Free Death by Cashmere by Sally Goldenbaum Page A

said they'd be through by this afternoon. I guess I can go up this weekend and gather up the rest of Angie's things."
    "Not alone," Nell said.
    Izzy agreed. "You're right, Aunt Nell. We'll do this together for Josie."
    A shadow fell over the table, and they looked up into the ample, perspiring face of Harry Garozzo. He leaned over the table, his waist buckling beneath the bend and his large baker's hands flat on the pocked wood surface. "Damn shame," he said. His voice was gruff with emotion. "Who would do such a horrible thing like this? Not anyone in Sea Harbor."
    "That seems to be the sentiment, Harry. Or at least the wish," Ben said.
    Harry pulled an empty chair over from another table and sat down. He wiped his hands on his stained bib apron. "I dunno what to think. Angie was a good girl." Harry scratched his bald head. He looked at their plates and frowned. "What, the food's bad? You're not eating? You donna like it?"
    Izzy, Nell, and Ben picked up pieces of their sandwiches.
    Harry nodded. Then he looked over his shoulder and lowered his voice so the customers lining up to buy roast beef and turkey, chunks of Vermont white cheddar, or his famous sourdough rolls couldn't hear him.
    "The thing is," he said in low tones, "Angie came in here a lot. I liked her. She didn't cook much, that one. But, oh my, she liked to eat." His round face broke into a smile. "And she couldn't get enough of my smoked turkey. I'd pile thin slices high on a sourdough roll, then a fat slab of Swiss, smother it with my Russian dressing. She ate those sandwiches like there was no tomorrow."
    "And?" Nell prompted, suspecting Harry had more on his mind than Angie's favorite food.
    Harry leaned closer. His bushy brows lifted up into his forehead. "Well, here's the thing. I didn't think much of it at the time because it was her business, you know? Not mine. I leave my customers alone with their privacy. But the other day Angie was eating in the back booth like she did. Just enjoying my turkey. And she gets a call on her cell. Her voice got louder than usual, and when I walked by on the way to the kitchen, I could see the look on her face. She wasn't happy, I'll tell you that much. And she told the caller never ever to bother her again. It was only business, she said. I thought that was strange, but that's what she said. 'It was only business.' And she told him she wouldn't be back, that he had the wrong idea. And then she said, and I remember it because her voice got stern, but it was shaking a little, too. She said if he ever bothered her again, she'd tell someone. 'I swear, I'll tell,' she said. 'And then where will you be?' "
    Harry looked up and frowned at a waiter neglecting an empty water glass.
    "Tell who?" Nell asked.
    "Harry, tell who ?" Izzy insisted, drawing Harry back to the conversation. "You said that Angie was going to tell someone. Who was it?"
    Harry paused for effect; then he looked from side to side, checking to see that all his customers were enjoying their sandwiches and the wicker baskets on the tables were filled with bread sticks. He looked over at the deli counter and nodded, pleased that the line was moving quickly and no one had to wait too long.
    "Harry!" Izzy said, slapping the tabletop. "Who, Harry?"
    Harry looked back at Nell, Ben, and Izzy. He leaned in a little closer. "Angie said, and I heard it as clearly as I hear the dishes rattling in the kitchen . . ." Harry paused to wipe the perspiration off his forehead with the back of his hand.
    "Here's what she said, and she said it clearly and sternly and with a voice part frightened and part mad. She said, 'You back off, you leave me alone, or I swear I will tell your . . . your wife !' "
    Harry stood back up, straight and tall, and pleased with his performance, smiled at Ben, Nell, and Izzy, and lumbered off to his post behind the deli counter.

Chapter 10
    Nell and Izzy pondered Harry's startling story as they moved into their afternoon. If Harry had heard right,