“It's a new diet. Once a week you have to eat a heart.”
“No kidding. Maybe I should do that. I've been a little sluggish lately.”
Morelli was waiting for me in the parking lot. He was jogging in place, and Bob was looking bright-eyed and smiley now that he was out in the fresh air.
“Is he empty?” I asked Morelli.
“All taken care of.”
Morelli and Bob took off at a brisk pace, and I slogged along behind them. I can walk three miles in four-inch heels and I can shop Morelli into the ground, but I don't do running. Now if I was running to a sale on handbags, maybe.
Little by little, I fell farther and farther behind. When Morelli and Bob turned the corner and were lost from sight, I cut through a yard and came out at Ferarro's Bakery. I got an almond danish
and leisurely walked hone, eating my pastry. I was almost to my parking lot when I saw Joe and Bob loping down St. James. I immediately started jogging and gasping for air.
“Where were you guys?” I said. “ I lost you.”
Morelli shook his head in disgust. “That's so sad. You have powdered sugar on your shirt.”
“Must have fallen from the sky.”
“Pathetic,” Morelli said.
We passed Benny and Ziggy in the hall when we returned.
“Looks like you were out jogging,” Ziggy said. “That's very healthy. More people should do that.”
Morelli put a hand to Ziggy's chest to detain him. “What are you doing here?”
“We came to see Ms. Plum, but no one was home.”
“Well, here she is. Don't you want to talk to her?”
“Sure,” Ziggy said. “Did you like the jelly?”
“The jelly is great. Thanks.”
“You didn't break into her apartment just now, did you?” Morelli asked.
“We wouldn't do a thing like that,” Benny said. “We got too much respect for her. Right, Ziggy?”
“Yeah, that's right,” Ziggy said. “But I could if I wanted to. I still got the touch.”
“Have you had a chance to talk to your wife?” I asked Benny. “Is she in Richmond?”
“I talked to her last night. And she's in Norfolk. She said things are as good as can be expected. I'm sure you understand this has been upsetting for all concerned.”
“A tragedy. No other news from Richmond?”
“Sadly, no.”
Benny and Ziggy trotted off to the elevator, and Morelli and I followed Bob into the kitchen.
“They were in here, weren't they?” Morelli said
“Yeah. Looking for the heart. Benny's wife is making his life a living hell until the heart is returned.”
Morelli measured out a cup of food for Bob. Bob inhaled it and looked for more.