Free Toasting Up Trouble (A Dinner Club Mystery) by Linda Wiken

until they were almost knee to knee.
    J.J. took a sip and then told the entire story once again. When she had finished, Evan looked shocked. Then he placed his teacup down carefully on the desk and started pacing.
    “I feel so responsible. I knew he could be a bastard in business dealings, but I never ever thought he’d pull a fast one like that on you. Truly, J.J., I should have warned youoff when you first mentioned him.” Evan looked so distressed that J.J. reached out to touch his arm.
    “I believe you, Evan. I’m shocked about what he did to us, of course, but it’s now taken second seat to his murder. And what’s worse from my perspective is that I’m a suspect.”
    “No way.”
    “Yes way. I was the last person to see him. We walked out to our cars at the same time, and we were arguing. I’m sure his staff heard us as they scurried to the van, trying to escape the scene. Probably the butler heard, also. Then next morning, he’s found dead in his car. Knifed.”
    “You wouldn’t use a knife.”
    “Oh, thanks, Evan,” J.J. said. “What would I use?”
    Evan looked horrified. “I didn’t mean it like that. I mean, using a knife is very up close and personal. And it takes a lot of strength, I’d think. You’d really have to hate the guy to do something like that, and I know that lets you out. You’d only just met him. I’m thinking that kind of hate take years to build. Besides, you wouldn’t harm a fly.”
    J.J. raised her eyebrows.
    “Okay, a spider maybe, but not a fly.”
    J.J. started laughing. “Thank you for the testimonial, Evan. But it would be better if you could come up with another suspect. Can you think of anyone who might fit that bill? You worked with him on the restaurant reno for several months. Can you remember anyone, maybe a supplier or a contractor or even one of his staff, who might have a hate on for him?”
    Evan sat and thought, finally shaking his head. “There were some encounters of the yelling kind, for sure, but I can’t come up with any one single person who seemed that upset. Of course, we had our set-to but that was it. I’ll bet it was something personal, like the husband of someone he was sleeping with.”
    “He was married, wasn’t he?”
    “Yes, but he was also Antonio Marcotti. He had quite a reputation with the women.” Evan went over to pour himself another cup of tea.
    “I didn’t know that.”
    “Why would you?” he asked, his back to her. “The food business is a very insular little community. And then there’s his Italian connections. I’ve heard he was a big wheel in that community, too.”
    “Hm. Do you think his wife,” she shrugged, “you know . . .”
    He turned around and went back to his desk. “Knew about his affairs or kill him?”
    “Either. Both.”
    “I met Gina Marcotti a couple of times when they were thinking of using my services to decorate their home. She was really into my ideas but totally ignored Marcotti when he was around. So maybe she did know, but I think she just didn’t care enough about him to get upset. Which probably means she didn’t kill him, either. I understand it’s all her money anyway, so I guess she gets to do all the choosing at home. They have quite the palatial digs. But I’d love to get my hands on their color scheme. That’s all it would take to give the place some high-class glam.”
    J.J.’s eyes wandered to the clock on the opposite wall. “Oh man. Look at the time. I feel like I’ve wasted the entire day. Where did it get to?” She held up her hand. “Don’t answer that. I know, unfortunately. Guess I’d better get going. Thanks, Evan.”
    He nodded. “Keep the faith. They’ll catch who did it.”
    J.J. certainly hoped so. She returned to her office and found a note on her desk from Skye, who was at a meeting downtown with a supplier and would call later.
    J.J. looked outside and felt cheered that it had at least stopped raining. It seemed something could go right. She