by Jinty James
“Mrrow!”
“When?” Maddie asked.
“Friday night.” Suzanne’s eyes grew dreamy, then she jerked to attention. “Oh no! How on earth am I going to decide what to wear? And what about my hair?” She pulled at her ponytail.
“Why don’t you do your hair the same way you did for your first lunch date with him?”
“Good idea.” Suzanne looked a little relieved. “But you’ll have to help me choose an outfit – something that makes me look good, but not something that sends the wrong message, if you know what I mean.”
“What message would that be?” Maddie couldn’t help teasing.
“Oh, you!” Suzanne mimed throwing a cushion at her.
They both laughed, Trixie looking from one to the other as if she didn’t understand why they found their conversation so funny.
“Of course I’ll come over,” Maddie said, as soon as she got enough breath back to speak. “Trixie, do you want to go to Suzanne’s house with me? We’ll help her choose an outfit for her date with Ramon.”
“Mrrow!” Trixie seemed to nod.
“Good.” Suzanne smiled. “You never know, maybe Trixie will choose the perfect dress for me.”
MADDIE HAD HER OWN date with Luke on Friday night, but all through the movie she couldn’t help but wonder how Suzanne’s dinner date with Ramon was going. Last night, she and Trixie went to Suzanne’s house after they closed up Brewed from the Bean and went through Suzanne’s entire wardrobe.
Suzanne had shaken her head at most of the outfits Maddie had suggested. It was only when Trixie had gently touched a lavender frock with her paw that Suzanne had brightened and declared it the obvious choice.
Maddie hoped her bestie’s evening went well. She wasn’t sure if she didn’t hear from Suzanne tonight if that meant the date was still going on, or if it had been a bust.
With a start, she realized she and Suzanne had been so busy anticipating her date with Ramon that they hadn’t done anything about re-interviewing anyone on their suspect list.
“Are you cold?” Luke whispered to Maddie in the darkened air-conditioned theater, as he placed his arm around her shoulder.
His warmth instantly made her feel better.
“Thanks,” she murmured, trying to return her attention to the movie, and not on the shiver of pleasure at his touch, or the fact that Suzanne would most likely be devastated if her evening with Ramon didn’t go well.
After the movie, Luke took her home. Trixie waited at the door for them and scampered ahead of them to the kitchen. After Maddie made lattes, they cuddled on the couch for a while, Trixie letting them have a little time alone.
Maddie had kept her phone turned off all evening – Suzanne had assured her she wouldn’t need to call her during her date with Ramon.
When Luke left, after giving her a goodnight kiss that left her feeling totally feminine and girly, Maddie turned on her phone. No missed calls or texts. She hoped it was a good omen.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
“Wake up!” she heard a faint cry.
Maddie’s phone sounded with its old-fashioned ring tone on the nightstand.
Maddie woke up with a jerk.
“Whaaa?” She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.
Trixie stood on the vacant side of the bed, looking at Maddie’s phone with wide eyes. She had never seemed to like the noise it made when someone called, even after Maddie had tried every ring tone she could think of to please the Persian.
Maddie grabbed the phone and answered it.
“I’ve got to talk to you!” Suzanne shrieked at the other end.
“Where are you?” Maddie became alert.
“At your front door. Didn’t you hear me calling out to you to wake up?”
“Okay.” Maddie hopped out of bed and jogged down the hall. She couldn’t tell if Suzanne was happy or upset.
She opened the door to a bright and sunny day – and an ecstatic looking Suzanne.
“He kissed me!”
“Come in.” Maddie smiled, wondering if Suzanne’s scream had awakened the whole street.
“Oh, Mads! I couldn’t wait any longer to tell you!”
Maddie led the way into the kitchen, happiness bursting in her heart for her friend. Trixie appeared at her heels.
“Trix, you were right about the dress.” Suzanne giggled.
“Mrrow!”
“Tell me everything,” Maddie urged.
“I’m desperate for a coffee.” Suzanne looked hopefully at the machine on the kitchen counter.
