by Lyndsey Cole
Greta laughed as she read from her phone, “Yeah, sour cherries are, well, sour and have a tendency to make you pucker if you eat them.”
“So much for that recipe from Chef Marcel, or Conman Marcel as Robin renamed him.” Annie pushed the jam away from her plate.
Alex walked into the café and looked around before he slid into the empty seat next to Annie. “I just wanted to say goodbye before leaving. I know you had your suspicions about me but it all worked out in the end. I have to tell you that I thought Leona was going to have a heart attack when we heard that crash upstairs. It was a repeat of when Chef Marcel fell out of bed and we were at the dining room table Friday night. Did she tell you what she said to me?”
Annie shook her head.
“Her exact words as she ran to the stairs were, ‘If anyone hurt a hair on Annie’s head they won’t get out of here alive.’ She’s got your back.”
Annie smiled. She felt Jason squeeze her thigh. “Yes, she does, and I’ve got hers, too.”
Alex tapped his finger to his forehead. “Now that my job is wrapped up here, I guess I’ll be on my way.”
“Did you figure out exactly why Chef Marcel hired you?” Annie asked.
“Well, it was more complicated than what he originally told me. Detective Crank and I searched through all the papers from Connie’s suitcase which revealed an extensive trail that she had been stalking him for quite some time using various pseudonyms. She laid out how they should be partners, in business and life. For some reason, she had convinced herself that the chef was in love with her; probably wishful thinking. We think the chef wanted me to figure out who the crazy person really was and how to get her out of his life.”
“Wow. And Connie actually seemed to be somewhat normal . . . until I had her cornered with the evidence spilled all over the floor of her room.” Annie shook her head at the memory. “Phil’s threatening letter was just bad timing on his part?”
“I guess so. The chef’s scam was beginning to fall apart and when Phil demanded money, his fair share in my opinion, the chef must have panicked and decided to take care of the problem in the only way he could think of—make it look like a peanut allergy reaction.”
“I owe you an apology, Alex. I had a hard time letting go of thinking you might have killed the chef. I’m glad I was wrong.”
Alex grinned. “Apology accepted. Detective Crank . . . Christy . . . also thanked me for hanging around and keeping you and Leona out of trouble.”
“She said that?” Annie frowned.
“She sure did. She loves to wear that tough guy image, but underneath she actually has a pretty big heart.” Alex patted Annie’s shoulder. “I’m on my way, but don’t be surprised if you see me back in this cozy town sometime.”
“Really? I thought you’d drive out with your tires squealing and without even a glance in your rearview mirror,” Annie replied.
“Nope, Catfish Cove has grown on me—the quaint town atmosphere, the beautiful mountain setting, the food, and I suppose most of the people aren’t too bad either.” Alex elbowed Annie and grinned. He lowered his voice. “And I wouldn’t mind seeing that detective again. She’s dynamite.”
Annie’s eyes popped open. “That, she is.” She was sure she wouldn’t want to spend too much time with a lit stick of dynamite wearing a tight ponytail and a stink-eye to win a gold medal, but maybe that worked for Alex.
Camilla rushed in through the door just as Alex left the café. “Annie! Tyler just filled me in on what happened at the Blackbird. I can’t believe it. That nice old lady that bought an expensive necklace from my store tried to kill you?”
“It wasn’t even close, Camilla.” Annie winked at Jason.
The café door jingled. Annie turned to see Leona entering. Danny followed with a package tucked carefully under his arm.
“I cancelled the baking lesson I promised the guests this morning. Everyone wanted to get going anyway and get as far away as possible from this nightmare weekend.” Leona took the seat that Alex had already warmed. She put her arm around Annie and pulled her close. “I really thought there might be another murder at the Blackbird when I heard that thump yesterday.”
“Yeah, Alex told me what you said, but why did you think it was me upstairs?”
Leona shook her head. “I don’t know. Instinct, I guess. You always pop into my brain first. Anyway, Danny and I have something for you.” She took the package from Danny and placed it in front of Annie. “Go ahead. Open it.”
Annie tore off the brown paper to reveal a beautiful cherry-framed oval mirror. She turned to Leona. “For me?”
“Danny made two. I have one hanging next to the coat tree by the front door at the Blackbird and this one should hang in here. It’s a magic mirror.” The corners of Leona’s mouth twitched. “I’ll be able to see what’s going on here while I’m at the bed and breakfast.”
Everyone burst out laughing. “You wish!” Annie managed to say in between several loud snorts.
A Note from Lyndsey
Thank you for reading my cozy mystery, Cherry Buried Cake.
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About the Author
Lyndsey Cole lives in New England in a small rural town with her husband who puts up with all the characters in her head, her dog who hogs the couch, her cat who is the boss, and 3 chickens that would like to move into the house. She surrounds herself with gardens full of beautiful perennials. Sitting among the flowers with the scent of lilac, peonies, lily of the valley, or whatever is in bloom, stimulates her imagination about who will die next!
Also by Lyndsey Cole
The Hooked & Cooked Series
Gunpowder Chowder
Mobsters and Lobsters
A Fishy Dish
Crook, Line and Sinker
Catch of the Dead
Caught Dead Handed
A Fowl Feast
Lily Bloom Series
Begonia Means Beware
Queen of Poison
Roses are Dead
Drowning in Dahlias
Hidden by the Hydrangeas
Christmas Tree Catastrophe
The Black Cat Café Series
BlueBuried Muffins
StrawBuried in Chocolate
BlackBuried Pie
Very Buried Cheesecake
RaspBuried Torte
PoisonBuried Punch
CranBuried Coffee Cake
WineBuried Wedding
Jingle Buried Cookies
Easter Buried Eggs
Boo Buried Cupcakes
Merry Buried Christmas
