Merry Buried Christmas (Black Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery Series Book 12)

by Lyndsey Cole

  “And she won’t find anything.” Leona slammed her fist on the counter.

  “No. She won’t find anything because I didn’t kill my mother. The question I’m sure you two are asking yourselves is: how did the murderer get that gun?” Danny refilled his coffee cup. “I always suspected that my mother took the gun when she left town. She’s the one who encouraged me to buy it in the first place. When it was gone, it didn’t matter to me and I never thought about that gun again … until today.”

  “Okay. Let’s assume Heather had the gun when she came back to town. And let’s assume she had the gun when Danny saw her waiting on the Lake Trail for her meeting with the mysterious person. Who was she meeting with, and why?” Annie asked.

  “I have a suspicion about the why of the meeting,” Danny said quietly.

  Leona and Annie stared at him.

  “Why?” Leona asked.

  “I didn’t tell you everything about the conversation I had with my mom the morning before she was murdered.”

  “You kept a—”

  “Just hear me out, Leona.” Danny’s words came out more forceful than usual. It was obvious the tension was having an effect on him. He returned to the same chair he had been sitting in. He drank some coffee.

  Leona crossed her arms

  Annie barely let herself breathe.

  “I did look in her hobo bag before I drove out of the parking lot. I was curious. How could I not look?”

  “We’ve gone over everything she had in there, Danny.” Leona didn’t even try to cover her confusion.

  “I know. But I had already taken something out of her bag by the time you found me in my truck off the road.”

  “What did you take?” Leona’s voice was soft.

  “Before my mom pushed the bag into my arms and told me to keep it safe, she tucked an envelope inside. That’s what I took out. An envelope with her name on it and five one-hundred-dollar bills inside.” Danny finally lifted his face and looked at Leona. “I have been trying to figure out why she had all that cash.”

  “Did you come up with any theory?”

  Danny wiped his sleeve across his mouth. “This is what I think. It might be a bit of a stretch, but hear me out.” He looked at Leona and Annie.

  They nodded.

  “Okay. She stuffed the envelope with the money in her hobo bag which she pushed into my arms. That had to be a last-minute decision since she had no idea I was going to show up.”

  More head nodding.

  “She told me she was waiting for someone but maybe she had a change of heart. She had that stolen beaded clutch in the hobo bag that Leona told me is quite valuable. She also had the remnants of a stolen necklace from Camilla’s shop minus the valuable gems with her. I think she sold the gems to someone and that’s where the five hundred dollars came from. She was going to sell the beaded clutch but changed her mind.”

  “So why did she even wait to meet that person?” Leona asked.

  “I don’t know. Maybe she didn’t wait, and that person found her at her car and demanded whatever they were after, which could have been the beaded clutch,” Danny said.

  “And they struggled,” Leona said.

  “And Heather pulled out her gun,” Annie added.

  “But the gun was used against her.” Danny looked away after he uttered those words.

  Annie picked up her jacket off the floor. “Danny’s theory fits together well. One thing we can be sure of, Heather brought the murder weapon to town. So, she either had it with her when she was murdered or someone had already stolen it from her.”

  “That’s it!” Leona pointed at Annie. “She stayed with Randy. He could have stolen it from her.”

  “True, it could be Randy … or anyone else who went to his house,” Annie said.

  Danny slumped on the chair. “When I was a kid, Randy, Brian, and Olive were best friends and my mother tried hard to be part of that group. I don’t know what happened but they wouldn’t have anything to do with her. There had to be something, but I guess I didn’t really pay much attention to her problems back then.”

  Leona stood next to Danny. “Don’t blame yourself. You were not responsible for solving your mother’s problems.”

  “But now those problems have landed right at my feet,” Danny said.

  “At our feet,” Leona corrected. “We’ll figure this out together. Someone, whoever it is, is trying to make you look like a murderer. That person has no idea who they are messing with.”

  Annie saw fire in Leona’s eyes and a rigid stance that no one was going to intimidate. She was glad Leona was on her side.

