Fiona Silk Mysteries 2-Book Bundle by Mary Jane Maffini Page A

to settle your tab.”
    I said, “Well...”
    â€œYou should ask Miz Lamontagne if she has any food magazines.”
    What was this thing everyone had with trying to solve my money problems? Everyone except the one person who had a legal obligation, namely Philip.
    I picked up the phone. While I was out, Josey had thoughtfully programmed Philip’s home, office and cell phone numbers into the speed dial. First, she’d found a phone set for me that had a speed dial, back when I still had a few dollars. The phone rang on and on, as it had on my previous seven tries. Finally, blessedly, it was snatched up.
    â€œPhilip,” I chirped, “let’s agree to get this settled once and for all. Imagine how much happier we’ll both be. Freedom from each other at last! How exhilarating would that be?”
    â€œLook, Fiona, you have to stop hounding me.”
    â€œHounding you? You mean my phone calls this week? You’ve been artfully stalling for months.”
    â€œHardly. I’m a busy man.”
    â€œRight. You’re a busy man with property and assets. All I want is my share. I realize you’ll cheat me, and I don’t even care. Let’s just get it finished. “
    â€œSure, now that you’re not making it as a writer, you want to plunder my assets. Get the rewards without working for them. If you wanted the good life, you should have stayed married.”
    I was proud of myself. I didn’t let him get to me. I didn’t bleat that I had put him through law school working multiple jobs when he didn’t have two cents to rub together. I didn’t mention that I’d spent the entirety of our marriage in dreary but well-paying employment that had sapped my spirit.
    He knew that just as well as I did. There was no point in bringing it up. I wanted to rid myself of Philip, not plunge back into the unwinnable situation of two people who never should have hooked up together in the first place.
    Move on, I breathed to myself.
    â€œNo problem,” I said. “You can talk to my lawyer next. Or your lawyer can. Of course, that’ll cost you.”
    â€œThat’s easy for you to say. Hit me when I’m down. That’s just like you, Fiona. Take advantage when I’m distraught.”
    There was so much wrong in that statement, I hardly knew where to begin. I started with, “What do you mean down?”
    â€œYou haven’t heard?”
    I bit back irritation. “Heard what?”
    â€œYou’re just doing this to get to me.”
    â€œYou know what? You’re getting to me. Take care of the settlement and make it snappy.”
    â€œMy partner’s dead.”
    â€œYou don’t have a partner.”
    â€œNot a law partner, but I had business dealings with him, investments,” Philip yelled.
    â€œDid you say dead?”
    â€œYes. Killed on the highway near St. Aubaine, yesterday. Don’t you even listen to the radio? What do you do all day?”
    â€œWhat do you mean, don’t I even...never mind. That’s terrible. Dead. I’m sorry.”
    â€œThat’s right. Danny’s dead. So you’ll understand I have other things on my mind beside your money grab.”
    I stood there with my mouth open.
    After a while, Philip said, “Fiona? I’m a busy man. Hello? Are you there?”
    I was there all right.
    What’s more, I had finally figured out why the face of the man in the Escalade was familiar. I’d met him with Philip, without the sunglasses. He’d given me the finger then too. Metaphorically, of course.
    Danny Dupree.

Grilled Asparagus
    Courtesy of Sgt. F.X. Sarrazin
1 bunch of asparagus, the nice thick kind, not the skinny ones
Wooden skewers soaked in water for twenty minutes
Olive oil
    Sea salt, the best you can afford
    Pre-heat BBQ grill to medium. Snap asparagus at their natural breaking point. Discard woody ends. Attach asparagus, four or five at a time, with skewers