Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94686 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94686 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“Now, that’s a compliment.” Chef Dubois bowed.
I checked everyone else at the table. They all stared at me. Troy huffed and returned to his wine. Chase and Vivian rushed to their forks and dove in, both murmuring praise as they chewed.
“So will you tell us what type of meat this is?” Troy asked.
“You must guess.” Chef Dubois wagged his finger.
“It’s not giraffe,” I said. “I’ve watched you make it a few times. If I remember correctly, it looks like beef.”
Troy held his glass in midair. “Did you just say giraffe?”
“I’m ignoring you.” I tried another bite and gazed up at Chef Dubois. “I have no idea. I mean. It’s a different flavor altogether. There’s this sense of the wild in it, but I don’t think it’s game meat at all.”
“I’m almost scared to know what it is.” Chase licked his knife. A small shiver ran up my back. Thank God he didn’t catch it or he’d be guiding his lovely tongue up things the rest of the night.
“It isn’t cow and definitely not lamb.” I went back to analyzing the meat. “Yeah, not lamb. I would know lamb blindfolded and only my tongue as a guide. However, it really reminds me of that same flavor.”
“You’re very close. It isn’t lamb.” Chef Dubois rubbed his hands together. “It is a full-grown sheep, but the choice of cut is the back fat.”
“Come again?” Troy raised one eyebrow.
Vivian giggled. “We’re eating a sheep’s ass cheeks.”
Chef Dubois blushed. Chase coughed and reached for his water. I plopped some more of the back fat into my mouth.
“Hey, it’s the best ass I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a whole lot of ass in my mouth.”
Chase coughed like he was about to choke. Troy hit his back a few times. Chase recovered and pushed his plate to the side. “Sorry, Jasmine. I have my limits.”
At that, I gave Chase a thumbs down while Chef Dubois excused himself. I believe I was the only one who caught the scowl on the chef’s face. It made me want to flip off the whole table. Had they not seen the genius of this man like I had? He just made a sheep’s bottom appetizing?
Brilliant!
“And in reference to that ass comment you made, please, say no pun intended,” Troy begged. “I really don’t want to go there with you.”
“Oh, goodness. I haven’t had actual human butt in my mouth, but I’ve surely sampled on animal behind many times. We all have. It’s called hotdogs. They’re made from everything the butcher doesn’t use for the good cuts.” I held a finger up. “We’re talking not only butt, but snouts, nails, intestines, and tits. Then it’s all blended into this god-awful muck, liquefied out of all its flavor, and mixed with corn syrup. After that disgusting practice, then they fill it in some nasty tubing. You’re telling me you would rather eat a hot dog than Chef Dubois’s sheep butt?”
“Hell, yes.” Troy nodded.
“I’m with your brother.” Chase tapped Troy’s glass with his and sipped.
“You all suck.” I went after my risotto and gave up on my attempt to expand their minds.
Vivian hadn’t said much. Her meat was gone, her risotto and salad almost destroyed.
Well, at least she’s eating. That’s a great sign. Maybe food will help conquer some of our problems.
“Why are you looking at me?” Vivian glanced my way.
“We’re sisters in the sheep butt debate. I’m excited. We usually don’t agree on food.”
She rolled her eyes. It was probably due to the mention of sisters. She’d asked me never to say that word. I ‘did my best to oblige, slipping up a few times. It wasn’t the fact that she didn’t want me to be her sibling. We’d already declared we were related at the young ages of six. What bothered her is that sister was a constant reminder of her heartbreak, and to get over that would take time.
“Why are we all going to Italy?” she asked.
“It’s nice there this time of year,” Chase said.
I shook my head. “We’re going to solve these murders.”
“Correction. I’m having my people check on the location of a gun. I just wanted to go there to show them the actual place and possibly supervise for a few seconds. However, you and I will be lounging on the beach and your brother and Vivian will be doing. . .whatever they want to do.”
Tension thickened in the space. I ran my fingers through my short hair. “I won’t be lounging on the beach. Someone shot me. I want to be where the gun is located and watch them as they pull it out. Frankly, I don’t trust your people. If they’re yours, then they know Lucy and I think Lucy is the one who did it.”
“I don’t think so.” Chase slid his thumb along the rim of his wine glass. “She’s not violent like that.”