Battered by G P Gottlieb

Author:G P Gottlieb
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mystery, murder mystery, whodunit, cozy mystery, recipes, womens mystery, vegan recipes
Publisher: DX Varos Publishing

Chapter 11

Olly and Jocelyn rushed into the community room and found Alene standing in the kitchen with Frank. “The tray tipped over and has to be reassembled…sorry,” Olly said breathlessly while Jocelyn wrung her hands.

“Is everything salvageable?” asked Alene. Frank stood up and politely excused himself from the conversation. She watched him walk over to her father and ex-mother-in-law, Mitzi, and admired his confident stride. She also noticed his butt and felt herself turning red.

Jocelyn said, “They’re picking up the cookies and wiping them off. Would you be okay with moving the party down to your apartment? It’s too hard to get the tray and three of us holding it into an elevator.”

“Sorry,” said Alene. “It’s an old building.”

“If we can serve it at your dining room table, we won’t have to risk another cookie Armageddon,” said Olly.

Alene said, “But I wasn’t prepared for guests.”

“We’ll clean everything up in ten minutes,” Jocelyn said, grinning optimistically, “maybe fifteen at most.”

“No other options? We’ll need to put a sign on the community room door for all the neighbors. Also, someone will need to help my dad,” said Alene. “And Neal’s probably going to snoop around and find things to criticize.”

Olly asked, “I could wrestle him to the floor if he bothers you.”

“No,” said Alene, “but thanks for offering.” Maybe Olly had loved Gary because he was like a father-figure to him.

Jocelyn said, “Olly can put up the sign, LaTonya will put down her camera to help your father and I’ll distract Neal.” She did a party-girl dance move to the music of one of the female pop singers on Sierra’s playlist. Alene couldn’t tell which one it was, but it reminded her that she needed to bring the speakers back to her place.

“I’ll need paper and markers,” said Olly, mirroring Jocelyn’s moves.

“Thanks guys.” Alene tried to look deeper into Olly’s eyes to see if there was a killer in there. She’d read about smooth, engaging, psychopathic killers. He’d been so depressed and now suddenly he was dancing.

Ruthie saw her expression and immediately ran to her side. Alene told her about the change of venue, and they both started cleaning up. Her husband Benjie herded the children, Brianne took care of the trash, and Mitzi helped Cal get into the elevator and walked him back into the apartment. Everyone else helped clear the community room except for Sandy, Bill, and Neal. Frank entered the elevator just behind Alene. Just as she was about to tell him about Olly being in love with Gary; Neal, Sandy, Bill and Tinley crowded in with them.

In Alene’s miraculously straightened apartment, Olly and Jocelyn had started brewing coffee and Zuleyka was setting out the cups, creamer and sugar. The folks Alene had invited from the building listserv would start coming by soon. While coffee was served, she summoned Ruthie’s daughter Shaily to go with Sierra and help deliver leftover pizza and salad to a few neighbors.

The two girls stopped first across the hall and returned just moments later. Miss Gloriadine said she was contagious, and they should leave the plate in the hallway.

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