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

Lena bit her lower lip. “We’re all fine. I think.”
    Dad pumped Corrigan’s hand. “Great of you to stop by, Detective.”
    Corrigan’s eyes gleamed with mischief and he smirked. “Glad to do it, but I see Claire’s got it all under control.” He gritted his teeth. “Her and her date.”
    My father, the innocent that he is, asked, “Do you know Alex?”
    Alex stood. “We’re getting to be better acquainted.”
    I could have sworn Corrigan puffed out his chest, like a bull moose challenging another for a female.
    I closed my eyes, hoping that when I opened them, everyone would be gone and I’d realize this was all a dream. A very bad one.
    Instead the door between the kitchen and dining room swung open and a male voice rang out. “Anyone home?”
    It was Ed. He broke into a smile that reached his eyes when they fell on Aunt Lena. “Hey Lena. Lookin’ good.” He shook Dad’s hand. “Frank.”
    Then he glanced over at Alex and Corrigan and me. “Detective Corrigan. Great to see you again.” He stepped forward, barely concealing his amusement. “Claire, who’s your friend?”
    Before either Alex or I could respond, Corrigan growled, “His name is Alex Carpenter, and he was just leaving.”
    Alex responded to Corrigan’s idiotic answer. “He’s right about my name. Wrong about my leaving. And you are?”
    “Ed Horwath, Claire’s co-worker.”
    My aunt had slipped into the kitchen and now returned with two more plates with her chocolate strawberry cake. In a high-pitched voice useful with a room full of kindergarteners, she said, “Now, you boys sit down and have a piece of cake.”
    Wishing Corrigan would choke on his, I knew I couldn’t force down another bite. I clasped my aunt’s arm. “Thanks for the cake, Aunt Lena, but I’ve got a terrible headache. I just need to go home and lay down.”
    She winked at me. “Okay, I’ll put your and Alex’s slices in to-go boxes. Maybe you’ll want to eat them later. Together.”
    Carrying the Styrofoam containers, I hustled Alex out as soon as possible, half-expecting Corrigan to tail us. The excuse I’d used to escape Cannoli’s came true and my head now pounded mercilessly. I closed my eyes and massaged my temples, trying to erase the events of this evening from my mind. If it worked, I’d massage Alex’s temples too.
    Before he started the car I blurted out, “I’m really sorry.”
    He turned toward me. “I’m not. This has got to be one of the more entertaining evenings I’ve had.”
    My eyes narrowed. “Really?”
    “Yeah.”
    The vice squeezing my head loosened a bit. “If you liked that, stick around.”
    He chuckled. “I plan to.” His voice thickened. “If you didn’t feel so awful I’d love to…” He gently pulled my face toward him. “Kiss you like this.”
    Our faces were close enough that I could feel his breath. I closed my eyes, then his phone rang. I pulled back, the spell broken. “Go ahead and take it. A call this late must be important.”
    He groaned and yanked the phone out of his suit jacket, checking caller ID. He turned away from me and cupped his hand over his mouth. “Not now.” A pause. “Yeah, she’s here. Gotta go.”
    The hairs on the nape of my neck stood straight up. Was it his uncle, Michael Bucanetti? Was Alex supposed to report back? I felt lightheaded, but pushed any disappointment in my new found hottie to the back of my mind. I’d find out what was up first.
    Alex slipped his phone back in his suit pocket. “Where were we?” He leaned toward me again, but I pulled back. I had a flash of what I thought was a great idea. I’d divert him with kisses, get his phone and check the call history. But I couldn’t do all that in the car.
    Part one of my plan included placing my hands lightly on his chest and breathlessly asking, “Why don’t we go back to my office?” I added with a promise in my voice I had no intention of fulfilling, “There’s a comfortable sofa there.”
    His mouth