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“Kyle! Gah, why don’t you ever answer the phone?” Blake tossed her phone onto the passenger seat and swung into the alley behind Mystery Cup. She screeched to a halt behind the café and threw the car into Park.
A slew of possibilities ran through her mind. Todd Lang was involved, and that man seemed to attract trouble. His name had popped up all over the place last spring when there were murders in town, and here it was happening again. It certainly didn’t seem like much of a stretch to believe that Todd Lang could be right smack in the middle of something unsavory. It could have been a coincidence that he was at the real-estate office when Pepper had gone in, and he was just being nice to her. But Blake doubted it was that simple. She was familiar with his history involving drugs and infidelity, so it didn’t really seem like much of a stretch. Plus, Pepper seemed just like his type.
First things first. Before she labeled him “Ghost Face” as Pepper had put it, she needed to find out what he had to do with Ozark Management and whether he was involved in the downtown properties.
Questioning Todd was the second thing on her to-do list. First was getting a look at the attic in Pepper’s apartment.
Blake was so preoccupied that when she shoved the back kitchen door open, she nearly slammed right into Rachel, who squealed in surprise.
“Rach!” Blake’s hand flew to her chest to calm her rapid heartbeat. “What are you doing standing right in front of the door?”
“Jeez, Blake. Derek just made his weekly delivery.” Rachel gestured to the large bags of Death Wish Mountain coffee beans that were stacked on the floor next to the door. Her eyes traveled over Blake from top to bottom. “What is up with you? Your eyes look a little wild.”
“The apartment across the street.” Blake lowered her voice. “Rach, I think the body could still be there. That is, if the killer hasn’t gone back in and moved it out.”
Her sister-in-law drew back and looked at her as if she had just sprouted a second head. “What on earth are you talking about?” She raised a brow. “Have you been putting Kahlua in your coffee again?”
“Of course not,” Blake said in a defensive tone. “I’ve only done that once... okay, twice. But I didn’t do it this morning.”
Rachel eyed her speculatively. “You told me yourself that you and Sean looked through the apartment. It’s not that big. I’m pretty sure you would have noticed a body.”
The oven buzzed, and Blake practically leapt out of her skin.
“Dios mio, calm down. You’re so jumpy.” Rachel reached for the oven mitts. “Sit down. I just made a fresh batch of cookies.” When she opened the oven door, the smell of chocolate and happiness wafted over Blake.
She immediately felt her blood pressure lower a couple of notches. “I swear there’s no better aromatherapy than cookies.”
Rachel giggled. “Tell me about it. We should start a cookie spa.” Her expression was sincere as she bounced on her heels. “Ooh, seriously. We could charge people to sit in the kitchen while we bake. How much do you think people would pay for that?”
Blake grinned. “I don’t know, but that’s definitely a thought.”
After Rachel put the trays on cooling racks, she sat on the stool next to Blake and rested her elbows on the island. “Okay, talk. What has you so sure that the body’s still there?”
“Well, I went to Crossbones and talked to Pepper.”
“You what!” Rachel’s judgy tone made Blake think she was trying to impersonate Kyle. “Are you crazy? Your sister is going to flip!”
“I know, I know. Just listen. Pepper said that the reason she chose that apartment was because it has so much storage space. An attic! She said the access is in the closet.”
Rachel’s forehead crinkled in confusion. “But you looked in the closet. You said it was empty.”
“But I didn’t look up.” She pointed her finger skyward. “The closet was dark. Sean and I just peeked inside quickly. Don’t you see? That’s it! No one has ever seen a body removed from that apartment because it’s still there. In the attic!” It was so obvious to her. Why isn’t it obvious to everyone else?
“That’s a bit of a stretch, Blake. Just because there’s an attic doesn’t mean—where are you going?”
Blake had hopped off the stool and was heading toward the front of the café. “Where do you think I’m going? Across the street to see if I can get the key from Micah and check the attic.”
“Whoa, Batman! Hold on.” Rachel slid off her seat and practically jumped in front of Blake to block her from the door. “Going to talk to Pepper was one thing, but you cannot go over there searching for corpses. You need to call Kyle.”
“Kyle is at active-shooter training in St. Louis. She won’t be back for two days.”
“Then call Chief Raimy,” Rachel urged. “I know it’s a novel idea, but there are other police officers in this town besides Kyle and Jason, you know.”
She gave a huff of exasperation. “Rach, you know I am Chief Raimy’s least favorite person. After I sort of did my own investigation last spring, he thinks I’m a nosy busybody.”
