Cupcakes and Corpses

by Carole Fowkes

  Breakfast, even though it was chocolate, didn’t appeal to me anymore, but I promised Charlie his, so I fed him and then headed to the office. It was already nine but experience told me Gino wouldn’t be in.

  He wasn’t. Just as well, I wasn’t in the mood to have him offer the sage advice he believed he always gave. Adding Shirley Dolecek to my list of victims didn’t exactly put me into a happy frame of mind. The now-familiar questions haunted me. What was it about bingo that set the killer off? Was music a trigger that the killer controlled most of the time, but sometimes let it set him off? Why? Why? Why?

  I leaned forward in my chair and stared at the computer screen as if the closer I got to it the clearer the answers. The only answer I got was no answer. I had to do something. My music lesson wasn’t until next week, but all of a sudden I wasn’t willing to wait that long to press Todd Shotswell. He still had my vote for person-of-interest.

  Leaving a note for Gino that said I’d waited all morning for him, off I went.

  Lucky for me, there was only one customer in Shotswell’s store and the guy was just leaving.

  Todd gave me one of his charming smiles. “Claire! How nice to see you again. Is there something you need?” His smile morphed into a look of concern. “I hope you haven’t changed your mind about your lessons.”

  It’d be easy to let my guard down with this guy. That is, if he wasn’t on my radar as a likely candidate for serial killer. “Oh, no. Not at all. I just wanted to ask you if, um, if it’d make a difference if I started my lessons with a tenor sax instead. See, my dad has one and I could pick it up on my way to bingo. I play bingo all the time.”

  I’m not quite sure what I expected, but it wasn’t another one of those smiles. “If you’d rather start with a tenor, that’s fine. It might be a little harder at first, though. Bring in the rental sax and I’ll give you a refund.”

  He wasn’t taking the bait, so I loaded another worm on the hook. “Do you play bingo? It’s a lot of fun. Once I learn the saxophone, I’ll be playing my two favorite things.”

  Although that sounded lame even to me, he was polite. “No, I’m sorry. I don’t play. Some of my relatives did, or do.”

  “Oh, yes. Lots of people do. Mostly women, but some men. Any men in your family? I mean, any men who play bingo?” Now he was looking at me as if I were slightly unhinged.

  “My mother used to play. And her brother, my uncle.”

  The bell on his door sounded. “Will you excuse me? I have another customer, but I’ll see you next week.” He closed the music book, as if dismissing me.

  Taking the hint, I slunk out of the store and walked stiffly to my car. Once inside I leaned my head against my steering wheel. “Stupid, stupid.” I stopped. His uncle played bingo. Maybe he was musical too. I headed back to work determined to look into his uncle’s life. Could both he and his uncle be involved in a serial killer duet?

  ***

  Gino was sitting at his desk, tapping a pen against his keyboard. “Hey Claire, come and take a look at this.”

  Wondering if he’d even noticed I’d been gone I dropped my purse and went into his office. On his computer screen was a video of Shirley Dolecek at a party of some sort. She was playing the piano. He paused the video. “Now all we have to do is find out if she played bingo.”

  “Got that covered, boss. She was last seen at a bingo game.”

  He swiveled his chair to face me. “Get out! That solves it, then. We need to stake out some local bingo parlors. See who’s hanging out at them.”

  I took a long breath in and out, calming myself. “A friend of mine and I’ve been doing that. Nothing so far.”

  “Maybe you just haven’t been observant enough.”

  It was all I could do not to grab my bingo card marker and dot his face with it. “We have. In fact, tonight, my friend and I are meeting somebody who might be a suspect.”

  One of his eyebrows rose. “Is that safe? You think he’s our guy?”

  “It’s at Palacio’s at seven. Prime dinner time. We’ll be fine.”

  Almost to himself, “Could be the break we need to solve this case.”

  We? “Well, I won’t know anything until I question him.” The last thing I wanted was Gino to bypass facts to get to the reward.

