Murder and Mozzarella

by Carole Fowkes

  “No need for that.” I grabbed my dog by the collar. “He’s harmless. Aren’t you, boy?” That’s when I noticed specks of glitter on the sleeve of Vanderson’s dark jacket. I turned from him so he couldn’t see that my eyes were most likely bulging out.

  “Regardless, I insist you put him in another room so we can talk.” There was steel in his words and in his eyes.

  “Come on, Charlie.” I walked my dog back into the kitchen and shut him in his crate, but I didn’t latch it in case I needed to call for him. “You be a good boy and stay.” Like that’s likely. I left the kitchen door ajar, but not before I grabbed a paring knife from the drawer and stuck it in my pocket. It’d have to do as protection since my gun was inconveniently in my purse, which was on the credenza behind Vanderson.

  “He’s tucked away, Mr. Vanderson.”

  “Thank you. That’s much better. Now, what did you want to see me about?”

  My business phone rang just then. It was Brittany, the marketing girl. Needing extra time, I picked it up before Vanderson could stop me. “Claire DeNardo.”

  In a cheery voice, Brittany identified herself and began her spiel. “I’ve been thinking about your, um, tight budget, and I’ve come up with some great ideas. I’m close by and would love to discuss them with you.”

  Ordinarily I’d have declined. But this wasn’t an ordinary time. “Of course.”

  She practically chirped, “Wonderful! See you real soon!”

  Vanderson snarled, “Who was that?”

  I ran my fingers through my hair. “Someone confirming an appointment.”

  “All right. Let’s get back to why you wanted to see me.” When I hesitated, he continued. “Let me help you remember. You went to see Candi. You also talked to the cops who are again interviewing my dinner party companions. You’ve even talked to Darcy Mills.”

  He seemed to grow in height, looming over me. “What are you looking to find, Miss DeNardo? Can I call you Claire?”

  Another speck of glitter gleamed from his other sleeve. Before I could stop myself, the words poured out. “You and Parker fought and you hit him with the snow globe.”

  His face contorted with rage and he swooped down on me, grabbing me by my collar. “How dare you? I loved my son.”

  I could smell liquor on his breath. “Let me go.”

  He released me and rotated his neck. I suppose to shake off his furor. “Now, tell me how you came up with such an absurd idea.”

  Sometimes I do stupid things, such as what I’d just said. But I wasn’t going to repeat that mistake. “You know, I need a cup of tea. Why don’t we go across the street and talk there?”

  He clenched and unclenched his fists. “No, we’ll talk here. Sit down.”

  Panic was rising in my belly and I had to fight to keep my voice at an octave below squeaky. “You know, it was just a wild guess. A stupid one…”

  “I told you to leave this case alone. I even offered to pay you off. You were warned. Now you’ve gotten in too deep. It’s time you were out of the picture.”

  Before I could stick my hand in my pocket to grab the knife, Vanderson latched onto my right arm and twisted it mercilessly. “This is the last time you stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.”

  My heart was pounding so hard I thought I’d have a heart attack. “Please! I promise I’ll drop the case. Even the cops don’t want me on it.” I squirmed in an attempt to free myself. I had to get that knife from my pocket, but it remained out of reach.

  He snorted. “You’re a loose cannon and loose cannons can go off at any time.”

  My mouth went dry. Where was Brittany?

  “No, that’s not true. The cops don’t believe anything I say. They think I’m just a nuisance. I promise I’ll drop the case. I won’t even think about Parker, or Jennifer…or Collin.”

  “That’s right. You won’t.” With his free hand, he pulled out a gun he’d hidden in his waistband.

  I was trembling so much it was hard to form my sentences. “You don’t want to do this. I’m sure we can work out an agreement. I’ll keep quiet. Heck, I’ll leave town.”

  “Shut up! You go on and on, just like my son.”

  “You killed Parker!” I sucked in a breath, realizing what I’d said.

  He nodded and the air went out of him. “He wanted to tell my wife about Jennifer. I couldn’t have that. Another divorce would bankrupt me. I wanted him to drop it. He wouldn’t. After all I gave that boy, he wanted more for his silence. I didn’t think. I just grabbed the nearest thing and hit him so he’d stop talking. I didn’t mean to kill him. It was an accident.”

