by Zoey Kane
Gia looked to Tony for help but ended up catching a glimpse of his backside hurrying out the swinging door. Coward.
“What do you think?” Greta picked up a spaghetti-strap, black-sequined cocktail dress and a stormy gray sleeveless with a—oh, jeez—plunging neckline.
“Um, wow. They’re both really... nice?” Gia didn’t mean for it to come out as a question.
“Nice?”
“Pretty...”
“Just pretty?” Greta scrunched her nose.
“Hot.” That was Gia’s final answer.
“Oooh, yeah.” Greta smiled. “Now, which one screams, ‘I’m hotter than a burnt jalapeño-covered hot dog in the middle of summer’? But not too hot, in case Rudy has gastro issues and I don’t want the night to go south. Literally.”
Gia blinked rapidly.
“Uh...”
She was saved by Julian, her supervisor who came breezing through the door. Boy, did his eyes pop when he saw Greta’s date night attire choices. “Please go with the sequins.” He fingered the material in admiration.
“Really? Isn’t it a tad scandalous?”
“Honey, this dress is oozing scandal,” Julian said.
“Perfect.” Greta tossed the sleeveless dress back into the bag. “That’s what mama likes.”
3... 2... 1... Right on cue, a hungry herd of customers stampeded into the bistro. Gia’s mind took a backseat and her hands went to work. The latest craze was today’s special, which everyone was hungry to sink their teeth into. In loopy letters, it was written on the chalkboard sign: This little piggy went to the bistro! Barbeque pork sliders with garlic aioli Cheddar and baby spinach BBQ pork panini Bacon-wrapped broiled BBQ hot dog.
When preparing the specials, Gia couldn’t help but think of the impending visit with editor James McCarthy. Nope, can't think about that now. It wouldn't help hungry patrons if she were crouched in a corner hyperventilating into a paper bag. Instead, she tried a sample of each special. Of course, for professional reasons. The honey and smoky taste of the BBQ sauce infused in each was rich but subtle with just the right amount of tang. She wanted to make sure customers were going to love it.
Which they did.
Familiar faces came and went, including the Anderson sisters: Polly, Dolly, and Molly—fraternal middle-aged triplets who ran the town’s hair salon, the Cut ‘n’ Curl. Polly and Dolly were visibly annoyed with their third, Molly, the outspoken one of the bunch who was currently having a tough time deciding whether to get the shredded pork slider or bacon hot dog. Or forgo both and just get an order of fries.
“Hurry up, Mol. I have to get back before Janice needs to rinse.” Polly crossed her arms.
“All right, all right. I’ll take the bacon-wrapped dog,” she said.
Gia nodded. “Excell—”
“And the slider. Double pork.”
“For heaven’s sake, Mol.” Dolly groaned.
“What? You think I should get fries too?” Molly winked at Gia. “A side of that too, please. I better not catch either one of you sneaking a fry.” She glared at her sisters. “I will be counting.”
<<<>>>
Hour after hour flew by. During a much-needed break, Gia poured herself a glass of lemonade. The cold beverage cascaded down her dry throat.
“G, could I talk to you for a minute?” Tony said at the other end of the counter. He didn’t look happy.
What did I do now? She racked her brain. She planned on telling him Rob’s update, since it was starting to hit close to home, but she’d been too busy.
Tony shut the door behind them in his tiny office and leaned against his messy desk with his jaw clenched. His caramel-colored eyes she could swim in all day narrowed.
I’m in deep. “I’m sorry,” she threw out.
“Go on.” He crossed his arms.
“Fooorr... whatever... it is I did...” She was struggling. In situations like this she was good at winging it, but the heat of his glare wasn’t helping.
“What did you do?” He arched an eyebrow.
Ah, tough move, Gia thought. How long could she keep up with this charade? “I was hoping you’d remind me.”
He stepped forward then doubled over, holding his gut. Laughing. “You didn’t do anything, babe.” He straightened, not hiding a smirk.
“Mature.” She swatted his arm. “You had me sweating for nothing. What’s with that anyway?”
