by Jinty James
“Brrt!” Annie licked her lips.
“Ooh! I forgot to tell you I saw Brandon’s new review for the steakhouse this afternoon.” Zoe tapped Lauren’s arm.
“What did it say?” Lauren asked.
“It’s not good.” Zoe shook her head.
“Really?” Lauren swiveled and stared at her cousin.
“Yeah.” Zoe nibbled her lip. “It’s not a super terrible review, but Brandon mentions the fact that he wasn’t impressed with the wagyu.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.”
“At least he’s being honest.” Lauren tried to find the bright side. But she wondered how Wayne would feel when he read the critique of his restaurant.
“You should read it,” Zoe told her.
“I will. Maybe when we come home.”
“Good idea.” Zoe patted her stomach. “I’m starting to get hungry.”
Lauren fed Annie an early dinner, careful not to give her too much since later she would enjoy the meat patty Lauren planned to bring home for her.
Zoe zoomed around the cottage, getting ready.
Lauren brushed her hair and glanced at her appearance in the mirror. There were a few more golden hints in her brown hair – was that because she and Zoe had spent more time outside last weekend, hiking?
She wondered if Mitch had noticed, and then told herself to stop thinking about him. She wasn’t successful.
Gary’s Burger Diner was just down the block. Zoe chatted about her crochet project, Lauren listening absently. The police still hadn’t found Todd’s killer. Mitch had been close-mouthed when he’d dropped by the café last week for his complimentary cupcake and coffee. She understood that. But she wished Mitch would catch the murderer.
“I’m starving!” Zoe opened the large glass door of the restaurant. The eatery was all stainless steel and glass, but had a pleasant vibe.
Lauren glanced at her watch – six p.m.
“That’s what you said at lunch,” she teased Zoe.
“Yep,” her cousin admitted cheerfully.
Lauren’s stomach rumbled as well. She spied Cindy at the hostess station.
“Hi, guys.” Cindy approached them, a smile on her face. “Would you like a table or are you getting take-out?”
“We’d love a table,” Zoe told her.
“This way.”
Cindy led the way to a two-seater table in the middle of the room. “This is my section.”
“Cool.” Zoe grinned.
“How’s everything going after ... you know?” Lauren kept her voice down, although the eatery wasn’t very busy. Only a few other tables were occupied, and none close by.
“Gary’s been great,” Cindy said. “He held a big staff meeting and told us that if we ever felt uncomfortable with a customer or a co-worker to let him know immediately. And then he told me privately I should have come to him right away, when Todd was in here. He said he would have taken care of him.”
Lauren and Zoe glanced at each other.
Exactly what would have Gary done to “take care” of the food critic?
“I’m glad everything is okay here,” Lauren told her.
“So am I.” Cindy handed them menus. “Let me know when you’re ready to order. Gary’s got a new burger.” She pointed to the top of the menu. “It’s called the smoky barbecue special, and it’s awesome! He mixes a special sauce into the meat patty, and then adds more on top.”
“It sounds yummy.” Zoe stared at the description. “I’ll definitely try that. And fries. And a chocolate shake.”
“I’ll have the same,” Lauren said. Her stomach growled. She just hoped Zoe and Cindy couldn’t hear it. “And I promised Annie I’d bring her back a burger – a plain meat patty?”
“Of course.” Cindy scratched the requests on her order pad. “You guys are going to love Gary’s new creation,” Cindy promised them. “Won’t be long!”
While they waited, Lauren glanced around the room. An elderly couple sat at a corner table, while a young family shared a larger table near them.
“I’m glad we came here,” Zoe confided.
“Me too.” Lauren relaxed in the stainless-steel chair which was surprisingly comfortable. Soft folk rock music played in the background while the occasional clatter from the kitchen punctuated the music’s rhythm.
“If Cindy says the new burger is awesome, then I know it will be,” Zoe continued.
“True.” Lauren nodded. Whenever they’d eaten here, Cindy’s recommendations had always been spot on.
“Cindy seems to have recovered from her encounter with Todd,” Zoe remarked. “Which is good.”
