“What do you think, Claire?”
“It’s delicious.” My voice sounded dreamy even to me. “Tell Aunt Lena she’s got a winner.”
“Great. Now, are you going to go for it? The reward?” It wasn’t hard to hear the hint of excitement in Ed’s voice.
I sucked air in between my teeth. Couldn’t I just be a cupcake taster? “I think so.” I placed my hand on his forearm. “Don’t you dare tell Corrigan.”
He pretended to zip his lips. “Not a word. Speaking of the gallant detective, I better go so he can make time with you.”
“Bye, Ed. I’ll call you.” Rather than turn around, he raised his arm and gave me a backward wave.
I scarcely had time to gobble down the rest of the cupcake and wish for more when I heard Corrigan’s footsteps. I swung my door wide open, and as soon as he stepped inside I greeted him with a full-on lips parted kiss. He responded in kind then pulled back.
“I like your enthusiasm, but is it just to distract me?” He wiped some frosting from the corner of my mouth.
“What do you mean?”
He squinted. “Ed. He was a man on a mission. Usually that mission involves you getting into trouble.”
“It was nothing. My aunt wanted me to taste a new cupcake.” I had no intention of discussing the reward for Eileen’s killer. In my experience, diversion works best. I placed my hands flat on his chest. “If you’d rather I not be affectionate…”
He pulled me back into his arms and we moved toward the sofa. We could start there. Unfortunately, we ended there too when my phone rang. It was my father.
I hadn’t heard from him since we’d had a spirited discussion about me working for Gino. He was for it. I was against it. Although I’d kissed him good-bye that evening, we weren’t exactly thrilled with each other. Needless to say, I had to answer his call or look like an immature brat.
“Claire, you busy?”
I glanced at Corrigan, who was tucking his shirt in. “Just a little.”
It was as if he hadn’t heard. “Gino told me about you finding Eileen. Are you all right?”
“Yes, Dad. Remember, I handled murder cases before I turned into a filing goddess again.” Sarcasm coated my words.
He ignored my childish tone. “I know that, but, well, I still wanted to make sure. Hey, how about you come over tonight? Suzy’s trying out a new dish. There’ll be plenty. Come on.” I could picture him running his hand through his thick black hair. Even middle-aged, the only gray he had was at his temples.
“Brian’s here with me.” I protested mildly. Then felt guilty. “I’ll ask him.” My eyes pleaded with Corrigan to decline. He shrugged, refusing to be the bad guy.
I tucked a strand of my dark hair behind my ear and suppressed a sigh. “We’ll be there in about half an hour.”
On the way over to Dad’s, I asked Corrigan about Eileen’s dog. I felt sorry for the helpless pup. Even more, I needed a way to introduce the subject of the murder.
Corrigan stared out his car’s windshield. “Animal Protective League took him.” He shook his head. “Poor mutt whimpered all the way out the door.”
I realized I’d made a mistake asking about the dog. I’m such a softie about animals. I hated knowing how sad Eileen’s pet was. “Isn’t there somebody to take him? Someone besides her brother, Timothy? I mean, maybe there was someone else in her life. Somebody she wasn’t getting along with. Somebody who—”
Scowling, he shifted in his seat. “Are you asking because you’re concerned about the dog or because you’re thinking of getting involved in the case?”
I tried to keep from sounding defensive. “I’m just asking about the dog.”
We pulled into my father’s driveway and Corrigan shut off the ignition. “And you don’t know anything about the reward.”
Embarrassed that I’d been so transparent, I hustled out of the car and onto my father’s porch. Corrigan followed and seemed about to say something more when my father answered the door, a wide, almost giddy smile on his face. He’d never been that happy to see me.
Suzy was drying her hands on a towel and joined in as my father ushered us inside. She brushed her long, blondish hair away from her face, gave me a big hug and kissed my cheek. Something major was up with these two. I refused to guess what it could be, though.
We had no sooner gotten into the dining room when my father pulled out a bottle of Prosecco and poured the sparkling wine into glasses.
