BlueBuried Muffins (Black Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) (11 page)

He rewarded her insult with a charming shine in his eye. “You pegged me accurately; I’m pretty incompetent in the kitchen but I think I can keep the coffee pots going. Of course, if you don’t need an extra set of hands . . .”

“Of course we’ll take your help,” Leona shouted from behind the counter as she gave a look to Annie that said, are you crazy? “I want to make a big splash this weekend and I’m sure I can find something for even the most incompetent person to do.”

“Are you calling me incompetent, Leona?” Jason said with his arms crossed over his chest and his lips squished together in a fake frown.

“Of course not. You know what I mean. Now, make yourself useful and push the coffee cart to the sink and wash everything. That’ll be your job interview.”

Jason laughed out loud. “The real Leona finally emerges. All business and bossiness. I’m surprised you can get anyone to stay working for you. You even make the volunteers do a job interview,” he teased, glancing at Annie, hoping she would back him up.

Annie was chopping and stirring and pretended to ignore their interaction. She wasn’t sure what to make of this Jason guy. He showed up after she found all of her framed photographs strewn around the apartment. Did he do it? Who was he, anyway?
Don’t trust anyone
repeated over and over in her head. But she snuck a peak at him working and her body reacted to his maleness even if her brain tried to ignore the rush of feelings.

They all fell into an easy rhythm working on different projects in the café; Leona mixing up another batch of sweetness, Annie finishing the chili and starting the chickpea salad; and Mia manning the ice cream window.

Finally, as Jason pushed the cleaned and organized coffee cart back to its position, he asked Annie, “What’s the deal with the knife that was found earlier?”

“You didn’t hear about the murder?”

“Yes, I did, and you think the knife is connected?”

“Maybe. I was told Max was stabbed.”

“What about Tyler Johnson, the police chief? Who is this other guy taking away possible evidence?”

“He’s a detective and he’s been investigating the art gallery where Max, the victim, was an owner. He followed Max here to Catfish Cove. He’s working with Tyler,” Annie explained.

Jason nodded. “What are you mixing up there? Do you need a guinea pig to taste test it?”

“It’s Chubby Chickpea Salad. Are you brave enough to try it?” Annie challenged him.

“Definitely. It sounds delicious to a vegetarian.”

Annie’s eyes popped open wide. “You’re a vegetarian?”

“Guilty as charged. Why are you so surprised?” His lips curved into a smile.

“Usually, you big strong macho men are carnivores.” Annie’s face heated up again. She lost count of how many times Jason got her flustered. For some reason, he managed to keep her off balance and she didn’t like it. She needed to have a chat with her body to quit reacting like she was a teenager with a crush.

She put a scoop of the chick pea salad in a bowl and slid it in front of Jason. “Tell me what you think.”

“Don’t worry, I’m known for my brutal honesty. And the vegetarian thing? That’s only one of the many surprises about me.” He sampled a big bite, chewing slowly and deliberately as if he was a famous food critic. “Very good. It could use a bit more lemon, or serve a lemon wedge on the side.”

“That’s actually a good idea. Thanks,” she said grudgingly.

“I like the name too. You made that up?”

“I can’t take credit for the name. Max’s son liked to name my creations when I was living with him.”

“Ahh. Another piece of the puzzle revealed.”

After Jason devoured the chickpea salad sample and Annie was busy cleaning up some dirty bowls, he whispered something to Leona before leaving the café.

Tyler, JC and Dylan stopped at the ice cream window. “Can we still get a cone?” JC asked Mia.

“Sure. What flavor do you want?”

Dylan asked for mint chocolate chip with hot fudge sauce in a cup with the cone on top. “How about you JC?”

“I’ll pass.” She laughed. “Dylan will need help finishing this.”

Tyler caught Annie’s attention and glanced at the door. She nodded and waited for Tyler to walk inside.

“Do you have a few minutes to show me those photos you took of the chili mess?”

“Come on back to Leona’s office.” Annie got her camera and scrolled to the photos she’d taken the day before and handed her camera to Tyler. “Here they are.”

“Wow. That’s a big mess! Any idea who would do this?”

Annie shrugged. “I think it’s connected to whoever killed Max. Are you making any progress on that?”

“Not really. Every lead ends in a dead end. We haven’t even found the murder weapon yet.” Tyler put the camera down on Leona’s desk.

“What about the knife Detective Jaffrey took a few hours ago?”

Tyler’s head jerked around to stare at Annie. “What knife?”

“Mom found a knife with the tip of the blade broken off. It fell off the book shelves when she was straightening them up. Detective Jaffrey put it in an evidence bag and said he was getting it checked to see if it was the murder weapon.”

Tyler clenched his jaw. “I hate it when outsiders come in. They think they can ignore the local police and leave us out of the loop. Next time there’s something important, please call me, okay?”

“Definitely. I thought you were working together on this.”

“I’m going to check into this right now. I wonder if that’s why everything I’ve followed up on has gone nowhere.”

Annie took hold of Tyler’s arm and whispered, “Listen, Tyler. I know I can trust you and there’s a couple other things I want to share with you, but not here. Can you stop by my apartment later? Bring JC too if you want. I don’t want her to think I’m up to something behind her back. You know, because of our history and all.”

“I don’t like the sound of this and I’d prefer not to wait, but maybe you’re right. This is too public. We’ll swing by your apartment later.” Tyler turned to leave but stopped and asked, “I noticed Jason Hunter hanging around the cafe, what’s up with that?”

“Beats me. He even volunteered to keep the coffee pots filled tomorrow. What’s the deal with him anyway? He’s a big question mark for me.”

“I heard he used to work for the FBI. To tell you the truth, I don’t have a clue what he does. He hardly ever comes around Catfish Cove anymore. Leona could probably fill you in better than I can. She’s been friends with him for quite a while. I think his father had something to do with her getting out of jail way back when we were still toddlers.”

