by Jinty James
“So he commutes every day?” Lauren asked.
“Yes.” Claire nodded. “We decided to buy a house here, rather than in Sacramento. The elementary school has great reviews, and I’ve always liked the idea of living in a small town.”
“Do you still work for the newspaper?” Zoe asked curiously
“No. I quit when I was pregnant. I wanted to focus on the baby, not on who was currying favor with my boss so they could get the best assignments.”
“Oh,” Lauren murmured.
“My husband’s on the marketing side, so he didn’t have to put up with all that. And we were worried about the crime rate in L.A., so when the opportunity came up for the Sacramento job, he took it.”
“That’s understandable.” Zoe nodded.
“Brrt,” Annie said.
“But now ...” she hesitated. “With Todd Fane killed, right here—” she let out a big breath. “Do you think the police know who did it?”
“No,” Lauren replied. “I mean, we don’t know if the police know.”
“I asked the detective on Saturday,” Zoe chimed in. “He said they were investigating.”
“Todd wasn’t the nicest person, but I didn’t think he deserved to die,” Claire said.
Lauren’s eyes widened. So did Zoe’s.
“You knew him?” Zoe asked.
“Yes.” Claire nodded, then looked embarrassed. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“How did you know him?” Lauren asked after a couple of seconds.
“I used to work with him – in L.A.,” Claire admitted.
“Wow!” Zoe stared at her.
“It was a long time ago.”
Lauren glanced over at the toddler. She’d finished her babycino and was gently patting Annie.
“Did you know he was here, reviewing restaurants?” Lauren asked her.
“No.” Claire forked up another bite of cupcake. “I only found out later, when I read about it in the newspaper.”
That made sense.
“Does he work for the same newspaper as your husband?” Zoe asked.
Claire hesitated. “Yes.”
“Who do you think did it?” Zoe leaned forward. “Did Todd have any enemies?”
“Zoe!” Lauren hissed.
“Well, he didn’t seem to mind making them. I don’t think Todd would let anything stand in his way career wise. I was just glad that I wasn’t on the food beat with him,” Claire replied. “I ended up in fashion and I had my own co-workers to deal with. Our paths didn’t cross that much.”
“But if he worked in a city like L.A., why would he move to Sacramento, which is smaller?” Zoe frowned.
Claire shrugged. “I don’t know. I’d left by then. Maybe it was actually a promotion, like my husband’s move was?”
“I guess.” Zoe’s tone was a little doubtful.
“Perhaps the Sacramento paper wanted an experienced food critic,” Lauren suggested. “They might have offered him more money than he was making in L.A.”
“And the cost of living in Sacramento might be lower than L.A.,” Zoe said thoughtfully. “So it could have been a good move financially for him.”
“I doubt Todd wouldn’t do something that didn’t benefit him in some way,” Claire told them.
“Apart from being murdered.” Zoe shuddered.
“I STILL THINK IT’S strange,” Zoe said a few hours later. “What are the odds that an old co-worker of Todd’s moves to the small town where he winds up murdered? And, that same co-worker’s husband works – worked – on the same newspaper as Todd?”
“I understand what you’re saying,” Lauren replied. The lunch rush had been brief today and now they had a few minutes to chat. “But Claire said she moved here two months ago. How would she even know that he was coming to Gold Leaf Valley?”
“By reading his food column,” Zoe told her. “Or gossip around the water cooler at the paper. Her husband could have told her over dinner one night.”
“But why would she care about Todd being here?” Lauren asked. “It didn’t sound as if she was a fan of his.”
“Exactly! So she’d keep track of him by reading his column, asking her husband about him, and discovering which areas Todd was covering.”
“But why?” Lauren repeated. “What would be her motive to keep tabs on Todd?”
“Because – because ...” Zoe trailed off. “Huh. But you have to admit it’s a huge coincidence she’s now living in the same town where he was killed, and that her husband worked for the same newspaper.”
“I do,” Lauren told her. “But I just can’t see Claire as a killer. Her daughter Molly is adorable, and Annie seems to enjoy their company.”
