Boo Buried Cupcakes

by Lyndsey Cole

  “I guess it doesn’t. Yes. Yes, I’d like you to stop by again. It’s been, I guess, a relief to have someone who wants to listen to me.”

  Thelma pushed herself up and leaned on her walker. “That’s settled then. Or, you could visit me. I don’t get many visitors either, except for Annie and Roxy.” She patted Roxy’s head, who looked at her and wagged her tail. “You’re a good girl, aren’t you Roxy? And you love those dog treats almost as much as I love the treats Annie brings from the Black Cat Café.”

  “About that,” Greta said, directing her words toward Annie. “Tell Leona not to worry. I’m not going to call the paper and complain.” Her shoulders jerked up. “I was upset. Really upset when I took a big bite of my birthday cake and all I could taste was salt. It was a huge disappointment and I knew Cody would be stopping by like he always did on my birthday. I had the table all set and wanted to enjoy a treat with him. Tell her she has to wear reading glasses, bake me another cake, and when she delivers it, she has to enjoy a piece with me. That way, if it’s no good, she’ll face the music right away.”

  Annie smiled. “That sounds like it solves more problems than one. I will be sure to pass on the message. I might tweak it a little so she feels some guilt, but I’ll guarantee that you’ll be getting another birthday cake in no time at all.”

  When Annie, Thelma, and Roxy walked out of Greta’s house, Annie had the distinct feeling that they were being watched. She looked around in the fading light but saw no one. It was probably just nerves from finding Brian’s body on the lawn the night before. The darkness was spooky at best after that experience.

  Annie drove Thelma’s car home and helped her inside. She got her settled in her comfortable chair with a pot of tea and some leftover Halloween cookies that her son had brought over for her. Thelma held up one of the cookies. “I keep telling my son not to bother bringing me baked goods unless he gets them from the Black Cat Café. These are much too sweet and, to be perfectly honest, kind of boring, but they look nice, I guess.”

  “I’ll be sure to bring you more of Leona’s delicious baked treats and now that I think she is using reading glasses, everything should be safe to eat.”

  “Annie?”

  Annie tilted her head, waiting for Thelma to continue.

  “I love anything with chocolate—fudgy brownies, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate mousse, and especially those chocolate covered strawberries that Leona makes.”

  “The chocolate covered strawberries are more for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, but Leona always has several yummy chocolate desserts. I’ll surprise you.”

  “Yes please, whatever she makes is always delicious. My mouth is watering but all I have,” she waved the sugar cookie in her hand, “is one of these almost stale cookies to tide me over until you come back with something delicious. Now, don’t forget. And bring extra in case Greta decides to visit.” Thelma leaned her head back on her chair. “Visiting Greta was a nice change of pace.” She closed her eyes and looked like she was ready for a nap.

  Annie quietly let herself and Roxy out and walked back to Cobblestone Cottage. The wind had died to a slight breeze that made the dry leaves rustle. Roxy darted from tree to tree until she startled a squirrel that ran up the tree and scolded her from a safe branch. Annie caught the odor of wood smoke and smiled.

  What a hectic day it had been, and sitting by the fire cuddled up next to Jason with a glass of wine was exactly what she was looking forward to.

  Unfortunately, as she opened the porch door into the cozy living room, there were more people waiting for her than just Jason. Right . . . with all the drama, she’d forgotten that Mia and Leona were coming over with food. Well, on the bright side, there would be food.

  On the shocking side, there was a visitor who was the last person she expected to see.

  13

  Rachel half-smiled at Annie as she slowly moved toward her. “I have to apologize for my rude departure this morning,” Rachel said. “My only explanation, and I’m not offering this as an excuse, is my brain went numb and I forgot my manners. I guess I have to chalk it up to complete and utter shock when you told me what happened to Brian.”

  Or what you did to Brian freaked you out, Annie thought. Instead, she pasted a smile on her face and said, “That’s understandable. So, when did you arrive in Catfish Cove?” Annie gambled that Rachel wouldn’t bolt again.

