It Cannoli Be Murder

by Karoline Barrett

  I felt as if the wind had been knocked out of me. “That’s not enough.”

  “I’ll get some of the guys on it.”

  I looked at him. “You know what’s weird? Why would she stroll in like that and then run out the side door? I mean, if she wasn’t up to something?”

  “I can’t answer that. We’ll find her.”

  “But do you think she’s the killer?”

  “Molly, I can’t say. Stop asking. The chief played the tape for the Rydells. He said they didn’t recognize her. The black-and-white tape’s a little grainy as you can see. Castle Shore needs to update their equipment.”

  “Why did Chief Carly play it for them?”

  “They refused to talk to anyone but him.”

  “What are you doing next?”

  “Talking to the senator’s staff, friends, family. Talking to people that were close to Melanie. I’ve got a couple of officers who I borrowed from over in Rigby helping with that. It’ll all take a while. I heard from Rachael’s husband’s administrative assistant today. Markus Huntley. He’s demanding answers.”

  That seemed a little odd. “What about her husband? Shouldn’t he be the one demanding answers?”

  “I’m the one who called Lucas Jardine about his wife’s death. He’s coming in, too. He didn’t exactly sound like a grieving widower. Then again, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes it’s hard to gauge someone’s mood over the phone.”

  “Did you see the information I sent you on Rachael and Melanie?” I asked.

  “I read through most of it. Thanks for sending it along.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m thinking it was someone who knew both women. Based on what I read, it may have been Jardine, DiGiovanni, or Rocco, but then again it could have been someone who went to the Mellon School for Girls. A disgruntled classmate?”

  “Could be.”

  “Would you like me to contact Robert Meara, the angry constituent, and Senator Rydell’s ex-nanny, Charlotte Swain?”

  “I’ll think on it. I can have one of my guys do it.”

  I hid my disappointment. I forced myself to slow down. I didn’t want Alex thinking I was trying to take over.

  He slapped a hand on his desk. “Yeah, okay. I’ll get you the information for Swain and Meara,” he said. “Between the murders, Alex’s arson case, and the cybergang investigation, we’re spread a little thin. Call them, but don’t get into any confrontations,” he warned. “Tread carefully. And make sure they don’t think you’re a police officer.”

  “Can I be a magazine reporter?” I was kidding. Sort of.

  He massaged his temples. “I don’t want to know anything.”

  I took that as his complete approval.

  “Hey, can you ask your mother for a list of all the alumnae?” he asked.

  I chewed on the tip of my pen. A bad habit, I know. “Didn’t you already talk to them?”

  “I need to talk to the ones who weren’t there,” he clarified. “Did they all show up?”

  “I have no idea,” I replied. “I’ll ask mom.”

  CHAPTER 12

  * * *

  Before I pulled out, I found my phone and called my mother.

  “Hi there,” she answered a few seconds later.

  “Is this a good time?”

  “It’s perfectly fine.”

  “I’m calling to see if you have a list of all alumnae who didn’t show up and their contact information? Alex wants to talk to them.”

  “I’ll email it to you,” she promised.

  “Great. Love you.”

  “Love you, too, and tell Alex I love him, too,” she replied, and we hung up.

  I’d just put my phone away when it rang. I glanced at the screen. Olivia. “Hi there.”

  “Hi, Moll. I heard from Rocco today. He wants to meet with us tomorrow about the Sweet Hill opening. You’ll be here tomorrow, right? I don’t want to handle this myself. Now that I know he’s in the mob, I’m a little nervous.”

  Rocco! I’d almost forgotten about his winery opening. “I’ll be in at noon,” I assured her. “I have to pay bills, order supplies, and do a few other housekeeping items. We don’t need to be nervous. I admit, though, I’d feel more comfortable if he was in the priesthood instead of the mafia.”

  Olivia laughed. “This is why I love you, you always find the humor in things.”

  “It is what it is. Let’s just treat him like another customer. What time is he coming in?”

  “He wants us to meet him at Mia’s at one. I already have some suggestions put together. I’m thinking he may want to go fancier than our apple butter, or Earl Gray lavender cupcakes.”

  The man had good taste I had to admit. Mia’s was our most romantic and expensive restaurant. “You’re probably right. We’ll handle it. What do you have so far?”

  “I’ve got Lemoncello Tiramisu, Bomboline—those are Italian doughnuts—chocolate whiskey cake with salted caramel buttercream frosting, caramel dipped pears, strawberry and champagne cake balls, and mini banana foster cheesecakes.”

  “I’m drooling, Liv. Oh my gosh, that all sounds so delicious. I can’t wait to work on them. Instead of the mini banana foster cheesecakes, what about cannoli?”

  “Oh, yes!” cried Olivia. “Heaven! I think you’re right. Who doesn’t love cannoli? I’ll leave them to you.”

  “I can do a couple of different ones. What do you think about yellow cream and chocolate dipped?”

  “Ohhh yes, Molly! Delicious! I hope he likes our ideas.”

