To keep her mind off Luke, all Sunday evening Maddie thought about the murder. She didn’t know if that was better or worse.
Disquiet began to gnaw at her when she realized she and Suzanne hadn’t done anything to investigate Veronica’s death.
Would they really put themselves in danger if they asked a few discreet questions? Surely just doing that wouldn’t hinder Detective Edgewater’s investigation – would it?
“Mrrow,” Trixie said softly as Maddie stroked her. They sat on the sofa in the living room.
“Do you think it’s a good idea to look into Veronica’s death?” Maddie asked her.
“Mrrow.” Trixie sounded serious.
Was that a yes or a no? Sometimes she was sure she could decipher Trixie’s meows but right now, her familiar’s answer had her puzzled.
Perhaps it was up to Maddie to decide what it meant. And right now, it meant Yes.
As Maddie brushed her teeth and got into her summer pjs, there was only one thing on her mind. Tomorrow she’d tell Suzanne that they needed to investigate Veronica’s murder.
“AND THEN I ORDERED chicken marsala, and Ramon said I had to try a little of his beef burgundy.” Suzanne’s face sparkled as Maddie turned on the espresso machine Monday morning.
“I know.” Maddie grinned. “You told me on the phone Saturday.”
“But now I’m telling you in person!” Suzanne bounced on the balls of her feet. “Oh, Mads, I had such a wonderful time! Ramon is so awesome – even more awesome than I first thought!”
“Did he kiss you?” Maddie asked curiously. That was the one detail Suzanne hadn’t mentioned. Instantly, she regretted asking. “Sorry. Forget I asked.” Some things were private. That was how she’d felt when Luke had first kissed her.
“You know I’d tell you if he did,” Suzanne told her. Her expression dimmed a little. “No, he hasn’t yet. But that’s okay. It means when he does, it’s going to be – oh, I can’t even think of the words to describe what it will be like!”
Wow. Maddie couldn’t remember the last time she’d heard Suzanne rave about a guy like this. She just hoped everything worked out between her friend and Ramon. She didn’t want her friend to be crushed if it didn’t.
Trixie had been listening intently to Suzanne, her ears pricked and her expression alert.
“Mrrow!” She now chimed in, as if agreeing with Suzanne’s last sentence.
“I’m so glad you agree, Trix.” Suzanne giggled as she shared a look of understanding with the cat.
Did Trixie have some magical intuition going on about Suzanne’s and Ramon fledgling romantic relationship? Maddie hoped so.
Just then, an influx of sweaty joggers claimed their attention. After their customers departed, Maddie turned to her friend.
“I’ve been thinking,” she said. “I don’t see how it could hurt if we asked a few careful questions – about Veronica.”
“Me too!” Suzanne high-fived her. “I think it’s wrong if we don’t do something to help. What does Trixie say?”
Maddie looked at her familiar. Trixie looked back at her, an inscrutable expression on her face.
“I think Trixie will agree with whatever we decide,” she said, feeling her way.
“Mrrow.” Trixie seemed to nod.
“Oh good.” Suzanne grinned. “Now, let’s get started. Who should we interview first?”
“It’s more a few discreet questions instead of an interview,” Maddie cautioned.
“Oh, pooh.” Suzanne waved a hand in the air. “If we’re going to solve this murder, I think we’ll have to do more than just a couple of questions. Don’t you agree, Trix?”
“Mrrow.” Trixie seemed to agree.
“We still need to be careful.” Maddie voiced her concern.
“We will be,” Suzanne promised. “But if we don’t ask enough questions, we won’t get enough answers. And one of those answers could lead us to the killer!”
JUST BEFORE LUNCH, Maddie and Suzanne sat down during a lull and discussed who to question first.
Suzanne pulled out her phone. “Let me make some notes.” She pressed some buttons on her cell. “Okay. Go.”
“Who had a grudge against Veronica?” Maddie mused.
“Grace. Veronica stole her boyfriend thirty-two years ago.” Suzanne made a note. “And Pamela. Veronica stole her spot on the cheerleading squad in high school.”