He cleared his throat. “We have an announcement to make.” He passed out the glasses and then raised his. “To Suzy, a wonderful woman who’s made me a happy man. Suzy and me are engaged.”
My hand gripped the glass tighter and I told myself to blink. I liked Suzy, and this wasn’t a total surprise, but her relationship with my dad had moved so quickly. It seemed as if one day he was introducing her as the new neighbor who wore too much makeup and clothes a size too small and the next, she was my future stepmother. I didn’t begrudge my father happiness. He’d been so lonely after my mom died, with only my aunt and me as company. For a moment though, unreasonable as it seemed, I felt left out. Alone.
I sneaked a glance at Corrigan to get his reaction. He was smiling with that dimple and those perfect white teeth of his looking genuinely happy for them. Ashamed, I became an adult again and banished my feeling of being deserted. I loved my father enough to wish him and Suzy well. I just hoped they wouldn’t ask me to be flower girl.
Before Corrigan could take a sip of the wine, his phone rang. Standing close by, I heard almost every word the caller said. My mouth felt dry enough to think my glass had been filled with sand.
When the call ended, he shook his head regretfully, “I wish I could continue celebrating with you, but duty calls. Claire, I’ve got to go.”
It was an effort to get the words out, and I couldn’t look at him. “Don’t worry about me.” I couldn’t let on I’d heard what was said. I needed to process the information.
Corrigan gave me a funny look, then shook Dad’s hand and hugged Suzy. “Congratulations to both of you.”
As soon as he walked out the door, I sank into a dining room chair, feeling like a fallen soufflé.
My father pulled up a chair next to mine. His voice was gentle, like when, as a little girl, I had a fever. “Claire, you’re not upset with us getting married, are you?”
“No, Dad. It’s that I heard Brian’s conversation. He was called to Vincenza Amato’s house. A murder.” I couldn’t bear to say anything about my other realization. It was too gruesome.
My father’s face paled and he put his arms around me. “Honey, maybe it wasn’t her.”
Suzy asked, “Who’s Vincenza Amato?”
Already mourning, I responded, “She babysat me. I adored her.”
Chapter Three
I couldn’t keep my attention on what my father was saying. It was as if his lips were moving, but nothing was coming out. My thoughts were too loud. I knew Mrs. Amato was dead, killed. But by whom? A long-time widow, friendly with all the neighbors, I couldn’t believe she had enemies. It had to be a robbery gone wrong. This area of town was changing and maybe not for the better.
My dad must have realized I wasn’t listening. “What would you like to do, Claire?”
I didn’t have to think. “I want to go to see her.” My face burned with shame for all the times I passed her house while she was living. Never stopping to say hello. “I know the police are probably still there, but maybe I can help. Maybe I can—”
Dad interjected, “You’ll be in the way. Stay here. We’ll have some dinner. Then talk to Brian. Go to the funeral. There wasn’t any family left, you know. Bobby died in a car accident and her husband, well, who knows where he is.”
Staring down at my hands, I said nothing. Suzy disappeared into the kitchen and returned, holding a glass of chocolate mousse. She handed it to me. “Here. Eat.”
With barely a half-smile on my face, I took it and managed a bite. Even the luxurious dessert coul
dn’t get past my constricted throat.
I poured myself another glass of Prosecco and downed it just as Corrigan knocked on the door and stepped inside. His voice was somber. “I came back to see if you needed a ride home.”
I’m sorry to say I let my anger come out toward him. My voice was snippy. “I told you not to worry about it.”
“Well, don’t bite my head off.”
“Sorry. Was the victim you went to see Vincenza Amato?” My voice little more than a whisper.
“Did you know her?”
My voice broke and my words garbled. “She was my babysitter. I adored her.” I rubbed away a tear that had escaped from my eye.
He sighed. “Oh, God. I’m sorry, Claire.” His eyes narrowed. “You’re not thinking of getting involved in this murder too, are you?”
I couldn’t answer for fear my voice would break and tears would fall. My dad and Suzy stayed near, silently keeping vigil over my grief. Corrigan sat across from me, leaning forward and holding my hands in his. Though, it was the only contact between us, it comforted me.
