Brownies, Bodies & Bad Guys
Page 10
She was just about to turn away and join Nans and Ruth when Jack turned and saw her.
“Lexy. Thank God you’re okay!” Jack shoved Simone toward the police car and that’s when Lexy noticed he didn’t have his arm around here—he was handcuffing her!
Her stomach flip-flopped as she watched him cram Simone in the back seat, bonking her head on the roof in his haste. Then he turned and jogged over to Lexy. Her heart melted as he took her in his arms.
“I was so worried about you when Brax told me he got Nans’s email.”
“You were? But what about Simone?” Lexy looked back at the police car uncertainly. “I thought she was an old friend.”
“Simone? She was. Sort of. But that’s not why she was here in town.”
“No?”
“She’s with organized crime. She’s behind Nunzio’s death.” Jack pushed a lock of hair behind Lexy’s ear.
“But she was his granddaughter!” Lexy felt her heart constrict for Nunzio.
“Yeah, she’s not a very nice person.”
“But she was at your house … and …”
Jack put his finger on Lexy’s lips. “Shhh. That was all surveillance work. I was trying to get vital information from her.”
“You were?” Lexy wrinkled her brow. “But it looked like ...”
“I know.” Jack pulled her in even closer. “I wanted to tell you that I was only hanging around with her to find out what she was up to and to feed her false information, but I didn’t want to jeopardize the case.”
Lexy looked into his honey brown eyes and her heart melted. “Really?”
“Of course,” Jack said, “You know you’re the only one for me.”
And before Lexy could answer, he lowered his lips to hers causing her to forget all about Simone, organized crime, and applesauce.
Epilogue
“So, Gina finally found the new will,” Nans said, as she bit into a white frosted chocolate brownie.
“Yep.” Ruth nodded. “She mentioned that Nunzio had given her an engraved silver box the night before he was killed, but the box was locked and she couldn’t get it open.”
“And the key from the locket fit?” Lexy wiped the crumbs from the table and brought a fresh pot of coffee over.
“Yep, I brought the key over and we popped it in, and the will was inside.” Ruth smiled at the memory. “It gave her a share of Nunzio’s millions that was equal to her brothers. She was very happy.”
“No doubt.” Lexy pulled out a chair and sat at the table. Glancing out the front window she marveled at how refreshing the waterfall looked and how bright the day was. Especially in contrast with being locked up in the applesauce factory.
“What about the grandson that was pretending to be Nunzio’s brother—he couldn’t have been very happy to see the new will surface,” Ida said.
“Oh, he wasn’t,” Ruth answered. “Started yelling about how it wasn’t fair. Gina was very upset. I didn’t have the heart to tell her what he’d been up to.”
“And I suppose he won’t be prosecuted for anything. I guess he really didn’t commit much of a crime. So we’ll really never know if he was the second person that searched Nunzio’s condo,” Ida added.
“It’s too bad the granddaughter turned on Nunzio like that,” Helen said.
“Yes, thankfully Jack got the evidence to put her behind bars for a long time, right Lexy?”
Lexy blushed at Nans’s words. She felt bad that she had thought Jack was fooling around when the whole time he was digging up evidence on Simone. He’d known she was a crook all along.
“Yeah. She thought she was playing cute and using him for information, when it was really the other way around!” Lexy laughed, the glitter from her engagement ring catching her eye and making her heart swell.
“But she really wasn’t the mastermind. Just another hired henchman,” Ida said over the rim of her coffee cup.
Ruth nodded. “The other retired mob bosses hired her to silence Nunzio and get the list. Then she hired Louie and Sal.”
Nans snorted. “Louie and Sal weren’t all that bad. I’ll never forget the looks on their faces when they went down in the puddle of applesauce.”
Everyone at the table laughed.
“Yeah, I felt kind of bad they took them to jail. They were nice enough to put my groceries away after they knocked me out,” Ruth said. “Then again, they were the ones that actually killed Nunzio, so maybe we don’t want them loose on the streets.”
“Did anyone ever find the list?” Helen asked.
“It hasn’t surfaced yet,” Jack said as he joined them at the table. “But we’re still looking for it. A list like that could be very valuable to us.”
“And to the retired mobsters. Which explains how Nunzio got those big deposits of money the past few years,” Helen said.
Jack’s eyebrows mashed together. “How did you find out about that?”
Helen just winked at him and took a sip of her coffee.
“Yep. Nunzio just went down the list, blackmailing each mob boss one after the other. It was a great plan, really. I mean it’s not like the other mob bosses were going to tell the police on him,” Nans said.
“Yeah, a good plan, except it got him killed.” Ruth rolled her eyes.
“Now, I’m sure I don’t need to tell you ladies that you played a very dangerous game with this one.” Jack looked pointedly at Nans.
“Well, we did get our man and managed to escape relatively unscathed,” Ruth said.
“Yeah, but next time you might not be so lucky.” Jack aimed his gaze at Lexy and her stomach flip-flopped. “I know you like to investigate and we appreciate the help, but I’m a little upset you put yourselves in danger by going to the applesauce factory. That wasn’t very smart.”
