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“Huh?” Zoe’s mouth parted.
“I know. It sounds incredible. But Mitch just said that the keys were in the ignition and there was damage to the bumper. And—” she swallowed “—blood.”
“Hmm.” Zoe thought for a moment. “What about fingerprints?”
“Nothing yet. They’re going over the car but there’s nothing obvious yet.”
“Maybe the killer wore gloves,” Zoe suggested.
“Why would Gavin leave the keys in the ignition?”
“Yeah, and what was he doing there, anyway? Unless he was going to visit the scrapbook group and the killer got to him before he could get to the hall.”
They looked at each other.
“Brrt?” Annie asked.
“We don’t know who did it,” Lauren told her.
“Is Mitch in charge of the case?”
“For now.” Lauren nodded.
“Oh, good. Then we won’t have to deal with horrible Detective Castern.”
“I hope not.”
“Maybe Mitch can solve it in record time,” Zoe said. “Otherwise, we can start sleuthing!”
“Haven’t we got enough to do right now?” Lauren glanced toward the living room.
“That’s right.” Zoe sobered. “We’re looking after Mrs. Snuggle.”
“Brrt!”
“You’re doing a wonderful job,” Lauren told her fur baby. “Maybe we should wait until Father Mike returns before we even think about what happened this afternoon.”
“You know that’s not going to happen.”
“Brrt!”
***
THE NEXT MORNING, MARTHA was their first customer.
“Did you hear what happened to Gavin?” She barreled into the café, pushing her rolling walker.
“Yes,” Zoe called out.
“Brrt!” Annie scampered up to her. She’d decided to help in the cafe this morning, and leave Mrs. Snuggle watching a fairytale romance.
“Want a ride, cutie pie?” Martha winked at Annie.
“Brrt!” She hopped onto the black vinyl seat of the walker, directing Martha to a table with a series of brrts. Martha pushing them forward slowly.
“This one?” Martha stopped at a four-seater near the counter.
“Brrp.” Yes.
Annie jumped from the walker to one of the pine chairs.
“How did you hear the news?” Lauren came over to them, Zoe beside her.
“It’s all over the senior center already.” Martha sank into the chair. “How did you know about it?”
“We found him.” Lauren’s tone was somber.
“Oh.” Martha’s expression grew serious. “Sorry.”
“Thanks.” Zoe nodded. “How come you weren’t at scrapbooking yesterday afternoon?”
“Is that where it happened?”
They briefly filled her in.
“I was planning on going to scrapping,” Martha explained, “but I just didn’t feel up to it. I love catching up with Doris and Janice, but Virginia can be a bit of a pill at times.”
“We’d noticed,” Zoe said.
“She can be a real downer, and I didn’t feel like putting up with her. So I decided to stay home.”
“That’s understandable,” Lauren remarked.
“Janice is a real doll, just like you two – three.” Martha glanced at Annie, including her.
“Brrt.” Thank you.
“So is Doris. It’s a shame they have to live with Virginia.”
“Why is that?” Zoe asked.
Martha shrugged. “I’m not sure. But they arrived from Oregon several years ago and moved in with Virginia. I know I wouldn’t want to live with her.”
“Maybe they’re used to her,” Lauren mused.
“They’d have to be.” Martha shook herself. “Let’s not talk about Virginia. Did you know there’s a counterfeiter in town?”
“Yes, and someone passed a fake twenty here,” Zoe told her.
“Ooh, I hadn’t heard that.”
“And at the handmade shop,” Lauren added.
“Yeah. I’m going to buy some wool during my lunch break.”
“I hope you didn’t lose much money.” Martha seemed to realize the effects of a fake bill.
“We’ve already made it back with the lemon meringues,” Lauren replied.
“I’ve got to get one. And my usual hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows.”
Annie kept Martha company while they filled her order.
“Do you think there’s enough marshmallows in here?” Lauren showed her cousin the large mug crammed with pink and white treats.
“Oh, yeah.” Zoe grinned. “It looks so good I want one!”
“Me too,” she replied ruefully. Too many sweet treats were not good – at least not for her.
Lauren carried the hot chocolate over, with Zoe following with the cupcake.
“Am I the only one here?” Martha glanced around the empty café.
“For now. Ed is in the kitchen.”
“Yeah, whipping up his yummy pastries.”
He’d already made honeyed walnut and apple Danish that morning.
Martha peered at her mug. “Lots of marshmallows – goody.” She took a big sip. “You girls make the best hot chocolate.” She flung out an arm, narrowly missing Lauren. “And everything else.”
