Red Hot Murder: An Angie Amalfi Mystery Read Free Page A

demeanor.
    “Are you Paavo?” she asked when she reached them, nervously tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
    He stood. “I am.”
    As they shook hands she said, “Ned told me all about you.”
    Uh-oh, Angie thought. Paavo being a homicide inspector was something he’d hoped to keep under wraps. How many others had Ned told?
    She glanced toward LaVerne who was watching the encounter with blatant interest. Had the waitress no shame? No job to do? At the same time, the skinny, long-haired fellow abruptly got up from the counter and left the restaurant, his hand raised in a way that shielded his face. The gesture struck Angie as strange.
    The newcomer extended a hand to Angie. “You must be Paavo’s fiancée. I’m Teresa Flores.”
    Paavo invited her to sit, and she hunched down in the seat as if trying to hide.
    Angie introduced herself, but had barely finished when Teresa asked Paavo, “Has Ned been here yet?”
    “No,” Paavo said. “I was going to ask you if you knew where he was. I’ve phoned, but there was no answer.”
    “I see.” She rubbed her arms as if chilled. “I thought—”
    “What is it?” Paavo asked.
    Her eyes darted, constantly surveying the café, the street, and she clasped her hands before explaining. “We had a—a little misunderstanding. Today he’s not answering my calls. I thought that if I could see him in person …” Her smile was tense. “It was just an idea. I should leave.”
    “You’ll work things out,” Angie said, sympathetic and remembering how dreadful she feltwhenever she and Paavo fought. “Should we tell Ned you were looking for him?”
    Teresa’s eyes met hers, and understanding passed between the two women. “It wouldn’t hurt.” Her gaze fell to Angie’s hand. “That’s a beautiful engagement ring. It’s different.”
    “Thank you,” Angie said, holding out her hand so Teresa could better inspect the expensive pale blue Siberian diamond.
    Teresa’s voice turned wistful. “When is the wedding?”
    That was one of the questions that gave Angie her wedding-plan blues. Until she decided where she wanted the reception to be held, she couldn’t find out what dates the place would be available. And until she found out what dates it was available, she couldn’t contact her church to reserve a time for the wedding, and until she did that …
    Bottom line, she had no idea when her wedding would be held.
    “The date isn’t quite settled yet,” she said in a strained voice.
    Paavo seemed to sink lower in his chair.
    “You’ll work it out. You’re very lucky. Both of you.” She stood. “Ned is looking forward to your visit. I’m surprised he isn’t here yet.” A worried frown crossed her face. “I’m sure nothing’s wrong. I’ve got to run.”
    Angie stilled at the sound of something odd in the woman’s voice. Her whole visit struck Angie as peculiar.
    “Are you sure you can’t stay and wait?” Paavo asked.
    “No. I’m sorry. I’ve got to get back to work—Maritza’s. It’s a Mexican restaurant. My mother and grandmother own it.” She gave a wan smile, then those exotic green eyes rested on Angie’s diamond ring once more before she hurried out the door.

Chapter 2
    About four miles from town, Paavo turned onto a rutted macadam road. Angling toward the northwest, the landscape slowly rose. As they neared the Colorado River, the terrain grew less arid and sandy. Although far from lush, it had scrub, cacti, a mixture of rugged grasses and weeds, and even a few cottonwood trees and tamarisk. In the distance, mountains loomed with a dark, stern air of indifferent permanence.
    “This land is quite different from what we came through to get to Jackpot,” Angie remarked.
    “The greenery you see is because of a creek that runs through this area.” Paavo pointed to the left. “It’s out that way.”
    “You remember a lot, don’t you,” Angie said.
    “I’m surprised at how much,” he murmured. A crack of vulnerability, of the