to be involved in something like this.”
“That’s a good description. I try not to dwell on it, especially since I do have deadlines at work, but sometimes . . .”
He covered her hand with his and gave it a comforting squeeze. “I know you’re innocent, and I also know that Evan is, too.”
“What about Rocco?”
“I don’t know much about him. I’ve been to his bistro a couple of times and he seems like a nice guy, but we’ve never really talked. I would think, though, that if you like him and trust him, he’s gotta be okay.”
“Thanks.” J.J. took a sip of the wine that had been served while they were talking. “He’s been good to me. I feel I owe him.”
“Have you talked to Alison about all this? She is a police officer, after all.” Connor offered her a slice of still-warm bread and pushed the butter dish closer to her.
“I haven’t seen Alison since we were all at the Cups ’n’ Roses. I can’t keep track of her work schedule.”
“Well, why not give her a call? Get her take on how it’s going. I bet she’ll help put your mind at ease.”
J.J. thought about it. “Sounds better than just sitting around worrying.”
C HAPTER 14
Sunday morning, J.J. woke with a start, checked the clock on her bedside table, and flopped back on the pillow. Within seconds, Indie had jumped onto the bed and snuggled in beside her.
“Good morning, Indie. Did you do your early-morning rounds looking for bugs?” She ran her hand along his back, enjoying the softness and the resulting calm she always felt. After ten minutes, she eased away from him and pushed herself to get up. She had a busy day ahead.
She really needed a morning walk to clear her head and run over the list of to-dos for today’s dinner. She put the cat food out, chugged a tall glass of water, and left.
The morning was cooler than she’d supposed but held the promise of sun and therefore warmer temperatures by the afternoon. She turned toward the bay and by the second block was into her power-walk stride. She would head straight to the water and walk along to one end, then circle back home.
She met several dog walkers, none of whom she knew, but she greeted them with a smile. She loved walking down Gabor Avenue and looking in the shop windows. This was where the tourist quality of the village really shone through. She’d have to come back later and have a closer look at the brightly striped cushions she spotted in the window of Accent. The store next door, Imagine That, showcased an equally tempting orange throw in its window. Oh, to have the time, and the money, to indulge.
She reached the boardwalk and was happy to see only one other person around, and she was jogging in the same direction but well ahead. J.J. took the stairs down to the sand and continued walking north, putting all thoughts out of her mind. The to-do list could wait for the walk back. At the end of the sandy part, she stopped where a wild thicket of brush and undergrowth provided a natural buffer to keep interlopers away from the estates that lay beyond, and veered right. That brought her within viewing distance of the gates to the Portovino estate. She stopped abruptly and sucked in her breath as the memory of her shouting match with Marcotti flooded back. Such a beautiful setting for such a tragic happening. She wondered if the Portovino family felt the same every time they stepped out of the house.
Maudlin.
Time to head back and get the show on the road.
By two, the kitchen was a mess, and everything had been measured and prepared for the final stages in the cooking process. She glanced around. Why could she not clean up as she went along? Other cooks did. Those cooks were also less frazzled when it came time to dish up, she’d bet. She sighed and gathered all the dirty dishes and equipment, ran a sinkful of water, and washed down the countertop.
She’d loved the apartment when she’d first seen it two years ago. One of the major selling features
“That’s a good description. I try not to dwell on it, especially since I do have deadlines at work, but sometimes . . .”
He covered her hand with his and gave it a comforting squeeze. “I know you’re innocent, and I also know that Evan is, too.”
“What about Rocco?”
“I don’t know much about him. I’ve been to his bistro a couple of times and he seems like a nice guy, but we’ve never really talked. I would think, though, that if you like him and trust him, he’s gotta be okay.”
“Thanks.” J.J. took a sip of the wine that had been served while they were talking. “He’s been good to me. I feel I owe him.”
“Have you talked to Alison about all this? She is a police officer, after all.” Connor offered her a slice of still-warm bread and pushed the butter dish closer to her.
“I haven’t seen Alison since we were all at the Cups ’n’ Roses. I can’t keep track of her work schedule.”
“Well, why not give her a call? Get her take on how it’s going. I bet she’ll help put your mind at ease.”
J.J. thought about it. “Sounds better than just sitting around worrying.”
C HAPTER 14
Sunday morning, J.J. woke with a start, checked the clock on her bedside table, and flopped back on the pillow. Within seconds, Indie had jumped onto the bed and snuggled in beside her.
“Good morning, Indie. Did you do your early-morning rounds looking for bugs?” She ran her hand along his back, enjoying the softness and the resulting calm she always felt. After ten minutes, she eased away from him and pushed herself to get up. She had a busy day ahead.
She really needed a morning walk to clear her head and run over the list of to-dos for today’s dinner. She put the cat food out, chugged a tall glass of water, and left.
The morning was cooler than she’d supposed but held the promise of sun and therefore warmer temperatures by the afternoon. She turned toward the bay and by the second block was into her power-walk stride. She would head straight to the water and walk along to one end, then circle back home.
She met several dog walkers, none of whom she knew, but she greeted them with a smile. She loved walking down Gabor Avenue and looking in the shop windows. This was where the tourist quality of the village really shone through. She’d have to come back later and have a closer look at the brightly striped cushions she spotted in the window of Accent. The store next door, Imagine That, showcased an equally tempting orange throw in its window. Oh, to have the time, and the money, to indulge.
She reached the boardwalk and was happy to see only one other person around, and she was jogging in the same direction but well ahead. J.J. took the stairs down to the sand and continued walking north, putting all thoughts out of her mind. The to-do list could wait for the walk back. At the end of the sandy part, she stopped where a wild thicket of brush and undergrowth provided a natural buffer to keep interlopers away from the estates that lay beyond, and veered right. That brought her within viewing distance of the gates to the Portovino estate. She stopped abruptly and sucked in her breath as the memory of her shouting match with Marcotti flooded back. Such a beautiful setting for such a tragic happening. She wondered if the Portovino family felt the same every time they stepped out of the house.
Maudlin.
Time to head back and get the show on the road.
By two, the kitchen was a mess, and everything had been measured and prepared for the final stages in the cooking process. She glanced around. Why could she not clean up as she went along? Other cooks did. Those cooks were also less frazzled when it came time to dish up, she’d bet. She sighed and gathered all the dirty dishes and equipment, ran a sinkful of water, and washed down the countertop.
She’d loved the apartment when she’d first seen it two years ago. One of the major selling features
Similar Books
