Killer Cannoli (A Terrified Detective Mystery Book 2) Page 8

  I chuckled. “A novena? Really? Isn’t just one prayer enough?”

  She tapped the book lightly. “No. I’m saying a novena for Larry and then another one for you. I threw my car in at the last minute. Figured the Blessed Virgin wouldn’t mind. I’d have left it out and just prayed for your safety. That is, if you were still investigating.”

  I didn’t know what to say and was terrified that the scent of my deceitfulness would seep out my pores. While my aunt was praying for me, I was sneaking behind her back and lying to her. I left Cannoli’s under a cloud of guilt that followed me all the way home.

  ***

  Alex, leaning against the wall, waited for me outside my office door. He was gorgeous with his thick, golden hair and dark chocolate eyes. His charcoal grey suit fit like it had been sewn on him. I glanced down at my unadorned sheath dress and felt plain. At least I thought to wear my flirty heels and fixed my dark reddish-brown hair.

  “My apologies for making you wait. I got tied up with, uh, family stuff.”

  “No apologies necessary. I haven’t been here long.” He grinned, showing teeth so white he could’ve been in a toothpaste ad. “And family stuff is important.”

  “Sometimes more than others.”

  He nodded. “We can talk all about your family over dinner. I made reservations at Tonnito’s.”

  My tastebuds stood at attention and saluted. Tonnito’s had a reputation for food beyond good, into succulent. “I’ve heard it’s a really nice place.”

  “I know the sous chef and anything he’s involved with is usually fantastic.”

  Not only was this guy hot, but his choice of acquaintances was Claire-approved. My stomach joined in the excitement.

  I’d planned to drive over myself in case I needed a quick getaway, but he said, “If I’d been thinking straight, we could’ve just met at Tonnito’s. But now that we’re here, let’s go together.”

  Looking into those eyes, I couldn’t think of a reason to say no.

  We made small talk as we entered the restaurant and I lost my train of thought scanning the place. It was awash in peach and beige tones and the art on the walls looked like they cost more than what I would ever earn in my lifetime. Each table had fresh flowers, giving the room a splash of color.

  We were ushered to our table which was placed discreetly more than a few inches from other tables. I sank into the plush chair and smiled.

  Within a short time, Alex lifted the bottle of wine we’d ordered. “Would you like another glass, Claire?” He wore charm like a fine cologne and I took one dazzled whiff after another.

  My head was still on straight and I planned to keep it that way. “No, thanks. I’ve had enough.”

  “I like a woman who can say no and mean it.”

  My eyebrows shot up. “Pardon?”

  He laughed, “With liquor. Sometimes with other things. Don’t misunderstand. It’s just I like clear signals.” He rubbed his chin. “Maybe that was too much too soon?”

  I wasn’t sure. But there wasn’t any time for my answer because I caught a figure in the corner of my eye. Corrigan. Heading over to our table. My hand tightened around the stem of my wine glass and I pretended not to notice him. But that was as successful as a cat trying to write its name.

  Corrigan’s voice boomed. “If it isn’t little Claire DeNardo and her friend.” He turned to Alex and with a car salesman grin added, “Hello, Carpenter.”

  Alex nodded cordially. “Detective.”

  Corrigan’s smile disappeared. “So how’s your buddy, Cicarelli?”

  Alex slowly wiped his mouth with his napkin. “As far as I know, Nick is fine.”

  Corrigan glanced around. “Nice place, isn’t it? I was planning to bring someone here, but she changed her mind.”

  I could feel myself flushing and not from the wine. “Alex, would you excuse us for just a moment?” I had to get rid of Corrigan before he ruined the entire evening.

  Corrigan bowed stiffly, like something from an old movie. “Yes, Alex. Please do.”

  I stood and bumped my knee against the table. “Be back soon, I promise.” Corrigan followed me into the restaurant’s bar.

  Before I could say a word, he whispered harshly, “Bad enough you cancelled our date, but you come here with that photo-shopped, fancy-dressing thug.”

  I yanked my arm away. “First, I didn’t cancel. I barely accepted the date when your true nature reared its ugly head and it made me change my mind. I talked with Alex after that. And he’s not a thug.”

