Pepperoni Pizza Can Be Murder by Chris Cavender

Author:Chris Cavender
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2010-03-26T16:00:00+00:00

Maddy was just getting started on the box when we heard pounding on the front door.

“He just doesn’t get the hint, does he?” Maddy asked.

“No, but I’m going to make sure he gets it this time.”

My sister put a hand on my arm. “You’re not seriously thinking about going out there again, are you?”

“I won’t let someone bully me in front of my own pizzeria,” I said.

“At least call someone for backup.”

“Who do you suggest? Do you honestly think the police chief is going to trot right down here to look out for me? Besides, I don’t need a man to protect me. I’ve got this,” I added as I reached out and grabbed the cleaver again.

“And I’ve got my stun gun,” she said as she dove into her purse.

“I don’t want you coming with me,” I said as the pounding repeated itself.

“Well, I don’t want donuts to go to my hips, but I’ve got a feeling they’re going to, anyway.”

I raised an eyebrow. “There’s barely an ounce of fat on you, and you know it.”

Maddy said, “It was an expression, okay?”

I looked at my own hips. “Not with me it’s not.”

Instead of answering, she started for the kitchen door. “If we’re going to do this, let’s go right now.”

I caught up with her as she walked out into the dining room, ready for trouble. Instead of finding Jamie outside, though, Jenny Wilkes stood by the door, armed with nothing more dangerous than a bouquet of pink roses from her shop, Forever in Bloom.

Maddy lowered her stun gun, and I put the knife down on the counter, where the drink machine was. As we approached the door, I wondered what had possessed David Quinton to send me flowers. I’d been pretty clear that he needed to back off, but apparently he wasn’t listening. What did I have to do, send them back to him shredded?

As I unlocked the door, I said, “I don’t want those.”

“Hi, Eleanor. I’m fine, how are you?”

Jenny was a petite blonde barely into her thirties, and she was a die-hard romantic. She had the perfect personality for running a floral shop, where love was always in the air.

“Sorry,” I said as I stepped aside and let her in. “It’s just been one of those days, and those flowers aren’t making it any better.”

She looked startled by my declaration. “Is that any way to talk? Flowers always make everything better.”

“Not today they don’t,” I said. “I was serious before. I don’t want them.”

Jenny smiled at me. “Then isn’t it a good thing that they aren’t for you? Maddy, it appears that you have a not-so-secret admirer.”

As she handed the flowers to my sister, I felt like a complete fool. “I’m sorry. I’m just not myself today.”

Jenny patted my shoulder. “That’s okay. But it’s good to know how you feel if anyone ever does try to send you flowers.” She paused a second, then said, “Eleanor, I didn’t mean that how it sounded—honest, I didn’t.”

Maddy laughed. “Come on, when you get in a zinger like that, it’s important to take full credit for it.

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