Free Killer Cannoli (A Terrified Detective Mystery Book 2) by Carole Fowkes

he’s still mine. You said yourself he doesn’t go after other women, although I’m sure most would take him up on it. That’s kind of a turn-on, ya know?”
    If an oiled-up guy in a G-string is your type. “Yeah, sure.”
    “So I’m gonna go enjoy myself and watch him squirm.” She chuckled. “Or gyrate.”
     We settled up and she left a happy customer. So happy she gave me a bonus. I still didn’t understand her thinking, but wished all my cases turned out as well.
    ***
    At noon, Ed was waiting for me outside Cannoli’s . Although I was on time as soon as I parked, he practically tore my car door off.
    “Come on, kiddo. I don’t want them to think I’m just loitering.”
    He may have been eager to talk with Aunt Lena, but I wasn’t. All the way over, I’d tried unsuccessfully to put the right words together, hoping to let her down easy. I finally realized there was no good way to do this. Disappointing people is one of my biggest fears, even more so when it’s someone I care about.
    On unwilling legs, I entered Cannoli’s kitchen with Ed close behind me. I caught a whiff of something woodsy and masculine. Dear God, Ed had on cologne.
    “Hello,” I announced. My aunt didn’t look up from the dough she was rolling. “Thank the lord you’re here, Claire. Go help your father before he passes out over the display case and smudges it.”
    I grabbed an apron. “Aunt Lena, look who’s with me.”
    In a voice as smooth as panna cotta, Ed said, “Hey, Lena.”
    Her head shot up and she rubbed her forehead with the back of her hand. Unfortunately, a clump of dough that was clinging on it now stuck to that part of her face.
    Ed took a step toward her and motioned to his own forehead. His voice was soft, even sweet. “You got some flour or something there.”
    “Oh.” She brushed the clump off. “Nice to see you again. First time we met I was a mess.”
    He smiled. “You were just fine. The situation stunk.”
    She blushed. “Appreciate you saying that, but—”
    Angie burst through the door. “Hey, got any more of the frosted cucidati? Some lady wants three dozen.” Then she noticed Ed. “Well, hello there.”
    He gave her a half-smile. “I’m Ed. And you’re?”
    Aunt Lena said, “Angela Frankowsky.” She then murmured, “Also known as ‘Never met a man she didn’t like’ Angie.” She stepped over to a multilevel aluminum holder and pulled out a full tray of the date cookies and shoved them toward Angie. “Here you go.”
    Angie grabbed the tray, and without taking her eyes off Ed, added, “Me and Lena have been friends since grade school. Course she’s a year older than me.”
    I watched this exchange, fascinated. Could both these women find Ed attractive? In his gray slacks and fitted shirt he was better dressed than I’d ever seen him, but as the prize in a mating game? I didn’t dare chuckle, but at least for a moment it took my mind off what lay ahead of me.
    Aunt Lena’s chin jutted out. “You better get back with those cookies and help Frank.”
    Ed reached for the tray. “I can carry that for you.”
    “How sweet! Thank you.”
    Lena scowled but kept her voice light. “Angie, you can haul a lot more weight yourself. Don’t go all helpless now.”
    Ed suppressed a grin. He was enjoying this.
    Angie smiled sweetly enough to satisfy the angels, but her comeback was pure devil. “Yes, I can. That’s part of being physically fit.” She outlined her body with her hands. “At least I was able to keep my girlish figure.”
    My aunt huffed and I thanked heaven when Ed interrupted. “Both you women have it going on, believe me.” He headed out the door to the dining room with Angie in tow.
    Alone with my aunt, my mind returned to what I needed to say. I cleared my throat. My mouth didn’t get my brain’s memo about diplomacy and my uncensored words tumbled out. “Larry was really Joey Corozza from Newark. He was connected to a mob guy named Michael Bucanetti.”
    Her