Rachel bobbled her head in semi-agreement.
“Rach!”
“Oh, I’m kidding. You’re not a busybody. Nosy, maybe... okay, definitely. But anyway, you’re missing my point. In case you were unclear on everyone’s jobs around here, let me give you a rundown. Ryan is a doctor. Kyle is a police detective. And you”—she jabbed a finger in Blake’s chest—“own a café. Now, which one do you think should be investigating dead bodies?” She lowered her voice. “I’ll give you a hint. It’s not you.”
“Oh, shut it.” Blake took a step back and crossed her arms tightly over her chest. “You’re telling me you’re not the least bit curious?”
“Of course I am. But Blake, I’m not going to put my life on the line to investigate a possible murder.”
Blake fisted her hands in her hair. “Omigod! If one more person says ‘possible’ or ‘alleged,’ I might scream. And don’t you think you’re being just a tad melodramatic? I just want to go ask Micah for a key. What do you think’s going to happen? The apartment is right above a restaurant that is currently packed with customers. I can take the big rolling pin if it would make you feel better.”
Rachel let out an exasperated sigh. “No, but I’m going with you.”
“What? No. Who’s going to watch the place?”
“I think Giselle and Eli can handle it for fifteen minutes.” She brushed past Blake. “We just have to yank Giselle away from Merryfield, who’s out there gulping down an energy drink.”
“Oh boy.” Blake turned to follow her sister-in-law through the swinging door.
Sure enough, Giselle was leaning over with her elbows propped on the counter as Orlando talked to her, his hands gesturing animatedly. His muscle shirt showed off his bulging biceps, which her barista was openly ogling.
“Blake!” Orlando said in his thick Colombian accent. “I was just telling Giselle about a new self-defense class I’m starting at Buttkick. Kyle and Jason are leading the first few classes. Giselle’s going to help me run through a few of the moves they’ll be teaching. She’s the perfect guinea pig since she loves to work out. You say spin class is your specialty, right?” he asked, looking back at Giselle.
Blake couldn’t hide her confusion. “Spin class? Giselle, since when do you—”
“I love spin classes.” Giselle turned to look at Blake with a silent plea in her wide eyes. “Remember? I told you.”
“Uh, right. Of course, I remember.”
Orlando’s white teeth gleamed as he smiled. “You and Sean should join us for the self-defense class. You know a workout makes for a great date.” He frowned. “Or... sorry. Is it you and Adam?”
Oh, sweet cheese, talk of her love life had even made it to the gym. She certainly didn’t think either man seeing her red-faced and sweating at the gym would help her chances of romance.
Rachel unsuccessfully stifled a giggle. “The verdict’s still out on that one.”
Blake stuck out her tongue. “Very funny. Giselle, I was wondering if you could watch the shop while Rach and I run across the street?”
“Sure,” she said dreamily without looking away from Orlando.
Blake and Rachel exchanged an amused glance. “Eli, how about you?” She looked over to where Eli was pulling an espresso shot, and she was very surprised to see a scowl on his usually easygoing face.
“What?” He flicked his gaze to Orlando and narrowed his eyes. “Yeah, sure.”
Rachel’s eyes widened, and she looked at Blake and mouthed, “Oh my God!”
Blake would have to put the Eli-Giselle drama on hold. “Okay, guys, we’ll be right back.”
She and Rachel hustled across the street and swung open the door of Sliced. Tables were full, and the waitstaff was bustling with the lunch crowd. They made their way to the counter but did not see Micah’s tousled red hair anywhere.
“Hey, Silas,” she said to the tall young man at the register. “Is Micah around?”
His face fell a little as he leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Uh, no. He went to Jeff City.”
“Oh crap.” Blake’s face dropped. “It’s the last Tuesday of the month. Visitation at the prison.”
“Ohhh.” Rachel frowned. “I totally forgot.”
Micah went every month for visitation. He hadn’t missed a Tuesday yet. Still, sadness settled in the pit of her stomach. She knew that couldn’t be easy for him.
“Ahem.” The person behind them in line cleared his throat, obviously impatient.
Rachel tugged on her arm. “Blake, why don’t we just go?”
“Silas.” Blake leaned forward, ignoring her sister-in-law. “I was wondering if we could borrow the key to upstairs. Micah let me look around up there the other day, and I realized there was someplace I forgot to look.”
“Sorry, Blake. I’d love to ‘assist in your investigation.’” He smiled as he made air quotes with his fingers. “But I can’t help you.”
