by Lyndsey Cole
Jason crossed his arms across his chest. “So, massage, hot tub, and champagne? Who drove?”
“Camilla. She only had a sip or two of her champagne. She needed at least that much after Rachel dropped her bombshell about Cody. And herself.”
“Oh boy.” He poured coffee for himself and for Annie. “I think I’ll have mine black this morning. I need all my senses wide awake to digest whatever you learned yesterday. But before you get to that, what did you decide about Leona’s news?”
“Huh? She told you?”
Jason nodded. “She was hoping to get me on her side to influence you to, you know,” he quickly raised and lowered one shoulder, “say yes.”
“You think I should say yes?” Annie sucked her bottom lip in under her top teeth. She didn’t want to be pressured. She wanted time to think it through carefully. Did she want the extra responsibility? Sure, it worked out fine when Leona was on her short get-away with Danny, but this would be all the time. And, yes, she did enjoy making the decisions, but again, when she did it before, it was only for a few days. She sighed.
Jason chuckled. “I can see those wheels turning at warp speed. You need to make the decision, not me.” He paused. “But I will say that I know you can run the Black Cat Café just as well as Leona does.”
“Of course you would tell me that. You’re my biggest fan.”
“Let’s sit down and talk about this seriously.” Jason carried both coffee cups to the table. He patted the cushion next to where he sat. “Yes, I’m your biggest fan but that being said, I would never encourage you to do something that I didn’t think you were completely and utterly qualified for. Okay?”
Annie nodded.
“So, here’s the thing. First, Leona said she’d still continue to do the baking from the kitchen at the Harper House. Or at least a good portion of the baking. I think all the blueberry muffins should still be made at the café and maybe a couple of the other popular items. Why? To make sure the café smells just like everyone expects.”
Annie grinned. “Clever.”
“Maybe it sounds clever but it’s also good business. I think a lot of customers buy with their eyes and their nose. Second, you are organized and good at delegating. That isn’t Leona’s strength. She’s gotten away with it because you’ve been there to handle that without even realizing it.”
“Huh. I never looked at it that way.”
“Third, you loved running the show when Leona was on vacation. You’re ready to take the plunge and jump in with both feet if you want to.”
“It sounds like you’re making the decision for me. How can I say no after that build-up?”
Jason pulled Annie close. “You can say yes, no, or I need more time to think about it. I only want you to know that I have no doubt that you can do the job. Now, fourth—do you want to run the café?”
“Aah, the million dollar question . . . and the best answer I have is that I’m not sure yet.”
“Don’t worry, Leona will deal with that answer. She won’t like it, but she has no choice but to let you decide at your pace.” Jason crossed his legs. “Now, tell me about your afternoon at Escape Reality Spa. From what you mentioned earlier, I’m not sure you managed to escape reality at all.”
“Good point. It started out great. The massage was amazing and turned my muscles into over-kneaded bread dough.”
“But?”
“But when we moved to the hot tub, Kitty started to throw around all kinds of accusations.”
“Does she know something about the murder?”
“If she does, she’s kept it well hidden, but she isn’t shy about sharing her opinions. At first she accused Greta of being the murderer.”
“That makes sense. She never got along with Greta, even before the whole prom fiasco. She changed her mind about Greta by the time you left?”
“Yes. After Rachel said she came to town to patch things up with Brian and she followed him to Kitty’s party, Kitty jumped all over that information and accused Rachel of stabbing Brian. It was all Camilla and I could do to prevent them from have a hair-pulling, knock-down fight right there in the hot tub!”
“Maybe you should have let them go at it.” Jason chuckled. “So, first Kitty thought Greta killed Brian, then she turned her focus on Rachel. Who else could it be?”
“Cody. He was talking to Greta at the front door when Brian knocked on the kitchen door. That information came from Greta. Rachel said she saw Brian walk to Greta’s kitchen door and someone dressed like a biker came around from the front of the house and they argued. She didn’t know it was Cody, though, but it must have been since he was at the front door and he was dressed like a biker that night.”
“Did Rachel see Cody stab Brian?”
“No. She said she left. In a black Jeep. And Greta saw a black Jeep leave when she came out and saw Brian on the ground.”
“Cody has a black Jeep, too. Greta, Cody, Rachel, and you must have all been minutes apart from when Brian was murdered. I know it wasn’t you, Annie. Was it one of the other three?”
“Or someone else that managed to stab Brian within an extremely narrow window of opportunity.” Annie paused in thought. “When I left Kitty’s house, she was coming inside. She said she had been out looking for her cat.”
“You’re adding Kitty to your suspect list now?”
“To the extent that everyone at the party is a suspect.”
“No. I can’t see it. Kitty and Brian were best friends.” Jason ran his fingers through his hair. “Does Detective Crank know that Cody was at Greta’s house?”
“Greta told her but I don’t know if she has all these other details. How do you think she’ll take the fact that her boyfriend had the opportunity and a motive?”
“Whoa. Slow down. What’s Cody’s motive?”
“Rachel said that Brian wanted his share of the money out of the farm. If Cody couldn’t buy him out, what would he do?”