“Definitely.” Lauren nodded.
“I just hope—” Zoe lowered her voice and leaned across the table “—that Gary didn’t actually do anything to take care of Todd.”
The tantalizing smell of beef cooking wafted out from the kitchen.
“Here are your shakes.” Cindy suddenly appeared with two large thick shakes. “Your burgers should be ready in a few minutes.”
“Thanks.” Zoe leaned back in her chair and unwrapped her straw, the paper rustling. She sucked on the dense chocolate liquid. “Mmm.”
Lauren tried hers, closing her eyes in appreciation. The mixture of ice-cream, milk, and syrup melted in her mouth in a river of chocolate goodness.
“Hi, girls.”
Lauren’s eyelids flew open.
Wayne stood at their table.
“Oh – hi, Wayne,” Lauren managed.
“Hi,” Zoe said, blinking.
“What are you two doing? Having dinner?” He sent a flickering glance at their table, empty apart from their thick shakes.
“Yes.” Lauren nodded. “Just waiting for our burgers.”
“So am I.” He laughed. “I ordered take-out, and then saw you two over here. It’s my night off from the steakhouse. Hey, Lauren, my wife told me she bumped into you at that shop that sells the wool.”
“That’s right.” The memory of Kimberly having her card declined gave her a jolt. Why would she tell her husband that someone had witnessed her embarrassment? Or had she neglected to tell Wayne that her card had been rejected? But Kimberly had seemed so angry at the time when she thought that Wayne might have missed paying the credit card bill. Lauren had told Zoe about the incident, her cousin declaring that she hoped something like that would never happen to her.
“What are you making? Kimberly’s been telling me about this sweater she wants to knit.”
“A scarf,” Lauren answered.
“And I’m making a scarf, too.” Zoe jumped into the conversation. “But I’m crocheting mine with multi-colored yarn.”
“I don’t know the difference between knitting and crocheting,” Wayne admitted. “But hey, Kimberly offered you twenty percent off at the steakhouse, right? That’s fine with me. When would you two like to come in again for dinner?”
“Oh – um – that’s very kind of you,” Lauren began awkwardly. “But—” she cast Zoe a What do I say?! glance.
“We’re broke,” Zoe told him cheerfully. “I had to wait until I had enough tip money before we could come here tonight. So it might be awhile before we can afford to visit the steakhouse again.”
“You’ve read that crummy new review, haven’t you?” Wayne’s eyes flashed. “From the so-called food critic – Brandon somebody. Well, it’s not true. That guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Todd, the real food critic, raved about my wagyu – and everything else I serve.”
“I haven’t read Brandon’s review,” Lauren said truthfully.
“You can read this one by Todd.” He dug out his wallet from his back pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. “See?” He thrust it in front of Lauren and unfolded it. His meaty finger stabbed at the text. “Todd says I serve amazing wagyu.” His finger thudded on the table.
Lauren scanned the critique. It was dated last year and appeared to have been printed from a website – Todd’s online column. The food critic seem
ed to have nothing but praise for Wayne’s steakhouse.
“I can see that,” Lauren told him.
“I read the review Brandon just gave you,” Wayne informed them. “It seems he’s more of a cupcake and pastry guy than a steak man. He wouldn’t know good steak if it bit him on the butt!”
They were saved from answering by Cindy arriving with their dinner.
“Wayne, your order will be ready in a minute.” She gestured to the take-out window near the kitchen door on the opposite side of the room.
“Thanks.” He snatched up the review and stalked off.
“Wayne just said Brandon gave us a review – I wonder if he’s updated it with Ed’s pastries.” Zoe pulled out her phone from her purse and looked at the screen.
“I hope so.” Lauren’s stomach fluttered.
Cindy set down a large white plate with a burger and a pile of golden, crispy French fries in front of each of them. The juicy-looking meat patty hung over the edge of the bun, and fronds of crisp lettuce and slices of fresh tomato peeked out. The aroma of smoky barbecue sauce teased Lauren’s appetite and made her forget for a moment about their new review.
“Wow!” Zoe looked at her plate in admiration.