  “Late Friday night.” She sipped the drink in her hand but kept her eyes on Annie. “I know what is racing through your mind. Yes, I was here in town Saturday night when he was murdered . . . watching a movie at my friend’s lake house.”

  That, at least, was something that could be checked. If she was alone it would make her alibi completely unreliable as far as Annie was concerned. “I hope it was a good movie.” She’d find out about this alibi on her own. No sense in asking Rachel.

  “It was Halloween night, after all, and I love those horror movies, but I almost scared myself to death.” Rachel snickered. “I guess that’s the point.”

  Camilla joined Annie and Rachel’s conversation. “I hope you don’t mind that I dragged someone new along tonight, Annie.” She cocked her head and raised a thin eyebrow. “I ran into Rachel at Sweet Bites and, I have to admit, I couldn’t resist eavesdropping on her conversation with Alysha when I realized they were discussing Brian Springer. But, of course, that’s how it is in a small town. You bump into all kinds of people, share what you’ve heard, and the stories spread like spilled cake batter.”

  Annie gave Camilla a quick nod, thinking that was a nice backstory on the meeting, making it sound completely innocent. “No problem at all, Camilla. I actually met Rachel on the Lake Trail earlier today.” Annie touched Rachel’s arm. “Will you be staying in town for long?”

  Rachel raised her shoulders. “I think I might. I’d like to find out what happened. Does that seem strange?”

  “Of course not,” both Annie and Camilla said at once. Annie continued in her best sympathetic voice, “You told me you two were together for two years. I can’t imagine what you are feeling right now.” She meant the sympathy part one hundred percent but it didn’t mean she didn’t have questions about why Rachel came to town and also suspicions about whether Rachel had some role in Brian’s murder.

  Rachel quickly swiped the back of her hand across her cheek. “I don’t want to intrude any longer, but I’m glad I had the chance to apologize to you, Annie.”

  As Rachel headed out the door leading to the porch and then to the Lake Trail, Annie couldn’t help but wonder what the real motivation was for Rachel to show up at her house. Was it to give her weak apology or to sneak in her alibi? Something felt wrong when Annie talked to this woman. There was more than met the eye with her.

  “Camilla,” Annie said, “what’s your take on Rachel?”

  “Well,” Camilla said emphasizing and drawing out the word, “I really had no idea how I was going to find her but I popped into Sweet Bites for, oh, that doesn’t matter, but it was a stroke of luck. Rachel was chatting with Alysha,” she flicked her wrist, “you know, girl talk—calories, boyfriends, exercise preferences—and then I heard Brian’s name pop into the conversation. Rachel, I didn’t know it was her yet, said she heard that Brian was killed by orange frosting. Can you believe it?”

  “Where did that crazy rumor start? Rachel must have talked to Alysha after I bumped into her this morning but I didn’t tell her any details about the murder. She didn’t give me a chance before she bolted.”

  Camilla pulled on the ends of one of the pink streaks in her hair. “Well, I don’t know about that, maybe she made it up, but when they were done chatting, Alysha said, ‘Bye Rachel, nice meeting you’, and I put two and two together. Smart, huh?” Annie could tell that Camilla was as pleased as punch with herself.

  “Good job, for sure. How’d she end up coming here with you?”

  “Once I realized who she was, I followed her up the street. She was heading toward Kitty’s house but
when I called her name she turned around and gave me a puzzled look. Of course she would since she never met me or anything. Then I just told her some silly story about how I know it’s hard to be new in town and did she want to meet some of my friends.”

  Annie shook her head. Camilla could talk the hair off a bald guy if she needed to.

  “And then when we pulled in here, she told me she had already met you. Of course, I laughed and said, ‘What a coincidence.’ She never suspected I had been looking for her.”

  “So, what do you think of her story? Is she hiding something?”

  Camilla put her finger on her lower lip. “She is tough to read. She was open and friendly. Usually when someone is lying, they look away and won’t meet your eyes or they can’t stand still. Rachel was relaxed, chatted effortlessly, and seemed to be an open book.”

