AllFreeNovel
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“Oh, you’d like to see Alla? She’s busy in the kitchen. We’ve already run out of our yamberry muffins, and we’re low on our nipnanna pie.”
“That’s a problem. You need to get her.”
“I do?”
“Yes, for the good of your body, mind, and spirit.”
“Oh, okay.”
“What the hell is nipnanna?” Eve wondered.
“Turnip and banana pie.”
Eve turned her head, looked hard into Peabody’s face. “You’ve got to be lying.”
“Not. My aunt makes it. It’s not quite as bad as it sounds, but almost. Yamberry muffins, now—that’s yams and cranberries—that’s pretty good stuff.”
“Please.”
“It’s no apple Danish, but it’s pretty good.”
Alla stepped out. Her chestnut hair was bundled under a squat chef’s cap, leaving her fresh, pretty face unframed. She wore a long, flowered dress over a willowy form, and a gray bib apron over the dress.
“Is there a problem?” she began.
“Could be.” Eve showed her the badge. “We need to talk.”
“I don’t understand. I’m up to date on everything. Business license, health department.”
“It’s not about that. Is there a place we can talk?”
“We’re really busy in the back.” She glanced behind her. “We’re running holiday specials, and they’re paying off. We can grab that table over there. Dora, let’s have three-drink specials. I could use a little break.”
“Right away, Alla.”
She pulled off her cap as she walked around the counter. A long, sleek tail of hair tumbled out.
“What’s this about?”
“Trey Ziegler.”
Irritation flickered in Alla’s large brown eyes. “What about him?” she demanded as she sat. “If he’s in trouble and looking for me to bail him out, he can forget it.”
“He’s dead.”
“What?” She jerked back as if punched. “What do you mean?”
“His body was found early this morning. When did you last see him?”
“That’s not right. That’s a mistake.”
No tears, Eve noted, but if she was faking the shock and denial, she was damn good at it.
“You’ve made a mistake,” Alla said, the words slow, careful. “Trey’s not dead.”
“Trey Ziegler,” Eve said, keeping her tone flat and brisk as she brought his ID shot up on her PPC. “This Trey Ziegler.”
“This can’t be right. This can’t be true.”
