by Jinty James
Gulp.
Lauren murmured that she understood. He requested that Zoe join him next.
“How was it?” Zoe asked as she entered the café.
“Thorough. Mitch was right about him wanting to solve the case.”
Zoe’s eyebrows climbed to her forehead, then she left for the herb garden.
“Brrt?” Annie looked up at Lauren from the other side of the counter.
“I’m sure everything will be fine.” She tried to reassure the cat. “The detective is just asking more questions, that’s all.”
“Brrp,” Annie said thoughtfully, before wandering over to her basket.
A short while later, Zoe rejoined her, looking a little shaken. “You were right,” she muttered. “I feel like I’ve been totally grilled!”
“Maybe we should both have a hot chocolate,” Lauren proposed, “with lots of marshmallows.”
“Who cares about sugar at a time like this?”
They whipped up the treat for themselves. For once, Lauren was glad there weren’t many customers.
“That hits the spot,” Zoe sighed as she wiggled her feet on the stool. “No wonder Martha likes this so much.”
“I could get totally hooked on this, if I let myself,” Lauren admitted, staring at the little pink and white marshmallows dotting the surface of the cocoa.
“I think the sooner we buy this darker hot chocolate powder, the better,” Zoe confessed. “Less sugar must be a good thing.”
“Mm.”
After they enjoyed their treat, more customers arrived, until the lunch rush lived up to its name.
Lauren was thankful business seemed back to normal once more. At this rate, she wouldn’t have time to call Mitch until later that afternoon.
Finally, the café emptied. Annie was curled up in her basket, one ear twitching as she dozed.
“It’s three o’clock already!” Zoe grinned.
“I’m going to call Mitch.” Lauren dug out her phone. “And tell him about the detective questioning us this morning.”
“He was scary, wasn’t he?”
“That’s for sure.” Lauren shivered. She definitely didn’t want to get on that professional’s bad side.
Hearing Mitch’s voice made her feel better. She told him exactly what the detective had asked her, and he said those questions were all routine, and not to worry. They arranged to have dinner that night. By the time she ended the call, Lauren was smiling.
“All good?” Zoe asked, noting her cousin’s expression.
“Yes. Mitch says he doesn’t think there’s anything to worry about – yet.” She told Zoe about her date.
“It looks like it’s you and me tonight, Annie,” Zoe called out to the snoozing cat.
“Brrp,” came a sleepy reply.
Claire and little Molly entered a short while later, Molly looking around with interest from her seat in the stroller.
“Hi.” Claire smiled at them.
“Annie!” Molly waved a chubby hand at the cat.
“Brrt!” Annie had woken up and trotted to greet the toddler.
“Cino!” Molly beamed at Annie, then Lauren and Zoe.
“I’d love a latte, please,” Claire said.
“Coming right up.” Zoe grinned.
Annie led the mother and daughter to a four-seater near the counter.
“How’s business been?” Claire asked. There were only a couple of customers sharing a table at the rear.
“It’s been good today,” Lauren said. “Would you like anything to eat? We have a few cupcakes left, including my new salted caramel.”
“Oh, I’d love one.” Claire beamed.
“Cino!” Molly demanded. After a second, she added, “Pweese.”
“Zoe is making it right now for you,” Lauren assured her.
“I heard about what happened to the cupcake man,” Claire told them in a low voice. “But I haven’t heard that the police have arrested anyone for it.”
“That’s because they haven’t.” Lauren filled her in.
“That’s dreadful.” Claire looked shocked. “I can’t believe the police think you or Zoe might have done it.”
“What?” Molly looked up from giving Annie gentle “fairy pats.”
Claire clapped a hand over her mouth.
“Thought up a new cupcake flavor they didn’t like.” Lauren winced as she lied to the little girl.
“Silly. Lauren and Annie cupcakes good,” Molly told her with a grin. “Zoe good.”
“That’s right.” Zoe brought the order over. “And this babycino for you is extra good, Molly.”
