by B R Snow
“Even better,” Agent Tompkins said. “But I’m not sure I can come up with a good reason to justify the trip.”
“Maybe the smuggling thing you mentioned will pan out,” Josie said.
“You haven’t changed a bit have you, Josie?” he said.
“It’s a little late for that, Agent Tompkins,” she said, laughing.
“Enjoy cooking school,” he said. “And please be careful.”
“Will do,” Chef Claire said. “Good night.”
She ended the call. Agent Tompkins allowed himself a few moments to think about how good she sounded, and he wondered if she still looked as good as she had a few years ago. Pushing aside all what might have been thoughts, he found the number stored in his phone and made the call.
“I was just about to give you a call,” the voice said.
“I hear we had a bit of a problem at the villa tonight,” Agent Tompkins said.
“How the heck did you know that?”
“I just got a call from Chef Claire and Josie,” he said. “You know who I’m talking about, right?”
“Sure. They’re a little hard to miss. Why did they call you?”
“They had some questions about our friend,” he said.
“Okay. But how do you know them?”
“I met them a couple of years ago when I was working another case,” Agent Tompkins said. “I gave them my card and told them to call me if they ever needed my help.”
“They’re suspicious about Georgio?”
“I think they’re just being nosy,” he said. “You won’t have any problems with them. We’re lucky their other friend isn’t there. She’s a total snoop. And really good at it.”
“Okay.”
“But do me a favor,” Agent Tompkins said. “Keep an eye on them and out of harm’s way.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“She really dropped dead?”
“Yeah. The local cops are leaning toward natural causes. But that’s going to change if they decide to do an autopsy.”
“What are the odds they won’t?”
“I have no idea. It’s not like I can insert myself into their investigation.”
“No, you can’t,” Agent Tompkins said. “But this means he might have brought it with him.”
“It does. But I have no idea why he decided to kill her. It sounded like they were about to hook up again.”
“Any chance Emerson got his hands on it?” he said.
“I seriously doubt it. My gut tells me Emerson is about to be cut out of whatever deal they’re working on. And they almost came to blows tonight.”
“What about our other friend?”
“Marco?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m not positive yet. But I’m pretty sure he’s just a dupe who somehow managed to get sucked up in this thing.”
“Okay. Well, keep me posted.”
“Will do.”
“Hey, how’s cooking school going?”
“It’s really good. Tomorrow we’re all helping out preparing the feast.”
“Feast?”
“All Saints’ Day. It’s a national holiday.”
“I’m not familiar with it,” Agent Tompkins said.
“That’s because you haven’t stepped inside a church in twenty years.”
“I’ve been busy. What is it?”
“It’s the day when all the Catholic saints are celebrated collectively.”
“Oh, so it’s sort of like Presidents’ Day?”
“I doubt if the Vatican would agree with your analogy, but close enough. Good night, Agent Tompkins.”
“Yeah, get some sleep.”
“That’s good advice. Maybe you should take it.”
Chapter 13
Josie and Chef Claire leaned against one of the kitchen counters sipping cappuccino and working their way through warm muffins the staff had made. Josie swallowed a bite and nodded her appreciation before glancing over at Chef Claire who was holding up her muffin and examining it as if it were some sort of lab specimen.
“Incredible, huh?” Josie said, topping off their coffees.
“Yeah, they’re great,” Chef Claire said, still inspecting her muffin.
“Are you going to eat it or interrogate it?”
“I’m checking out the color and texture.”
“I like the raisins and walnuts,” Josie said. “And the pepper is a nice touch. It makes them pop. But I’m getting something else I can’t quite put my finger on.”
“It’s red wine,” Chef Claire said, finally sliding the last of the muffin into her mouth. “Marco said it’s one of the traditional items he and Rosa serve on All Saints’ Day.”
“Don’t forget to get the recipe,” Josie said, reaching for another.
“Already on my list,” Chef Claire said, then nodded at the entrance to the kitchen where Georgio was huddled with Marco and engaged in an intense, whispered conversation.
“I’d love to know what they’re talking about,” Josie said, then glanced around the kitchen where the others were chatting in hushed tones. “In fact, I’d like to know what everybody is talking about.”
“They’re probably wondering if Marco might cancel class today. Or maybe even the rest of the week.”
“The thought crossed my mind as well,” Josie said. “But if he had, we probably wouldn’t have gotten these muffins. These are amazing. Besides, canceling the rest of the week would mean we’d all be getting refunds.”
“I suppose,” Chef Claire said, over the top of her cup. “And most people hate giving money back.”
“Especially people who might have already spent it?” Josie whispered.
“Great minds think alike,” Chef Claire said, nodding as she glanced at the doorway where Georgio and Marco were still whispering to each other. “You think Marco and Rosa might be having financial troubles?”
“I think it’s possible,” Josie said. “And if this guy Georgio is involved in even half the stuff Agent Tompkins hinted at last night, Marco and Rosa must know about it, right?”
“I’d be surprised if they didn’t,” Chef Claire said.
“And why would anybody bring a guy like him into their business unless they didn’t have any other choice?” Josie said.
