The microwave dinged, and I grabbed his container. Mike sat down at the table and began to eat. He closed his eyes for a moment. "I'm starving. I swear—your grandmother is the world's best cook."

  "You got here pretty fast from the restaurant." I couldn't help myself.

  "Hmm." He examined the rest of the mail but didn't answer me. "I guess you'd better call Jenkins and tell him about the note. Or go down to the police station tomorrow."

  I crossed my arms in front of me. "I left him a message." I should have stopped right there, but of course I had to press the issue. "How'd you get here so quickly?"

  He glanced up at me and smiled. "I was already on my way home when you called."

  "Oh." I leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. "Well, I'm going to bed. Night."

  "Hey." Mike put the fork down and placed his hands on my waist. "Is there something else bothering you?"

  "Not at all," I lied and ran my hands through his thick hair. "It's just been a long day."

  He placed a finger on my lips. "I've got to return a couple of calls, and then I'll be in. Don't fall asleep on me, baby."

  "I won't." I forced a smile to my lips, but the truth was I felt a bit insecure at the moment. It was obvious from Mike's manner that he was intentionally keeping something from me. Was he working at Marla's house? We loved each other, so why couldn't he trust me with the truth?

  I got into bed and turned the television on for company as I waited for him. I clicked the channels until I came to an old rerun of I Love Lucy. Comforted, I snuggled back against the pillows and yawned. When Mike came to bed we'd talk, straighten everything out, and have some quality alone time. I was sure of it.

  I vaguely remembered Mike kissing me, and I murmured something in response about getting up soon. The next thing I knew, sunlight was streaming in through the window, and I stared at the alarm clock. Six thirty. I jumped out of bed and raced down the hall, but he was already long gone. Damn. This time I'd been the one to fall asleep. What a pair we were. The doubts kept pouring into my head. Why didn't he wake me up last night? Didn't he want to be intimate with me anymore?

  There you go again, Sal. Your insecurities are really getting tiresome.

  Mike had made coffee, and I poured myself some, taking the mug into the bathroom with me. Gianna had left a note saying she needed to be at the courthouse early and she would text me later. I showered and dressed quickly, poured more coffee into a travel mug, and drove over to my parents' house.

  When it was time to open, we had several people waiting at the kitchen door. We were so busy we had to allow people in two at a time. My mother breezed through, dressed in a one-piece, bright blue, tube top concoction that barely covered her rear. She bussed me on the cheek. "How do I look, honey?"

  "Amazing." It happened to be the truth.

  She opened her clutch purse, the same obnoxious shade of blue as the dress, and handed me two twenty-dollar bills. "I'm in such a good mood today. Give everyone outside a cookie on me." She glanced into the case. "Looks like you have enough fudgy delights for the crowd. Why don't you guys hand them out and then tell your customers to stop over for the final judging of the beauty contest tomorrow morning. Anyone can come. It's open to the public."

  Josie was frosting her own version of black and white cookies. She looked up and rolled her eyes at me.

  "Mom, are you trying to buy votes?"

  "Of course not! Although," she admitted, "it doesn't hurt to have a cheerleading section. I'm guaranteed to place at least third because of the bathing suit competition. My, it would be wonderful to win."

  "You're gonna win, baby," my father spoke in a self-assured tone as he patted her on the backside. "No doubt about that."

  I winced in discomfort. Customers in the kitchen and at the back door were staring at them. As much as I loved my parents, did they always have to embarrass me so?

  "I'll give everyone a cookie. I promise. Um, why don't you guys go out through the living room?"

  "Domenic." Mrs. O'Brien spoke up as Josie bagged her order. "I want to take a look at that coffin before you leave. My mother's not long for this world, and I've got to get a leg up on the preparations."

  "Sweet Lord," Josie whispered under her breath.

  My father beamed with pride. "Of course. We have time. Maria, let's show her the finer points of the casket. Bring your cookies with you," he said to Mrs. O'Brien.

  "Hey, I want to see it too," the next customer in line said. "I've been hearing about this casket all over town. It's like—legendary."

  "What about your order?" Josie asked.

  He waved his hand dismissively. "Ah, I can get cookies anytime. But lying in a coffin—alive—is priceless."

  Josie's jaw almost hit the floor. "This is unreal. We'll have to come up with a new motto. 'Sally's Samples. Come for the cookies, but stay for the coffin.' Unfreakinbelievable."