“Silas, come on. I just need up there for a second. Please. I’ll bring the keys right back.”
He shook his head. “No, you don’t understand. I would help you if I could, but I don’t have the keys to the place. Micah keeps them on him. They’re on his big key ring.”
“Shoot.” That meant she was out of luck until Micah got back that evening. “Thanks, Silas.” She backed away from the counter.
“I’ll tell Micah to give you a holler when he gets back,” he called after them.
They walked to the door, and Rachel opened it for Blake. “Thwarted, Batman.”
“Ha-ha.” Once on the sidewalk, Blake looked up at the window.
Rachel tugged on her arm again. “I don’t want you looking for too long. Next thing I know, you’ll be busting the door down.”
“Oh come on, I wouldn’t go that far.” Besides, she could totally get arrested if she tried that. She turned to walk across the street and glanced in Macabre Reads, where Sean was putting books on a display in the front window. When he spotted her, he gave her a wide smile, making her heart rate speed up.
Rachel laughed. “Wow, I’ve never seen you blush that fast,” she said as they reached the sidewalk.
“Oh, hush.” She waved at Sean. But she knew it was true. She could feel the heat in her cheeks, a common reaction when she saw Sean Larson. Maybe after the Halloween rush was over, she would work up the nerve to ask him out on a real date.
As soon as she walked through the door of Mystery Cup, she was greeted by the smiling face of Richard Hamilton. “Hey, Mr. Hamilton, how goes things at the chamber of commerce?”
“Blake, I’m so glad I caught you. I wanted to make sure you’re going to be here Friday night.”
“For Trick or Treat Down the Street? Absolutely.”
“What’s Trick or Treat Down the Street?” asked Orlando, who was sitting at a table near the door.
“Oh, it’s so awesome,” Rachel said excitedly. “All the businesses are open the night before Halloween, and they pass out candy to the kids. It’s a way to ensure a safe environment for your kids to go trick-or-treating. Aiden and Emma love it!”
Mr. Hamilton clapped his hands together. “Yes. Last year, it was a huge success. I think we had every business on Main Street participating. Orlando, you were going to be my next stop. I was hoping you would participate this year as well.”
“I would love to.” Excitement shone in Orlando’s eyes. “I know everyone else will be passing out candy, but I would be happy to provide the kids with a healthier option. We sell carrots in individual bags at the snack bar at Buttkick. I think something like that would be perfect.”
Blake exchanged a concerned glance with Mr. Hamilton, and Rachel made a face and backed up.
Orlando’s eyes flitted among them. “What?”
Mr. Hamilton offered him a kind smile. “My boy, I know you mean well, but uh... well—”
Rachel interrupted. “Last year, when Dr. Stinnett handed out toothbrushes at the dentist’s office, she got egged.” When his eyes widened, Rachel offered him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “I’m just saying, unless you want to see yolk dripping down the windows of Buttkick, you really might want to consider investing in some Twix bars.”
Before he could respond, the bell jingled above the door behind Blake. She immediately heard, “You! Two men aren’t enough for you? You have to go after my boyfriend?”
Fully expecting to see Sabrina—as that was the only person whose screech was usually so shrill—she turned around and was surprised to discover Elaine Page looking back at her.
The buzz of voices in the café died away as all eyes turned to them.
“Elaine?” Blake glanced around at all the people staring at them. “What’s wrong? Are you here for book club?”
The woman flicked her auburn hair out of her face. “I just came from Crossbones. Pepper informed me of your little visit. She said you went down there to give her a coupon. That’s a pretty lame excuse, don’t you think? Everyone knows the real reason you went down there, Blake.” Elaine’s flaming cheeks nearly matched the crimson pantsuit she was wearing.
Blake backed up a step, a little scared that steam was going to start coming out of Elaine’s ears but having no idea why.
Rachel raised her hand as though she were in school. “I know I’m curious what you think the real reason is.”
The tone in Rachel’s voice hinted that she was trying not to laugh, and Blake glanced at her sister-in-law, hoping Rachel got the message not to try to rev things up.
“Whit Hamilton. That’s what you were doing there.” Elaine’s voice had Blake swinging back around.
If the woman thought she was interested in Whit, she was sorely mistaken. The guy had way too much of a pretty boy vibe going on for her. Plus, he’d seemed to be involved with Pepper.
Mr. Hamilton appeared very confused. “You went to see Whitley?” The man’s pocket began to ring, and he fished his phone out of his pocket. “Speak of the devil,” he mumbled as he looked at the display. Turning his back, he answered the phone.