Lexy felt her cheeks grow warm and looked down at the table.
“I hope you won’t do anything that dangerous in the future.” Jack picked up Lexy’s hand, looking at her shiny engagement ring. “I need my bride-to-be in one piece for the wedding.”
Nans smiled. “Oh don’t worry dear. We’ve had enough investigating for quite some time. Haven’t we girls?”
Ruth, Ida and Helen all nodded.
“In fact, we’re planning a nice vacation in the mountains. Rustic cabins, a big lake, fine dining and all the activities we could want.”
“That sounds nice,” Jack said. “Maybe you can scout out honeymoon places for us.” Jack looked at Lexy and raised his eyebrows causing giggles from everyone at the table including Lexy.
“We may at that.” Nans smiled at Jack. “I’m planning for it to be a peaceful vacation far away from things like blackmail and murder. After all, what could possibly happen at a rustic retreat in the woods?”
The End.
Lexy's Brownie Recipe
This recipe includes two of Lexy’s secret ingredients - Kahlua and coffee. It’s rich and fudgy, just the way Louie and Sal like them.
Ingredients:
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate 1/2 pound butter, unsalted 2 tablespoons instant coffee 2 cups sugar
1/4 cup Kahlua
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 5 eggs
1 cup all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350F.
Melt butter, chocolate and instant coffee on low heat. Whisk until smooth. Remove from heat and let cool until it is luke warm.
Whisk in sugar, Kahlua and vanilla.
Add eggs, one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each egg.
Whisk the flour and salt together, then add to the chocolate mixture.
Spread batter in a 13 x 9 inch pan and bake for about 35 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
A Note From The Author
Thanks so much for reading my cozy mystery “Brownies, Bodies and Bad Guys”. I hope you liked reading it as much as I loved writing it. If you did, and feel inclined to leave a review over at Amazon, I really would appreciate it
.
This is book five of the Lexy Baker series, you can find the rest of the books on my website, or over at Amazon if you want to read more of Lexy’s and Nans’s adventures.
Also, if you like cozy mysteries, you might like my book “Dead Wrong” which is book one in the Blackmoore Sisters series. Set in the seaside town of Noquitt Maine, the Blackmoore sisters will take you on a journey of secrets, romance and maybe even a little magic. I have an excerpt from it at the end of this book.
This book has been through many edits with several people and even some software programs, but since nothing is infallible (even the software programs) you might catch a spelling error or mistake and, if you do, I sure would appreciate it if you let me know - you can contact me at lee@leighanndobbs.com.
Oh, and I love to connect with my readers so please do visit me on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/leighanndobbsbooks or at my website http://www.leighanndobbs.com.
Are you signed up to get notifications of my latest releases and special contests? Go to: http://www.leighanndobbs.com/newsletter and enter your email address to signup - I promise never to share it and I only send emails every couple of weeks so I won’t fill up your inbox.
About The Author
Leighann Dobbs lives in New Hampshire with her husband, their trusty Chihuahua mix Mojo and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty. She likes to write romance and cozy mystery novelettes perfect for the busy person on the go. These stories are great for someone who doesn't have a lot of time for reading a full novel. Why not pick one up and escape to another time and place the next time you are waiting for an appointment, enjoying a bath or waiting to pick up the kids at soccer?
Find out about her latest books and how to get her next book for free by signing up at:
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More Books By This Author:
Lexy Baker
Cozy Mystery Series
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Killer Cupcakes
Dying For Danish
Murder, Money and Marzipan
3 Bodies and a Biscotti
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Blackmoore Sisters
Cozy Mystery Series
*
Dead Wrong
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Contemporary
Romance
*
Sweet Escapes
Reluctant Romance
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Dobbs “Fancytales”
Regency Romance Fairytales Series
*
Something In Red
Snow White and the Seven Rogues
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Excerpt From Dead Wrong:
Morgan Blackmoore tapped her finger lightly on the counter, her mind barely registering the low buzz of voices behind her in the crowded coffee shop as she mentally prioritized the tasks that awaited her back at her own store.
“Here you go, one yerba mate tea and a vanilla latte.” Felicity rang up the purchase, as Morgan dug in the front pocket of her faded denim jeans for some cash which she traded for the two paper cups.
Inhaling the spicy aroma of the tea, she turned to leave, her long, silky black hair swinging behind her. Elbowing her way through the crowd, she headed toward the door. At this time of morning, the coffee shop was filled with locals and Morgan knew almost all of them well enough to exchange a quick greeting or nod.
Suddenly a short, stout figure appeared, blocking her path. Morgan let out a sharp breath, recognizing the figure as Prudence Littlefield.
Prudence had a long running feud with the Blackmoore’s which dated back to some sort of run-in she’d had with Morgan’s grandmother when they were young girls. As a result, Prudence loved to harass and berate the Blackmoore girls in public. Morgan’s eyes darted around the room, looking for an escape route.
