I stopped at the edge of the table. “Okay, what are on those fancy notes you just opened?”
Nonna blinked, the picture of calm. “What was what, cara mia?”
“That little note exchange. Thick envelopes. Matching stationery. You’re both frowning like you just read bad news,” I whispered, unable to find more volume.
Nana lifted her cup, buying time. “Just correspondence, dear.”
“Between each other?” I asked, eyes narrowing. “In person? At breakfast? With matching stationery?”
Neither answered.
Tessa cleared her throat. “Are you at least going to tell us what this is about?”
“No,” Nonna said simply.
Nana set her cup down gently. “It’s better that way. Please don’t concern yourselves with this. We know what we’re doing.”
My frustration bubbled up. “Do the grandpas know that the two of you are even meeting?”
“Absolutely not,” Nonna replied.
Nana nodded. “We’re all going to keep it that way.”
I glanced between them. “You’re serious.”
“As heart attacks,” Nonna said softly.
They went back to their coffee, shutting down the conversation like a door slamming in my face.
My shoulders stiffened. “You’ve both taught us that we always rely on family.”
Nonna arched an eyebrow. “We do, and right now, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Right now? I swallowed. “Is something coming?”
A look passed between them. One I couldn’t interpret.
“No,” Nonna finally said.
Why didn’t I believe her? “Does this have anything to do with the theft at your store, Nana? With the dynamite?”
Nana snorted. “No. I promise. This has nothing to do with that situation.”
Nonna sat back. “Wait a minute. Are you sure?”
Nana rolled her green eyes. “Seriously? Come on, Elda. No way with the dynamite or the theft. Doesn’t make sense with, the, ah, whole situation. Think about it.”
Nonna patted her massive purse. “You’re right. Speaking of the theft, Three Hens Investigations would like to take on your case. On the house, since we’re family.”
Tessa took a step back. My knees shook but I didn’t move. Since they were family? Sure, they were, but I’d never heard either one of them acknowledge it. They were always polite, even kind, with each other, but still. “Um, Nonna? I think Aiden and the ATF are already working hard on the case.” I didn’t want my grandmother chasing somebody who felt fine planting old dynamite.
She shrugged. “Of course, and the ATF is good at finding explosives and such. The theft will be secondary to their investigation. You know that.”
Nana squinted up at me. “Is that true?”
I gulped. “Well, yes. But if they find the person who had the dynamite, they’ll find the thief. I think you should let them do their job.”
Nana cupped her hands around the still steaming coffee. “I don’t suppose it’d hurt to have more than one investigation going, but I’d insist upon paying Three Hens. Your agency is new and shouldn’t work for free. I wouldn’t mind a family discount, however.”
