Page 32 of Conquering Oz

“What crimes do you think he was involved in?”

Elodie wavered on what to share. She was hopinghe’dbe more forthcoming. It could definitely backfire with Chris asking more questions than giving answers. But Elodie made the decision to take her chances.

“Gun and drug trafficking, extortion, illegal gambling, racketeering, murder, and the list goes on and on.”

It was all public knowledge.

Chris stilled, eyeing Elodie. “Who’d heallegedlymurder?”

Except that piece of information.Shit!Elodie shrugged, trying to play it off and failing miserably.

“People.” She blurted.

Chris cocked his brow. “What people? He’s never been a suspect in a homicide investigation that I know of.”

Elodie steeled her features, sharing a look with Madalyn. Even her friend was caught off guard by the allegation. Madalyn widened her eyes and mouthed, “Murder?”

Shit!None of that was in any official report. Elodie had slipped. She grabbed her glass, taking a sip of her wine and waving her hand. “Well, I mean, all that illegal activity is under one umbrella, so to speak. Don’t you agree?”

Chris’s gaze hardened. “No.”

Madalyn must’ve sensed the tension.

“Who’s ready for dessert?”

Thank you, Madz.

Elodie immediately held up her finger. “Me!”

She sipped her wine, watching Madalyn slice the banana bread and purposely avoiding Chris. But she could feel his eyes on her. She’d said too much. Initially, Elodie had no plans of bringing Madalyn or even Chris into her personal investigation. But when every lead dried up, she’d ventured out, subtly.That backfired.

Chris cleared his throat. “I’ll take a small piece.”

Madalyn plated the bread and handed it out. Elodie was the first to try it, and she had to stifle a moan. Charley wasn’t lying. It was award winning. She took another bite and then another.To friggin die for.When she glanced across the table, bothChris and Madalyn were staring down at their plates and hadn’t touched the bread.

“What are you guys waiting for?”

Madalyn smiled, though it seemed forced. She picked up the bread and took a bite.

“Oh my God!” Her words were muffled, but there was no denying her excitement. “This is so good.”

Yes, it is.Elodie licked her lips and took another bite. She would definitely be having secondsandtaking home the leftovers.

“Seriously, this is like” —Madalyn chuckled— “amazing, Elle.” Madalyn turned to Chris, who was watching his wife suspiciously. He hadn’t touched the dessert yet. “Youhaveto try it.”

Chris looked at Elodie and sighed, grabbing the bread and taking a bite. His reaction wasn’t nearly as animated as his wife’s, but the gleam in his eyes told her he too was enjoying it.

“Girl, you have come such a long way with your cooking,” Madalyn said.

What the hell was that supposed to mean? Before she could ask, Madalyn smiled, nodding her head.

“It’s incredible. I can’t believe you made this.”

Elodie shook her head. “I didn’t. Charley did.”

Madalyn stilled, and Chris burst out laughing.

“What?” Elodie asked, looking between them. Neither responded, and Madalyn quickly shoved the remains of her piece into her mouth.

---