As they walked down Main Street, Maxi turned to Kate. “Do you really think we can get the bakery open by the end of the week?”
Kate nodded, slipping a liver treat to Oliver. “The only thing we’re missing now is the health inspection. And the guy at their office said he could probably get someone out here on Thursday. If they do—and if we pass—I’ll spend all day Friday baking. And we can open on Saturday morning. I might not have all the different kinds of breads that Sam offered, but I can make up a good selection. And some cookies, too. I just want to reach Marco’s today and see if they’re willing to send us another little bit of Francine.”
“Look out, now he’s got you doing it,” Maxi said.
“Hey, it makes sense. Sourdough starter is a living thing. It deserves a name.”
“I’m not poking fun. I do it all the time with my plants. But if you’re not careful, you’re going to join us crazy folks. Giving names to growing things and trying to make a living from a shop. Nutty!”
“It sounds like Sam had some really rough sledding there for a while. I’m hoping a few sweet treats on the roster might improve his balance sheet.”
“I knew it was hard for him,” Maxi said barely above a whisper. “But I thought that was because he lost Cookie. I didn’t know the money part of it. And I should have.”
“Well, we do now, and we’re going to help,” Kate said as Oliver lifted another treat softly from her fingertips. “What I really want to do is talk to Harp. I’m curious what kind of offer Lord made. And why he never mentioned it at the meeting.”
“That did seem a little strange. But I think his wife is a touchy subject right now. My grandmother used to have a saying: Nunca se sabe lo que realmente está pasando detrás de las cortinas de un vecino. You never know what’s really going on behind a neighbor’s curtains.” Maxi shrugged. “Course, that goes double in Cuba.”
“Cuba sounds a lot like New York. Hey, there he is! Down in front of Seize the Clay. Navy-blue baseball cap and madras shirt. With the big white shopping bag. That’s the guy who’s been following me!”
“I’ll call Ben,” Maxi said, grabbing the phone from her purse. “Ay, no signal! Blast it!”
“He’s crossing the street. Do you think he knows we saw him?”
“It’s a sidewalk full of people in the daytime—and we have a vicious dog.” Maxi looked down at Oliver, who stared up at her with a searching expression. “I say we walk up to the jerk and ask him what he thinks he’s doing.”
“First thing you learn in the big city, never present yourself to criminals or crazy people. They might know what they’re going to do next, but you don’t.”
“Then let’s go into a shop and borrow a phone,” Maxi said.
“Look! He has to know we’ve seen him. He’s practically fast-walking in the other direction! By the time Ben gets here, he’ll be long gone.”
“So we go back to the flower shop. Are you sure it was him?”
“Absolutely. And either I’m becoming more observant or he’s getting sloppy. He changes up hats and shirts. But he’s wearing the same big sunglasses and the same khaki cargo shorts. And the same gray running shoes.”
“Maybe he wants you to see him. Like one of those scary clowns. Let’s go back to the shop. We can still call Ben. If we tell him what the guy’s wearing now, maybe they can pick him up if they see him later today.”
“That’s a good idea. Besides, I want to call Marco.”
“I was thinking,” Maxi said as they continued strolling, albeit more slowly. “It might be time to drop off a cookie box to Harp. I have one left from this morning. We could stop by his shop right before closing.”
“So we wouldn’t be a couple of nosy busybodies,” Kate said. “Smart.”
“Nope. We’re excellent neighbors promoting our business. And then we casually ask him about his super secret business dealings with Stewart Lord.”