“Yeah!” Molly’s face lit up at the tiny cup crammed with pink and white marshmallows atop the milky foam, perfected with a dusting of hot chocolate powder.
“Perhaps we should talk about happier things,” Claire proposed.
Zoe immediately launched into their upcoming double date at a farmers’ market next weekend. “We’re just waiting for Chris to text us the details.”
“It sounds wonderful.” Claire smiled. “Please tell me if you enjoyed it. Maybe my husband and I can take Molly there one weekend.”
“That’s a good idea.” Lauren glanced at the toddler, whose upper lip was now covered in milk foam and chocolate dust.
They enjoyed a pleasant time with the mother-daughter duo, until Claire regretfully said goodbye.
“I love coming here. Not only do you have great coffee and treats, but I also enjoy talking to you two – I get my adult conversation fix. And Molly adores Annie – and your babycinos. I don’t know what I was thinking, visiting that cupcake truck.”
They assured her they felt the same way about her and Molly, and waved goodbye to them as they left the café.
“It’s almost time to lock up.” Zoe glanced at Lauren’s white practical watch.
“I’ll have to get ready for my date tonight.” Lauren started tidying the counter.
“What are you going to wear?”
“My plum wrap dress.” It was a key piece of her wardrobe and one that made Lauren feel good.
Once the last customer left, they quickly cleaned the café. Zoe stacked the chairs and vacuumed, while Lauren took care of the remaining dishes in the kitchen.
Annie led the way to the cottage when they were finished.
“I might be the only one watching TV tonight,” Zoe joked as Annie curled up on the living room sofa.
“She’s had a busy day.” Lauren gazed fondly at her fur baby. “I hope it wasn’t too much for her. Maybe she’d like a day off tomorrow.”
“I’m sure she’ll let us know.” Zoe grinned.
Lauren got ready for her date. Mitch had asked her to choose, so she thought it would keep things simple if they went to their favorite bistro on the outskirts of Gold Leaf Valley. Besides, it was a work night, and they both had to get up early the next morning.
“Brrt?” Annie wandered into her room as Lauren brushed her hair in front of the mirror. The plum shade of the dress seemed to bring out the natural golden highlights in her brown hair.
“I’m having dinner with Mitch tonight,” she reminded the feline. “But Zoe will be here with you.”
“Brrp.” Annie jumped up on the bed, turned around in a circle, and nestled on top of the pink bedspread. Her pose was relaxed, but her green eyes were alert as she watched Lauren get ready.
When Mitch arrived, Annie trotted to the front door to say hello to him, then joined Zoe in the living room.
“Have fun!” Zoe called out.
“We will,” Lauren answered, smiling at Mitch.
At the restaurant, Lauren enjoyed pork with four varieties of apple, and Mitch dug into steak with mushroom sauce, while they discussed the case – or what little Mitch could share with Lauren.
“The detective is looking at everyone,” he told her. “You’ll know it’s serious if he asks you to accompany him down to the station – but hopefully it won’t get that far.”
Lauren swallowed hard.
&nbs
p; “Okay,” she said faintly.
Mitch took her hand in his, his thumb stroking her palm.
“It will be okay,” he promised her, his brown eyes warm.
She nodded, feeling marginally better.
By the time they were ready to order dessert, Lauren decided not to have any. All the recent sugar talk had made her a little more mindful, but she urged Mitch to choose whatever he liked. He finally settled on warm peach cobbler with whipped cream.
She couldn’t resist when he offered her the first bite, but that was all she had. Maybe she should stick to the promise she’d made herself a few months ago about getting fitter. Her dress had felt just a little tight that evening, although Mitch hadn’t seemed to notice.
They talked about their upcoming double date next weekend.
“Chris sent Zoe the details before I left,” Lauren told him. “We’re meeting him Sunday morning at the market.”
“I can pick up you and Zoe,” Mitch told her.
“That would be great.” Lauren smiled.
Mitch drove her home. They spent a few minutes talking in the car before he walked her up the porch steps.
“Annie might be too sleepy for spying duties tonight,” she told him.