“No reason.” He grinned, tugging the front of her shirt closer to him and planting a kiss on her nose.
“That’s a reason,” she pointed out.
“Mm-hmm. So is this.” He cupped her face and proceeded to make her mind go blank and her body float. “Today’s been busy. I just need ten minutes alone with you.”
“Make it twenty.”
“Really?” His grin was wolfish.
“Yes, but to talk. I had a conversation with Rob this morning that I want to run by you.” She briefed him about what was happening with Chris and his father’s murder. When finished, she realized it wasn’t much.
“You’re right to wait it out,” Tony said.
“That’s what I told Rob to do too. But as time passes, and nothing points to Chris or somebody for that matter, I’m afraid Sheriff Baker is going to investigate new suspects.”
“Your parents,” Tony concluded.
“Yes.” Gia collapsed in a rickety chair that faced his desk. “Which is ridiculous. I’m not even going to list the many pretexts as to why it is.” Tony watched her purse her lip. A crease wrinkled her forehead. The wheels are turning, he thought.
“What do you have planned?” he asked.
“Why do you ask?” She looked away.
“G.”
She sagged her shoulders “Nothing... yet. I feel like
I’m getting ahead of myself.”
“I don’t see the harm in being prepared.” Tony
shrugged. “Whatever happens, just know I’d do anything to help.”
“Thank you,” Gia said. It was reassuring to hear him say it aloud. She went to him when he crooked his finger.
“We still have...” He checked his watch. “Nine minutes.”
“I’m listening.” She traced her fingertips along his tattoo.
“How about we—”
“Gia! Come here—” Julian barged in, screeching to a halt. “Whoops, am I interrupting?” He shifted from one foot to the other.
The two simply scowled back at him.
Pressing his small hands together, Julian said, “I was simply going to say the football team arrived with an order of seventy-five loaded chili hotdogs, and we can use all the help we can get. But if you want Coach to go to Triple B’s instead…”
Tony snatched a black apron off the back of his office chair. “Guess we better get to work.”
6
Another full day came and went, a reminder that the world doesn’t stop revolving. The sun doesn’t stop setting or the moon rising.
And Friday approached with an iron fist.
The hour of the bistro closing long passed and the evening grew. Gia stared up at the shadowed sky. Periwinkle clouds slowly chased the receding peach sunset.
Suddenly, everything went completely dark.
“Petey, you’re ruining the view,” she said against his fur. He raised up, remaining perched on her chest. What gave him the idea that laying his body on a person’s face was polite?
They were on the lawn of the Greenville lake. Other residents roamed the massive field. Some sat on the many benches or walked around the lake’s trail. Regardless of where, the spectacle of the tall fountain positioned in the center of the lake was center of attention. It projected neon lights sparkling the water.
“Hey.” Tony dropped beside her. Jade, the gentle giant and black beauty, took residence next to him.
“Hey yourself. You’re late,” Gia said.
“Blame Jade. The neighbor’s cat escaped again. Have you ever tried prying a hundred and thirty-pound dog away from watching
a troublemaking tabby?”
“Sadly, no. Did you bring the stuff?”
“Babe.” Tony shook his head, amused. He untied the plastic bag he brought, pulling out a Tupperware container and two spoons. “Of course I did.” He unlatched the lid and passed Gia a spoon. She scooped out a large chunk of the sweet contents into her mouth.
“What do you think?” He watched the array of emotions play across her face.
“Amazing.” She nodded. “I must say, you’ve got a true talent in gelato-making.” At the moment, a total genius in mastering dark chocolate gelato. She swallowed the last lump of chocolaty goodness.
Ten points goes to the one who guessed she’d dive in for seconds!
“You should see my freezer. It’s like a bookshelf. There’s so many flavors stacked in there,” Tony explained.
“Hmm. I suppose a toast is in order.” Gia raised her spoon. “A toast to one of the greatest inventions of mankind. Without it, the creation of gelatos would be a Herculean task and we’d all be sharing an ice drift in the artic while waiting for our gelatos to set.”