“Just who do you think you are?” Prudence demanded, her hands fisted on her hips, legs spaced shoulder width apart. Morgan noticed she was wearing her usual knee high rubber boots and an orange sunflower scarf.
Morgan’s brow furrowed over her ice blue eyes as she stared at the older woman’s prune like face.
“Excuse me?”
“Don’t you play dumb with me Morgan Blackmoore. What kind of concoction did you give my Ed? He’s been acting plumb crazy.”
Morgan thought back over the previous week’s customers. Ed Littlefield had come into her herbal remedies shop, but she’d be damned if she’d announce to the whole town what he was after.
She narrowed her eyes at Prudence. “That’s between me and Ed.”
Prudence’s cheeks turned crimson. Her nostrils flared. “You know what I think,” she said narrowing her eyes and leaning in toward Morgan, “I think you’re a witch, just like your great-great-great-grandmother!”
Morgan felt an angry heat course through her veins. There was nothing she hated more than being called a witch. She was a Doctor of Pharmacology with a Master Herbalist’s license, not some sort of spell-casting conjurer.
The coffee shop had grown silent. Morgan could feel the crowd staring at her. She leaned forward, looking wrinkled old Prudence Littlefield straight in the eye.
“Well now, I think we know that’s not true,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, “Because if I was a witch, I’d have turned you into a newt long ago.”
Then she pushed her way past the old crone and fled out the coffee shop door.
###
Fiona Blackmoore stared at the amethyst crystal in front of her wondering how to work it into a pendant. On most days, she could easily figure out exactly how to cut and position the stone, but right now her brain was in a pre-caffeine fog.
Where was Morgan with her latte?
She sighed, looking at her watch. It was ten past eight, Morgan should be here by now, she thought impatiently.
Fiona looked around the small shop, Sticks and Stones, she shared with her sister. An old cottage that had been in the family for generations, it sat at one of the highest points in their town of Noquitt, Maine.
Turning in her chair, she looked out the back window. In between the tree trunks that made up a small patch of woods, she had a bird’s eye view of the sparkling, sapphire blue Atlantic Ocean in the distance.
The cottage sat about 500 feet inland at the top of a high cliff that plunged into the Atlantic. If the woods were cleared, like the developers wanted, the view would be even better. But Fiona would have none of that, no matter how much the developers offered them, or how much they needed the money. She and her sisters would never sell the cottage.
She turned away from the window and surveyed the inside of the shop. One side was setup as an apothecary of sorts. Antique slotted shelves loaded with various herbs lined the walls. Dried weeds hung from the rafters and several mortar and pestles stood on the counter, ready for whatever herbal concoctions her sister was hired to make.
On her side sat a variety of gemologist tools and a large assortment of crystals. Three antique oak and glass jewelry cases displayed her creations. Fiona smiled as she looked at them. Since childhood she had been fascinated with rocks and gems so it was no surprise to anyone when she grew up to become a gemologist and jewelry designer, creating jewelry not only for its beauty, but also for its healing properties.
The two sisters vocations suited each other perfectly and they often worked together providing customers with crystal and herbal healing for whatever ailed them.
The jangling of the bell over the door brought her attention to the front of the shop. She breathed a sigh of relief when Morgan burst through the door, her cheeks flushed, holding two steaming paper cups.
“What’s the matter?” Fiona held her hand out, accepting the drink gratefully. Peeling back the plastic tab, she inhaled the sweet vanilla scent of the latte.
“I just had a run in with Prudence Littlefield!” Morgan’s eyes flashed with anger.
“Oh? I saw her walking down Shore road this morning wearing that god-awful orange sunflower scarf. What was the run-in about this time?” Fiona took the first sip of her latte, closing her eyes and waiting for the caffeine to power her blood stream. She’d had her own run-ins with Pru Littlefield and had learned to take them in stride.
“She was upset about an herbal mix I made for Ed. She called me a witch!"
“What did you make for him?”
“Just some Ginkgo, Ginseng and Horny Goat Weed … although the latter he said was for Prudence.”
Fiona’s eyes grew wide. “Aren’t those herbs for impotence?”
Morgan shrugged “Well, that’s what he wanted.”
“No wonder Prudence was mad…although you’d think just being married to her would have caused the impotence.”
Morgan burst out laughing. “No kidding. I had to question his sanity when he asked me for it. I thought maybe he had a girlfriend on the side.”
Fiona shook her head trying to clear the unwanted images of Ed and Prudence Littlefield together.
“Well, I wouldn’t let it ruin my day. You know how she is.”
Morgan put her tea on the counter, then turned to her apothecary shelf and picked several herbs out of the slots. “I know, but she always seems to know how to push my buttons. Especially when she calls me a witch.”
Fiona grimaced. “Right, well I wish we were witches. Then we could just conjure up some money and not be scrambling to pay the taxes on this shop and the house.”
Morgan sat in a tall chair behind the counter and proceeded to measure dried herbs into a mortar.
“I know. I saw Eli Stark in town yesterday and he was pestering me about selling the shop again.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I told him we’d sell over our dead bodies.” Morgan picked up a pestle and started grinding away at the herbs.