Fat Tuesday Fricassee by J. J. Cook Read Free Book Online Page B

can’t let this poor man’s death be swept under the carpet, Miguel. What can it hurt to ask Detective Frolick what he’s turned up so far? I don’t have to say anything about the reporter being the same man they found in the alley.”
    â€œI don’t know if Frolick is a member of the society, but if this is a police cover-up, he’s under orders from some wealthy, powerful people to keep the reporter’s death quiet. Do you think they’re going to let you skip around the city asking questions with no consequences?”
    I was beginning to get defensive about his attitude. I’msure I wouldn’t have said what came out of my mouth next if I hadn’t been angry. “My father is King Felix this year. His family was one of the two families that started carnival and the Mistics of Time. I’m pretty sure they aren’t going to kill
me
for asking what happened.”
    The look on his face was enough to make me want to take my arrogant family pride statement back, but it was too late.
    He finished stocking his side of the kitchen in the Biscuit Bowl and swept a bow in my general direction. “If that’s all, milady, I should run and fetch whatever else you need.”
    Ollie came in at that point, not understanding the hurt sarcasm Miguel was throwing my way. “Too early for the Renaissance festival,” he said with a grin. “But I love those things. Maybe we can all go together this fall.”
    Miguel left the kitchen without another word. I was about to run after him when the health inspector showed up. I couldn’t believe my luck—it was Mr. Carruthers, which I thought was kind of creepy. Was he following me or did they assign him to me because he inspected the diner?
    â€œGet Crème Brûlée out of the front,” I whispered to Ollie. “Hurry, please.”
    Mr. Carruthers smiled when he saw me. “Miss Chase. I hope you found another place to keep your cat. He won’t be allowed here, either.”

SIX

    â€œI took him to stay with my mother for a while.”
    It was a desperate lie. My mother wouldn’t have kept my cat unless it was a matter of life or death. She definitely wouldn’t have helped out to keep my business going. She hated the idea that I had my own business and that I wanted to cook for a living.
    Mr. Carruthers didn’t have to know that.
    â€œGood.” He nodded. “They brought in all the health inspectors from across the city for the food truck rally. It was my good fortune to draw your food truck.”
    â€œI’m sure you won’t find anything wrong in my kitchen.”
I hope.
“What can I do to help?”
    â€œLeave.” He surveyed the tiny kitchen area. “It’s too small in here for more than one person.”
    I didn’t mention that there were normally three of us working back there. I knew the regulations on that werevague. I didn’t want to stir up any more trouble. “Sure. I’ll wait outside.”
    I saw Ollie walking toward Miguel’s car on the street and followed him. He was stashing Crème Brûlée in the Mercedes as I reached them. Miguel had locked all the doors but left the windows open about an inch. He could’ve left them open more—it would take half the window for my cat to climb out.
    â€œIs the inspector done?” Ollie asked.
    â€œNo. He asked me to leave. Thanks for rescuing Crème Brûlée. Mr. Carruthers already has a black mark against me, I thought I should play it safe. I think he may just not like cats.”
    â€œMr. Carruthers is here, too?” Miguel asked. “That seems odd, doesn’t it?”
    â€œYes. He said they needed all the city health inspectors. It’s probably not odd, though. I figure he saw my name on the list and wanted to keep tormenting me.”
    I smiled at him and moved closer to where he was leaning against the car. I didn’t want us to fight