Something's Cooking by Joanne Pence

Author:Joanne Pence
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: HarperCollins US
Published: 1993-01-24T10:00:00+00:00

“Bonnet.” Paavo’s voice was a low rumble. “Time for you to say bye-bye.”

Stan’s face reddened with fury. “I said I will not be ordered—”

“Thanks for stopping by.” Angie grabbed his arm and pushed him toward the door. “Go home now, Stanfield. Please.”

The anger on his face turned into astonishment as he gaped at her. With an indignant sniff, he squared his shoulders and marched solemnly from the room, slamming the door behind him.

Paavo’s cold glare now fixed on Angie.

Fury and pain converged as she looked at him. “You’ll have to ignore Stan. He was just being chivalrous.”

“So I saw.” His mouth curved into a sneer.

“At least he knows how!”

“Fine, now that we’ve established what an ace among men he is, I can get on with business.”

“That suits me just fine.” She plopped down on the yellow Hepplewhite.

He remained standing. “I wanted to give you the latest breakthrough. The man’s name isn’t Edward G. Crane. It’s Edmund Banner. He’s been here about a year, from the East Coast, where he’s been in and out of jail more times than you can count. Small-time stuff. Have you ever heard the name Edmund Banner before, Miss Amalfi?”

Her heart flinched at the formal address. So we’re back to “Miss Amalfi” now, she thought. Why not, now that she was no longer convenient? Anger licked at the edges of her control. “No, I’ve never heard of Edmund Banner, or Edward Banner, or any other Banner, Inspector Smith.” Two could play at this game.

He raised one eyebrow. “I’d like a copy of every recipe Sammy Blade gave you.”

Without a word, she went into the den, where she pulled copies of Sam’s recipes from her files. There were only fourteen items. She made two sets, using her personal-sized copier: one set to bring to Bodega Bay—if Paavo wanted to study them, she would, too—and the other set to give him.

She returned to the living room and gave him his set. He shuffled through the papers. “I’ve had this place patroled all day, in case you were worried,” he said.

“My worries are almost over.”

“Oh?” His attention was on her now.

“I’ve decided I can’t stay here.”

His black brows locked, and he scowled at her. “What do you mean?”

“Just that.” She lifted her chin. “Think of me as a coward all you want, but I’m scared. I don’t mind admitting it.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “I’ve rented a house at Bodega Bay. I’m already packed and I’m going there.”

“You’re what?” He slowly circled closer, reminding her of a panther carefully, menacingly, stalking its prey.

She refused to react to him or back down. “I’m going away until things blow over.”

He stared at her without word or expression, his eyes penetrating and his lips drawn in a tight, thin line. “If someone is determined to kill you, they’ll try to find you wherever you go.”

“Once I’m away, I’m sure they’ll leave me alone. I know nothing.”

The ceiling lights outlined his long, lanky figure. He seemed to loom over her. “But you do know something,” he said.

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