“You might have to stop leading such an exciting life then,” Eva teased.
“At least this afternoon looks calm,” Heather said. “Nothing to report on right now.”
“I don’t know,” Amy said. “It depends on how spicy this salsa really is.”
The four women were seated at a table at the taco place that was near Donut Delights. Juan and Don who ran the restaurant were best friends and were gradually warming up to their new neighbors. It might have had something to do with tasting Heather’s delicious donuts.
“Here you go,” Don said. “Since we’re neighbors, I brought you some nachos on the house.”
“Thank you,” Heather said. “And if you’d like to stop by Donut Delights, we can give you some free samples too.”
“Why that thought didn’t even enter my head,” Don said, hurrying away.
"It's nice to see that you're getting along better with most of your neighbors,” Eva said.
“Most of them,” Amy agreed. “I think Mr. Rankle will always be a thorn in our side. But, like, a really big thorn. Maybe like a spear. Right, Heather?”
Heather attention had been on the person who just entered the taco shop, and she was distracted. She brought her attention back to her friends.
"Sorry," Heather said, catching up with the conversation. "Mr. Rankle can be difficult to get along with, but there's actually someone else who I think could be more troublesome, and he just walked in the door. Hopefully, he won't see us."
Amy held up a menu to try and block them from being seen.
“But, who is he?” Eva asked.
“He’s not one of your killers after us?” Leila asked, only half-joking.
"No," Heather assured him. "He's not a murderer, but I'm pretty sure he's involved in some petty crimes. The problem is that he's the police chief's baby brother and Chief Chet doesn't think his brother would willingly do something wrong. We'd need an ironclad case against him to do anything."
“Maybe even stronger than iron,” Amy suggested. “Like a diamond-clad case.”
“He goes by Big CC,” said Heather.
Just then, Juan stopped by their table with some free stuffed jalapenos and pushed the menu hiding them away.
“Since we’re neighbors, I thought I would bring you an appetizer. Free of charge,” he said.
“Your partner did the same thing,” Amy said. “We already told him that you two could stop by for donut samples.”
“He already… I mean, I was just being neighborly. No hidden agenda. But I might stop by later today for something chocolatey.”
He wandered away. Amy tried a jalapeno popper and then downed some water before she remembered to put the menu back up to hide them.
“Heather!” Big CC said, seeing them. He squeezed into the booth with them. This made them doubly unhappy because they were sitting with someone they didn’t want to talk to, and there wasn’t enough space for them all to sit comfortably.
“Hi Big CC,” Heather said. “Keeping out of trouble?”
“I try my best,” Big CC said, shrugging. “I was hoping I might run into you though.”
“Why?” Amy asked. “You want to confess to running a gambling ring? Or selling stolen watches?”
“This watch was a gift from my dear old granny. It’s been in the family for ages,” Big CC said.
“Really?” Heather asked. “Because it looks like a design that just came out last year.”
Big CC cleared his throat and pushed the watch up his arm so that it was covered by his shirt. The large letter "C" tattooed on each hand was visible.
“Did it hurt getting those tattoos on your hands?” Eva asked. “I heard that hurts.”
“Nothing hurts me,” Big CC said. However, then he decided to eat a spicy jalapeno popper. He coughed and his eyes started to water.
Heather allowed him to catch his breath and then asked, “Why did you want to run into us?”
Big CC was still trying to look tough as his voice cracked. “I heard you making the desserts for The Cat’s Claw celebration.”
"Goodness gracious,” Eva said. “That can’t be in the paper already, can it?”
"I have my sources," Big CC said. He had regained his composure from the spicy food but undermined his tough guy attitude by accidentally laying his arm in some salsa.
“Yes,” Heather said. “We’re making donuts that look treasure for the museum.”
“Why do you care?” asked Amy.
“One of my many interests is sunken treasure,” Big CC said. “Especially ones that could still be recovered. If the stories are true, then there’s still gold in the wreckage where that gold cat was found.”
"So, why don't you swim down there and get it?" Amy asked.
“Because I don’t know where it is,” Big CC said. “I tried to get the diver Greg Rowell to tell me where exactly he found it, but he’s been tight-lipped.”
“Is that usual?” Heather asked. “Don’t divers normally report where they found things?”
“Maybe he just doesn’t want to tell a character like that where it is,” said Amy.
“If he or anyone at the museum mentions exactly where it was found, I’d like you to let me know,” said Big CC.
“Why would we do that?” asked Heather.
“Because I know people and have resources. I could have the rest of the treasure extracted once I know where it is. It would be great for the island’s publicity, and that would make my brother very happy. And, if you tell me, I’ll split the money with you.”
“We’ll think about it,” Heather said grudgingly. She didn’t want to share someone’s secrets with Big CC, but something about the situation smelled fishy to her. If there was still more treasure and history lost under the water, she might owe it to her new island home to help it be found.
“Another jalapeno popper?” Amy asked, offering Big CC the plate.
“I would, but actually, I have to be going,” he said, hurrying away.
“I wonder what he’s up to this time,” Heather said. “Does he just have treasure fever?”
Eva and Leila looked at one another.
