BlueBuried Muffins (Black Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery Series Book 1)

by Lyndsey Cole

  “The search is started and I won’t stop. It’s just, well, you wouldn’t understand.”

  “Try me.” He focused his complete attention on Annie’s face. “I’m guessing you’re searching for a truth about yourself.”

  Annie’s jaw dropped. She stood up, carrying her plate to the counter, saying nothing, but wondering how he could figure that out about her so quickly.

  “Those searches are the most difficult. But also can be the most rewarding.”

  A knock on the door sliced through the tension in the room.

  Jason stood up. “Are you expecting someone? I need to leave now anyway.” He bowed to Annie. “I’m happy to have been of service to you tonight.”

  “Thanks for all of this,” she said, waving her hand around the room. “I’m expecting a friend.” Annie smiled and felt a tingle when Jason smiled back and gently traced his fingers down her arm as he walked to the door.

  Tyler and JC passed Jason as he left and they entered Annie’s apartment. JC’s eyebrow was cocked in an expression of curiosity as she took in the wine bottle, pizza, and flowers on the table. “Are we interrupting something?”

  Annie flapped her hand dismissively. “No, not at all. I can’t figure that guy out. He shows up at odd moments, like he’s always keeping an eye on me. Where’s Dylan?”

  JC made herself comfortable on the couch, scooping Smokey up into her arms. “Dylan’s at a friend’s birthday party. We need to pick him up in about a half hour. Cute kitty. Where’d he come from?”

  “I found him at the café, locked in one of the cupboards. That’s where the new name, Black Cat Café, came from. Tyler, sit down. Want a beer or something?”

  They both shook their heads. “No thanks. You wanted to tell me something, Annie?” Tyler asked, sitting, but not relaxing back into the soft cushions.

  She sat down across from them, handing the note she had taken from Max’s pocket to Tyler. “I saw this after I found Max dead.”

  Tyler read the note. “Who do you think he was talking about?”

  “That’s the problem. I don’t have a clue. He says not to trust anyone, but I shared this with my mom, Leona, Martha, and now you two.”

  “Where did you find this note?”

  Annie looked down at the floor and sighed deeply. “I took it out of his pocket. Once I read it, I was too worried to show anyone right away. But there’s been too many other weird things happening.”

  Tyler leaned forward. “What else? Tell me everything.”

  “The chili being dumped out, like someone was trying to sabotage our opening day for some reason. And this afternoon, when I came home for a break, all my photographs were torn apart like someone was searching for something hidden between the photos and the backing.”

  “Looking for what?”

  “I’m not sure.” Annie wouldn’t meet Tyler’s questioning eyes.

  “Annie, what else haven’t you told me?” He moved across the room, took her hand and forced her to look at him. “You’re hiding something else, I know you too well.”

  She nodded. “This morning, I hung one of my photographs at the café and it wouldn’t hang right.” She looked from Tyler to JC. “When I adjusted the wire, I noticed a bulge behind the paper backing and found a bag of drugs hidden there. Later is when I found all my other photographs torn apart.”

  “Where are the drugs now?”

  “Hidden. No one will find them. I want to figure out why Max or someone else hid it behind my photograph. I don’t think he was involved in anything illegal. I think he followed me here trying to make it right. Whatever that was.”

  “Have you told Detective Neil Jaffrey all this?” Tyler asked with an edge in his voice.

  “No. I haven’t told him anything about this stuff.”

  Tyler dropped Annie’s hand. “Good. Keep it that way. The less people who know, the better. I’m still waiting to get the information about the knife that you told me about. The awl wasn’t the murder weapon but there was blood on the point and Max’s fingerprints on the handle which is suspicious.”

  Annie nodded, not telling Tyler that Detective Jaffrey already shared that information with her. She could sense that Tyler was annoyed with the detective and there was no reason to add more fuel to that fire.

  JC stood up. “We need to pick Dylan up. Are you going to be alright tonight, Annie?”

