The Sweet Dreams Bake Shop (A Sweet Cove Mystery Book 1) (4 page)

“I haven’t fed the cat yet,” Angie said. “Should I drop the key at the station once I finish up here?”

“I’d like to stick around until you’re done with the cat and then drive you two home,” the chief said. “Officer Talbot and I are going to check the back of the house, look around the grounds. Let me know when you’re ready to head out.”

Officer Talbot was inspecting the front door while the chief spoke to the girls. “Chief, there’s no sign of forced entry here.”

“Oh, wait.” Angie thought of something. “The back door was unlocked. That’s how the intruder must have gotten in.”

Courtney nodded. “I came in that way, too. I thought Angie left the door unlocked.”

Angie shook her head. “I came in through the front. The back door must have been unlocked all day. I didn’t think to check it before I left to go back to work this morning. That must be how the intruder got inside.”

The chief’s eyes narrowed and his forehead creased. “No. I made sure the back door was closed and locked when I left you here earlier today. The suspect must have forced the lock and come in that way. We’ll have a look. We’ll send a couple of officers over tomorrow to straighten up the upstairs room.”

The officers went outside to make a check of the property while Angie and Courtney tended the cat. When they were getting ready to lock up and head home, Angie gave Euclid a pointed look.

“I wish you could talk, Euclid. I’m sure you’d have a lot to tell us.”

Euclid trilled at them.

“Goodnight, kitty,” Courtney said. She petted the top of the orange cat’s head.

The girls met the chief outside. He told them, “There isn’t any evidence that someone forced the back door. Either the intruder has a key or he knows how to pick a lock. That’s how the door was open.”

Angie’s face clouded with worry.

“We’ll get the locksmith here first thing in the morning. We’ll get something sturdy on the doors and windows.” As they headed for the police car, the chief added, “Wouldn’t hurt to look into getting a security system installed. I’ll speak to Attorney Ford about getting that done.”

Angie thought that a security system was a good idea. Who knew how long the Victorian would be empty.

The chief drove the young women the few blocks to their apartment in the patrol car and saw them safely inside.

Courtney and Angie put on their pajamas, made tea, and curled up on the sofa. Courtney pulled a blanket over her legs. “I need to work on my paper for my class. I’ll do it right after I finish my tea.”

“How did you decide to come to the professor’s house tonight?” Angie asked.

“I loaded the dinner dishes in the dishwasher and just didn’t feel like doing schoolwork. I decided to walk over to the house and see the cat.”

“I’m glad you did. I was never so happy to see you.” Angie hugged her arms around herself remembering the terror of hearing someone in the house.

“What do you think about it?” Courtney sipped from her mug.

“I don’t know.” Angie pulled part of the blanket over her knees. “I wonder if it was someone who heard that Professor Linden had died and got the idea to break in looking for money or valuables. The person probably knew that the professor lived alone, didn’t have relatives in the area. He must have assumed that the house would be empty, so it was a perfect time to break in and rob the place.”

“It makes sense.” Courtney frowned. “It’s sad. It must be someone from Sweet Cove. No one else would have known yet. There hasn’t been time for a death notice in the papers.”

The thought that someone from the little town would do such a thing gave Angie a chill. “You’re right. Word about her death spread through town today. Someone decided to break in before a friend or relative could be notified and take possession of the house. It’s just awful to think that someone from town would do something like that.”

“There are creeps everywhere,” Courtney said. She placed her mug on the little coffee table in front of the sofa.

“I wonder what they stole. What they took.” Angie’s brow furrowed. “I guess we’ll never know.”

The café was in full swing with customers coming and going, conversations at full volume, and Angie, Courtney, and Lisa alternating between making drinks, serving treats, cleaning off tables, and ringing up sales.

The door opened and a young man who looked to be in his early thirties entered the café. He stood straight, his eyes darting over the patrons for several seconds. The man was slim, had close-cut brown hair, big eyes, and a pale face. He wore black rimmed glasses and had on a brown tweed jacket. There was a red bow tie at his neck.

Angie was behind the counter serving a chocolate croissant to Tom, one of her regular customers. Tom owned a building and carpentry business in town and he came in every morning for coffee before heading off to his projects. He was a little older than Angie, with strong shoulders and large hands. The two of them enjoyed chatting and cheerfully teasing each other. Tom spotted the man and leaned forward to speak to Angie in a quiet voice.

