by Jinty James
A string art picture of a goldfish, courtesy of one of Zoe’s former hobbies, flashed in Lauren’s mind.
“I heard you pull up.” Chris opened the front door before they could knock, looking relaxed in jeans and a gray sweater. He was in his late twenties, with even, attractive features.
“Hi, Annie.” He smiled at her through the metal bars of the carrier Mitch carried.
“Brrt!” Hi, Chris!
“I brought cupcakes.” Lauren held out the container.
“Mocha!” Zoe said enthusiastically.
“Thanks.” Chris smiled.
The savory aroma of chili, cumin, and beef drifted through the house as they entered.
“Dinner’s almost ready,” Chris informed them.
Lauren unlocked the carrier and Annie jumped out.
“Brrt?” Annie wandered into the kitchen.
A vintage Formica table was at one end, with four matching chairs. A refrigerator, stove, countertops, and cupboards filled the rest of the space. The table had been set with a red and white tablecloth and cutlery.
“Is it okay if I give Annie her food now?” Lauren indicated the bag holding Annie’s things.
“Of course.” Chris nodded.
Lauren spooned beef and liver into Annie’s bowl and set it in a secluded area of the kitchen, along with some water.
“There you go,” she said softly.
Annie’s little pink tongue lapped at the mixture, then she ate it enthusiastically.
“What would you like to drink?” Chris asked. “I’ve got wine, beer, juice, milk, and soda.”
Lauren and Zoe decided on a small glass of wine each, while the guys chose beer.
They took their places at the table when Chris announced dinner was ready. Lauren looked at her steaming bowl of chili, with generous chunks of slow cooked meat, veggies, and red kidney beans. Her mouth watered. Lunch seemed a long time ago.
“Brrt?” Annie jumped on her lap and sniffed at the savory bowl.
“Sorry,” Lauren apologized to everyone. Usually, Annie sat on the chair next to her when she wanted to be at the table, but there weren’t any spare chairs.
“No worries.” Chris smiled.
“Now we’re all together.” Zoe winked at Annie.
Mitch looked amused but didn’t say anything.
They dug into their chili, making small talk between mouthfuls. Annie continued to sit on Lauren’s lap.
“I’ve finally wrapped up that bank robbery case,” Mitch announced. He turned to Lauren. “I’m sorry I haven’t been around much this week.”
“I understand,” she replied.
“Brrt.”
“Next week should be easier – unless more criminals decide to try their luck in the area.”
“What about Nellie’s murder?” Zoe asked. “Got any news for us?”
“Castern is taking the lead on it,” he replied. “And he’s keeping things close to his chest. But I overheard that the murder weapon hasn’t been found and they think something heavy was used. It left quite a dent on her head.”
Lauren winced.
“Sorry.” Mitch looked regretful.
“It’s okay,” she reassured him.
“Huh. So now we have to look for a heavy weapon. Big or small?” Zoe asked Mitch.
“Not too big that someone couldn’t lift it and smash it over Nellie’s head.” Mitch looked like he didn’t want to say any more.
“I can’t wait to taste your new cupcakes, Lauren.” Chris changed the subject.
“Me too.” Zoe pushed away her empty bowl. “I’ll help you serve them.”
Annie hopped off Lauren’s lap and trotted the few steps to the kitchen counter.
“Brrt?”
“The mocha cupcakes we made this afternoon,” Lauren replied. She took the lid off the container.
“They’re amazing.” Zoe looked like she wanted to scoop up a big fingerful of frosting, but restrained herself.
“Thanks.” Lauren gazed at her new creations. She had to admit they looked pretty good. She’d decorated the frosting with coffee beans.
Zoe got out dessert plates, and they brought the container over to the table, Annie by their side.
“Plenty for everyone.” Zoe doled out two per plate.
“Zoe!” Lauren’s eyes widened.
“If you can’t eat both of yours, I’m sure Mitch will help you. Or I will.” Zoe winked at her.
Lauren shook her head and sat down next to Mitch. Annie hopped up on her lap, not wanting to be left out.
