Mint Chocolate Chip Mysteries, Books 1-3

by Emmie Lyn

  She jerked backwards, yelping, “What are you doing?” as she almost slid off the stool.

  Conrad reacted quickly, saving the kitten from a hard tumble. I hid a chuckle noting he saved the tiny ball of fur and not Maxine, sitting right next to him. She barely managed to catch herself, while Jasper and Conrad aced the animal rescue test with flying colors, but Maxine? Maybe she’d get a make-up exam.

  “Thank you, Jasper,” I said. “Are the other kitties all right?”

  “There’s more?” Maxine’s face turned to disgust. “Are there rats and skunks living in here, too?” She stood up and flicked a kitten hair off her jacket.

  “Hitch, call me when this place is cleaned up, and I might still be interested. Are you coming, Conrad?”

  Conrad, with the kitten cradled in his big hand, shook his head. “You go on ahead. I’ll meet up with you later.”

  Like a pouty two-year-old, Maxine stomped her foot. “We had an agreement, Conrad.”

  “And I have a commitment right here. I promised my services. If I can help remodel this place and make a spot for Harry’s plants, that’s my goal. I thought it was yours, too, Maxine. We owe it to him.”

  I can’t be sure, but I thought I saw smoke coming out of Maxine’s ears. “I don’t owe him anything,” she sniffed. “Don’t bother coming back to my house.” She flicked her head and stalked off toward the door. Unfortunately, with her nose in the air, she didn’t see the rake lying in the path and when she stepped on the handle, her sandal slipped, her ankle rolled to one side, her arms flew in the air, and she landed quite inelegantly in a pile of dirt.

  I pinched my lips together, not daring to look at Hitch or I’d completely lose the tiny bit of control I managed to muster at the moment.

  Meanwhile, Jasper’s Newfie rescue instincts kicked in, and she trotted over to Maxine and gave her a couple of nudges with her big head. When Maxine didn’t move, she swiped her arm with her paw.

  Maxine scuttled back as if Jasper had the plague. “Get off me, you big slobbery mutt.” She held her manicured hand up to protect her face, but Jasper pawed through that weak defense and doubled down, licking most of blush off her face.

  Hitch went to Maxine’s rescue, pulling her to her feet like a knight in shining armor. But not in time to save her cream-colored outfit from Jasper’s drool and black hair.

  Maxine stomped out without a thank you, and Hitch and I giggled at the big dark smudge marring the back of her perfectly creased slacks.

  Once her car door slammed, all my pent-up laughter let loose. Mean probably, but it felt good. People who didn’t like animals didn’t deserve my respect.

  I finally looked at Hitch, giving me the stink eye. His giant snort mixed with my laughter and poor Conrad was lost for two minutes, sitting on his stool, still holding the tiny kitten while Hitch and I tried to get our professional act together.

  I saw him looking at us and from his expression, I was sure he’d never want to work for the two of us after this performance.

  Then he laughed, too. “Who doesn’t love kittens?” he asked. “Where are the others?”

  Jasper wagged her fluffy tail and led the way into the greenhouse to her newest charges. When we peered over the edge of her hiding spot, Mama Cat stood and stretched as if to say, Thanks, I need a break.

  Conrad tenderly placed the tiny kitten in the basket. “Did she wander off?” he asked as he stroked Mama Cat’s head. She purred her thanks and he murmured in approval. “Now I understand your Kitty Castle project,” he said, with a satisfied smile lighting his round face. He looked around the greenhouse at dead plants, broken pots, and a few missing glass panes above us. “This family is in urgent need of an upgrade. What’s your plan?”

  I hated to admit it, but I was starting to like Conrad. I couldn’t say the same about Hitch based on his stern expression. He didn’t seem swayed by the appeal of the feline charm. Yet.

  “What I’m thinking,” I said, “is to turn that far end of the greenhouse into an enclosed garden with tropical plants and climbing structures for the kittens. A fountain might be nice, too. Eventually, once the Shakes and Cakes Shop is up and running out front, we can add tables and chairs for customers. The ultimate goal is to find homes for the kittens. Good homes,” I added, thinking I’d never let someone like Maxine adopt one of our fur babies. Just talking about our plans got me excited.

