by Lyndsey Cole
“Don’t stick that in your mouth yet unless you want a burned tongue,” Jason warned.
Annie let the sweet, tart treat hover in front of her mouth as the caramel dripped from her fork into a long stalactite. She tested the temperature with the tip of her tongue before deciding it was okay to pop the piece in her mouth. Her eyes rolled up as she savored the perfect blend of the tart apples, buttery pastry, and sweet caramel. “This is sinfully delicious. Where did Leona get this idea from?”
“You won’t believe me if I tell you.”
Annie felt her forehead wrinkle. You gave her the idea?”
“Uh-huh.” Jason sipped his coffee, barely concealing the grin on his face. “I ordered something like this the last time I went to an out-of-the-way coffee shop in Boston. It wasn’t half as good as Leona’s creation, though. I think she found a new specialty for the Black Cat Café.”
Annie nodded enthusiastically. “This would work for breakfast, lunch, or dessert with the appropriate side. Maybe yogurt and granola as a breakfast; extra apples and cheddar cheese for a lunch; vanilla ice cream for a dessert.”
“I suppose you could promote it as a healthy choice if you emphasize that it’s mostly fruit.”
“Right. How do I explain away all the sugar in the caramel and the fat in the pastry though?” Annie got down to business devouring the rest of her pastry-wrapped, caramel-stuffed apple.
“I forgot to tell you last night with all the craziness at the Blackbird, but Thelma called yesterday afternoon to make sure you got home safely.” Jason sat next to Annie.
“Oh. Was she ok? I don’t suppose her son could make it over to help her when the power went out.” Annie’s elderly neighbor, who lived alone just a few houses down from Jason and Annie, would never want anyone to battle through the snow to help her if it meant putting that person in danger.
“Roxy and I checked on her. She put up a big fuss when we got to her house but it was also clear that she was relieved to see us. Her gas fireplace managed to keep her living room warm enough and she had a couple extra blankets over her legs.”
“And Moby?”
Jason laughed. “That big Maine Coon cat was curled up on her lap and probably gave off more heat than an electric blanket.”
“Thank you for checking up on her. I can’t believe she worried about me during the storm.” Annie finished her coffee and held her cup toward Jason. “Any more coffee? I could use another half a cup before I head off to work.”
“Of course she worries about you. You and Roxy visit her more than her own son does. She asked me to tell you that she looks forward to a visit from you as soon as you have time to stop by.” Jason walked to the coffee machine and filled Annie’s cup.
Annie laughed. “She must be out of sweets. I’ll bring her one of these caramel apple thingies and she’ll probably write me into her will.”
“No wonder her son isn’t fond of you. He worries that you’re his competition.”
“To be honest, in my opinion, he should do more but I’m happy to fill the gap. She’s such a caring and thoughtful woman. And she knows everyone who has lived in town for any length of time. Roxy and I will swing by this afternoon.” Annie slid off the stool. “But now I’d better get dressed and get my butt over to the café just in case there’s any business today.”
Annie ran upstairs, found a clean pair of jeans and a turtleneck, brushed her mass of strawberry blonde curls, and slipped her favorite sweater on. She pulled her silver snowflake necklace to the outside and headed back downstairs. As she pushed her feet into her boots, her phone rang. A quick glance made her stomach twist. “I’m not sure I want to answer this call from Leona,” Annie said to Jason. “What if there was another disaster last night after we left?”
“We would have already heard. You may as well answer because she won’t stop calling.”
“Hello.” Annie balanced the phone between her shoulder and cheek and half-listened to several minutes of Leona’s story as she gathered her hat, gloves, and scarf in a pile on the dining room table next to her shoulder bag.
“Okay.” Annie dropped her phone into her bag.
“That was quick. At least on your end.”
“Leona is sending the workshop attendees to the Black Cat Café for breakfast and a change of scenery. Well, she actually said she needed to get them out of the Blackbird before she strangled someone. No one is allowed to leave town, per order of Detective Crank. With Chef Marcel dead, the workshop is cancelled and they’re all sniping at each other.”
