by Jinty James
“I made maple macadamia balls,” Suzanne told her. “They’re to die for!” Her face fell as she realized what she’d said. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
“It’s okay.” Jill chuckled. “I’ll try experimenting later today – I should have time this afternoon after the lunch crowd.”
“Mrrow?” Trixie enquired, looking first at Maddie and then at Jill.
“I think she’d like to meet your dog,” Maddie said. “If it’s okay with you.”
“Sure thing.” Jill rose from the table. “But I have to warn you, he might become a bit excited. He hasn’t met a fellow animal he doesn’t like immediately.”
They followed Jill through the kitchen and into the rear.
“I’ll just turn the bell on in case I get any customers.” Jill fiddled with a switch inside the back door. “There. All set.”
She opened the gate into the garden. Green lawn surrounded by small shrubs and flowering bushes made it a pleasant spot. A large, black shaggy dog of indeterminate breed galloped to greet them.
“Woof!” His big red tongue lolled out of his mouth in a smile, and his hairy black eyebrows flecked with gray raised enquiringly as he surveyed the newcomers. The dog’s charcoal eyes shone with friendliness.
“This is Boyd,” Jill introduced them. “Boyd, this is Trixie.”
“Mrrow?” Trixie stared up at the dog with wide eyes. He towered over her, then bowed down in front of her, dipping his head in greeting.
Trixie tentatively put out a white furry paw to touch one of his large black ones. Boyd woofed softly, then cantered toward the center of the garden, looking back as if entreating her to play with him.
“Do you want to, Trix?” Maddie asked. “We’ll be here watching in case you need us.”
“Mrrow!” The cat looked down at the turquoise harness strap against her fur, and then back at Maddie.
“I think she’ll be fine.” Jill beamed. “Boyd really seems to like her.”
“Okay.” She wasn’t really worried, Maddie told herself. She and Suzanne would be watching the whole time. “There you go.” Maddie unclipped the harness and slid it off Trixie.
The cat seemed to smile at Maddie before racing off in pursuit of Boyd.
They watched the two animals playing a game of tag – or at least that’s what it seemed like to Maddie. She wasn’t sure what the rules were, though. Trixie and Boyd chased each other in a wide circle, then one of them would turn around and run in the opposite direction, leaving the other to follow.
After a few minutes, Maddie fingered the Tell the Truth spell in her purse. Should she use it on Jill? Did she need to? The thought hadn’t occurred to her when she’d been asking Jill questions inside the café. Some detective she was.
“I guess we should be going soon.” Suzanne looked at her watch, then at the creatures having fun running around in circles.
“Yes – if we want to visit Bob on the way back to Estherville.” Maddie didn’t want to cut short Trixie’s fun, but her friend was right – they needed to leave if they wanted to get back to Brewed from the Bean for the lunch rush – if there was one.
“Bob said he liked dogs.” There was a faraway look in Jill’s eye. “Although he doesn’t have time to care for one right now.”
Maddie and Suzanne exchanged a look.
“Maybe you could visit him and take Boyd with you,” Suzanne suggested.
“Oh, I don’t know.” Jill blushed a pretty pink.
“What have you got to lose?’ Maddie asked gently, knowing she was a total hypocrite. She couldn’t even say hi to Suzanne’s brother without becoming tongue-tied.
“He seems like an interesting guy.” Jill seemed to waver.
“Maybe you could take him some health balls.” There was a twinkle in Suzanne’s eyes.
“Good idea.” Jill brightened. “I might just do that.”
“I really think we should get going, Mads.” Suzanne touched her friend’s arm.
“Come back anytime,” Jill said with a smile. “And make sure you bring Trixie. I think your cat’s made a friend for life with Boyd.”
There was an adoring look on Boyd’s shaggy face as he ran after the Persian.
“We will,” Maddie promised, knowing she’d keep her word, as long as Jill wasn’t the killer. She sincerely hoped not – what would happen to Boyd if his owner was sent to jail? Perhaps she would be able to adopt the large dog – if Trixie was okay with the idea – or maybe Suzanne could.
