Page 19 of Tessa's Trust

“No. Every year after Christmas, the press and the justice offices have an after-holiday party. Somebody started it decades ago to keep things congenial, and Jolene asked for a ride. We live at the same place.” He shrugged, his five o’clock shadow giving him a roguish look.

“How convenient.” Although I hadn’t sensed any kind of romantic vibe earlier, if I were being honest with myself. Were they even friends? As far as I knew, Jolene hadn’t screwed Nick over yet. “Well, just watch your back. She’ll do anything for a story.”

“I’m aware,” he said dryly.

Nick’s phone pretty much started blowing up, and he read the screen as we ate quietly. The food was delicious. I looked at my quiet phone. That’s what happened when people knew you needed help moving. They often didn’t call. However, I also believed my family would arrive to help me out later today.

Nick looked up from one of his texts. “Detective Pierce just texted that your apartment has been cleared. It’s all yours.”

“Oh, good.” I shot off texts to all my cousins, letting them know that if they were available, they could help out.

“I don’t like that the knife was left in your fridge. Does the family know yet?” Nick asked.

If they did, my phone would likely be buzzing right off the table. “No, and I don’t see why they should.” It was impossible they wouldn’t find out about the murder in my new building over in Silverville, but I might have a day or so of reprieve. Sheriff Franco wasn’t one to talk much, although he did have two deputies.

We ate in silence for a while, and it was too comfortable for my peace of mind. Even so, I let myself enjoy the moment until my phone rang. I sighed and lifted it to my ear. “Hi, Nonna. I made it home safely last night. I should have texted you.”

“Well, that’s quite all right,” she said. “I heard you spent the night with Nick Basanelli.” She sounded entirely too thrilled with the situation. I sat back. So, she knew where I was at the moment but had no clue about the murder or the extra knife found in my fridge. How in the world?

And then I sighed. “Jolene,” I muttered. She must’ve called her family in Silverville the second she’d left with her coffee.

I was no doubt on her radar big time now.

Chapter 8

Nick dropped me off at my apartment on his way to work. Today, the hotshot lawyer had dressed down in black slacks and a golf shirt—since he was prepping for trial the next day, apparently. “What’s your trial about anyway?” I asked.

“The case started as a timber trespass,” he said. “Couple of neighbors fighting. One guy stole another guy’s trees. Things got physical. They got in a fight. So, yes, it’s also a battery.”

“That sounds like a normal Saturday,” I murmured.

Nick chuckled. “Yeah, it’s a misdemeanor case, but my office is busy, so I said I’d take it.”

“Who’s the witness you lost?”

He shook his head. “I didn’t lose a witness. The defendant’s brother is on a bender, but he’ll show up for trial. I’m not worried about it. Jolene was just fishing for a story earlier.”

“That seems to be her thing,” I muttered.

It had started to snow again, but this time, light, fluffy flakes dotted the windshield. He flipped on the wipers and continued down Main Street to stop in front of the diner. I sighed. My cousin Rory stood outside, leaning against the wall near my door.

“You called Rory in?” Nick asked mildly.

“Nonna called Rory.” I pushed to open the door. Rory was one of the six Albertini brothers, and he and I had always gotten along well—probably because I didn’t ask questions about his life that he didn’t want to answer.

I hurried across the sidewalk and leaned way up to kiss his whiskered cheek. “Rory, I didn’t know you were in town.”

“Yet here I am.” Rory looked over my head at Nick. I couldn’t gauge his expression, but it was one of those male ones that made me want to kick him in the knee. “Basanelli,” Rory said calmly.

“Hi, Rory.” Nick jumped out of his vehicle. “How’s life?”

“Pretty good.” Rory was about six foot four with thick, dark hair and piercing blue eyes. Nobody in the family really knew what he did for a living except that he left town often, and when he was home, he often worked for the Forest Service, or took odd jobs, kind of goofing off. He had an intensity to him that I’d always enjoyed, but right now, I didn’t need anybody defending my honor.

“Knock it off.” I punched him lightly in the gut, noting there was no give. Rory was solid muscle and even had that tough-guy neck thing going for him.

He slowly dropped his gaze to mine and then looked at Nick again. “It’s a little early for a house call. Where have you been?”

“None of your business.” I pushed him, not surprised when he didn’t move. I looked over my shoulder. “Thanks for the ride, Nick. I appreciate it.”

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