Murder Uncorked by Maddie Day

Author:Maddie Day [Day, Maddie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2023-07-10T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 35

Benjamin had picked up his glass. He set it down. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s been ten years.” And we’d been having all kinds of problems in our marriage before he died, which Benjamin didn’t need to know. But his death had hit Zoe hard right when she was starting adolescence, and she’d channeled her grief into anger at me. Benjamin didn’t need to hear about my troubles with my girl, either.

I sipped my beer. “How about you, since we’re getting to know each other? Wife? Kids?” I’d seen no evidence of a ring, but he clearly got on well with Allie’s boys and said he loved children. I waited to see if he’d answer.

“I’m divorced. Both my children are also in college. My son lives in Seattle, my daughter in Boston.” He drained his glass and reached for the bottle.

“Ah-ah-ah,” I scolded, smiling.

I filled his glass for him. He was unencumbered by a marriage or little kids, meaning he was an eligible bachelor, if I was looking for one. What I was really wondering was if I could finagle him back to talking about Vincent and the VVA.

I waited until after our dinner arrived and we’d each had a few bites.

“Why did you say what you did about Vincent falsifying his résumé?” I asked.

He gave me an incredulous look as he chewed and swallowed. “Just . . . no, Cece. Why would I want to talk about work when I’m out to dinner with a beautiful woman?”

Just . . . no, Benjamin. Why didn’t he want to talk about what I asked him? And why in the world did he think flattery would make me drop the subject? It only made me suspect him more, not less.

Ko delivered our dinners. I’d ordered shrimp tempura, and Benjamin the yaki-soba special. I ate in silence. I savored the soft meat of the shrimp, the slice of sweet potato, the crunchy green bean, all in a perfectly light and crispy batter. I did a quick dip of each piece in the bowl of tentsuyu, the light, slightly sweet sauce essential as a tempura accompaniment. Benjamin ate his dinner with his fork, glancing up at me a couple of times.

Ko brought two small ceramic bottles of hot sake and two little matching cups. She poured for both of us.

“Same rules?” Benjamin asked.

She smiled and nodded. “Cece’s giving you an education in Japanese culture.”

“She is.” He lifted the little cup. “Kampai.”

I lifted mine and toasted him in return before drinking. The warm, strong wine made me feel like I was wrapped in a cozy blanket. I closed my eyes, savoring the feeling.

“You love this, don’t you?” Benjamin murmured.

I opened my eyes to see him gazing at me, chin in his palm, his expression as soft as his voice.

“I do,” I said. “Japanese food—and drink—is the perfect cuisine. It’s clean and good for you, but also subtle and delicious, at least in its original form. I’ll tell you one thing, though. Don’t ever offer me sushi with avocado or mayonnaise on it.

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