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

usually flushed face went as pale as her dough. “What? Are you sure?”
    I clasped her hands in mine. “Corrigan told me.”
    She stumbled over to the sink, washed her hands and returned to her kneading. Without looking at me she said, “Before you say anything, I want you to drop that thing you do, investigating Larry’s murder.”
    Music to my ears, but she was hurting and that hurt me.
    She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “It isn’t right for there to be any chance of you getting hurt because of my stupidity.” She slapped the dough so hard the table shook.
    Ed returned to the kitchen, but my aunt didn’t notice. “I’m too old to make mistakes like that. You think you can read people…” A soft sob broke through her words. I put my arm around her shoulders, murmuring phrases of consolation.
    Ed joined in with a gentle voice. “Everyone makes mistakes, Lena. And you’re not old at all.” He took out his handkerchief and handed it to my aunt. “Next time you’ll pick a good guy.”
    She sniffed and gave him a wavy smile. “If there is a next time.”
    “If I have my way, there will be.” He winked at her.
    This was going to be easier than I thought. I moved in front of her, right by the door to the dining area. “Aunt Lena, I’ll drop—”
    My dad chose that moment to open the door and hit me in the back. “Sorry.” He glanced at Aunt Lena. “Everything okay here?” We all nodded and he pointed his thumb in the dining room’s direction. “I need your help bussing tables, Claire. Now.”
    My aunt waved the hand that held Ed’s hankie. “Frank, it can wait a minute. Claire was about to tell me something.”
    “Consider me off the case.”
    My aunt’s eyes glistened. “That makes me feel a lot better.”
    My dad grabbed my hands and started pulling me into the other room. “Now everyone’s happy.”
    Between the customers and having to drag Angie away from Ed, it was almost 2:30 by the time I got back to the kitchen. There I spied Aunt Lena feeding Ed some cassata cake, a strawberry and some whipped cream dangling from the fork. She laughed like a young girl. I guess I didn’t need to put in a good word in for him.
    I cleared my throat to announce my presence. “Excuse me.” My voice boomed in my ears.
    My aunt froze, fork in midair. Ed even stopped chewing. I suppose I’d declared my presence a little too forcefully, but I stumbled on. “Customers are all gone. Dad and Angie are wiping the tables. Could you help them, Ed?”
    Maybe I was overprotective, but my aunt was fragile right now. I didn’t want him moving this fast, especially since I couldn’t be sure of his intentions.
    Ed got up from his chair, but Aunt Lena protested, “He’s only got a couple more bites. They can handle it for a minute more.”
    The door swung open and Angie marched in. She took in the cake feeding scene and whispered loudly to my aunt. “Trying to win him over with dessert, or just fattening him up for the slaughter?”
    Ed coughed, unsuccessfully stifling a chuckle. He slid off the chair. “Lena, your cake really hit the spot, but I think I’ll go give Frank and Angie some moral support.” He slipped out of the room.
    Angie looking at Aunt Lena, shook her head and muttered, “Honestly, fawning all over that man.” She followed Ed through the door.
    Aunt Lena called out after her, “And I can’t believe how you’re throwing yourself at him.”
    Angie stopped dead in her tracks. “I’m not, but if I were, at least my weight wouldn’t crush him.” She continued on her way without waiting for a comeback.
    Aunt Lena looked up, addressing the ceiling. “Some women get so catty where a man’s concerned.” She collected the dirty plates and forks and took them to the sink.
    Suddenly she seemed to remember I was there. “I’m glad you’re off Larry’s, I mean Joey’s, case.”
    “Well...given Joey’s connections, I think this should be handled by the police.” I didn’t