Cookies and Chaos

by C A Phipps

  She was sorry to see him go, but understood completely. “Please don’t be mad at the boys. I think they now understand how dangerous meeting strangers away from friends and family can be. I’d hate for them to have to give up on their cookie making because of those crooks.”

  “Rest assured, if they don’t understand, they will do by the time Layla has finished with them. I’m not sure if Layla will allow them to continue, but hopefully we can work something out. They’ll need close supervision until this mystery is solved. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Ethan was on a mission. No one could potentially hurt his family and get away with it. She knew he would follow the law, but she didn’t envy Smith and Chance when the sheriff got hold of them.

  When he’d gone she sat on the couch beside Big Red, wanting a cuddle. He turned away from her.

  “Fine. Be like that. I’ve got work to do anyway.”

  If a cat could blow raspberries, that’s the sound Big Red made as she went down the stairs.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  When Maddie arrived at the community center, Gran and Mavis were busy making the tea and coffee. Maddie helped put out the cakes and cookies before checking the room.

  Nicholas Brack had arrived and stood to the back of the room once more. He nodded to her and she finished serving Nora Beatty, who gave her a close look.

  Maddie smiled and went to make a coffee. Then she took a cookie in a napkin and went over to him.

  “Here you go,” she said in a normal voice.

  He handed her five dollars.

  “It’s happening tonight.” He spoke just above a whisper.

  Maddie noticed that he had a bruised eye. “What’s happening tonight?”

  “The final load of paintings are been taken out of town.”

  “Not via the Gallery?”

  His eyebrows lifted. “There was no way they would use Cora again after the little stunt you pulled.”

  “Did they do that to you?” she pointed to his face.

  “It’s nothing. In fact I count my blessings it wasn’t worse. It’s my saving and my curse that they need me for a while longer. After this I’m not so sure they’ll feel the same way.”

  “Hopefully we can circumvent that, but aren’t you afraid that Smith or Chance will be here today?”

  “You can take the credit for them most certainly not being here.”

  “How so?”

  “You thwarted them from buying cookies from the boys. They had intended to bribe their way into the last of the apartments in the retirement community using the boys and their cookies as bait.”

  “No! Using children that way is shameful.”

  Nicholas gave a small smile. “To most, that would apply. You saw what happened to Owen Kirk. With these men, anything goes and shame isn’t part of their repertoire. They’ve had to think up another plan, which is why they’re elsewhere. Now, what do you intend to do about the paintings?”

  “Are you sure you want to be involved?”

  “I’m deeply involved already. I want to make amends before it’s too late.”

  “I appreciate it as will all of Maple Falls.”

  “I don’t think they’ll be quite as forgiving to the con-man I’ve become.”

  She put a hand on his arm. “You underestimate this town.”

  “For my sake, I hope so. I lived here for many years when I was younger and I was a pompous fool back then. Ask your Gran. Then again, I probably still am.”

  A shadow passed by the door. Maddie and Nicholas tried to see who it was but the person was gone.

  “I think we’ve been seen together enough already. I’ll take a box of cookies to make it seem legitimate for me to be here.”

  Maddie nonchalantly collected one of the last boxes, aware that Gran and Nora were keeping their eyes on her, and handed it to him.

  Nicholas passed her more money. “I look forward to these and your help.”

  There was little hope in his voice. Then he slipped out the back door without turning around. Maddie hoped he would come out of this okay.

  It was hard to concentrate on anything, especially when she heard Mavis say that Bertram Langham had not returned yet and she thought she might be stuck with Rembrandt. The poor woman was a bundle of nerves and had apparently been hounding Gran all morning for reassurance that she was safe in her apartment. She was frustrated that there wasn’t more security at the retirement community and shocked that anything bad was happening there.