“Thanks.” Lauren smiled at her.
“Brrt!”
Soon, more customers entered, until the two of them were slammed with orders.
Lauren was glad to see so many people, but hoped Mitch would stop by soon, and she’d get a chance to talk to him.
Finally, there was a lull before lunch.
Doris and Virginia entered, pausing at the Please Wait to be Seated sign.
“Brrt?” Annie trotted up to them.
Virginia looked around the room with a faintly disapproving air.
“You are a pretty cat.” Doris beamed at her.
“Brrt.” Thank you. Annie led them to a table in the middle of the room straight away, as if sensing Virginia was impatient. The feline departed for her cat bed after seating them.
“Look who’s here.” Zoe nudged her.
“Do you think we should go and take their orders?” Lauren murmured.
“I did last time.”
“I guess Janice is teaching right now,” Lauren commented.
“Too bad. She seems nice.”
“Yes, she does.”
When they reached Virginia’s table, she was tutting to Doris about Gavin’s death.
“Such a shame.” She shook her head. “As I said before, he seemed quite a decent young man. You could tell he was cut out to be a priest.”
“May we take your order?” Lauren asked.
“Thank you.” Virginia inclined her head. “I will have a honeyed walnut pastry, and a cup of tea. English Breakfast.”
“And I’ll have a lemon meringue cupcake and a cappuccino, please,” Doris added.
“Are lemon meringue cupcakes the only thing you can make?” Virginia queried. “You had them last time we were here.”
Lauren felt Zoe bristle beside her. But she replied evenly, “No, I usually make three different types of cupcakes each day, but the lemon meringues have been so popular, I’ve concentrated mostly on those.”
“Then you must vary your offerings,” Virginia informed her. “Otherwise, we will not continue to come here.”
Doris gave them an apologetic look.
“That would be a shame.” Zoe made it sound quite the opposite.
Lauren pulled her away before her cousin could say anything else.
“There is no way she is another Ms. Tobin,” Zoe burst out fiercely behind the counter. Lauren was grateful she managed to keep her voice down.
“No,” she agreed. “But we should try to remember Virginia had a shock yesterday, identifying Gavin’s body. Maybe this is her way of dealing with it.”
“By being rude to you?” Zoe’s eyebrows climbed up her forehead.
Lauren shrugged. She made the pot of tea and cappuccino, while Zoe plated the treats.
“I am definitely going to grill them.” Zoe sounded militant, marching over to the table with her tray.
Lauren followed, hoping her cousin wouldn’t get too carried away.
“Are you sure you didn’t hear anything yesterday during scrapbooking, when Gavin – you know?” Zoe began, doling out the baked goods.
“I’m sure,” Virginia said frostily. “We were very busy cutting out patterned paper.”
“I love scrapbooking.” Doris sighed in appreciation as she looked at the swan design on her cappuccino. “How pretty!”
“How many people are in the group?” Lauren asked.
“Just us four,” Doris replied. “Me, Virginia, Janice, and Martha.”
“No one else?” Zoe pressed.
“Sometimes a couple of ladies from the senior center, but they haven’t been for a while, have they, Virginia?”
“No.” Virginia pressed her lips together. “We don’t need them, anyway.”
“They said Virginia was a little bit bossy,” Doris confided.
“Really?” Zoe looked like she was fighting a grin.
“Just because I show people the correct way to do something doesn’t mean they should take offence,” Virginia said. “It’s important to do things properly – but people these days ...” She shook her head in disapproval. “Like that police detective yesterday.” She looked at Lauren. “He’s taken Doris’s car in for examination.”
“He has?” Lauren and Zoe glanced at each other.
“To rule the vehicle out of the investigation. The same with Janice’s. She had to walk to school, and Doris and I had to walk over here.” She tutted.
“Do you live far?” Lauren asked.
“A few blocks,” Virginia replied. “But that makes no difference. They had no right to take away the cars. We didn’t kill Gavin.”
“Did you tell the police that?” Zoe asked, a hint of mischief in her eyes.
“Of course, we did, girl!” Virginia scowled at her. “You would expect the police to believe me, a pillar of the community, who’s lived in this town for many years, but no. They have to take the word of some “expert” before they’ll believe me.” She narrowed her eyes at Lauren. “I hope your young man knows what he’s doing.”
“My young man?”
“It was as plain as the nose on my face yesterday that there’s something going on with you two. I hope it’s all above board.”