“Chocolate isn’t good for cats. Neither is coffee,” Lauren said regretfully. “Sorry.”
“Brrp.” Annie’s mouth tilted down at the corners.
“These are seriously amazing,” Chris praised after eating his first in three bites. “I wish I was able to come into the café more often.”
“You mean you don’t just visit for my scintillating company?” Zoe teased.
“You’d better not answer that,” Mitch advised with a chuckle. “I don’t think there’s a right answer.”
Zoe made a face at him and munched on her mocha cupcake.
Lauren savored the cocoa-coffee flavors, as well as the creamy frosting. She could be critical of her own baking, but thought these were good enough to sell to customers.
She glanced over at Mitch. He’d already finished his. Cutting her second cake in half, she put one piece onto his place.
“Thanks.” His eyes were full of warmth. She knew that it wasn’t just cupcake love.
Chris and Mitch took care of the dishes quickly, while they all discussed which movie to watch.
“I think Annie should decide,” Zoe said.
Lauren remembered her mentioning that previously. “Good idea.”
“Brrt!” Yes!
Once they were settled in the living room, with cream walls offsetting Zoe’s goldfish string-art, and the big tan couch, Chris turned on the large screen TV. He showed Annie the available movies.
“Which one?” he asked her.
“Brrt!” Annie stretched up and waved her paw at one of the images, careful not to touch the actual screen.
“Ooh, it looks good,” Zoe praised.
“Unicorns and forest animals.” Lauren scanned the brief description with a smile. It would make a nice change from crime and spy dramas.
Annie sat on Lauren’s lap. Lauren sat with Mitch, and Zoe and Chris settled on the other end of the sofa.
Lauren soon became engrossed in the enchanting movie, and was sure Annie watched, too. Her ears flickered at times, especially at the exciting bits.
She snuggled into Mitch’s warmth, his arm around her. She wished it could always be like this, and there wouldn’t be any more murder victims – ever.
CHAPTER 7
MITCH STAYED THE NIGHT with Lauren, while Zoe remained at Chris’s.
The next day, the four of them went to church. Lauren was guilty of not attending for a few weeks. So was Zoe. And the guys.
Father Mike seemed pleased to see them, and told them that Mrs. Snuggle was still playing with the new catnip toy he’d bought her.
After the service, Lauren and Mitch had lunch at the local vineyard. Although it was October, the temperature was pleasant, and they enjoyed a simple meal of crusty bread, ham and cheese, with fresh fruit salad for dessert.
She’d heard Zoe making plans with Chris to go hiking in the nearby Tahoe National Forest and wondered if she should suggest more activity-based outings. Although, it was nice not to do too much over the weekend, after being on her feet a lot during the week.
“What are you thinking?” Mitch asked softly as they finished their dessert.
“Maybe we should go hiking more,” she blurted. “But not for hours and hours,” she added quickly.
“Sure.” He seemed amused. “What about next Sunday?”
“Great.”
“Chris and Zoe might decide to have lunch here next weekend.” He chuckled.
“We could go bo
wling.” She racked her brains for some other activities. “Mini golf. Horse riding. Tennis.”
“Hiking is my first choice.”
Lauren remembered the last time they’d explored a trail and the long, slow kisses toward the end.
“Mine too.” She hoped her cheeks weren’t flushed.
Mitch stayed for dinner at the cottage, but then went home, citing an early start the next morning.
“Brrt?” Annie asked after Mitch left.
“It looks like it’s just the two of us tonight.” She wondered if Zoe was staying with Chris again.
She curled up with Annie on the pink sofa while they watched a few sewing videos.
“We must start on our second cushion cover,” she murmured to her fur baby.
“Brrt.” Yes.
“I’m back!” The rear door slammed and Zoe walked into the living room.
“I wasn’t sure if you were coming home this evening or not,” Lauren admitted.
“I would have texted you if I wasn’t,” Zoe told her. “I had a great time this weekend – did you?”
“Yes.”
“Brrt.” Yes.
