From Mangia to Murder by Caroline Mickelson

Author:Caroline Mickelson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Mystery, Women Sleuths, Cozy, Historical, Thriller & Suspense
ISBN: 0985129603
Publisher: Bon Accord Press
Published: 2012-05-10T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Sophia was unprepared for the reception that awaited her when she walked into the kitchen.

Silence. Absolute silence. Which, in an Italian-American family, usually meant only one thing. Trouble.

Angelo, her grandfather, Francesca, and Luciano sat around the kitchen table and looked at her without uttering a single word. She stared back.

“What?” she finally cried. “What’s wrong?”

“'Ci chiede cosa c'e che non va?” Grandpa grumbled, throwing up his hands. “She asks us what’s wrong?” he repeated in English.

“Yes, I am asking,” she answered. “Did something happen while I was gone? Oh my God, who’s sick? Who died?”

“Nobody died,” her grandfather said. He pointed to an empty chair opposite him. “Sit down.”

She slipped off her shoes and joined them at the table.

Her grandfather sat, hands clasped, a dour expression on his face. Francesca sat with Mooch’s kitten curled up in her lap. She looked more curious than upset.

“Interesting day, Sophia?” Angelo asked.

“You could say that,” she hedged.

“Did you meet Joe DiMaggio?” Luciano asked, his eager eyes hopeful.

“No, caro, I didn’t meet Joe DiMaggio.” She smiled at him. “Come over here and give me a hug.”

She gathered her nephew on her lap and hugged him tight. He was the best part of her world. The idea that Charles Burkwaite was trying to take Luciano away from them tore at her heart.

“Stop, you’re hugging me too hard.”

“I have to. I missed you so much today. How are you feeling? You look recovered from Papa’s cooking.”

He wiggled out of her arms, but did give her a quick kiss. “Zia, I’m fine. I’ll even help with the chores tomorrow if I can listen to the radio before bed.”

She laughed. “You’re going to help tomorrow anyway, but yes, you may if Francesca will go with you.” She ruffled his hair affectionately. “Won’t you, cugina?”

Francesca tucked Precious in the crook of her arm and nodded. “Sure, come on kiddo. I think Ozzie and Harriet should be on soon.” As she followed Luciano out of the room, she turned back to Sophia and mouthed ‘tell me everything later.’

After they were gone, Grandpa leaned forward and narrowed his eyes in displeasure. “E un disonore! A disgrace! You come, at night, in a police car?” He stood and threw his hands up. “This is how I raised you?”

“Wait, Grandpa, it’s not like that. I was working on the Moretti case with Captain McIntyre.” She glanced at Angelo, willing him to jump in, but he stayed quiet. She looked back at her grandfather. “He offered me a ride so I didn’t have to walk home in the dark.”

“That’s the whole story? Nothing more?”

Oh, her grandfather knew her well. Sophia decided the fact she’d been found trespassing in Mooch’s apartment was best left not shared. She felt fifteen again instead of twenty-three.

“I’m sorry I worried you, Grandpa. And you should know that the Captain will be here early tomorrow morning to pick me up again. We’re going to interview a suspect together.”

He frowned. “Why can’t your brother do that, eh?”

Sophia sighed.

Angelo finally spoke. “Grandpa, Sophia and I are partners.

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