by Cindy Bell
“It was by far the best one in the class. But do you remember how she interacted with Hugo?” Lucy asked.
“Yes, I do. He was so rude to her.”
“Annaliese was just here and asked me if I thought anyone had a problem with Hugo.”
“Did you tell her about Lauren?”
“I didn’t. Maybe I should have, but I didn’t want to get Lauren into trouble for no reason. It seemed to me that Hugo was intimidating her.”
“You might be right, but it’s probably best to tell the police anything you know.”
“I’m going to, I just want to get to know Lauren a little better first, maybe find out why she had a problem with Hugo.”
“That sounds reasonable, but how are you going to do it?”
“Well, she filled out the form with her phone number and address. I thought I might give her a call and invite her over for a conversation. Do you think that’s too weird?”
“Just tell her that you want to talk to her about how much you liked her macarons, maybe offer her another class at the patisserie since the remainder of the classes are closed at the moment.”
“Chantelle, that’s a great idea. You’re a genius.”
“Well, I try.” She laughed.
“All right, I’ll let you know how it goes.” Lucy hung up the phone and started the car. As she drove to her house she imagined what she would say to Lauren, if she even picked up the phone.
Chapter 5
Once Lucy arrived at her house she looked through the paperwork from the class and placed a call to Lauren’s number. She picked up on the second ring.
“Hi, this is Lauren.”
“Hi Lauren, this is Lucy from the Making Macarons class.”
“Oh hi, Lucy, how are you?”
“Okay, and you?”
“Just fine.” She cleared her throat. “What can I help you with?”
“I wanted to tell you again how much I liked the macarons you made and I wanted to discuss something with you. I wondered if you might be free for a chat and some coffee today?”
“I guess, where?”
“My house?”
“Okay. When?”
“Now?”
“I guess so. I’m not doing much right now. Do you want me to bring anything?”
“Just yourself.”
“Just text me the address and I’ll be on my way.”
“Thanks Lauren.” Lucy hung up and texted Lauren the address. Then she started to get coffee ready. As she set everything up she heard tiny feet slam against the kitchen floor. She spun around in time to see Mia launch herself after the tiny kitten. “Mia, no!” Lucy scooped up the orange cat just before Mia could pounce. “You know better than that, Mia. How unfriendly.” She huffed at the cat. Mia crouched down low and hissed as she stared up at the orange cat. “She’s just a baby, Mia, she needs our help.”
Mia lifted her head, sniffed the air, then turned and walked out of the kitchen.
A few minutes before Lauren was due to arrive Lucy stood up to turn on the coffee pot. As soon as she stepped in the kitchen, both cats chased after her.
“No, there will be no snacks for you. We have a guest coming soon. I need to get things ready.” She shooed the cats out of the kitchen. Once the coffee began to brew she set out some mugs, then checked the living room to be sure it would be welcoming. At the sound of a knock on the door she opened it and smiled at Lauren.
“Hi, thanks for coming over.”
“Thanks for the invite.” Lauren returned the smile. “Oh, are those your kitties? They’re both so cute.” She put her hand down to call them. Both cats bounded towards her. Mia reached Lauren first, but the moment that Lauren touched her, Mia let out a loud hiss. Lauren pulled her hand back. “Oh, I thought she was friendly.”
“I’m sorry, she usually is, but this little orange cat is new, and they don’t get along too well just yet. She must have gotten too close to Mia. I’ve made some coffee for us. Would you like anything in it?”
“Just a little cream please.”
“Sure.” Lucy added the cream then set the mug down in front of Lauren. Mia kept to her corner of the kitchen, but she continued to watch for the orange cat.
“So, what did you want to discuss with me?”
“Well, after what happened with Hugo the classes at the school have been canceled. Since you’re so talented I wanted to offer you the chance to join us at the patisserie to do another private class. You could try out making different flavors and designs.”
“I’d love that, thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, you’ve earned it. You really have a talent. Is that what Hugo’s problem with you was, he was jealous?”
“Jealous of me?” She laughed and shook her head. “No, I doubt that very much. Honestly, I have no idea what his problem with me was. I guess it’s a secret he’ll take to the grave with him. Every chance he got he put down my cooking, my baking, whatever I did, he didn’t like it. Even when everyone else seemed to love my recipes he would turn his nose up at them or point out something that seemed to be a flaw.”
“That must have been so frustrating for you.”
“Of course. I mean, honestly, I was his biggest fan at first. I knew him when I was still at school and I worked for him in a little kitchen in Boston. I just helped with dishes, cutting the vegetables, things like that. The only thing I can think of was that when we worked there together he read the wrong measurements for the flour and I noticed and brought it to his attention. I mean if I hadn’t the whole recipe would have been ruined. But that was so long ago and in private so I don’t know why he had a problem with me. But ever since then he seemed to have it in for me. I followed him from class to class because I hoped he might recognize my own skill. But after I realized that was never going to happen, I guess my fondness for him just wore off. He was so mean to me. He didn’t ever seem interested in anyone else’s food. The way he talked about your macarons, none of that was true, you know.”