“Sounds—”
“Awful?”
“Actually, I was thinking more along the lines that everyone is suspicious of the rest of the group and wondering who is the killer in their midst. Who is your best guess?”
Annie leaned against the table. “First, I just want to say I’m so happy I didn’t have to spend the night at the Blackbird. With Danny getting home to help Leona, I was okay leaving all that mayhem far behind once Christy was done with me.” Annie couldn’t keep the disdain out of her voice when she uttered the detective’s name.
“Yeah, I already figured that out.”
“As to your question? Chef Marcel annoyed everyone.”
“Everyone?” Jason looked shocked.
“Yes. In the short time I was around him . . . remember George? He tried to sneak out before Detective Crank questioned him?”
Jason nodded.
“George was already pushing for a refund before dinner last night. His wife, Sarah, goes along with whatever George says.”
“So two refunds? That’s a hit in the chef’s pocketbook.”
“Exactly. And then Robin, a local and the youngest person at the workshop, told me that she doesn’t even like baking. She came because her mother gave her the workshop as a gift and she was enjoying studying everyone for her novel.”
Jason’s eyebrows rose halfway to his hairline.
“Plus, she snuck her boyfriend, Jared, in and he was upstairs until we discovered him hiding in the tub in her room after the chef was murdered.” Annie emptied her jeans pocket into her bag, throwing in her lip balm and some loose change.
“So, you’re thinking he might have done the annoying chef in? But what would be his motive?”
“Good question, which I have no answer for yet. But if Jared is the murderer, I think he’s too dumb, careless, or both to have gotten rid of all evidence that he was in the chef’s room.” She wrapped her scarf around her neck.
Jason carried the empty plate and coffee cups to the sink. “What about the other guests?”
Annie scrunched her lips to one side. “Connie, with her dog Buddy, hovered around like she was the hostess. She seemed to be the only one who was actually enjoying herself. Of course, as soon as anything happened, she covered her forehead and had a swooning episode,” Annie raised her own arm to her head, closed her eyes, and pretended to go weak in her legs, “but she managed to recover in a heartbeat as soon as food was mentioned.”
Jason chuckled. “Food, the quickest cure for a fainting female. Does that have a catchy ring or what?”
Annie shook her head in response.
“Any other guests?”
“One more—Alex.” Annie reached for the door but stopped and turned back toward Jason. “He wasn’t supposed to be at the Blackbird but he showed up after his car got stuck in the snow.”
“Huh. Your expression is telling me you aren’t convinced about his story.” Jason leaned on the counter, one leg crossed in front of the other.
“He was the only one who never fell apart when everything got crazy. He stayed calm and helped Leona with the generator.” Annie shrugged. “Maybe he’s just that kind of guy—like you—helpful, good in stressful situations, but—”
“But something doesn’t add up. Is that what you’re thinking?” Jason asked.
“With the chef dead, all the guests have to be looked at from a different perspective. Fortunately, that’s Detective Crank’s job and not mine.”
Annie turned the doorknob.
“Good to hear that you won’t be sticking your nose in this mess.”
With the door open, Annie ignored Jason’s jab. “You can take Roxy out for her morning walk? I really need to rush to the café now that I know we’ll have breakfast customers who need to be treated with kid gloves.”
“Yes. Roxy and I will enjoy a peaceful walk along the Lake Trail after the sun has warmed the path.”
Annie glared. “That’s so not fair.”
“Good luck.” Jason blew a kiss.
Annie hustled to her car, dusted the snow off the windshield, and climbed inside. She turned on her radio, hoping it would keep her from thinking too much about all the possibilities for something to go wrong while Leona’s guests ate breakfast at the Black Cat Café.
9
The parking lot behind the building that housed the Black Cat Café was plowed clear with only two cars parked already—Greta’s and Mia’s. Even though Annie technically ran the café now that Leona and Danny had the Blackbird Bed and Breakfast to manage, her manager, Greta, and her mother usually beat her to the café in the mornings.
