Charred by G P Gottlieb

Author:G P Gottlieb
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: chicago, recipes, amateur sleuths, vegan, culinary cozy
Publisher: DX Varos Publishing

As they walked down the street, Aggie spotted Hank. She waved to him, and he walked toward the women.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes, you are, Hank. And just the man who could do me a good turn.”

“Aggie, Helen, Peggy” he said, giving them a little salute. “With what can I help you today?”

“It’s a matter of some delicacy,” Aggie said.

“That’s me specialty. You know I always thought I’d make a grand detective. Like to keep things close to me vest, so to speak. The soul of discretion, I am. Should we speak here, or should I come upstairs where it’s more private like?”

“Ah sure, the neighbors will be gossiping about it either way, so you may as well come in and have a cuppa.”

“Nothing would please me more,” he said.

They climbed the stairs to the apartment and once there, Helen put the kettle on. Aggie put some cookies on a platter while Hank made himself comfortable.

“Would you care for a little sweetener in your tea, or maybe on the side?” Aggie asked, holding up a whiskey bottle.

“Maybe just a touch to sweeten the tea,” he said.

Aggie half-filled his cup with the brown liquid.

“That’s grand.” He took a sip while the kettle heated up. “Ah, warms me up, that does. I see Paddy is a man of taste.”

“He doesn’t indulge too often, you know, but on that rare occasion, he likes to have the best on hand.”

“And a fine policy that is. Ah, here’s our tea. You can pour it right in here, love,” he said to Helen pointing to his half-filled cup and winking at her. “Adds a little flavor to the cuppa.” He took a healthy swig of the tea this time. “Lovely, lovely.” Reaching for a cookie, he said, “Now, what can I do for you fine ladies?”

“Helen, it’s your story to tell, for I don’t know all the particulars like you do.”

Helen sat and told Hank about last night’s events. He made some notations in his notebook and asked a few questions during her narrative.

“We’re all thinking that maybe something happened to Carolyn. Something bad. Maybe she’s in a hospital, or... or something.”

Hank rubbed his chin. “She always was a bit of a wildcat that one. I remember when she was just a wee girl, how many times I chased her home. Her being where she shouldn’t be and doing what she shouldn’t be doing.”

“And you never thought you should say something to me or Paddy? Hank, I should throttle you, I should.”

“Now, Aggie, we both know you knew what was going on. I kept my eye on her. I’d not let anything happen to her. I hope you know that.”

“Aye, that I do.”

“No one’s to blame, Aggie. She was born with that wildness in her. Back home we would say the banshees got to her before the wee folk could, that’s all.” He reached over and patted Aggie’s hand.

“Aye, you’re right, Hank,” she said, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. “But I’m worried about her now.

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