The Spia Family Presses On - By Mary Leo Page 0,28
the murder scene.
Nick said, “I think the entire valley knows what an ass you are, but they tolerate you because your wine is so good. If you didn’t have that they’d have shunned you years ago.” He turned to Lisa and stuck out his hand. “Hi, I’m Nick. Don’t hold it against me that he’s my friend. It’s a childhood phenomenon. I’m an only child, and he’s the closest thing to a brother I’m ever going to have.”
Lisa took his hand in hers and in that instant I could see the attraction in her eyes. They were always her one tell, at least for me. I didn’t think anyone else noticed, but I always could, especially when she was fascinated by a guy. It was as if an inner glow radiated from her eyes. Those almond eyes of hers actually sparkled and the smile she threw Nick was genuine.
Problem was the man oozed law enforcement—from his clean-shaven face to his spit-shined black shoes. Not that he wasn’t easy to look at with those baby blues, and that dark blond hair flecked with golden highlights, a sharp nose and dark lashes that if, they were on a girl, they’d have to be fake. He wore a charcoal-gray knit shirt, black slacks and a smile that could melt even Lisa’s cynical heart.
Still, his timing couldn’t be worse, and I had no idea why he and Leo would show up when Leo was never invited. But the real question of the moment was why the hell didn’t I ever hear about Nick before?
“But Leo grew up here in the valley,” I said, then turned to Leo. “You never mentioned Nick before.”
“Didn’t I?” He shrugged. “I must have mentioned the summers I spent with my aunt Sophia?”
That I remembered. “Wasn’t she the one who forced you to learn Italian, and to cook, do your own laundry and essentially how to survive without the hired help?”
“None other. She also never spoke English in her house. It drove me crazy. Half the time I didn’t know what the hell she was saying. Nick saved my ass. He and I would get lost every afternoon, after my endless chores were done and I’d memorized my daily allowance of Italian.”
Lisa said, “My mother did that to me with Chinese. I hated it back then, but now I appreciate knowing the language.”
But that didn’t explain Nick. This man was a dyed-in-the-wool cop. I could feel it. “So how did you two meet? I thought Sophia never let you out of her sight.”
“She knew his dad from church, so I had an in. The good thing about Nick’s dad—he wasn’t anything like Sophia. The bad thing—he was the local Sheriff. We didn’t get away with anything. Probably what kept me out of real trouble and probably why my mom sent me to Wisconsin every summer, especially when I was a teenager. But that’s enough about us. We came here to see the man of the hour, Dickey. Where is he? I brought over a case of wine. A couple bottles of our Pinot included. But what’s up with the Spia clan? I’ve never seen them move so fast.”
“Yeah,” Nick said. “I’d like to meet Dickey. Didn’t see him leave with the rest of the folks.”
“Why?” I asked, desperately trying to remain calm. “Somehow I’d gotten the impression this was a social call.”
Nick smiled, but it was more of a smirk than a smile. “No reason. Just wanted to ask him a few questions. Get to know the locals, that sort of thing. I’ve only been in the valley for a couple weeks and haven’t had a chance to get to meet many people. When Leo mentioned this party, I thought it would be a great opportunity.”
“I bet you did,” I mumbled more to myself than to Nick.
“Come again?”
Fortunately, he didn’t hear me and I decided not to repeat myself. One absolute fact this family had taught me: never trust a cop when he/she gives an innocuous answer. Sure sign the cop was hiding something.
“So, where’s Dickey?” Leo asked. He was all smiles, as if seeing Dickey—again—was some big deal.
“He’s around here somewhere, I’m sure,” Lisa stated with all the coolness of a trained liar. I wondered where that trait had come from, but perhaps I didn’t really want to know.
“Great,” Leo said. “I was thinking he might have slipped out with the rest of your family, but if you say he’s still around then we’ll wait. I’d like to finally