  That’s how she was when Annie first met her, up until she asked Rachel when she had arrived in town. That reaction was strange. Annie still had a nagging feeling that Rachel had a motive for staying in town and it involved more than getting to the bottom of Brian’s murder.

  Jason sidled up next to Annie and put his arm around her. He whispered in her ear, “This isn’t exactly what I had in mind when I left that note for you earlier. I hoped it would be you,” he touched her cheek, “and me. My surprise will have to wait until everyone is gone.” His eyes twinkled when Annie looked at him.

  “That’s mean. You know I’m not crazy about surprises and I hope this one is better than what you surprised me with last night.”

  “You didn’t like being Mrs. Bones?”

  Annie rolled her eyes. “Come on, give me a hint.”

  Jason shrugged. “You will like it much more than last night’s surprise. How’s that? Now, how about some of the delicious food Leona brought? She’s just pulling it out of the oven.”

  “I hope she wore her reading glasses when she made it or we all might be going hungry tonight.”

  “That’s still a problem?”

  Annie shrugged. “The problem is that I’m not positive she wears her glasses all the time. But I think I’ve got a solution once I get a chance to talk to her about Greta Grayley’s birthday cake.”

  Jason chuckled. “This is all too complicated for my feeble mind to connect Leona, reading glasses, and a birthday cake, but I’m sure you have it under control.” He steered Annie toward the kitchen counter that was suddenly overflowing with food and filling the living room with mouthwatering aromas.

  Leona put her hand up. “Wait, before anyone touches one crumb of food, don’t expect this to be my usual gourmet feast. I’m not promising that it’s very good since I didn’t have a lot of time to throw something fancier together.”

  There was a loud rumble of groans coming from all the hungry people drooling for a bite of whatever Leona made. She never disappointed.

  “Is that your way of asking for compliments, Leona?” Jason teased. “Or is it a warning that we might all get sick after eating your food?”

  Leona stamped her food. “Jason Hunter. If I didn’t know you ever since you used to run around naked as a little kid, I’d throw you right out of here.”

  Annie jabbed Jason’s side. “Naked, huh?”

  He ignored Annie’s comment. “Out of my own house?” Jason chuckled. He walked over and gave Leona a hug. “You know I always love whatever food you share with me but when you preface it by putting yourself down, don’t be surprised at the response.”

  “Fair enough, just so long as there aren’t any leftovers.”

  Jason returned to stand behind Annie. “I’d love to show you naked,” he whispered in her ear.

  “Is that your surprise?”

  “If you want it to be.”

  Somehow, Annie managed to scoop out a big helping of lasagna without missing her plate as she chuckled at Jason’s suggestion. She made room for garlic bread and spinach salad. She filled a glass of wine with merlot and settled down at the dining room table.

  Jason joined her next. He leaned close to Annie. “Do you think it’s safe to eat?”

  “I hope so since my stomach has been grumbling for the last half hour and I’d hate to send down a disappointment.” Annie slid a thick forkful of the lasagna into her mouth. “Mmm. It tastes delicious,” she mumbled before she even swallowed.

  “What are you two whispering about over here?” Leona plopped down on the other side of Annie. “It’s not polite, you know.”

  “Annie was only commenting on the deliciousness rating of your meal, Leona.” Jason helped himself to a big bite of Leona’s vegetarian lasagna from his plate, effectively ending any further comment.

  “You two are rating my food?” Leona’s eyes popped wide as she stared first at Jason, then Annie. “I can’t believe this.”

  “Hey, why so sensitive?” Annie asked.

  “You, of all people, have to ask? Of course I’m a little sensitive, especially since you sent your mother back to the café to help me.”

  Mia sat next to Leona. “Help with what?”

  “This food.”

  “Oh, it was a team effort. Sort of. Leona did all the work but I did the cleanup,” Mia explained, trying to gloss over the awkwardness.

  “And checked that I used the correct ingredients. I could tell what you were up to, Mia. You guys are all ganging up on me as if I’m a three-year-old that needs constant supervision.”