“Brrt,” Annie confirmed. She looked over at them from her cat bed.
“Well, Annie is a good judge of character,” Zoe said slowly. “Apart from Ms. Tobin. Why she persists in showing that woman to a table beats me.”
“Maybe Annie can see something in her we can’t,” Lauren replied, giving the Norwegian Forest Cat a fond look.
“I guess.” Zoe sighed. “But we still haven’t done much about finding out who the killer is. Even Mrs. Finch seemed disappointed we didn’t have any inside information at crochet club.”
“Don’t you mean knitting and crochet club?” Lauren teased. “I’m still working on my scarf.”
“That’s what I meant.” Zoe grinned.
They tidied the counter, Annie settling in her basket for a snooze. The café was strangely quiet, their customers returning to work or home.
Tuesday wasn’t as busy as the rest of the week, but still ...
Lauren gazed into space, once again wondering why Brandon hadn’t heard Todd’s murderer, since he’d been in the motel room next door, when the front door swung open.
“Brrp?” Annie lifted her head. Her eyes widened, and she jumped down from the bed.
Lauren blinked, her trance broken. Mitch stood in the doorway, wearing what she now thought of as his business attire – dark slacks and a dress shirt – this time, pewter gray.
“Hi.” She scolded herself for sounding breathless.
“Hey.” He walked toward the counter.
Annie joined him.
“Brrp?” she repeated.
“Ah – hello?” He peered down at the cat.
“I think she’s asking if you’d like a table or if you’re ordering to go,” Lauren explained.
“To go.” He nodded.
“Brrt.” Annie sounded a little disappointed as she ambled back to her bed.
“I didn’t think she liked me much.” Mitch stared at Annie’s retreating form. “But she seemed friendlier just now.”
“I think she’s aware that you mowed our lawn,” Lauren said. “She knows I don’t like doing it.”
“Huh.” He shook his head as if to clear it. “Are all cats like that?”
“Maybe,” Lauren replied, although to her, Annie was the most intelligent and sweetest cat in the world.
“I thought I’d get a latte,” Mitch said. “And a cupcake, if you have any left.” He eyed the glass case containing the baked goods. Several cakes were left, along with two blueberry Danishes.
“Of course.” Lauren smiled as she picked up a pair of tongs. “I have triple chocolate or lemon poppyseed.”
“Which one do you recommend?”
“The triple chocolate.” A couple more customers had raved about it earlier, making Lauren’s day.
“It sounds good.”
Lauren steamed the milk for the latte as the espresso machine growled and hummed. She searched her brain, but couldn’t think of any small talk.
“Ed said to remind you he’s leaving now because of his dental appointment.” Zoe burst in through the swinging kitchen doors.
“That’s right.” Lauren had forgotten about it.
“Got any news about the murder?” Zoe asked Mitch.
“Not that I can share,” Mitch replied.
“That’s too bad.” Zoe s
ounded disappointed. “When do you think you’ll catch the killer?”
“Zoe!” Lauren frowned.
“Soon, I hope,” Mitch answered. “We want to make sure we arrest the right person.”
“You do know that Brandon returned to Sacramento, don’t you?” Zoe asked as Lauren put a lid on the latte cup.
“Yes, I do.” Mitch dug into his pocket for his wallet.
“On the house,” Lauren told him. “I said on Saturday—”
“I know.” He smiled. It transformed his face. “But I didn’t want to take advantage.”
“I meant what I said,” Lauren told him. “Free coffee and cupcakes for the next month.”
“I think that’s totally worth mowing the lawn for,” Zoe observed.
“Two lawns,” Lauren reminded her.
“Oh, yeah.”
“I was planning on making vanilla cupcakes tomorrow,” Lauren told him shyly, aware of his liking for that particular treat.
“Then I’ll definitely come back tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 9
“He’s reviewed us!” Zoe called out from the living room the next morning.
“Brandon?” Lauren and Annie looked at each other over the breakfast table. Annie sat on a chair while Lauren munched on her granola.
