BlueBuried Muffins (Black Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) (7 page)

“My motto is, take it or leave it, which includes the names for my concoctions,” she said with a fake pouty voice. “I suppose I could shorten the name to fruitie tootie smoothie, easier to fit on the menu board.”

Annie took a big gulp. “This is delicious and just what I need to get me through the rest of the morning.”

“Did I hear someone say something is delicious?” Jake’s voice interrupted their chatter.

“Hey, Jake. Coffee or a fruitie tootie smoothie?” Leona asked.

Jake held both hands out, weighing his choices. “My body is craving some caffeine but the smoothie sounds much more satisfying. Fruitie tootie, huh? Clever name.”

Leona pumped her fist in the air. “I was right, Annie, it’s a catchy name.”

“How about the smoothie now and the coffee to go?” Jake handed Leona a beautiful clay pot with a black cat painted on one side and the word ‘tips’ on the other. “I brought you a café warming gift.”

Leona caressed the shiny, smooth glaze. “Thank you, Jake. This is perfect. If business takes off, I’d like to order mugs with this design.”

“Just let me know when. By the way, attractive sign. Did Danny make it for you?”

“Yes, he finished up this morning as a matter of fact. He worked late the other night installing those shelves for me,” Leona added, noticing a twitch next to Jake’s eye.

Jake picked up his smoothie and walked over to the book shelves where Annie was working. “Books? Clever addition. Is there wifi in here too?”

“Of course. This café is definitely jumping into the modern times. With all the tourists coming through, I think wifi will be a big attraction to lure them to come in, sit, relax, eat, check their emails or swap a book.”

Jake picked up the top book from one of the open boxes, turning it over in his hands. “Can I take this one? I love a good thriller.”

“Sure, but the idea is, you need to leave one too—take one, leave one. You could bring one in another time,” Annie told him. “Did you get all your pottery packed up?”

“Huh?” Jake raised his head from reading the back cover of the book. “Oh, yeah, I did. You didn’t tell me you know Vincent.”

“You didn’t ask. You were kind of busy.” Annie turned away, shelving more books. “I only met him once or twice.”

“How did he get along with his partner, your ex-boyfriend?” Jake asked.

Annie whirled around to face Jake. “Why don’t you tell me? You seem to be all cozy with Vincent.”

Jake’s normally pleasant face turned into a sneer. “A touchy subject? Vincent is looking for you, ya know. It seems as though his partner left something valuable with you.”

Annie felt her mouth drop open. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Is that what the three of you were arguing about the night before Max was killed?”

Jake’s jaw clamped tight and the twitch next to his eye started to spasm. “Who told you that?”

Annie smiled. “Apparently, these walls have ears, Mr. Pottery Man.” She turned back to the books, hoping he would leave. Leona offered him the coffee to go but Jake stomped out without replying.

“Geez, Annie, that’s not any way to treat our neighbor here in the building.”

“What? Did you hear what he said to me? Vincent is trouble, I can feel it, and the two of them, Vincent and Jake, are in on something together.” Annie reached into her pocket, making a decision about trusting another person. “Take a look at this.”

Leona read the pink paper. “What is this and where did you get it?” Her face drained of color.

Annie glanced over her shoulder to be sure there was no one else around. “I took it out of Max’s pocket before the police came. I think he used this paper for a reason—it was mine and he knew the color would catch my eye. I’m sure he came here to tell me something but someone killed him before he found me. I think he was worried and wrote the note in case he didn’t get a chance to talk to me.”

Leona folded the note and returned it to Annie. “Did you show this to anyone else?”

Annie sucked in a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “I showed my mother.”

Leona’s eyebrows jumped up. “When?”

“I went to her house last night.”

Annie saw the hurt in Leona’s eyes that she wasn’t the first to gain Annie’s trust, but she knew better than to say anything. The relationship between Annie and Mia was as fragile as it was between the two sisters with Annie always stuck in the middle of the two women she loved more than anything.