“I am too.” Maddie was suddenly conscious of being in her knee length t-shirt nightgown while Suzanne was dressed in a blue t-shirt and denim shorts. “What’s the time?”
“Six-thirty, but I couldn’t wait any longer to see you!” Suzanne sat down at the kitchen table, then jumped up and paced the room.
“Oh, Mads, it was wonderful! The Italian restaurant was amazing! Everything tasted so good! And there weren’t many people there, so it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves.”
“Mmm.” Maddie smiled as she turned on the espresso machine.
“I had mushroom risotto and he had pasta primavera, but you should have seen the way he looked at me, Mads. You know I like eating, but for once I found it difficult because my stomach was so churned up inside, but in a good way.”
Wow. Suzanne definitely had feelings for Ramon. She didn’t rave about many of her dates – not like this.
“Mrrow?” Trixie asked.
“And then we talked and talked, Trix. It was wonderful!” Suzanne stopped pacing and stroked the Persian. “And Ramon told me ...” she trailed off.
Maddie turned from the machine to look at her. “What did he tell you? If you want to tell me – us,” she amended as she glanced at Trixie, who looked just as curious as Maddie felt. “It’s okay if you want to keep it to yourself,” she added, remembering how Luke had made her feel last night – all girly and feminine.
“He said – he said—” Suzanne giggled, her face going bright red. “He said he thinks I’m amazing, Mads!” She twirled around.
“Of course you are.”
“But he’s the amazing one,” Suzanne told her. “He can speak three languages, Italian as well as Spanish and English, and you know what an incredible masseur he is – well, no you don’t, because even though I’ve told you to go and get a massage with him, you haven’t, but never mind about that now. And he said ...” her voice trailed off again.
“What?” Maddie couldn’t help wanting to know.
“He was a little worried about the age difference,” Suzanne rushed out. “I told him I wasn’t. That some of the guys my age are so immature and still live at home with their parents—” the expression on her face indicated that was one of the worst crimes in the world “—and that I haven’t been dating much lately because I just haven’t felt attracted to anyone – until I met him.” She giggled. “And I think he blushed – just a tiny bit! Can you believe that?”
Maddie shook her head. She didn’t think she could. She handed a latte to Suzanne.
“Drink this.”
“Thanks.” Suzanne took a big gulp. “Perfect as always.” She sighed in pleasure.
“Then what happened?” Maddie asked. “If I’m allowed to ask.”
“Of course you are!” Suzanne waved the latte in the air, nearly spilling it. “That’s why I’m here! To tell you all about it!”
She took another sip of her coffee. “So, after dinner, we went to this art gallery nearby, and looked at some of the paintings. Honestly, Mads, I don’t understand modern art. I think I could scribble something on a canvas with crayon and that gallery would show it for me.”
“I know what you mean,” Maddie replied, thinking of the times she’d ventured into the modern art section of a museum.
“Anyway, it was just an excuse to spend more time together,” Suzanne said, sitting back down at the table. “Then he drove me home and—” she drew in a deep breath.
> “And?” Maddie held her own breath.
“Mrrow?” Trixie’s eyes were rounded as she waited for Suzanne to continue.
“He came inside and checked the house for me! To make sure it was safe for me! Isn’t that so ... so ... chivalrous?”
“Yes, it is,” Maddie replied seriously.
“Mrrow.” Trixie seemed to nod.
“And then – he kissed me! In the hall! Before he left!”
Maddie felt like shouting, “Yay!” but settled for a big smile.
“It was wonderful. He really knows what he’s doing.” Suzanne sighed, her expression dreamy.
“When are you seeing him again?” Maddie asked, hoping she wasn’t asking the wrong question.
“Tomorrow!” Suzanne laughed with delight. “He’s taking me on a picnic! Isn’t that romantic?”
“Yes,” Maddie replied truthfully. She’d thought her recent picnic with Luke was romantic, maybe even more so because he’d welcomed Trixie along as well.
