As they came to the end of the block and spotted the Cookie House, Kate stopped. And pointed.
Maxi’s mouth dropped open. Five different ladders decorated the front of the Victorian house. Most of them holding workmen in white or denim overalls and caps. Bright blue tarps littered the grass beneath the crew.
Out on the front lawn, Carl Ivers, decked out in white coveralls, shouted instructions to the ladder brigade like a conductor directing a wayward orchestra.
“Wally, raise the ladder! Get the top first! Work your way down! Sammy, grab the hand sander! Get rid of those strips of loose paint! Justin, drop that paint can! We’re not ready for that yet. This ain’t some make-believe DIY show! Prep first!”
“What the…,” Maxi and Kate said in unison, gape mouthed on the sidewalk in front of the bakery.
Oliver sat up straight and let out three staccato barks. Announcing their presence.
Carl turned and smiled. “Ladies! We were wondering when you’d show up,” he said, ambling toward them. “Hope you don’t mind, but we started without you. S’posed to be dry through Friday, but that’s a mighty small window for a place this big.”
“You’re painting the Cookie House?” Maxi asked, astonished.
“Restoring the old gal to her former glory. High time, too. Heard you girls wanted to get it done at a good price. No price better than free. And no time like the present. Guy who had the hardware store before me had the color chart on file. So here we are.”
Kate looked at the crew. She recognized Justin from the shop. But the other men—most of them teenagers—were strangers.
“Who are all these people?” The words flew out of her mouth before she could stop them.
“Friends and neighbors. Well, mostly their kids. On summer break from high school and college. Told ’em we had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to polish up the Cookie House. You know, suit up and get dirty. Most of ’em jumped at it. Or their parents did. But this is just the advance crew. Got the adults coming in later. We’ll paint as late into the evening as the light allows. And that team has some experience. These guys, not so much. But they’re willing and eager to learn.”
“But I thought you believed Sam was guilty?” Kate said, her voice underscoring the confusion she felt.
“Nope, I said the case needs more evidence either way. And we also need to let the cops do their jobs. Sam’s a good man. And a good neighbor. And we’re gonna help him.”
“That’s amazing,” Maxi said, her voice cracking. “Thank you! From the bottom of my heart. Sam will be so happy.”
“Now, that’s the other part,” Carl said quietly. “We’re gonna keep this under our hats. Let him see the big unveiling when he gets out. Whole crew is sworn to secrecy.” The ex-cop grinned. “We’ll see how long that holds.”
A loud metallic clank cut the air. Carl whirled around. “Danny! Stabilize that ladder! Now!
“Can’t turn your back on this bunch of rookies,” he said under his breath, stomping toward the house. “Not even for a minute.”
“You know what this means?” Kate said as Maxi blotted tears from her face.
Her friend shook her head, unable to speak.
“If we’re going to feed this crew, we’re going to need a lot more food.”