“I’ve come up with an awesome idea! Tomorrow we can go shopping in Sacramento and find Nellie’s hubby’s department store, and grill him!”
THE NEXT MORNING, LAUREN crunched granola in the kitchen while Zoe outlined her plan.
“First, we’ll visit Mrs. Finch and check she’s okay, then we’ll drive to the city. I’m sure we can find the department store.”
Since they usually visited Mrs. Finch on Mondays when the café was closed, Lauren didn’t have a problem with that suggestion.
“And what are you going to say to Nellie’s husband if we find him?” she asked.
“Brrt?” Yes, what? Annie sat on the pine chair next to Lauren.
“I’ll think of something.” Zoe waved her hand in the air. “No problem.”
“And what are you going to buy – or pretend to buy?” Lauren wanted to know.
“Hmm. What about pillow cases? Chris needs some new ones. His are a bit scratchy.” She wrinkled her nose.
“Good thinking.”
“Something manly and not too girly. But they also need to be soft enough for me,” Zoe continued.
“What about the grocery shopping?” Lauren pressed.
“We’ll do that on the way home,” Zoe replied airily.
“You seem to have everything – most things – covered,” Lauren conceded.
“And we’ll go to the ice-cream shop while we’re there, since Deborah said it’s practically next door to the department store!” Zoe’s eyes lit up.
“Okay.” Lauren smiled at the thought of her current favorite flavor, maple rhubarb.
“Brrt?” Annie asked.
“You’ll be staying here and minding the house,” Zoe told her. “It’s a very important job.”
“I don’t think they allow cats in department stores,” Lauren said regretfully. “You could have a cyber play date with AJ or Toby while we’re out.”
“Brrt.” Annie gave a little nod, bunted Lauren’s hand, then jumped off the chair. She trotted toward the living room.
Lauren heard a jingle from that room. Annie must be playing with her ball.
“Let me set up Annie’s playdate.” Lauren took her bowl to the sink.
“Okay. We’ll zoom to Mrs. Finch’s and then zip to the city.”
Lauren entered the living room.
“AJ or Toby?” she asked.
Annie patted Lauren’s phone that lay on the coffee table, pressing the speed dial button for Toby.
Lauren spoke to Toby’s human Jerry, who was pleased to hear from them, and offered to end the call when the cats had finished playing.
Toby chirruped, his furry golden face appearing on the screen. They’d met the Siberian Forest Cat at a local cat show a while ago, and the two felines had become fast friends.
Lauren blew Annie a kiss, and grabbed her purse. Annie was busy showing Toby her jingly ball.
Lauren drove them to Mrs. Finch’s house. After checking she was okay, they declined her offer of a cup of coffee, although they made one for her. Their friend promised to stop by the café tomorrow after hearing about the new mocha cupcakes, saying she was looking forward to trying them.
“I bet they’ll sell out in no time,” Zoe enthused as they sped toward the city.
“I hope so,” Lauren replied, concentrating on the traffic and sticking to the speed limit. Although it was after morning rush hour, there were still other drivers on the road.
Zoe told Lauren all about the pillowcases she wanted to purchase.
“If you tell Nellie’s husband about your pillowcase hunt, I don’t think he’ll realize you want to grill – ask him questions,” Lauren teased when they neared their exit.
“Exactly what I was thinking.” Zoe grinned.
“Do we know his surname?” Lauren became serious. “How are we going to find him?”
“I hadn’t thought of that.” Zoe tapped her cheek. “I guess we could wander around and find him that way?”
“What if he has an office?”
“What if he’s in charge of pillowcases?” Zoe giggled.
Lauren took the correct exit and managed to find a parking space near the ice-cream shop.
“I wish we could stop for one now.” Zoe looked longingly at the store as they walked past.
“On the way back.” Lauren wanted to get this sleuthing business over and done with. Then she’d be able to enjoy her treat.
“I guess.” Zoe sighed and caught up with her.
Maybe they should come to the city more often. Everyone said walking was good exercise, and by the time they reached the new department store, Lauren was sure they’d covered at least two blocks.