Suzanne giggled. “It’s the same park you and my brother went to. But there isn’t anywhere else around where we could sit and relax and just enjoy each other’s company – unless it’s at my house.”
“Or his,” Maddie said mischievously.
“One day.” Suzanne’s eyes sparkled. “I hope.”
Maddie rushed to get ready so they could open Brewed from the Bean on time that morning. Suzanne kept chatting to her, following Maddie from room to room, enthusing about Ramon.
By the time they arrived at the town square, Suzanne finally seemed to run out of breath.
Maddie was happy for her friend – more than happy. Her friend deserved to have the boyfriend of her dreams.
CHAPTER 19
“A s soon as we close at lunchtime, we should visit Claudine,” Suzanne told her as Maddie flopped down on a stool. They’d just finished serving a stream of customers.
“I guess,” Maddie replied reluctantly.
“Have you got the Tell the Truth spell?”
“In my pocket.” Maddie patted her shorts.
“Maybe it’s just as well Trixie stayed home this morning,” Suzanne said.
“Definitely. She doesn’t like Claudine.”
“Who could blame her?” Suzanne sympathized.
Maddie tried to keep her mind off their upcoming visit. She wished she could leave Suzanne to do the questioning, but the spell only seemed to work if she was the one who used it.
Since they opened for mornings only on Saturday, at lunchtime they locked up and walked over to the café. Once they interviewed Claudine, they’d hop in the truck and drive it back to Maddie’s house.
“Maybe this isn’t the right time,” Maddie said as they neared Claudine’s coffee shop. “She might be slammed with customers.”
“I don’t think that’s ever happened.” Suzanne’s ponytail swished in emphasis.
They stood outside the front door and stared at each other.
“Together,” Suzanne said.
Maddie nodded as she and her friend placed their hands on the door and pushed at the same time.
There were only two customers inside – an elderly man sipping a hot drink and a big burly man reading a newspaper. Maddie felt better that they weren’t interrupting Claudine during a busy time.
“What are you doing here?” Claudine appeared from the rear of the shop. Her voice was a growl.
“We wanted to say we were sorry about your cousin,” Maddie said.
“You said that before,” Claudine informed her.
Suzanne tilted her head toward Maddie as if to say, “Use the truth spell.”
Maddie fingered her pocket. During one of their quiet periods that morning she’d memorized the words.
Maddie took a deep breath and looked around, not wanting anyone else to hear their conversation. Luckily, there wasn’t anyone near them. Claudine seemed to be the only worker in the shop.
She silently uttered the words, seeing them in her mind, and whispering, “Show me,” at the end.
“Did you know about Veronica’s husband? Richard?” She looked directly at Claudine.
“Yeah. So what?” Claudine shrugged.
It was working! Somehow, Maddie knew deep inside that Claudine told the truth.
“That he died?” Suzanne put in.
Maddie sent her a warning look.
Suzanne mimed a Sorry!
“Yes. Why do you want to know?” Claudine snapped.
“We were wondering who had a motive to kill Veronica,” Maddie told her.
“I still think it was you two.” Claudine glared at them.
Maddie didn’t think that was the truth.
“Who else?” she probed.
Claudine shrugged. “I don’t know. Veronica was a great person. She used to let me tag along with her sometimes before she left Estherville. That was when I was young, and she was a teenager. She didn’t have to do that.” She swiped her eye.
Maddie nodded, then looked at Suzanne. She couldn’t very well ask the woman if she killed Veronica, could she?
“Since you’re here, you can give me my plant pot back,” Claudine demanded.
“What?” Suzanne wrinkled her forehead.
“You know what I’m talking about.”
“No, we don’t,” Maddie told Claudine.
“The old plant pot I put in the garbage can. Before the killer stuffed Veronica’s body in there.” She looked at the two of them as if she still believed they’d murdered Veronica, but Maddie knew better, thanks to the Tell the Truth spell.
“What are you talking about?” Suzanne asked in exasperation.
“Someone stole my pot!”
“But I thought you said you put it in the trash,” Maddie said.