“Okay then,” Annie emptied another book box and crushed the cardboard for recycling. “We’ll all get together and make a plan, try to figure this out before,” she paused, “before anything else bad happens.”

Leona stood at the counter as still as the water on a calm day. “Like what? I don’t like the sound of where this is going, Annie.”

“The fire? Max being murdered? Vincent following me and Max here? People arguing in Jake’s shop the other night? The bloody awl in Danny’s toolbox? What else do you think I’m talking about?”

“You think all this stuff is connected?”

Annie shrugged. “I think there’s a good possibility everything is connected. Now, let’s get this baking done, tomorrow will be here before we know it.”

Leona turned the radio on to the oldies station to drown out the bad vibes in the café. “Baking and music. That’s always a happy combination for me.” She tried to sound like her cheerful self but Annie heard the fear catching in her words.

Chapter 10

Leona filled the last open space in the glass display case with a raspberry scone. Wiping her hands on her apron, she stepped back, sighed, and told Annie, “I’m beat, how about you?”

Annie poured the rest of the cooled chicken noodle soup into a container, slid it into the fridge next to the chili containers, and walked around to admire all the baked goods. “This selection is amazing—blueberry muffins, banana bread, pumpkin squares, raspberry scones, fruit tarts, cupcakes, and every variety of cookie I can imagine. Something for everyone. I’d say it’s been a successful day and I feel pretty darn good.”

“True, but if we get cleaned out tomorrow we’ll need to restock for Saturday. So most likely it will be another long day.”

“What more could you want for your grand opening? Scheduling your opening for this Spring Celebration weekend will get the cash register ringing nonstop.”

“Are the chilis and soup in the fridge?”

Annie nodded. “Yup, and all the meat and veggies are prepared for the lunch time crush.”

“I’ll be in early to get the breakfast cart set up with granola, juices, coffee and tea. First customers at seven.”

The café door opened and Martha came in carrying two packages wrapped in tissue paper. “I made an opening day gift for each of you.” She handed one package to Leona and the other to Annie. “Go on, open it.” She waited with her hands pressed together like an eager three year old.

They both unfolded beautiful aprons, lime green covered with black cats in every possible pose. A yellow pocket was sewn on at hip level with ‘Take It or Leave It’ machine embroidered with black thread.

Leona and Annie tied the aprons around their necks, modeling as if they were on a high fashion runway, laughing, and twirling their arms. “These aprons will be perfect over our black jeans and t-shirts,” Leona remarked.

“Martha, this is too beautiful to wear. I don’t want to get it dirty,” Annie exclaimed.

“Don’t be silly. They’re washable, but I guess I could make a couple more so you can rotate.”

Leona and Annie linked arms and did a little dance, kicking their legs up as they swiveled their hips. Leona pulled Martha into the lineup and the three of them made a conga line, one behind the other, circling around the tables and chairs, laughing and singing to the Beach Boys blasting on the radio.

“Thank you. These aprons are eye catching.” Leona hugged Martha and kissed her on both cheeks. “You get free coffee and muffins for life. Was that your motivation all along?” Leona kidded.

“Of course, hon,” she said with a wink of her eye. “But I might skip the muffins.” Martha patted her ample stomach and cackled. “Trying to keep an eye on my weight. Now, I realize it’s late and it’s been a long day for both of you, filling this building with mouthwatering smells, but I can’t wait another second. What’s new with the handsome detective?”

A deep voice cut through the music and sucked the gaiety out of the air. “This is quite the party. Celebrating your newly inherited wealth, Annie Fisher?” The fun vanished with those words and every muscle in Annie’s body tingled with fear. She turned around slowly to face the newcomer.

“Vincent West. And what brings you to our quaint little town of Catfish Cove?” She gauged his slicked back hair and immaculate designer suit. “You look like a fish out of water.”

He sneered at Annie. “And you, my dear, left Cooper without even saying goodbye. What was your hurry?”

