Killer Cannoli (A Terrified Detective Mystery Book 2) by Carole Fowkes

settle for your hand in mine.” With that he took my hand and its warmth spread good cheer through me better than any cup of eggnog ever did. We dashed to his car like we were after the world’s  last piece of chocolate cake.
    We drove for about ten minutes when he made a final left turn then pulled into a parking lot. “Here we are.”
    He’d brought me to Cannoli’s .
    I laughed, a bit discomforted. “I’m real familiar with this place.” Maybe he already knew that. Maybe he’d planned to come here for his uncle, to scope it out. Or was I being paranoid? “You know, I have a really bad headache. Why don’t you just take me back to my office?” I rubbed my forehead, like that’d convince him.
     “Look, I know this date has been less than great. Let’s at least end it on a sweet note. Please.”
    I couldn’t refuse without looking like I’d let Corrigan plant ideas in my head. “Okay. But let’s get it to go and we can eat it back at my office. Less people, less noise. Better for my headache.” And less time for his snooping. I hoped my dad was behind the counter instead of Aunt Lena.
    Of course, as soon as we stepped inside, my aunt spotted me. “Frank, it’s Claire. She’s got her date with her.”
    There were only a handful of people in the place, but they all turned to gape at me. I couldn’t think of anything to say, so I waved like Miss America sitting on a parade float.
    Alex grinned. “Looks like this is your second home.”
    My dad strode over to us and stuck out his hand. “You must be Alex. I’m Claire’s father.”
    Aunt Lena stepped in front of my dad. “And I’m her aunt. Lena Antonucci.”
    Alex shook my dad’s hand and then my aunt’s. “Pleased to meet you both.” He turned to me. “I didn’t realize your aunt owned this place.”
    My aunt smiled. “You been here before?”
    He patted his flat belly. “My gym is getting rich from me working off your great desserts. Anyway, I thought Claire might enjoy something sweet.”
    My dad nodded. “That’s a good way to end the evening. You kids enjoy it.” He added, as if an afterthought, “You know, I’m leaving soon. I could take Claire home for you.”
    Aunt Lena laughed. “Frank, I should think he’d want to take her home himself. Maybe even smooch goodnight.”
    To my knowledge Cleveland doesn’t have sinkholes. But at that moment, I wished a big one would swallow me up. 
    To my relief, Alex chuckled good-humoredly. “Thanks for the offer. But unless Claire feels differently, I’d just as soon be the one to wish her goodnight.”
    My dad glanced at me and seeing my clenched teeth and bug-eyed glare, waved his hands. “Okay by me. Just offering.”
    The last of the patrons, realizing the show was over, paid and left.
    I was still fuming over my dad acting like Alex was my first date ever. I wished I was in Miami with Gino, my former boss and suntan expert.
    Aunt Lena disappeared into the kitchen and reappeared with two plates weighted down with the largest pieces of chocolate strawberry cake I’d ever seen. “A new recipe.” She set them down on a table and motioned to us. “Sit and enjoy.”
    The appetite I’d lost at Tonnito’s returned and I grabbed a chair.
    Alex did the same. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything look so tempting.” He leaned over toward me and whispered, “Present company excluded.”
    Just then a beam from headlights shone through a window, followed by the slam of a car door. My aunt murmured, “I’ll let them know we’re closed.” But before she did, Corrigan pushed the dining room door open and stepped inside.
    I wanted to grab Alex’s hand and slink into the kitchen, but the detective’s eyes latched on to me like a con man’s onto a country bumpkin’s. “Excuse me for interrupting what I’m sure is a pleasant family interlude, but I wanted to check in on you, Mrs. Antonucci. Make sure everything is okay.” He nodded at my father. “Hi, Mr. DeNardo.”
    Aunt