Murder and Marinara by Rosie Genova Read Free Book Online

threatening us like some two-bit mobster. At the coffee station, I set up the two machines, one for American coffee and one for espresso, keeping Parisi in the edge of my vision and willing him to finish that darn salad.
    My concentration was interrupted by a female shriek. “Vic!” Lori Jamison yelled. Then she threw her arms around me and stepped back. “Look at you, you skinny thing.”
    I looked down at her round, freckled face, and suddenly I was back in high school, when the two of us waited tables during the lunch shift every summer. But after I left, Lori stayed on.
    Now married with a young son, she was our primary waitress and as much a part of the family as Danny or I was.
    â€œIt’s so good to see you again, Lori. I could use some moral support around here.”
    â€œWhy? Is Nonna around?” She grinned broadly, and I couldn’t help smiling back.
    â€œNot yet. But we’ve got kind of a tricky customer out there. Maybe you passed him on your way in?”
    â€œI came in the back, hon. The only person I saw was Dreamboat in the kitchen.”
    â€œRight.” Strangely, my cheeks grew warm, and I couldn’t meet my old friend’s eye.
    â€œYou gonna be able to work with him?”
    I shrugged. “I have to, don’t I?”
    â€œSo your mom tells me you’re here to work on a new book. That’s exciting, huh?”
    â€œNeat change of subject there, LJ.” I gave her a thumbs-up. “Well played.”
    She tucked a fresh order pad into the pocket of her apron. “Listen, don’t let your nonna or Dreamboat back there get to you.” She shook her pen at me. “Or get in the way of that new book. We’re all so proud of you, Vic.”
    â€œThanks, kiddo. Listen, would you mind checking on that customer at Table Five? See if he’s ready for his bill.”
    She peeked out into the dining room. “Hey, isn’t that the guy who was just up at the boards? From RealTV?”
    â€œGio Parisi.” I shook my head. “And he is really unpleasant.”
    â€œI was wondering whose big ol’ pimped-out Escalade was in my spot. And how lovely of him to mess up that whole table for me.” She turned to me and grinned. “Maybe we can arrange a nice case of food poisoning.”
    â€œI think Tim already tried it with his chicken.”
    She winked at me. “I’ll take care of him. Then I’m gonna go say hi to Cutie-Pie Cal.”
    â€œâ€˜Cutie-Pie Cal’? ‘Dreamboat’? Does Billy know about you and the men of the Casa Lido?”
    â€œI’m married, babe,” she called as she walked away. “Not dead.”
    Lori came back with Parisi’s plate and nodded toward the dining room. “He’s just finishing his tea, but he’s ready for the bill. I’ll clear up when he’s done.”
    â€œThanks, Lori.” When I brought Parisi the check, he handed me his credit card without a word. I pointed to his nearly empty teacup. “Are you through?”
    â€œLeave that,” he barked. He downed the rest of his water and wiped his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand. “You can take the water glass.”
    I tucked his card and a pen into the black billfold and set it down next to him. His face was pale. “Would you like more water?” I asked.
    He shook his head. “No. Where’s the men’s room?”
    â€œAround that wall and to the right.” Holding his glass with two fingers as far away from me as possible, I brought it into the kitchen and then dumped the San Pellegrino bottle in the recycling bin. Then I scrubbed my hands again. Twice. Relieved that Tim was still missing from the kitchen, I backed out through the doors quickly, shaking my still-wet hands. But when I got back to his table, Gio Parisi was gone.
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    The Casa Lido started to come to life as dinner prep got under way.