“Phew!” Zoe fanned herself dramatically as they entered through the automatic glass doors. “And it’s not even that warm today.”
“Now where?” Lauren asked. They stood in the beauty section. Rock music played softly from hidden speakers, and people walked past them, intent on their destination.
“Hmm.” Zoe spun in a slow circle. “Where would pillowcases be?”
“What about checking the store directory?” Lauren pointed to a board near them.
“Perfect.” Zoe strode over and scanned the diagram. “Next floor.”
They took the elevator and walked out into the bed linen area.
“Now all we have to do is find Nellie’s hubby and the perfect pillowcases for me – I mean Chris – me and Chris.” Zoe’s cheeks had the tiniest bit of pink on them.
“What do you want to do first?” Lauren asked. Maybe she should buy some pillowcases as well. Organic cotton, or—
“Over there!” Zoe grabbed her arm. “Do you think that’s Nellie’s husband?”
Lauren saw a man of medium height helping an elderly lady walk down an aisle. Nothing else about him seemed familiar.
“No.” She cast her mind back to the adoption day and the brief glimpse she’d had of Nellie’s henpecked husband. “No,” she repeated with more certainty.
“Pooh.”
“Why don’t we look for pillowcases first?” Lauren suggested.
“Okay.” Zoe zoomed over to the correct section. “This one. No, this one. Hmm, I don’t know.” She pointed to a pale pink packet.
Lauren picked it up. She loved it. And it was organic cotton. But what would Mitch think? A stray thought made her giggle. If Mitch didn’t like the color, he could always bring his own pillow case to the cottage.
“I’m going to get them. There’s two in the pack.” Lauren checked the price. Affordable.
“I hope Mitch likes pink.” Zoe grinned.
“He doesn’t seem to have a problem sitting on our pink sofa.”
“True. Ooh.” Zoe’s attention was diverted to a purple pillowcase – with tassels.
“That is so you.”
“Yes, it is.” Zoe grabbed two pairs. “Okay, now we have to find the
hubby.”
“After we pay,” Lauren reminded her.
“Oh, yeah.”
Luckily, the store wasn’t busy and they found a register right away.
“Where is Nellie’s husband?” Zoe led the way around the store.
“I think Deborah said his name was Richard,” Lauren offered.
“Oh, good. I don’t think I heard that bit since I was busy at the counter and you were checking out the kittens.”
“After you had your turn first,” Lauren reminded her.
“True.” Zoe touched her arm and smiled. “Okay, let’s start sleuthing!”
After a few minutes of walking around and occasionally getting distracted by looking at sheets, Zoe sighed. “This might be just a teensy bit harder than I thought.”
“Uh-huh.”
“But there are still three more floors to check.” Zoe brightened.
Lauren glanced at her watch. She hoped they found Richard quickly, because now she had a craving for ice-cream – and it wasn’t quite lunchtime yet.
“Look!” Zoe nudged her.
A man of medium height, wiry build, and receding hair, dressed in a suit, came out of a rear staff entrance and walked over to a sales clerk.
“I think that’s him.” Lauren’s pulse sped up.
“Yeah, it’s definitely him.” Zoe’s eyes lit up. “Let’s go!”
She strode over to him.
“Excuse me, are you Richard, Nellie’s husband?”
“Why, yes, I am.” He looked a little taken aback. “May I help you? I’m the manager of this section.”
“We wanted to say we were sorry for your loss,” Zoe told him.
“Did you know Nellie?”
Lauren noticed the sales clerk stepping back to give them some privacy.
“She was at the adoption day at the Norwegian Forest Cat Café – Lauren’s café.” Zoe indicated Lauren.
“Yes.” She felt she had to say something.
“Oh.” He nodded. “I’ve always felt guilty that Nellie couldn’t have a pet, but I have severe cat and dog allergies. Mom got me a dog when I was a boy, and I couldn’t stop sneezing and my eyes got all red and itchy. We had to give him away to a good home – one of our neighbors. I told Nellie before we married that I was allergic, but she thought it was something my parents had made up because they didn’t want to look after a pet.”