“What does it say?” Lauren’s stomach swirled, jumbling up the oats and dried fruit she’d just eaten.
“It’s all good,” Zoe assured her, walking into the kitchen with the laptop. “He says the coffee and cupcakes are great but he was disappointed he couldn’t try Ed’s pastries. Ooh – he also mentions Annie. Says she’s a cute cat and that customers love her hostess role.”
“Show me?”
Zoe placed the laptop on the kitchen table. “See?” She indicated the screen.
“Brrt?” Annie nudged Lauren’s shoulder.
“Here.” Zoe pointed at the device. “Look, Annie, there’s your name.” She tapped the screen.
“Brrt.” Annie sounded pleased.
“That’s a relief.” Lauren’s stomach settled back to normal.
“Hopefully his review will give us some new customers.” Zoe grinned. “And I know one customer who’s coming in today, so you’d better get those vanilla cupcakes in the oven.”
“Who’s the boss now?” Lauren teased, her cheeks suddenly hot. Just the mention of Mitch’s name made her blush. She had to get it together.
“Keep plying him with lattes and cupcakes and he might continue to mow the lawn forever,” Zoe kidded.
“You’re terrible!” Lauren tutted, but secretly she wondered what it would be like if Zoe’s words became true. And not just for the benefit of not needing to do yardwork.
After finishing breakfast, the three of them walked down the hallway to the café.
Lauren mixed up the vanilla cupcakes first, wanting to make sure they were ready by the time Mitch stopped by.
Soon after, Ed arrived, donning his big apron and nodding to Lauren before checking the ingredients for his pastries. He didn’t like to be interrupted while working.
If Brandon ever reviewed them again, she just hoped they had some of Ed’s pastries to tempt him with. Ed’s skill with pastry was one of the reasons she had so many customers – along with Annie’s hostess duties.
“Hey Ed, did you see our review?” Zoe popped her head into the kitchen. “Brandon loved our coffee and cupcakes.”
“Good,” Ed grunted, shaping a round of dough on the clean counter.
“Just wait until he tries one of your pastries,” Zoe continued. “Hey, I know! Why don’t I email Brandon and tell him to come back any time he likes to try one of Ed’s specialties?”
“Good idea,” Lauren told her cousin. She glanced at Ed, working the pastry, and back at Zoe.
Zoe nodded, miming zipped lips, and went back into the café.
Once the cupcakes were in the oven, Lauren slipped into the café as well.
“Everything’s ready and it’s not even 9.30.” Zoe sat at the counter, one leg swinging against the metal leg of the stool. “Should we open a little early?”
“Why not?” Lauren unlocked the front door. No customers clamoring to enter at 9.15. Darn.
Annie strolled around the room, as if checking all the chairs and tables were accounted for.
“I wonder when Mitch will come in today.” Zoe tapped her cheek.
“Make sure there’s a vanilla cupcake for him in case he comes in this afternoon,” Lauren said.
“Will do.” Zoe giggled. “You two are so cute. I just hope I’m not one hundred by the time he asks you out.”
“Stop that.” Lauren stifled a nervous giggle.
“You must know he likes you by now. He—”
The door opened. Gary strode in.
“I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw you were open already.” He smiled at Lauren and Zoe. Annie gave a grumble when she noticed he stood at the counter and not at the Please Wait to be Seated sign.
“What can we get you?” Lauren asked, her fingers poised on the register.
“A large cappuccino would be great.” He pulled out his wallet. “Hey, I saw that the new food critic posted a review for this place.”
“Yep, we read it this morning,” Zoe confirmed. “Hopefully it will bring in some extra business.”
“Did you get a review yet?” Lauren asked.
“No.” Gary frowned and shook his head. “But right now I think that’s a good thing.”
“Definitely.” Zoe nodded so hard, her brunette pixie bangs brushed her eyes. “Ooh, we should definitely have burgers for dinner one night.” She turned to Lauren.
“Good idea,” Lauren replied. She’d always had a great experience there, and it wouldn’t break her bank account either. “What about next week?”