  She helped as usual with the clean-up, but her continued comments set Maddie’s teeth on edge. Naturally, she felt very sorry for her. She had effectively had her trust broken that she was living in a safe community since Bertram Langham had gone missing and the odd noises next door to her. No amount of words appeared to soothe her and Maddie was more worried about Nicholas right now.

  As she was leaving, Maddie saw Detective Jones in his car across the road. Not that she could actually see him, but his jet black sedan was rather obvious these days. Which seemed odd. He was too clever to be seen if he didn’t want to be, so was it intentional?

  Should she go speak to him or would that blow his cover? She might have helped Ethan a couple of times with his cases, but she was very much a novice in the ways of Detectives and their roles.

  She desperately needed to talk to Ethan about Nicholas. This case felt like it was headed towards a climax with the paintings leaving tonight, even though she had no idea how that would look.

  Ethan had plans to stop by tonight, something he was making a habit of lately, which was fine by her. In fact, she looked forward to the chance to talk privately, something that wasn’t always easy to achieve at the bakery or anywhere around Maple Falls in general. As the sheriff, Ethan was always on duty even if he wasn’t officially. People had no issue with stopping him anytime of the day to chat or have a moan. At least when Maddie shut the bakery door she was off limits except by phone.

  Maddie drove Honey home and when she was in the garage, called Ethan from the car. It went to voicemail. She left an urgent message for him to call her, but that wouldn’t do.

  She ran inside, checked that Luke and Laura were okay and ran upstairs to call Deputy Jacobs on the private number he had left with her when he had taken the unclaimed puppies home last summer. To her relief he answered and wasn’t far away. He promised to stop by very soon.

  She went downstairs to find that Gran had been dropped off by Jed, and she had plenty of questions. Maddie had hoped to have some privacy with Rob, by taking him upstairs, but that didn’t look likely.

  “I thought I’d stop by and tell you that the community group are loving the cookies and they even have some outside orders for next week. At this rate the boys should be able to get their bikes fairly soon.”

  “That is good news.”

  Gran was watching her closely. “What did Nicholas Brack want with you today? I saw him buy cookies, but I’m guessing that wasn’t his reason for being there?”

  Before she could answer, Rob bounded up the path and received a swipe across his ankle as he came inside the open door. He jumped in fright and Laura raced to his aid.

  “Are you okay, Deputy Jacobs? You’re such a naughty boy!”

  He frowned. “Pardon me?”

  She flushed. “I was talking to Big Red.”

  He grinned. “Ah, of course. He didn’t hurt me. I guess he was making sure I knew he was here.”

  “Maybe he smelled the puppies on you?”

  “That could be it,” he said, graciously.

  Big Red was a tyrant until he got used to a person. Even now, after being told off by Laura he was pressed up to her legs as if he was saying sorry for upsetting her.

  Rob dragged his attention away from Laura whose pink cheeks enhanced her natural beauty.

  “What was it you needed to talk to me about?”

  Maddie could feel the interest pique for Gran and Laura. There was no way to pretend that it was nothing, and she trusted everyone in the
room, so with Luke in charge of the shop she took them upstairs and told them about Nicholas Brack.

  “I know he’s up to his eyeballs in this, but he really is trying to make amends. He’s been scared of Mr. Smith and Mr. Chance for a long time.”

  “I can’t believe he could deceive all those poor residents. It’s not like they’re rich.” Gran was understandably angry at the hurt this was causing her friends.

  “I’m going to call Detective Jones to help me with this until I can get ahold of Ethan.”

  “He was outside the community center this morning.” Maddie said.

  “Detective Jones? Doing what?”

  “Sitting in his car.”

  “That’s odd.” He seemed to remember that this wasn’t prudent to say and he walked to the door. “Please excuse me, I’ll call him now.”

  He went outside to make the call and Gran welcomed the chance to inject her own thoughts and questions.

  “Why did Nicholas tell you and get you involved in this?”

  “He knows how much we care about the community. I think he’s tired of being scared and saw an opportunity to unburden himself. He’s also sorry for what he’s done.”

