M.urder R.eady to E.at (A Scotti Fitzgerald Murder Mystery Book 2)

by Anita Rodgers

  Ted creased his forehead, then he used his chopsticks to slide a container across the counter to me. "Orange chicken — your favorite."

  To fight the nausea, I put a forkful of noodles in my mouth and chewed. "I know."

  He stopped eating and tilted his head. "You're not having any?"

  I chugged down half my club soda and tried not to smell the greasy Chinese food. "Maybe later."

  Ted pressed the back of his hand to my forehead. "Are you sick?"

  I pushed his hand away. "Just not hungry."

  He frowned. "What happened to the girl who could go bite for bite at the dinner table?"

  I shrugged. "You must be confusing me with Zelda."

  He pursed his lips and peered into my face. "You sure you're feeling all right?"

  I flapped my hands at him. "No, I'm not all right. My best friend hates me. Joe won't give me any work. My gate is fucking possessed. And you went from being an orphan to having a big family that drives me nuts." Tears bloomed in my eyes. "Everything is changing, and I don't like it." I pushed my food away and sulked. "So there."

  Ted wiped my tears with a paper napkin then put his arm around me. "Things will get better, you'll see."

  I lay my head on his shoulder and leaned against him. "You’re just saying that to make me feel better."

  He squeezed my shoulders. "Matt will help with the truck. Zelda will come around. Joe will give you a case. We'll fix the gate tomorrow. And my family will learn to love you. Just give it some time."

  I laughed. "You had me until the part about your family." I pointed to his plate. "Okay mister, finish your dinner. I’m fine.” I pulled my plate back and forced another forkful of noodles into my mouth. "See, I'm eating."

  He pointed two fingers at his then mine. "Okay, but I'm watching you."

  While Ted cleaned up in the kitchen I plopped in front of the TV. By the time he came out to the living room, my eyes were drifting shut. He scooped me up like a rag doll. "What are you doing? We're going to watch a movie."

  He carried me to my bedroom and lay me on the bed. "You need to sleep." He pulled the blankets over me and stroked my cheek. "Close your eyes."

  "I’m not sleepy," I murmured, already halfway to dreamland. But when he stepped away from the bed my eyes popped open and I raised my head. "Where are you going?"

  "I'll be right back." He left the room but I heard him talking on the phone. After the phone call he went outside for a few minutes. When he came back, he walked the house, checking windows and locks and making sure everything was secure. Typical Ted.

  When he slid into bed, I murmured an 'I love you' and fell into the black hole of sleep.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  When my alarm went off I groaned. Sighing, I turned it off and rolled out of bed. Ted turned over and opened his eyes. “What time is it?” He reached for me. "Come back to bed."

  "Go back to sleep," I whispered.

  He sat up. "No, I'm awake." He stretched and yawned. "Come here." He wiggled his fingers. “I want to tell you something.”

  I pulled clean clothes out of the dresser. "You’ll have to tell me later.” I glanced at him and giggled. "Do you want your baby brother to show up while we’re talking?"

  In his sexy growl he said, “It doesn’t have to be a long conversation.”

  I rolled my eyes and took my clothes into the bathroom before he could grab me.

  While I got ready, Ted rapped at the bathroom door. "Honey, let me in."

  "Forget about it." I splashed cold water on my face, brushed my teeth, dragged a brush through my hair and slathered on moisturizer. And Ted rapped on the door begging for entry the entire time. When I opened the door, Ted filled the doorway with his big frame. "Okay Tarzan, you clean up, I'll start the coffee." I pinched his butt, ducked under his arm and escaped to the kitchen.

  I put on a pot of coffee, fed Boomer then went outside to look for Matt. Still dark, the morning air was chill and raised gooseflesh on my bare arms. I hurried to the gate, unlocked it, and waited until it opened. When I stepped out to the street there was no red Prius heading my way. Disappointed but not surprised, I went to the truck and re-checked my stock. I was ready whether he showed or not. I sighed and climbed out of the truck, throwing a quick glance at the open gate.

  From the front door Ted said, "He'll be here." Dressed in a tee shirt, jeans and sneakers, he leaned against the door frame, holding a cup of coffee. Hair still wet from the shower and emitting his intoxicating man smell, he tempted me to take a run at him, but that was a conversation for later.

  I walked back to the house. "I hope you're right." I ducked under his arm to get inside. "You want some breakfast?"

  He followed me into the kitchen. "You don't have to cook for me."

  I laughed. "Who said I was cooking for you?" I searched through the cabinets. "Zelda has a box of cereal in here somewhere. Here it is." I waved the box at him. "So you want some Toastie Flakes or a muffin?"

  Ted grabbed the cereal and took it to the butcher-block. I provided the milk, sugar, bowl, and spoon. He munched quietly while I drank club soda and watched the clock. "Shit."

  "If he doesn't show, I can drive the truck."

  I dropped a couple of English muffins in the toaster. "Yeah, I didn’t think you’d changed the dress code at work." I glanced at him. "You knew he'd blow me off?"