  Smokey wrapped his thin body around Annie’s legs, purring loudly. She bent down and picked him up. “I’ll be fine. Smokey’s good company.”

  Annie stretched out on her couch with Smokey curled on her chest, purring contentedly. She let her mind wander back to Max, trying to think of any indication of his involvement with the drugs hidden behind her photographs.

  “Smokey, what do you think? Max took my photos to the gallery to frame them for the show. Why did he put them in my car? Maybe someone else tampered with them after he was done and he saw them and decided to hide them in my car. When I disappeared, he had to find me and get it back. Vincent followed Max here and Detective Jaffrey followed Vincent? How is Jake connected? Anyone else?” She started to doze off when a voice startled her.

  Chapter 17

  Annie bolted upright, sending Smokey sliding on the wood floor as his claws dug in for traction on his way to hide under the couch. “What are you doing here?”

  “I asked you a question, Annie. Where’s the other bag of pot?” Roy sat in a chair facing Annie, looking haggard and exhausted.

  “What are you talking about?” Annie’s mind raced, wondering why her father was here, for one thing, and how did he know about the pot?

  “I found everything behind these photos but there’s one more. Where did you hide it?”

  Annie shut her mouth, which had hung open after the realization of what her father told her sunk in. He was the one who broke into her apartment. “You tore my photos apart?”

  “You are so naïve. Where’s the last one?” Roy sat with his elbows on his knees and his head hanging down. “There’s nothing behind your photograph at the café.”

  Annie was wide awake now. “How are you involved in this?”

  “You don’t want to know. Just help me out here so this nightmare can end.”

  “You killed Max?”

  “He was stupid to put you in danger. I’m trying to mop up his mess.”

  Annie stood up, her hands clenched so tightly, her nails dug into her hands. “Get out. I hate you,” she said in a controlled but deadly tone. Max’s words screamed in her brain—don’t trust anyone.

  Roy slowly straightened. “Have it your way, but it won’t end well.”

  He walked out, slamming the door behind him.

  She rushed to the door, locking it and sliding a chair under the door knob for extra security. The windows she had loved earlier turned into enemies now, allowing anyone to see in. Turning off the lights, she carried Smokey into the bedroom, closed the curtains and fell into a restless sleep.

  ***

  Waking in a pitch black room, Annie’s first thought was what an awful nightmare she’d had. Unfortunately, as sleep left her brain, the reality of her father’s involvement in Max’s murder sank in. Was he the murderer or was he helping someone else? Time would answer that question, she thought.

  Annie opened her curtains to the sun just rising over the water. Time to get to the café and help Leona get ready for the day. Today was the fishing derby and, from what she could remember from when she was younger, the Saturday of the Spring Celebration was the busiest day. Tourists would be swarming through town and The Black Cat Café would be swamped for sure.

  She checked that Smokey had fresh food and water before grabbing her keys and heading to her car. No walking to town after the visit from her father and the unknown dangers facing her.

  A shadow crossed in front of Jason’s kitchen window, the window facing Annie’s apartment. She shivered and picked up her pace, hoping her car would cooperate this morning. It turned over on the first try and Anni
e let out the breath she had been holding in. “One thing going right today,” she said to herself.

  What took her about twenty minutes to walk was only a five minute coast down the hill into the parking lot of the Cove’s Corner building. She pulled in next to Leona’s mustang, slung her camera over her shoulder and jogged inside.

  The comforting aroma of coffee and baking cinnamon rolls made her smile as soon as she opened the door. Food makes everything feel safer, she thought.

  The Fabric Stash and Clay Design were dark and quiet but a welcoming light and rock ‘n roll music came out of The Black Cat Café. “Leona!” Annie shouted over the music. “When do you sleep?”

  Leona danced her way to the radio, turning it down, before answering. “Sleep? Who needs sleep when the best coffee in town is right here? We can sleep when we’re dead.”

  “Listen. My father showed up at my house last night looking for the last bag of pot. Hopefully, we get a chance to sleep before we’re dead like Max.”