“We wouldn’t want to shock her.” His lips tilted up into a smile.
Lauren hoped Zoe wasn’t watching as Mitch swept her into his arms and gave her a bone-melting kiss.
CHAPTER 11
The rest of the week passed uneventfully. The new sixty-five percent hot chocolate powder arrived and was declared a success – by them and their customers.
Thankfully, they didn’t hear from the detective again.
“He must have realized we’re innocent,” Zoe proclaimed.
Ms. Tobin told them she hadn’t been questioned again, either. Apparently, her friend had mentioned her name to the detective when he’d questioned her.
“This fellow is very zealous, I must say,” Ms. Tobin told them. “I just hope he’s not too zealous.”
“So do we,” Lauren replied with a grimace.
On Friday night they visited Mrs. Finch for craft night, filling her in on their plans to visit the farmers’ market on Sunday.
“How wonderful.” She smiled at them. “Is Annie accompanying you?”
Lauren and Zoe glanced at each other.
“No, I don’t think so.” Lauren shook her head. “I think it will be too much for her.”
“She’ll probably enjoy some time on her own,” Zoe added. “She can play with her toys or have a big snooze.”
“Brrt,” Annie agreed.
On Sunday morning, Lauren gave Annie a cuddle before Mitch picked them up.
“Be good,” she whispered into the velvety soft fur.
“Brrt.” You be good, too.
“I will,” Lauren promised.
By the time Mitch picked them up at nine o’clock, Annie was curled up on the sofa with her toy hedgehog.
“I hope there’s not much traffic,” Zoe fretted as she raced down the porch steps. “Chris says the market closes at noon.”
“That will give us two hours there,” Mitch said easily, smiling at Lauren.
The drive to Sacramento went smoothly, Mitch even finding a parking space quickly.
“There’s Chris!” Zoe jumped out of the car and waved.
Lauren and Mitch followed Zoe as she greeted Chris.
They wandered around the market, browsing local honey, olive oil, preserves, asparagus, carrots, and rhubarb, as well as other fruits and vegetables.
Stands selling California poppies, hyacinths, and other colorful spring flowers dotted the grounds.
Lauren watched Zoe and Chris. They seemed happy together, strolling hand in hand, as Zoe urged him this way and that to check out each stand’s offerings.
Lauren gazed around, wondering what to look at next. Suddenly, she froze. Was that Scott, Jason’s friend? With Jessica, Jason’s ex?
“What is it?” Mitch asked.
“Over there.” She nodded ahead of her. “I think it’s Scott.”
“Scott – Jason’s friend?”
“Yes.”
“Hey, are you guys coming?” Zoe whirled around, her brow furrowed. “I want to check out the – what’s wrong?”
Lauren tilted her head in Scott’s direction.
Zoe’s eyes widened. “That’s—”
“Shh!” Lauren cautioned.
“What are you guys—” Chris looked at them in puzzlement.
“We’re sleuthing,” Zoe told him in an exaggerated whisper.
“Right now?”
“Yes!”
Zoe urged them into a huddle. “What’s Scott doing here?”
“Buying fresh produce like everyone else?” Chris offered.
“I thought I saw Jessica with him,” Lauren said.
“We’ve got to check it out!” Zoe sounded excited.
“There is nothing wrong with Scott and Jessica walking around a farmers’ market,” Mitch told them. “They’re not committing a crime.”
“No, but they are persons of interest in one,” Zoe told him.
There was a pause.
“True,” Mitch finally said.
“Let’s bump into them,” Zoe suggested. It sounded like a command.
“All right,” Lauren agreed after a slight hesitation.
“You’re okay with this?” Mitch asked Lauren in a low tone.
“This is one of Zoe’s more sensible ideas,” she whispered to him, her lips close to his ear.
“I don’t even want to know what her wild ideas are,” he returned in a mutter.
“No, you don’t,” she agreed.
“Let’s do this!” Zoe grabbed Chris’s hand. “We’ll take the lead, and you two can be back up.”
“Okay.” Lauren nodded.
