by Jinty James
“What about financing it yourself?” Maddie asked in a squeaky voice. If only she could keep him talking, maybe Suzanne and Luke would become worried and look for her.
“I’ve got bad credit from a mistake I made a few years ago,” he gritted. “I tried to get financing after she dumped me, but nobody would lend me the money. So I thought entering this competition would be the solution. I didn’t know she would be one of the judges. Once I won and got a spot in the nationals I could parlay that into finally getting financing for my coffee roasting biz. And since I’d probably win the nationals too, I’d be fending off tons of offers. But she wouldn’t let that happen.” His face changed into a frightening mask.
“I confronted her after round one, demanding to know why she’d marked me so low. She laughed at me.” He paused, as if unable to believe that had happened. “She said there was no way I was going to win the competition. That after I’d treated her like a meal ticket, I deserved to lose.”
Maddie scanned the room, trying to think of a way out of there. But the only exit was the door – the one that Brad had closed when he’d crept in after her.
“I told her that she owed me, but she kept laughing.” His eyes narrowed and his voice hardened. “She shouldn’t have done that.”
Maddie eyed her phone lying on the floor halfway across the room. If she lunged for it, she’d have to pass Brad. There was no way she would be quick enough.
“What happened then?” Maddie asked, not wanting to know the answer. But if she could distract him for a second, she could make a run for it.
“I pushed her into the vat of mocha. And made sure she stayed in there. Then I ran home and changed my shirt because it had a big splash of that disgusting MochLava on it.” He tsked.
Maddie’s gaze strayed to his gray shirt, focusing on the second top button. That button was navy. The other buttons on his shirt were mid-blue. That had been what she’d noticed sub-consciously last Saturday, and again today. Each button, even the navy one, was ringed in gold. At first glance, it was hard to tell that specific button was different. But after she saw Brad again last Saturday after Margot’s death, all the buttons on his shirt had been mid-blue!
“My grandmother gave me this button.” He fingered the navy button on his shirt. “Several years ago, the original one came off and Gram said she’d fix it for me. She found this antique button in her box, and said it nearly matched the others.” He smirked. “The next day I wore this shirt and won a barista competition, so it became my lucky shirt. And whenever I’ve worn it, I’ve either won a competition or placed in the top three.”
“And when you came back for round two last Saturday, you wore a shirt similar to that one,” Maddie breathed. “Except all the buttons were mid-blue – none were navy.”
“Bingo.” He pointed his finger at her, gun-style. “I live near here so it was easy to slip out of a side exit, run like my life depended on it–” he snickered “—and swap shirts at my apartment. This shirt is exactly the same as I bought both of them at the same time – except this one has all the original buttons.”
“And there weren’t any hotel cameras to track you?” Maddie hazarded a guess.
“Nah.” He chuckled. “I’ve been to this hotel before – it hosts a lot of seminars and conventions. It’s got limited security cameras in some of the areas, and I know the side exit I used wasn’t covered. All I had to say to that stupid detective was that I was in the bathroom – nerves.” He smirked. “As if I would have nerves. Coffee is my life. I deserved to win. This wasn’t exactly my first competition, you know.”
“And you’re wearing the same “lucky” shirt again today?” Maddie stared at the shirt. Unfortunately she couldn’t see a tell-tale mocha splash on it.
“Yep. I washed it three times, got that stain out, and decided to wear it today. With Margot out of the way, I didn’t think anyone would stand in my way, and I’d still be able to win the competition.” He scowled. “I didn’t count on you, Ellie, Connor, and that idiot woman who thinks she’s going to get a chain of coffee shops off the ground beating me, even taking into account my lower score from last week.
“It’s a shame that Fred Beldon didn’t bring that vat today.” He glanced casually around the room. “I’ll just have to find another way to kill you.”
Maddie froze.
How to Move an Object.
The words imprinted themselves in her mind. An image of Trixie, her turquoise eyes glowing, flashed before her eyes.
“Maybe I’ll just strangle you.” Brad advanced, his large hands flexing.
Maddie recited the words of the spell with all her might – luckily she’d made herself memorize it.
“With a wave of my hand I bid thee here!” she muttered fiercely.
She gestured to one of the black plastic chairs in the front row, focusing her mind on the chair hitting Brad and knocking him down.
The black chair rose in the air, hovered, and then struck Brad with a glancing blow.
“Arggh!” He fell to the ground.
Maddie stared as the chair dropped on top of Brad, pinning him in place.
Move!
She sprinted to the door, wrenched it open, and raced down the hall, cannoning into Suzanne and Luke.
“Brad – he’s the killer!” She pointed to the room she’d just left, gasping for breath.
“I’ll call the police.” Luke whipped out his phone.
“We need to get security here until the police arrive,” Suzanne said. “Come on!”
