Death of a Christmas Caterer Read Online Free PDF

kind of embarrassed to ask. I know how busy you are.”
    â€œYou know you can ask me anything, Lex.”
    â€œI had a bit of a tantrum earlier here at the hospital. Not proud of it. It was about the food they tried to serve me for dinner. Some rancid piece of overcooked meat and a tiny cup of something they called ‘vegetable medley’ made up of cold peas and stale carrots. Oh, and green Jell-O. Can you believe it, Hayley? Green Jell-O? Seriously, I haven’t eaten crap like that since the third grade. I sent it all back to the kitchen and now I’m starving. Guess I didn’t think things through.”
    â€œDo you want me to pick something up for you at the Shop ’n Save and bring it over to you?”
    â€œActually, I remember you keep cartons of your homemade turkey chili in the freezer out in your garage, and I was hoping, if you weren’t too busy . . .”
    â€œYou know I completely forgot about that.”
    â€œI still dream about that chili.”
    â€œWell, I can defrost some in the microwave and bring it over to you in about a half hour.”
    Hayley glanced at Aaron, who was quickly summing up the situation in his mind and was frowning.
    Hayley averted her eyes. “Hang on. I’ll be there soon.”
    â€œHayley, I know I’m not your responsibility, and I probably shouldn’t even be calling you, since we’re no longer—”
    â€œWe’re friends, Lex, and I don’t want to hear another word.”
    Hayley hung up.
    â€œYou’re going to make him dinner?”
    â€œNo! Just warm up some of my chili. It’s already made. I feel bad for him, Aaron. He’s laid up in the hospital, and you know how awful the food is there. It’s not like he has any dietary restrictions, so I thought it would be a nice thing to do.”
    â€œWell, I’ll go with you to the hospital, and after you drop off the chili, we can go to dinner.”
    â€œThen we’ll be rushed because I have to meet Garth at nine.”
    â€œAnother time, then,” Aaron said, turning to leave.
    â€œAaron . . .”
    Aaron turned back around. “No, it’s fine, Hayley. Really. I get it. He’s your friend. I have no problem with you doing him a favor. No problem at all.”
    Nice words. But his face, however, told an entirely different story.

Chapter 5
    â€œNow, given the time constraint, Hayley, don’t expect too much from me. I was thinking, though, I could throw together a few apps tomorrow, like my very popular smoked trout and garlic cream on rye toasts and amaretto-bourbon punch,” Garth said as he stood at a large wooden table in front of a giant stainless-steel oven in the warehouse at the far end of town that he recently converted into a kitchen/office.
    â€œGarth, that sounds absolutely delicious,” Hayley said, practically drooling.
    â€œAnd maybe a baked Brie with pecans, with my homemade crackers, of course, and some ginger nuts, my artichoke turnovers, and rosemary vodka tonics. Oh, and I could roast some chestnuts because, after all, it is the holidays.”
    â€œMy mouth is watering, Garth,” Hayley said, petting the head of Garth’s beloved bloodhound, Bagel, who stood at her side. The dog was also drooling, with most of it landing on Hayley’s L.L.Bean boot.
    â€œHe likes you,” Garth said, grinning.
    â€œHe’s a real sweetheart,” Hayley said, still rubbing the top of Bagel’s head. The dog’s jowls were flapping, and his mouth was slobbering. “I sure do appreciate your helping me on such short notice, Garth.”
    â€œDon’t worry, Hayley. I will take your little office Christmas soiree and turn it into a magnificent night to remember. Did you know I catered the Rockefellers’ Fourth of July party last summer on their estate?”
    â€œNo, I didn’t know that.”
    â€œAnd Martha Stewart was there and she said my crab cakes were the