Read Online A Season for Killing Blondes by Joanne Guidoccio - Free Book Online Page B

they think that I could be involved?
    “You’re alone and you never have any…what is that word…” My mother started to cry again.
    “Alibi, zia .” Sofia shook her head. “She’s right. You don’t have an alibi for the two murders, and you’ve had dealings with both of the women.”
    I spoke in a choked whisper. “I’m not a murderer.”
    My mother continued to cry as Aunt Amelia comforted her. Sofia started arranging muffins and fruit on a smaller tray. She picked up the tray and pointed toward the balcony. I followed her outside. She waited until I closed the sliding door before speaking. “We know you’re not a murderer. But the rest of the world is not convinced. Even Carlo has his doubts.”
    “What do you mean?” Where on earth was she getting all this information? “Ah, don’t tell me, more news from Curves. I guess you went there this morning.”
    “I missed yesterday, but I went in today. The women couldn’t stop talking about the murders and Carlo Fantin.” She paused and took a sip of coffee. “I don’t know how much you are prepared to hear.”
    “Give it to me straight. I need to know what’s going on.”
    We sat and started eating the fruit.
    “Carlo lost his cool yesterday when he found out about Melly Grace’s death,” Sofia said.
    “There aren’t too many grisly murders in Sudbury. Two in the same week involving friends of his—”
    Sofia interrupted, “He has a reputation for being calm and always in control.”
    “I guess losing Melly Grace upset him.” At the funeral home, they had sat very close together, and his face had softened whenever their glances met. “Maybe he still carries a torch for her.”
    “One of the officer’s wives dismissed that theory,” Sofia said. “She suggested he was upset because you were in the picture.” She took a deep breath and continued. “After the news bulletin went out, Carlo received a number of calls from people who claimed they were at Olympia on Monday night. They gave very interesting accounts about what happened that night. I don’t know if you—”
    “Spill it, Sofia.”
    Her eyes traveled toward the lake as she paused to find the right words. “Eight different women called and told Carlo that you looked angry enough to kill that night. One of them even said that you threatened Melly Grace.”
    “These people are lying!” My breath caught, and I struggled to slow down my heartbeat. “Sofia, you were there.”
    Sofia gave me a sad smile. “You stared a bit too long at that steak knife, and you clenched your hands. That’s what people remember.”
    I thought back to that night and remembered the murderous thoughts that had gone through my mind. Was I that transparent? A detail came to mind. “How could all those women claim that they saw me looking at the knife? The Godfrey women were standing very close to our table and blocking everyone’s view.”
    “Those eight witnesses are all somehow connected with Anna May,” Sofia said. “One of the wives mentioned that Anna May could have talked the women into calling Carlo.”
    “What is Anna May’s problem?” I hadn’t seen the woman in years, and suddenly she’s accusing me of two murders.
    “Don’t you remember how she was in school?” Sofia asked. “She couldn’t handle it when anyone else attracted more attention.”
    The teenage Anna May was a far cry from the overweight, middle-aged woman who was unraveling before us. If Anna May got that upset whenever she encountered a more attractive woman, she must be in a constant state of agitation. Something else was behind this harassment. “I wonder if Anna May is somehow involved in both murders?” I was surprised to hear myself thinking out loud.
    Sofia’s eyes widened. “Why would you even think such a thing?”
    “Just a gut feeling, I guess.” It was a far-fetched theory, but one that was starting to make sense. Why else would she be so quick to pin the murder on me? We had no history, none at