  “How could he not? If he doesn’t, we’ll have him whacked. Did he mention how many people he’s expecting?”

  “No. I’m sure we’ll go over all of that tomorrow.”

  “Did he say anything else? … Olivia? . . . Olivia? Are you still there?”

  She cleared her throat. “I’m here. No, he didn’t. I … I don’t know how to say this without sounding disloyal to Sean, but you know when Monique came in and said she saw Sean with some redheaded woman?”

  “Oh that. Please don’t tell me that she was in again saying the same thing? Honestly! She’s a nice woman, but why does she find such delight in gossiping about every little thing she sees?”

  “No, it’s nothing to do with Monique. I saw him with her today, too.”

  “Oh, Liv,” I cried. “Not you, too. I’m sure it’s nothing. I don’t need to know. I don’t even care.” Of course, I needed to know. And I did care, more than just a little. “All right, tell me.”

  She exhaled noisily. “Okay. I ran to the bank at lunch, and saw him in a police car in front of Jake’s Paint and Hardware. She was leaning into the window, talking to him. You know what? Forget it. I wish I hadn’t said anything. I shouldn’t have even brought it up. I’m just as bad as Monique. Do you think you should be worried?”

  “Trust me, you’re not as bad as she is! No, I don’t think I should be worried, Liv. Maybe she’s an undercover detective. Maybe she’s a new graduate from the police academy. Maybe she’s from the FBI. Maybe she’s…I don’t know, but I do know Sean, and I trust him. I talk to men, so what? I’m sure it’s nothing.”

  “I know, I know. And you’re right. He would never do anything unseemly toward you. Anthony thinks the world revolves around Sean. I do, too, just about. And Sean thinks the world revolves around you. Okay. Time for a subject change. We have Mystery Monday to go to. I hope it’s a big hit. It’s something the whole town could get involved in.”

  “I’m ready for it. Should be lots of fun.”

  ###

  My dishes were done, the dogs walked, and they were now cuddled on my couch with me as I read the latest release of one of my favorite authors. I was pleasantly surprised when Sean came by. He looked beat as he sunk down on the couch beside me, and my heart went out to him.

  “How’s your investigation going? Any progress with the cybergang?” I asked, wishing I could erase the tiredness from his eyes.

  “Slowly, but we’re getting there. Got a f
ew good leads on my arson case, so that may be off my radar soon.”

  “Yay!” I told him. “Do you want something to eat?”

  “No thanks. I can’t stay, sorry. I wanted to see you though, even if it’s just for a few minutes. How are things with you?”

  “Tomorrow we’ve got to meet with Rocco about his Sweet Hill Winery opening. Are you dropping by the opening? I have a feeling Rocco’s going all out.”

  “I may. I can’t promise. I’ve got a lot going on right now. Sorry, babe. I don’t like not being there for you.”

  “I understand. Police work comes first.”

  “I hope he pays you well. I’m going to get going.” He got up, I got up with him, and he pulled me into a hug, and kissed me on the forehead. “Night, babe. Come on, Beau.”

  I walked him to the door trying not to make too much of his abrupt exit. Was he regretting his move from New York? Did he miss city life? Was I not exciting enough? Was he preoccupied with the cybergang and the murders? I hoped the answer was yes to only some of the above. “See you sometime.” I knelt and gave Beau a kiss good night, too.

  I collected my laptop and headed for the bedroom where I got out of my clothes and into one of Sean’s old police academy t-shirts that I loved to sleep in. “Looks like it’s just you and me tonight, girlie.”

  She woofed and waited.

  I didn’t have the heart to leave her on the floor, even though the bed she shared with Beau when he stayed overnight was as comfortable as mine. These dogs lacked for nothing. Nevertheless, I lifted her up onto my bed. “This is getting to be a bad habit, missy. It’s not going to happen every night. You have a perfectly good set up on the floor.”

  She snuggled down and gave me one of her many pitiful looks she’s expert at. I turned on my laptop. “I’m not buying your sad act.”

  She closed her eyes and wiggled closer to me. My smart girl knew exactly how to play me. I turned my attention to my lap top and saw that both my mother and Alex had emailed me.

  I opened my mother’s email first. As promised, she’d provided me a list of all the alumnae who were invited, but didn’t show.

  Only two didn’t attend, she’d written. That was surprising. I had expected more.

  I picked up my phone. “Hi,” I said once she answered. “I got the list. Thanks. Only two didn’t show. How come?”

  “Maureen Bellamy is in Europe. And there’s Sharon Elliott. I don’t know anything about her; she was in Rachael and Melanie’s class, but I did hear some whispering about her at the benefit. I don’t remember if I told Sean or Alex about it, or if anyone else did. Everything was in such turmoil, I could barely think!”

  “What was the whispering about?” I couldn’t wait to find out.

  “A couple of the women from their class were joking that it was probably Sharon who killed Rachael. I don’t mean joking maliciously, just nervous joking.”

  Bonding over humor during a tragedy. I got it. “Why would they think that?”