  Leona put her arm around Annie. “Slow down, Red. What else did he say?”

  “Not much. He tore apart my framed photos in my apartment yesterday and found more drugs there. He said I’m naïve and things will turn out badly if I don’t give him the last one.”

  “Did you tell him you found it?”

  “No.” They both looked at the photograph hanging on the café wall and saw that it hung at an angle. Annie got to it first, flipping it over to see the backing gone. “At least he didn’t pull the whole thing apart. Maybe that last bag will be our bargaining chip.”

  Leona whispered to Annie, “Don’t turn around now, but here comes trouble. We have to figure out how to buy some time.”

  “Leona. Are you in on this too?” Roy shouted.

  “Whatever are you talking about?” Leona answered in a sickening sweet voice.

  “Don’t play cute with me.” He glanced at the books. “I’ll search through every book if I have to. Make a mess of this whole place.”

  Leona laughed. “No need for that, it would hurt you too. You own the building and my success is your success. Let’s get through today and we’ll talk.”

  Roy frowned. “Eight tonight. Here. Don’t be late.” He turned and left.

  Leona leaned on the counter. “He’s one stressed out guy. Do you think he killed Max?”

  “The thought crossed my mind.”

  The oven timer shrieked making Leona and Annie jump. “Back to work, Red. The floodgates will open in an hour.”

  Leona took out her cinnamon rolls and slid in another batch of blueberry muffins. Annie loaded the pastry case and organized the breakfast cart and coffee/tea cart. She made a note to mix up another batch of granola when she had time. A soothing rhythm helped to calm her jittery nerves.

  Annie looked up when the door opened. Danny stood just inside, holding his baseball cap and wringing it with both hands. “Am I too early to get some coffee?”

  Leona waved him over. “Come on in. We aren’t officially open yet but there’s always coffee for you. Help yourself. Do you want something to eat too?”

  Danny grinned. “You’re too good to me, Leona. I’d love one of your blueberry muffins with the streusel topping. I would be a contented man if I could eat them every day. Nothing beats the sweet and sour burst in every bite.” He poured coffee and slid onto one of the counter stools. “What do your customers think of the books?”

  “They’re a big hit,” Annie answered happily. “Your shelves add a comfy atmosphere to the café.”

  He sipped his coffee. “The fishing derby starts at seven. First prize is a new rod and reel and I sure would like to win this year and replace my old pole.”

  “I heard they stocked the lake with some mighty big trout. If I wasn’t working here, I’d be out there competing too,” Leona said. “And you know what I’d do if I won?”

  Danny shook his head and took a big bite of the muffin.

  “I’d give that rod and reel to you, Danny Davis. I can’t think of anyone more deserving than you.”

  Danny blushed and smiled from ear to ear. “Aww, Leona. Thanks. You always make me feel like a million bucks. You have any more work for me?”

  “I wish I did, but no, not at the moment.”

  Annie said, “I have a job for you. I need a table and a couple of chairs for my deck. Oh yeah, and a bird feeder for my cat to watch from the window. I like to think of it as cat T.V.”

  “Sure thing, Annie. I could start on Monday.” He set his empty coffee cup on the counter and pressed his finger into the muffin crumbs, getting every last bit. “Thanks for letting me sneak in early, that’s just the boost I need before I start fishing.”

  “Good luck. We’ll be rooting for you.”

  Danny headed to the door and stopped. “I remembered something about the night when I fell asleep in your office.”

  Leona and Annie stopped what they were doing and waited for Danny to continue.

  “One of the voices I heard arguing was your father, Annie.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I heard him yelling at you before I came in this morning and I’m positive it was one of the voices I heard that night.”

  “At Jake’s Clay Design shop?” Leona asked.

  “Yeah. And they sounded really angry, just like Roy sounded when he was in here.”

  Chapter 18

  Karen, from the animal shelter, walked in at seven on the dot with Mia. “Sorry I didn’t stop by yesterday but there was a constant stream of people looking to adopt and I couldn’t get away,” Karen told Leona. “How did your opening day turn out?”

