“Fine.” She grumbles. “Make sure you’re careful. I have to go. I have bread in the oven.” She walks back out the front door.
“I have to go too,” Lucia replies. “We aren’t finished with this conversation. I want all the details later.” She follows after Nonna.
I wait for the front door to close before I get up. Running a hand through my hair, I walk over to the foyer and check to make sure everything is locked.
A chime rings from my phone signaling that someone is at the back porch.
Making my way back to the kitchen, I stop short as I see Dominic behind the glass.
Why is he here? I haven’t even thought about what I would say when I see him next, especially after last night.
Maybe I should go hide.
Crap he’s already seen me and he can’t stay out there, someone in the compound will see him for sure.
My fingers fumble with the latch and I yank the slider open. “What are you doing here?”
He shrugs. “Are we not working on a case together? I figured you wouldn’t want anyone to see me. I caught a rideshare and had them drop me off on the opposite side. Then I went through the woods and hopped the fence.”
Why is he acting normal?
I turn away from him because I have a strong urge to leap into his arms if I stand any closer.
“Well, that sounds like quite a quest.” I open the box of pastries. “And you’re right. I don’t want anyone to see you. I need to learn not to give my family keys to my house.” I pause. “Keys. Of course. My family has access to my house which means I have access to theirs. That’s how we get in. Whenever Mama and Nonna leave, we will use the key to enter and find the chess set.”
“That’s going to have to wait.” Dominic holds up a manila envelope. “I think I got a lead.”
“Really?”
He still hasn’t mentioned anything about last night.
Did I dream it?
My body tells me no.
“I remember you told me how a truck driver handed that package to Lucia. I checked the warehouse camera footage and traced the license plate to the trucking company. Then I got access to their delivery logs and found the driver’s name. Rafael Longo. After doing a criminal data search, his record is clean and he supposedly doesn’t have any mafia connections. I figured if we can find him and talk to him, he can tell us who paid him to deliver that shipment and drop off the box.”
I stare at the cannoli on my plate. I don’t know how to reply. I should feel relieved that we appear to be getting somewhere with this case, but I have a tornado of emotions running through me.
Why is he acting like nothing happened between us?
Like he hadn’t had his face buried between my thighs less than twenty-four hours ago.
Was he that intoxicated that he doesn’t remember?
I don’t know if I should be happy or offended.
“Also I found something interesting as well.” Dominic’s voice brings me back to reality. “The owner of the trucking company who delivered the packages is Madeline Toma.”
“I knew Madeline was the killer, her and her stupid grandson,” I mutter.
“It’s way too early to be passing judgement or thinking of getting revenge.” Dominic places the envelope on the table. “I have some photos from the camera footage that I enlarged to get a better view of the driver.”
It’s then I remember I never looked in those boxes that were delivered. I have to get down to the warehouse. There is another shipment arriving soon and I have to make sure the tables are all in order.
“Rafael Longo’s truck is at a rest stop in the next town over. I’m going to go over there now to try to talk to him before he leaves.”
“I’m coming with you.” I close the box of pastries.