  “Wait.” Corrigan harrumphed, “My true nature?”

  “Yeah. A guy who’s so full of himself he can’t see good in others.” I placed my hands on my hips. “I bet you followed us here to spy.”

  His jaw clenched so tight I could see the tendons. “I’m a cop. I’m paid to be suspicious, and no I didn’t. In fact, I came to check out this place so everything would be perfect when we finally did go out. But I guess you’re having your perfect night tonight.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  He shrugged and I spun on my heel to go back to Alex. But Corrigan placed a hand on my shoulder. “Maybe I’m not Prince Charming, but neither is he.” His eyes shifted, like he was worried someone would hear him. “In fact, his uncle is Michael Bucanetti.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “There was no mention of that when I checked him out.” My stomach shriveled and my appetite vanished.

  Corrigan’s voice dropped and concern spread across his face. “Be careful. I don’t want anything happening to you.”

  That did it. Despite still being mad at him, I went as squishy as a chocolate bar left on the dashboard in summer. “Yeah. Well, I guess I better, you know, get back there.” I took some jittery steps toward to my table.

  Alex held my chair for me and I plopped down. He returned to his chair and looked around. I followed his eyes to two tables over, where Corrigan was being seated. “Are you okay staying here, Claire?”

  I held my menu up so he couldn’t see my face. “Sure, why not?”

  “He told you about my illustrious family. Didn’t he?” Alex sounded pained, maybe even embarrassed.

  I held my breath and hoped my menu pages weren’t rattling too much.

  “Claire. Please listen to me. I have nothing to do with them. My parents divorced when I was young and my father raised me by himself. He was an accountant. An honest one. When he died, my uncle took me in. It was that or go into the foster system.”

  I let my menu drop onto the table. I needed to learn more about Alex before the next date. I almost laughed. The way this one was going, I probably wouldn’t have to worry about a second one. “Thanks for telling me. Can we talk about something else?” I’d lost my appetite thanks to Corrigan, but scanned the menu anyway. I pointed to the Shrimp Fra Diavlo listed as a special. “I think I’ll have this.” I pointed to it on the menu. “It sounds good.”

  Alex, to his credit, played along with my ‘Let’s forget Corrigan’s here’ game. “Yeah, it does.” He motioned for our waiter.

  I ordered the dish and hoped it contained enough olive oil to slide through my constricted throat.

  We got through dinner, but I felt stiff, concentrating more on my food than on the company. I wanted to bolt from this dream-turned-nightmare date. I almost sighed out loud when he motioned for the check.

  He helped me on with my coat and, out of the corner of his mouth, said softly, “I’m sorry you were so uncomfortable.”

  “Wasn’t your fault.” I tilted my head toward Corrigan. “He’s the one who should be apologizing.”

  Alex opened the restaurant door for me and with a touch of mischief in his voice asked, “How about a dessert that’ll knock your socks off?”

  I smiled like a co-conspirator, pushing the Corrigan’s presence and his information from my mind. “If it’s got chocolate, my appetite is in your hands.”

  “I’ll settle for your hand in mine.” With that he took my hand and its warmth spread
good cheer through me better than any cup of eggnog ever did. We dashed to his car like we were after the world’s last piece of chocolate cake.

  We drove for about ten minutes when he made a final left turn then pulled into a parking lot. “Here we are.”

  He’d brought me to Cannoli’s.

  I laughed, a bit discomforted. “I’m real familiar with this place.” Maybe he already knew that. Maybe he’d planned to come here for his uncle, to scope it out. Or was I being paranoid? “You know, I have a really bad headache. Why don’t you just take me back to my office?” I rubbed my forehead, like that’d convince him.

  “Look, I know this date has been less than great. Let’s at least end it on a sweet note. Please.”

  I couldn’t refuse without looking like I’d let Corrigan plant ideas in my head. “Okay. But let’s get it to go and we can eat it back at my office. Less people, less noise. Better for my headache.” And less time for his snooping. I hoped my dad was behind the counter instead of Aunt Lena.

  Of course, as soon as we stepped inside, my aunt spotted me. “Frank, it’s Claire. She’s got her date with her.”