  Conrad turned in a full circle, his mouth silently moving. He stopped. “And the rest of the greenhouse?”

  “For my orchid collection,” Hitch said. “Well, orchids and other specialty plants for sale.”

  Conrad nodded slowly. “Maxine will approve of that, but she obviously wasn’t a fan of the Kitty Castle.”

  I bristled with anger. Who did she think she was? “We don’t need her permission. We own this property.”

  “Sorry. That didn’t come out the right way. I was only making an observation. I know what Maxine hoped for if Harry bought this place. I don’t think she’s really come to terms that she’s out of the picture.”

  “Is that why she came with you today?” I asked. “She thought she could flutter her eyelashes at Hitch.” I fluttered mine for emphasis. “And twist him around her little finger to do her bidding?”

  That woman was really under my skin now. Maybe she thought because she had every hair in place and wore designer clothes, sadly stained, right now I reminded myself happily, she thought she could have anything and everything she wanted with a snap of her fingers, including Harry’s valuable bonsai.

  Hitch stacked some empty pots as he casually walked around our greenhouse. Part of his appeal was his easy manner and the way he made himself at home even in our dusty fixer-upper. Also, the way he always got right to the point.

  “Maxine and Harry were arguing before he was murdered.” Hitch directed this statement at Conrad. “Was it about Sunny buying the property instead of Harry?”

  Leave it to Hitch to dig around for the important information.

  “Probably,” Conrad said. “She was fuming mad when I saw her. Her housekeeper had just asked me where she could find Maxine, but she looked petrified to approach her. Gina, is that her name?”

  “Gina was at the auction?” As soon as the question left my mouth, I knew it was kind of silly. Of course, Gina was there if Conrad had spoken to her.

  “Yeah, she said she needed the new code for the security system in case Maxine wasn’t there to let her in. She said something about helping a friend with her kid, and she didn’t want to be late.” He shrugged like it didn’t make much sense to him. “I guess Maxine trusts Gina.”

  Hitch glared at Conrad with what seemed to me to be unnecessary aggression. “Does she trust you?”

  I didn’t know what had gotten into him.

  “Who the heck are you?” Hitch stepped closer. His voice held an undertone of quiet rage only I would notice.

  Conrad’s mouth opened and closed soundlessly.

  “Let me make a wild guess,” Hitch sneered. “You were in New York a couple of months ago… at Harry’s apartment… at the same time I was there.” Hitch lifted his injured arm. “I wish Harry, your friend, was a better shot and hit you instead of me.”

  The color drained from Conrad’s face. “I can explain.”

  “I bet you can, but who’s going to believe you?” Hitch pointed to the door. “We aren’t interested in doing business with you.”

  Conrad didn’t deny Hitch’s accusation. I think the color must have drained from my face, too, at what that implied.

  Conrad had already tried to steal Harry’s valuable bonsai plant once?

  What was he planning next?

  15

  “Hitch?” I touched his arm with my fingertip. “I don’t understand what just happened with Conrad.”

  His shoulders slumped, and he rubbed his injured arm. “I don’t understand everything either, but now that I know who the intruder in Harry’s apartment was, I’ve got one piece of the puzzle. It might mean that w
e’re closer to the center of this mess.”

  Jasper leaned against Hitch with her head tipped up in her I-know-something’s-wrong pose. He stroked her soft fur. She was a hard act to ignore but so incredibly easy to love.

  “I’ve got an idea,” I said.

  I double-checked Mama Cat and her kittens. When I was sure they sure all were accounted for, I left their secret hidey-hole open in case they wanted a dark hiding spot, found a plastic bowl, and turned on the greenhouse hose. Water gushed into the bowl. That was a relief at least.

  I tightened up everything as much as possible and scratched her adorable head. She mewed when I told her, “I’ll bring you back some tasty crunchies.” Did she understand I was trying to help? I hoped so. At any rate, it was all I could do for the moment.

  Hitch had his folder of papers gathered together when I returned to the main building.

