A Crouton Murder by J. M. Griffin Read Free Book Online

anyone following her, but we don’t go out together very often, either. I figure the best way to handle that situation is to be ready, should there be someone following her.”
    “You’re a good friend to look out for BettyJo. She could simply be nervous over all that’s happened this week. Have you considered that?”
    I gave him a nod, drank my coffee, and checked my watch. There was bread to be made and the hour had grown late. Dang, I wanted to stay here with Aidan.
    “I know you must get back to make the bread. Am I right?” Aidan said with a good-natured attitude.
    “Sorry, I’d rather stay and chat, but my customers will be unhappy if they don’t have fresh bread tomorrow.”
    “Good business sense, I’d expect nothing less from you,” Aidan said and summoned the waiter.
    Instead of returning to the shop right away, we walked along South Main Street and peered into shop windows. This historical section of the street remained true to the days of ship merchants and the like. The sidewalks were cobblestone or brick, and petite shops and eateries inhabited many of the neat buildings. We had arrived at Conclavia, the shop owned by Vinnie Esposito, and gawked at all the lovely merchandise displayed so beautifully in the front windows.
    “So this is Vinnie’s place? Does she teach at college and work here?” Aidan asked.
    “No, she has a couple of staffers that handle all this.”
    He gave me a nod, we turned back toward the car, and Aidan drove me home. At the door, he kissed me soundly, laughed when I kissed him again, and then said he’d see me the next day.
    From inside the shop, I watched him drive off and disappear in the night.

Chapter 5
    Bread cooled in rows on tall racks while I removed rolls from the oven.With a wide yawn, I saw how late the hour had become. Later than I usually worked. The evening with Aidan had been worth the extra time I now surrendered to bread making.
    A loud knock at the rear entry announced BettyJo’s arrival. She marched in and plunked her butt on the nearest stool, her face cheerless. Her chin cupped in her hand, BettyJo eyed the cooling bread, rolls, and the plate sitting nearby. I grinned, tossed her a Diplomat and watched her gleeful expression. Diplomats are a favorite of ours, but then, we weren’t fussy, either. The small Parisian breakfast bread is considered by many to be a pastry, though the French don’t see it that way. BettyJo peeled away the edges of the flaky croissant to reveal the creamy custard filling I’d dotted with raisins. She grinned and licked her fingers.
    Pleased at the joy she found in the food from my kitchen, I remarked, “Now you’ve got sustenance, tell me why you were so disconsolate when you arrived.”
    Around a mouthful of tasty goodness, she mumbled, “I’m afraid you’re right about my having to take a lesson or two in self-safety if your friend Vinnie will show me what to do. I’m definitely being followed.”
    I scooted over and sat down opposite her, all my attention on BettyJo. “Tell me everything.”
    “On the way to the post box, I decided I’d go the long way and walk a while in the fresh air. When I turned the corner past Mutts, I glanced back and saw this guy walking along glancing at shop windows. I didn’t think anything of it until I rounded the block. Each time I turned a corner, I nonchalantly looked back and there he was.” BettyJo shivered. “It’s downright creepy, Melina.”
    It only took a second or two to find and dial Vinnie’s number. When she didn’t answer, I left a voice mail message on her phone. “Hey, Vinnie, it’s Melina Cameron from the Hole in the Wall Bakery. We met a while back and you offered to look into some things for me should I ever need it. Instead of doing that, could you stop by the bakery tomorrow after you’re done teaching? I’d like to speak with you about an issue my friend is having. I’ll be here all day. Thanks.”
    I glanced at the clock and was glad Vinnie