  There were only a handful of people in the place, but they all turned to gape at me. I couldn’t think of anything to say, so I waved like Miss America sitting on a parade float.

  Alex grinned. “Looks like this is your second home.”

  My dad strode over to us and stuck out his hand. “You must be Alex. I’m Claire’s father.”

  Aunt Lena stepped in front of my dad. “And I’m her aunt. Lena Antonucci.”

  Alex shook my dad’s hand and then my aunt’s. “Pleased to meet you both.” He turned to me. “I didn’t realize your aunt owned this place.”

  My aunt smiled. “You been here before?”

  He patted his flat belly. “My gym is getting rich from me working off your great desserts. Anyway, I thought Claire might enjoy something sweet.”

  My dad nodded. “That’s a good way to end the evening. You kids enjoy it.” He added, as if an afterthought, “You know, I’m leaving soon. I could take Claire home for you.”

  Aunt Lena laughed. “Frank, I should think he’d want to take her home himself. Maybe even smooch goodnight.”

  To my knowledge Cleveland doesn’t have sinkholes. But at that moment, I wished a big one would swallow me up.

  To my relief, Alex chuckled good-humoredly. “Thanks for the offer. But unless Claire feels differently, I’d just as soon be the one to wish her goodnight.”

  My dad glanced at me and seeing my clenched teeth and bug-eyed glare, waved his hands. “Okay by me. Just offering.”

  The last of the patrons, realizing the show was over, paid and left.

  I was still fuming over my dad acting like Alex was my first date ever. I wished I was in Miami with Gino, my former boss and suntan expert.

  Aunt Lena disappeared into the kitchen and reappeared with two plates weighted down with the largest pieces of chocolate strawberry cake I’d ever seen. “A new recipe.” She set them down on a table and motioned to us. “Sit and enjoy.”

  The appetite I’d lost at Tonnito’s returned and I grabbed a chair.

  Alex did the same. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything look so tempting.” He leaned over toward me and whispered, “Present company excluded.”

  Just then a beam from headlights shone through a window, followed by the slam of a car door. My aunt murmured, “I’ll let them know we’re closed.” But before she did, Corrigan pushed the dining room door open and stepped inside.

  I wanted to grab Alex’s hand and slink into the kitchen, but the detective’s eyes latched on to me like a con man’s onto a country bumpkin’s. “Excuse me for interrupting what I’m sure is a pleasant family interlude, but I wanted to check in on you, Mrs. Antonucci. Make sure everything is okay.” He nodded at my father. “Hi, Mr. DeNardo.”

  Aunt Lena bit her lower lip. “We’re all fine. I think.”

  Dad pumped Corrigan’s hand. “Great of you to stop by, Detective.”

  Corrigan’s eyes gleamed with mischief and he smirked. “Glad to do it, but I see Claire’s got it all under control.” He gritted his teeth. “Her and her date.”

  My father, the innocent that he is, asked, “Do you know Alex?”

  Alex stood. “We’re getting to be better acquainted.”

  I could have sworn Corrigan puffed out his chest, like a bull moose challenging another for a female.

  I closed my eyes, hoping that when I opened them, everyone would be gone and I’d realize this was all a dream. A very bad one.

  Instead the door between the kitchen and dining room swung open and a male voice rang out. “Anyone home?”

  It was Ed. He broke into a smile that reached his eyes when they fell on Aunt Lena. “Hey Lena. Lookin’ good.” He shook Dad’s hand. “Frank.”

  Then he glanced over at Alex and Corrigan and me. “Detective Corrigan. Great to see you again.” He stepped forward, barely concealing his amusement. “Claire, who’s your friend?”

  Before either Alex or I could respond, Corrigan growled, “His name is Alex Carpenter, and he was just leaving.”

  Alex responded to Corrigan’s idiotic answer. “He’s right about my name. Wrong about my leaving. And you are?”

  “Ed Horwath, Claire’s co-worker.”

  My aunt had slipped into the kitchen and now returned with two more plates with her chocolate strawberry cake. In a high-pitched voice useful with a room full of kindergarteners, she said, “Now, you boys sit down and have a piece of cake.”