  Ted smiled and shrugged. "Matt's not famous for his promptness." He poured a second bowl of cereal. "But he's a good kid. He might still show."

  I put the English muffins on a plate, buttered them, then carried them to the butcher-block. "I'm glad you're here." I offered him an English muffin and he snatched it out of my hand. "I don't think I can do another day by myself on the truck."

  He chuckled. "So you're admitting that you need me?"

  I hopped off my stool and stood next to him. "If you tell anyone, I’ll deny it to the death." I slipped my arms around his neck and kissed him.

  Boomer growled suddenly, we broke apart and stared at the dog. Boomer shot out of his bed and barreled toward the front room.

  Matt called from the living room. "Scotti? Where are you, man?"

  "Back here."

  Matt appeared in the doorway with Boomer on his heels, growling and wagging his stub. "Sorry I'm late." He followed the scent of coffee. "Coffee, awesome." He poured himself a cup and pulled up a stool at the counter. “Didn’t have time to stop.”

  I slid off my stool grabbed a bowl and spoon and set it in front of him. Pointing to the cereal I said, "Help yourself."

  Between them, Ted and Matt polished off an entire box of cereal, a half gallon of milk and the rest of the coffee. Matt looked at the clock. "Ready to hit it?"

  It was almost seven. "We don't have to be in Pasadena until eight."

  Matt frowned. "But didn't you tell me six o'clock?" Ted and I grinned at him. He snickered. "Oh…you knew I'd be late, huh?" He shrugged. "That's fair."

  He wanted to check out the truck, so I gave him the keys and told him to help himself. He wandered toward the front, with Boomer his new buddy, happily following.

  Ted pulled me into his arms and squeezed. He breathed in the scent of my hair.

  "Why can’t it be Saturday?"

  I pulled back. "Why are you dying to go to Tom and Ginny's anniversary party?"

  He played with my hair. "I'm dying to see the cake you're going to make because I know it’s going to blow everybody’s mind.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “But I was talking about the stuff that comes before the party.”

  I laughed. “Always planning ahead, huh baby?" I wriggled out of his arms. "You're staying until the gate guy gets here?"

  "Yeah. I'll call you when we know what's up."

  I pecked him on the lips. "Time to face the day."

  <<>>

  Matt may not have been prompt, but he was an excellent driver. He handled the truck with ease and had the big green monster purring like a sports car within minutes. What I expected to be a day of mishaps and
stress turned out to be a lot of fun. Matt was funny, sweet and helpful — and went out of his way to give me the backup I needed. He got the biggest kick out of driving the food truck and figured it would earn him bragging rights with buddies.

  Ted called mid-morning and said the repairman couldn't find anything wrong with the gate. His only suggestion was to completely replace the electronics and remotes. He suspected one of my neighbors’ remotes was interfering with the gate’s sensors. Short of conducting a search and finding the remote causing the havoc, the easiest solution was to rehaul the system. I didn't want to spend money replacing something that wasn't broken, but I didn't want the gate randomly opening either. "Okay, tell him to go ahead."

  Ted volunteered to stay until the work was complete. After Matt and I finished the route, we'd swing by the shop for the new remotes. I texted Zelda about the gate. She didn't answer, but I'd done what I could, so I left it at that.

  We cranked at warp speed for the rest of the day. And it seemed we could do no wrong. Customers were cheerful, tipped generously and loved my berry tartlets. It was exactly what I needed — a happy productive day doing what I loved most in the world. And being appreciated for it. Something that had been in short supply lately. I even started to think that the riff between me and Zelda wasn’t insurmountable and that somehow everything would work out.

  After we picked up the new remotes from the shop, we swung by the Foothill station house. Before Matt hit the horn, people poured out of the building and lined up at the serving window. Sergeant Blane front and center. He beamed when I threw in an extra strawberry tartlet, free of charge. "I've been saving this just for you, Sarge."

  His eyes fixed on the berry goodness. "Bless you Ms. Fitzgerald."

  I scanned the crowd. "Daniels around? I have a pie for him."

  He gave me a ten and told me to keep the change. "I'll send him right out." Holding his sack of goodies close, the Sarge walked back into the building.

  I followed the Sarge's trek for a few seconds before the crowd demanded my attention. Cops sure do like their sweets, and they were in a tipping mood too. Eventually the crowd thinned, and only a few stragglers stood out front eating and talking – Drew Fuller among them. As usual, he stood at the edge of the building by himself. His gaze was fixed on a spot on the sidewalk, but I sensed he was watching me. Cops' eyes have that kind of talent.

  Daniels' big goofy face appeared in the window. "You have a pie for little ol' me?"

  I put two boxed berry pies on the ledge in front of him. "Nope, I have two. Because I owed you two, right?"

  Daniels snatched them quickly and held them like they were lovers. "Damn tootin'."

  "Coffee?” I poured him an extra large with lots of cream and sugar and passed it to him.