“Here’s Annie’s patty.” Cindy gave Lauren a warm foil parcel.
“Thanks.”
“Look!” Zoe held out her phone. “Brandon has updated our review – and it’s all good!”
Lauren scanned the review, which praised Ed’s pastries. She passed the phone to Cindy.
“That’s great, guys.” Cindy gave the phone back to Zoe. “But what was all that about with Wayne?” she asked.
“He got a bad review for the steakhouse,” Lauren told her in a hushed voice.
“Oh – I heard about that when I clocked in this afternoon.” Cindy shook her head. “It’s a shame.”
“Yes, it is.” Zoe popped a fry into her mouth and chewed.
“The young guy who accompanied Todd was back here again,” Cindy told them. “I hope he gives us a good review.”
“Did you serve him?” Lauren asked curiously.
“Yes. And he was a total gentleman.”
“That’s good,” Zoe replied.
“That’s for sure. He was okay when he was with Todd the first time as well – when I told him Todd had left, he must have thought the bill had already been paid.”
“Did you tell Brandon about that this time?” Zoe asked. “About how you had to pay for their order yourself?”
“No. I’m still embarrassed about the whole thing. Oh, I forgot to tell you! Gary covered the cost of their order, so it didn’t come out of my paycheck after all. He said it was the least he could do after Todd’s behavior.”
“That’s great.” Zoe grinned.
“I’ll leave you to enjoy your meal.” Cindy beamed. “Give Annie a pat for me, won’t you, Lauren?”
“Of course.” Unable to resist temptation, Lauren picked up a golden French fry.
Once Cindy left, Zoe leaned forward. “I thought I’d better not say anything to Cindy about our steakhouse visit.”
“Good thinking.” Lauren chewed and swallowed, immediately wanting another delicious fry.
“I can’t believe how upset Wayne got just now.” Zoe shook her head. “I hope we never act like that if we ever get a bad review.”
“Me too,” Lauren replied. The image of Wayne’s meaty finger stabbing the table in front of her flashed through her mind. She hoped she wouldn’t lose her self-control like that – ever.
“It’s sad that he carries that good review around with him,” Zoe continued, lifting up the top of her burger bun to take a peek. “Do you think it’s been in his wallet since Todd wrote the review? Or if he only put it in there since Brandon’s bad review came out?”
“I don’t know.” Lauren crinkled her brow, trying to remember the way the print-out had looked. It hadn’t seemed as if it had been folded and re-folded too many times. Perhaps Wayne had only placed it in his wallet recently.
The whoosh of the entrance door opening snagged Lauren’s attention and she glanced around. Wayne stalked toward the door, carrying a take-out bag. His gaze flickered around the room, landing on Lauren’s for a split-second, then he walked out onto the street.
CHAPTER 12
Lauren and Zoe enjoyed their burgers. They had such a good time that Lauren temporarily forgot about their interaction with Wayne that evening.
Once they returned home, Lauren fed Annie, the Norwegian Forest Cat brrting with pleasure at her supper.
“We’ll definitely have to go back for more burgers soon.” Zoe sipped a glass of water. “I’m going to have that smoky barbecue special again!”
“Me too.”
“How about next week?” Zoe’s eyes sparkled. “I should have enough in tips by then – hopefully. And we’ll tell Gary not to take that burger off the menu – ever.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Lauren smiled. She’d enjoyed their meal tonight a lot more than their fancy steakhouse dinner. Perhaps she just wasn’t a fine dining sort of girl.
Or maybe it was the fine dining food that had been the problem.
Lauren pushed that thought aside. She didn’t want to think about bad reviews, the steakhouse, or Wayne’s slightly scary attitude that evening. She just wanted to relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.
“Let’s do some crochet!” Zoe headed toward the living room. “Or in your case, knitting!”
Lauren stifled a groan.
“PERHAPS WE SHOULD TALK about suspects,” Zoe said the next day. They were in the middle of opening up the café.
“Now?” Lauren looked at her cousin in surprise.
“Well, maybe not right this minute,” Zoe replied. “But this case is going nowhere. Why haven’t the police – or Mitch – made an arrest yet?”