“I did because I’d chipped it on the side which ruined its look, but then I had second thoughts about finally getting rid of it. I haven’t been able to find another one like it, with the blue and white marbling. After they ... found Veronica, I asked about the plant pot because I wanted it back, but law enforcement said there wasn’t anything else in that can. Since you were lurking in the alley—” Claudine glared at them “—you must have taken it.”
Suzanne recoiled. “You think we touched Veronica’s body – actually moved it – in order to steal an old plant pot?” She looked at Claudine as if she were crazy.
“Who else would have taken it?” Claudine put her hands on her stout hips. “It was the only thing in that trash can the night before. You found Veronica. And now the plant pot is missing!”
“Why are you only asking us about it now?” Suzanne narrowed her eyes.
“Because I was too upset to focus before,” Claudine snapped. “My cousin was murdered.”
“We didn’t take your pot,” Maddie assured Claudine. “Suzanne didn’t see it when she lifted the – lid. Did you?” She turned to her friend.
“No.” Suzanne’s ponytail bounced from side to side. “I didn’t see anything apart from—” she swallowed hard.
“We are sorry about Veronica,” Maddie told her nemesis.
“Yes.” Suzanne sounded sincere.
“I’ve got work to do.” Claudine stalked to the counter and stood behind the register. “If you’re not going to buy anything, you can leave.”
“Fine.” Suzanne drew herself up to her full height of five foot six and strode out of the shop.
Maddie followed her friend.
“Wow!” Suzanne fumed as they hit the sidewalk. “I can’t believe her.” She turned around to Maddie. “So? What did the spell tell you?”
“She was telling the truth apart from when she said we were the killers,” Maddie replied.
“Ha! So she doesn’t think we murdered Veronica.”
“Not really.”
“But that’s weird about how she’s suddenly talking about this plant pot. I honestly didn’t see anything else in ...” she trailed off.
“It’s okay.” Maddie touched her arm. “Maybe not think about that moment.”
“Good idea.” Suzanne swallowed.
Something jiggled in Maddie’s mind, but she didn’t know what. Something about the plant pot. What was it? If Trixie were here, maybe she would know and they could work it out together. She’d have to ask her familiar.
“Let’s go home,” Maddie suggested.
“Good idea.” Suzanne smiled. “Don’t forget, I’ve got to get ready for my picnic with Ramon tomorrow.”
“As if I could,” Maddie teased. She had her own date tonight – Luke was coming over and she was cooking dinner for him. Something easy so she wouldn’t get frazzled in the kitchen, but also impressive and delicious, like teriyaki chicken.
They’d reached Brewed from the Bean and were about to hop in and drive back to Maddie’s when Grace hurried over to them.
“You girls aren’t closed, are you?”
“Yes,” Maddie said. “But I can make you something if you’re desperate.”
“I am.” Grace sighed. “My own machine acted up this morning and I didn’t have any instant in the house. I’ve had to go without.”
“That’s terrible!” Suzanne tsked. “I don’t think I could bear it if I missed a day of caffeine.”
Maddie jumped into the back of the truck and turned on the espresso machine. As she waited for it to warm up, she half-tuned in to Suzanne and Grace’s conversation.
“How are your honeysuckle cuttings coming along?” Grace asked.
“Fine.” Suzanne smiled. “I’ve put them in their own little pots and I think they’re growing! Well, they seem okay, anyway.”
“That’s good,” Grace told her. “You girls are welcome to come and look at my garden anytime. I love spending time in it and trying out different plants.”
Maddie suddenly inhaled. Her mind flashed to an image of the blue and white marbled plant pot in Grace’s garden.
She looked at Grace with widened eyes, then bent her head to the espresso machine. She couldn’t give anything away at this stage.
Her mind worked furiously as she made Grace’s latte. How on earth could the older woman be the killer? How could she have murdered Veronica?
Maybe there was another plant pot with the same pattern. It might not be Claudine’s missing pot, she reasoned with herself. Maybe Grace had bought the rest of the pots like that and that’s why Claudine couldn’t buy another one to replace the chipped one.