“I know. I didn’t let it bother me. But my sister on the other hand.” Lucy laughed. “She didn’t appreciate his comments.”
“She doesn’t know the half of it.” Lauren rolled her eyes. “I know it’s wrong to speak badly about someone after they’re dead, but Hugo, he was such a pain.”
“I can see that. He also seems the type that could easily spike someone’s temper. You’ve been in many of his classes, did you ever notice anyone fight or argue with him?”
“Why?” She sipped her coffee then met Lucy’s eyes. “Are you trying to figure out who killed him?”
“I’m curious.” Lucy shrugged. “You said you’ve known him for a long time, so I thought you might be aware of some past enemies. Or maybe some people he might have crossed?”
“No, not really. Like I said, everyone was in a rush to be his friend. Not that it did them any good.”
“I bet he got under your skin. You have so much history with him, and to have him constantly putting you down.”
“Sure, I got upset now and then. But then I got used to it.”
“You seemed pretty upset at class, when he spoke to you that way.” Lucy took a sip of her coffee and locked her eyes to Lauren’s. Mia could spot a person with bad intentions, and her reaction to Lauren hadn’t been pleasant. Was she actually upset about Lauren or the orange kitty?
“Oh?” She returned the steady gaze. “What are you trying to say, Lucy?”
“I’m not saying anything. I’m just observing that harassment can be very infuriating. No one could blame you if you’d had enough.”
“Had enough? Is that why you invited me here? To find out if it was me?”
“No, don’t be silly.” Lucy’s throat grew dry. She didn’t lie well, she never had been good at anything deceitful. “I would like to know who killed him, of course. But, I didn’t think you did it.”
“Gee thanks.” She rolled her eyes. “So was the offer of another class just a ploy to get information out of me?”
“Lauren, please don’t be upset. I offered you the class because you are talented and I didn’t want you to miss out. The truth is, the police wanted to know if I’d noticed anyone have a problem with Hugo. I didn’t want to give them your name because I didn’t think you had anything to do with his death.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Lauren frowned. “I finally get some recognition for my talent and Hugo still manages to ruin it, even from beyond the grave!” She stood up from the table. “I have to go.”
“Lauren wait.” Lucy stood up as well. “I really didn’t mean to upset you. Your macarons were fantastic and the offer for the class still stands.”
“Okay,” Lauren said thoughtfully. “I’ll think about it.” She waved her hand and marched out the door. Mia hissed again as she pulled the door shut. Lucy noticed that the orange cat flicked her tail right beside her. So was Mia upset by Lauren, or by her unwanted house guest? With her nerves still a little wound up from the conversation with Lauren, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It bothered her that Lauren was upset. Hopefully she would forgive her.
To distract herself Lucy sat down at her computer and decided to do some research on Sophia. It was clear that Sophia was upset when Hugo distributed the invitations to his cookbook and dessert sauce launch. But why? She had no reason to be upset that Lucy knew about. She searched Sophia’s name, as well as the cooking school. The school had its own website, but she soon discovered that Sophia had a personal website as well. It was filled with the recipes she’d created herself, and some of her favorite recipes that were passed down to her by family. She scrolled down on the website and discovered another section that featured dessert sauces. Although they were not the same sauces as Hugo’s some of them had similar flavors, but Hugo had a much larger selection with some unique flavors. Mia jumped up in her lap and curled up.
“Maybe that’s why she was so put off when he handed out the invitations to his opening.” She stroked her hand down across Mia’s fur. “That would explain her frustration, would it also be motive for murder?”
The thought remained with her as she went through the rest of her day. It was difficult for her not to think about the possibility that Sophia had something to do with Hugo’s murder. She was upset with him the day he died, and she knew when Hugo would be alone. Were it not for Lucy going back for her purse, Sophia would have been the only other person in the building. When she walked into the kitchen to prepare dinner for the cats, Mia wound around her legs. When she opened one of the cat food cans, the orange cat bolted from the other side of the house and skidded to a stop in the kitchen. “Hungry are you? Hm. Willow? Maybe?” She laughed and filled her bowl with food.
While she prepared her own dinner her thoughts returned to Sophia. It seemed rather far-fetched to think that she would harm him in her own school. Perhaps she thought that would divert attention from her. Or maybe she just lost her temper and didn’t think her actions through. Still, it didn’t sit well in her mind. As she headed back to the couch to eat her dinner and watch a show she tried to take her mind off the case. She knew if she focused on it much longer everything would become blurry and she’d give herself a headache. However, the show she watched was all about tragedy and mystery, it only turned her attention right back to the case. Hugo seemed the type to draw negative attention with his behavior. Maybe he’d made an enemy or two. But the fact that he was killed at the school made it seem as if it had to be related to it, or at least it was the best place to start. As she washed the dishes her cell phone rang. She wiped off her soapy hands and picked up her phone.
“Hi Chantelle, what’s up?”
“Not much, I just wanted to check in with you.”
“Thanks, I’m doing okay.”
“So, what do you think about Lauren?”
“I don’t know. She got pretty upset when I asked her about Hugo’s behavior towards her. I don’t think she’s going to be taking us up on the free class.”
“I’m sorry, maybe that was bad advice.”
