“Really?” I lifted a brow. “I didn’t peg you for an Italian guy.”
He shrugged. “It’s my favorite. We used to have these crazy Italian food nights back home. My mom baked the lasagna; my brother, Ben, was in charge of the Caprese salad; and I made the garlic bread. My dad just pounded his fork against the table.” Caden chuckled and mimicked the action with his fork. “What about you?”
I fiddled with the end of the napkin on my lap. “It was just my mom and me growing up. Money was tight, but she made this one dish I always looked forward to. Tuna noodle casserole topped with shredded cheese.”
Caden flashed a smile. There wasn’t any pity in his expression, and it was nice to share parts of my past with someone. “Tuna noodle? I wouldn’t have pegged you for a seafood girl.”
“Surprise, surprise. It’s why I’m eyeing the lobster.”
“Get whatever you want. You know how to work a commercial dishwasher, right?”
I snorted a laugh into my water.
Real classy, Elle.
The server returned with our drinks and took our order. Caden raised his beer in a toast.
“To your adequacy today.”
We clinked glasses, and I rolled my eyes.
“Oscar’s a tough teacher, but he knows his stuff. How did you two meet?”
Caden grew quiet, his brow creasing. Setting his drink back down, he took a long time to answer.
“It’s not very interesting. We were given our assignments ahead of you, and I went to meet him at the manor.”
“I see. And whose idea was it for you to get a fake job and follow me around the country club?”
Caden winced and loosened his tie. “It was my idea. Oscar didn’t approve, but I thought someone should keep an eye on you.”
“You mean you wanted to test me, see what you were dealing with before I found out the truth? Considering how that night went, I imagine you found me lacking.”
“Elle . . .” He paused, trying to find the right words.
“It’s fine. You don’t need to explain. I understand perfectly,” I said, trying to mask the hurt in my voice.
With the mood slightly altered, I figured it was time to get down to business. It was way too easy to imagine myself on an actual date with Caden when we were supposed to be investigating Jake.
I glanced toward the bar at the other end of the restaurant. Jake was behind the counter, mixing drinks. He didn’t notice us when we came in, which gave us a chance to observe him without detection.
The plan was for Caden to question him while I caused a distraction and swiped his van keys from under the bar. Jake always kept his stuff under the register and never in the storage cubicles supplied to waitstaff at the country club. I was banking on history repeating itself.
When our food arrived, I dug into my meal and turned our conversation toward the main event.
“So, getting back to our investigation. We know Jake was in the class that went to view the artifacts at the historical society. He was also working the night of the murder. Besides Julia Henry, I’d say he’s one of our best suspects.”
Caden loaded his fork with lasagna and nodded in agreement. “What about that friend of yours, Zoe? Wasn’t she in the same class as Jake?”
“Yeah, but she dropped the class.”
“Before or after the field trip?”
I didn’t know. Zoe hadn’t mentioned it. But she’d never mentioned having the class in the first place. Her omissions didn’t make her a killer demon though. I’d know if my best friend was evil, wouldn’t I?
“It’s not Zoe. Let’s keep our focus on Jake.” I couldn’t help the note of irritation in my voice, and I buttered my dinner roll with a little too much force, spearing the knife straight through the bread.
Caden sighed. “Elle, I know you don’t want to suspect your friend, but we have to consider her just like the others. It’s only fair.”