“After meeting such a scallywag, our pirate gift might seem a bit anticlimactic,” said Eva.
“That rapscallion might have ruined everything,” Leila agreed.
“What are you talking about?” Heather asked.
“Yeah,” Amy seconded. “Though I do like your pirate terms.”
“We won’t let Big CC ruin anything,” Heather said. “What did you want to tell us?”
“In honor of the pirate museum event that you’re helping with,” Eva began.
“We got a little crafty,” said Leila.
"And we go the craft group at the senior center involved too," Eva said. "And, well, ta-da!"
The two ladies pulled crocheted eye patches out of their purse and put them on the their faces.
"Or should we say arrr?" said Leila.
Heather smiled. “These are adorable. They’ll be perfect at the event. We can wear them as we serve.”
Heather and Amy took a pirate eye patch and put them on as well.
"I'm really excited about this event," Heather said.
“Me too,” Amy agreed. “It will be arrr-mazing.”
The Professor
“The people at the museum liked the Lemon Curd Donuts, didn’t they?” Janae asked as Heather and Amy entered Donut Delights.
“Of course, they did,” Digby said “Right?”
Heather smiled. “It’s a small museum that’s run by one lady, but she loved the Lemon Curd Donuts. She’s also excited for us to make more donut holes to look like jewels.”
Her assistants smiled, but then concern came across Janae’s face as she saw Amy.
“What happened to your eye?”
“Oh,” Amy said, laughing that she hadn’t realized how funny it looked that she was still wearing an eye patch. “Eva and Leila.”
“They beat you up…?” asked Janae.
“Man, those girls are rough,” said Digby.
"No,” Heather said. “Eva and Leila made these eye patches out of yarn for us to wear at the event.”
"Which is great because it looks like the museum owner dresses up every day," Amy said.
"Can we wear some too?" asked Digby. "Maybe I’ll play a pirate in the theater sometime. Or maybe a customer might want to tip more if they think I only have one eye.”
Heather rolled both her eyes at him, but still handed both of her assistants an eye patch.
“Some of their friends at the senior activity center joined in and made these eye patches with them, so there will be ones that we can hand out at the event if any guests want one,” said Heather.
They were all enjoying themselves, trying on the patches when the door to the shop opened. Hope entered followed by the least cheerful man ever to enter a donut shop.
"And this is Donut Delights," Hope was explaining. "It's a relatively new addition to Key West but is definitely worth checking out. They have classic flavors and have new flavor additions every week. This is where the food for The Cat's Claw Museum celebration will come from."
“And do they always wear such inaccurate pirate accessories?” the man asked. “They couldn’t be more wrong in the materials. It’s embarrassing.”
Heather and Amy exchanged a one-eyed look. Janae quickly pushed her eyepatch up so she could see, while Digby went straight to scowling at the newcomer.
Hope pushed the man forward towards them. He was a squat man in a plaid shirt. Despite having a large hat on his head, he looked as if he were experiencing sunburn.
“Heather and Amy, this is Professor Ronald Wattleson. I’ve been giving him a tour.”
“Yes,” Professor Wattleson said. “Lots of rambling about the local business and tourist sites. Very little factual information about the history here. Quite disappointing, actual.”
“I’m sure Hope is doing her best,” Heather said, feeling some compassion for the unappreciated reporter.
Professor Wattleson shrugged. “She tried to tell me about Mallory Square’s heritage, but couldn’t back it up with sources. I’m sure she’ll misquote me in this article of hers.”
“I don’t misquote,” Hope reassured him.
“What’s wrong with our eye patches?” Amy asked angrily.
“Where do I begin?” Professor Wattleson asked. “Firstly, believe it or not, not every single pirate wore an eye patch.”
“We didn’t believe that,” Heather said.
“And look at how they’re made!” he said.
“They were made by our good friends and some other ladies at the senior center,” said Heather.
“But they’re made of yarn. Can you imagine a pirate sitting there and knitting?” The professor scoffed.
Hope tried to change the subject and said, "The professor was telling me how excited he is to see what was recovered from The Cat's Claw. He should be able to provide some interesting facts about the treasure and give some context on the time it came from."
“See what I said about misquoting,” he said, clicking his tongue. “I didn’t say excited. I said eager.”
“Doesn’t that mean the same thing in this context?” Heather asked.
Professor Wattleson chose to ignore her and continue his own thread of conversation. “I said I was eager, and I am. I hope to provide another authentication to the pieces, as well. I am not very familiar with Dr. P. Jefferson’s work. It will be interesting to read his notes.”
“Donna and the museum should be ready for us to come by soon,” Hope said. “But while we’re here, do you want to eat a donut? They are very good.”
“I suppose so,” Professor Wattleson said, grudgingly.
He walked up to the counter where Digby was and ordered a Lemon Curd Donut. He took a bite and gave a slight nod of approval. Then, wanting to be superior on a subject again, said to Digby, “Why don’t you take that silly eye patch off? I already went through all its faults. It’s ridiculous to continue to be seen in it.”
“I would take it off,” Digby said. “But I have an eye condition that needs me to keep it covered. My friends and the seniors were just trying to cheer me up about it by wearing them too.”