“No, I think it was great advice. I just wish I could be certain whether she had something to do with it. It’s so easy to believe that she did it, considering her issues with him, but I don’t know. Something about her just doesn’t strike me that way.”
“She does seem like a sweet kid. But sweet kids have a breaking point. Maybe she’d been intimidated by Hugo for so long that she just couldn’t take it anymore.”
“Maybe. How’s everything going with you?”
“Good, Noah and Greg are working on a project in the garage, and I am having a cup of coffee on the porch. It’s a nice night.”
“It is, isn’t it?”
“Are you enjoying it.”
“Actually, right now I’m playing referee to my two cats.”
“Oh your two cats now, hmm?”
“I mean, unless someone comes forward.”
“Mom told me about your new addition. Do you really want to be this person, Lucy?”
“What person?”
“The cat lady?”
“Stop it!”
“I’m serious. Two cats is where it starts, next thing you know there will be twenty.”
“Excuse me, I will never have twenty cats.”
“Meow, meow.” Chantelle laughed.
“Very funny. I can’t turn this little cat away. She’s all alone. She needs someone to nourish her.”
“Hmm, sounds like the cat might be alerting you to some needs of your own.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“All I’m saying is the urge to nurture can happen because you haven’t been nurtured yourself.”
“Mom wasn’t very affectionate, but I think she did a pretty good job.”
“I don’t mean Mom, and I think you know that.”
“Oh not this again. Chantelle, I’m not like you. I don’t crave a relationship.”
“Maybe you don’t crave it, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need it. One of these days you’re going to be surrounded by cats and wonder why you weren’t nicer to that Jack fellow.”
“Stop it!” Lucy laughed so hard that both cats jumped from the back of the couch and went running. “You’ve done it again, Chantelle, you’ve cheered me right up.”
“Good. I love to hear you laugh. Have a good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“See you.” Lucy hung up the phone and stretched out on the couch. As much as she and Chantelle butted heads, sometimes she was still the only person that could always pull her out of a bad mood. With the cats in separate corners of the house she decided to head early to bed. It was an exhausting day, and she wanted to be in better spirits when she greeted Chantelle the next morning at the patisserie.
Chapter 6
Lucy woke to two cold noses. Each one poked at a different cheek.
“Oh, breakfast time?” She opened her eyes and looked at the two cats that stood on her chest. “I see you’ve learned to team up when it comes to food. Why does that not surprise me?” She laughed. “All right, let’s get you fed.” As she sat up the cats jumped down to the floor. She noticed that the orange cat landed right beside Mia and Mia didn’t even hiss. “Hmm, I think Mia’s getting used to you, kitty. I also think we need to start calling you something other than kitty. How do you like Lily?”
The cat turned up her nose. “Not Lily hmm? Okay.” She walked towards the kitchen with the two cats right at her feet. “Maybe Blossom?” The smaller cat jumped up on to the counter. She picked her up and put her back down on the floor. “No, I think Blossom is too tame of a name for you. We need to think of something fierce. Tiger was good, but I just don’t think you’re a tiger.”
Lucy spent some time playing with the two cats in an attempt to get them used to each other. Mia took a swing at the orange kitten. The orange kitten sprang into action and tackled Mia. Mia hissed, the orange cat squealed, and Lucy pulled them apart. The next time she shook the toy mouse in front of them, Mia batte
d it towards the orange cat. The orange cat batted it back. Instead of fighting they continued to bat the mouse. “That’s so much better. Good kitties. See? You can get along.” She smiled.
As Lucy put the toy mouse away her cell phone rang. She stared at the caller ID on her phone. It was Sophia. Did she want to answer? After what she’d learned about her she wasn’t sure how to react to her. As the phone rang for the third time she knew she had to make a choice. Answer or let it go to voicemail? She doubted that Sophia would leave a message. If she really wanted to find out what happened to Hugo, then this was the perfect opportunity to ask questions.
“Hi Sophia.” She pressed the phone to her ear.
“Hi Lucy, I hoped I would catch you. Listen, on the advice of a friend of mine who is a psychologist, I’ve decided to host a memorial for Hugo at the cooking school. She said it’s the best way to clear the air about what happened there, and a good way to reach those students and teachers that may have been disturbed by the murder and have no one to turn to. What do you think?”
“I think it’s a great idea.” Lucy held back her thoughts about clearing the air at the cooking school. Was there really a way to pretend that a murder hadn’t happened there? “Do you need any help?”
“If you’d like to provide some macarons that would be great, but really I just want you and Chantelle to be there. Would you mind passing the message along to her? It will be at five o’clock tomorrow.”
“Sure, we’ll be there. I’ll bring an assortment of macarons as well. This is very thoughtful of you, Sophia.”
“I know that it was so upsetting for me, and I just want to make sure that anyone else who might be upset about it, has an outlet.”
“Are you doing okay now?”
“I guess. If the police would stop hounding me, I’d be much calmer.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, they seem to think I should know things that I don’t. They’ve questioned me a few times now, and I just want to say, what else could I have to tell you? It’s very frustrating because every time they question me, it all comes rushing back. I find it hard to function that way.”