Raisin the Dead (12 page)

“My house,” said Kendra.

“Are you sure your parents will be okay with taking the boat out that late at night?” Olivia looked worried.

“The Baldelli house isn't that far from where I live. My address is 224 Round Stone Lane.”

I reached for a pad and pen, scribbled it, then handed them to Olivia.

“We won't be out that long and we'll be close to shore,” continued Kendra. “I think my parents will be fine with it. The boat has emergency equipment and a radio. Nothing will go wrong.”

“I hope not, Kendra,” Olivia said, still looking worried.

“I'm sure it won't. Can you two close up?” I asked. “I want to go home and get ready for my date with Sean.”

“Go. Have a great time,” Olivia said.

“See you later. Good luck with Felicia,” added Kendra.

“Thanks. Something tells me I'll need it!” I took off, stopping back at the bookstore to give Emily Kendra's address.

When I pulled up in front of Dottie's house, I parked the car, hurried up the steps, and knocked on her door. I was surprised that Sean's truck wasn't there, given that our date was an hour away. I hoped he didn't have to cancel. Police work was unpredictable.

The door flew open seconds later. “Hello, dear. Come on in.”

Noelle greeted me with an abundance of joy as usual. I scooped her up in my arms and hugged her. “How's Mommy's girl? Have you been good for Dottie?”

“She's a sweetheart, a veritable little princess. Sometimes I forget she's a dog; she seems so human.”

I smiled at Dottie. “I think so, too. Where's Beau?”

“Sean picked him up about an hour ago. He said you two had a date tonight. He was in a hurry because he had to pick something up for you. He grabbed Beau and took off.” Her eyes shone at me. “I'm so glad you two are a couple. Remember what I told you about a wedding in my living room.”

That made me smile. “I will, but I don't think we're anywhere near that.”

She handed me Noelle's leash and patted my arm. “Do keep it in mind. I have a feeling about you two.”

I kissed her cheek. “I will,” I repeated. I clipped Noelle's leash on and we went for a quick walk. When we got upstairs, my phone rang. I pulled it out of my purse. “Hi, where are you? We still on for tonight?”

“Sure. I'll be back in about half an hour,” Sean said. “I'll have to shower and change, then we can go. How's that?”

“It works for me. See you then.”

An hour and a half later, Sean and I were settled in a booth at one of our favorite restaurants, the Happy Salmon. Goofy name, yes, but excellent seafood for Sean and something vegetarian for me. It was the only restaurant in Destiny that did organic, gluten-free, and vegetarian. I was actually surprised at its popularity. Most people in Destiny are into their meat and potatoes. They don't exactly embrace change, especially foodwise. Anything different tended to be labeled new age or suspicious and scoffed at.

Sean looked dashing in navy pinstripes. The man knows how to rock a suit. I didn't look too bad, either. I had on my all-occasion little black dress, my great-grandmother's pearl necklace, and black stilettos. My legs were bare. I can rock a sexy look when I want to.

“I hate to start our date with bad news, but I want you to know, so let me get it out of the way. Felicia's back,” Sean announced after he'd ordered our favorite wine.

I looked at him over the top of my menu. “I know. She came into the bakery today. We had a chat. Actually, she did most of the chatting.”

He put his menu down and frowned. “She came to Bread and Batter? She didn't bother you, did she? What did she want?”

“Other than cupcakes, because you adore chocolate,” I said, mimicking Felicia's tone, “she wanted me to know that your whole family thinks you need to come back to New York City and that you're not over Jordan. She also told me that I'm decent-looking and can probably find someone else. Oh, and she's staying in town for a while.”

He reached for my hand. “Crap. I'm sorry, babe. I'll say something to her. I don't want her harassing you in any way.”

I smiled at his chivalrous tone; it made me all melty inside. “I took her with a grain of salt. Mostly. She said what she had to say, I doubt she'll come back into the bakery.”

Sean's look grew serious. “I'm not going anywhere. You know that, right? I'm not mourning Jordan. I'm in love with you. I have zero desire to live in New York City again.”

“I know. You don't have to convince me. I'm not worried about anything she said.” Now that I was with Sean, I was even less worried.