At that moment, the bell above the door jingled again, and in walked Jax Talon and Penny Driver. They stopped as soon as they walked in the door, surveying the atmosphere. Jax was their resident true-crime writer, and his eyes gleamed as he assessed the situation. He looked as if he’d just found the subject for a new book.
Some customers had gone back to their normal conversations, but others still had their ears trained on the scene playing out before them.
Jax let out a low whistle. “Talk about cutting the tension with a machete. What the heck?”
Elaine’s fiery gaze landed on Jax. “I’ll tell you what the heck. You know I’ve been dating Whit Hamilton, and Blake”—she jabbed a finger in Blake’s direction—“is trying to stake a claim on him.”
She’s dating Whit? Boy, is she in for an unwelcome surprise!
Blake looked at Penny Driver in bewilderment. The older woman was in the book club with Elaine. Maybe she could talk sense into her. Penny nodded in unspoken understanding, but before she could speak, a loud laugh came out of Jax. Then another. Then he was laughing so hard, he was dabbing his eyes. “Elaine, I knew you were paranoid, but I didn’t think you were crazy.”
Elaine fisted her hands at her sides, and her eyes spat fire. Blake was a little concerned that her final thread of sanity would snap at any moment. And if that happened, God help Jax. The man had no filter.
He reached underneath his thick-rimmed glasses to dab at his eyes. “Blake has eyes for two people, and neither one of them is Whit Hamilton. Besides, rumor has it that boy has given more rides than Amtrak. If you have a problem, then it should be with him, certainly not Blake.”
Blake let out a little gasp. Jax obviously hadn’t seen Mr. Hamilton. She cleared her throat loudly and jerked her head at the older man, who was putting his phone back in his pocket as he turned to face them. When Jax noticed Mr. Hamilton standing next to her, the laughter died on his lips. “Uh, no offense, Mr. Hamilton. I didn’t mean... uh...”
Mr. Hamilton held up his hands and backed up a step. “No offense taken. What Whitley does is his business. But I thought he was dating that cute little waitress at Crossbones.”
Blake grimaced and prepared for Elaine’s oncoming explosion. Everyone else’s eyes widened as they looked from Elaine to Mr. Hamilton and back again.
Elaine’s jaw clenched, and she emitted what could only be described as a low growl. “Pepper? That’s not true! He’s dating me. We’ve been—” She clamped her heavily glossed lips together, and a muscle flexed in her jaw. Everyone standing around Elaine held their breath as she stood seething for a moment. Then without another word, she turned on her pointy high heel, flipped her dark-auburn hair, and walked out of the café, taking the tension with her.
A collective exhale resounded through the room.
“People don’t need TV in this town. They just need to come to Mystery Cup for entertainment.” Jax laughed at his own joke.
Blake walked back over to the counter, slowly shaking her head. “I just don’t know what gave her the idea that I was interested in Whit. Wait, you don’t think she’s going to come back and start more trouble, do you?”
“Nah, she’s paranoid,” said Giselle, who’d been watching the whole scene from behind the counter. “You know she goes after every new guy in town. She’ll get bored soon and move on. Whit’s just the best prospect she’s had in a while. Well, aside from Adam.”
Blake was surprised by the jealousy that reared its ugly head, and she tried to squash it down. “Adam?” She hadn’t seen him since the night of the party. Poor guy had been so exhausted from the double shift he’d worked, he’d had to leave the party early. They had exchanged texts back and forth since then, but she needed to call him to thank him for the flowers, if he was in fact the one who’d sent them.
Rachel swatted Giselle with the back of her hand. “Yeah, Elaine’s a flirt. But Adam’s not interested.”
“She’s right.” Mr. Hamilton had finished his conversation with Jax and walked up to the register. “It’s very obvious where Dr. Bryant’s interests lie.” He gave Blake a wide smile, and she felt heat rise in her cheeks. The older man ran his fingers through his thinning hair. “I have a good eye for these things. I can see the good doctor’s interested in you, just like I can see who Whitley’s interested in.” He winked. “And it’s not Pepper.”
The sparkle in his eyes made Blake laugh. “You sure about that? I saw them kissing.”
Mr. Hamilton shrugged. “He did go on a couple of dates with the girl, but he never brought her back to the house. He’s staying with me until he can get a place of his own, but he’s not much on bringing any women home. I don’t think he wants to advertise that he moved back in with his dad. Not that I would mind... unless it’s Elaine Page. That woman needs to be taken down a couple of pegs if you ask me. Besides, she wouldn’t be my pick for Whitley. Anyway, I hope he was able to help you with whatever you needed.”
