Wicked Whoopie Pies Addison Moore (the false prince series TXT) 📖

ending that day. I was going to speak to Noah after the meeting but, well, the meeting ended in Terri’s death.” He shudders. “I did feel bad for the woman. I can’t imagine what she did to whoever thought to end her life that way. I know how miserable she made me. I have a feeling it was a pattern in her life with others as well.”

Binky swats herself on the head with her bushy tail. “Hear that? He’s not the killer, Lottie. I’ve just wasted precious nacho-eating time. I’ll catch up with you later.” She zips back to the table near the front and dives headfirst into the cheesy goodness before her. Chips go flying and both Cormack and Naomi break out into cheers. Go figure. They like ghosts.

“Nelson, who do you think could have done that to Terri?”

He belts out a short-lived laugh. “Oh, Lottie, I don’t think you’ve got all night.” He narrows his eyes straight ahead. “You know, there is one person that I saw her having it out with that day, and I haven’t been able to get that scene out of my head.”

“Who’s that?” I shoot a quick glance to the table up front. Binky is missing the good part. But from what I can tell, she’s got her tail in the air and her face buried inches deep in nachos. She might contest me on that missing the good part thing.

“Sergio Sorrentino.”

“Sergio?” I inch back, and suddenly I’m craving pizza. Not a shocker since I heavily associate Sergio with Mangias. A thought hits me. “Wait a minute. I saw Sergio that day, too. In fact, I may have seen what you did. Why do you think they were arguing?”

“Beats me.” He hitches his head toward the back. “I suppose you could ask him. He’s boozing it up with his buddies over there.”

I suck in a quick breath as I look in the general direction he pointed in, and sure enough, I spot Sergio with his dark hair and fuzzy scruff over his cheeks. I hardly recognize him without his signature Mangias T-shirt, but he cleans up nicely in a dark dress shirt and jeans.

“It was nice seeing you, Lottie.” Nelson picks up his drink and toasts me with it before knocking it back.

The music shifts beats to something low and guttural and Nelson heads for a seat near the stage.

Meg comes over and lands that fruity drink she promised me in front of me.

“How’d you do?”

“He answered a few questions.” I pull the drink close and take a sip. “Mmm, strawberries. Thanks. And guess what? He pointed the way to a suspect I’ve been meaning to touch base with and he’s right over there.” I point discreetly in Sergio’s direction.

“You’re questioning two people here tonight?” She rolls her eyes. “Careful or the Canellis are going to start charging you rent.”

“It might be worth every dime. Wish me luck.” I zoom off in Sergio’s direction, but before I can get there, a sprinkling of tiny pink stars jumps before me.

“Lottie! Come quick!” Binky wraps her tail around my arm and begins to tug me back toward the table o’ trouble. “Carlotta is getting out of hand.”

“That’s just her way,” I say, charging forward on my mission. “I’ve got great news, though. My very last suspect is here tonight. You’re just in time.”

Sergio is seated with about three of his buddies, and I recognize one of them from the kitchen at Mangias as well. I walk right between the sofas they’re seated at and stop cold as I pass Sergio by, then back track.

“Sergio?” A bright smile takes over as I spot him and it’s genuine. He and I have always gotten along great. During my pregnancy, he would make sure my pizzas were loaded with whatever toppings I wished for. In fact, he still does it.

His eyes bulge a moment at the sight of me. “Lottie Lemon?” He hops out of his seat and we take a few steps away from his friends. “What in the heck is a nice girl like you doing in a dive like this?”

A laugh bubbles from me. “I’d ask what you were doing here, but I’m guessing the beautiful women have something to do with it. My sister works here.” I nod to the bar. “The one with the dark mop sitting on her head?”

Binky purrs, “That dark mop looks like a boy I once dated. You don’t suppose he’s in there somewhere, do you?”

I shake my head over at her.

“Meg?” Sergio tips his head back. “That’s right. She mentioned she was a Lemon. I guess I never put two and two Lemons together. So where’s the baby? Let me guess, you got a judge and a cop watching over her tonight.” He gives his facial scruff a scratch as he shakes his head. “That little girl of yours won’t need brothers with those two on her side. I almost feel sorry for the kid. She won’t date until she’s thirty.”

“You got that right,” I’m quick to tell him. “Oh, hey, tomorrow night’s the final church business meeting and then we’re voting at the end of the evening. I’m catering the desserts so you won’t want to miss it.”

“I’ll be there. My whole family will. I won’t ask which way you’re voting because I believe it’s your right to do what you want, but I’m going with Pastor Dave. He really gets me right here when he speaks.” He taps his chest with his fist.

I nod. “I’m torn because I really like them both. I just wish there was some middle ground.”

He smacks his lips as he cuts a glance to the exit. “That Terri woman, now she didn’t believe in middle ground. She thought Pastor Dave was too controversial. Anything that wasn’t old school was too much for her. You know, she’s the one that started this discontent within the congregation.”

Binky snorts. “Isn’t it funny that you’re discussing the apex of spirituality within the bastion of