Truffled to Death (A Chocolate Covered Mystery) Read Online Free Page B

Central American accent. He wore some kind of woodsy cologne that made me think of the jungle. “I’m SantiagoDiaz. Your Miss Kayla told me that you made these delicious confections. I’m in awe.”
    My thank-you ended in a squeak as he took my hand and kissed it! Like in a movie. Right there in the middle of my store. In the middle of West Riverdale, which hadn’t seen a hand kiss like that in probably ever. I think May and Nara squeaked along with me.
    “These are my friends, May . . .” I couldn’t remember her last name. “And Nara.”
    “Delighted.” He kissed their hands as well, his ponytail low on his neck. “How lucky to have such a talented pâtissier as a friend.”
    They both nodded. They would have agreed if he’d said “such a talented serial killer.”
    “Oh no,” I said. “I only make chocolates, not baked goods.”
    “Hmm,” he said, as if reserving judgment. “Such a sophisticated palate you must have.” His voice was mesmerizing, but then I sensed something underneath the smooth talk. My BS meter was going off big-time.
    “Are you friends with the Rivers?” It came out a little more challenging than I intended.
    His eyes widened just a tiny bit, as if he was surprised that his flattering words weren’t working. “No. Just curious about the beautiful treasures from my heritage.”
    “That’s wonderful,” I said. Over his shoulder, I saw one of the catering staff gesturing wildly to me. “Excuse me. Duty calls.”
    “I’ll show you the exhibit.” May grabbed his arm and steered him toward the display.
    “Eddie just quit!” The teen girl in the red shirt with theEl Diablo logo and black pants was practically wringing her hands.
    “Eddie?” I asked.
    “The sous chef!” Her voice rose with alarm. “Can you get someone to help me clear dishes so I can take his place?”
    “Of course,” I said. “I’ll do it.” It was a miracle Eddie had lasted as long as he had with the abuse Aviles piled on him.
    I picked my way through the crowd, piling used plates on my tray to take back to the kitchen, but Vivian and Gary were blocking my way.
    “Where’s Jennifer?” Vivian held Gary’s arm by the counter, their faces turned away from the crowd.
    I loaded even more plates on my tray, and could almost hear his shrug. “I don’t know. She was just here.”
    “You were in charge of watching her,” she insisted.
    I glanced over and saw him wince, but I wasn’t sure if it was from Vivian’s words or her tight hold.
    “I’m sorry,” he said, with the emphasis on the second word. “I was talking to the new mayor and she just disappeared.” I wasn’t sure if he was worried for his sister or mad for being called out about her leaving under his watch.
    I’d finished cleaning up the plates at the edge of the counter and now couldn’t avoid trying to scoot by them. “Excuse me.”
    Vivian let him go with a frown.
    I could understand her worry. Everyone knew about poor Jennie River. She’d taken her father’s death a few years before very hard. At twenty-one, she’d just been through her third attempt at rehab. From the concerned expression on Vivian’s face, perhaps it hadn’t been successful. But what did I know about young rich people and their drug habits?
    I smelled it even before I opened the door to my kitchen.The overflowing garbage can assaulted my nose, reminding me of why I was so careful with scents in my workspace. If any of my chocolates absorbed even a whiff of the cooked onions, charred garlic, or whatever else was part of that disgusting smell, they’d be ruined. Another reason to hate El Diablo, who was nowhere to be seen.
    Cursing under my breath, I closed up the bag and took it out the back door, catching Gary River in the act of escaping.
    “Just pick me up, man,” he said into his phone. “I’m so done with this granny crowd.”
    I let the door shut and he turned around, mouthing an
I’m sorry
when he saw it was me. He’d pushed up the