  The rest of the day went slowly as I filed and made business calls for Gino. In between my work duties, I tried to uncover more about Shotswell’s uncle, but since he had a different last name, unknown first, and I had no address, I had no luck. Nor was I able to come up with any motive for killing six women. By the end of the day, all the filing was done and the calls made, but I was still no closer to having a motive or information on the uncle.

  I consoled myself with imagining it would all fall into place tonight with Norm confessing he was the killer.

  Before leaving the office, I called my aunt to remind her I wouldn’t be at Cannoli’s tonight.

  “That’s okay. Your father’s coming to help out.”

  “That’s great, Aunt Lena. See you tomorrow night.” Then I was on my way home to first check on Charlie, then freshen up and head out to Palacio’s. Just in case, I also double-checked that my gun was loaded.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Angie walked ahead of me into Palacio’s. She was wearing a green sheath dress that showed off her green eyes and her still-good figure. Part of me hoped this guy wasn’t the murderer. It’d be nice for Angie to have someone. On the other hand, if he was the Red Bow Killer, we’d get him behind bars and the women in Cleveland and its suburbs could relax. Plus, I’d get at least half of the reward Smalley’s was offering

  While we waited just inside the restaurant door, I said, “You look very nice, Angie.”

  She smiled and brushed a strand of her heavily-sprayed hair from her forehead. “Thanks. To tell you the truth, my nerves are doing a jitterbug.” Before I could say anything, she added, “Not because I think he’s the killer. He can’t be. It’s because I haven’t had a date in a long time.” She paused, “You know, today when Corrigan was questioning me about the bingo game, it hit again me how truly gorgeous your guy is. And polite. Hang on to that one, Claire. He’s a keeper.”

  It was my turn to smile. “Yeah. I plan to. If he’s agreeable, could be for the rest of my life.”

  The maitre d appeared and offered to escort us to our table, but wanting to take note of the kind of car Norm drove, I put the host off.

  About five minutes later, “That’s him. That’s Norm.” Angie’s fluttering hands unnecessarily smoothed her dress.

  A familiar-looking man stepped out of a dark sedan and handed the keys to the valet. He was taller and bulkier than I recalled, and well-dressed.

  As soon as he came through the door, Angie made the introductions. “Claire’s boyfriend couldn’t make it so I told her it’d be fine if we were a trio instead of a duo.”

  A look of surprise and perhaps disappointment skipped across his face, but he quickly recovered. “I consider myself a lucky man tonight being in the company of two beautiful women.”

  Chalk one up for Norm. He knew how to handle a situation that didn’t go according to plan. Or did that just prove he was a successful serial killer? With some skill, luck and feminine wiles I might find out before another woman died. I was glad I didn’t get around to asking Corrigan to join us. Maybe Norm would be more relaxed and open with just two women asking questions.

  We were seated and as soon as we placed our drink orders, I began. “So, Norm, how long have you been playing bingo?”

  “I go once in a while. It gets me out of the house. I’m not a nightlife kind of guy so bars don’t interest me. Neither do the people that frequent them.” He placed his napkin on his lap. “I’m in a band but we usually just play weddings and anniversary parties. Not much call for an accordion in a rock band.” He laughed, revealing crooked but white teeth.

  I couldn’t stop myself. “So do you think the women who play bingo are nice?”

  “Sometimes. Like Ang
ie here.”

  “Did you know Joanna Whitechapel? She sometimes went by the name of Desiree.”

  “I bet she’s talking your ear off, isn’t she?” I looked up and saw the clean-shaven face of my favorite detective. Except he wasn’t my favorite at that moment.

  Corrigan grabbed the back of the empty chair at our table for four.

  I hissed, “What are you doing here?”

  He ignored me and addressed Norm. “I’m Brian, Claire’s boyfriend, although you wouldn’t know by her greeting. You must be Norm.” He stuck out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  Norm smiled vaguely and shook Corrigan’s hand. “How do you do?” The man was definitely polite.

  Corrigan grinned like a life insurance salesman in the aisle seat of a full plane. He knew his audience was captive. “So Claire tells me you play bingo and the accordion.”

  Angie interjected, “I’m famished. Why don’t we order some appetizers?”

