Death of a Bacon Heiress by Lee Hollis Page A

when she called the paper to place ads for the restaurant.
    But then came the entrées, and although Hayley and Nacho were both pleased with their selections, she quickly noticed an appalled look of distaste suddenly appear on Olivia’s face, and her mood instantly darkened.
    She didn’t like her seafood.
    And it was going to be a big problem.
    Felicity entered the dining room from the kitchen and bravely crossed to their table, a tight smile fixed on her face. “Ivy tells me you wanted to see me.”
    â€œYes,” Olivia said, turning her head and speaking in the most haughty, snobbish manner she could muster. “My name is Olivia Redmond. . . .”
    â€œYes, Ms. Redmond, of course I know you—”
    â€œPlease allow me to finish,” Olivia barked.
    Felicity clammed up.
    â€œI visit the island every summer and dine at all the restaurants in town, and I was so much looking forward to enjoying a meal here since all my friends seem to rave about this place, but I can’t eat these crab cakes. They’re too fishy and too spicy!”
    Hayley wanted to shrink in her seat, but Felicity remained calm and collected and reached down to pick up the plate of half-eaten crab cakes in front of Olivia. “Then please, let me bring you something else.”
    Olivia slapped her hand away. “I don’t want anything else. This rotten fish has ruined my palette.”
    â€œI assure you, Ms. Redmond, the salmon in the crab cakes is fresh.”
    â€œIt damn well may be, but it tastes lousy. You should consider investing in a new chef because whatever he’s done to these crab cakes is a culinary crime.”
    â€œMy sweet potato gnocchi is delicious,” Hayley said impulsively, stabbing three pieces of gnocchi on her fork and shoveling it into her mouth. “Can’t get enough of it.”
    Felicity offered her a slight but grateful smile.
    Olivia chose to ignore her.
    Felicity sighed. She was adhering to the rule that the customer was always right, but it was a downright challenge. “My husband, Alan, is our chef. He prepared the crab cakes. I’m sorry it’s not to your liking, but he has been trained all over Europe and Asia, and very rarely do we ever hear complaints about his talents.”
    â€œI’m sure your husband, Alan, has an illustrious career ahead of him in the fast-food industry,” Olivia said, pushing her chair back. “I’ve had enough of your back talk. Clearly you are uninterested in my opinion.”
    â€œOn the contrary, I take what you’re saying very seriously. . . .”
    â€œNot seriously enough, I’m afraid. The chef is still in the kitchen working. Let’s go. I’m sure I can find something edible at home.”
    Olivia swiveled around to make sure her back was to Felicity as she stormed out. “Pay the bill, Nacho.”
    Nacho reached for his wallet but Felicity stopped him.
    â€œPlease, the least I can do is comp the meal,” Felicity said, sighing.
    Hayley glimpsed Felicity’s good-looking, slight, wiry husband, Alan, poking his head above the carved wood swinging doors leading into the kitchen to see what was happening.
    When he saw Hayley staring at him, he panicked and disappeared back inside. She had only met him once, at a wine-tasting party in town, and found him soft-spoken but warm and charming.
    Felicity was the one in charge and running the show.
    And everyone in town knew it.
    But that didn’t seem to bother him. He probably married her because he liked a strong woman telling him what to do.
    â€œI’m sure part of the reason she’s being so difficult is because you refused to allow her to bring her pig in here to dine on scraps underneath the table,” Nacho said, shaking his head.
    â€œIt’s the law, I’m sorry,” Felicity said, shrugging her shoulders.
    â€œAgain, I loved my meal,” Hayley said as she stood up from the table, having