“Exactly,” Chef Claire said. “Eventually, somebody is going to catch Georgio and put him away for a long time.”
“They usually do at some point,” Josie said, taking another look around the kitchen.
“And when they do, wouldn’t anybody doing business with Georgio be in serious trouble? Or at least find themselves having to answer a whole lot of questions?”
“Another good point,” Josie said, then turned to Chef Claire with a big grin. “Well, look at us.”
“What?”
“We’re turning into quite the pair of amateur sleuths,” Josie said, gently punching Chef Claire on the shoulder.
“Hanging around Suzy must be rubbing off.”
“Sure, sure,” Chef Claire deadpanned.
“Good one,” Josie said, raising her cup in salute, then leaned in closer to whisper. “So, who do you think Agent Tompkins’ undercover agent is?”
“I don’t know,” Chef Claire said. “I’ve been going back and forth on it since the call last night. It’s driving me nuts.”
“Suzy calls it the itch you can’t scratch,” Josie said.
“Then I guess we should do the logical thing and ask ourselves the question,” Chef Claire said.
“What would Suzy do?” Josie said.
“You’re on fire this morning,” Chef Claire said, laughing.
“Yeah, and on only four hours of sleep,” Josie said. “I think we know what Suzy would do.”
“Start asking a bunch of questions and annoying the crap out of everybody?”
“That’s the one,” Josie said, nodding. “I guess it couldn’t hurt to try.”
“Who do you want to start with?”
“I think the agent might be the
surfer dude,” Josie said, nodding in his general direction. “I never bought the my parents made me do it argument.”
“He does seem a little old to be worrying about what his parents think about his life choices.”
“But he is a trust fund guy,” Josie said. “When you consider that, it starts to make some sense.”
“You’re talking yourself out of it already?” Chef Claire said, frowning.
“No, just considering all the options,” Josie said, making a face at her. “Who do you think it might be?”
“I thought we might start by eliminating people from the list and see who’s left.”
“I like it.”
“Thank you,” Chef Claire said. “Well, for starters, I think we can eliminate the Peccati couple.”
“The catering folks?” Josie said, glancing at the couple sitting quietly at the kitchen island waiting for class to start. “Good call. I agree. Who else do you want to take off the list?”
“Emerson,” Chef Claire said.
“Where is he?”
“I think he went golfing.”
“So much for the mourning period,” Josie said, shaking her head.
“Maybe he finds solace in wide fairways and fast greens,” Chef Claire said. “I’m not ready to remove him from the list of suspects, but if he’s in business with Georgio, I seriously doubt if he’s working with the FBI.”
“No, hang on,” Josie said. “Using someone like Emerson would be the ultimate deep-cover operation, right? You know, get right to the source of the problem.”
Chef Claire gave the idea some thought before shaking her head.
“Nah, I don’t like it,” she said. “Rosa said Emerson and Georgio have been working together for years.”
“Maybe Emerson has also gotten himself into serious trouble,” Josie said. “And the only way to get out of it is by cooperating with the Feds. Yeah, I think it’s possible they might have flipped him.”
“Flipped him?” Chef Claire said, glancing over with a grin. “Suzy is definitely rubbing off on you.”
“It does kind of roll off the tongue,” Josie said. “Flipped him.”
“I think it’s a long shot,” Chef Claire said, taking another look around the kitchen. “What do you think about Betty?”
“Betty? If she’s an FBI agent, she missed her calling,” Josie said. “She should be an actress.”
“She’d be perfect,” Chef Claire said. “Nobody would ever suspect her of being a Fed.”
“I can’t argue with that,” Josie said. “But, no. I don’t see it. As much as I don’t want to believe it, I keep going back to the most logical person.”
“Natalie.”
“Yeah,” Josie said, glancing at Russian woman who was chatting quietly with Betty. “An ex-spy now working for the Feds. I don’t have any problem making that work.”
“There’s only one problem with that theory,” Chef Claire said. “From everything we know about her, Natalie loves working on the dark side. I think she’s here for another reason.”
“Like getting her hands on whatever Georgio’s latest weapon is?”
“Yeah,” Chef Claire said. “Given her background, I don’t think she’d ever agree to work undercover for the U.S. government.”
“Do you think she might have been the one who killed Bronwyn?” Josie whispered.
“I think it’s possible. But I sure hope she didn’t do it. Natalie’s kind of weird, but I like her.”
“Yeah, me too,” Josie said. “Well, that’s all the students.” Then she glanced at Chef Claire. “Unless you’ve been holding out on me.”
“Oh, you caught me,” Chef Claire said, laughing.
“This stuff is harder than it looks,” Josie said. “How does she make it look so easy?”
“Suzy has a gift,” Chef Claire said, then frowned. “Maybe we’re coming at it the wrong way.”
“How so?”
“Maybe the undercover agent isn’t one of the students,” Chef Claire said. “Maybe it’s someone inside.”
“Inside the villa?” Josie said, giving it some thought. “That’s an interesting idea. Marco or Rosa? Or both of them?”