Maddie shook her head. She was getting ahead of herself. And she hadn’t attempted the Tell the Truth spell. Did that mean she thought Jill was innocent?
“Trixie,” Maddie called. The dog and cat continued to run for a few seconds, then Trixie broke the circle and scampered over to Maddie.
“Mrrow?” Her pink tongue darted out of her mouth and her turquoise eyes sparkled with fun.
“We have to go. We’re visiting someone else and then we have to get back to the coffee truck for the lunch time customers.” Maddie hoped Jill didn’t think she was nuts talking to her cat this way.
Trixie looked disappointed for a second, then seemed to understand. She looked over her shoulder at Boyd, who skidded to a halt behind her.
The feline turned around and raised her head up to the large dog. Boyd tilted his head down, so their noses met.
“Oh, they’re saying goodbye.” Suzanne’s tone was hushed.
“You make sure you bring your cat back for another play date.” A misty smile appeared on Jill’s face. “The coffee will be on me.”
“Definitely,” Maddie replied. As long as you’re not the killer.
CHAPTER 10
They waved goodbye as they left Jill’s café. Maddie had offered to pay for their lattes before they got into the car but Jill had refused her offer, telling her that she might come and visit them one day to try Maddie’s coffee.
“I think Jill’s got a crush on Bob,” Suzanne said as Maddie drove down the street.
“Yes,” Maddie replied. “I wonder if he feels the same.”
“That would be so cute!” Suzanne grinned.
“Mrrow!” Trixie agreed.
Suzanne turned around to face the back seat. “What about you, Trix? Did you like hanging out with Boyd?”
“Mrrow,” Trixie said primly, sitting up straight, as if she wasn’t sure she wanted to talk about it.
“Maybe she wants to keep it to herself for now,” Maddie said, thinking of her own long time crush on Suzanne’s brother.
“Okay.” Suzanne turned around to face the front again. “So, did you have a chance to cast the Tell the Truth spell on Jill? I didn’t see you do anything obvious.”
“No.” Maddie shook her head. “She seems so nice. I don’t want her to be the killer.”
“I know what you mean,” Suzanne agreed. “I hope business picks up for her.”
“Me too,” Maddie replied.
They drove in silence for a few minutes.
“You know what this means, don’t you, Mads?” Suzanne said.
“What?”
“I think you should cast the truth spell on Bob.”
***
Fifteen minutes later they pulled up outside Bob’s coffee shop in a small town called Redbud Glen. The redbud trees lining the main street burst with pink flowers.
Dark wood and the faint strains of soft jazz greeted them as they got out of the car.
“Totally different from Jill’s place,” Suzanne murmured.
A few passersby strolled along the street, lined with small stores, such as a boutique, a hair salon, and a post office.
From the large windows, Maddie could see that the café was half full.
“Maybe he’ll be too busy to talk to us,” she said doubtfully.
“Of course he won’t,” Suzanne chided her. “You’re the competition winner. Why wouldn’t he want to talk to you?”
“Gee, I don’t know.” Maddie cast her a dark look. “Because I’m trying to find out if he co
mmitted a murder?”
“Make sure you cast the Tell the Truth spell,” Suzanne urged. “Then you’ll know if he’s innocent or not.”
“Yes, Mom,” Maddie replied with a wry look at Suzanne.
“Does Trixie want to come inside with us?” Suzanne asked, pretending to ignore Maddie’s glance.
“Do you, Trix?” Maddie asked the feline.
“Mrrow!” Trixie put her paws on the closed car window, as if doing so would make the door magically open for her. For a fleeting second, Maddie expected it to happen – but it didn’t.
“Okay.” Maddie scooped up the cat and put her gently on the pavement. “But you’ll need to keep your harness on.”
The trio walked into the café, Maddie appreciating the rich smell of coffee, chocolate, and baked goods.
“How can I help you?” Bob stood at the counter, wearing a red-checked shirt on his burly frame, and jeans. He smiled in a welcoming manner. Recognition flickered across his face when he realized who they were.
