Paula Lester - 06 Honey Hearts and Homicide by Paula Lester & Lisa B. Thomas

Author:Paula Lester & Lisa B. Thomas [Lester, Paula & Thomas, Lisa B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: animal cozy mystery, bookstore cozy mystery, cat cozy mystery, cozy mystery, cozy mystery series
Publisher: Paula Lester and Lisa B. Thomas
Published: 2020-02-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

After she’d ordered and devoured a second cannoli and cup of coffee, Paige went back to Pastorio’s. She wanted to tell Marco she’d seen Billy and ask the host about Harry’s notebook. But Angelo wasn’t behind the desk when she arrived. Peeking into the dining room, she could see he was seating someone. She snuck through the dining room, keeping herself at Angelo’s back, and stuck her head in the pass-through window. Not wanting to speak and draw everyone’s attention, she waved her arms and bounced on the balls of her feet, trying to get Marco’s attention.

“What are you doing here?” Chef Pastorio’s voice was a hiss just behind her right shoulder.

Where had he come from?

Her heart pounded from the surprise, and she had to catch her breath before answering him. “I just need to talk to Marco for one second.”

Pastorio shook his head. “He is too busy. Go away.” His face was slightly redder than usual, and Paige wondered for a second if he knew about her confrontation with Zelda.

Paige glanced into the kitchen to find Marco staring at her with wide eyes. He jerked his head toward the front of the restaurant in a clear indication that she should leave.

Pastorio stayed with her as she moved away from the pass-through. Angelo was still occupied at a table, so Paige darted into the hallway. She’d go out through the alley and then walk back around to reenter the front and, hopefully, catch the host to ask about Harry’s notebook. The chef watched her leave, probably to make sure she didn’t dart into the kitchen and bother Marco.

The heavy metal door had barely latched behind her when Paige got a strong whiff of garlic. The taste of cannoli and coffee lingering in her mouth became the strong flavor of Marco’s meatballs—she’d recognize them anywhere. But why was she tasting food she hadn’t eaten? How bizarre.

A memory slammed into her mind of tasting and smelling the last thing someone had experienced before they died, and her brain caught up with what was happening. She whirled around, eyes scanning the dark alley until she saw him. Harry Gorso’s ghost floated over a trash can. He was already watching her but started when her eyes landed on him. “You can see me?”

“Yep. I can hear you too.”

“Thank goodness. I’ve been hanging around for a while.” His semitransparent brow furrowed in confusion. “I’m not sure how long it’s been, but I’ve been waiting for someone who could see me.”

Paige gave him a sympathetic look. “It’s been a couple of days since you died.”

“Days. Yes. I see.” His confusion cleared, and he studied Paige with a sorrowful look. “Who killed me?”

She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I don’t know yet. Do you have any ideas?”

“No. I was attacked from behind.” He spun around to show her a gaping wound in the top left quadrant of his back, oozing black goo.

Paige swallowed hard, glad when the ghost twisted to face forward again. She nodded. “Yes, you were stabbed with a steak knife.

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