“Well, at least there’s plenty of help this morning,” Annie said to herself. “Plenty of reliable and competent help.” She walked to the front of the building along the shoveled path, squinting as the rising sun sparkled on the new snow with blinding intensity.
When Annie pushed the door open and walked into the Black Cat Café, soft piano music met her ears. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and steaming hot blueberry muffins filled her nose.
An apron came flying through the air. Annie’s hand shot out and caught it, a motion that had become second nature to her. “We’ve got Leona’s guests coming in for breakfast,” Annie’s mother said. “And, yes, Greta made new aprons. What do you think?”
Annie looked at the black cats surrounded by dark blue snowflakes on a crisp white background and nodded. “Very appropriate for the weather we’ve been having.” She tied the apron around her waist. “Greta, did Leona tell you about her latest culinary creation?”
“Well, if you’re referring to her pastry-wrapped, caramel-filled apple, then, yes, we discussed it during one of Leona’s daily calls to make sure I haven’t changed my mind about this job.” Greta snickered. “I don’t tell her I love it since I want to keep her on her toes. Even though her focus is on the Blackbird Bed and Breakfast, she still owns the Black Cat Café and she needs to stay involved. Is that mean of me to look at it that way?”
“Not at all,” Annie said.
“Besides,” Mia added, “I know my sister and she’ll never back off from being on top of what’s going on at this place. The bed and breakfast is Danny’s dream but, Leona’s heart will always be at the Black Cat Café.” Her eyes searched the counters. “Where are these new apple pastries? I still have room to fill up one of the trays in the pastry display for them.”
“I don’t have that many yet. Plus, don’t tell Leona, but I tweaked her recipe a little.”
Both Annie and Mia burst out laughing at Greta’s admission.
“Oh boy,” Annie said. “Leona won’t like it if yours are tastier.”
Greta pulled a dish towel off a tray revealing twelve perfectly browned pastry-covered apples. Steam rose from the apples. “I made half the way she said but I added some crystallized ginger to the rest. It’s not a big change, just a bit of a zip for those who like ginger.” She cut one of the apples into quarters. Rich caramel oozed from the center. Greta made sure that a piece of ginger adorned each slice before she gave a sample to Annie and Mia.
Annie quickly poured herself some coffee and sat at the counter in front of one of the plates. With her fork, she cut a big chunk of the apple with plenty of pastry, caramel, and the chunk of ginger. “My mouth is watering.” She didn’t bother to tell the other women that she’d already sampled one of Leona’s masterpieces with Jason. She didn’t want Greta to think she was comparing the two cooks’ baking skills. She savored the treat. It was excellent.
Mia was first to exhale a long, satisfied sigh. Her eyes closed and her body sagged. With her mouth full of apple and caramel, she mumbled, “Exquisite.” After she swallowed, she added, “I love the pop of ginger but I know it’s not everyone’s thing.” She turned to Annie. “No comment?”
Annie gave a thumbs-up sign and pointed to her mouth which was filled with the tart and sweet gooeyness of Greta’s creation. Once she could talk without having anything dribble from her mouth, she replied, “These will be a hit, but I do think they are best warm.”
Greta and Mia nodded their agreement.
“What do you think about serving the apples with granola and yogurt for breakfast, cheddar cheese for lunch, and ice cream for a dessert?” Annie wanted a second opinion on her earlier idea.
“Perfect,” Greta said. “Leona already thought of that very breakfast idea for this morning for when her guests arrive. The whole menu for them will be the pastry-wrapped apples with a cheese and egg croissant along with their choice of beverage.”
Annie glanced at the big clock over the entrance to the café and hopped up from her counter stool. “Enough of all this eating and chatting. Guests will be arriving soon and they always make a beeline to the beverage cart first.”
