Granny Apples 05 - Ghost in the Guacamole by Sue Ann Jaffarian Read Free Book Online Page B

Granny was preparing to argue with Phil. “Granny’s my eyes and ears and, Phil, you’re my muscle. What more does a girl need?”
    â€œI think,” said Granny, somewhat mollified by Emma’s words, “that you should go back to the restaurant and investigate the place where Felix died. I think he hangs out there sometimes. Didn’t Rikki say she often feels his presence?”
    After Emma filled in Phil, she said, “Yes, Granny. That’s a great idea. Maybe I just need to make one more contact with Felix to determine the severity of the situation. If I believe Rikki to be in real danger, I’ll warn her.”
    Emma got up from the sofa and retrieved her purse from the kitchen, where she’d dropped it. When she returned to the den, she was holding her cell phone and one of the packages from Olvera Street. She handed the bag to Phil. “Here, I bought you something.” While Phil investigated the contents of the bag, Emma started texting someone.
    â€œWho are you texting?” asked Granny.
    â€œRikki,” Emma answered. “I’m seeing if I can stop by tomorrow early in the day before the restaurant opens and gets busy. She probably won’t see this tonight, but at least she might in the morning.”
    Phil’s deep laughter broke the quiet. In his hands were the bride and groom Day of the Dead dolls. “Is this your way of saying it’s time we take the plunge?”
    Emma gave him a quick kiss. “Consider it an informal proposal.”
    â€œNot a formal one?” he asked with a grin.
    â€œI’ll leave that up to you,” she said, looking at him with the slyness of a fox. “I’m just saying I wouldn’t be opposed to it.”
    â€œWell, it’s about time!” Granny said with enthusiasm.
    Emma’s phone vibrated. “It’s Rikki,” she said with surprise, looking down at the message. “She said for me to stop by Restaurante Roble tomorrow at ten and that she’s excited to see me again.” Emma looked up. “Maybe I should tell her to be alone and not tell T.J. or Lucy about the meeting.”
    Phil put the Day of the Dead dolls down on the coffee table and shook his head. “I doubt she’ll say anything to her sister, but you tell her to leave T.J. out of it and it will sound suspicious, like you are definitely trying to flim-flam her. I’m sure T.J. has already warned her about you.”
    â€œI agree with Phil,” said Granny. “Best to act normal. If that guy’s there, we can take him.” The ghost bounced from foot to foot with the raised fists of a boxer.
    After Emma translated, Phil said, “I’m coming with you tomorrow.” When Emma started to protest, he added, “I’d already cleared my calendar for tomorrow in case my meeting today needed more time. And the rest of the week I was planning to spend in Julian, so I’m free to stay here and help. I’d also love to see Olvera Street again. I haven’t been there in decades.”
    â€œYeah,” agreed Granny. “I can be the brains and Phil the brawn.”
    Emma knew better than to argue when Phil and Granny joined forces. Quickly she responded to Rikki’s text, saying she’d be at the restaurant at ten in the morning. She left off any mention of T.J. Mendoza or Lucy Ricardo. A minute later, Rikki confirmed the meeting.
    â€œOkay, that’s done.” Emma picked up her wineglass from the coffee table and took a drink. “Tomorrow we’ll try to contact Felix, see what he has to say, and convey the information to Rikki. Then we’re out of there.”
    â€œWhat?” asked Phil with disappointment. “We’re not staying for lunch?”
    â€œOkay,” Emma agreed. “We’ll have lunch and
then
we’re out of there.”
    Granny floated over and pointed to the figures on the coffee table. “Just make sure you two