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Lauren rushed out of the café, closely followed by Zoe.
“What’s wrong?” Lauren ran to catch up with Martha.
“The brakes aren’t working,” Martha gasped. She held on to the handles of the walker, the skin stretched tight across her knuckles as she labored to keep up a running pace.
Lauren and Zoe grabbed the handles of the walker.
“There.” Zoe grunted. “Stopped.”
“Thanks.” Martha breathed heavily.
A couple of passersby looked at them curiously, a man coming over and asking if they needed help.
“I think we’ll be okay,” Lauren told him, thanking him.
“What happened, Martha?” Zoe asked.
“Lemme sit down.” Martha sank onto the vinyl padded seat. “Don’t let go of the handles or it will take off down the hill – with me on it!”
The “hill” was a slight incline, but Lauren suspected Martha was suffering from shock.
“Can you make it back to the café?” Zoe said. “You should have a rest.”
“I’ve been resting all morning,” Martha replied. “Wanted to make sure I didn’t miss out on your lattes, then I had a cappuccino, and then a pastry. Then I thought I’d stay awhile after everyone left, and check all my notes.” She patted the seat of the walker. Under the lid was a basket.
Was that where Martha kept her notebook?
After a minute, Martha continued, “I usually brake before the sidewalk goes downhill so I’m prepared for the next bit. But when I pressed the brake handle, nothing happened. I thought this bad gal was going to run away with me all the way down the hill.” She shuddered. “I didn’t realize there was something wrong with the brakes because I usually forget to put the brakes on when I park it somewhere, like at your café.” A guilty looked flashed across her face.
“If you’re up to it, I think you should come back to the café,” Lauren suggested gently. “We could make you a cup of hot, sweet tea, on the house.”
“Or hot chocolate,” Zoe added. “That has sugar in it as well. And maybe you need a cupcake or a pastry, if there are any left. Our treat.”
“That sounds good.” Martha smiled, but it wasn’t her usual confident smile.
“How did this happen?” Lauren asked. “Are the brakes defective?” She pressed the brake lever attached to the handle but nothing seemed to happen.
“Someone cut my brakes. And I think it was Denise!”
***
“WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?” Lauren asked. The three of them now sat at a table in the café. Annie jumped on a chair and gently patted Martha’s arm, as if she knew the senior had suffered a shock.
“Thanks, cutie pie.” Martha smiled at Annie, then turned to Lauren. “To answer your question, I don’t think Denise likes me. She always acts so judgey about my choice of reading material.”
“You mean gossip magazines?” Zoe asked.
“Yep. Why shouldn’t I read something entertaining? And I’m sure some of those stories are true. You know what they say – no smoke without fire.”
“Definitely.” Zoe nodded.
“But why would she tamper with your brakes?” Lauren frowned. “I thought she enjoyed working at the senior center.”
Martha shrugged. “I don’t know who else it could be. And she was right here with me this morning, sitting at the same table. We even had an argument about whether it was true that an actress had plastic surgery. I said it’s so obvious, but Denise got all hoity toity about it and said she was sure this actress hadn’t touched her face at all.”
“Huh.” Zoe rose. “What can I get you? You definitely need something for the shock.”
“A hot chocolate would be nice,” Martha said. “With marshmallows.”
“Coming right up.” Zoe hurried to the counter.
“Would you like a cupcake or pastry?” Lauren asked.
Annie looking enquiringly at Martha, as if waiting for her answer.
“No thanks, girls,” Martha replied. “I’m good.”
“How are you going to get home?” Lauren asked. “You can’t use your walker if the brakes aren’t working.”
“I’ll call Barry. I’m sure he can pick me up.” Martha opened the seat lid of the walker and rummaged around. She brought out a red flip phone that had large buttons on the keypad. “I’ve got his number on here.”
“Tell me if he can’t make it.” Lauren surveyed the café. Only a few tables were occupied. “I could take you home if we don’t get any busier.”
