Cappuccinos, Cupcakes, and a Corpse (A Cape Bay Cafe Mystery Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

safe. He spun the dial a few times then popped it open. Mike leaned in to take a few more pictures, then he nodded at Matty. Matty reached in and pulled out a stack of papers.
    “Everything there that you expect?” Mike asked.
    Matty sat on the foot of the bed and flipped through the papers. “Yeah, I think so. I don’t really know everything he kept in here, but here’s the will—” He pulled out a stapled bundle of papers and set it next to him on the bed. “And here’s the life insurance paperwork.” He laid the single sheet of paper on top of the will. “Do you need to look through these?” He held the other papers out to Mike.
    “No, just wanted to make sure nothing was missing.” Mike glanced around the room. “Speaking of missing, do you see anything that’s not where it’s supposed to be?”
    Matty looked around. “No, I don’t think so.”
    “Okay, well, if you notice anything, just give me a call, okay?” Mike reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a business card that he handed to Matty. “One for you, too.” Mike passed another one to me.
    I looked it over then put it in my pocket with my phone. I saw Matty put his on top of his dad’s will and life insurance policy.
    “Unless there’s anything either of you want to ask me…” Mike looked between the two of us.
    I shook my head.
    “Matt?” Mike asked.
    Matty looked up as though he’d gotten lost in thought. “What? No.”
    “All right then, I’ll be on my way. If either of you think of anything else—” Mike was interrupted by a loud rap on the front door before it swung open.
    One of the paramedics stuck his head in. “Hey, uh, Mike, we’re about wrapped up out here. Does he want to—”
    Mike nodded, understanding what he was being asked. He turned to look at Matty. “Matt, would you like to see the body before they take it away?”
    I saw Matty’s face go pale. He sat frozen for several seconds.
    “There’s nothing—no visible—” Mike stumbled over his words.
    “Yes,” Matty croaked, standing. “I’d like to see him.”
    The paramedic pushed the door farther open and stepped back outside. Mike went out first, then Matty, then me. The stretcher was on the front walk, a body bag containing Mr. Cardosi’s ample form strapped on top of it. I almost bumped into Matty when he hesitated on the front step. The paramedics were standing at a respectful distance, and Mike stepped onto the grass so Matty would have room to walk by. Several of the busybodies who populated the neighborhood were gathered in front of Mrs. Howard’s house across the street, gawking.
    “You can do it, Matty,” I whispered.
    He glanced over his shoulder at me, nodded, and gave me the slightest of smiles. He stepped down the two front stairs and strode down the sidewalk to the stretcher. He stopped about a yard away, took a deep breath, and walked the remaining steps forward. I stayed at the bottom of the steps, not wanting to crowd Matty. He looked at his father’s face, the only part of him not zipped up in the body bag, for a few minutes then stepped back and nodded to the paramedics. They walked forward, zipped the bag up the rest of the way, and wheeled Mr. Cardosi to the ambulance. They slid the stretcher into the ambulance, closed the doors, got in, and drove away as we all watched in silence.
    Mike shuffled his feet as Matty stood perfectly still on the sidewalk. Mike glanced at me then at Matty.
    I walked forward and put my hand on Matty’s shoulder. “Come on. Let’s go inside.”

Chapter 4
    B efore we could even turn around to go into the house, the neighborhood busybody contingent flocked across the street, past Mike on his way to his car, and surrounded Matty and me.
    “Matteo, what happened?” “Was your dad sick, Matty?” “Francesca, dear, how did you find him? You were just walking home?” “What a fortunate coincidence, you finding him! He could have been out there God knows how long if you hadn’t happened