When Magic Is Murder (Sky High Pies Cozy Mysteries Book 4) by Mary Maxwell Read Free Book Online Page A

for a party.”
    “Right,” I said. “The group that
was originally supposed to be at Connie Larson’s tonight.”
    “Yes, I couldn’t believe the news
when she called me earlier,” Luigi said with a frown. “It’s so tragic that
someone died over there this afternoon.”
    “He was found in the gazebo,” I
said. “The police are trying to identify him and figure out what happened.”
    His eyes widened. “Oh! So they
don’t even know who it is yet?”
    I shook my head.
    “That’s interesting,” Luigi said.
“I heard it was Ira Newman.”
    I wasn’t familiar with the name, so
I asked Luigi to explain.
    “You don’t know Ira?” His booming
laugh rang out again. “He’s a scrawny beanpole from up in South Dakota. Moved
to Crescent Creek a couple months back, supposedly to open a business with his
brother-in-law. But then their loan fell through and Ira started getting really
depressed. I was talking to a guy at the bank last week. He said it wouldn’t
surprise him if Ira ended up killing himself because of the business troubles.”
    Since I didn’t know Ira Newman, I
didn’t feel comfortable commenting on the rumors. Instead, I told Luigi that I
hoped he was wrong about the man. “Maybe things will turn around for Mr.
Newman,” I said optimistically. “Maybe he can get a new loan and open his
business anyway.”
    Luigi shrugged. “Maybe. But does
this town really need another gin joint?”
    “Ira was opening a bar?”
    “That’s right. When Red Hancock
heard the news, he got real upset.”
    “I can see that. The Wagon Wheel
has a very loyal following, but there’s always a chance some of his regulars
might try a new place and change their stripes.”
    “Change their what ?”
    “Their stripes,” I repeated as the
front door opened behind me. “Like, they’ll go to a new bar and decide they
prefer it instead of—”
    “Hey, Katie!”
    I glanced over my shoulder. Zack Hutton
stood in the doorway, grinning and gesturing me inside. My heart fluttered as
it always did when I saw his face and heard his voice.
    “Will you excuse me, Luigi?”
    The heavyset man in the chef’s coat
raised his glass. “Here’s to the happiest couple in Crescent Creek!” He took a
long drink. “And here’s to my hand not throbbing so badly that I can’t cook
your dinner!”
    After I gave Zack a quick kiss, we
went inside and settled in at our usual table near the fireplace. The crowded
dining room was warm and toasty, buzzing with conversation and laughter. Our
first official dinner date had taken place at the popular Italian restaurant;
we’d also returned several times in the past few months to enjoy the delicious
cuisine and cozy ambiance.
    “I’m sorry about changing the
time,” I apologized. “There was some trouble at Connie Larson’s place when I
stopped by to deliver an order.”
    “It’s okay, sweetheart,” he said.
“I ran into a guy that works at the hotel earlier. Is it true they found a
body?”
    Before I could answer, our favorite
server approached with menus and a wine list.
    “Hey, guys!” Rita greeted us with
her customary cheerful tone. “I was so excited when I saw you on the
reservation list.”
    “How’s it going?” I said. “Long
time no see!”
    She laughed. “Yeah, long time
since…when? Last week, wasn’t it?”
    Zack shot me a quizzical smile.
“Last week?”
    “I popped in for lunch with my
sister,” I said with a little shrug.
    “Was that the day I went to Vail?”
    “Yep. Olivia surprised me by
driving up for the afternoon. When the lunch rush calmed down at Sky High, I
invited her to come here and try the Gorgonzola and Porcini Mushroom Risotto.”
    “How’d she like it?”
    I looked at Rita. “You’ve probably
got better things to do than listen to us discuss my sister,” I said, glancing
at Zack. “How about a bottle of the soave that’s so good?”
    He nodded. “Whatever you want, my
love!”
    Rita swooned, pressing the back of
one hand