by Lyndsey Cole
Annie couldn’t help herself. “So, have you decided who the murderer is?”
“Yup, but I’m not revealing anything until I figure out the how.”
12
Jason tapped Annie’s shoulder and whispered that he’d see her later, just before Connie, Sarah, and Robin left the café. Alex caught her eye and patted the stool next to him, inviting Annie to sit down for a minute.
“Nice place you have here.” His comment contained admiration.
“This café belongs to Leona but she twisted my arm to run it for her when she needed more time for the Blackbird Bed and Breakfast. Well, along with my mom and Greta.” Annie nodded toward each woman giving them their due recognition. “And, some days, they pull more of the weight around here than I do with all the distractions.”
“Regardless, it’s a jewel. My bad luck yesterday turned into good fortune today. As you can see,” he pointed to the pastry in front of him, “I begged shamelessly for a second pastry and Greta took pity on me.” He lowered his nose to the pastry and inhaled deeply. “The sweet surprise inside has turned my mouth into a watery pit, drooling for more.”
Annie couldn’t help but chuckle at Alex’s description. She leaned closer. “You’ve been keeping that stool warm for a long time. Is the ambiance that mesmerizing?”
“I’ve been patiently waiting for a word with you. I thought Connie and her entourage would never leave.”
That comment startled Annie. “Why me? Did you hear something interesting last night after I left?”
He slid a big chunk of the pastry into his mouth. An eyebrow twitch and a slight nod told Annie he had something to tell her but she had to be patient while he enjoyed this treat.
After a satisfied sigh he set his fork on the plate. “I’m starting to think that you and that friendly husband of yours make quite the tag team.”
“What—”
“Don’t worry. My comment is completely complimentary. Jason wasn’t quite as blunt as you are, but I had the distinct impression that he was trying to figure out who the heck I am and what I might know.” Alex managed another bite while he let Annie figure out her response.
It didn’t take her long. “So, what is your story?” This conversation had taken a decidedly strange turn.
He savored his pastry. “I’d rather not get into it here.” He turned to look at Annie. “Could we get together when you’re done working?”
“Answer me this—was it an accident that you ended up at the Blackbird Bed and Breakfast last night?” Annie stared at Alex. She didn’t know why the answer to that question was important, but if it was his planned destination all along she wanted to know why. And it would ratchet him up higher on the suspect list.
He met her gaze and gave a slight shake of his head. “Not exactly. Where shall we meet?”
Before Annie gave him directions to Cobblestone Cottage, she sent Jason a text to see if he thought it was a good idea to invite Alex to their house. He replied quickly, saying yes, invite him for dinner.
Annie looked up from her phone.
“Did Jason agree?” The edges of his eyes crinkled with amusement. “I told you that you two make a good team.”
His comment completely unnerved Annie. “He did.” She gave Alex directions to their house. “Come around five so we can talk before dinner.”
“Dinner is even part of the plan? How lucky am I?”
“Well, if Jason is cooking you might not want to bring too big of an appetite. He’s a vegetarian but he does make a killer salad. He has also been known to fill the house with smoke while trying to cook much of anything in the oven.”
“Unfortunately, as a man I can relate to that, at least the burning food part. How about this? I’ll stop somewhere and bring dinner. It’s the least I can do after your kind invitation. Is there a pizza place in town?”
“You can get pizza to go from Fitzwilly’s Tavern. That will go well with Jason’s salad.” Annie slid off the stool. “I’ll bring dessert.”
With that, Alex’s eyes brightened. “More of these apple pastries?”
“No. I think they’re gone, but don’t worry, all of the desserts from the Black Cat Café are mouthwateringly delicious.”
Alex used his fork to scrape up the last bits of caramel off the plate before he wiped his mouth and slid off the stool. He straightened slowly, a condition from sitting for so long Annie decided.
“If you’re heading back to the Blackbird now, be sure to tell Leona that the apple pastries were a huge hit. She’ll need to hear something positive to get through another long day and night with the guests and no workshop activity to distract them.”