  Leona hugged Danny. “I’m going to the Black Cat Café with Annie to help with brunch today. I left a list of small projects that will keep you busy while I’m gone. Now, Danny,” Leona put her hands on both sides of his face and forced him to look at her, “put on your Red Sox baseball cap and get your mind on getting this place all spiffed up for our wedding. Okay?”

  “Okay. Can I have another blueberry muffin?”

  Leona laughed. “Eat them all if you want. I made them for you.” She ruffed his hair and followed Annie out of the kitchen.

  As soon as they were outside, Annie asked, “Do you think Danny will be all right until you get home? You can stay here if you think you should.”

  “He’ll be fine. It took him some time to process everything but I feel better now that he’s talking. Getting it off his chest and knowing he’s not alone in this is important. I’m relieved that he filled us in on the rest of the details about Heather.” Leona opened her car door.

  “Danny might be overthinking everything. We need to keep the focus simple—who did Heather meet and why?” Annie said.

  “Good point. I want to make a visit to Randy as soon as I can. Don’t you think Heather might have left a suitcase there?”

  “Probably. I’ll come with you on that trip. Randy has a bit of a sleazy streak. Maybe we can catch him in a lie.” Annie slid behind her steering wheel. “See you at the café.”

  Annie felt a little guilty that she was arriving at the café later than her usual seven o’clock for a Sunday morning. But she was also confident that her mother and Greta would have everything under control.

  As Annie and Leona opened the café door, calm classical Christmas music that Greta preferred filled the room. Leona grabbed a green apron decorated with black cats wearing Santa hats and switched the station to her favorite oldies music. “This place needs a bit more energy,” she announced as she tied the apron around her waist. “At least until we open the doors for the customers.”

  Annie looked at her mother and raised her eyebrows.

  Greta continued to stack a variety of fresh-from-the-oven muffins on a cooling rack.

  Leona pushed a strand of her strawberry blonde hair behind her ear. “What? Don’t we always listen to oldies?”

  “Actually, Leona, Greta prefers the classical station,” Mia explained.

  “Oh.” She shrugged. “Today we’re going to listen to oldies.” She turned the volume up and got to work mixing up fruit fillings for individual tarts.

  Mia had the drink cart all set. Annie helped herself to a cup of hot chocolate with a splash of coffee and a dollop of whipped cream. It was almost a meal by itself but she decided to have an apple tart, too, to keep her going through the brunch rush.

  With the Christmas tree lights twinkling, the aroma of freshly cut evergreen boughs and sweet baked goods filling the café, and a sprig of holly at each booth, the Black Cat Café was as inviting as possible.

  Brian Black pushed through the door and stood glaring with his hands on his hips. “Did you call the Board of Health, Leona? I’ve been shut down.”

  “Huh? Of course not. I imagine it’s best for everyone, though.” Leona turned her attention back to her tarts.

  Brian stormed right to the counter and leaned over as far as possible. “What did you say?”

  Leona wiped her hands on her apron. “Listen, Brian, your
Kozy Koffee Stop is about as filthy as any eating place I’ve ever been in. When you wanted our advice, I told you yesterday to clean it up. Apparently, you didn’t take that advice, but an unhappy customer must have done this town a favor and called the Board of Health. Deal with it. Now, get out so we can get back to our booming business.”

  Brian spit on his finger and wiped it across the counter. “Huh, I wonder what the Board of Health would think about the germs around this place.” He turned and stomped out of the café.

  “I don’t believe what he just did,” Leona said. Her eyes blinked, her mouth hung open, and she balled her hands into fists.

  Mia spritzed the counter and scrubbed the entire surface until it sparkled. “Don’t let him get under your skin, Leona. He’s not worth it. He’s got a chip on his shoulder and can’t do anything but spout out hot air. Everything you said to him is accurate. I’ve heard all the complaints about his Kozy Koffee Stop.”

  “I wonder why he suspected you, Leona,” Annie said. “Didn’t Heather threaten to call the Board of Health? How does he know she didn’t call?”

  That question silenced the café as everyone’s eyes turned to Annie.

  “He’d know it wasn’t Heather if he killed her to shut her up,” Leona answered.