  “Busy. We sold out of a lot of baked goods and spent the afternoon restocking. Help yourself to some coffee, and there’s granola on the breakfast cart if you’re hungry, or a muffin,” Leona explained.

  “I’m getting something to go, so I’ll grab a coffee and a blueberry muffin. I’m off to get my space set up for the animals that are ready for adoption. This is usually a great weekend to find homes for my boys and girls.”

  “Don’t put Baxter in that line up,” Leona said with panic written all over her face. “He’s moving in with me as soon as I can take him.”

  Karen laughed. “Don’t worry about your precious Baxter. He’s got a few more days to wait before he can go home with you. Annie, any chance of stopping by to take some photos of the newly adopted dogs and cats and their new families?”

  “I’d love to.” Annie looked at Leona. “I guess it depends on how busy it is here. I’ll swing by when there’s a slow stretch. Are you around all day?”

  “All day,” Karen confirmed.

  The families of the fishermen and women in the derby streamed into the café looking for coffee and something yummy. The parents already looked stressed and in need of a caffeine fix and the kids were hyper from the excitement of the activities, and also from an overload of sugar, Annie thought. It didn’t stop them from begging for blueberry muffins and other sweets. Annie loaded up the pastry case and wondered if Jason was going to follow through with his offer to man the coffee cart. They certainly could use the extra hands.

  Mia chatted with each customer as they stopped at the cash register to pay and she kept the line moving steadily. Most headed out the door to the deck so they could watch the activity on the lake. A few people stopped at the freebrary, browsing the titles, finding a treasure, and returning with something from their car to replace what they took. The book swap was catching on and seemed to be popular.

  Annie had her hands full of fruit and yogurt, making smoothies for several customers, when she glanced up and saw Jason casually walk into the café. He nodded to Annie, poured himself a coffee and made himself comfortable on a stool at the counter.

  “I’m all yours, tell me what to do,” he said, then kept his eyes on her over the rim of his coffee mug.

  The annoying rush of heat in her checks irritated Annie, even if the sound of having him all to herself appealed to the rest of her body. “Keep an ey
e on the coffee and hot water for tea. There should always be one pot with fresh coffee and one brewing. Refill the water for tea as needed. That should keep you out of trouble.”

  Jason’s lip twitched slightly as he tried not to laugh at Annie’s blushing face. He saluted her and left the stool to check the coffee pots.

  Annie couldn’t help but keep an eye on Jason as she served muffins and scones to the customers. He finds things, she thought. Was he searching for something now or was he in between jobs? Maybe he would be able to help her find her birth parents. She wasn’t ready to open up about that to him though. Not yet.

  Vincent and Jake came into the café arguing about Jake’s pottery shipment. Annie listened carefully, hoping to hear something that might help solve Max’s murder or uncover a clue about how the drugs ended up hidden behind her photographs.

  Vincent tried to keep his voice down, but Annie caught enough of the conversation. “I don’t care about the last one, these boxes need to be shipped out today.”

  The last one? What last one was he talking about? The last bag of drugs that Annie had? As they stood in front of the pastry case, Annie glanced at Jake’s belt and saw his knife holster was empty. It could be in his shop, she thought. Or did he lose it in the café?

  “Annie. Are you paying attention?”

  She realized Jake’s mouth was moving as he talked to her but she hadn’t heard a word he said. “Sorry. What did you want?”

  “That blueberry muffin.” He pointed to the left side of the tray. “The big one with all the streusel on top and blueberries bursting out the side. To go.”

  Annie handed it to Jake in a paper bag. “Anything for you, Vincent?” She tried her hardest to be polite even though she couldn’t stand the guy.

  He sneered at Annie. “You know what I want, and it’s not in your pastry case.”

  Jason was adding more water to heat for tea but Annie could tell that he was following every word that Vincent said. His demeanor changed from friendly and relaxed to stern and focused. She shivered and knew she didn’t want to be on his bad side.