Read Brownies, Bodies and Bad Guys for Free Online Page A

in her hands, she looked around the room. It was furnished with overstuffed arm chairs and sofas. A comfortable room in hues of blue and green, it had a somber tone to it making it perfect for the occasion.
    Nans and the ladies had brought in a podium, Lexy assumed for some sort of eulogy, as well as some tables. A few of the tables held photographs of Nunzio in various leisure activities at the retirement center—playing bocce, a bingo tournament and a fishing trip some of them had taken in the spring. The pictures made him look like a regular guy. Looking at the photos, Lexy wondered if he really was involved with organized crime.
    Lexy made her way over to one of the empty tables and put the trays down, uncovering them and moving the bars and cookies around to her satisfaction.
    “Do you need any help?” Ida asked.
    “I could use an extra hand getting the rest of this stuff from my car.”
    Nans, Ida and Helen followed Lexy out to the car and she handed them the other trays and some napkins and paper plates.
    “I was wondering if Jack has let anything slip about Nunzio’s case,” Nans whispered as they made their way back inside.
    Lexy frowned at the mention of Jack’s name.
    “Not a thing.” Then she thought of Braxton Daniels. Thinking about the muscle bound F.B.I agent erased the frown.
    “But I did find out the F.B.I. is here looking into it.”
    Nans swiveled her head around so fast Lexy wondered if she would get a stiff neck. “Really?”
    “Yep. He said they’re looking into every angle. But he didn’t give me any details or anything.”
    “Oh, darn. You should try to get to know him better to get information out of him. Was he cute?”
    Lexy cocked an eyebrow at Nans. “First of all, I don’t want to get involved in this investigation and second of all I’m engaged. Remember?”
    Lexy watched the tray of brownies Nans was carrying weave and bob as she waved her free hand in the air. “Of course you are. I didn’t mean for you to sleep with him, but a little flirting never hurt anyone.”
    Lexy thought that over as they placed the trays on the tables. She wondered if Jack had the same philosophy. Maybe she should adopt it herself? The thought of getting to know Braxton Daniels a little better wasn’t all that unappealing—just for the sake of getting information, of course.
    Lexy was glad when people started to file in, interrupting Nans from pressing her further. She busied herself with making sure the coffee carafes were working and the tables were setup properly. She was just about to make her getaway, planning to sneak out and come back a few hours later to clean up, when Nans came over with the woman they had seen in the parking lot the day Nunzio’s car got broken into.
    “Lexy, this is Gina Ricci. Nunzio’s daughter.” Nans introduced them and they shook hands.
    “Lexy owns The Cup and Cake Bakery where all these came from.” Nans spread her hands to indicate the pastries stacked on the tables.
    Lexy smiled and nodded, eyeing the door and wondering how long until she could sneak off. She had a pounding headache and needed a nap. Turning back to the woman, she watched the dozens of rings on her stubby fingers glitter as she loaded up a small plate with brownies and cookies.
    “I’m very sorry about your father,” Lexy said.
    Gina turned to her and Lexy was almost blinded by the reflection from the gaudy rhinestone necklaces she had layered around her neck.
    “Thanks.” Gina leaned in towards her and Lexy caught a whiff of stale cigarette smoke and cheap perfume. “Tell ya the truth, I wasn’t that close to my father. He was never there for me when I was a kid … always off doing God knows what. I’m not that upset at his passing; except for the fact that no one can find his will.”
    Lexy heard Nans take in a sharp breath. “I’m sorry, dear. Did you say the will is missing?”
    Gina nodded, shifting her makeup caked eyes left and then right. “Yes, he was working on a