  22

  The brunch crowd arrived with arms full of packages from early morning shopping, and huge appetites. Mia and Annie served custardy quiches, savory sweet breads, and every type of sweet available to the customers at the tables and booths as fast as they could walk from one side of the café to the other.

  With all the hustle and bustle, holiday chatter, and smiling faces, Annie almost, but not quite, managed to forget about the dark cloud hanging over Danny and Leona’s head.

  With one eye on Leona, Annie was pleased to see that she kept herself occupied at the pastry display where she busily chatted with customers, giving detailed explanations about each delicacy.

  A big hit with the kids—and kids at heart—was a plate of broken cookies that Leona offered as samples. No one declined a taste. And everyone smiled after they sampled the treat.

  Greta, like a woman possessed, pulled tray after tray, pie after pie, and bread pan after bread pan from the oven.

  It was a holiday brunch stop for customers to refuel before they continued with their last-minute Christmas shopping; a chance to sit and rest tired feet; an opportunity to figure out where their next stop would be.

  Annie headed to a table and was surprised to see Wade and Liz from Gently Used Boutique sitting across from each other.

  “You aren’t working today, Liz?” Annie asked. All the shops were open on this Sunday before Christmas. Every possible shopping day was money in the pockets for busy shop owners.

  Liz gave a loud sigh. “The store is open but I quit.”

  Annie felt her forehead wrinkle from the lift in her eyebrows. “You quit?” She knew she wouldn’t be able to work for Olive Morgan but was she rude to everyone?

  “Yeah. I just couldn’t take her attitude anymore, ya know? And it’s my birthday. Twenty-two, no job, my car on its last legs, and I’ll be out on the street at the end of the month if I don’t find another job.” Liz’s voice fell off with another deep sigh.

  “Hey, babe.” Wade reached into the inside pocket of his jacket. “I got ya somethin’.” He smiled at Liz with the hopeful expression of someone in love as he slid a small wrapped box across the table. “I know you’re gonna love it.”

  Annie felt like an intruder at this special moment but she had to admit she was dying of curiosity to find out what was in the box. “I’ll be right back with something for you, Liz.”

  Annie made a beeline to the pastry display. “I need a piece of your rich chocolate cake with ganache frosting and a strawberry on top,” Annie said to Leona. “Liz just quit her job and it’s her birthday. She needs a little cheering up.”

  “Liz?”

  “Works for Olive,” Annie explained.

  “Oh.” Leona’s eyes grew into big circles. She glanced at the booth where the couple was sitting. “One bribe-filled, on-the-house piece of birthday cake coming right up. And here’s another piece for Wade. Are they an item?”

  “As far as I can tell. Or, at least, it appears that Wade is hopeful in the romance department. I haven’t figured out where Liz stands on the relationship. But he just gave her a wrapped box so maybe that will help her make a decision.”

  She handed two plates to Annie and whispered, “Find out everything you can on Olive, and don’t be shy about asking Wade about his father if you have a chance. Heather stayed at his farm, after all.”

  Annie balanced the plates and winked at Leona. “You read my mind.” She hurried back to the booth where Wade and Liz were huddled over the table.

  “Happy Birthday,” Annie said as she put one piece of cake in front of Liz and the other in front of Wade.

  Liz looked up at Annie. Tears filled her eyes. “Maybe this day is on the upswing. I’m not sure if I let my emotions get the better of me when I quit my job, but I was just so angry at Olive.”

  Annie crouched at the edge of the booth to be at eye level with the couple. “Angry?”

  Liz shook her head. “You were in the store yesterday when I discovered that the beaded clutch was missing, weren’t you?”

  “Yes, I was there with Leona. Did Olive find the clutch?” Annie knew the answer to that question since the clutch was well-hidden in her house.

  Liz snorted. “She’s not going to find it. I’m sure she sold it to the highest bidder. That’s what she does.” Liz lowered her voice. “For cash, and no receipt. She has a pretty sweet scam going to hide her true income.”

  “You’re kidding.” Annie placed her hand on her chest and looked appropriately shocked, even though Leona had already figured out the scam. “Are you going to tell anyone?”