Lauren was aware her mouth parted but no sound came out. Her cheeks flamed.
“Now, Virginia,” Doris said. “I’m sure that—”
“Everything is definitely above board.” Zoe planted her hands on her hips. “In fact—”
“In fact, we need to get back to the counter,” Lauren urged her.
“Not before I ask some questions.” Zoe narrowed her eyes. “Did either of you go outside during scrapbooking?”
“I did,” Doris admitted. “I needed to get some air for a minute. I was feeling a little hot.”
“In January?” Virginia sounded disbelieving.
“I did tell you at the time,” Doris said mildly.
“When was that?” Zoe zeroed in on her. “Before or after Janice arrived? Didn’t you say she joined you after school finished?”
“That’s right,” Doris replied. “And it was after Janice arrived.”
“Did you see Gavin’s car?”
“No,” Doris replied.
“What is this, a cross-examination?” Virginia glared at them.
“Yes,” Zoe admitted.
For once, Lauren was not going to urge Zoe to be cautious with her “grilling”.
“What about you, Virginia?” Zoe switched her attention to the slightly older lady. “Did you go outside?”
“I will not deign to answer that. You are not the police.”
“No, but Mitch is,” Lauren spoke. “Maybe he’s already asked you these questions.”
“Yes, he has,” Doris stated. “After you two left the hall yesterday.”
“If you don’t mind, we would like to enjoy our order in peace.” Virginia glared at them glacially.
Lauren nodded, and headed back to the counter, making sure Zoe was beside her.
“I bet Virginia did it,” Zoe muttered when they reached the espresso machine. “She is so rude!”
“That doesn’t make her a killer.”
“No, but who else could have run over Gavin?”
“Can she drive?” Lauren asked. “Didn’t they say the police impounded Doris’s car?”
“Good point.” Zoe tapped her cheek. “But that doesn’t mean Virginia can’t drive. I drive your car all the time!”
“I’d noticed.” There was a hint of a smile in Lauren’s voice.
More customers trickled in, until Lauren was too busy to think about Doris and Virginia being possible suspects.
Zoe grabbed her lunch break first, promising to return quickly. True to her word, she waved a skein of brightly colored red and purple yarn in the air when she came back.
“Look!” Her eyes sparkled as she showed Lauren and Annie her purchase.
“Those are your colors,” Lauren agreed.
“I can’t believe they’re in the same ball of yarn. The clerk at the handmade shop said it’s self-striping.” She thrust the fiber at Lauren. “Can’t wait for you to knit me a scarf.” She grinned.
“As soon as Mrs. Snuggle goes home,” Lauren promised. “Although it might take me a while.”
“I know.” Zoe touched her arm. “No worries. I can always wear it next winter.” She giggled. “Let me know if you need more yarn.”
“I will.” Lauren eyed the fat skein, hoping there would be enough in it. She didn’t like joining two pieces of wool together.
Lauren and Annie headed to the cottage for a quick lunch. She stowed the yarn safely in her closet, then spooned out chicken in gravy for her fur baby.
“How are you, Mrs. Snuggle?” She tiptoed into the living room.
“Meow.” Mrs. Snuggle sighed gustily, her expression dejected. But Lauren noticed she’d eaten her breakfast.
“How about some lunch?” She picked up the empty food bowl. “Father Mike is coming home tomorrow. You’ll see him as soon as he gets here from the airport.”
Mrs. Snuggle’s expression lightened a fraction. Lauren told herself the Persian understood.
By the time Lauren entered the kitchen, Annie had finished her lunch.
“Brrt?” She looked inquiringly at Lauren.
“Which can of food do you think Mrs. Snuggle would like now?” She indicated the four left on the table.
“Brrp.” This one. Annie jumped onto the chair and tapped a tuna can with her paw.
“Okay.” Lauren opened it and spooned some into the bowl. If Mrs. Snuggle enjoyed it, maybe she should buy some for Annie.
Mrs. Snuggle gave a grunt when Lauren put her food down on the floor, her gaze never leaving the TV screen. Another fairytale movie.
“Would you like Annie to stay with you this afternoon?”
Another grunt.
“Maybe Annie should ask you herself.” She didn’t know whether that grunt meant yes or no.
Lauren ate the panini she’d brought with her, while Annie trotted to the living room. When she’d finished, the feline had joined her at the kitchen table.
“Well?” She smiled at her. “What are you doing this afternoon?”
