The Mark of the Blue Tattoo (13 page)

“I can guess who attacked you,” Sal offered.
“The only guy here that early, except for me, was Gus. And I know I didn't do it.”

“He called me to say that you guys were over here trying to frame the Starz,” Marlon said. “He must have called and warned Hedda, too.”

Frank glanced down at the desk and noticed the flavor contest folder. “Sal? Did your boss pick a winner in the contest?” he asked.

“Yeah, he did,” Sal said with a grin. “There were some really strange entries, but the winner was strawberry-rhubarb-pie flavor. Submitted by someone named Gertrude Hardy.”

“Aunt Gertrude!” Frank and Joe shouted together. “All right!”

“You guys stay here,” Sal said. “This calls for a celebration. I'll be right back with a round of Freddy Frost Berry Nice Swirls for everybody—on the house.”

He hurried off toward the coolers.

“Celebration? Yes! That's it,” Chet exclaimed. “The perfect thing for a festive occasion. Champagne ice cream with caviar topping!”

Everyone stared at Chet in silence.

“Hey, that was a joke,” Chet said, grinning. “You don't really think I'd want to put fish eggs on ice cream, do you?”

The group stared at Chet for a long moment. The laughter that exploded gave Chet his answer.

“Chet, good buddy,” Frank said as Sal returned. “One of these days we're going to make you eat one of your concoctions.”

“No, thanks,” Chet said with a grimace. “I think I'll stick with the Freddy Frost favorites,” he added as he took a large spoonful of his Berry Nice Swirl with a cherry on top.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Aladdin

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