  "I was going to scold you for coming by too early yesterday, but you're forgiven." His sharp little eyes flitted from side to side. "Where's Zelda? She's usually busting my balls by now."

  I hunched a shoulder casually. "Out of town for a few days."

  Daniels craned his neck toward the cab. "Who's driving the truck?"

  I waved my hand toward the cab. "Ted's brother." Scanning to make sure no one was listening, I bent down and said, "Checked things out yet?"

  He looked around and lowered his voice. "Tonight." He furrowed his brow. "And be quiet, I'm doing this on my own time. No need to broadcast it to the whole precinct."

  My eyes drifted to Drew Fuller. "You haven't told anyone?"

  Daniels shook his head. "I gotta go. I'll check you later."

  I nodded and raised my voice for the sake of the crowd. "Okay Daniels, try not to eat both pies before your shift is over." A few chuckles rose from the small group still outside — except for Drew Fuller.

  Walking toward the front door, Daniels gave me a backward wave. "Yeah, yeah, very funny."

  I closed the window, then went up front to the cab. "Okay, Matt my boy, time to call it a day."

  Matt turned his head and looked toward the back. "We didn’t sell everything, right?"

  I laughed. "Chill dude, I've got a doggy bag for you."

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  The new remotes worked great, and the gate slid instead of chugging. Nice. Before Matt turned off the engine, the gate was sliding closed. The upgrade probably cost me a fortune, but having my peace of mind back made it worth it.

  Before he left, Matt insisted on helping me restock the truck. "It's all part of the job description, right?"

  "I only hired you to drive."

  Matt smiled and raked his shaggy blond hair out of his eyes. "It’s cool dude, I don’t mind.” He waved an arm around the truck. "Besides, this is the most fun I ever had on a job."

  I fanned out my arms. "Okay dude, if it's fun you want, then fun you'll get." I curled a finger at him. “Come with me.” Matt followed me in and out of the house, carrying pies, tarts, muffins, cakes, and cookies. Without asking him, he lugged a twenty-pound sack of coffee beans and dumped it into the truck's coffee bin. Then he helped me clean the coffee pots, the espresso machine, the microwave, and the ice cream freezer. I felt like a shit for underestimating him. Already I was regretting the day when I’d have to let him go.

  After we finished, I emptied the tip jar onto the counter and divvied up the loot, then gave Matt his half in a paper sack. "Here you go."

  He pushed it away. "No man, those are your tips."

  I forced the bag into his hand. "No these are our tips. That’s the deal, we split tips fifty-fifty. I handed him a larger sack of left over muffins and cookies. "And don't forget your doggy bag."

  Matt's green eyes danced. "Seriously, dude?"

  "Seriously. You earned them." I shrugged. "If you don't want them, I can give them to Ted to take to the office."

  Matt clutched the bag to his chest. "What? Ted? No way. These are mine man."

  I laughed. “I’m glad we got that settled.”

  I walked him to his car. "Okay Scotti, see you tomorrow morning." He held up seven fingers. "At seven, right?"

  "Yup, on the dot."

  "And I won’t be late." Matt started his car, and I opened the gate with the remote. Matt waved as he drove through and before he was out of sight, the gate glided closed and locked with a click.

  Boomer followed me into the house, dancing and wagging as he went — making sure I didn't forget to feed him. For such a little mutt, he could plow through a bowl of kibble and can of wet food in nothing flat. Like all the men in my life, he had a big appetite.

  After I fed Boomer, I pulled a couple of Porterhouse steaks out of the freezer to defrost for dinner. I was sick of takeout and figured all the greasy salty food was why may appetite was off. A nice broiled steak, loaded baked potatoes, and baby peas would put my stomach right.

  I didn’t expect Ted for a couple of hours, but I grabbed my phone to text him for an exact time. Before I could dial my phone it buzzed. "Hi honey, I was just going to text you."

  "It's Zelda. I'm at the gate, can you let me in?"

  I ran to the front door and hit the gate panel then ran outside.

  Zelda drove through the gate and pulled up to the house. The gate closed and locked just as it had when Matt left. Good.

  Zelda climbed out of the jeep looking great. She wore black dress jeans, strappy black sandals and a fitted white tee shirt. Her skin glowed like she’d been at the beach and even her pony tail was combed and neat. Time away from me had been good for her.

  I caught her in a bear hug and lifted her off her feet. "I'm so happy to see you."

  Zelda swatted at me. "Hey let me down you freak."

  Grinning, I set her down. "You look good. Have a date tonight?"

  She rubbed her arms. "How can anybody so tiny be so freakishly strong?"

  I noticed the lack of luggage and peered into the jeep. "Where's your bag?"

  She walked past me into the house.

  My good mood tanked, and I followed her inside. "Zee?" She slouched in the easy chair, staring at her
feet. "You're not coming back, are you?"

  Her eyes flitted to me then shifted away. "I just came for the clicker and key."

  Hope reared its head again — she wouldn't need the clicker or the key if she was moving out for good. "Okay. So how’s it going?"

  She finally looked at me. "I just need some time alone. To think."