Holidays, History and Homicide: A Cozy Tiffany Black Travel Mystery (Tiffany Black Travel Mysteries Book 2) by A.R. Winters

Author:A.R. Winters [Winters, A.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-24T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Inside the Waveside Retreat, the air was once again redolent of heavenly spices. Margret and Mildred were already seated. They turned at our approach.

“Just in time,” Mildred said.

Margret chuckled. “Chef Gustave was all ready to send you off to McDonald’s.”

“That’s not where he said they could go to,” Mildred made a face.

Ludgate’s empty seat stood out. You’d think someone would limit the seats at the table to the number of diners. Or maybe I was just being too sensitive.

There was already a spread of cheeses and olives. I grabbed a cheese cube just before Joe took the platters away.

“I think we’re in for a real treat,” Margret said.

“Mmm. Food,” Mildred said. “Always a treat.”

Margret frowned at her sister. “I am smelling that subtle saffron scent again. Gustave is such a genius. He must have come up with an even more dazzling offering than his wonderful risotto.”

Showman that he was, Gustave pushed through the double doors from the kitchen and let them swing dramatically. For a moment, he looked a little stunned to see Stone, Rosie and me seated.

Then, he smiled to himself, arrogance taking hold. Of course we wouldn’t miss one of his meals.

“Ze appetizer for this evening is prosciutto wrapped scallops. A light course, as our entrée is almost a meal in itself. Joseph!” Gustave clapped his hands.

The ever-frazzled assistant chef backed out of the kitchen with a wide tray. He set it on his serving stand. Small, juicy pucks were surrounded by sizzling little scarves. Smiling, he quickly served us before hurrying back into the kitchen.

Margaret speared one by the skewer, holding it to the light for a moment. Then she took a bite. Her eyes rolled almost audibly back in her head.

“Oh, Gustave! Trés magnifique!” she exclaimed.

Mildred frowned at her dramatic sister. She stuffed a couple of scallops in her mouth. “Pretty good,” she said around a full mouth.

Margret made a disgusted face at her sister.

“Oh, yeah, fancy seafood and fancy ham!” Rosie said, biting one off a skewer.

There was no denying that the appetizer was delicious. The scallops were tender, the prosciutto browned perfectly to a slight crunch. Captain Gale was hanging his hat on this place being foodie heaven. From the meals we’d had, it seemed like a safe bet.

I would definitely mention it in the articles to come.

Even Stone seemed impressed. He ate his entire plate.

With anticipation, we watched as the kitchen doors swung open. But it was only Joseph bringing a tray elsewhere. Probably dinner for The Captain and Bill Farmer, I thought.

When he returned, he saw that our appetizers were finished. He collected the plates efficiently and headed back into Gustave’s culinary kingdom.

And so, our anticipation built.

It seemed quite a while before Chef Gustave reappeared. This time, his usual haughty expression was absent. He folded his hands in front of him.

“I must say, I very much regret that Monsieur Ludgate is not here to taste this. His palate was one I highly respected. Even his criticism, misguided as it was, impressed me,” the chef said.

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