“Tell me what ingredient is most unique to the zeppoles you make for me?”
“That’s easy. The Amarena cherry. I only use them on a couple of items. Today the only thing that’s gone out with those cherries as a garnish was your order.”
“I’ve got an employee named Serenity who’s going to ask you to show her the jar. Please accommodate her in every way. Also,my head of security, Nathan Stone will be dropping by to talk to your staff. Please don’t let any of them leave. If anyone is acting suspicious, call me immediately. I’ll cover all your expenses. Thank you, Carmine. I owe you one.”
I hung up and dialed Serenity. After I got her up to speed on the situation, I called Stone, who was already in the building. He walked into my office a minute later, his brows drawn together and worry tightening his eyes. “What’s going on?”
I explained everything to him. “And don’t say ‘I told you so.’ We have no proof Julia is involved.”
He shook his head and glanced at me sideways. “It would have been the perfect setup.”
“But she’d be the immediate suspect.” I rubbed my temples. “I mean, she is the first suspect. She had the opportunity. If Serenity hadn’t been here, and in the mood for something sweet—”
“You’d probably be dead.”
I thought about that for a second before continuing. “Maybe. We don’t actually know for sure if her vision means what we’re assuming.”
“What else could it mean?”
“Perhaps I just swallowed wrong and was choking?”
Stone raised a brow. “You don’t believe that.”
“No.” I shook my head slightly. “You’re right. We’re going to have to reevaluate Julia, from top to bottom, unless of course, Serenity finds something at the bakery. Or you do. Why don’t you head down there now. The owner, Carmine Amato, is expecting you. Press the employees, but play nicely. Carmine is a friend.”
“You got it.” Stone stood and stretched, all coiled muscle and restrained violence. “I'll play nice as long as they do.” He cracked his knuckles, the sound sharp in the quiet office. His grin wasall predator. “But if someone's a threat, I'll handle it.” He strode toward the door like a man hoping for a fight.
“I’m glad you’re on my team.”
∞∞∞
Serenity called after she left the bakery. “Sorry. I didn’t get anything.”
“What about the cherries?” I figured this was the most likely way the poison would be delivered. Amarena cherries were tart and could easily mask a poison. It also made more sense to add poison to a jar of cherries that were specific to my order. Poisoning all the flour, butter, or sugar wouldn’t make sense. Besides, if a dozen or more people dropped dead, the authorities would be investigating an act of terrorism instead of a lone murder. That isn’t the way a pro operates.
“I took the liberty of grabbing the open jar of cherries, even though I didn’t get a reading on them. I’ll take them to Dino for testing.” Dino was short for Detective Scardino, who was on my payroll and could get them tested for me.
“Smart. Better safe than sorry.”
“Yes. And I also managed to touch Julia’s arm on my way out. I got mixed messages, so it’s hard to explain.”
“Like what?”
“Well… I think she’s in trouble, but I don’t know how. Just some kind of conflict she’s facing that isn’t resolved.”
“But nothing about the poison?”
“I don’t know. Unless that’s part of the conflict. But it doesn’t feel like it. Sorry. Wish I had more.”
“It’s fine. For now, get those cherries to Dino.”
“Will do."
I hung up and called Stone. “What did you find?”
“Nothing out of the ordinary. There’s one baker I haven’t talked to, but he’s the oldest employee. Carmine says he’s been working with him over twenty years. He came in early this morning, but he’s got a sick kid at the hospital and left early.”
“You’ll still pay him a visit?”