  Ignoring her suggestion, Corrigan went on drilling like a sadistic dentist. “What do you think of women who stay out either at a bar listening to music or play bingo instead of taking care of their families?”

  “I…I hadn’t thought about it.” He took a sip of his drink.

  “It doesn’t make you mad?”

  Norm’s face turned a bit splotchy. “I suppose people should do what’s best for their loved ones.”

  Corrigan continued with, “What did you do after you talked to Angie last night at bingo?”

  Norm shrugged. “What I always do. I went home and read for a while.”

  “You live alone?” Corrigan was going in for the kill.

  “Yes. Are you asking me because of that woman who was murdered?”

  I shoved a menu in front of Corrigan before he could answer and followed that by glaring at him. “I think ordering appetizers is a great idea. Why don’t we each pick one and we can share.”

  A voice behind me said, “That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.” I closed my eyes and slowly turned around in my chair before opening them. Standing there were my aunt and Ed. Ed gave me a look that made it clear this hadn’t been his idea.

  When the waiter was done setting down the drinks for Angie, Norm, and me, Aunt Lena asked him, “Could we get a bigger table so all of us can sit together?” She looked at Norm and said, “This way we can get to know you.”

  Angie covered her eyes with her hand. Norm glanced around as if to make sure this was really happening.

  Drinks, menus, and napkins in hand, we switched tables. Aunt Lena insisted on Norm sitting between her and Angie.

  Ed murmured to me, “I tried to talk her out of busting into this dinner.”

  Thankfully the waiter came back and asked the newcomers for their drink orders. Otherwise, who knows what words would have escaped from my mouth?

  Ed ordered a beer. Aunt Lena smiled pleasantly. “I’ll have a Pink Lady.” After the waiter left, my aunt waved her hand. “Go ahead with what you were talking about before we got here. Oh, but by the way, Norm, I hear you play the accordion.”

  Norm sighed, as if relieved for moving off the topic of the murdered woman. “Yes, I play both the button and the piano type accordions.”

  Angie finally spoke, “I didn’t realize there were two types.”

  Norm started to warm up. “Oh, yes. And there’s even more differentiation than that.”

  At almost the same time, Corrigan and I asked, “Do you play other instruments?”

  He shook his head, “No. Used to play piano, but it’s easier to carry an accordion with me.”

  Lena didn’t allow him to pause for a breath. “Have you ever been married, Norm?”

  “Aunt Lena, what’s that got to do with the accordion?”

  She huffed, “Well, he plays at weddings. Women are already in the mood for romance. And they go crazy for musicians. I remember my crush on Frankie Valli.”

  Norm’s face turned as red as marinara sauce. “No. I’ve never been married. Haven’t met the right woman.”

  Aunt Lena harrumphed. “Or maybe you’re too picky. Take Angie here—”

  “That’s enough!” Angie threw her napkin down. “Norm, you and I are going over to another table and have our drinks and dinner like we planned. The rest of you can stay here and imagine what we’re talking about.” She motioned to the waiter, who hustled over.

  Norm’s eyes lit up. “I like a woman with spunk.”

  “Then you’ll love Angie.” My aunt murmured.

  Before the newly-formed couple could make a move, another voice boomed, “Hey, where’s everybody going? We just got here.” It was Gino, accompanied by Betty.

  I slunk in my chair while Angie glared at me.

  Oblivious to the dynamics of the group, Gino offered his hand to Norm. “You must be the guy Angie picked up at the bingo parlor last night. Name’s Gino.” Norm, to his credit, shook hands with Gino and said hello. Gino motioned to everyone at the table. “This here is Betty. Betty, you know Claire. Detective Corrigan is next to her, then Lena and her husband, Ed. The older woman next to Norm is Angie.”

  Betty, in a slinky magenta sequined number better suited to Las Vegas than to Palacio’s, gave a general, “Hi, Everyone. Nice to meetcha.”

  Our waiter, patiently standing there, in a flustered voice asked if we would all like to move to a bigger table.

  “Not on your life.” Angie shot back at the poor man. “The newcomers can have our seats.” She pointed to Norm. “We’d like another table. For two.”