“You’re a sweet gal.” Martha beamed. “So is your zippy cousin. Lemme know if she needs any help in the romance department and I’ll fix her up.”
Zoe brought over the hot chocolate, Lauren filling her in on Martha’s transport options.
“Barry says he can come get me.” Martha waved her phone in the air. “He’ll be here in thirty minutes, which will give me plenty of time to drink this cocoa.” A satisfied expression flickered across her face. “Lots of marshmallows. Goody.”
The surface of the drink was invisible due to the multitude of pink and white marshmallows Zoe had crammed into the mug.
Annie kept Martha company while Lauren and Zoe attended to the counter, taking payment from a few of the customers.
Barry collected Martha, helping her to the minivan parked outside. He came back for her walker, tsking at the fact the brakes weren’t working.
“Don’t worry,” he told Lauren and Zoe. “I should be able to fix it for her back at the center. We have several of these walkers – some as spares, and some we’re keeping for the parts. If I can’t fix the brakes, I can give Martha a loaner.”
“That’s good of you,” Lauren said.
“Yep.” Zoe nodded.
They waved goodbye as Barry and Martha drove off.
“What a day,” Zoe said. “And it’s not even five o’clock yet.”
“I know.” Lauren sank down on the stool behind the counter. Our of the corner of her eye, she could see Annie settling down for a snooze in the cat bed.
“Do you think we could close early for once?” Zoe asked hopefully, eyeing the clock. “If we don’t have any customers. It’s three now.”
“That’s a good idea,” Lauren said. Normally she’d feel guilty about doing so, but not today. “Want a mocha with extra chocolate powder?”
“Now you’re reading my mind.” Zoe grinned.
“I’ll make them.” Lauren ground the beans and tamped them down in the portafilter.
She wondered if Mitch would stop by this afternoon. She hadn’t seen him since Saturday night. Just thinking of the way he’d kissed her after she’d shown him her scarf made her eyes flutter closed and a dreamy smile grace her lips.
“Hi, Mitch,” she heard Zoe sing out.
Her eyes snapped open.
“Hi.” She hoped what she’d just been thinking wasn’t written all over her face.
“Hi.” Mitch stood at the counter.
In her cat bed, Annie lifted her head, and welcomed him with a sleepy, “Brrt.”
“Remember I said I might have a friend who’d like to meet Zoe?”
“Yes,” Lauren replied.
“Yes!” Zoe jumped off the stool.
“He’ll be here in a second.”
The door to the café opened and a tall guy in his late twenties strode in. His features were even and attractive, and he wore jeans and a navy t-shirt.
Zoe blinked. “You!” She pointed at him, her mouth hanging open.
“You!” The guy froze mid-stride, staring at Zoe.
Lauren looked at her cousin and then the newcomer, comprehension dawning. “You!”
“Would someone tell me what’s going on?” Mitch frowned. “Chris, have you already met Zoe?”
Zoe, Lauren, and Mitch’s friend all spoke at once.
“He—”
“She—”
“He—”
Annie jerked her head up at the altercation, then buried herself in her blankets, her paw over her eyes.
“Do you have a brother?” Zoe finally said, her face turning crimson.
“Yes.” The newcomer grimaced. “And I’m sorry. I had no idea he did that until after I came home. I’ve been overseas.”
“So your brother used your photo on an internet dating site to attract women.” Lauren’s eyes narrowed. She remembered how upset Zoe had been when she’d discovered the deception a few months ago.
“Your eighteen-year-old brother.” Zoe’s eyes looked like they could steam a latte from twenty yards.
“What’s going on?” Mitch turned to his friend and then back to Zoe and Lauren. “What are you all talking about?”
“I went out on a date with his brother,” Zoe explained, her tone icy. “I thought I was going out with him.” She pointed to Mitch’s friend. “But when I got to the restaurant, his eighteen-year-old brother was there instead, and told me how he liked older women. I’m only twenty-five!”
The newcomer winced.