  “Let’s go back to my house to discuss our plans without more interruptions. What do you think?” I asked, hoping I sounded upbeat and positive.

  Hitch nodded. “I’m sorry I was rude to Maxine and Conrad. That wasn’t my plan, but once I figured out that Conrad was the intruder in Harry’s apartment, I guess I went a little crazy.” He smiled reassuringly. “Still want to be my partner?”

  “You can’t get rid of me that easily, Hitch. We’re in this together—with thick shakes, sweet cakes, cuddly kitties, and outrageous orchids.”

  “Darn.” His eyes creased at the edges letting me know he was teasing. “When you put it that way, I guess we have to make it work one way or another.” He gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder. “Let’s go, then.”

  Jasper and I led the way to my house. As excited as I was for this new business adventure, at the moment, I was glad to return to the safety and security of my own space. I let out a deep exhale when I opened the front door. The steady tick-tock of my favorite wall clock and the familiar scent of pine candles was what I needed. But where were the kittens who should be greeting me with a sneak attack?

  Jasper ran inside, her deep angry bark shaking my little house. Everything, as far as I could tell in that instance, seemed normal. Yet, she sensed something was wrong.

  “Stay by the door, Sunny,” Hitch said, rushing by me. His hand reached for his holster under his denim jacket, and he followed Jasper into my kitchen.

  His reaction shot fear straight to my pounding heart.

  “What are you doing here?” Hitch’s voice demanded.

  Who was he talking to? I wasn’t going to hide in the corner when some unknown person was in my house. I charged forward, ready for anything. Or, so I thought.

  “Gina?” I was ready for anything but Gina. “What are you doing here? And how did you get inside?”

  She quickly glanced with a hollow-eyed expression at Jasper’s dog door, still brushing grit from her hands. Right. Wasn’t that how I’d planned to break into my own house the day before? I needed to get a lock for that thing.

  “You need to lock that dog door,” Hitch said as if I hadn’t already figured that problem out myself.

  I jabbed Gina’s chest with my pointer finger. “What happened to my kittens?”

  She had such a frightened expression, I regretted my aggressive move, but I needed answers. “I tried to stop them. Really, I did. But they squeezed out while I was squirming in.”

  Jasper, forever the perfect nanny, pushed through her dog door into the backyard. I followed but took the more grown-up path—the door.

  “Sorry,” I heard Gina say in a tiny scared voice. “I didn’t know where else to go. I think they’re framing me for Harry’s murder.”

  “Who’s framing you?” I asked, still reeling from this unwanted intrusion. My mind was on finding Stash and Princess Muffin. Both problems tore me in opposite directions.

  “Maxine? Maybe with Conrad’s help?”

  I sighed with relief as Jasper, oblivious of the thorns, nosed under my rose bush and pulled Princess Muffin out. Stash, not to be left behind, followed and both kitties returned safely back inside after their little adventure.

  With that mishap under control, I put my kettle on, got out my basket of tea, mugs, and honey, moving around on autopilot. Waiting for the next bombshell to drop.

  Hitch took the basket before he turned on Gina. “That’s a harsh accusation,” he said, giving her an opening to explain herself.

  “I know, and I’m really scared. Come take a look at what’s in the trunk of my car. Please?”

  I looked out the window and saw her old sedan, as drab as Gina looked with her shapeless pants and t-shirt and stringy brown hair. I should have noticed the car before, but I was in too much of a rush to get in my house. So much for my powers of observation, but what was Hitch’s excuse?

  “Okay. Let’s go,” he answered.

  “Should we all go? And Jasper, too?” I asked. Was a crowd safer if something was going on?

  Gina paced across my kitchen. “Listen, I’ve been waiting here for about a half hour trying to figure out what options I have. Either come and take a look or I’m outta here.”

  Hitch opened the kitchen door, letting Gina lead the way. He looked at me. “Well? Are you coming?”

  Of course, I was. Curiosity always got the better of me. I could no more stay inside and wonder what the mystery in Gina’s car was than I could abandon those kittens.