  “In that case, I’m glad he’s trying to make amends before anyone else gets ripped off.”

  “Did those men you mentioned kill Owen?” Laura was pale.

  “I think they might have. Although, no one’s ready to say if the two are connected or not.”

  “Ask Rob, Laura.” Gran insisted.

  “Me? Why would he tell me?” Her voice came out in a squeak.

  Gran slapped her thigh. “You are funny. He’d tell you anything, because that man can’t take his eyes off you.”

  “Don’t be . . .” Laura spluttered, unable to actually tell Gran off.

  “Silly? You can say it, but we all know, that’s the one thing I’m not. When will you Girlz take matters into your own hands? Men have to ponder things for a bit, like getting the temperature just right for a cake, but you can always put the heat up a little to speed up the process. If you care to.”

  Sharing a house together had obviously opened up lines of communication which Maddie had not been privy to, that Laura was potentially regretting, and Gran was not done with.

  “He likes you and you like him. At least ask him out for tea. Although, he’s probably the coffee type of man.”

  Laura sat down with a thump at the table, the fight leaving her. “He does prefer coffee, but that’s all I know about him.”

  Gran sat down beside her and patted her hand. “You know he loves animals, he’s single and has a good job.”

  “He’s also very nice.” Maddie felt bound to add.

  Big Red took the chair on her other side and butted his head against her arm. Laura could only take so much and she raised her hand in surrender.

  “Okay, stop this before Rob comes back and hears you.”

  “What might I hear?”

  Laura swung towards the door so fast she almost fell off her chair. Rob rushed to her side to make sure the chair didn’t topple, then he leaned down and put an arm around her shoulders, his face etched with concern.

  “Are you okay, Laura.”

  “Thank you. I’m fine. Really.” She looked pointedly at his arm.

  He put it behind his back with an awkward smile and stood. “Do you have more information to add?”

  She shook her head. “It’s nothing to do with the case.”

  “Okay,” he didn’t appear to believe her, but didn’t take it any further. “Detective Jones is on his way.”

  “We’ll leave you to deal with that.” Gran led the way out and Laura reluctantly followed.

  For someone who professed not to be interested in the Deputy, she shared a smile with him until Gran stopped on the step.

  “Laura’s keen to do some dog walking if you need someone to help with the puppies.”

  He frowned. “I can’t say I do. I enjoy getting out with the rascals.”

  Rob had rescued two white shitzu puppies when no-one had claimed them last summer. They were possibly related, ridiculously cute, and he was as besotted with them as Maddie and Gran thought he was with Laura.

  “See, Gran.” Laura’s mouth turned down.

  Gran gave Rob a particularly firm look and after looking backwards and forwards between the two of them, he finally got the point.

  “But if you have the time you could come with us? We take long walks around the lake every Sunday morning and during the week sometimes.”

  Laura didn’t know how to respond, but that didn’t stop Gran.

  “She’d love to. Give her a call later and you can work out a time. Come on Laura. We have some things to attend to. I’ll be ready when you come to pick me up,” she said to Maddie.

  Shell-shocked Laura followed meekly and when she stopped at the gate to look back at the bakery, Rob stood at the door looking bemused and he waved. It looked odd from a man in uniform and the gate slammed. Maddie struggled not to laugh.

  “Your grandmother is a force to be reckoned with.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry if she badgered you into that.”

  “Not at all, but I do worry that Laura is perhaps not as eager as Gran made out?”

  “I can’t speak for Laura, apart from saying that she does love animals, including Big Red.”

  The cat in question lifted his head from where he lay under the hedge having followed Gran and Laura out.

  Rob laughed. “He’s still the biggest cat I’ve ever seen and he has the personality to match.

  Maddie approved of his comment which was factually correct, just as she approved of Gran’s matchmaking. Not that she would admit it to her. The last thing they needed was to encourage her in her other not-so-secret life’s work.

