Free The Crossword Connection by Nero Blanc Page A

shift last night.”
    â€œI’m glad to see you’ve been using your time wisely, Polly—crates.”

CHAPTER 9
    Belle was staring disconsolately into a near-empty kitchen cabinet when the doorbell rang. She grabbed a can of condensed mushroom soup, plopped it on the counter, and called out, “Just a sec!” as she hurried through the house.
    Rosco stood at the door, a newspaper tucked under his arm.
    Belle kissed him. She was so focused on her own thoughts that she failed to notice the paper or Rosco’s curious expression. “Al didn’t need you any longer?”
    â€œI told him everything I knew about Gus and Freddie, Sara’s peripheral involvement, vis-à-vis the dog … the works.… Sister Mary Catherine came by the scene at Lever’s request. She had a strong belief that the dead woman had not been living on the streets.”
    Belle nodded thoughtfully. “You know, I feel a certain relief that this latest death isn’t part of a serial crime. In the back of my mind, I’ve been wondering if the city’s more questionable vested interests could be ratcheting up for a war against the homeless shelters.”
    Rosco changed the subject. “Have you had lunch yet?”
    They walked to the kitchen, hands touching. “We can warm some mushroom soup,” she said. “And I’ve got saltines. We could melt cheese over the crackers.…”
    â€œSounds great.” Rosco placed the newspaper on the counter. “Sorry to be late. I really did try to call earlier, but the line was constantly busy—”
    â€œMy father decided it was time for one final diatribe.” She opened the soup can and unceremoniously dumped the contents into a pot.
    â€œHe loves you, Belle. He’s expressing his feelings the only way he knows how.”
    â€œI agree with the latter part of your assessment, Rosco.”
    He turned her around to face him and slipped his arms around her shoulders. “I don’t care what he thinks of me, my education, family, work … but I do care about you. I love you, and I’m going to marry you … and you are the only person I’m trying to please. Now and always.”
    Belle gazed up into his eyes. “You’re the best guy on earth,” she said. “I hope you know that.”
    â€œWe’re not our families, Belle.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œOr our friends.”
    â€œWell, friends … now, that’s different.” She gave him a grateful kiss, then moved away and opened the refrigerator door. “No milk! Oh, drat! I’ll have to thin this stuff with water. One of these days, I have to learn some basic culinary skills.”
    â€œSuch as buying milk?”
    â€œVery funny. I was thinking more in terms of creating meals from scratch.”
    â€œYour deviled eggs are excellent—”
    â€œThat’s only one dish, Rosco. It’s not enough to keep body and soul alive. Anyway, they’re more of an hors d’oeuvre than a meal.”
    She stirred the soup dreamily. “Oh, I forgot! We had some excellent news! I was waiting till I saw you to share it. A thumbs-up from Captain Lancia. We’re definitely getting married in Newcastle waters, so we can get our license first thing Monday morning. Lancia can’t officiate, but Sara is contacting a JP she knows. Her initial suggestion was a real-life Washington judge, but I nixed the idea, which took some doing, as you can imagine. Il capitáno came to the rescue. His ministrations lessened Sara’s disappointment at not being able to phone her dear friend on the Supreme Court. If Lancia ever loses his job on the Akbar, he can always become a gigolo—”
    â€œYou’ve been busy.”
    â€œYou don’t know the half of it. If Sara had her way, she’d organize every aspect of our wedding … and maybe play both roles, too.” Belle paused and regarded Rosco