“There seems to be a theme,” Maddie said wryly.
“And Amy!” Suzanne made another note on her phone. “Veronica got her expelled from school so—”
“She could steal Amy’s college scholarship.”
“Veronica was not a nice person,” Suzanne stated. “Not then, anyway.”
“And she didn’t seem very nice when we met her,” Maddie replied, disliking having to say such a thing. Even if it were true.
“Who else?” Suzanne drummed her fingertips on her phone screen.
“Oh.” Maddie straightened. “Luke told me yesterday that one of his customers spoke about Veronica last week.”
“What did he say?”
“Only that he was surprised Veronica had returned to Estherville after what she got up to in high school.”
“Anything else?”
“No.” Maddie sighed.
“I’ll put that in as Unknown male who seemed to know her in high school, ask Luke for more info.” Suzanne punched the buttons on her phone.
“So who should we start with?” Maddie asked. “There are four people to talk to.”
“Amy, who works at the supermarket, is the closest,” Suzanne replied. “I know!” She snapped her fingers. “When we run out of cream today, I’ll go to the grocery store and see if I can grab her for a few minutes and ask her some questions.”
“Maybe we should both go,” Maddie suggested, aware that sometimes Suzanne’s enthusiastic questioning could get a little out of hand.
“Okay.” Suzanne’s ponytail bobbed. “It won’t hurt to close the truck for a few minutes when it’s quiet.”
“Mrrow,” Trixie agreed.
“I hope we run out of cream.” Maddie stared through the serving hatch. No customers.
“Maybe we should eat our lunch while we can.” Suzanne retrieved her sandwich from the fridge.
“Good idea,” Maddie replied as her stomach gurgled.
After giving Trixie crunchy chicken flavored kibble, Maddie unwrapped her turkey and lettuce sandwich. She’d just taken a bite when she spied Detective Edgewater walking toward the truck.
“Look!” She put down her lunch. “We can tell the detective about Luke’s customer who was complaining—”
“—about Veronica,” Suzanne finished for her.
“Hi, detective,” Suzanne greeted him. “What can we get you?”
“Got any health balls?” He looked hopefully at the counter, but it was empty apart from the little specials blackboard and an array of condiments, such as straws.
“Not right now,” Suzanne replied. “But you haven’t tried our new specials!” She gestured to the blackboard as if she were a game show presenter. “Everyone’s raving about the iced mocha and the whipped cream topping for the usual coffees.”
“Hmm.” He narrowed his eyes, as if he couldn’t make up his mind. “Since it’s summer, I’ll try the iced mocha.”
“Coming right up,” Maddie promised, preparing an espresso shot.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Suzanne told him. “We’ve got some information for you.”
“You haven’t been poking around, have you?” he asked.
“No.” Suzanne shook her head. “My brother told Maddie who told me. And now we’re telling you.”
“Go on.”
Suzanne told him about Luke’s customer who’d grumbled about Veronica coming back to town.
“Got a name?” Detective Edgewater asked.
“No. Sorry,” Maddie said as she handed the plastic cup over to Suzanne to decorate with the cream.
Suzanne seemed to delight in squirting a very unhealthy amount of cream on top of the icy mocha.
“Here you go, detective.” She slid the drink toward him. “You’re going to love it.”
“If I don’t have a heart attack first.” He eyed the frosty concoction skeptically, then stuck in a straw and sipped. His face brightened. “That is good. But next time, lighter on the cream, please. I’m not as young as I used to be.” He patted his chest.
After thanking them for the tidbit of information, the detective left, sipping on his beverage.
“Another satisfied customer.” Suzanne flopped on her stool and picked up her sandwich.
“He was right about the cream,” Maddie observed. “You were a little heavy handed.”
“And that’s how we’re going to run out of cream before closing this afternoon,” Suzanne said smugly. “So when we talk to Amy we won’t be lying.”
A reluctant smile appeared on Maddie’s lips and she shook her head. “I should have known.”
