Read Online Four O'Clock Sizzle: An Inspector Rebecca Mayfield Mystery (The Rebecca Mayfield Mysteries Book 4) by Joanne Pence - Free Book Online Page B

to him. And now, Paavo and Angie were married, and she was seeing Richie.
    But then, she reminded herself of the way Richie had walked out of the restaurant after they’d argued. She guessed their suitability or lack thereof was no longer an issue.
    Paavo wasn’t at his desk, but instead of Angie and Serefina seeing that and leaving, they walked straight over to her. Rebecca stood. “Angie, Serefina, how nice to see you. I think Paavo may be in court today.”
    “We know,” Angie said. “We’re actually here to see you. Do you have a minute?”
    Uh oh. Rebecca had a good idea where this was going. “Please sit down.” Rebecca pulled chairs together for them. “What can I do for you?”
    “It’s about Richie,” Angie said.
    Of course.
    “We’re worried about him,” her mother chimed in. In looks, Serefina was a much rounder, older version of Angie—except that her shoes were chunky with low, stubby heels. “We need you to do something.”
    Rebecca’s teeth clenched. “I see.”
    “Don’t get Paavo in trouble,” Angie said. “It really isn’t his fault that he’s terrible at hiding things from me. But I know Shig Tanaka was one of Richie’s friends. In fact, I was the one who first brought him to Shig’s restaurant after I discovered it. It was a marvelous place, and Shig was a fabulous chef.”
    Rebecca knew that Angie was also an excellent cook. That she’d never been able to find the right job to display her skill and knowledge of gourmet cooking was one of the banes of Angie’s—and consequently Paavo’s—existence.
    Before Rebecca could reply, Serefina spoke up. “And he got his head cut off!”
    “Shh! Mamma, it’s not nice to say that in public!”
    Rebecca’s shoulders sagged. “So it’s already out then, is it?”
    “It’s all over the news,” Angie said, waving her arms as if to indicate it was truly everywhere.
    “And we know,” Serefina continued, “that someone set Richie’s nightclub on fire!”
    “Right after they tried to burn down Diego Bosque’s store,” Angie said.
    “And we saw that horrible story in the magazine that talked about Richie along with those playboys! Santa Maria, madre di Dio ,” Serefina lifted her gaze to the ceiling, hands reaching upward.
    “It was all lies, too.” Angie assured Rebecca.
    “He should sue them!” Serefina shouted, hands now in fists and eyes glowering.
    “Richie doesn’t deserve this!” Angie cried.
    “So what are you doing about it?” Serefina demanded.
    Two sets of dark brown eyes stared at her, waiting for an answer.
    She swallowed. “We’re trying to find any link—”
    “Phone records?” Angie asked.
    “Customers and suppliers?” Serefina asked.
    “And their neighbors?” Angie suggested. “Do they go to the same clubs? Same bars? Interest in the same woman?” Angie gasped and looked at Serefina. “Maybe, Mamma, the whole thing is a love triangle gone wrong and the article drove some woman right over the edge!”
    “Madonna mia!” Serefina cried, eyes wide, as she crossed herself.
    “Please!” Rebecca got to her feet. “Both of you. I appreciate your concern, but we’re looking into all this. And lots more. I understand that you’re worried about Richie and—”
    “Well, aren’t you?” Serefina asked as she and Angie also stood up. “From what I’ve heard, you two are close, no?”
    “Mamma!” Angie cried. “That’s not anything you should be talking about. At least, not here at Rebecca’s work. Although”—she faced Rebecca—“we do hear that the two of you seem to be growing closer all the time. I’m so glad.”
    “We’re just friends,” Rebecca announced.
    “Sure you are.” Angie nudged her mother with her elbow. They smiled conspiratorially and gave each other a firm nod, then faced Rebecca again. “We completely understand.”
    After her last meeting with Richie, Rebecca had no business letting his relatives think there was anything more going on than there was.