Killer Punch Read Online Free PDF

months,” said Walt with a faint smile. “Bootsie already told me she was driving back from Maine and just got back in town an hour ago, so she couldn’t have stolen the thing.”
    Just then, the Colketts tiptoed past the slightly open door to the Camellia Room—­almost making an escape, but not quite.
    â€œHey, Colketts! You guys supposed to be in California!” Gianni screamed. “Working on my new place! I give the painters and construction guys the week off, but I never tell you to take vacation.”
    â€œWhen the painters and stonemasons for the pizza oven said they weren’t coming in this week, Chef, we figured we could take a little time off, too,” Tim told him, looking terrified as he took a tentative step inside the space—­which I was personally desperate to flee. “I mean, we worked forty-­two days straight.”
    â€œEveryone lazy except Gianni!” said the chef. “But anyway, that’s okay, I can respect you guys do a little sneaking around. Gianni forgive you for lying to him! But now that I know you’re here, I gonna get you guys to help me build a fire pit over by tennis court, with a customized smoker I gonna put the ducks in for eighteen hours before I make my ragout for Saturday night.”
    â€œThe club has a gas grill that you’re welcome to use,” Ronnie informed him.
    â€œI don’t use gas grill,” said Gianni. “Which is why Colketts gonna make me a smoker.”
    â€œUm, Chef, we don’t really do things like build fire pits,” Tom said nervously. “Or customize smokers.”
    â€œIf Gianni say you make me a smoker, you going to,” said the chef, his face turning purple as he stalked out of the Camellia Room. “And you know what, you guys gonna help me pluck my ducks first! Meet me in the kitchen in two minutes!”
    Luckily for the Colketts, at that moment, Gianni got distracted by a passing waitress.
    I’d noticed this adorable girl the last few times I’d been at the club—­she was a sweet-­natured college student on summer break, named Abby, and possessed the upbeat personality and long blond curls that sent men’s necks swiveling in her direction.
    Also, Abby has fabulous boobs. She even makes the club’s uniform—­a dark green, boxy polo shirt—­look sexy, which isn’t all that easy to do.
    â€œHey, blondie,” shouted Gianni. “You real cute! Maybe you come work for Gianni!” At this, Abby gave a started look over her shoulder, and bolted toward the kitchen doors.
    â€œDon’t ya have a girlfriend-­hyphen-­assistant right now, Gianni?” asked Sophie. “I know you’re a real ladies’ man!”
    This is actually true. When Gianni wants to, he turns on the charm and is actually irresistible to women from ages eighteen to eighty.
    There’s something undeniably sexy about him when he’s in his element welcoming guests to his restaurants, presenting some delicious dish, or even when he’s doing unbelievably over-­the-­top kissing and inappropriate squeezing of women of a certain age whose husbands don’t mind spending two hundred and fifty dollars on dinner.
    â€œI been too busy,” Gianni told Sophie, “but I gotta find new girlfriend soon. Gianni needs the sex! How about you, Sophie? You still dating that guy who picks out your sofas?”
    â€œAbsolutely,” said Sophie proudly. “My Honey Bunny and I are totally in love!”
    â€œThat’s too bad. But I date you if you dump him!” Gianni told her, giving Sophie a bunch of hand kisses and a lascivious grope. “Anyway, Gianni got to make a quick phone call.” With that, he disappeared.
    A neatly dressed guy popped his head into the room—­a new member of club management, I guessed, since he had an official air.
    â€œIs there a Mrs. Sophie Shields here?” he asked politely.