Mitch frowned as he laced his fingers through Lauren’s.
Zoe tugged Chris in the direction of Scott and Jessica. Lauren and Mitch followed. The expression on Chris’s face looked like he was trying to hide a grin.
Zoe and Chris drew alongside Scott, who was inspecting a bunch of daisies.
“But why can’t you buy them for me?” Jessica asked Scott. “I know you and Jason won the lottery—”
“Scott!” Zoe affected surprise. “Hi!”
“Um – hi,” Scott greeted her, looking genuinely surprised – and embarrassed. “Zoe.”
“Yep, from the cat café in Gold Leaf Valley. And this is Chris. Oh, Jessica! Hi!” Zoe grinned at the girl.
“Hi.” Jessica smiled at Zoe, then spotted Lauren and Mitch. “You’re here too, Lauren.”
“Yes.” The scent of Jessica’s cloying rose perfume competed with the natural scents of the flower stand.
“We’re on a double date,” Zoe told Jessica and Scott.
“That’s nice,” Jessica remarked.
There was a pause.
“Jess and I are here having a look around,” Scott offered.
“I’ve always wanted to come here, but never found the time,” Jessica added. “I was usually at Jason’s on the weekends.” As she mentioned her ex, she blinked back tears. “Sorry.”
“It’s perfectly understandable,” Lauren told her.
“Yes.” Zoe nodded.
“Have you bought anything yet?” Jessica dabbed at the tear that had escaped.
“Not yet,” Zoe replied. “Is there a stall you guys recommend?” She looked at the cloth bag Scott held, green vegetable leaves sticking out of the top.
“The organic Swiss chard stand over there.” He nodded in the direction Zoe had just come from. “It looked so good we bought some.”
“We’ll have to check it out.” Lauren smiled at him, wondering if he and Jessica felt as awkward as she did right now.
“It was nice meeting you,” Jessica said, wrapping her hand around Scott’s arm. “We’d better get going.”
The four of them said goodbye and watched Jessica and Scott walk ahead.
Lauren wat
ched Jessica say something to Scott, making him turn into her body. As he did so, the bag containing the Swiss chard bumped his hip. A small piece of paper fluttered out of his jeans’ pocket.
“Look!” Zoe ran forward and picked it up. She held it up as she showed Lauren, Mitch, and Chris.
“What is it?” Lauren peered over her shoulder at the fragment that looked like it measured just over one inch.
“I bet it’s a clue!” Zoe’s eyes sparkled.
“It looks like a torn scrap from a photo.” Mitch frowned. “If we all handle it, there’ll be too many fingerprints on it – although there probably are already – Zoe’s, plus Scott’s, if he put it in his pocket to begin with.”
The picture on the fragment was pink with light yellow at the top.
“Pink and yellow. Pink and yellow.” Zoe tapped the scrap against her hand.
“Show me?” Chris asked.
Zoe held it out to him.
“I’ve seen that somewhere recently,” he said slowly.
Pink and yellow. Pink and yellow. Zoe’s words beat a tattoo in Lauren’s brain. Tattoo – Jason – blonde hair – pink cupcake truck.
Her mind flashed to the day Scott had helped out Jason in the truck. He’d been taking photos with an instant camera.
“I think that photo might be of Jason’s cupcake truck,” she said slowly.
“Of course!” Zoe tapped the sliver of photo on her head. “And I bet it matches the other piece of photo we found!”
“What other piece of photo?” Mitch frowned.
“You haven’t told me about that,” Chris added.
“I actually forgot about it,” Lauren confessed. “Annie found it the day of the murder, but later, in the afternoon. The street had been dirty that day—”
“Yeah, really dirty,” Zoe jumped in. “You know, because we had all that wind the night before? And the street sweepers ran late that morning because there was so much cleaning up to do.”
“So I thought that I, or Zoe, or a customer must have walked it in, it came off a shoe, and Annie found it.”
“What did you do with it?” Mitch asked.
“We saved it,” Zoe told him. “I put it in my ashtray. I knew it would come in handy one day!”
