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

just laid my head down when an irritating noise broke through my dream. First I thought it was a headache. Then I realized the headache was Detective Corrigan pounding on my door. 
    “DeNardo, if you’re in there, open up.”
    I threw on a robe and brushed my hair away from my face. I pulled it back over my right cheek when I glanced in the mirror and spotted the sleep crease running from my eye to my ear. I cracked the door open but left the chain lock in place. “What do you want?”
    He flashed his badge, like I didn’t know he really was a cop.“Police business. Open up.” His voice softened. “Please.”
    I reluctantly accommodated and he stepped inside. I clutched my terrycloth robe tighter around me. “Is this about Larry?” I yawned.
    He ignored my question and pulled out the small spiral notepad he always carried. “Where were you between midnight and 3:00 a.m. this morning?”
    I squinted at him. “Why?”
    “Just answer the question.”
    I sighed. “Got home about 12:15 and went straight to bed. That’s where I was until you banged on my door.”
    “Can anyone vouch for your whereabouts?”
    I rested my hands in the robe’s pockets. That, or they would’ve found themselves tightening around his neck. “Sure. All the guys in bed with me. Let’s see…” I looked up, as if recalling. “There’s Channing Tatum, and, uh…”
    He held up his hand. “Not funny. This is serious, Claire. Someone broke into your aunt’s bakery early this morning looking for something. A cop interrupted, but he or she got away.” He made a big show of putting his notepad back in his pocket, as if to say, “This is off the record.” He pressed his lips together. “Did you do it, Claire?”
    My legs felt like someone clipped me in the knees. I got mad. Somebody had been cruel enough to violate my aunt’s sense of security. Twice. How could he think I’d do something like that? My hands flew out of my pockets, ready to slap him sensible. “Why would I do that?”
    He inhaled deeply. “To protect your aunt.”
    My eyes opened to the size of fried eggs. “I don’t understand. To protect her from the killer?” My breath caught. Did he think I killed Larry?
    “Have a seat.” Corrigan motioned to my sofa, but I’d had a lot of liquid the night before.
    “In a minute.” I scurried off toward the bathroom.
    When I returned, Corrigan was tapping his foot. “You ready to talk now?” He sat down, took my wrist and pulled me down next to him.
    Just then my stomach let out a growl so loud it sounded like the circus was in town.
    He smirked, but the look I gave him made it clear I’d clobber him if he made one snide comment about it. On second thought, I wouldn’t because he’d put me in jail with some tough people and bad food.
    He put his hands on his knees and got down to business. “Someone wants something Larry had. Or should I say, Joey Corozza, aka, Joey the Albino.”
    “So my father was right. Larry wasn’t Larry. But who’s this Joey guy and why did he lie about his identity?”
    He bit his lower lip, probably deciding how much to tell me. “First, swear to me it wasn’t you who tore Cannoli’s apart. I want to make sure you didn’t figure out that Joey left something at Cannoli’s and went looking for it to save your aunt any unwelcome visitors. Come on, I’ll take your word for it.”
    “I didn’t do it. I swear on my mother’s grave.” I crossed my heart. “Ed dropped me off a little before midnight and I came straight home. I wouldn’t have stopped anywhere on the way because my car pooped out earlier that afternoon. Ed got it started but warned me not to stop anywhere.” Like a beetle in flour, an idea burrowed in my brain. Could Ed have done it?
    Corrigan must have read my expression. “Ed’s in the clear. Just so you know.” My eyebrows disappeared into my bangs. He explained, “Apparently he’s a bowling ace at Crown Bowling. Midnight leagues. Six guys vouched for his