“Oh, I actually didn’t go in to see him.”
Rachel started pulling a shot of espresso. “She needed to ask Pepper about her new apartment, to see if she knew anything about a clown and the Phant—ow!” She lifted the foot Blake had just kicked.
Not that it did much good. Everyone probably knew what she had seen, but she didn’t need Rachel and her lovable big mouth spreading it any more. If people thought she was nuts, it could hurt her business. Plus, she didn’t want the killer knowing just how interested she was in this investigation. Even though everyone in the café had gone back to their own conversations, she was sure they all had an ear open.
“You mean that’s true?” Mr. Hamilton’s eyes widened. “I thought that was just part of the rumor mill.”
Blake waved him off with a smile. “Well, I do have an overactive imagination, so who knows what I actually saw.”
Penny and Jax stepped up to the counter. “Can we get our usuals, Blake?” Penny asked.
She glanced at the clock. She was really hoping to get over to Café Muerte and see if Todd Lang was there. But she supposed that could wait for her to make a couple cups of coffee.
“Well, I should go.” Mr. Hamilton reached over to pat Blake’s hand. “I have a meeting at the office. As always, my dear, it’s been entertaining.”
Everyone waved goodbye to Mr. Hamilton as he left.
Blake pointed to Jax. “Upside-down caramel macchiato.” And then she pointed to Penny. “Half-caf Americano.” They both nodded, and Blake set to work. “Is today book club?”
Jax shook his head. “Nope. I have a book signing next door.”
“And I’m his assistant,” Penny said proudly. The woman tucked a silver strand of hair behind her ear, which sent the large earring she wore swinging back and forth.
“Ah, I forgot about that.” Jax’s most recent book revisited the Red Rose Murders. Almost fifty years ago, their small town had become famous when twelve women had been strangled, and a red rose had been left with each of the bodies. The killer had never been caught. Nearly half a century later, speculation about the case still ran wild. Jax had timed his book release perfectly since it was coming up on the fiftieth anniversary of the murders. “Maybe I can persuade you to sign my copy.”
Jax smiled. “You’ve read it?”
“Of course I have.” She put a lid on Penny’s coffee and slid it across the counter. “It scared the bejeezus out of me. Your theory of the Red Rose Killer being alive after all these years? That doesn’t help me sleep at night, Jax.”
She wouldn’t have thought it possible that the killer could still be alive, but the evidence Jax had presented in his book made her think twice.
He grinned. “I think the biggest concern right now is dealing with all the practical jokers around here. I’m guessing you got hit by them too.”
She blinked at him. “What do you mean?”
He nodded at the roses she’d received that were being displayed atop the pastry case. “Somebody’s been sending roses to female business owners anonymously. You know, just like the Red Rose Killer did. At least they always assumed he was the one sending the roses since half the women who got them ended up dead.”
Blake’s heartbeat stuttered. Maybe those roses weren’t from Adam.
Jax’s face fell. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean... Uh, I’m sure yours are from one of your two hot men.” He waggled his eyebrows.
Rachel was pouring steamed milk into a cup but paused to glance up at Blake with a concerned look.
Even though a thread of unease went through her, Blake pasted on a smile. “Well, if someone’s idea of a practical joke is to send me a dozen roses, I’ll take it.” But her mind ran rampant. Could this be a threat from the clown killer? No, don’t do that, Blake. Don’t jump to conclusions. She would see if Adam sent her roses and go from there.
Jax took the cup of coffee Rachel handed him. “I better go. I gotta get set up at Book Hottie McBookstore.”
Blake laughed. Sean was never going to live down the nickname Book Hottie. She waved goodbye to Jax and Penny then turned and pushed through the kitchen door. She grabbed her purse from where it hung on a hook. She needed to get back to her agenda of speaking with Todd Lang and figuring out what his connection was to the loft across the street. She wasn’t sure where he was living at the moment, but he owned half of Café Muerte, so that was a good place to start.
Rachel followed her into the kitchen. “Where are you going?”
“What? This is when we hit our afternoon lull. I thought it was a good time to take a break.” She smiled at her sister-in-law. “And I could go for a cup of coffee.”
Rachel cocked her head. “A cup of—” She sucked in a breath. “Blake, no. Do not go to Café Muerte.”
Blake smiled and gave her sister-in-law a wave. “Bye.”
“Blake!” Rachel called after her. “Blake!”