“Yep.” Suzanne took a bite of her chicken sandwich.
They just had time to eat their lunch before workers in need of lunchtime caffeine descended on the truck. Both their specials were hits once more, and Maddie noticed out of the corner of her eye as she worked the machine that Suzanne had stopped being so liberal with the whipped cream. That must mean they were in danger of running out.
Once their customers had departed to their workplaces, Maddie saw Ramon head across the town square toward them. She had to tell Luke!
Pulling her phone out of her pocket, she texted him, hoping Suzanne wouldn’t see what she was doing. Maddie was in luck. Suzanne looked through the serving hatch, standing stock still.
“Hi Ramon,” she greeted the gorgeous Spaniard in a dreamy voice.
“Hello, Suzanne.”
There was silence for a moment. Maddie looked up from her phone. The two of them stared at each other across the counter.
“Mrrow!”
“Hello, Trixie.” Ramon blinked as he seemed to become aware of his surroundings. “And Maddie.”
“Hi.” Maddie smiled at him. When Suzanne didn’t say anything, just continued to gaze at Ramon, Maddie said, “Would you like an espresso?”
“Yes, please,” he replied.
Maddie pulled the shot, aware of Suzanne and Ramon talking softly. She smiled to herself. Her bestie really had it bad. And it looked like she wasn’t the only one affected, judging by Ramon’s behavior.
Her eyes widened as she saw Luke hurry toward the truck. For a second, she wondered if she’d done the right thing by engineering this meeting. She just hoped Suzanne would forgive her if it hadn’t been the best idea.
“Hi, Sis,” Luke said loudly when he arrived at the counter, standing next to Ramon. They were practically the same height, although Luke was dressed down in comparison, wearing jeans and a navy t-shirt, while Ramon wore tailored chinos and a blue shirt.
“Oh. Hi.” Suzanne blinked, as if coming out of a trance. “Want your usual?”
“Hello.” Ramon turned to Luke. “I have been looking forward to meeting you. I am Ramon.”
“Luke.” He nodded. “You work across the square, don’t you?”
“That is correct. I am a masseur.”
Luke made a non-committal sound.
“Ramon gives the best massages,” Suzanne enthused, apparently unaware that her brother didn’t seem impressed by Ramon’s profession. “Doesn’t he, Mads?”
“So you tell me,” Maddie replied, aware of the expression on Luke’s face. He looked as if he’d just been beaned by a bag of coffee. “I haven’t had one.”
“You must one day,” Ramon told her. “I know you work hard, Maddie. A nice, soothing massage with relaxing essential oils will make you feel wonderful.”
Maddie nodded, her cheeks heating. She had been too shy to try a massage with the Spaniard, even though Suzanne had raved about it afterward. And since she and Luke had started dating, Maddie hadn’t felt the need to avail herself of Ramon’s services, even though Suzanne had assured her he was strictly professional and highly qualified.
Maddie finished making the Spaniard’s coffee, then started on an icy mocha, making sure she put plenty of chocolate powder in it. Perhaps some cocoa goodness would help cheer up her boyfriend.
“Just give me my usual,” Luke said tightly.
“Too late,” Maddie told him. She nudged Suzanne. “This is my treat,” she whispered.
Suzanne looked a little surprised but nodded. Luke always made a point of paying for his coffee, saying he didn’t want to take advantage of his sister or Maddie. Ramon always paid for his coffee as well, and Suzanne paid for her massages. The system seemed to work well for all of them.
“Mrrow?” Trixie inquired, staring at Luke.
“I’m okay, Trixie,” he reassured the cat, his expression lightening a tad.
Suzanne added a big mound of cream to the icy concoction and handed it to her brother, waving away his cash. “Talk to Maddie about it – later,” she added as a few customers came toward their truck.
Luke smiled a thank you to Maddie, but his expression looked wary as he gave Ramon a parting glance.
Oh no. Had Maddie done the right thing by engineering a meeting between the two men?