“That’s something I can never get her to talk to me about,” Annie said wistfully.

Chapter 16

Leona insisted on dropping Annie at her apartment instead of letting her walk home. With all the craziness of the last couple days she said it seemed safer that way.

“See you tomorrow morning, early, so we can whip up a few more batches of goodies before the customers start flooding in,” Annie told Leona as she got out of the mustang. “Thanks for the ride. It’s been a long day, and as much as I love to walk, the ride was a treat.”

Leona gunned her car after she turned the car around, laughing and waving.

Annie hoped she wouldn’t find any drama inside as she unlocked the front door. She didn’t think she’d be able to deal with one more problem today. She was stunned when her door opened and she found a vase filled with fresh red and yellow tulips sitting smack in the middle of her table. Her hand covered her chest. Her favorite flowers. Who had done this? A smiling face turned from the counter holding a steaming pizza.

“I’m speechless.”

“That’s fine. Sit down while I pour you a glass of wine. I’m not much of a cook but I can figure out how to stick a premade pizza in the oven.”

Annie sat after she picked up Smokey to cuddle. “How did you know I would be walking in exactly when the pizza was ready to come out of the oven?”

“You caught me. I had a little help from Leona.” Jason handed Annie a glass of wine. “You prefer red, right?” He clinked his glass against hers. “Look around on your walls.”

Annie tore her eyes from the tulips to see her photographs were all rematted and back in their frames. “You did all this? For me?”

“Good tenants are hard to find and I’d like to keep you here.”

“I’m glad you think I’m a good tenant. One disaster after another has followed me ever since I arrived.”

“Well, forget about that for the rest of the night and try to relax.” He expertly sliced the pizza, sliding a piece onto a plate for Annie.

“Vegetarian I see. My favorite—peppers, onions and mushrooms. I’m touched by your generosity, Mr. Hunter.”

Jason sat down across from Annie and held up his glass. “Cheers.”

A comfortable silence filled the room as they ate the pizza and sipped their wine.

Annie finished her wine and set her glass down. “I’ve been wondering, Mr. Hunter, what is it that you do?”

“Besides making dinner for my tenant?” he answered with his lips turned up in a teasing smile.

“Besides the pizza, flowers and repairing my photographs. Yes. You’re not getting off the hook that easily.”

His gaze moved to the view out the window. Lights twinkled in the homes around the lake. “I find things.”

Annie laughed, nearly choking on the bite of pizza she just put in her mouth. “You find things? What kind of things?”

“Anything really. Whatever someone needs help finding.”

Annie rested her chin on her hand and scrunched up her mouth. “Are you any good?”

With eyebrows raised, Jason brought his eyes back to stare into Annie’s. “Yes. I always find what I’m looking for, but that doesn’t guarantee my customer is happy in the end.”

“Why not?”

“Uncovering one thing quite often leads to discovering more secrets that people aren’t always ready for.” Jason shifted in his seat. “Why the interest? Is there something you need to find?”

“Yes, but I’m not positive I want to find it.”

Jason nodded. “It’s good to know what you want before you start the search.”

“The search is started and I won’t stop. It’s just, well, you wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me.” He focused his complete attention on Annie’s face. “I’m guessing you’re searching for a truth about yourself.”

Annie’s jaw dropped. She stood up, carrying her plate to the counter, saying nothing, but wondering how he could figure that out about her so quickly.

“Those searches are the most difficult. But also can be the most rewarding.”

A knock on the door sliced through the tension in the room.

Jason stood up. “Are you expecting someone? I need to leave now anyway.” He bowed to Annie. “I’m happy to have been of service to you tonight.”

“Thanks for all of this,” she said, waving her hand around the room. “I’m expecting a friend.” Annie smiled and felt a tingle when Jason smiled back and gently traced his fingers down her arm as he walked to the door.

Tyler and JC passed Jason as he left and they entered Annie’s apartment. JC’s eyebrow was cocked in an expression of curiosity as she took in the wine bottle, pizza, and flowers on the table. “Are we interrupting something?”

Annie flapped her hand dismissively. “No, not at all. I can’t figure that guy out. He shows up at odd moments, like he’s always keeping an eye on me. Where’s Dylan?”

JC made herself comfortable on the couch, scooping Smokey up into her arms. “Dylan’s at a friend’s birthday party. We need to pick him up in about a half hour. Cute kitty. Where’d he come from?”

“I found him at the café, locked in one of the cupboards. That’s where the new name, Black Cat Café, came from. Tyler, sit down. Want a beer or something?”

They both shook their heads. “No thanks. You wanted to tell me something, Annie?” Tyler asked, sitting, but not relaxing back into the soft cushions.

She sat down across from them, handing the note she had taken from Max’s pocket to Tyler. “I saw this after I found Max dead.”

Tyler read the note. “Who do you think he was talking about?”

“That’s the problem. I don’t have a clue. He says not to trust anyone, but I shared this with my mom, Leona, Martha, and now you two.”

“Where did you find this note?”

Annie looked down at the floor and sighed deeply. “I took it out of his pocket. Once I read it, I was too worried to show anyone right away. But there’s been too many other weird things happening.”

Tyler leaned forward. “What else? Tell me everything.”

“The chili being dumped out, like someone was trying to sabotage our opening day for some reason. And this afternoon, when I came home for a break, all my photographs were torn apart like someone was searching for something hidden between the photos and the backing.”

“Looking for what?”

“I’m not sure.” Annie wouldn’t meet Tyler’s questioning eyes.

“Annie, what else haven’t you told me?” He moved across the room, took her hand and forced her to look at him. “You’re hiding something else, I know you too well.”