Lauren wrapped her arm around her cousin’s shoulders.
“That was the last straw.” Zoe leaned into Lauren’s hug for a second, then straightened her spine. “I don’t think I will ever internet date again!”
“I’m sorry,” Mitch’s friend repeated. “I’ve dealt with my brother and he’ll never do something like that again. I didn’t realize when Mitch said I might like to meet his girlfriend’s cousin that it was you.”
“Does that make a difference?” Zoe narrowed her eyes.
“Of course not,” he assured her hastily.
“Maybe it isn’t the best time for this,” Lauren told Mitch. “We could talk about it later, after I speak to Zoe about it.”
“Sure.” Mitch grabbed his friend’s arm. “I think you’re right. Let’s all take some time to think this through.” He urged his buddy out of the café.
“Ooh – ooh!” Zoe stomped behind the counter.
Luckily there were only a couple of customers at the rear, and they hadn’t seemed to notice the drama.
“The nerve of him!” Zoe banged down an empty milk jug on the counter.
“Mitch’s friend – or his brother?” Lauren asked. Then wished she hadn’t.
“Either. Both.” Zoe banged the stainless-steel jug again.
Lauren was sure she could hear her cousin grind her teeth.
After a moment when there wasn’t any more commotion, Lauren ventured, “Feel a little better?”
“Just a bit,” Zoe admitted. “Sorry.” She sank down on the stool.
Lauren glanced over at Annie. She’d opened her eyes and was staring wide-eyed at Zoe. But she hadn’t left her basket.
Zoe sighed – a long, drawn out one.
“Why does this happen to me? I was hopeful that this – this friend of Mitch’s might be—” she lowered her voice “—you know – the one – maybe – and it turns out to be him! Someone with a horrible, juvenile brother who steals his photo and impersonates him.” Zoe’s face reddened again.
“I get it. I do,” Lauren said. “You have every right to be angry. But Mitch didn’t know his friend’s brother did that to you. It happened before he and I started dating.”
“I know.” Zoe sighed again. “Mitch is a good guy. You’re lucky.”
“Maybe his friend Chris is a good guy, too.”
“Hmmph.” Zoe’s grunt made it sound like she didn’t believe it.
“Why don’t we talk about something else?” Lauren suggested. No other customers had come in since Mitch and Chris. Annie had settled down once more. Maybe Zoe was right and they should close as early as possible today.
“Martha.” Zoe perked up slightly. “You know, she offered to fix me up with a nephew or someone.” Her face dimmed. “I might have to take her up on her offer – eventually.”
“What do you think about Martha’s brakes failing?” Lauren asked, trying to keep her cousin’s mind off romance.
“We should definitely look into why she thinks Denise tampered with them,” Zoe said. “Also, how Martha might be investigating the murder. That’s our job.” She sounded like she wanted to pout.
“Maybe we could do some snooping around,” Lauren offered. She didn’t think it was a great idea, but it might cheer up Zoe. And the police hadn’t arrested anyone yet for the crime – or if they had, they were keeping it very quiet.
“Yeah!” Zoe jumped up from the stool. “Let’s visit Denise after we close the café. We could tell her about Martha’s brakes and see what she says.”
“All right. Do you know where she lives?”
“No, but I bet the Internet does.” Zoe tapped some buttons on her phone. “There’s only one listing for Hamrick for Gold Leaf Valley.” She showed Lauren the screen. “I saw Denise’s last name on the noticeboard, where they had a schedule for the staff and volunteers.”
“Her address isn’t far from here.”
They ended up closing the café just after four. Annie ran down the private hallway to the cottage, had a few mouthfuls of beef in gravy, then wandered into the living room, where she curled up on the couch.
“She’s had a busy day.” Lauren gazed at the silver-gray tabby for a moment. “We shouldn’t be long, Annie,” she said softly.
“Brrp.” Annie lifted her head for a second, then nestled into the sofa cushions with a contented sigh, closing her eyes.