“Maddie. And Suzanne. And Trixie.” He bent down to say hello to the feline.
“We were just passing,” Suzanne said breezily.
“On our way home from visiting Jill,” Maddie added.
“Trixie played with Jill’s dog Boyd in the garden,” Suzanne said.
Bob smiled. “Jill was telling me about her dog at the festival.”
“He’s big,” Maddie informed him. “But he seems good-natured. And Trixie seemed to have fun playing with him.”
“Mrrow.” Trixie tilted her head to one side and looked up at Bob.
So far, the feline’s reaction to the coffee vendor made Maddie wonder if he was innocent.
“I’d love to have a dog,” Bob said, “but I don’t think I’d have time. I’m here all day, so I’d only have the early mornings or evenings to walk him.”
“Jill has a small garden in the back of her shop,” Suzanne put in. “Boyd hangs out there during the day and Jill visits him when she’s between customers.”
“Good thinking.” Bob nodded. “Unfortunately, there’s no garden here.”
“Why don’t you visit Jill one day?” Maddie suggested.
When Bob looked at her, she fumbled on, “So you could meet Boyd, and see how she manages with a dog and running a coffee shop. And you could taste her coffee too,” she added lamely when he still didn’t reply.
What was she trying to do? Become a matchmaker? But Suzanne was right. The thought of Jill and Bob together was cute. Maybe they were meant to be together.
“I might just do that,” he said thoughtfully. “I’ve already tasted her coffee, and now I’m thinking of adding a lighter roast to my menu, to give my customers more variety.”
“We’d love to taste yours,” Suzanne said. “We didn’t get time at the festival.”
“Sure thing.” He smiled at them. “Cappuccino?” His face fell as if he remembered what had happened at the festival. “Or a latte?”
“Latte,” Maddie and Suzanne chorused. “Please,” Maddie added. The thought of a cappuccino right now – she shuddered inwardly. She hadn’t even made herself one at home since Saturday.
They stood at the counter while he set to work with the espresso machine. Luckily, no new customers had entered the shop.
“I can’t believe Dave Dantzler was found dead at the festival,” Suzanne said chattily, over the sound of the hissing and burring of the machine. Bob’s machine was quieter than others, so Suzanne didn’t have to raise her voice much.
“Me neither,” Bob replied with a grimace.
Maddie fingered the Tell the Truth spell in her purse. Should she use it now? Or wait another few minutes?
With a deep breath, she drew out the piece of paper. She’d memorized the words, but surreptitiously scanned her handwriting to ensure she’d remembered them correctly.
A calmness descended as she focused. She could see the words in her mind. Silently, she uttered them, whispering, “Show me,” at the end.
“What was that?” Bob asked, an expression of inquiry on his face.
He must have hearing like a bat!
“Nothing,” Maddie mumbled, her cheeks on fire.
“You have a good atmosphere here.” Suzanne deflected attention away from Maddie.
“Yes,” Maddie forced herself to say. Now she had to ask him some questions about the murder, so she would know if he was innocent – or guilty.
“Thanks.” He smiled, then finished pouring their lattes into glasses. “Here you go.” He peered over the counter. “Would your cat like a bowl of water?”
“Mrrow!” Trixie replied.
“That would be kind of you,” Maddie replied, realizing with a start Trixie might be thirsty after running around the garden with Jill’s dog.
Bob set down a bowl of water for Trixie, out of the way of the foot traffic. There was an empty table nearby.
“Have you got a minute?” Suzanne asked, gesturing to the table. “We’d love to sit and chat with you.”
He looked around the café, but no customers seemed to need attention.
“Why not?” he sank onto one of the dark wooden chairs that matched the table. “It’s not often I get a break.”
“How’s business?” Maddie asked, wondering how long she had after casting the spell. Did it have a time limit? So far, she hadn’t tested how long the spell could work for.
“Pretty good. That’s why I was thinking of expanding. But it wouldn’t make sense setting up a second location too far away. I’d be stretched too thin and have to hire extra staff for this place.” He looked disappointed for a moment. “Maybe I should wait until the perfect opportunity arrives.”