“Leona doesn’t have to entertain anyone. She’s running a bed and breakfast, not a babysitting motel.”
“But she only opened on the first of the year and this pastry workshop was her first event. She had high hopes for positive feedback to bring in more business. And now, with a murder right in one of the rooms,” Annie shook her head, “it’s going to be hard to bounce back from that headline.”
“Certainly not her fault. People have short memories.” Alex shrugged into his thick parka. “Pizza for three?”
Annie laughed. “You never know who might show up so bring extra.”
After Alex left the café, there were only a few stragglers remaining. The rush was over.
“Who was that?” Mia asked when Annie carried a stack of dirty dishes to the sink.
“Alex—he was at the Blackbird last night.”
“One of the workshop attendees?”
“Not exactly. He said his car got stranded and he hiked to the Blackbird. During the storm. That part is true, but he indicated that it wasn’t an accident to end up on the Blackbird’s doorstep. He’s bringing pizza over for dinner tonight and he said he’ll share his story.” She stacked the dishes in the dishwasher and turned it on.
“What kind of story?”
Annie shrugged. “I have no idea but I suspect it could have something to do with Chef Marcel and the workshop. Why else would he be heading to the Blackbird during a storm without a reservation? Something is strange about Alex’s reason for being in town.”
“You’re making a lot of assumptions about this guy. If you’re right, he could be dangerous. Did you think of that?” Mia asked.
“Jason sat with him here earlier and they talked. It was his suggestion to invite Alex over for dinner. It’s not like I’m meeting him in a dark, isolated spot. Why don’t you join us, too, if that will keep you from worrying.”
Mia grinned. “I was afraid you’d never ask. I’ll bring something for dessert.”
“Perfect, that gets me off the hook. Now all I need to do is pack up some cookies for Thelma.” Annie untied her apron. “You and Greta are all set? Tomorrow is Sunday. I’m looking forward to the later brunch opening time.”
Mia looked at Greta. “Anything else before Annie leaves?”
“Nope. I’m planning to make more of the pastry-wrapped apples. They were a huge hit. The breakfast croissants along with our normal assortment of muffins, scones, and sweet breads should satisfy anyone who stops by.” Greta put two pans of muffins on a cooling rack. “Oh, I almost forgot. When Detective Crank and Police Chief Johnson were waiting at the cash register, I heard them talking about the guy who was found dead in his car. They were whispering, but I’m positive I heard them mention that they are looking into it being a poisoning.”
“Well, that’s more details than what Connie told me. She overheard the police talking last night that both the deaths could be linked. Phil was on his way to the workshop at the Blackbird so there is that connection, but what else could there be?” Annie twisted her scarf around her neck. “I hope Alex has some answers tonight.”
“You should ask Camilla to come, too,” Mia suggested. “Men seem to throw caution to the wind when she’s around and turns on her charm.”
“Her flirting, you mean?” Annie laughed. “That’s a great idea. I’ll stop by her jewelry
shop before I drive home. Maybe Leona can slip away, too. I’m sure she’d like to come if Danny is okay taking over for an hour or two.”
“I’ll swing by the Blackbird and give her a head’s up. What’s on the menu, anyway?” Mia placed an apple crumb cake in a box.
“Alex is bringing pizza. I told him not to be surprised if there were a few extra people besides me and Jason. Is that what you’re bringing for dessert?”
Mia nodded.
“Perfect. I have vanilla ice cream to go with it. I love it when a plan falls into place. See you later.” Annie zipped her coat and headed into the February cold.
A brisk walk from the Black Cat Café to the Velvet Box to see Camilla stretched Annie’s legs and cleared out the stale air in her lungs. Each breath out created a frosty puff around her face. Cars swooshed by spraying slush to the side of the road which kept her close to the buildings so as not to get splattered.
Annie pulled the door of the Velvet Box open. The bell tinkled a friendly greeting. Camilla, Annie’s friend, looked up. As Camilla looked beyond the shoulder of her customer, the light bounced off her eyes matching the green streak through her blonde hair.