  “But they found the globe in Trish’s trash. And, Collin’s blood in her trunk.”

  “I had easy access to both her trash and her car. Clever, right? Got rid of that pain-in-the-ass stepdaughter, as well. Always siding against me…”

  Keep him talking. “What about Collin? Did you know him well?”

  His laugh was sharp and short. “We were business partners for a time. The man was a genius at making money on cons. I didn’t even mind him marrying Trish. That was the biggest game of all for him.

  “But he crossed the line. Collin had gone to see Parker that night because my enterprising son planned to blackmail him, too. You see, one of Parker’s loser girlfriends gave him a compromising picture of Collin snuggling with Jennifer Nelson.

  “When Collin first heard from Parker, he didn’t rise to the bait. But for some reason he changed his mind and planned to visit my son. Unfortunately, Collin witnessed me leaving Parker’s apartment that night instead. I was holding the snow globe.”

  “Collin threatened to tell the police?”

  “Oh, no. He was planning on becoming even richer.” He spat, “Off of me.”

  “Blackmail?”

  He nodded. “So, he had to die.”

  “Jennifer knew all about it?”

  “That lovely bitch was in my bedroom when it happened. At first, she agreed, under duress, to help me get him to the park.”

  “Why did you kill her?”

  He waved his free hand as if swatting a fly. “Tying up those annoying ends. Just like I’ll do with you.”

  A loud commotion in the kitchen was followed by Charlie, towel in his mouth, dashing out. It distracted Vanderson enough for me to yank my arm away. I managed to get the knife from my pocket, but my hands were so sweaty, I dropped it.

  Vanderson kicked the knife so that it slid to the other side of the room.

  Charlie went after Vanderson, barking and growling. Unfortunately, he wasn’t a match for Vanderson, whose foot made contact with my dog’s rear. Charlie retreated to safety.

  Turning his attention back to me, Vanderson aimed the gun at my head and I knew what was next.

  “Hello? Ms. DeNardo?” It was Brittany.

  Vanderson bared his teeth and whispered, “Get rid of her.”

  A drop of sweat beaded between my breasts. “Don’t come back here! Give me twenty minutes to get ready? Please.” I held my breath, hoping she’d agree. It could save her life.

  “Oh. Sure. I’ll go grab some coffee across the street. Do you want any?”

  “No. Thank you.” I prayed silently that she’d leave.

  “Okay. See you later.”

  The outer door closed and Vanderson cocked his gun. He hesitated. Weapon still focused on me, he scanned the room. Bending just a bit, he picked up the towel and folded it around and down the gun barrel so that it’d muffle the shot.

  Having little hope, I yelled, “Charlie, open the refrigerator.”

  My valiant dog cocked his head, then leaped up and grabbed hold of the towel, pulling it and the gun downward. While Vanderson struggled for control, I grabbed the nearest thing to me, the desk lamp and hit him with it. He staggered, but he wasn’t down, until he tripped over Charlie.

  As he struggled to stay upright, Vanderson dropped the gun. It hit the floor and fired. The bullet ricocheted off the cast iron radiator and into Vanderson’s t
emple. He pitched sideways, then he crashed to the ground, blood pooling around his head.

  My late mother and all the saints must have been watching over me, because that was a million-to-one chance.

  Snatching the gun from the floor, I rushed to Vanderson, who lay dead.

  Just as I picked up the phone to call 911, I heard sirens blaring, coming closer.

  Two uniformed cops, weapons drawn were soon on the scene. After calling an ambulance for Vanderson, the questions started.

  Brittany, who had been waiting outside the office at the end of the hallway tried to come in. The police stopped her from entering a crime scene, but I soon found out that she’d returned because the coffee shop was closed and had been outside my office, waiting. She claimed she’d heard quite a bit of what Vanderson said and had been the one to call 911.

