Jennifer Fischetto - Dead by the Numbers 01 - One Garish Ghost & Blueberry Peach Jam

Author:Jennifer Fischetto [Fischetto, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery: Cozy - Paranormal - Ghosts - New York
ISBN: 9781940371504
Publisher: Gemma Halliday Publishing
Published: 2014-10-22T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Julian insists on taking his car to the station, which I have no problem with since my hands are trembling, and I’m likely to drive myself into a tree. I may see a lot of ghosts, but murder and cops and the legal system are not my forte.

In the eloquent words of Evy, from The Mummy, British accent and all:

I am a sandwich-maker.

When we arrive, I find Ma in the same narrow hall outside the interrogation rooms I waited in my last time here. It still smells stale, like old cigarettes and coffee, but smoking in public buildings hasn’t been allowed in years. It probably permeated into the walls and the furniture.

Instead of sitting in one of the uncomfortable chairs, Ma’s pacing, digging a trench in the linoleum with her sneakers. She gives each of us a kiss and hug. “The attorney, your boss, is with her,” she says to Julian.

I glance at his rugged profile, and I’m glad he’s by my side.

He goes in search of coffee, water, a sedative, while I sit with Ma. “Where’s Pop?”

Izzie’s cell is in Ma’s hand. “He’s making some calls. He knows the editor at the Herald. He’s hoping this won’t make the local paper.”

Nice try, but how likely is it they won’t print a juicy story about an angry wife killing her husband’s clown? That’s like asking a nun not to pray.

Ma rolls her eyes. “He’s wasting his time. This is food for those vultures. But you know how your father gets when he’s made up his mind.”

Actually, she’s talking about herself. Pop’s the laid-back one. He doesn’t get involved unless he has to.

“Where’s Alice?”

“She went to a movie with a friend after dinner. That’s why I have Izzie’s phone. I called the friend’s mother and asked if Alice could spend the night.”

That’s a great idea.

I wrap an arm around Ma and lean my head on her shoulder. “It’s going to be fine.” Although, I’m not sure I believe that.

Julian returns with three, tiny cups of coffee and sits on the other side of Ma.

“Thank you for being here and helping Gianna through this,” she says to him.

“Of course. Do you know what they arrested her on?”

Ma sniffles and pulls a tissue out of her jacket pocket, but she doesn’t use it. She’s a rock, and I’ve rarely seen her cry. “Um, the detective said they found Izzie’s blood on the bat, and one of the deceased’s bloody hairs on Izzie’s dress.”

I softly gasp. “That’s impossible. Izzie wasn’t near Emma.”

Fire flashes in Ma’s eyes. “Of course she didn’t do it.”

“What about the blood on the bat?” Julian asks.

I think to the tiny cut on Izzie’s hand. “It’s from the glass and plastic shards from Paulie’s truck. Izzie never stepped foot near Emma.”

Ma nods. Julian reaches behind her and squeezes my arm.

“Where’s Enzo?” I ask. Maybe he knows more.

Ma takes a deep breath. “He ran off. I don’t know. He said he’d be back.”

I replay Ma’s words in my head. The detective said… “Which one?” I ask.

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