A slight pink crept into Camilla’s cheeks. That was odd, thought Annie, until the customer turned around. Tyler’s face also held a healthy glow of pink and his earlier comment about a new friend fell into place. More like a crash, actually.
“Time for me to get back to work,” Tyler said to break the awkward silence. The bell tinkled and the door silently closed behind him.
“You and Tyler?” Annie heard the shock in her own voice and immediately regretted how it must sound.
A flash of something—annoyance or possibly anger—passed over Camilla’s face. “It’s about time you found out. Tyler has been slinking around like a naughty boy.” Camilla’s hands moved around with her words. “I told him he was being ridiculous. At least now maybe he’ll accept that you’ve moved on and he can, too.”
“Of course. I mean, he’s a great guy.” It was Annie’s turn to feel heat travel into her cheeks. “I suppose it surprised me because there was no need to hide your relationship with Tyler.”
“That’s exactly what I told him.” Camilla ran her fingers through her hair and walked around the counter to stand next to Annie. “It’s not a problem for you, is it?”
Annie hugged her friend. “I hope you know me better than that. I’m happy for you. For both of you. It’s time Tyler moves on, and,” she laughed, “you’ll probably be the best thing to happen to him.”
“You mean it?” Camilla’s eyes opened into wide spheres.
“Oh yes. You are the perfect person to bring fun and laughter into his life, which is a stark contrast from working on all the police cases in Catfish Cove. By the way, I love your new hair color.”
“Tyler loves it, too.” She swung her head, making the ends of her blonde hair graze her shoulders. “I thought he might be shocked by the green streak but he said he loves how it matches my eyes. Well, my colored contacts.”
“So, what were you two lovebirds talking about when I came in?” Annie wiggled her eyebrows.
“Um, I guess this will be the awkward part for me.”
“Why is that? Did Tyler ask you to spy on me or something?” Annie laughed.
Camilla frowned.
“You’re kidding. Listen, Camilla. I value your friendship, but somehow you need to figure out where to draw the boundaries.” Annie’s jaw clenched.
“It works both ways, Annie. You can’t expect me to tell you something Tyler shares with me in confidence.”
Annie waved her hand dismissively. “That’s a given. So, listen, I stopped by to see if you want to come over for pizza tonight at my place.”
Camilla’s eyes lit up. “Really? I’d love to. Tyler said that with these murders he’d be busy until he doesn’t know when.”
“Murders? With an s?”
“Oh dear. This is going to be so much harder than I imagined. You always find out stuff anyway, but please don’t tell him you heard that from me. Okay?”
Annie’s hand rested on Camilla’s arm. “Don’t worry.” This rumor was already in circulation so it wasn’t exactly a secret, but now she had confirmation right from the police chief’s mouth.
She left the Velvet Box wondering what else, if anything, Camilla knew about the two murders. This blossoming relationship between Tyler and Camilla presented something new for Annie to think about on many levels as she made her way back down Main Street.
Annie couldn’t keep herself from wondering if Camilla and Tyler made a good match. On the one hand, Camilla’s energy and enthusiasm for life couldn’t be anything but a positive in a relationship. But, on the other hand, if Camilla got bored with Tyler’s, not so much dull, but reserved personality, it would break his heart if she left him.
Oh dear. Annie was surprised that she still carried this responsibility for Tyler’s feelings but she’d known him for too long to not care. And, since she broke his heart when she ran off during their engagement, she didn’t want Tyler to suffer a second time.
Would this development add an awkward, at best, layer in her relationship with Camilla? Annie shook her head and decided she would treat Camilla exactly the same as always and if Camilla felt uncomfortable, it would be up to her to adjust.
Annie smiled and a bit of the heaviness weighing her down lifted. One problem solved in the short time it took to walk to her car. If only every problem was that easy to solve, she wouldn’t have butterflies in her stomach wondering what information Alex was going to share tonight.