  Being pretty shaken, I didn’t mind that when Corrigan showed up, Abby came with him. I was just thankful that the ambulance was taking Vanderson’s corpse away instead of mine.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Two days had passed since that dangerous interlude in my office. Marlene and Trish had both been exonerated and released. Although Mrs. Vanderson was now a widow, at least she and her daughter could celebrate Thanksgiving as free women.

  As for me, I was already driving to my father’s house for the holiday. I can’t say I was looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner. Abby would be there. Even though she’d been even kind to me when she and Corrigan got to my office, I didn’t trust her. No matter how many times I told myself she was only his partner, visions of a great seduction ran through my head.

  I pulled into the driveway and reassured myself that the day would go fine. Carrying Charlie’s crate, I also brought some of his toys, though I was sure he’d be more interested in the guests and the turkey than his toys.

  My aunt and Ed were already there and Aunt Lena was bossing my father into rearranging the seating. “Frank, don’t have that Abby woman next to Brian. Put her next to that ranger.”

  Suzy, ignoring my aunt, introduced me to her sister, Hailey, who looked as if she’d stepped out of a magazine pinup with her thick, blonde hair, aqua eyes and comic book body, tiny waist and huge breasts. A body made for Las Vegas. Her voice was soft and sounded like she’d run a marathon. I glanced down at my still preadolescent-sized chest and smiled weakly.

  “Dad, put Hailey next to Roger, the park ranger.”

  As if on cue, Roger rang the bell and I opened the door. He looked really good in his well-cut khaki’s and tailored shirt. I hoped he could hold Hailey’s attention. I wouldn’t want Corrigan drooling in the gravy.

  From the other side of the room, Hailey stepped right up to Roger and stuck out her hand. “Hi. You must be Roger. I’m Hailey.” With her breathy voice, it sounded way sexier than any introduction I’d ever heard. From the grin on his face, I didn’t think there’d be any question about Roger’s intentions toward me. In fact, I could’ve run the toaster, food processor and the dishwasher on the electricity between the two of them. Roger shook my dad’s hand and gave Suzy a bottle of wine he’d brought, but his attention was strictly reserved for Hailey.

  While waiting for the remaining guests to arrive, we made small talk and nibbled on cheese and crackers. With the exception of Suzy and Aunt Lena, who had excused themselves and were each laying claim to the oven, we started discussing the Vanderson case.

  My dad started. “Solving three murders is nothing to be ashamed of. The cops couldn’t even do that. I’m the first to admit I was skeptical of you and that business, but, before Brian gets here, I just want to say how proud of you I am.” He lifted a glass of wine and toasted me. “I love you, Pumpkin.”

  Trying to hide the mist in my eyes, I lifted Charlie by his front paws. “Couldn’t have done it without Charlie and Ed.”

  Ed chuckled. “Yeah, I’ve been practicing opening the fridge with a towel and I think I’ve got it down.”

  There was a rap on the door just then and Corrigan, with Abby right behind him, came inside. After introductions, Abby offered to help in the kitchen, but was resoundingly refused. I nudged her and whispered, “In this family, unless you’re Aunt Lena, you don’t go near the kitchen until it’s clean-up time.”

  She thanked me for the tip. “I also want to thank you for the invitation here. I know we haven’t exactly been besties, but I’d like to work toward a friendship. You know, when I got partnered with Brian, I thought we could rekindle what we had.” She shook her head and shrugged. “I don’t know what you’ve got, but that man is all yours, head, heart, and every other part. Plus, someday you two will get married, and it helps to be friendly with your partner’s wife.”

  There was a putdown there somewhere, but rather than challenge her, I took her warped olive branch. “I’d like that too.” Then I began to wonder if she knew something I didn’t. My thoughts were interrupted when Charlie dove for the cheese sitting on the coffee table and I dove for him. “Bad dog! Do you want to go back in your crate?”

  My father, good sport though he was, is allergic to dogs, and I was sure he would’ve liked nothing better. So, I did the next best thing. Charlie and I went for a walk.

  When we returned dinner was almost ready and we took our seats. Graciously, Aunt Lena allowed Suzy and my dad the pride of bringing out the turkey, a lovely dish worthy of a magazine cover.