I didn’t say it but I was determined to find her killer myself. It was the least I could do for a woman who nurtured and loved me almost as much as my mother.
I blew out a big breath, hoping to put an end to my inertia. I pushed aside my remorse over what I hadn’t done while Mrs. Amato was alive. I’d do what I could for her now.
I gently slid my hands from between Corrigan’s. “Dad, I’m sorry, but could we do your celebration another day? This Saturday? I just can’t tonight.”
Suzy answered. “Of course, Claire. It seems wrong to celebrate right now anyway. Right, Frankie?”
He quickly nodded. “Saturday is good. Why don’t we go out to Lucci’s? I’ll invite Lena and Ed too. We’ll call you with the time.”
I managed a slight smile. “Good. Thanks.”
As soon as Corrigan and I got into his car, I began. “Are there any suspects?”
He pulled out of the driveway. “We’ll talk about it when I get you home. Okay?”
Knowing toothpicks under his nails wouldn’t get anything out of him, I agreed.
Chapter Four
We rode to my house in silence, but my thoughts were bouncing off each other so hard it was surprising he didn’t hear crashing noises. I hadn’t mentioned it to my father, but I knew the only way Corrigan would be pulled into another homicide within 48 hours of his other assignment was if the two were related. My stomach churned and I felt nauseated thinking about Mrs. Amato’s last moments.
Once we were in my apartment, Corrigan asked for some water. I suspected he was stalling for time, but I got it for him. After he gulped it down, he motioned for me to have a seat.
He lowered himself onto the sofa next to me and patted his knees with the palms of his hands. He brushed his blond hair back from his forehead and released an audible sigh. “Okay. This is what I can tell you. A neighbor found her. Seems the vic—Mrs. Amato was making cupcakes for the neighbor’s kid when somebody got to her. We didn’t see any forced entry, so it was probably someone she knew.”
I tried to process what he was telling me, but a question kept breaking through. “Why would someone kill her? She was a wonderful person. She was baking for a child!”
“Nothing was taken as far as we could tell. Have no idea. But we’ll find out. We’re canvassing the neighborhood. If anyone saw anything, we’ll know about it.”
“I’m going to help find the killer. They deserve to be punished.” I steeled myself for Corrigan’s reaction, expecting him to blow up. When he didn’t, I turned toward him.
His mouth twisted, as if he was fighting the words that demanded to come out. At last, he gave in and said, “Claire, I don’t think you should.” I started to protest, but he put up his hand. “Hear me out. Remember Eileen O’Donnell?”
Now it was my turn to put up my hand. “I know. Mrs. Amato was killed the same way as Eileen.” I shivered, in spite of the room’s warm temperature.
He nodded. “So you see why you have to stay out of this investigation. This guy, or woman, has killed twice that we know of. Then tied a ribbon around their neck. He or she is a real wacko.”
My nails dug into my palms. “All the more reason for me to use my skills in finding this creep.”
Corrigan put his arm around me. “Skills? Claire, those other times, you got lucky.”
“Lucky? I’m the one who figured out who killed Constance.” My voice rose and I pushed him away. “And discovered Larry’s killer. Not the police. Me.”
“Okay, but that doesn’t mean you should get involved in this one. With a serial killer, all bets are off. Look, I love you, and I’d go crazy if something happened to you. Understand?”
“Yes, but don’t denigrate my skills just to try and keep me safe.”
He leaned forward, elbows on knees and head in hand. “You’re right. But just stay away from this one. Now, I’ve got to get back.”
It was only eight thirty when he left, but I put on my pajamas, made myself some hot chocolate, wishing I had one of my aunt’s new strawberry cupcakes, and plopped in front of the television. I didn’t want to think about anything at the moment. Unfortunately, that wasn’t what was in store for me.
A knock came before I even got through the opening credits for a show. “Open up, Claire. It’s me, Aunt Lena.”
I thought about pretending not to be home, but she’d no doubt heard the television. I set my cup down and struggled to get off the sofa.