  Annie’s appetite was quickly disappearing. This wasn’t the time or place she wanted to have the conversation about Leona and reading glasses, but it couldn’t be helped. Annie kept her voice low and calm, although everyone in the house was already frozen in place, listening to the argument. “You don’t need constant supervision, Leona, you need to wear reading glasses so you don’t keep mixing up ingredients.”

  Leona stared at Annie. “Since when did you become an eye doctor?” Her eyes roamed around the table. “If you must know, I’m afraid that I’m losing my vision and I’ll have to give up the Black Cat Café.”

  Annie couldn’t believe what she just heard come out of Leona’s mouth. “Why haven’t you told us?”

  “I just did.” Leona pushed back from the table and walked out of the house.

  The room was silent after the door slammed behind Leona.

  Mia sighed and rolled her eyes. “Leona loves the dramatic, doesn’t she? There’s more to this than she just shared but she’s not ready to let everyone know yet.”

  14

  Annie sipped her coffee Monday morning while she reread the surprise gift certificate from Jason. It was enormously better than the dreadful surprise of the Mrs. Bones Halloween costume. Hands down.

  “Who should I bring with me?” she asked Jason.

  “It’s a gift certificate for four so it’s up to you. Maybe Kitty and Greta for starters?” He tried to hide the twitch at the edge of his lips but failed miserably.

  “Better yet, Kitty and Rachel. They can bond over their shared loss of a dear friend. And I’ll invite Camilla, too, since she can keep the conversation moving along well,” Annie said.

  “Do you even talk when you’re getting a massage?”

  “Don’t you even know what you bought for me?” Annie shook her head and chuckled. “This is so much more than a massage, Jason. Listen, the massage part is described as kneaded-to-distraction but there’s also a hot tub, and to top it off, champagne and chocolates while gazing over a blissful view of Heron Lake. Can you even imagine what a blissful view is?”

  It was Jason’s turn to chuckle. “After the massage and champagne, you’ll all be in an alcohol induced trance and the view won’t make a difference.” He stood. “So, you like this surprise? I had to do something to redeem myself after the disastrous Halloween party I sprung on you.”

  “Eh . . . it’s okay, I guess,” Annie said as she looked at Jason without laughing.

  He reached for the gift card. “In that case—”

  “No! It’s perfect. Thank you. I think I will ask Camilla, Kitty, and
Rachel to accompany me.” Camilla would be her second set of eyes and ears. Kitty would provide more background information about Brian’s past, and Rachel, well, time would tell what she’d add to the mix.

  “Did you hear me or are you already imagining that kneaded-to-perfection, or however it was described, massage?”

  “Sorry. What did you say?” Annie knew that her grin gave away the fact that her mind was far away already.

  “I have to meet a client and I won’t be home until late tonight, so enjoy your spa afternoon.”

  “Oh, that’s a given. What’s not to like about this gift?” What, indeed—massage, hot tub, champagne, chocolate, view, and possibly keeping company with a murderer? It all sounded fantastic except the last part.

  After Jason left, Annie got dressed and called Roxy. “A quick walk before I head to the Black Cat Café?”

  Roxy wagged her tail. The word walk always made her happy.

  The sky was heavy with a layer of low clouds but at least the temperature was perfect for a brisk walk at the water’s edge. Annie waved to Thelma and reminded herself to bring over a chocolate treat later.

  Roxy ran toward a jogger. This was good luck, Annie thought, as Rachel got closer. She jogged in place next to Annie.

  “Listen, I’d like to invite you to join me this afternoon at the Escape Reality Spa. I just got a gift certificate and after what we went through over the weekend, I think you and two of my friends could use the distraction. What do you think?”

  Rachel slowed to a stop. “I don’t know. I hate to be an odd duck out.”

  Annie patted Rachel’s arm. “Oh, come on. It’ll be fun. You know Camilla, and the other person is Kitty. Just say yes and meet me at my house at two this afternoon.”

  Rachel crunched her lips to one side. “I doubt Kitty likes me. She probably blames me for keeping Brian away from his hometown.

  “Here’s a chance to get to know her.”

  “It just doesn’t feel right. I’ll pass.” Rachel started to move away from Annie.