  “Make that four.” Aunt Lena added, daring Angie to disagree with her.

  I was ready to bury my head in my hands, but rising to the occasion, I took a chance. “Ladies, we’re all going to powder our noses.”

  Betty was the only one to object. “But I just got here.”

  Aunt Lena took Betty by the arm. “Honey, you could use some powder to tone that dress down.”

  Angie stomped ahead of us and waited until we all piled into the tiny ladies’ room. “I don’t agree with it, but I know why Claire is here. Why are the rest of you?”

  Betty turned red, her complexion clashing with her gown. “I told Gino I didn’t want to come. But he said it was my opportunity to come face-to-face with my sister’s killer.”

  Lena spun halfway around and pushed her face so close to Angie’s they almost touched noses. “This guy’s a killer? Angie, there’re dating sites for older—”

  Angie threw up her hands. “He’s not a killer. He happens to like bingo and plays an accordion. That’s it.”

  I could only hope it was going better at the dinner table. “Stop it! Everyone, Angie is on a date with Norm—”

  My aunt jumped in, “—who just happens to fit the profile of a serial killer.”

  “That’s not what I was going to say. He’s not a suspect, or even a person of interest.” I added to myself that he could be, depending on his answers to Corrigan’s questions.

  “Thank you, Claire.” Angie looked worn out. “He’s a nice man who happened to think I was a nice woman. That opinion is probably long gone now.”

  My aunt sighed and put her beefy arm around Angie’s shoulder. “Angie, we’ve been friends since grade school. Me and Ed came to meet the guy you think is special enough to go out with. If he’s really a good guy then great. I’ll treat him like a brother. If he’s a sfacimma, a bad guy, he belongs in prison, not with you.”

  Wrapping her arms around herself, Betty asked, “So did he kill my sister Rose, or not?”

  I broke the news to her as gently as possible. “Betty, we don’t know anything yet. I’m sorry Gino jumped the gun.” All along I’d felt sorry for her because her sister was dead. Now I felt even sorrier for her because she actually believed Gino would find Rose’s killer.

  To my surprise, tears formed in her eyes. “I just want justice for my sister.” Her chin trembled, reminding me this wasn’t just about collecting a reward or avenging Mrs. Amato’s death.

  All I could manage
was, “We’ll catch the guy. I know we will.”

  Angie blew out a deep breath. “Okay, ladies, we’re going back out, asking for a bigger table, and acting like this is a friendly gathering. Claire and I will do the serious questioning later.”

  I muttered, “If we haven’t already scared him silent.”

  The waiter had thoughtfully transferred our party to the back of the room. When we arrived at the table, Norm and Ed were in a debate about which accordion was the best. “Norm, I respect your opinion, but I gotta say, a chromatic button accordion has always sounded great to me.”

  Norm stood when Angie sat down. Following suit, Ed and Corrigan rose. Gino remained seated until Betty whacked his shoulder. He popped up and remained standing longer than the other men. I revised my opinion of Betty. She was no lamb.

  Dessert was being served when Gino, having had three gin and tonics, asked Norm, “So, why do you think that Bow Killer is killing all those poor women?”

  Angie glared at Gino. “Why do you think he’s doing it, Gino?”

  Norm’s eyes narrowed. “No, I’ll give it a shot. Maybe he thought the women disrespected him and he didn’t know how else to get his point across.” He finished his drink. “Is that what you wanted to hear?” His face got blotchy and he waved to the waiter. “Check please.” He faced Angie. “You’re a lovely woman, but—”

  Ed jumped in. “Hey, Norm. You shoulda seen what I went through with this group. Nothing personal. They’re great when you get to know them.”

  Norm shook his head as he paid cash for his dinner and Angie’s.

  I flashed a grateful look at Ed and opened my mouth to take over, but Gino was faster.

  “Hey no offense meant, but you were at the right place, right time, right, buddy?”

  Angie clenched her fists, no doubt wishing she could plant one on Gino’s chin. “I understand, Norm. I’ll walk you to your car.”

  “I’ll go too.” I couldn’t help myself. What if getting Angie alone and defenseless was his plan all along?