“I sure hope not,” Chef Claire said, setting her empty mug down on the counter. “But they did make the decision to bring Georgio in as an investor. I still can’t understand why they would do that.”
“I like the financial problems angle,” Josie said. “You know, black market money. No need to go to the bank for a loan.”
“Maybe,” Chef Claire said. “How about the guy who runs the staff? What’s his name?”
“Enrico,” Josie said. “He is always hanging around.”
“That’s what you want from your staff,” Chef Claire said. “But he would be in a great position to overhear all sorts of things.”
“He would,” Josie said, conceding the point. “I don’t know. I’m stuck.”
She stared off deep in thought for several moments until Chef Claire noticed.
“What is it?”
“There is one other possibility about who the undercover agent is,” Josie whispered. “Or was?”
“Bronwyn?” Chef Claire said. “Wow. I hadn’t even considered that. You think the Feds had managed to turn her against her husband and ex-boyfriend?”
“And Emerson and Georgio had figured it out,” Josie said. “Maybe the fights she and Emerson were having didn’t have anything to do with their marriage. And we did run into Georgio coming out of her room the day we arrived.”
“Agent Tompkins had a strong reaction when we told him she was dead,” Chef Claire said.
“Yeah. I assumed he knew who she was because she was married to Emerson,” Josie said. “Maybe there’s more to it.”
“She seemed to be a self-absorbed trophy wife. What could she have done to get on the Feds’ radar?”
“Maybe something in her past surfaced,” Josie said, glancing at the doorway where Georgio and Marco were finishing their conversation. “They both look devastated.”
“They do,” Chef Claire said. “Okay, let’s keep an eye out during class and see if we can pick anything up.”
“Got it,” Josie said. “But for now, I’m going to pick up another of those muffins.”
“Grab me one while you’re there.”
Chapter 14
Marco faced the class, sighed loudly, and rocked back and forth on his heels. He glanced at Rosa who was standing next to him. Then he turned back to the group and addressed the elephant in the room.
“Given the tragic events of last night, I know all of you are still wondering what happened to Bronwyn as well as our plans for the rest of the week. Rosa and I discussed it at length last night, and we have decided to continue the classes. Since it appears Bronwyn died from natural causes, while unfortunate, there is no concern for anyone’s safety. And since most of you have traveled far and wide to be here, it didn’t seem right to deprive you of the chance to learn.”
Marco paused and waited until everyone nodded their understanding.
“This is going to be a difficult day for all of us,” Rosa said. “And since it is All Saints’ Day, followed by All Souls’ Day tomorrow, we’re asking everyone to keep Bronwyn in your thoughts and prayers as we move forward.”
Again, the group nodded. Marco and Rosa glanced at each other then she gestured for her husband to continue.
“Our schedule for the next two days will be a bit different so that you can enjoy our traditional events. The staff is handling a lot of the cooking today, but you will be expected to prepare two items. Rosa and I will be splitting you into two groups of four. The first session half of you will learn how to make risotto while the other group will be taught how to make a special treat usually only made at this time of year. Pane dei Morti.”
“Pane dei Morti?” Lance, the surfer dude said, struggling with the pronunciation.
“Close enough,” Marco said, forcing a smile.
“What it’s called in English?” L
ance said.
“Bread of the Dead,” Marco whispered.
“Seems fitting,” Lance said, then flushed when the joke fell flat.
“Lance,” Betty said, her voice rising as she glared at the surfer. “That was completely uncalled for.”
“Sorry.”
“They’re a delicious cookie made on special occasions,” Marco said, glaring at Lance. “After lunch, we’ll switch, and you’ll be taught how to make the other item. We’re preparing an incredible feast made even better by your contributions. Be sure to bring your appetite. After dinner, we’ll spend the rest of the evening relaxing and drinking some great wine.”
“Not the briar patch,” Josie whispered to Chef Claire.
“Yeah, let’s hope the cops don’t show up today with bad news and ruin it,” Chef Claire said.
“I’ll be handling the risotto lesson while Rosa will be teaching you the ins and outs of making Pane dei Morti. How about Betty and Lance along with Chef Claire and Josie come with me while the rest of you stay here?”
He glanced around then nodded.
“Okay, let’s get started.”
Marco and his group headed for the far side of the kitchen where a couple of staff members were putting the finishing touches on Marco’s work area. He glanced around, nodded he was satisfied, and the staff departed. He spent several minutes going through the history and the basics of making the rice dish then turned everyone loose to try making a simple risotto.
“Don’t worry too much about the flavor at this point,” he said, after observing their initial efforts. “Try to focus on getting the consistency correct. You’re looking for creamy, but al dente rice. And remember to keep stirring.”
He took another look at how everyone was doing then headed for Chef Claire.
“This must be boring for you,” he said.
“Not at all,” Chef Claire said, stirring her dish. “My risotto needs work.”
“I seriously doubt it,” he said, laughing. “How are you and Josie holding up?”
“You mean about Bronwyn’s death?”
“Yeah, it was quite a shock,” he said. “To all of us.”
“Actually, Josie and I are pretty used to it.”
“What?”