Jason shook his head. “I don’t think he would kill his own brother. They weren’t close, but murder? That’s a stretch.”
“But they argued. Maybe it happened in the heat of the argument. Leona told me that Brian was fooling around with the walking stick and jabbing at Cody when he was still at Kitty’s house.”
“I suppose that scenario could be possible.” Jason pretended to stab at a pretend something. “Cody could have grabbed the walking stick and turned it on Brian in self-defense. What a mess.”
“Right. I want to talk to Cody.”
Jason stood. “I’ll go with you. I’ve known him for a long time and I think it’s best if we’re there together.”
“Sounds good to me. I’m heading to the Black Cat Café. Swing by and pick me up when you want to go.”
“I’ll contact Cody and find out when he has a free few minutes.” Jason gave Annie a quick peck on her cheek. “Good luck with Leona.”
Annie knew she had to make a decision. What was holding her back? For one, she liked her time in the mornings to walk Roxy before work but she could still fit that in if Leona was doing most of the baking. Was there anything else? She couldn’t think of anything. If she could find the right person to hire, everyone’s hours would stay about the same.
She smiled. Leona would be happy.
The oldies were louder than normal when Annie opened the café door. Leona was busy with a whirlwind of activity and didn’t even know Annie had arrived. Trays were coming out of the oven, other trays went in, and cooling racks lined the counter with an assortment of muffins, sweet breads, pies, and cakes.
“Have you been baking all night?” Annie asked.
Leona looked up. “Pretty much. I want to get ahead so it’s not so much work for you. The kitchen at the Harper House won’t be ready until next week.”
Annie froze.
“What? Don’t tell me you aren’t going to take over the café.” Leona’s hands, both covered by thick oven mitts, rested on her hips. “Annie?”
“I’m still thinking abou
t it, Leona.”
“What’s there to think about? Not much will change.” She pulled off one oven mitt and put one finger up. “I won’t be here physically but I’ll only be a phone call away.” A second finger popped up. “I’ll try to stop by every morning with that day’s pastries baked fresh at Harper House.” The rest of her fingers uncurled and her shoulders rose. “What’s there to think about?” she repeated.
Annie still didn’t say anything.
Leona’s eyes narrowed. “What did Jason say to you? I thought he was on my side about this.”
“Oh, Jason did a great sales job and told me it was completely my decision. It’s a big commitment, Leona.”
“Of course it is. And who else would I ever, in a million and one years, trust with this responsibility?”
Annie knew she couldn’t say no. “Can I change the hours to suit me? Just a little so I can still walk Roxy in the morning?”
Leona stared at Annie. “Huh. I hadn’t given any thought that you might want to change something . . . but, sure, that will be your choice. Just try not to go out of business. Okay?” Leona grinned.
“Okay, then. I’ll take on the responsibility and I plan to keep my eyes open for a new employee. I think that will keep the pressure off all of us. It has to be just the right person—quiet, hard-working, willing to be flexible.”
“I like that idea and I have just the person to recommend.”
“Oh?” Annie was afraid that she was taking on the responsibility of the Black Cat Café, but was Leona really going to be able to let go? Would she be second-guessing all her decisions?
“Greta.”
“Greta?”
“Yes. Greta. I had a productive chat with her when I delivered her replacement birthday cake.”
“Greta Grayley?” Annie heard the shock in her own voice and couldn’t understand why Leona thought Greta, who barely left her house, who most people in town were suspicious of, would ever even want to work at the café.
“Come on Annie. What’s so surprising about Greta? She fills all your requirements to a T—quiet, hard-working, flexible.” Leona swiped her mitted hand across the counter. “She’s coming in today for a trial run.”
Annie was stunned at Leona’s words, to put it mildly. With Greta working at the Black Cat Café, how many people would stop coming in to avoid being around her?
Plenty.
20
Leona turned the radio up and turned back to her work.
Annie tied on an apron—white with sleeping black cats. She focused on filling the pastry display until the door jingled.
Greta stood in the open door, partially in the café with her hand still on the door handle. She reminded Annie of a curious mouse wondering if it was safe to enter and tiptoe by the sleeping cat.
“There you are.” Leona spread her arms out and motioned for Greta to come all the way in. She flicked the radio off. “Annie is thrilled that you’ve decided to work here.”
Annie glanced quickly at Leona and frowned. Leona did not meet her gaze.
It wasn’t that Annie didn’t like Greta, she did, but Greta was quiet and stuck to herself, which, for many people in this small town, equaled odd. And those same people had very set opinions about her. Plus, the matter of Brian’s murder loomed over Greta with the weight of an ominous thundercloud.
It wouldn’t be much of a leap for many people to conclude, if they hadn’t already, that Greta Grayley killed Brian Springer.
Greta looked at Annie. Annie saw something. Maybe it was Greta’s vulnerability or just an honesty that shined through her insecurity. Annie sighed. Greta was misjudged by so many, maybe working at the Black Cat Café was her chance to show the town that the real Greta Grayley wasn’t who they thought she was.
Greta wasn’t odd; she was quiet.
Greta wasn’t a threat to anyone; she liked to spend most of her time by herself.
Greta wasn’t a murderer; at least that was what Annie believed. And she knew she had to help Greta prove it. Who else would?
