Nov 19

Nov 19 Murder At The Tindari - Connie L. Beckett

Murder At The Tindari by Connie L. Beckett

Book excerpt

Anthony and the reporter, Claire O'Connor, had set a date to meet in the early afternoon. She had a husky but lyrical voice over the phone, so Anthony envisioned a large-boned, unattractive woman with cropped hair and dressed in clothes more suited for a man. After all, what respectable woman would want to work in the newspaper business, much less meet a man she didn't know in such a randy area of the city?

Sitting at a back table in the Tindari, Anthony tapped the ash off his cigarette and looked at his watch. They had set three o’clock to meet. It was five minutes before the hour. The reporter had claimed the newspaper had a deadline for the next day's edition and would need to meet him early so she could write the story before said deadline. That was fine with him. At this early hour, the place was mostly empty. Behind the bar, Jimmy was busy lining up clean glasses and cutting limes in preparation for the evening crowd.

Anthony took a drink of the gin and tonic before him, took a drag off his cigarette, and looked around to make sure the place was clean and ready for customers. At first, he didn’t notice the maître d' escorting a woman in his direction.

A young woman wanting maid work in the upstairs rooms was his first impression, but as they came closer, he realized this was no humble maid.

The young woman was beautiful with fair skin and bobbed auburn hair peeking out from below a stylish hat. When she removed her wrap, he could see she had pert breasts and a slender waist above the swell of hips that disappeared beneath a slim-fitting skirt. He began calculating a way to waylay the reporter he anticipated would soon interrupt his efforts with this delightful gal when the maître d' made an announcement with a skeptical expression on his face.

"Mr. Glaviano, this woman says she has an appointment with you."

Anthony stood, a pleasant tingle starting low in his belly.

"Claire O'Connor," she said, stepping forward and putting out a hand. "We had a three o'clock appointment, I believe."

Anthony couldn’t croak a word from his suddenly tight throat.

She watched him, an amused look on her face and a hand still extended.

Finally, Anthony's world began to spin again, and he clasped her hand, feeling like he never wanted to let go. He could smell her powdery fragrance, felt the warmth of her palm against his. Drowned in those beautiful jade-green eyes.

After an eternity, he pulled his hand away and bumbled out, "Miss O'Connor, a pleasure to meet you. Please have a seat."