  Wishing Corrigan would choke on his, I knew I couldn’t force down another bite. I clasped my aunt’s arm. “Thanks for the cake, Aunt Lena, but I’ve got a terrible headache. I just need to go home and lay down.”

  She winked at me. “Okay, I’ll put your and Alex’s slices in to-go boxes. Maybe you’ll want to eat them later. Together.”

  Carrying the Styrofoam containers, I hustled Alex out as soon as possible, half-expecting Corrigan to tail us. The excuse I’d used to escape Cannoli’s came true and my head now pounded mercilessly. I closed my eyes and massaged my temples, trying to erase the events of this evening from my mind. If it worked, I’d massage Alex’s temples too.

  Before he started the car I blurted out, “I’m really sorry.”

  He turned toward me. “I’m not. This has got to be one of the more entertaining evenings I’ve had.”

  My eyes narrowed. “Really?”

  “Yeah.”

  The vice squeezing my head loosened a bit. “If you liked that, stick around.”

  He chuckled. “I plan to.” His voice thickened. “If you didn’t feel so awful I’d love to…” He gently pulled my face toward him. “Kiss you like this.”

  Our faces were close enough that I could feel his breath. I closed my eyes, then his phone rang. I pulled back, the spell broken. “Go ahead and take it. A call this late must be important.”

  He groaned and yanked the phone out of his suit jacket, checking caller ID. He turned away from me and cupped his hand over his mouth. “Not now.” A pause. “Yeah, she’s here. Gotta go.”

  The hairs on the nape of my neck stood straight up. Was it his uncle, Michael Bucanetti? Was Alex supposed to report back? I felt lightheaded, but pushed any disappointment in my new found hottie to the back of my mind. I’d find out what was up first.

  Alex slipped his phone back in his suit pocket. “Where were we?” He leaned toward me again, but I pulled back. I had a flash of what I thought was a great idea. I’d divert him with kisses, get his phone and check the call history. But I couldn’t do all that in the car.

  Part one of my plan included placing my hands lightly on his chest and breathlessly asking, “Why don’t we go back to my office?” I added with a promise in my voice I had no intention of fulfilling, “There’s a comfortable sofa there.”

  His mouth curled up at one corner in an Elvis Presley grin. His voice turned husky. “Anything you say.” He floored it and we
sped out of the parking lot.

  Now to figure out how to get his phone without revealing too much of my own flesh.

  Chapter Fourteen

  As soon as we set foot in the sparsely furnished waiting area of my office, Alex’s lips were on mine. I couldn’t say it was unpleasant, but I had a mission. I tugged on his jacket. “Here, let me help you out of this.”

  He shucked it off and reached for me, but I evaded the grab. “I’ll hang it up for you. Give me a second.” I nodded toward my seen-better-days brown leather sofa. “Have a seat.”

  I hustled back into my office’s cramped eating area, clutching his jacket. Alert for his footsteps, I pulled out his phone. That bit of chocolate strawberry cake I’d eaten earlier was close to making a second appearance when I discovered the truth. The call had come from Bucanetti. I sighed. My ardent fantasies about Alex crumbled like a stale donut. I felt betrayed by hard reality. It always seemed to have a way of interfering with my love life.

  I jerked my thoughts back. What exactly was Alex’s role here? He didn’t seem like the type to get his hands dirty. No, he must just be the messenger. But my imagination flew wild and I shivered, thinking of Bucanetti sending some hired muscle to intimidate Aunt Lena.

  Alex called out from the other room. “Do you need some help?”

  I jumped then settled down. “Just a minute.”

  Maybe Corrigan was still at Cannoli’s. I cursed under my breath. “Damn.” My phone was in my purse, which sat on the sofa table next to Alex. I’d have to pass by him to use my business line. Nothing to do but go back out to Alex, hold my head high and lie. I pressed my hand against my stomach and took a deep breath.

  Alex slouched on the sofa and had already loosened his tie. He patted the space next to where he sat.

  I smiled but instead of joining him, I grabbed my purse and pulled out my phone. To stall, I gave Alex what I hoped was a seductive glance. “I’ll join you in a second. I just have to remind my dad about going car shopping with me.” I resisted the urge to dash into the other room out of earshot and strolled as casually as the adrenalin rushing through me would allow.