Killer Cannoli (A Terrified Detective Mystery Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

“Larry’s dead. Murdered.”
    Dad hugged Aunt Lena. “But you’re safe.” He pulled away. “You didn’t see who did it, did you?”
    “I’ll fill you in, Dad. Aunt Lena, why don’t you go in the house and sit down?” Ed put his hand in the small of my aunt’s back and escorted her into my dad’s home like it was his.
    It was April, but in Cleveland, winter can hold on way past its expiration date. Despite my jacket, I wrapped my arms around myself to hold in the warmth. My dad started. “Someone knew Larry and didn’t like him much.  I bet there were a lot of people like that.”
    “I don’t think his name was Larry. When I investigated, there was nothing on Larry Walters. I think you were right. Had to be an alias.” Then I gave him a brief rundown of what happened.
    My father put his arm around me. “Thank God Lena wasn’t with him when he got killed. Well, it’s a job for the police now.”
    “Let’s hope they find the killer soon.” I exhaled hard and could see my breath in the cold air. It disappeared just as quickly, as did my belief that tonight’s events wouldn’t give me nightmares even while I was awake.
    As soon as my father and I walked back into his house, he poured Aunt Lena some whiskey. “Drink this. It’ll calm you like nothing else.”
    She sniffed it and turned her head. But instead of declining it, she took the glass and swallowed most of it down, coughing and fanning herself after it went down. The four of us talked until Aunt Lena yawned three times in a row and her eyelids drooped. My father touched her hand. “Hey, you’re about to fall asleep. Why don’t you go to bed? The guest room’s all fixed up for you.”
    I thought she’d argue, but instead, she grabbed the whiskey bottle. “In case I wake up and think about poor Larry…” She sniffed and clutched the bottle to her bosom.
    It was late so Ed and I said quick goodnights and started back to my office. “Ed, thank you. You were great with my aunt.”
    He rolled the toothpick he had in his mouth to one side. “Are you kidding? I’d do a lot more for a woman like her.”
    My eyebrows shot up. “She’s a little old for you, Ed. You’re what?”
    “Forty-eight.”
    I held my cold hands up to the car’s heater. “She’s fifty-four.”
    He held the steering wheel with one hand and pulled the toothpick out of his mouth, using it to make a point. “I know, but she’s got it all in the right places, and I figure the older the piano, the sweeter the music.”
    I shivered. “Never mind. I don’t want to hear this.”
    “No disrespect intended. I didn’t mean it in any biblical sense. She’s a fine woman.”
    I wanted to cover my ears. Instead I turned on his radio, instantly regretting it. Old timey country music blasted forth with somebody yodeling their heartbreak. I thought we’d never get to my office. Then I remembered there’d been two deaths this evening; Larry and my car, Bob. I hoped one of them could be brought back to life.
    It was almost midnight by the time Ed pulled up to my car. He took out a flashlight and fiddled around under the hood. To my gratitude and amazement, Bob coughed a bit and started. Ed wiped his hands on a rag from his back seat and said, “Just don’t shut her off until you get home.”
    I clasped his hands in mine. “Thank you, Ed. I owe you.” I wanted to stuff that dirty rag in my mouth for that comment. I already owed him more than I could ever pay him, especially with the no-business business I ran. Too bad I couldn’t pay him in meatballs.
    Ed waved off my thanks. “No problemo. Just remember me to Lena.”
    I still couldn’t bring myself to think of him and my aunt as a couple. I smiled weakly and got into my car. I could see him in my rearview mirror, waiting. Then I turned a corner and he disappeared, as I wished the events of tonight would. I hoped I’d be able to sleep tonight, but we don’t always get what we want.

Chapter Four
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