Page 23 of Wizard's Spitfire

“Yes, well. I’m looking for Detective Charlie Caruso. I need my son found.”

“The case I’m currently working is full-time.”

“I’ll triple your normal pay. I’m worried about my son. He’s acting odd and not responding to my texts.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I don’t believe in leaving a job until it’s complete.”

He reaches into his inner jacket pocket and pulls out a card, handing it to me.

“If you change your mind.”

“Why me?”

“You have the best reputation in the area. And your husband gave you glowing reviews.”

We sail right past the red flags and go straight to defcon-4. I politely take the card.

“That’s nice,” I say through gritted teeth. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to finish shopping for Sunday dinner.”

I head straight for the meat counter. I’ll finish produce later when Mr. Creepy Dude is long gone. An hour later, I’m gratefully pulling into the driveway. The door opens and Francesca and Lucia hurry out to help me unload.

“Nonna has the gravy started,” Lucia sings.

“Can I make dessert?” Francesca asks.

“Yes, you may. Do you know what you're making?”

We talk as we unload the groceries.

“Torta setteveli or torta de nonna.”

“Or we could do one of each since we have company,” I suggest.

By this time, we’ve made it to the kitchen. Valentina is stirring the gravy while Pops is making the meatballs. Ma has her hands in a batch of dough.

“Pasta or bread Ma?”

“Ravioli. You’re doing the filling.”

“Who's coming for dinner?” Lucia asks.

“Hollywood and his two kids,” Pops says.

“And Wizard,” I add.

“Wizard’s coming? Valentina asks

“He is.”

“He looks Italian,” Ma says. “Is he?”

“He is Calabrian/Sardinian.”

“Can we make licurdia for him?” Valentina asks.

“We can, I have the ingredients in the bag.”

Chapter 13