Annie let her anger give her strength. “Why don’t you tell me? You’re acting like you already know all the answers.”

The main door of the building opened and slammed closed, the sound of footsteps echoing down the hallway. Roy burst through the café door, glaring at Vincent. “I told you to stay away from my daughter.”

Vincent stared at Annie for a few more seconds before turning his gaze to Roy. “You don’t call the shots, old man. I came here to get something back and nothing will get in my way. With Max out of the way, the only road block is standing here in front of me.” He headed toward the door, knocking into Roy’s arm as he brushed by.

Annie unclenched her hands, forcing herself to relax, before asking her father, “What was that all about?”

“Be careful Annie, this isn’t some silly game. You’re mixed up with these crooked art gallery owners.”

“What crooked art gallery owners? Are you talking about Max and Vincent? Max wasn’t crooked, but I wouldn’t put anything past Vincent.”

Roy shook his head. “Don’t play cute and innocent with me. You know exactly what I’m talking about. I know what you’ve been up to these past two years. What I don’t understand, is why you bothered to bring your drama back to Catfish Cove.” He turned and walked out.

Martha pulled Annie into her soft embrace, running her hand over Annie’s hair. “Hon, don’t worry about what that decrepit old fool said. We’ll help you. Right, Leona?”

“Right.”

A third voice chimed in. “Count me in too.” Annie, Leona and Martha turned to see Mia leaning in the doorway with her arms crossed and a Cheshire cat smile on her face. “I found some interesting information. Where can we talk?”

Leona went back to her big fridge, pulled out a container of chili and said, “Let’s go, I have a plan.”

The four women squeezed into Leona’s mustang and they drove around a bit to be sure they weren’t being followed. “I hate to act a little paranoid, but better safe than sorry.” Leona checked her rear view mirror one last time, decided the coast was clear, and pulled into Annie’s apartment.

Annie climbed out last. “No one will ever notice your bright yellow mustang parked here, will they?” she asked Leona with a half grin and one eyebrow cocked.

Leona remained quiet. “I do know what I’m doing. Get everyone inside, close the curtains and get me the keys to the main house so I can pull my car into the garage.”

Once Leona was satisfied that no one was spying on them, she checked Annie’s fridge for something to drink. “Glad your priorities are straight,” she said as she held up the bottle of wine and four beers that Detective Jaffrey left the night before. “Did anyone remember to carry the chili inside?” She looked at the three faces staring blankly at her. “Alright, I’ll bring it in.”

Annie found four wine glasses, some boxes of assorted crackers and sliced the rest of her cheese. “We can start on this while we wait for the chili.”

Leona stomped back inside but she wasn’t alone. “Look who I found wandering around outside. Should we tie him up and torture him until he tells us his secrets?”

Martha fanned herself. “Oh, hon, that sounds like the most fun I could imagine participating in for quite some time. Can I go first? I know you three must think I’m over the hill, but I still have a few tricks up these sleeves. And, detective, we’ll drop the formalities and call you Neil. That’s such a nice name that your mother chose for you.”

The dimple formed on Neil’s cheek. “Wait a minute before anyone starts anything. I wasn’t lurking, I was waiting for Annie to get home. There’s no car outside. Did you all walk here?” He glanced from one to the other, pausing the longest when his eyes met Annie’s.

Leona clapped her hands. “See, hiding the car in the garage worked. Now, let’s get this chili warmed up.” She picked up the last glass of wine.

Annie handed a beer to Neil. “I’m not sure if you’ve met everyone. That’s my mom, Mia, sitting with my kitty, Martha from the Fabric Stash across from our café, and you know Leona.”

He cracked his beer open and tipped the bottle to each person. “My pleasure to meet you. I don’t want to intrude, but I have some information I wanted to share with Annie, then I’ll be out of your hair.”

Martha took Neil by the arm and pulled him to the couch. “Not so fast, hon. Sit here next to me so we can have a little chat. So, tell me something, hon, are you married?”