13
Roxy danced around Annie’s legs as soon as she got home. The fireplace logs crackled with an irresistible invitation to snuggle on the couch with her and the two cats.
Smokey lifted his head and flicked the end of his tail but Snowball only tucked her nose deeper into the warmth of her own fur. Oh, to be a cat on a cold wintry afternoon with a toasty spot for a nap, Annie thought.
Unfortunately, Roxy had other plans and it didn’t include letting Annie relax with the cats in front of the fire. She whined and looked toward the porch door.
“I did take her out not too long ago,” Jason said as he walked out of his office.
Annie held up a box of cookies. “I do need to visit Thelma and deliver this.”
Roxy barked when Annie mentioned her elderly neighbor’s name.
“That’s what’s on your agenda, too?” Annie asked Roxy. “Probably because you know she always has a yummy dog treat for you.”
“Don’t be long. When is our dinner guest arriving?”
“I told him five and he’s bringing pizza so all you need to make is a salad.” Annie didn’t miss the relieved expression on Jason’s face. She laughed. “I guess that plan sounds good?”
“Uh-huh. Salads are my specialty. No chance of burning anything,” he joked.
“And I might have invited some others, too.”
Roxy scratched at the door impatiently.
“Let me guess—Mia, Camilla, and Leona?”
“Well, Mia and Camilla for sure. I’m not sure if Leona can get away.” Annie reached for the doorknob. “Oh, and did you know that Tyler and Camilla are an item?”
Jason’s mouth dropped open. “Really? I don’t know why I’m surprised except that we didn’t hear anything before now. Camilla isn’t the best at keeping secrets. She’d be great for Tyler.”
“I think so too, but I’m afraid my relationship with Camilla could become awkward at times. She already let it slip that Tyler’s working on two murders and will be busy.”
“Two?”
“Chef Marcel and the workshop no-show, Phil, who was found dead in his car. It wasn’t the first I heard of it but this confirms the rumor.” She pulled the door open and Roxy darted out and streaked to the Lake Trail. “I won’t be long,” she hollered over her shoulder as she left to catch up with Roxy.
Roxy made a beeline along the Lake Trail straight to the path tha
t led to Thelma’s house. Annie could just make out Thelma’s profile in the fading light. She waved.
Annie opened the kitchen door and Roxy zoomed through as soon as the opening cracked far enough for her trim body to squeeze inside. Annie followed. She left her snowy boots on the mat and hung her coat on a hook. “Hello, Thelma.”
“I’m so happy you stopped by, Annie. You and my favorite four-legged friend. Here you go, Roxy,” Thelma’s voice rang out from the next room.
Even before Annie entered the living room she could imagine the scene. She chuckled to herself. She knew exactly what Thelma and Roxy were up to. As she entered Thelma’s warm living room, the familiar scene that met her eyes was exactly as she expected. Thelma sat in her comfy chair with a view of Heron Lake. An afghan and her big Maine coon cat, Moby, were draped over her legs. Roxy lay on the rug in front of Thelma, enjoying a dog treat.
“I brought you a surprise.” Annie set the box on the table next to Thelma’s chair.
“You brought me three surprises—you, Roxy, and whatever deliciousness is in that box.” Thelma smiled.
“Shall I make you some tea?”
“That would be wonderful. And tell me the latest news, too.”
Annie turned on the tea kettle. The latest news was murder, but did Thelma want to hear about that?
“My son already told me what happened at Leona’s Blackbird Bed and Breakfast. Do you have more details?” Well, that answered Annie’s question.
“Not really.” She poured hot water over Thelma’s herbal teabag and returned to the living room. “Here you go.” She set the cup next to the Black Cat Café box.
“I can’t wait another second to see what’s in here.” Thelma carefully moved the box onto her lap next to Moby and lifted the lid. “Oh, my. You do always manage to spoil me rotten.” Thelma looked at Annie with a big smile on her face. “And, I’m not complaining about it, either, my dear friend.” She chose a horn shaped cookie covered in almonds and with one end dipped in chocolate. “Would you like one, too?”