His citrusy cologne tickled my senses and my stomach flip-flopped. He looked so handsome all cleaned up and dressed up. So he drove a big truck that was leaving a huge carbon footprint on our planet. So he had a grill the size of a small airplane in Dottie's backyard, which he made big steaks on. So he rooted for the despicable Red Sox because his father and grandfather were from Boston and his father had actually been signed to a minor league contract with them.

If those were his worst habits, I was a lucky girl, right? I concentrated on what we had in common: We loved movies, reading, cooking, college basketball (although we had different rooting interests), and we were fiscally responsible. Like me, he wasn't overly materialistic. Plus, he was loyal to me, loved me and Beau and Noelle, loved his job, and was kind to waitstaff, Dottie, my parents and friends. And he kissed like nobody's business.

I knew in this instant I could marry this guy tomorrow and have his babies. Two boys first, who would look exactly like him, then a baby sister they'd protect with their lives. I grew up as an only child and had always wanted siblings. We could start on the baby thing tonight.

“I'm glad.” Sean's voice pulled me back to reality. Good grief, I'm as bad as my mother. He had swirled all my female hormones up, putting them on alert. “The city is a great place to visit, though. I'd like to take you there for a few days. There's a lot to see: the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and some nice beaches on Long Island that aren't too far away.”

Our babies faded from view. “I think I told you I visited New York City once. I hated it. I'm sure I'd have a completely different experience with you. I'd love to go.”

“It's a date. We'll do it this summer. Anyway, if Felicia can't understand that my life is here, that's her problem. She's lying about my family thinking I need to go back to the city. They never talk to her. They barely know the woman. I can't believe she would tell such outrageous lies. On the other hand, maybe I can. I'm starting to think she's delusional.”

“How did she know you moved up here?”

“I asked her that. She called my parents and told my mother that she was an old high school friend who had lost touch with me. She must have contacted the New York Police Department and found out I was gone. She's resourceful, I'll give her that.”

“You said she has some mental issues. Maybe being delusional is one of them.”

“It wouldn't surprise me. She came by the station, that's how I know she's back. It must have been after she visited Bread and Batter. I wasn't thrilled about seeing her, to put it lightly. I told her to go to Castle Shore and I'd take a ride out to see her. I wanted to prevent her from causing a scene at the station.

“Other than being ‘worried' about me, she's in debt, has barely any money, and none of her ex-husbands are willing to pay alimony. She wants a shoulder to cry on.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “She came an awful long way for a shoulder, although, I can't deny yours are sexy and perfect for crying or leaning on. I think she wants more than a shoulder if you get my drift.”

The waiter came by with our wine, and we gave him our orders. I smoothed the napkin across my lap, then picked up a warm garlic knot, or as I like to call them, small bites of heaven. “So, what did you say back to her?”

“I told her to go home, that there's nothing I can do about her problems, and that I didn't want to see her again. I really can't understand why she's here.”

I think my mouth may have dropped open. “I think that's obvious, Detective. She has her sights on you. She wants to be Mrs. Sean Corsino.”

He barked out a laugh. “That's ridiculous. I'm not her type, number one. Number two, she goes after money. How she can be broke, I have no idea. All her husbands have been rich. Number three, I'm not available. The most important thing is she's not my type. At all. Plus, I'm in love with someone else.”

I fluttered my eyelashes at him. “Really? Who?”

“Some woman who owns a bakery. Forgot her name, though.”

I grinned. “You know, I never thought you and I would end up together. I'm still a little surprised, given our differences, political and otherwise.”

“We seem to navigate our differences just fine,” he inserted. “Most of the time.”

“We do,” I agreed. “But I couldn't believe it when Olivia bought you for me at the library's bachelor auction. I was slightly miffed since you didn't come across as a fun person, and, more importantly, I was a suspect in your murder case. I'm so, so glad she did, though. Otherwise, I'd be sitting home alone, watching a pathetic reality show, and stuffing myself with chocolate.”

He smiled. “Somehow, I doubt that. But, I'm glad, too. Sometimes things work out when we least expect them to. I didn't really plan to find anyone at the auction. If you remember, I participated because Sergeant Olson, who was supposed to participate, was sick, so I stepped in because I wanted to support the library.”

“I remember. I should've thanked Sergeant Olson for his well-timed illness. Next time you see him, thank him for me.” I thought of Felicia again and my euphoria slipped a notch. “You know you can't make Felicia leave town.”

“If she's broke, like she claims, she isn't going to be able to afford Castle Shore for long. I don't know how she's doing it now. I can't see her shacking up at Bob's Motel and Grill out on Route 404.”