“To freezers?” His brows lifted.
“To freezers... and chocolate, of course.” They clinked their spoons, then proceeded to polish off the rest of the cold, creamy dessert in comfortable silence. A dull buzz erupted from Gia’s tote bag. She thought she switched her phone to silent. Taking it out, the readout showed it was her dad calling.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Hello, Gia.” He sounded tired. No “Tater Tot”?
“Are you okay?” she frowned.
Tony sat up and shifted closer. He clearly heard the sigh her dad released on the other end of the phone.
“You know how gossip spreads fast,” Dad started.
“I very much do.” She tried to laugh. It sounded forced.
“Well, I wanted you to hear this from me rather than anyone else...”
“What is it?”
“Your mother and I were asked to see Sheriff Baker. We just left his office a few minutes ago.”
“He questioned you about John?” Gia guessed, glancing at Tony.
“Yes... He had us recount the times John showed up at the diner. In the end... we’ve been asked to not leave town. But more specifically... me.”
“Baker thinks you’re a suspect, doesn’t he?”
“Now, Gia—”
“That’s impossible. You didn’t just leave the diner to go kill a man! Not only are you not the type of person, but there were dozens of people in the building who could confirm your whereabouts. That alone shouldn’t make you a suspect.”
There was silence on the other end. “Dad?”
“I did leave.”
Her heart dropped.
“After you and Tony stepped out, I got a call from Howey Stover. He wanted me to stop by his greenhouse. Your mom and I buy the herbs and vegetables he grows to add to breakfast recipes. He said a batch of ripe tomatoes and parsley was ready for me to pick up. I told Sherry where I was going. Not that she was paying no mind since she was focused on wringing your brother’s neck. And I drove there and back in under thirty minutes. Baker stated it was enough time to drive the route John’s limo went, go see Howey, and then come back.”
“Can’t you show him the bag of parsley you bought? Or what about Howey? Isn’t the sheriff going to talk to him?”
“No, honey. Howey left yesterday afternoon on a cruise with his wife to celebrate their anniversary. I was the last customer he conducted business with before he took off. Everyone knows Howey only has a landline at the greenhouse, no cell phone. Plus, he’s got a sign outside the greenhouse that he was leaving town and his grandson will be taking over. I suggested the Sheriff track down the cruise number and locate Howey.”
“And?”
“The sheriff didn’t seem too interested to get started.”
“So, that’s it, then?” Gia felt sick and raving angry. “You’re now being suspected in the murder of John Burke?”
“I’m afraid so.”
Tony was growing anxious by the second as he waited for Gia to hang up the phone with her dad. And when she finally did, she explained the worst they predicted had happened. The fear in her voice crushed him inside. Bracing themselves did no good.
“In the morning, I want to talk to the other shop
owners,” she said. “There has to be someone else who despised John enough and built up the courage to kill him.” Her bets were either Chris or Frank, who Rob mentioned had displayed his hate for the man publicly.
“I’ll go with you. Greta, Julian, and the new hires can cover the bistro.” He tugged her to him, tucking her head under his chin. “Everything will be okay, G.”
She said nothing and pulled away.
<<<>>>
Morning rolled in and carried with it unpredictability. Gia hopped in Tony's truck when he pulled up to the curb. She told him to swing by Jennie’s complex to also pick her. Th—the more help to get the attention off her parents, the better. From there, they drove out of Greenville and crossed the bridge into JewelCove.
“Okay, what’s the plan?” Jennie asked.
She, Gia, and Tony stood on the sidewalk of Main Street. A few steps away was Abby Norwitz's antique store, and next door was Santiago Taffy. Gia briefed Brad on who everyone was and how one of them could be the murderer. It was most likely that Abby—a woman in her seventies—hadn’t bludgeoned John but perhaps her nephew, Georgie, who worked alongside her, did the deed instead.