  “I can’t. Look what happened to that red-haired woman who came in. She got shot after she and Olive argued.” Liz shivered. “That’s another reason I quit. I don’t feel safe around Olive. Who knows if something else is going on besides the cash thing she does.”

  Wade put his hand over Liz’s. “Don’t get yourself all worked up again, babe. Open your gift.”

  The heat in Wade’s eyes could have melted the frosting right off the cake.

  “Okay.” Liz pulled the ribbon on the bow and let it fall off. She slipped a perfectly manicured nail under the tape holding the Christmas wrapping paper to reveal a small black shiny box. She looked at Wade and smiled. “What’s inside?”

  “Why do you think I wrapped it? I’m not tellin’.” His face broke into a wide grin.

  “You wrapped it yourself?”

  Wade nodded and a slight blush bloomed on his cheeks.

  “Aww, you’re the sweetest guy, Wade.” Liz lifted the top off the box, her mouth fell open, and her eyes turned into big round ovals. She lifted a dainty silver chain with a diamond teardrop pendant off a nest of cotton batting. “It’s beautiful but, Wade, it’s much too expensive. You can’t afford this.”

  “Don’t worry about the price. I can afford it and I want you to have it. Go ahead, put it on.”

  Liz looped the necklace around her neck and fumbled with the latch.

  “Here, let me get that for you,” Annie said.

  Liz twisted in the seat so her back was facing Annie.

  “Huh, the latch is a bit bent.” Annie squeezed the circle part closed. “There. Let’s see how it looks,” Annie said.

  Liz twisted in the other direction.

  “Beautiful,” Annie gushed. And she meant it. It was simple but elegant. It had the sheen of an heirloom.

  “You look like a princess,” Wade said. “Just how I imagined when I first saw it. I knew it was the perfect present for you.” His face beamed with happiness.

  Annie patted Liz’s shoulder. “You two enjoy the birthday cake. I’m sure everything will work out for you, Liz. Is Olive going to reimburse you for the beaded clutch?” Annie felt a
little bit guilty since she knew exactly where the clutch was but, for the moment, she thought it was more useful to let Liz think that it was all Olive’s fault. When the time was right, the clutch would find its way back to Liz.

  “I told her she owed me for it but she just waved her ugly hand at me as if I was an annoying Grinch. What can I do? I loaned it to her but it was all done with trust, no paperwork. I can’t prove anything.”

  “I witnessed your discussion with her. I’ll have a chat with her and make sure she understands she needs to pay you for the loss. What’s it worth?” Annie asked.

  “I really don’t know.” Liz puckered her lips to one side. “I never should have let her talk me into bringing it into the store but I wanted to make a good impression, show her that I was a team player, blah blah blah. A lot of good that did me.”

  Wade pushed the plate of cake closer to Liz. “Let’s eat the cake and try not to worry about the clutch for now. If I have to, I’ll talk to Olive.”

  Great, Annie thought, that sounded like the worst idea ever. Wade confronting Olive? Who knew what that could lead to? She suspected that Wade was prepared to do anything to help Liz get what she wanted. Annie thought it was best that Olive and Wade never met without plenty of witnesses around.

  The rest of the busy stretch in the café went by in a blur of faces, smiles, pastries, and holiday greetings.

  Finally, the crowd dwindled to a trickle, giving Annie and Leona a chance to leave the café in the capable hands of Greta and Mia. Annie grabbed a piece of broccoli quiche to eat on the way to Randy’s farm. It was high time to find out if Heather left anything behind with him.

  As they headed out the door, Annie stopped. “Wait. I’m going to bring along a box of Christmas goodies.”

  Leona grinned. “Bribe material?”

  Annie returned the smile. “Well, you never know.”

  Leona waited at the door while Annie boxed up a variety of cookies. It usually did the trick to warm up a stand-offish person.

  As they finally walked out of the Black Cat Café, Leona asked, “Straight to Randy’s?”

  “No. The Gently Used Boutique is on the way. Let’s have a little chat with our good friend Olive Morgan before we visit Randy. I want to know her side of what happened with Liz.”