“Do you think you’ve gotten any extra business since the festival?” Suzanne asked, sipping her latte.
Maddie followed her lead. She allowed herself a few seconds to savor the latte – a rich, dark roast that was very enjoyable – then decided to take advantage of the spell. So far, Bob had answered her question with the truth – she knew it deep inside her.
“Not yet,” Bob said ruefully. “But hopefully in the next week or so, after people have had a chance to read our interviews in the paper.”
“Same here,” Maddie said, realizing she hadn’t even thought about the interview she’d given to the newspaper reporter since the murder. When would it appear?
“Have you heard anything about the investigation?” Bob cast her a sideways look. Did that mean he’d heard that the radio personality had been found clutching her coffee cup – or even worse – that it appeared her cappuccino foam had dribbled from his lips?
“No.” Maddie shook her head. “I don’t know if you’ve heard or not—”
“Maddie is totally innocent.” Suzanne set down her latte glass with a small thunk.
“Good to know.” Bob nodded but Maddie wasn’t sure if he believed Suzanne or not. And the Tell the Truth spell wasn’t helping her at the moment – was it because she had to ask the questions to know for sure if he told the truth?
“Jill told us she saw you talking to Dave about thirty minutes before the judge announced the winner of the contest,” Maddie said. Would the spell work now?
“Yes,” Bob said, a little reluctantly. “I did.”
A deep knowing filled Maddie. The spell was working – Bob was telling the truth right now!
“Why was that?” Suzanne asked.
“I wanted to know when my interview would be on his radio show.” He shrugged. “But the guy didn’t seem very interested now he’d finished his work for the day. He seemed more focused on drinking as much coffee as he could get his hands on.”
Maddie and Suzanne exchanged a look.
“Did he ask you for free cappuccinos, too?” Maddie held her breath.
“Yeah,” Bob admitted. “Earlier in the day. And I didn’t like the way he practically demanded them, either. But I didn’t kill him.”
Again, a deep knowing filled Maddie. Bob wasn’t the killer!
“He must hav
e been a total coffee addict.” Suzanne frowned.
“Did you see him talk to anyone else, before … before …” Maddie didn’t know if she could finish the sentence.
Bob did it for her. “Before he died? Yeah. I saw him about five minutes later, after I asked him about my radio interview. He was talking to the judge.”
“So that would be about twenty-five minutes before Maddie was announced the winner,” Suzanne said thoughtfully.
“About that, I guess.” Bob looked at their empty latte glasses. “Can I get you two more coffee?”
“No, thanks.” Maddie regretfully refused. She didn’t want to become like the victim, totally addicted to the stuff. She tried to have no more than three cups per day, and this had been number two.
“I’m good.” Suzanne smiled. “But it was delicious.”
“Thanks.” Bob looked pleased.
Just then, a middle-aged matron walked into the shop and scanned the tables, as if deciding which one to take.
“If you two will excuse me, it looks like I need to get back to work.” Bob scraped his chair back on the wooden floor and hurried over to grab a menu.
All this time, Trixie had been suspiciously quiet. Maddie had been aware of her sitting next to her leg, under the table. Now she poked her head out.
“Mrrow?”
“We’re finished, Trix. Do you want to go home or back to the truck for the lunch rush?”
“Mrrow.” Trixie yawned, her mouth open wide enough for Maddie to see her white teeth, her pink tongue, and all the way down her throat.
“I bet she wants to go home and have a snooze on the sofa.” Suzanne covered her own yawn, albeit a lot smaller than the cat’s. “I wish I could join her.”
“Me too,” Maddie agreed. All this detecting was taking it out of her – or was it the after-effect of using the Tell the Truth spell?
They waved goodbye to Bob and stepped outside, the murmurs of, “Oh, look at the cat,” reaching their ears as Trixie trotted out of the shop, still wearing her harness.
“Well?” Suzanne demanded once they reached the car. “Did he do it?”