  I sighed and let a few more customers trickle in the door. We were almost caught up when Mrs. Gavelli barged into the kitchen without waiting her turn. She did not look happy.

  "You." She pointed a finger at my chest. "I hear all about what you do."

  Great. Another person was ticked off at me. Maybe she'd leave me a note in the mailbox too. "What are you talking about?"

  "You no wanna make fortune cookies anymore," she huffed. "Well, is too bad. You make them or else I tell everyone how you take Johnny in the garage all those years ago."

  I leaned against the kitchen wall, defeated. "Mrs. G, he took me into the garage."

  "Yah, that's what they all say," she spat out. "Now you give me fortune cookie. And I'd better get good one."

  "You tell her, Gram." Johnny's face appeared at the screen door. He caught sight of Josie and winked. "If you give me a cookie, I'll follow you into the garage too."

  "Cripes," Josie muttered. "You belong on a leash."

  Mrs. Gavelli broke the cookie apart, and her leathery looking complexion turned whiter than confectioner's sugar as she read her message. She glanced at me in a disapproving manner. "That not nice."

  Perplexed, I glanced over her shoulder and read aloud. "You are a sick individual."

  Josie removed a tray of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies from the oven and laughed so hard that she almost dropped them. "I couldn't have said it any better myself."

  Mrs. Gavelli gave her the look of death, threw the cookie on the ground, and stomped out the door, banging it shut behind her.

  Johnny exchanged a grim look with my grandmother. "I'd better go see that she's okay."

  My grandmother shook her head. "I will go to her." She then gestured at me and Josie. "You tell them."

  "Tell us what?" I asked, confused.

  Grandma Rosa patted my cheek. "Johnny needs to have a talk with you. I will go make Nicoletta some tea." She opened the screen door and then closed it quietly behind her.

  We were customer-free at the moment. Sarah looked ill at ease among us and said she had a phone call to make. She disappeared out back, leaving Josie and me alone with Johnny.

  "Okay," I said. "Spill it. What's going on?"

  The laughter in Johnny's eyes died as he returned my gaze. "Gram has cancer."

  "No." Josie clamped a hand over her mouth in horror.

  I went to Johnny and threw my arms around his neck. "I'm so sorry."

  Johnny hugged me back. When he released me, I noticed his mouth quivering. "That's why the fortune upset her so much. She rea
lly thinks there's some truth to those things, crazy as it sounds."

  "Gee." Josie cocked her head at me. "I know someone else like that too."

  I sighed and focused on Johnny again. "What type does she have? How bad is it?"

  "Bone," Johnny said. "It's the reason I came home. She needed someone to take her to chemo and stuff. Your grandmother has been wonderful, but let's face it—she's no spring chicken herself. And after everything Gram's done for me in my lifetime, I thought a little payback was in order. There was an opening at our old high school for a history teacher, so I applied for it and got the job."

  "That's wonderful," I said. "But you still didn't answer my question. How bad is it?"

  "She has a good chance," Johnny said. "They caught it early. The oncologist said attitude makes a big difference too. She's determined to live long enough to dance at my wedding, so she says."

  Josie leaned on the counter, fascinated. "I didn't know you were dating anyone."

  He grinned saucily at her. "As a matter of fact, I have a lunch date today. With a certain brilliant lawyer we all know and love."

  "Shut up," Josie said.

  "Holy cow," I smiled at him. "You and Gianna?"

  The color rose high in Johnny's cheeks. "I saw her car pull into the driveway yesterday. Before she could even make it inside, I ran over to talk, proposed lunch, and she accepted."

  It didn't surprise me that they had a lunch date, but I was a little shocked my sister hadn't told me. We always confided in each other. "Why, that little sneak. She's never kept secrets from me before."

  "She was probably afraid we'd tease her about it," Josie said. "Which, of course, I intend to do."

  Johnny winked at me. "Or maybe she's afraid you'll be jealous."

  I swatted his arm with a dish towel. "Oh, knock it off."

  He laughed and then grew serious again. "I'm not sure where this is headed, if anywhere. I know she's been through a lot—the recent breakup with Frank and now this whole mess with that shady client of hers. But I have to confess I've had my eye on her for a long time. And a good thing is always worth waiting for." Johnny's gaze met mine as he reached for the door. "Guess Mike knows something about that too."