  “They said she never fit in, none of the girls wanted to be her friend. She didn’t come from a wealthy family, and some of the girls could be snobs. Melanie and Rachael supposedly made fun of her every chance they got. She wasn’t in clubs or a clique. Maybe you should mention this to the boys in case I forgot. She could be a suspect.”

  I was pondering that very thing. “I will. Thanks! And thanks for sending the list over.”

  “You’re welcome. If I can help with anything else, just let me know.”

  “I will.”

  I deposited my phone on my bedside table and rested my hand on Noelle’s back. I thought about this. Did we have another suspect? Sharon would have to be contacted, but doubt set in. I mean, who’s going to kill two women years after graduation? And never mind waiting until a class reunion of sorts. I didn’t think it made sense. “But when does murder make sense?” I asked her. Noelle slept on, unconcerned with murder suspects.

  I went to my next email. I was excited to see that Alex had emailed me contact information for Charlotte Swain and Robert Meara. I forwarded my mother’s email to Alex. I opened a clean document page then saved it as Rachael Suspects. I added Charlotte, Robert, Sharon, Lucas, Piero, and Rocco. At least it was something.

  CHAPTER 13

  * * *

  The next morning, I was up early. I fed Noelle and myself, we went for a leisurely walk, and then I stood in front of my closet, trying to decide what to wear for Olivia’s and my meeting later with Rocco. I decided to go fancy since Mia’s was ultra-upscale. I’d even do make-up and attempt a French braid.

  ###

  “Look at you!” exclaimed Olivia when I arrived at Bread and Batter. “You look amazing. Like you’ve got a hot date.”

  “Thanks. I didn’t want to show up in jeans. Not at Mia’s, and not to meet with Rocco. I have the feeling the man sleeps in a bespoke suit.”

  She laughed. “He probably does. I’m changing after work.”

  Olivia and Kendra took care of customers while I worked in the back. After a few hours looking at spreadsheets, paying bills, and taking care of other bakery business, I needed a break. It was a good time to contact two of my suspects. I texted Alex and asked him if he could find me information for Sharon Elliott for later.

  I tackled Mr. Meara first. I had a feeling he might be the most difficult to deal with. I pushed in his number and waited.

  “Hello?”

  “Good afternoon. I’m looking for Robert Meara.”

  “Yeah, well you found him.”

  “My name is Molly Tyler. I’m calling on behalf of the Destiny Po—”

  “Never heard of the place,” he rudely cut in. His voice sounded like a rake being dragged over stony gravel. “Whaddya want?”

  “It’s about Senator Rachael Rydell’s murder.”

  He guffawed. “Yeah, I saw it on the news. I ain’t gonna be a hypocrite and boo-hoo about it. Good riddance, couldn’t have happened to a better person. Someone sure did this state a favor.”

  “You didn’t like Senator Rydell. You wrote a lot of letters to her. You think women belong in the kitchen. You were arrested for stalking and threatening her.”

  “Glad you did your research, missy. Yeah, I got arrested and I did my time. I didn’t hurt the broad, I just wanted to scare her. Rydell ignored what her constituents wanted. She didn’t give a rat’s butt about us. She wasn’t even a New York state native, don’t that beat it all? She was more concerned with her own agenda, power, and being reelected each year. I couldn’t stand her.”

  Yes, that was certainly clear. “Where were you on June 24th?” I was surprised he was answering me. He hadn’t even questioned who I was.

  “Why do you want to know? Wait a minute. You think I killed her? No way! She’s not worth going to prison for the rest of my life. I guess someone else felt different. I’d like to have a beer with the man who took care of her.”

  I was going to need a shower after talking to this guy. He oozed sleaze, even over the phone.

  “As a matter of fact, I was in Atlantic City, with my wife. Hey, Angie! Ang! Leave the coffee and get over here. The police wanna talk to you.”

  “The police?” I heard a shriek in the background. “What did you do now, Robert?”

  “Quiet and get over here, will ya. This woman thinks I killed the Rydell woman. Here, take the phone. Tell her that’s crap. We were in A.C.”

  “Hello?” a faint voice fluttered in my ear. I could barely hear her.

  “Mrs. Meara?”

  “That’s me. Why are you talking to my husband about a murder?”

  “Just routine questioning regarding the Senator Rydell murder. Your husband wrote quite a few letters to her, he stalked and harassed her.”

  She giggled, but in a creepy way that sent a shiver up my spine. “Oh, he don’t mean nothing with all that. He don’t even have a gun. When she was killed, we were in Atlantic City, like he said. The Golden Nugget. I won pretty big too. Never did that before.”

 
“Okay. Thank you, Mrs. Meara. You’ve been a big help.”

  “Do you need to talk to Bob again?”

  “No. I’m good. Thank you again.” I disconnected.

  I wasn’t sure Mr. Meara was even smart enough to carry out one murder, never mind two. But I still wasn’t convinced Melanie had killed Rachael and then committed suicide, so he remained as a viable suspect, although he struck me more of a guy who had nothing in life, and tried to bully others to feel better about himself. I’d run it by Alex.