Maddie and Suzanne ran down the hall to reception. Maddie cast backward glances toward the hallway, hoping Luke was okay. To her relief, he loped toward them as they explained to the bemused clerk what had just happened, urging her to call security.
“Are you okay, Maddie?” Luke demanded.
Maddie nodded, clutching the edge of the mahogany reception desk for support.
“I pushed some chairs in front of the door so it will take him a while to get out,” Luke said. “And I’ll go back down there to stand guard until security arrives.” He shook his head. “He was babbling about a chair flying through the air and hitting him, and that the chair standing on top of him won’t let him get up. He must be concussed.”
Suzanne looked sideways at Maddie.
Maddie tried to process what Luke had just told her. She didn’t think the spell had included the object pinning a person in place – had she cast it incorrectly, or had Trixie lent her some extra magic?
“Thank goodness you were able to get out of there,” Luke continued.
Two security guards came to the desk, asking about the incident. Luke offered to go with them, telling Maddie and Suzanne he’d be back in a few minutes.
“Let’s sit down.” Suzanne guided Maddie to a vacant sofa near reception.
Maddie sank down into the plush leather, her knees wobbling. Now it was over, everything had seemed to happen quickly and slowly at the same time.
“You cast the How to Move an Object spell,” Suzanne whispered in her ear.
Maddie nodded. “Trixie helped – I’m sure of it.”
“That’s awesome.” Suzanne grinned. “But it’s not awesome you confronted a killer on your own.” She sobered.
Maddie filled in her friend on what had happened, finishing with, “There is no way I would deliberately put myself in danger. I have too much to lose – you, Trixie, my parents, and—” she paused, “—Luke.”
“Good.” Suzanne hugged her. “Because I couldn’t stand to lose you.”
They looked at each other in perfect understanding.
“Okay, ladies.” Detective Rawson appeared in front of them, accompanied by Detective Edgewater, his brow furrowed. “Would you mind telling me what’s going on?”
CHAPTER 12
“AND THEN I DID THE How to Move an Object spell,” Maddie told Trixie.
The two of them sat on the sofa together, Trixie nestled in Maddie’s lap. Suzanne sat next to them, on Maddie’s right.
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br /> “Mrrow.” Trixie sounded pleased.
“Thank you.” Maddie pressed her face in the Persian’s fur.
“Mrrow.” Trixie lifted her head and looked directly at Maddie in complete understanding. No further words were necessary.
After telling Detective Rawson and Detective Edgewater what had happened, watching Brad being marched out of the hotel in handcuffs, and making a formal statement, Luke had driven them back to his house, so Maddie could pick up her car. After kissing her on the forehead and telling her he’d call her tomorrow, he’d waved goodbye to them as they left for Maddie’s mom’s house.
They picked up Trixie, filled in Mrs. Goodwell quickly about the murder, then Maddie drove the three of them back to her house so they could flop on the sofa and fill in Trixie on everything that had happened – if she didn’t know already.
“And the police caught the killer and slapped handcuffs on him,” Suzanne added, stroking Trixie.
“Hopefully there won’t be any more murders,” Maddie said, her tone sincere.
Trixie just looked up at her and blinked. Maddie didn’t want to know what that meant.
“It’s great that you came second,” Suzanne said. “Did you see the certificate she won, Trix?”
“Mrrow.” Trixie patted Maddie’s knee with her paw.
“Yes, I’ve shown it to her.” Maddie smiled.
“Do you want to enter any more barista competitions?” Suzanne asked. “You know I’ll be there for you if you do.”
“I know. But after today ...” Maddie shook her head. “I’m perfectly happy just making coffee for our customers.”
“I still think we should frame your certificate and hang it in the truck where all our customers can see it,” Suzanne declared.
“Mrrow!”
“It looks like it’s two against one.” Maddie laughed. “Okay.” She didn’t think a piece of paper stating she’d come second would entice any new customers to try her coffee – but who knew?
“It’s definitely one thing Claudine doesn’t have in her coffee shop!” Suzanne’s ponytail bounced as she giggled. “Now all we have to do is wait until the full moon next month and find out which new spell will be revealed to you.”
THE FOLLOWING TUESDAY, just after the early morning rush had abated, two new customers stood at the serving window. Ellie and Connor.
“Hi,” Ellie said shyly.
“Cool truck.” Connor grinned.
“Hey, you two.” Suzanne stuck her head out of the window. “It’s great to see you. What are you doing here?”
“Mrrow?” Trixie looked up from washing her paw, tilting her head as she looked at the newcomers.
“Hi.” Maddie hopped off her stool and came to the window.
“Ohhh, your cat is gorgeous,” Ellie murmured.
“Mrrow.” Trixie sat up straight and gazed at Ellie in fascination.
“This is Trixie.” Maddie introduced them.
Connor smiled at the Persian.
“Congratulations again for Saturday,” Maddie told Ellie.
“Thanks.” Ellie touched her earring, which Maddie noted was a bluebird with accents of silver.