I smiled at that, then took a big sip of my wine. “Unless she's not broke, and is handing you a sob story so you'll feel sorry for her.”

“Which I don't. I want nothing to do with her.”

“Did she give you the cupcakes she bought at Bread and Batter for you?”

“She tried. I told her I wasn't interested. Not that I don't love your cupcakes, but I wasn't about to encourage her.”

Take that, Felicia. My heart did a little happy dance. “How did she react?”

He shrugged. “She sulked. I told her I had nothing to say to her, and didn't expect to see her anymore. And, here I am with you, having a romantic dinner. If she bothers you again, let me know. Let's stop talking about her, please.”

“Gladly. Anything new on the Philip Baldelli murder?” I asked.

“Um, aren't you the woman who said we shouldn't discuss the Baldelli case tonight?”

He had me on that. “Yes. I was hungry, I didn't know what I was saying. Just for a second?”

He frowned, but his lips twitched in a smile. “It's still under investigation. Why are you smirking?”

“Because that's the first sentence they must indoctrinate you with at the police academy.”

“Some murders take longer to solve than others. I'm still putting the pieces together that will eventually point to the killer.”

I abandoned my delicious grilled kale salad. “Are you interviewing anyone?”

He palmed his forehead. “That never occurred to me. How did I make detective?”

I rolled my eyes. “Okay, stupid question. I take it back. Maybe you're interviewing the wrong people. Did you ever talk to Abigail Smith-Blanton, or Peter Delaney? Obviously, the people who were against the library expansion weren't happy about him funding it, so they couldn't have been crazy about him. Then, the Library Advisory Board wasn't crazy about him because he wasn't going to fund it.

“Someone was unhappy enough to threaten him. I doubt they were threatening to bake brownies for him. There's your motive: Unhappiness. And don't forget Daniel Bixby. You really should talk to him. Oh, and Candy Blick. Maybe you can find her.”

It was his turn to take a big drink of wine. “I know I'll regret asking this, but who is Candy Blick?”

I settled back in my seat. “She was my mother's best friend in high school until my mother made head cheerleader and Candy didn't even make the squad. Then my mother stole my father from Candy, who had been dating him. Well, she didn't really steal him. According to mother, my father broke up with Candy.”

I hurried on before he shut me down. “Maybe Candy killed Philip, so she could frame my mother, to get back at her. That way she could at least try and get my father back, even if it's too late for a cheerleading career.”

Sean he took another rather large swallow. Good thing we'd walked to the Happy Salmon. He leaned back against the booth seat. “Your second's up. Here's an idea, how about if we make the rest of this night about us? I don't want to talk about work, Felicia, motives for murder, Candy Glick, or anything else.”

“Blick. Candy Blick. Okay, the rest of the night is about you and me. Promise.”

“Good. We haven't had the opportunity to spend a lot of time together; I'd like to make the most of it when we do.”

“I agree.” The waiter delivered our dinners and we both dug in. Sean was having the salmon, I was having their vegetarian spaghetti with wheat balls, truffled tomato sauce, roasted garlic, spinach, and cashew “parmesan”. Don't knock it until you try it. It's delicious.

“By the way,” Sean said after he'd taken a few bites, “I'm going to go visit my parents in a month. They'll be at their house in the Poconos. Do you want to think about coming with me?”

I stopped myself from jumping up and down in my seat with the excitement of a three-year-old who's been presented with a bowl of ice cream. “Yes! I don't have to think about it. I'm looking forward to meeting your parents. Can we horseback ride?”

“Absolutely. My parents have six horses. I'll put you on Sugarcane. She's patient and gentle. You'll love her. We'll bring Beau and Noelle. They'll have a blast with Sid and Martha.”

Sid and Martha were his parents' chocolate labs. I couldn't wait to meet them, and Sean's parents. “Sugarcane is a sweet name. Will Anthony be there?” Sean had one sibling, an older brother. He lives in New York City and owns a popular bistro in Brooklyn, according to Sean. “I'd love to meet him, too.”

He shook his head. “Probably not. My brother breaks out in hives every time he leaves the city. He rarely goes to their Poconos house. I can't see him ever coming up here.”

“That's too bad. The country life isn't for everyone, that's true. But you know, I don't think I could live anywhere else.”