Read Diner Knock Out (A Rose Strickland Mystery Book 4) for Free Online Page A

I do? I can’t go to the police.”
    “Because of the fight club.”
    Her eyes widened. “Kai told you about that?” She sat in silence for a minute, while the baby chewed on her own fingers and cooed. Finally, Sofia roused herself. “You can’t say anything about the club. Not to anyone. The men in charge are serious about keeping it a secret. By even discussing it, we could all be in danger.”
    Danger? My stomach clenched at the word. Maybe you should tell Andre about the case . I immediately discarded the idea. If he found out that I’d taken this case behind his back, he’d fire my ass on the spot. “I’ll be very discreet, I promise. Who’s in charge of the fight club?” I removed the notebook from my purse.
    Sofia pulled a breath and held it. “I shouldn’t be telling you any of this.”
    “You can’t go to the police. With a baby and a full-time job, it’ll be hard to search on your own. Talk to me. Please.”
    After a long moment, she sighed. “Rob claims he does odd jobs for Mr. Carlucci, but other than working a few hours a week at the dojo, the only thing Rob does is train for his fights. He never has any cash, but he drives around in a brand-new car. When I suggested he sell the car to pay some bills, he blew up. His temper and mood swings have been off the chain lately. He hates it when I nag him about money, but a new car doesn’t pay the light bill, does it? Or feed my kid. Do you know how much diapers cost or what the doctor charges when Olivia gets an ear infection?” Her voice became louder with each word, until she was yelling. “Having a kid is expensive. It’s time for Rob to grow up.” The baby started to fuss, and Sofia’s mother popped her head out of the kitchen.
    “What’s going on in here?”
    Sofia briefly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I’m fine, Mom.” Her mother shot me a questioning glance, before disappearing from view.
    I turned my attention back to Sofia.
    “Sorry,” she said. “It’s just so stressful. I never get enough sleep, and I need to start looking for a second job. My parents help out, but they’re struggling as much as I am.”
    I felt for her. I barely had enough money to scrape by, and I was only taking care of myself. Although I pitied Sofia, I needed to stay on point. “So, have you been to any of Rob’s fights?”
    She shook her head and blinked rapidly in an effort to keep the tears at bay. “That damn fight club. I warned him so many times—if he wins his first bout, he can fight again that night. Lately, he always wins. But I don’t know how much more he can physically take. Rob thinks if he earns enough money from the fights, he can sign on with a decent training team and get a chance at going pro. He’s obsessed. And he’s stupid, because it’s never going to happen. If he’s not with a decent training team by now, he never will be. He’s thirty-two and his body is shot.”
    Before I could ask another question, Franco sauntered into the living room and flopped down on the sofa next to me. He’d found a t-shirt, but he hadn’t lost the bad mood. “Are you talking about that prick who knocked you up?”
    “Watch your mouth,” Sofia said.
    “He’s an asshole. You haven’t heard from him in days. Move on, Sof.”
    I twisted my head to study him. He wore a diamond stud—fake—in his right lobe. A few acne scars dotted his cheek and chin. I wondered where all this hostility was coming from. “I take it you and Rob don’t get along?”
    Without turning his head, he slid a glare in my direction. “He’s not good enough for Sofia. She lived with him, took care of him when he got injured. Yet my parents are the ones paying for his kid. He’s a wannabe. She’s better off without him.”
    Sofia jumped to her feet, jarring Olivia, which caused the baby to start howling again. “Shut up! I’m tired of you shit-talking Rob. He’s not a saint, but he’s the father of my child.” She hoisted the baby on her hip