Case of the Holiday Hijinks by Jeffrey M. Poole

Case of the Holiday Hijinks by Jeffrey M. Poole

Author:Jeffrey M. Poole
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: crime, mystery, holidays, christmas, cozy mystery, corgi case files, jeffrey m poole, jm poole
Publisher: Jeffrey M. Poole


SEVEN

“Why are there four forks on the table?” I asked the following day.

The following Saturday, Vance, Harry, and I had decided to meet for lunch at a new – for me – restaurant. At my suggestion. I wanted to be able to show Jillian that I was at least trying to step out of my comfort zone. A little bird had told me that this was one of Jillian’s favorite places to eat, so I thought I’d give them a try. While I knew almost immediately that there wasn’t going to be anything on the menu that I’d like, I did want to give it a trial run first to see if I’d be able to bring Jillian here and find something that I’d be willing to try. I eyed the menu in front of me and sighed inwardly. This wasn’t gonna be easy.

We were sitting at Chateau Restaurant & Wine Bar, less than two blocks from Jillian’s store. This place was far and away the nicest, ritziest restaurant here in town. Waiters were decked out in tuxedos; menus were printed on thick parchment and adhered to thin wooden backing. And… there were way too many pieces of silverware on the table to know what to do with.

I had eyed my friends when I first sat down. Harry, surprisingly enough, seemed to be at ease as he placed his thick cloth napkin on his lap. A check on Vance confirmed he looked as out of place as I must have felt.

“They probably provide spares in case you drop one,” Vance guessed.

Harry shook his head. He leaned forward and tapped each of the pieces of silverware in front of him. He started with the fork on the far left.

“This is the fish fork,” Harry began. “It’s provided in case you order a fish dish.”

I had to stifle a laugh. A fish fork? Seriously?

“And if we don’t?” Vance asked under his breath. “I don’t like fish.”

“Then after you place your order they’ll take it away,” Harry casually explained. He caught sight of the approaching waiter. “Who’s up for a bottle of wine? My treat, guys.”

Vance looked at his watch and shrugged, “It’s late enough. Why not? Zack, what do you say?”

“I say I’d rather have a Coke Zero,” I muttered as the waiter arrived at our table to take our drink orders.

Harry grinned and nudged Vance, “That’s more for us, right pal?”

Vance nodded and gave Harry a fist bump.

“Would you like to order a bottle of wine?” the waiter eagerly asked, having overheard part of our conversation.

Harry nodded, “You bet. What would you recommend, man?”

The waiter thought for a moment.

“We were finally able to restock our supply of a local favorite, namely the Syrah produced by none other than Lentari Cellars. It is top rated and presently in high demand. It’s only $149 per bottle. Shall I open one for you?”

I had been taking a sip from my water glass when I nearly choked.

“$149?” I sputtered, wiping the flecks of water from my mouth with my napkin.



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