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ONCE MADDIE AND SUZANNE returned to Estherville, they stopped by Maddie’s house, where they settled Trixie inside, giving her some jellied beef for lunch, before returning to the town square – and their customers.
Suzanne’s stomach growled loudly as Maddie parked in their regular spot. “I’m starving!”
“So am I,” Maddie said ruefully. “Do you think we’ve got time to eat our sandwiches?”
“We’ll make time,” Suzanne declared. She rummaged in the small fridge and brought out two wrapped packets. “Here you go.” She fished out her phone and stared at the screen as she ate. “I can’t see anyone who looks like Vanessa on the popular social media sites – ooh, here!”
Maddie peered over her friend’s shoulder. Vanessa smiled smugly into the camera. She wore a floaty blue dress, but didn’t appear to have a last name.
“It just says Vanessa,” Suzanne said. “And I can’t see anyone connected to her profile who looks like he might be her ex – or current – boyfriend.”
“That’s a shame.” Maddie munched her ham sandwich.
“I know.” Suzanne looked disappointed. “I thought it was such a good idea, too.”
“It was,” Maddie replied, once she’d swallowed her mouthful.
“Maybe we’ll think of something else later.” Suzanne put her phone away.
Maddie nodded, finishing her sandwich. Her thoughts turned to Trixie. What was her familiar doing right now?
In a few seconds, she’d check the live camera feed on her phone. It had been a busy morning for her familiar, and Maddie wondered if Trixie had settled on the sofa in the living room, curling up next to Wytchcraft for the Chosen.
Maddie wadded up her sandwich wrappers and placed them in the small trash bin inside the truck. Then she grabbed her phone from her purse and pressed a few buttons.
“Look.” She showed Suzanne, who was eating her last bite of turkey on white, hoping the camera feed would cheer up her friend.
“Ohhh.”
Just as Maddie had suspected, Trixie was curled up on the sofa, one paw on the cover of Wytchcraft for the Chosen.
“She loves guarding that book,” Suzanne observed.
“I know.” Maddie put her phone back in her purse. “I guess we better open up – if we have any customers, that is.”
Suzanne opened the serving hatch. The movement seemed to attract a couple of women sitting on one of the park benches, who strolled over to order a latte each.
It was just after lunchtime.
However, there were no more customers for a while.
Until ...
“Hello, Maddie and Suzanne.” Detective Edgewater appeared in front of the serving hatch.
“Hi, Detective Edgewater,” Suzanne said brightly, jumping up from her stool.
“Hi, Detective Edgewater,” Maddie greeted him.
“What can we get you?” Suzanne looked poised to ring up his order on the register.
“I was hoping you’d have a couple of health balls.” The portly man scanned the counter and looked disappointed.
“I’m sorry. I haven’t had time to make any.” Suzanne’s face fell.
“It’s understandable.” The detective pulled out his wallet. “I’ll just have a small vanilla cappuccino.”
“Coming right up.” Maddie started the espresso machine, the sound of burring and grinding filling the air.
“The real reason I stopped by,” Detective Edgewater said, “was to let you know that the other party guests have been cleared.”
“They have?” Suzanne’s mouth parted.
“Only the people who’d already left the party,” he added. “We’ve checked, and none of them could have come back to kill Vanessa. So that means it was someone who was still at the party.”
“Like us.” Suzanne bit her lip, looking worried.
The detective cleared his throat. “Try not to worry too much, Suzanne. You too, Maddie.”
Maddie nodded, sliding his drink over to him. She watched Suzanne take his money as if she were thinking of something else. Something very troubling.
When Suzanne stayed silent, Maddie said, “So are you saying that we’re still suspects, along with Jill, Bob, Grandma Pat, Genevieve, and Kevin?”
“Something like that.” Detective Edgewater lifted the cappuccino cup to his mouth, looking uncomfortable. “But the department is doing everything we can to find the killer. I think it’s best if you two stay here, operating your coffee truck. Don’t go investigating – leave it to me.”
Maddie nodded, taking note of the serious tone of his voice.
“Oh, by the way, the weapon was one of the café’s knives,” the detective said as he took another sip of his coffee.
Suzanne’s eyes widened.
“Where’s Trixie?” Detective Edgewater peered through the serving hatch. “She’s not helping today?”
“She’s at home,” Maddie replied. “She had a busy morning.”
“As long as she wasn’t out asking questions with you two.” Detective Edgewater looked serious. “Leave this to the professionals.”
Maddie nodded.
Suzanne just stared after the detective as he walked away.
“Suzanne, are you okay?” Maddie gently touched her friend’s arm.
Suzanne shook her head. “I’m not okay. And I won’t be until we discover who the killer is.”