When I opened the door, she was loaded down with a tray of frosted cupcakes, chocolate, vanilla, red velvet and carrot. But no strawberry. “After tonight’s news, I thought you could use some fortification.”
I tried to smile, but I’m sure it came across as some weird mouth squiggle. “It’s hard to believe something so awful happened.”
She set the tray on the table and helped herself to one of the red velvet ones. “I’m not surprised, though. Living alone is rough.”
It’s not so bad. I eyed the chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting. “But nobody deserves that.” I grabbed it before my aunt ate that cupcake too.
She snorted, “I’m sure he considers himself lucky.”
“Huh? Are we talking about the same thing?”
“Sure. Your father and that woman’s engagement.”
I let go of the cupcake. “No! Mrs. Amato was killed tonight.”
Her jaw dropped. “Vincenza Amato? You’re kidding?”
I shook my head and blinked back tears.
My aunt threw her arms around me. “Oh, Claire! I didn’t know. I’m so sorry. She was such a good woman.”
Extracting myself from her embrace, I told my aunt what I knew, minus the ribbon angle. “She doesn’t have family that I know of.”
“Sure she does. A niece, Franny. Used to live in Chicago, now she’s over in Beachwood.” She reached for another cupcake.
Would there be any cupcakes left?
She peeled the paper off the cupcake. “Life is so unsure. I hope they get the guy who did it and string him up.”
I waited a moment, then, “Are you that upset about Dad marrying Suzy?”
She huffed. “I can’t help it. She’s not a bad person, but she’s got too much…ooh la la about her. I’m not sure Frank can handle that.”
“She’s good for Dad. Really. He’s so happy with her and she takes care of him.” I remembered my first reaction to the news and cringed inside. “We should be happy for both of them. They’re lucky to have found each other. Like you and Ed.”
“So you’re not upset he’s getting married?”
“No. not at all.” God for sure would forgive me that little fib. “You shouldn’t be either. He welcomed Ed into the family. Be happy for them.”
She patted my knee. “Okay then. I’ll try, but I’m gonna keep an eye on her.” She hoisted herself from my sofa with a grunt. “You need to get a better couch. This one has had it. Keep the cupcakes and I’ll see you tomorrow a
fternoon at Cannoli’s. And I’m really sorry about Vincenza.”
“I know.” We hugged good-bye and I went to bed.
Not that I slept. No, I turned from one side to the other, never able to relax. My stomach clenched each time I envisioned Mrs. Amato’s body looking just as I’d discovered Eileen. Something had to be done to stop those murders from happening again.
Chapter Five
The next morning, I made a solid plan to catch Mrs. Amato’s killer. It was while I was making a cup of tea in the office kitchen. As soon as Gino came in, which was usually around ten, I was going to tell him I needed to pick up some chocolate for a sick friend. I didn’t relish lying to him, but I didn’t want him to know my real plan, which was finding the Smalley’s Chocolates where Eileen had worked. It wasn’t just the reward I was after, although if I could claim it without Gino, I’d have enough to start my own business. Even greater, finding Eileen’s killer would solve Mrs. Amato’s murder too. That’s what I believed, anyway.
After I paid a visit to Smalley’s to ask if Eileen had any regular male customers, I’d check these men out. The cops had probably done that already, or planned to. But I might be able to get some information they missed. It was a place to start, anyway.
Gino came in around nine thirty, early for him. He was wearing a sports jacket, and not one of the bright plaid numbers he’d picked up in Florida either. His bushy mustache was neatly trimmed and his hair full of gel so it would behave.
“I’m going with Timothy to make funeral arrangements for Eileen.”
“Have they released the body?”
“Tomorrow.”
“You’re a good friend, Gino. I’m sure Timothy appreciates it.”
He shrugged. “Couldn’t turn a pal down. Besides,” he glanced around. “It’s not like we’re real busy here.”
“That’s true. That’s why I know you won’t mind that I have an errand to run while you’re gone.” At the last minute I decided to be vague rather than lie. Vagueness isn’t a sin.
Cupcakes and Corpses Page 2