“Brrt!” Café!
“Let’s go.” They trooped through the private hallway. The crowd had thinned out and Zoe seemed to be coping well on her own.
Annie said hello to a few regulars, then curled up in her basket.
About an hour later, Mitch entered.
“Hi.” He strode to the counter.
“Brrt!” Annie trotted to greet him.
“Hi, Annie.” He smiled down at her.
“Brrt!” Hi, Mitch.
“Have you got a minute?” He looked at Lauren.
“Of course.” She glanced at her cousin.
“Go.” Zoe shooed the three of them away, her eyes sparkling. “As long as you update me later.”
Lauren nodded, following Annie to a four-seater at the rear, aware of Mitch right behind her.
“What is it?” she asked when they sat down, Annie on the chair next to Lauren’s. “Have you had lunch?”
“Yes, a sandwich at my desk, so I could see you on my break.” His lips tilted up in a smile. “We still don’t know who ran over Gavin. Obviously not you or Zoe,” he assured her.
“Brrt.” Good.
“Virginia said Doris’s and Janice’s cars were impounded.”
“Briefly. But we can’t find any damage. It was just a precaution because it was pretty obvious at the scene that Gavin’s car was used to kill him.”
Lauren shuddered. “But why?”
“That’s what I’m working on. I’ve even confirmed that Father Mike is still in Miami.”
Lauren’s eyes widened.
“You didn’t think he had something to do with this?”
“No.” He shook his head. “But I had to rule him out. Going to the church conference in another state would be the perfect alibi, even though I didn’t consider him a suspect. I called him last night, remembering you mentioned the hotel he was staying at. The desk clerk paged him and I spoke to him on the hotel landline. He was definitely still in Miami.”
“Did you tell him what happened?”
“After I confirmed his presence at the hotel. He’s worried about getting back tomorrow. There’s talk of a pilot strike.”
“Oh, no.”
“He said he’s praying there’ll be a quick resolution that will satisfy everyone, and will let you know as soon as he knows anything. He was going to call you today about it, but I told him I’d inform you.”
“Thanks.” Lauren smiled at him. Then a thought struck her, and her smile faded. “I’ve already told Mrs. Snuggle that he’s coming back tomorrow. What is she going to do if he’s stuck in Florida? She’ll think I lied to her!”
“Brrt,” Annie agreed sadly.
“Can you tell her I didn’t deliberately lie?” She turned to Annie.
“Brrt.” I’ll try.
“Thank you.” She gently stroked the silver-gray tabby’s soft fur.
“Maybe Mrs. Snuggle will cheer up when we’re all over at the cottage tomorrow,” Mitch suggested.
“Maybe,” Lauren echoed, not feeling hopeful. She gathered her thoughts after a second. “Do Doris, Virginia, and Janice have alibis for yesterday?”
“Virginia is something.” Mitch shook his head. “She said she didn’t leave the hall during scrapbooking. Doris said she went outside briefly and didn’t see anything.”
“That’s what she told us this morning.”
“And Janice said she didn’t leave the hall.”
“Janice arrived later, didn’t she?” Lauren asked.
“Yes, she joined her grandmother and great-aunt when school finished for the day.”
“Virginia said Gavin might stop by the scrapbooking group. But what about the way his finger pointed to the church hall?” Lauren shuddered at the sudden image in her mind. “Do you think that means something?”
“It could be a coincidence,” Mitch told her. “A bodily reaction after he was struck by the car. Sorry,” he added when she flinched.
“He is the priest from Zeke’s Ridge, isn’t he?” She remembered the way Mrs. Snuggle had attacked Gavin’s ankles.
“Yes, I had to notify the parish office last night.” Mitch’s expression grew somber. “Someone from there formally identified him this morning.”
“Virginia’s verification wasn’t enough?” Lauren frowned.
“I wanted to make sure we weren’t dealing with an impersonator. Anyone could appear at the parsonage and say they were there on Father Mike’s behalf. You hadn’t met Gavin before this week, had you?”
“No.” Lauren shook her head.
They chatted for a few minutes about cat sitting tomorrow, Annie’s expression brightening at the news that Mitch and Chris would be spending the afternoon and evening at the cottage.
Mitch’s phone sounded. More forensic results had come in. He said goodbye to both of them, and strode out of the café.
“Well?” Zoe zipped over to them.
Lauren and Annie gave her an update.
“Huh. What if Gavin really was an imposter? I wonder if that’s why Mrs. Snuggle attacked him?”