Annie smiled at Greta. “Welcome to the Black Cat Café. You’ll love working here.”
Leona nodded and smiled at Greta. She beamed at Annie and winked. “You’ll love working for Annie.”
Leona turned back to her mixer and bowl of batter, effectively letting Annie take the lead and show Greta the routine.
Greta looked at the wall of books at one side of the café. “I didn’t notice you had books in here before. I wonder if there’s something you could do to bring more attention to them.”
Annie put one hand on her hip and tilted her head. “Now that you mention it, I don’t think many people have been taking and replacing a book. Any ideas?”
“How about repainting the shelves with brighter colors to draw more attention to the books? You could even add some cat statues or drawings here and there to tie into the name of the café.”
Annie nodded. “I like that. It sounds like our little freebrary is due for a makeover.”
“Freebrary?” Greta’s face crunched up in confusion.
“Free library. All we ask is that if someone takes a book, they leave one they’ve finished. It was very popular when we first opened but, you’re right, we need to put more focus on the books.”
Annie took Greta’s arm. “The first important task you need to learn is,” she pointed to the hooks behind the counter with all the aprons, “you need to choose an apron.”
Greta riffled through the choices. Every apron had black cats in some position on various colored backgrounds. She chose one. “This reminds me of Lucky. He always trots along with his tail pointing up like he knows exactly what he wants and how he’s planning to get it. I try to be like him.” She tied it around her waist.
Before Annie got any farther with her tour, Mia and Camilla entered. They stopped when they saw Greta wearing an apron.
Mia recovered quickly and stepped toward Greta. “It looks like we have a new employee.” She raised her eyebrows in question.
Leona wiped her hands on her apron. “Yes. I know this change has come quickly. Annie has agreed to run the café from now on while my time will be focused on helping Danny turn the bed & breakfast into a profitable business.”
Camilla’s mouth fell open but nothing came out.
Mia chuckled. “I knew something was cooking on the back burner, Leona, but I thought it was more in the, you know,” she flapped one hand, “future.”
Greta backed up as if she was trying to disappear.
Annie put her arm around Greta’s shoulders and pulled her back into the circle of conversation. “Greta will be helping fill the enormous hole that Leona will leave.”
Everyone laughed.
“Hey. What’s so funny? I know you all will miss me.” Leona’s mouth turned down into a pouty face.
“Come on, Leona,” Annie said. “You already told me you’d be over most mornings delivering all your goodies. I think you’re still planning to do the baking just so you can stop in and spy on me.”
“And chat. The hardest part for me will be working with Danny, who, as you know, isn’t the most talkative partner. It’s going to be much too quiet in that big new kitchen at the Harper House.”
“You can turn the radio way up and no one will complain. That will be your company,” Annie teased. She clapped her hands. “We’d better get busy, customers will be coming in before we’re ready if we don’t quit this chatter.”
Camilla patted Greta’s back on her way to checking all the tables. Mia headed to the pastry display so Annie could explain the rest of the morning routine to Greta.
“The first order of business for you will be to make sure the drink cart is ready before we open for the day,” Annie explained. “We offer specialty coffees, all labeled, so there’s no guesswork. This pot is hot water for tea with all the tea choices arranged in this wooden box.” Annie flipped the lid open to show a box with multiple slots for tea. “These containers of half and half, sugar, honey, and whipped cr
eam are always kept filled. This jar has a hot cocoa mix that is popular as the weather gets colder. Questions?”
Greta took her time to look at each item. “This is self-serve?”
“That’s right. One of your responsibilities is to make sure everything is here and refilled when necessary. Of course, we all pitch in if someone is busy and needs an extra hand, then anyone can check the drink cart.”
Greta nodded.
“I’ll be taking over behind the counter, where Leona is now. Mia will handle the pastry display case and you will help serve and clean tables with Camilla, or by yourself since she doesn’t work a lot of hours.”
“And the books?”
“Sure, you can straighten and shelve any new books. And let me know any other ideas for a make-over.”
Greta smiled. “This will be pleasant. To tell you the truth, I was skeptical when Leona asked me to come in for a trial run but I think it will be good for me to get out of my bubble.” She joined Camilla and the two women finished setting up the tables.
The door jingled.
Annie turned toward the door. Oh boy, this might be awkward.
Kitty entered the café with her usual flamboyant style. She zeroed in on Annie. “I need to talk to you,” she announced with no expectation of not getting exactly what she wanted.
“I’m busy right now, Kitty.” Annie waved her hand around the café. “A business to run.”
Kitty didn’t take the hint. Instead, she settled herself on one of the counter stools.
Annie strategically placed herself between Kitty and her view of Greta with the hope that Kitty’s visit would be short and without a confrontation.
“Where’s Jason? I need to talk to him, too. Now,” Kitty demanded, her eyes roaming around the café.
“Well, in case you didn’t notice, I’m here at work, not with Jason. Did you try to call him?” Annie was quickly losing her patience with this drama queen.
“Of course I called but it went straight to voicemail. Don’t you have some secret way to get in touch with him?” She slid off the stool. “Is the coffee hot?”