“Maybe they have and they’re keeping it hush-hush,” Lauren suggested, wondering why she felt a need to defend Mitch.
“But why would that be?” Zoe pouted. “Besides, I don’t think much stays secret in this town for long. Not everyone keeps their lips zipped.”
“You’ve got a point.” A smile edged Lauren’s mouth.
“Annie, who do you think killed Todd? The food critic.” Zoe turned to the feline, who sat up in her bed.
“Brrp?” Annie asked.
“Maybe we shouldn’t ask her,” Lauren said, remembering the effect finding Todd’s body had seemed to have on the cat. “Maybe Annie doesn’t like thinking about it.”
“Sorry.” Zoe looked contrite. “You’re right. Forget I asked you that, Annie. You just have fun with your favorite customers today.”
“Brrp.” Annie settled down in her pink bed, looking as if she might have a little snooze before any customers arrived.
“We know it’s not Brandon.” Lauren unlocked the front door. “Not now we know why he didn’t hear the killer when he was in the room next door.”
“True.” Zoe nodded, her brunette pixie bangs hitting her forehead. “And I like him.”
“Me too,” Lauren replied.
“So that leaves—” Zoe counted on her fingers as she headed behind the counter “—Claire, who worked with Todd years ago on the same newspaper, Cindy, Gary, Wayne, Kimberly—”
“But why would any of them murder him?” Lauren frowned. “Todd gave Wayne a good review last year.”
“That’s true.” Zoe nodded.
“So if we’re looking at people who had a problem with Todd, that leaves—”
“Gary and Cindy. Do you think it’s strange she hasn’t come into the café since the murder? And there are all the other people he’s given a bad review to. Whoever they are,” Zoe finished in a rush.
Lauren peered out of the front door. No customers. She didn’t feel comfortable continuing the discussion if there were people around. Ed was already in the kitchen, concentrating on his pastry.
“I don’t want it to be Cindy,” Lauren said. “I like her.”
“Me too. And I
don’t want it to be Gary. If he was in jail, who would make his burgers or think up new ones, like the smoky barbecue special we had last night?”
“His kitchen staff, I suppose,” Lauren replied. “He probably has a trusted right-hand man he depends upon. But I don’t want it to be Gary because I think he’s a nice man—”
“Apart from when he got angry about Todd harassing Cindy,” Zoe put in.
“True.” Lauren nibbled her lip. “Do you know anyone who’s received a bad review from Todd?” Lauren asked.
“I’ll have to check. I can’t remember reading one recently.” Zoe pulled out her phone from her apron pocket. “I’m looking – and scrolling – and looking.” Zoe pressed her phone screen. “I can’t find anything right now.”
“Hi, Hans.” Lauren sent her cousin a warning look, then turned her attention back to the senior.
“Brrp.” Annie scampered over to him.
“Hello, Lauren.” The older man beamed. “And Annie. Where should I sit today, hmm, Liebchen?”
“Brrt,” Annie said importantly, leading him to a small table near the counter. Over here.
LAUREN, ZOE, AND ANNIE were busy all day. A steady stream of customers came into the café, which was good for business, but left no time for Lauren and Zoe to talk about suspects.
At four o’clock, Lauren sent Annie home, accompanying her down the private hallway. “We’ll close in an hour,” she told the silver-gray tabby.
“Brrp,” Annie replied, padding into the cottage. Lauren guessed when she and Zoe returned later, Annie would be curled up on the sofa, or perhaps playing with one of her toys.
“Phew!” Zoe flopped onto the stool behind the counter when Lauren returned to the cafe. “I can’t believe how busy it’s been for a Tuesday.”
“You might have enough in tips for another smoky barbecue special.” Lauren eyed the bursting to the brim tip jar. Silver coins glinted in the afternoon sun.
“You’re right.” Zoe perked up. “Awesome!”
“I think we’ve run out of cupcakes. And pastries.” Lauren eyed the glass counter. Ed had baked some extra pastries when they’d realized today was going to be busy, but they’d sold out, along with her cupcakes.