Lauren and Zoe walked the few blocks to Denise’s address, which turned out to be a royal blue Victorian house. Since the town originated from the Goldrush era, many houses in the area were of that time.
A shiny blue compact car was parked in the driveway.
“That’s Denise’s car.” Zoe nudged Lauren.
“Good. She should be home.”
“I guess she likes the color blue.”
They walked up the narrow path to the front door. A small, neat lawn surrounded them on either side.
Lauren heard the doorbell chimes ring inside the house.
Footsteps sounded, and then the front door was opened.
“Lauren, and Zoe.” Denise seemed a little harried. She wore beige slacks and a rose top.
“Hi,” Lauren said.
“Hi.” Zoe sounded chipper. “We’re not disturbing you, are we?”
Denise hesitated. “No.” She shook her head. “What can I do for you?”
“Do you think everyone enjoyed themselves at the café today?” Zoe asked. “With our half price specials?”
“I’m sure they did,” Denise replied with a little smile. “It’s so good of you girls to do something like that.”
“When Martha left the café today, the brakes on her walker failed. She nearly crashed down the hill.”
Lauren pressed her lips together at Zoe’s exaggeration.
“Oh, my.” Denise’s eyes widened. “That’s terrible. Come in.” She beckoned them to follow her down the hallway painted in cream with pearl gray accents.
Denise led them to the living room, decorated in shades of cream and robin’s egg blue. “Please, sit down.” She gestured to a three-seater sofa.
Lauren and Zoe sat, while Denise sank into a matching armchair opposite them.
“Poor Martha. Is she okay?” Denise asked.
“I think so,” Lauren said, when Zoe didn’t speak. She glanced around the room, noticing what she suspected her cousin had. A suitcase was laid out on another armchair, with clothing strewn over the back of the chair.
“Are you going somewhere?” Zoe asked.
“What? Oh.” A slow tide of pink suffused Denise’s face. “Please excuse the mess. I was sorting out clothes for my upcoming cruise.”
“But I thought you weren’t going right this minute,” Zoe said.
“True,” Denise replied. “But it never hurts to get things done a little early. And there will be formal dinner clothes I need to pack, as well as casual outfits. And I need to leave room for souvenirs.” She laughed. “I have to pack my husband’s suitcase as well. You know how men are. If I left it to him, he’d only pack two shirts and they’d be totally crushed. People would think I don’t look after him!”
There was a short silence.
“But enough about me,” Denise said. “Tell me more about what happened to Martha. Are you sure her brakes failed? She’s always leaving that walker around with the brakes off. Maybe she thought they were on when they were actually turned off.”
“She said the brakes wouldn’t work,” Zoe replied.
“I tried it myself when we wheeled it back to the café. Nothing happened when I pressed the handle to turn on the brakes,” Lauren added.
“Oh dear.” Denise shook her head. “Martha loves that walker. She should be able to get it fixed, though. Maybe Barry could—”
“Yep, he’s going to repair it,” Zoe told her.
“Oh, good.” Denise looked relieved. “Can I offer you girls something to drink? I’ve only got instant coffee, I’m afraid, but there’s juice and water in the fridge.”
“Thank you, but I think we should get going.” Lauren rose. “We’ve had a busy day.”
“Of course.” Denise rose as well.
Lauren flicked a look at Zoe. Her cousin scrambled off the sofa.
They said goodbye to Denise and walked out onto the street.
“We could have grilled her for a bit longer,” Zoe complained once they were out of earshot.
“About what?” Lauren asked. “We couldn’t accuse her of cutting Martha’s brakes.”
“Couldn’t we?” Zoe raised an eyebrow, then sighed. “No, you’re right. We couldn’t. Not unless we were totally confident, and had evidence that she did it.”
“And we don’t.”
“No.” Zoe sounded regretful. “But don’t you think it was strange she was packing? I know she said it was for her cruise in the near future, but what if she was planning to leave town right now? Because she killed Ralph?”