MURDER AT THE PIER (A Sister Sleuths Mystery Book 1) by Rayna Morgan Page A

ready to settle down in a small laid back West Coast town.” The old
man’s eyes twinkled. “If she’s worried about that, she doesn’t know how Mr.
Carson lives.”
    “I’m sure you could give her the lowdown, Bobby,” Lea
laughed. “I’ve got to run.”
    “Which of your clients are you here to see?”
    “Going to The Apex. Angelo needs brochures for the next
Food Fest.”
    “I’ve heard about his cooking competitions. The people who
go the last day sample the winner’s dishes. Dishes fit for a king.”
    “Maybe I can get you a ticket.”
    “Oh, thank you, Miss Lea, but don’t bother. It would be too
rich for my stomach. I’m used to my wife’s simple Filipino fare. She doesn’t
let me eat fancy stuff. Says it will clog my arteries.”
    “She’s a smart woman, Bobby. You listen to her.”
    “Don’t worry. I have no choice.” He turned to help his next
customer.
    * * *
    It was only eleven o’clock, but the restaurant was
bustling. “Busy day, Angelo?” Lea asked the handsome, stylishly dressed owner
of The Apex when he appeared from the kitchen.
    “Both lunch seatings are booked.”
    “I’m glad I made reservations yesterday. I talked my husband
into treating me to lunch after you and I finish. I may have forgotten to call
today with all the excitement of the murder.”
    “We’ve had a number of last minute reservations. I think
people are coming to gossip.”
    “Neal must have been a regular at your restaurant. Did you
know him well?”
    “As well as I wanted to. The thing that happened was
terrible, but I don’t think anyone who knew him is shedding tears. He wasn’t a
pleasant young man. His arrogance was offensive and he could be childishly
petty.”
    “Surely he would never have been rude to you, knowing what
a close friend of Don Carson you are.”
    “That didn’t stop him one night a few weeks ago. It was a
Tuesday, typically a slow night for us. Neal and a lady friend were here for
dinner. Everyone knows we close at ten o’clock during the week. It was obvious
he and the woman were wrapped up in each other at closing time. Neal wanted me
to accommodate them. Acting like a big shot by having the restaurant stay open.
No way was I going to cater to him. The only person I stay open for after hours
is Don Carson.
    The waiter had closed out their dinner ticket. I told Neal
he needed to leave. When he didn’t, I turned out the lights. The woman laughed
and told Neal it was time to go. She was quite nice about the whole thing but
Neal was livid.
    The next day half way through the lunch hour, the building
had a fire drill. It was not a big deal for the other tenants. Most of them
were taking their lunch break. For me, it was a disaster. Many of my customers
had to leave hot meals. By the time they returned, their food was cold. I
offered to reheat plates for people with hot entrees, but most of them didn’t
have time. They left with their food half eaten. I’m sure he did it to spite me
for what happened the night before.”
    Lea cocked her head. “Don’t worry, Lea. Italians are known
for our fiery tempers, but he didn’t get under my skin enough for me to kill
him. I can’t speak for some of the others he offended.”
    “What about the woman he was with that night? Do you know
if that was a serious relationship?”
    “Oh, heavens, no. At least, I wouldn’t think so. She’s
older and married.”
    “I assumed it was a date from the way you described their
intimacy.”
    “Their exchange was more intense than intimate. But if what
you assumed is correct, that would, indeed, make for juicy gossip.”
    “Why, Angelo?”
    “Neal was with City Councilwoman, Margaret Patton.”
    * * *
    Seated at a table next to the picture window, Lea waited
impatiently for Paul.
    Scheduling a meeting with Angelo while lunch was being prepared
had not been smart. The chef dedicated each day of the week to a different kind
of cuisine. Today, barbecue was featured. Her taste buds were salivating