  Gina, determined now, strode out to her car, eyes straight ahead, as if oblivious to danger, and popped her trunk open. In among the litter of her life crammed around the spare tire was Harry’s gnarled bonsai tree.

  I gasped.

  “You stole it?” Hitch asked. “Do you have any idea how easily you could damage that tree while it bounces around in there?” He lifted it out like it was a fragile sculpture.

  “I didn’t steal it! It was in there when I left work. I opened my trunk to put my basket of work supplies inside and got the shock of my life. They put it there. They’re framing me.”

  No wonder she looked so frazzled. “Why?” I asked, feeling like this whole situation only got crazier with each passing minute. “Hitch told me that plant is worth a fortune, and someone tried to kill him while he was protecting it. Why would they frame you, Gina?”

  She looked at me like I had two heads or four eyes or some other alien feature sprouting out of my head. “Because they killed that guy, and they need the police to look elsewhere. Who am I? Just a struggling young woman trying to make ends meet cleaning up after all the rich people in town who treat me like I don’t even exist. Maxine has all the connections. I don’t.” She slammed the trunk closed. “I’m leaving. You can do what you want with that thing.”

  “Wait!” Hitch said and lunged for Gina. But, with the bonsai cradled in his arms, she easily slipped out of reach and got in her car. Without looking back, she sped off leaving two rubber burns on the tar.

  “What now?” I asked.

  A siren sounded in the distance, getting louder with each pound of my heartbeat. I looked at Hitch.

  “This isn’t good,” he said.

  16

  My heart pounded as I listened to the siren get closer and closer. Hitch jumped into action.

  Working quickly, he placed the bonsai among my rock garden plants and covered the pot with mulch and stones. I marveled at the transformation and how easily he’d hidden this valuable plant right in plain sight.

  Officer Walker stopped in front of my house, got out of his SUV, and surveyed the scene, the ever-present toothpick making the rounds of his jaw

  “Where’s Hitchner?” he barked. “He’s wanted for questioning about a breaking and entering, and theft. And don’t try to lie to me, Sunny. For all I know, you two were in on this together.”

  “Gee, I don’t see him around here, Mick,” Tilly said, jolting me with her unexpected comment as she pranced across the street.

  I looked around, too. Where had Hitch disappeared to? He’d just been by my side. I’d have to wing this problem blind.

  “But I’m
glad you showed up when you did, Mick,” Tilly said, corralling the officer. “You must have ESP or something. Someone’s been stealing my hydrangea blooms when I’m asleep at night.” She huffed an indignant breath before continuing. “I just can’t figure it out. Come over here and take a look.”

  “I don’t have time for that now, Tilly.” Walker tried to brush her off with his most officious voice.

  I choked back a snort. He didn’t know Tilly.

  “What are you talking about?” She shot him her best hurt expression. And, believe me, Tilly could make a rock cry if necessary. “You’re the town police officer, and I’m in need of your services.” She grabbed his arm and dragged him across the street.

  “See?” she pointed. “Right there. Snip, snip, and more big blooms snipped right off. These luscious blue blooms were my pride and joy.” She actually swiped her cheek even though I knew it was all for show since those hydrangeas were in a vase in her house.

  “What are you going to do about it?”

  While Tilly held Mick captive in her yard, I snuck around to my back door. If Hitch was still around, this was his chance to book it to the next county, leaving me to clean up this mess, which I was happy to do if it kept him safe.

  Whatever Conrad and Maxine were up to stunk to high heaven. Somehow, they figured that Gina would find Hitch and ditch the bonsai. It was a brilliant plan. Leave the evidence with the guy who wanted revenge for being shot.

  “Pssst.”

  I turned around. Hitch had my kitchen door cracked open and was waving frantically for me to go inside.

  “How long can Tilly keep Mick trapped by her bushes?” he asked, trying to peer around the corner of the house to gauge the action on the street.

  I waved him inside before Walker spotted him. “Maybe fifteen more minutes. Are you leaving?” I squeezed passed him, and he shut the door.

  “No! That would only make me look like I have something to hide.”

  “Like a valuable bonsai tree?”