Bake Me a Murder (26 page)
Authors: Carole Fowkes
Tags: #Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, #Mystery, #Cozy, #Culinary, #Women Sleuths
He turned my chin so I faced him. “One thing I’m learning is to not take anything about you for granted.”
“That’s good. Isn’t it?” My heart began to pick up the pace.
His blue eyes searched my brown ones. “Not for a relationship. That is, if you want one.”
My heart, having begun trotting at a faster rate, now sped like it wanted to break through my chest. I pulled away from Corrigan and reached for another piece of chocolate, nibbling it to give myself some time before responding. Would a relationship with him be like eating chocolate, warm and delicious, but not necessarily good for me? Or was this my chance to move beyond my miserable romantic past? With some effort I swallowed the candy and my fear. I rested against him and knew my answer.
His lips met mine and we settled in for a long seal-the-deal kiss.
The ringing of my phone barely registered. It stopped and started up again. With a moan, I pulled away and took the call.
“Claire! It’s Gino.”
“Hi, Gino. Sorry I didn’t call you back.”
“No big deal. Got some great news and thought you should be the first to know.”
I pushed my hair away from my face. “What is it?”
“I’m coming back to Cleveland. It’ll be like old times.”
My shoulders slumped. “Great. When?” To my ears, my word sounded false, even if Gino didn’t seem to notice.
“A few weeks, maybe a month. Can’t wait to see the old place.”
“Uh huh.” A hitch in my breath. “So, what exactly will you be doing when you get back?”
“Little of this, little of that. Ya know. See if my detective skills are still sharp.”
I wanted to scream, “You can’t have the business back.” But he could. It was technically still his. My entire body felt heavy and immobile.
“I’d love to keep up the chit chat, but I got to get movin’ and shakin’. Tell Frank I’ll see him soon.”
I dragged the phone down the side of my cheek and stared at the wall. So much for working with Corrigan. When Gino got back, I’d be relegated to typing up reports and checking out phony injuries
Hell, no.
I balled up my fists. No going backwards for me. Sure, I spent a lot of time in my new career being terrified, but some bad people were off the streets because of me. Returning to the role of ‘associate’ wasn’t an option.
“What’s going on, Claire?”
I told him about Gino and my concerns regarding my career.
Corrigan put his arm around me. “It’ll turn out fine.”
Doubtful. I stuck out my lower lip. There was too much unfinished business with Michael Bucanetti for me to go back to the role I’d had when Gino ran the agency. Things were different now. My family and I weren’t safe until I put that mobster away.
An idea sparked in my brain. I’d continue on the path begun when Gino left me the business. Even with him returning, I’d manage it.
I looked Corrigan in the eyes. “You’re right. It’ll turn out fine."
A Recipe…
Pesto
Fresh basil (I don’t measure, but it’s about 2 handfuls)
1/3 cup grated Romano cheese
2 Tbsp olive oil
¼ cup pine nuts
1-2 chopped cloves garlic
Fresh ground pepper to taste
Place basil in food processor. Toast pine nuts on the stove in a non-stick pan until they’re shiny and light golden, 2-3 minutes. Add to basil. Add the rest of the ingredients and process until all ingredients are well mixed.
This pesto can be used on pizza or over cooked pasta. Either way, it’s delicious.
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Plateful of Murder
Claire DeNardo is scared of a lot of things. Ordinary objects like roller coasters and men's hairpieces make her knees knock loud enough to be a band’s rhythm section. Unfortunately, the only job Claire can find is working for her Uncle Gino in his seedy detective agency. Until now, her cases have all been middle-aged men with trophy wives who needed watching. But when Gino retires and leaves her in charge, Claire quickly gets swept up in a murder case despite her fears. Both the client who hired her and the handsome police detective want her off the case. When the wrong person is charged, it’s up to the terrified detective to summon all the courage she can to find the true killer.
Killer Cannoli
Private Investigator Claire DeNardo visits her Aunt Lena’s café, Cannoli’s, and discovers a romance brewing between her aunt and a new customer. Claire’s suspicions that he’s lying about his identity prove solid when he’s found dead at the café. Claire ignores the warnings of Police Detective Brian Corrigan and delves into the dead man’s life. In the process, she realizes her aunt may unwittingly possess what the killer wants. And it’s not her tiramisu recipe.
Acknowledgements
I’d like to thank my husband, Greg, for his encouragement. Nikki and Joanne for their help when it wasn’t convenient for them to offer it. Patience, Rae-Dawn, and Bill for their excellent input, and to Kathleen, for her expertise, support and her belief in my writing.
Copyright
Copyright © 2016 by Carole Fowkes
eBook conversion by
Ink Lion Books
Cover by Kathleen Baldwin
Copy Edited by Michelle Morrow
Release date: January 2016
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Table Of Contents
Table of Contents