  Rob’s phone beeped. “Detective Jones wants to meet me at the station instead.”

  “Do I need to come?”

  “I shouldn’t think so unless you have something else to add?”

  “No. I’ve told you everything. I’m going to clean up, then visit Mavis at the retirement village if she’s home yet. She’s been worried about what happened to Owen and I promised Gran we’d visit and check on her apartment so she feels safer. Ethan asked us to stay away but Mavis was still upset when she went home after the group meeting this afternoon.”

  “Go ahead. We’ve got people out there watching the place. I can give you a call if we need you.”

  He had a spring in his step as he left and she didn’t think it could be attributed to her contribution to the case.

  Luke, who had been standing in the doorway of the shop as often as he could, came out to see if she was okay.

  “That was intense,” he said.

  “It was. I hate to ask, but could you close up tonight? I was going to take Gran to see Mavis around supper time, but I think I’d rather go when it’s still light and Laura just got dragged home by Gran.”

  He laughed. “I heard. Poor Laura. She’ll be all jittery, now she has a kind of date with Deputy Jacobs. No problem with closing up. There are few customers and I’ve begun the cleaning.”

  Again, Maddie marveled at Like’s astuteness. Not many teenagers would respond the way he did to the dramas of the Girlz. “Whatever would I do without you?”

  “I hope you never have to find out,” he grinned.

  “Your job security is not even a blip on the horizon.”

  They laughed again as Maddie got a few things ready for tomorrow and Luke emptied the dishwasher.

  She just hoped that she and Gran could appease Mavis.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Before she headed out to pick up Gran, Maddie got an odd call. When she picked up, someone was there, she heard breathing.

  “Hello?” she said several times.

  No one answered. Then the call was cut off. She redialed the number and it went straight to voicemail. A terse message from Nora Beatty told Maddie she was busy and might get back to her if she left a number. With emp
hasis on the ‘might’.

  Maddie barely managed a goodbye to Luke as she raced out the door. She beeped the horn outside Gran’s, something she would never normally consider. This was evidently cause for alarm as Gran came out with her bag and her floral apron still tied at her waist. Laura stood at the door wringing her hands and Gran barely got her seat belt done up before Maddie swung Honey back down Plum Place.

  “Slow down, dear. I know you have more news, but we do want to arrive in one piece.”

  Maddie had thought about going on her own, but Gran would have been furious. She told her about the call. “I tried Ethan again with no luck. She thrust her phone at Gran. “Please keep trying and if you can’t get him, Rob’s number is there too.”

  Minutes later they drove into the retirement community and parked close to Nora’s apartment which was at the end of the block where Mavis lived.

  “You wait here. I’ll wave to you if everything’s okay.”

  Gran nodded, not looking overly impressed with the request. “I’ll keep trying these numbers, but don’t you go anywhere that doesn’t look safe.”

  Maddie ran to Nora’s apartment and knocked at the door. There was no answer and her heart began to race more than it already had. Surely Nora wasn’t in the sights of the forgers? Next she tried Mavis’s apartment and was reassured to see her safe and well.

  “Hello dear, what are you doing here now? I thought you were bringing dinner?”

  “We were, but I got a call from Nora so I thought I’d pop in to see her first. She doesn’t appear to be home. Any idea where she might be?”

  “Hmmm, let me see. I think she was going to Destiny this afternoon to see her sister. Bernie was driving her. He had a few errands and was happy to bring her home. Strange that she would call you to stop by if she wasn’t going to be home.”

  Maddie breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s okay then. I must have misunderstood.”

  “You’re very pale. Do you want to have a seat until you feel better?”

  She had opened the door wider and Maddie could see a man sitting on the edge of a sofa. He turned, his hooded eyes bore a hole through her. Mr. Smith. Mavis had no idea she had let a murderer into her home. A murderer that didn’t look too surprised to see Maddie.