  Well into the meal of golden turkey, stuffing with sausage, gravy, and all the trimmings, Aunt Lena cleared her throat. That meant one thing. She was going to say something that would embarrass at least one family member. Today it was my turn.

  My aunt stabbed a piece of white meat. “So Claire, now that you solved that big case, are you too big to marry a policeman?”

  My mouth puckered. “What?”

  Corrigan joined me in chorus. “What?”

  Going on as if she hadn’t heard a word, “Well, you two have been engaged but no date’s been set. I had a friend, Connie. She got engaged to this strisciamento, this creep. Strung her along for ten years while he played around.” She glared at Abby. “Now, he says she’s too old for him and he won’t marry her.”

  My father threw down his fork. “Lena, it’s Thanksgiving for God’s sake! Leave it alone.”

  “No. Let’s not.” Corrigan laid his napkin next to his plate. “We haven’t set a date because Claire didn’t—”

  “I wanted to focus on my business, not on a wedding.” I twisted the engagement ring on my finger and shot Ed a look. He merely shrugged.

  Nobody said a word until my aunt, who’d started this whole thing said, “Oh, in that case it’s all right. Everybody eat.” Setting an example, she scooped a forkful of mashed potatoes into her mouth as if nothing was amiss.

  Suzy graciously broke the ensuing silence. “So Roger, what made you decide to become a ranger?”

  Thus the topic of my marriage was thankfully switched. But I’d lost my appetite. Corrigan, noticing that I’d stopped eating, reached under the table and patted my knee in reassurance. It wasn’t enough. By the time the desserts were presented, pumpkin pie, chocolate chiffon pie, and pumpkin chocolate chip loaf, I felt as if I’d ingested a ball of fire.

  I stood up. “Okay everyone, I have an announcement to make. My business is solvent thanks to payment of a huge fee plus a bonus from my biggest client yet. I’ve hired a receptionist, Brittany. She’s the one who called 911 and she hated marketing. So now, I’m ready to get married. In April.” At that point, I realized what I’d just said and felt my face take on the heat of that fireball.

  Corrigan rose and took my hand and announced, “April is a great month for a wedding.”

  My shoulders dropped and that fireball in my belly cooled to a warm, golden glow as I looked in the face of my fiancé and saw all the love I could ask for.

  “I’d like a piece of the chocolate chiffon pie and a sliver of the loaf, please.” My appetite had been restored.

  The End

  Recipes…

  I love
, absolutely love, pizza. Not just sausage pizza or pepperoni pizza, but pizza in all shapes and sizes. Hence, I’ve tried numerous combinations of ingredients on pizza dough. Here are two successful versions that mix salty, sweet, and savory.

  But first, a pizza dough recipe:

  Makes one pizza

  4 heaping cups flour

  1 tsp salt

  2 tsp sugar

  1 pkg yeast

  2 cups warm water

  Mix dry ingredients together.

  Make a well and add 1 ½ cups of water. Mix.

  Add the remaining ½ cup of water a little at a time. Knead until smooth. Cover and let rise until double in size.

  When done place dough on lightly floured surface and punch down.

  Grease pizza pan lightly with olive oil and stretch the dough across the pan. Cover and let rise another 15 minutes.

  Stretch the dough again and indent with fingers.

  Fig and Prosciutto Pizza

  1 pizza dough

  Fig preserves (I use about 9 ounces.)

  ¼ lb. prosciutto

  12 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded

  12 ounces fresh arugula

  Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

  Spread fig preserves on pizza dough, almost to the edges. Top with prosciutto, then the mozzarella. Finally, place arugula on top.

  Bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on desired degree of crispiness.

  Peach, Ricotta, and Prosciutto Pizza

  1 pizza dough (see previous recipe)

  16 ounce can sliced peaches, in fruit juice, drained

  2-3 slices of prosciutto, cut into small pieces

  Fresh basil, torn

  8 ounces ricotta cheese mixed with black pepper (I use 1/8 tsp)

  6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded

  Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

  Spread pizza dough in pizza pan.

  If peach slices are thick, cut to make thin slices and place on top of the dough.