Professor Wattleson sputtered and exited the shop, telling Hope to meet him outside when he was ready.
"I'm not sure you should have done that," Janae said, trying not to smile.
“Why not?” asked Digby. “Yes. It was a lie, but he was being really rude to everybody.”
“I second that,” said Amy.
“But what if he comes back?” asked Janae.
"He's only here a few days, right?" asked Digby. "I can wear this to be festive and advertise for The Cat's Claw Museum for a day or two. And if he happens to catch me not wearing it, I'll just say it was my twin brother with the eye patch. Maybe I'll even tell him I'm the evil twin and I caused the need for my brother's patch."
“I’m not liking how easily these lies are coming to you,” Heather teased him.
"I appreciate it," Hope said. "I really hope a good story comes out of this because I've never met a man who found being on a tropical island so miserable. He's been terrible to everyone we came across today. He made a girl in a gift shop cry, and he almost got into a fight with a surfer."
“Sounds like a full day,” said Amy.
“But I think it’s almost over,” said Hope.
“Here,” said Heather. “Take a donut for the road.”
Hope thanked her profusely and left to continue being an unappreciated guide.
“I think we all deserve a donut for dealing with him too,” said Digby.
“Go ahead,” Heather agreed.
The Call
“It’s not uncool if I fall asleep?” Amy asked.
“No,” Heather said. “I’m starting to feel drowsy myself.”
The two best friends were sitting in Heather’s living room, only half-paying attention to the movie on TV. Heather had been waiting for her husband, Ryan, to come home, but it looked like he was working late. She wondered what could be keeping him. If he and his partner, Detective Peters, were called to a crime scene, they usually asked her and Amy to join them in searching for clues.
Amy was also waiting for her boyfriend, Jamie, to come home, but she knew that he would be late that night. His mobile pet grooming business was starting to attract more clients, and he had an appointment on the other side of the island to wash a very persnickety poodle.
Dave was seated firmly at Heather's side, and she thought that the dog was proving the phrase "man's best friend." Even without any of her beloved donuts to offer him, Dave was cuddling with her.
Miss Marshmallow was sitting next to Amy. The two of them looked a bit unsure about the arrangement as if neither one of them wanted to admit that they wanted it to remain permanently. However, both of them seemed quite content when Amy began to pet Miss Marshmallow's fur.
Heather’s kitten Cupcake had opted to take a catnap with her twelve-year-old daughter Lilly, who had just gone to bed because it was a school night.
The humans and animals had a good time earlier in the night, listening to Lilly's newest dinosaur detective story that she wrote. Heather was also happy to hear that Lilly felt like she was becoming better friends with the kids at school. Heather was hoping that she would invite some of them over for a playdate soon. She knew that because Lilly was such a wonderful and loving person, she was sure to make and keep friends. However, Heather also wasn't against bribing the kids with donuts to ensure the gatherings would continue.
“I know it’s calmer than it has been in a while,” Amy said. “We’re in between cases, and the only big order we have to bake this week is for the museum. But I’m still tired. If the pirate king told me to walk the plank right now, I think I’d fall asleep on the board.”
"Maybe we're tired because we needed to deal with so many people today. Some of them we weren't big fans of. Big CC, for example."
Amy nodded. " And hat Professor Wattleson can walk the plank for all I care."
“You’ve just made two plank references in the past minute,” said Heather.
“I told you I was tired,” said Amy. “I can’t think of any other pirate references.”
Heather’s cell phone rang. Seeing that it was Ryan calling, he hurried to answer it.
“Shepherd.”
“I’m glad to hear your voice,” Ryan said.
“Is everything okay?” asked Heather.
“We got a call about a potential robbery at The Cat’s Claw Museum,” he said. “I thought that was where you were delivering donuts for an event.”
“It is,” Heather said, frowning. “We were there this afternoon.”
“I’m just glad that you weren’t there tonight,” Ryan said. “I know that sometimes we’re not always sure where the other person is.”
"I think we've gotten better about that," Heather said. Being followed by a murderer one too many times with Ryan knowing about it had made her more cautious about updating her spouse on her sleuthing plans.
“I’m just glad you’re not at the crime scene now,” Ryan said again.
“Do you think it’s more than a robbery?” Heather asked.
"Right now, there's only been a call about a window broken in. The security alarm went off. It looks like a robbery," Ryan said. "But I'll know more once I get there."
Heather wished him good luck and said goodbye.
“What’s wrong?” Amy asked.
“I’m no longer tired,” Heather said, updating her friend on what Ryan had told her.
“Could it be a coincidence?” asked Amy.
“I feel like we’re been doing this too long to believe in coincidences,” said Heather. “I’m sure the one year anniversary had something to do with this crime.”
"It being advertised more made thieves aware of the treasure that was kept there?" Amy suggested. "Someone realized it was in the museum and decided to take it off their hands?"
“Something like that,” Heather said. “Though it sounds like they decided to break a window too.”
“I wonder what’s missing,” said Amy. “I hope the cat is still there. That’s the best piece of the treasure and the best part of the story.”
Lemon Curd & Murder Page 2