'Twas the Bite Before Christmas: An Andy Carpenter Mystery by David Rosenfelt

Author:David Rosenfelt [Rosenfelt, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Humour, Thriller
ISBN: 9781250828842
Google: W_-rEAAAQBAJ
Amazon: 1250828848
Barnesnoble: 1250828848
Goodreads: 65213890
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Published: 2023-10-10T05:00:00+00:00

As always, Marcus is right on time, picking me up at seven thirty sharp for the twenty-five-minute drive to Spumoni’s.

There’s rarely meaningful conversation between Marcus and me and this trip is no exception.

I ask, “Anything we need to talk about before we go in there?”

“No.”

And that’s it.

We pull into Spumoni’s parking lot, which is usually packed. I’ve eaten here quite often; the food is terrific. It’s like having dinner in Rome, without the flying.

This time only two cars are in the lot; the restaurant’s being closed tends to cut down on the number of patrons. I assume the two cars belong to Junior and his people, and as we walk by them, I briefly wonder how many bodies have been in them. If those trunks could talk …

I have to gird myself for this. I have learned that in these situations it’s important to convey confidence, firmness, and a lack of fear. My stomach says otherwise.

We go to the side door and knock. A few seconds later it is opened by an extremely large person, who has another extremely large person next to him. They don’t say anything; they just stare at us.

“Andy Carpenter to see Joseph Russo. We have an appointment.”

Large Person Number One points to Marcus. “Who is he?”

“That’s Marcus; he’s my third cousin on my wife’s side. No, second cousin … wait, he’s her aunt’s brother-in-law’s son. So, second cousin by marriage. But we’re very close; my wife and I were at his bar mitzvah.”

As I’m talking, we’re walking in, and they make no attempt to stop us. They’re probably still trying to figure out what the hell I’m talking about. They also know that Russo is expecting us, though I’m surprised they haven’t frisked us. Russo used to have more competent people.

They walk with us and lead us down a hallway and into the restaurant area. Russo is sitting at a table drinking coffee, with dirty dishes on a tray at a nearby table. He’s obviously just had his dinner, which means they opened the kitchen for him.

Two other large people are there, standing not far from Russo with their backs against the wall.

He regards us with his typical look of disdain. “You were supposed to come by yourself.”

I snap my fingers. “Did he say ‘by yourself’? I thought he said ‘be yourself,’ which I always am. I’m completely comfortable in my own skin.”

“You want me to throw this guy out?” Large Person Number One asks, meaning Marcus.

“That might be a mistake,” Junior says. “If this guy worked for me, I wouldn’t need any of you.” Junior has met Marcus before and seen what he is capable of.

“No problem,” Number One says. “Just say the word.” Of all the large people in the room, he might be the most clueless.

“Okay, throw him out.” Junior nods. A twinkle actually seems to be in his eye, or as much of a twinkle as Joseph Russo could ever manage.

Number One puts his arm on Marcus’s shoulder and starts to pull him.

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