Page 71 of Canapés at the Beach House Hotel
My mind spun.A new, young chef?
We answered a few more questions, then Vinnie stood.“Thank you for your help.You can go now.But I warn you that nothing can be said about this.If anything gets out about our conversations and the raid itself, our investigation could be ruined.We wouldn’t take kindly to such a thing happening.”
“What about our husbands?I know they’re worried about us,” I said.
“Does the local media know?”asked Rhonda.
“They know that Jonny has been killed.That’s all.We’ve said it was a shooting.Say as little as possible and don’t give away anything that can be used against us.We won’t divulge your names to any lawyers other than our own and only if necessary.”
Rhonda and Vinnie hugged.“It was great to see you,” she said.“If you want some decent Italian food with recipes from my mother and my nonna, you know where to reach me.I’d love for you to meet my husband and children.”
“Sounds like something a single man like me would really appreciate,” he said.“Thanks.I’ll let you know.I see your brother from time to time at the butcher shop.”
“He’s doing well,” said Rhonda.
I faced him.“Thanks for your help in keeping Rhonda and me safe.”
He tipped his head.“Always ready to do that.”
He walked us to the door and showed us out.“Safe travels.”
Rhonda and I trotted to my car, opened it, and climbed in.
“Wow!What a shitty day,” said Rhonda, clasping her hands to her cheeks.“I thought we were goners until I saw Vinnie.Then I calmed down a little.”
I held out my hands in front of me and saw they were still shaking.“I didn’t calm down one bit.They had guns.I kept wondering what we’d gotten ourselves into.”
“I think it’s more about what we got ourselves out of,” said Rhonda.“I knew Jonny Arno was trouble from the beginning.I’m sorry he was killed, but I’m not that surprised.He was a foolish man to think he could disrespect his backers that way.He let his ego get in the way of making decent choices.”
“Amen,” I said.“Now, let’s go home.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
I didn’t know how Jonny’s death would be described in various news reports, but I hoped it was made clear that The Beach House Hotel had nothing to do with it.Rhonda and I had worked too hard to be embroiled in a murder.
“We have to meet with Bernie.News like this is important, and we’ll want him to be able to make some kind of statement, speaking for us,” I said.
“You’re right.After all the news of the conflict between us, the media will want some reaction from the hotel.”
We pulled into my parking spot at the rear of the hotel and went inside directly to Bernie’s office.
We knocked on his door and opened it.
Bernie looked up and waved for us to come inside while continuing to talk on the phone.“Terri, I’ll have to get back to you.Yes, we understand the fairness of letting you know our reaction to such news.”
With a bewildered look, Bernie said, “Did you know Jonny Arno was killed today?”
“That’s what we want to talk to you about,” said Rhonda.
“We heard about it and want to prepare a media statement about the Beach House Hotel’s reaction to it.”
“We can’t say we’re pleased?”teased Bernie, which coming from him was a huge joke.“By the way, the graffiti was covered up on the sunset building early this morning.”
“That may make things easier,” I said.“We want to be sympathetic to the killing without saying much about the so-called competition between us.”
“Wise decision.Polite, a bit aloof.Got it,” said Bernie.“Why don’t I handle it and give a draft to you to look over before I make a statement?We’ll also increase security here at the hotel.”
“Thank you, Bernie,” I said.“Rhonda and I are going home.”