Mia moved to the pastry display and continued to fill the trays with muffins, scones, sweet breads, and cookies. The timer for the oven beeped and another tray of delicious aromas filled the café when Greta pulled out a tray of individual fruit pies.
As Annie busied herself making a fresh pot of coffee for customers, checking the supply of tea offerings, and topping off the sugar and cream containers, the café door squeaked. It’s too early, she thought before she turned around to face Detective Crank walking in alongside the Chief of Police, Tyler Johnson.
Annie’s heart skipped a beat. Even though she was long over her relationship with Tyler, he still triggered old and fond memories especially since she hadn’t bumped into him for so long.
“Is the coffee hot yet?” Christy asked. She walked to the drink cart and helped herself to a mug. “We thought we’d come a little early to beat the crowd.”
And have a chance to annoy us, Annie said to herself. But she pasted a smile on to hide her true feelings about Detective Crank. “A few more minutes for this new pot of coffee but the water is hot for tea if you can’t wait.”
“I’ll wait.” She headed to the pastry display and bent down to get a closer look.
Tyler put a tea bag in his travel mug.
“Tea?” Annie said. “I don’t remember you for a tea drinker, Tyler.”
“Actually, my new friend converted me. Well, not completely, but it’s a way for me to cut back on coffee but still enjoy a hot drink.” Tyler became fascinated with trying to brush an imaginary piece of lint off his sleeve when he mentioned his ‘new friend.’
She noticed a slight tint of pink creep into his cheeks. In a low voice, she said, “That’s great . . . about your new friend.” She threw away his used tea bag. “Anyone I know?”
“Tyler,” Christy called, “I’ve got you an egg croissant. Do you want anything else before we head back to the Blackbird?”
“Gotta go, Annie.” He screwed the top on his travel mug and joined Christy.
His relief at the interruption softened his face which only made Annie more curious who the mysterious ‘friend’ was. That secret wouldn’t stay hidden for long. Not that it was any of her business, but she hoped it was someone she approved of. Even if Tyler didn’t know it yet, Annie did hope for the best for him.
Tyler left the café but Christy wandered over to where Annie was still standing by the drink cart. “I never got a chance to ask you what rooms you went into last night at the Blackbird.” She tucked her breakfast bag under her arm and filled her travel mug with the now steaming fresh coffee.
“What do you mean?”
“Simple question, Annie. What rooms did you go into after you arrived and before the victim
was discovered?”
“The victim. You mean Chef Marcel?”
Christy rolled her eyes. “Of course that’s who I mean. Quit stalling and answer my question. It’s not difficult.”
“I helped Connie to her room after she got overheated and fainted. And after Leona went up to investigate the loud thump, I went up to Chef Marcel’s room.”
“And Leona was in there when you arrived?”
“No, I met her on the stairs and we went in together. The chef was on the floor. That was the loud noise we all heard.”
“Was that noise before or after Leona went upstairs?”
“Leona went upstairs to see if the Chef wanted to come down for dinner. There was a thump. I went up. He was on the floor.”
Christy sipped her coffee. “Who else went into his room?”
Annie leaned right into Christy’s face. “If I knew the answer to that, I’d probably know who the murderer was,” Annie hissed. “Isn’t that your job to find the clues that the killer left behind?”
Christy smiled. “I just wanted to know why we found yours and Leona’s fingerprints in the chef’s room.”
“No one else’s?”
“Well, now, I can’t reveal that tidbit, can I?” Christy held up the coffee and breakfast bag. “Thanks. I always love my visits here.” With that comment, she turned and walked out.
Annie stood in her spot and steamed. That whole conversation gave Annie no new information but she suspected that Christy had fun watching her twist and spin under the scrutiny. Before she could dissect the exchange any more, the café door opened for business.
Connie strutted in with her shoulders back and her purse dangling from her elbow as she approached Annie. “What a cute little spot. Now I see why Leona suggested we all come here for breakfast.” She cupped her hand around her mouth and spoke close to Annie’s ear. “I had to get out of that place before it suffocated me with that shroud of death.”
10