“You girls are welcome any time.” Gary waved away the change Lauren tried to give him. “Put it in the tip jar.”
“Thanks.” Zoe beamed.
Lauren clinked the coins into the jar on the counter.
Gary checked his chunky silver watch. “I’ve got to get back to the diner.” His mouth tightened. “Cindy was so upset about what happened with that – critic – that she needed to take a couple of days off. I still can’t believe what that creep tried to do to her.” He shook his head as he left the café.
“Ooh.” Zoe stared after Gary.
“I know.” Lauren nodded. “He still seems angry about what happened.”
“I would be too.” Zoe paused. “Hey, I should have enough tip money by next week to cover a burger and fries.” She tried to lighten the mood.
“You don’t have any money at all?” An image of Zoe’s empty wallet flashed in front of Lauren’s eyes. “Do you want me to pay you early?”
“No, I’m fine.” Zoe waved away the offer. “I just don’t have any money in my wallet, that’s all. I’ve got some in the bank. I’m just trying to leave it in there.” She sighed. “Maybe we shouldn’t have splurged at the steakhouse Saturday night.”
“I hear you.” Lauren looked at Zoe’s regretful expression. She touched her cousin’s arm. “But I’m glad we did, despite how much it cost.” She realized she meant it. “You were right. Sometimes we should do something fun.”
“Next week burgers at Gary’s, then.” Zoe cheered up. “Good food and it’s affordable.”
“You’re on.”
CHAPTER 10
That afternoon, Mitch stopped by. Lauren willed herself to remain calm as she served him. Annie ambled up to him inquiringly, but when he told her he was getting take-out, she wandered over to one of her regular customers instead, and joined them at their table.
As she placed his vanilla cupcake in a cardboard tray, Lauren peeked up at him from underneath her eyelashes. He looked as business-like as he usually did (apart from Saturday when he mowed her lawn).
She handed him his latte, a shiver racing along her spine when her fingers grazed his.
“Thanks.” He smiled briefly. A ringtone sounded, and he du
g his phone out of his pocket. “Sorry. I’ve got to take this.”
“No problem.” Lauren watched him walk out of the café, juggling his coffee, cupcake, and phone. Maybe Zoe was right – her cousin would be one hundred by the time Mitch asked Lauren out – which would make Lauren one-hundred-and one.
“Only two days ‘til crochet and knitting club. I can’t wait to show Mrs. Finch how much crochet I’ve done this week,” Zoe said enthusiastically a few minutes later when she joined Lauren at the counter.
“Oh, that reminds me. I’m almost out of wool for my scarf. I need to buy some more.”
“I can take care of everything.” Zoe made a shooing motion. “Go to the handmade shop before it closes.”
“Are you sure?” Lauren scanned the room. Only a few customers ate, drank, and chatted at the tables. Annie sat with Pastor Mike, who ran the local Episcopal church.
“Go!” Zoe made a shooing motion once more.
Lauren grabbed her purse and departed before she could persuade herself to change her mind. It wasn’t often that she left the coffee shop while they were open.
She breathed in a lungful of fresh spring air. The afternoon sun shone and a cool breeze ruffled her hair. It did feel good to be outside.
Lauren hurried to the store. She’d just buy her yarn and get back to the café. She was so busy wondering if she would ever finish her scarf that she nearly walked past the small shop.
A bell tinkled as she entered the store. An array of colorful wool met her eyes, piled high on the shelves. Oh no! She didn’t know which shade of red she needed. Zoe had bought it for her, and she hadn’t thought to bring the wool with her to match it.
Lauren approached the counter. A woman in her forties with curly brown hair operating the register spoke to the only other customer.
“I’m sorry, but this card is declined.”
“It can’t be,” the slim, tall woman wailed. “Try it again.”
“Okay,” the clerk said doubtfully. She swiped the card once more. “No. I’m sorry.”
Lauren winced with sympathy for the customer. She frowned and looked at her more closely. Honey colored hair hitting her jawline. Was it Kimberly, Wayne’s wife?