People strolled around them, some carrying coolers and towels, heading toward the beach, gearing up for a day of leisure and cold-beer-drinking relaxation while Gia was tasked to unearth a killer. Her parents didn’t know they were there nor had an inkling as to what they were doing, and she would like to keep it that way.
She contacted her older brothers to give them a heads up. They weren’t thrilled to find out their little sister was conducting her own investigation, but eased up when she said Tony and Brad were accompanying her. Rob was doing his part by listening for anything new, appeasing Mom and Dad at the diner, and running out individuals who hassled them for being on the police’s radar. However, no one was choked up over the death. Richie was doing the same at his establishment. Every Rizzo was on deck, including the twins, even though they were hours away. Reese and Russell would notify her if they dug up anything detrimental from John’s past.
“Let’s split up to save time. Jennie, you take the taffy shop. Remember what we talked about. We don’t want to start trouble. Just inquire about the recent murder, and gauge their thoughts on John—”
“And find out if they have any homicidal tendencies.”
“Basically.”
“Got it. Watermelon or grape?” Jennie asked.
“Do you really have to ask?”
“Right, sorry. Watermelon it is. And you?” Jennie asked Tony who looked confused. “I’m covering as a customer. I need to buy taffy or they’ll get suspicious.”
“Is she for real?” Tony asked her.
“Do you really have to ask?” Gia said again.
He rolled his eyes and went with green apple. “We’ll meet back here and take on Frank together.”
7
The tiny shop, Shells by the Shore Antiques, was packed with glossy wooden tables and shelves. Seashells, wind chimes, and other aquatic art pieces covered every surface. Gia maneuvered smoothly through the cramped store. Tony, on the other hand, cursed, bumping into a postcard rack.
“Control yourself, big guy.” Gia giggled. He was like an elephant tiptoeing through a bubble wrap factory.
“Keep laughing,” he growled, ducking while nearly colliding into a long glass seashell ornament dangling from the ceiling.
“Can I help you?” asked a thin elderly woman. She was an inch shorter than Gia and wore a sea-green cotton dress and a dark blue cardigan. A chain carrying her glasses hung from her neck. She slid them on. “Oh my, you’re Sherry and David’s daughter Gia! Dear, you’ve grown to be suc
h a beautiful woman. I’m Abby, I used to watch over you when you were little.” She smiled.
“I’m sorry, I don’t... remember.” Gia returned the smile, though confused.
“It’s okay. I didn’t babysit. I was more keeping an eye out on you and your brothers when you came walking home from school down the sidewalk here. I’d report in to your mama if anything fishy was going on. Especially with young Richie. Strange one, he is.” Abby hummed a laugh.
“My mom had a spy?” Her voice went an octave higher. Being shocked was short-lived. Gia was used to the many oddities her mom bestowed on her over the years.
“Spies, dear. Sherry wanted to cover all her bases with you kids. And you are?” Abby squinted at Tony. “Santino! Time has done you wonders, young man. Rose had me keep an eye on you too.”
Tony stiffened, hearing his mother’s name.
“Mrs. Norwitz, do you have a minute to talk?” Gia brought the attention back to her.
“Of course, come on back.”
Abby pivoted the corner and steered them to a peach-colored sofa with blue and red fish printed on the material. Matching armchairs flanked the loudly-toned couch. Gia wondered if the set was for sale or just for decoration. The light layer of dust on the price tag gave her an answer. She shared the sofa with Abby while Tony occupied a chair.
“What would you like to talk about, dear?” Abby radiated excitement. Not a lot of folks must stop to shoot the breeze. Could it be the psychedelic couch that chased people away?
“John Burke.” Gia came right out with it.
“Oh.” Abby’s face fell. “Very unfortunate. He brought bad energy into town and even after death, it lingers." She explained how unbalanced the town became, tittering on frustration and outrage when the arrogant man stormed in, acting as if JewelCove was his. "Flashy retail shops," Abby snorted. "That was the future for Main Street. Of course, no one was going for that. We're a tight community who thrive on hard work. A slick city man wasn't going to ruin that. Let alone have it passed by town officials."