“We’ve got some exciting news.” Connor wrapped his arm around Ellie. “Diana Swift offered us both jobs!”
“You didn’t get a job offer from Fred Beldon?” Suzanne asked curiously.
“No, why would I?” Ellie crinkled her brow. “I couldn’t work in a factory making that awful mocha beverage.” She shuddered.
“Yep, it was pretty terrible.” Suzanne laughed.
“Our new jobs are thanks to you, Suzanne,” Connor continued. “Because of what you said on Saturday about how cool it would be if Diana offered both of us jobs. So after the competition, Diana told Ellie she needed an answer in the next few days, and Ellie—” he looked at her proudly “—asked if the position could be split in two. And Diana agreed.”
“I’ll be creating the speciality drinks and be in charge of the roasting and sourcing,” Ellie spoke up. “And Connor will head up training and development.”
“Although the salary each will be less than she quoted Ellie in the beginning because now there are two of us doing what was supposed to be one job, the pay and benefits are a bit better than what we’re getting now.”
“And I’ll get to do everything I love about being a barista.” Ellie’s eyes sparkled.
“I enjoy training the new baristas where I’m currently working,” Connor said. “So it’s a win for both of us.”
Maddie and Suzanne congratulated them again, Trixie adding a happy “Mrrow.”
“I’d love to try your mocha, Maddie,” Ellie said in a soft voice.
“Me too,” Connor added. “I was only one point behind you after the final round.”
“Sure.” Maddie smiled at them, hoping they wouldn’t be disappointed. She was thrilled Diana’s job offer had worked out for both of them. Maybe it was time for her and Suzanne to start working on a business plan if they were serious about expanding one day.
The espresso machine hissed and burred as Maddie set to work. After she poured the regular mochas, she placed them on the serving hatch.
“On the house,” she said as Connor dug into his jeans pocket for his wallet.
“Are you sure?” Ellie asked.
“Definitely.” Suzanne’s ponytail bounced.
Maddie, Suzanne, and Trixie watched as Ellie and Connor took their first sips.
A smile stole across Ellie’s face and she turned to Connor.
A matching smile creased his expression.
“You have a gift, Maddie,” Ellie said softly.
“Thank you,” Maddie replied.
“Yeah.” Connor took another sip. “This totally rocks.”
“Thanks,” Maddie said again, pleased that these two skilled baristas enjoyed her coffee.
“Maybe one day you’ll have a whole fleet of coffee trucks.” Ellie smiled.
“Maybe,” Maddie echoed, wondering if she would ever be ready for that.
“Perhaps we can send our baristas to you for training, Connor.” Suzanne giggled.
“Just let me know.” Connor grinned.
The four of them laughed, Trixie adding a happy “Mrrow,”.
Maddie couldn’t help thinking that right now, life was just about perfect.
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED reading this mystery. Sign up to my newsletter at www.JintyJames.com and be among the first to discover when the next book in this series is published!
Have you read:
Spells and Spiced Latte - A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery - Maddie Goodwell 1
Visions and Vanilla Cappuccino - A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery - Maddie Goodwell 2
Enchantments and Espresso - A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery – Maddie Goodwell 4
Familiars and French Roast - A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery – Maddie Goodwell 5
Cacao Orange Health Ball recipe on the next page in US and Metric measurements!
CACAO ORANGE HEALTH BALLS (US MEASUREMENTS)
12 fresh Medjool dates, pitted
6 Tablespoons almond meal
Zest of one large orange
2 Tablespoons cacao powder
4 Tablespoons maple syrup
Shredded or desiccated coconut (optional)
Place all ingredients except coconut in a food processor. Whiz until well combined and the mixture comes together – it should be like a thick paste.
Roll into small balls, then roll into the coconut if desired.
Refrigerate for one – two hours to set.
Best eaten day made.
Note 1: If you don’t have cacao powder, you can use cocoa instead. The flavor might be a little different, but the balls should still be delicious!
Note 2: No matter how much you process the mixture, you might still have some harder bits of date in it that seem a little “stalky” in your mouth. That was Suzanne’s experience, anyway!
CACAO ORANGE HEALTH BALLS (METRIC MEASUREMENTS)
12 fresh Medjool dates, pitted
66g almond meal
Zest of one large orange
30mls cacao powder
60mls maple syrup
Shredded or desiccated coconut (optional)
Place all ingredients except coconut in a food processor. Whiz until well combined and the mixture comes together – it should be like a thick paste.
Roll into small balls, then roll into the coconut if desired.
Refrigerate for one – two hours to set.
Best eaten day made.
Note 1: If you don’t have cacao powder, you can use cocoa instead. The flavor might be a little different, but the balls should still be delicious!
Note 2: No matter how much you process the mixture, you might still have some harder bits of date in it that seem a little “stalky” in your mouth. That was Suzanne’s experience, anyway!
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