“That’s the new lawyer. Jack Ford’s his name. He’s the nephew of Blake Ford. I went to see Ford recently to have him handle some legal work for me. I didn’t like him. He’s odd, seems sort of stuck up. Thinks he’s a smarty pants. He’s not like his uncle, not by a long shot.”

Angie glanced at the newcomer and wondered why he was just standing near the door. She re-filled Tom’s coffee and was turning away, when the lawyer approached the counter. His movements were clipped and quick like he was trying to conserve energy by not making any extraneous motions. Angie looked up, the coffee pot still in her hand, just as the attorney spoke.

“Angela Roseland?” His voice was firm and formal.

Angie nodded. Courtney sidled up next to her sister wondering what this man wanted. Tom swiveled on his stool and eyed the guy.

“This is a letter for you requesting your presence at the reading of Professor Marion Linden’s will. Tomorrow at eleven in the morning.” He held the envelope out to her.

Angie blinked and stared at him. She didn’t reach for the letter. “You’re the …?”

Before she could finish her question, the man said, “I’m Jack Ford. Professor Linden’s legal representative.”

Angie looked at the envelope that he held out, but didn’t take it. “Why would I be asked to the reading of the will?”

“Because, Ms. Roseland.” The attorney placed the envelope on the counter. He adjusted the lapel of his jacket. “You are mentioned in the will.”

Conversations quieted and many patrons turned their heads to look at Angie and the lawyer who where standing on opposite sides of the counter.

As the lawyer turned to leave, he gave a slight nod of his head. “We will see you tomorrow.”

Angie watched the attorney exit the café. She shifted her gaze to the envelope. Customers started talking again in hushed tones.

“See,” Tom said, shaking his head. “He’s a weird-o.”

Courtney picked up the envelope and turned it over in her hand. She held it out to Angie who took it and stared at it. “Why would I be mentioned in the will?”

Tom took a swig of his coffee and said, “Maybe she left you her fortune.” He chuckled and Angie gave him a nervous smile.

“Open it,” Courtney said. “Let’s see what it says.”

Angie opened the envelope and read the enclosed letter. She handed it to Courtney. “It’s just an invitation. Just like, he said.”

Courtney read, “The last will and testament of Marion Linden will be read at Professor Linden’s home at 32 Beach Street, Sweet Cove, Massachusetts, tomorrow at eleven o’clock in the morning.” She raised her eyes to Angie. “You’re going, aren’t you?”

Angie nodded. “Can you go back to school a day later? I’d like you to come with me.”

“You don’t need to ask me twice. You bet I’ll go with you.” Courtney moved to the register to ring up a sale.

Tom grinned at Angie and teased. “Want me to come, too?”

Angie gave him a mock scowl and said, “I’m only allowed one guest.”

“Darn. I was hoping to share in your riches.” Tom winked at her and went back to reading his newspaper.

“I’m nervous.” Angie reached into her black blazer for her phone which she silenced. She wore black slacks and a crisp white blouse under her jacket. Her honey blonde hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders.

“You don’t need to be nervous.” Courtney had borrowed her sister’s black skirt and tights and wore a pale blue sweater. She had her long caramel hair pulled into a high ponytail which swished from side to side as she walked.

“I know it isn’t logical, but I’m still nervous.” Angie smoothed her hair with a shaky hand. “It’s just because I don’t know what to expect.”

“Professor Linden liked you. You were nice to her. She probably has a favorite piece of jewelry that she wants you to have.”

Angie’s eyes got misty. “That would be so thoughtful of her.”

The sisters turned onto the brick walkway that led to the steps and wraparound porch of the Victorian mansion. The front door was open so they entered into the foyer. There were two rows of chairs set up in the living room and a number of people had already arrived. Some had taken seats and several people were conversing standing by the windows. Angie recognized most of the people in the room from town and from being her customers, and she greeted them with a smile and joined one of the groups.

“Ladies and gentlemen.” Jack Ford entered the room dressed in a similar outfit to what he wore when he delivered the envelope to Angie at her bake shop, only today his bow tie was yellow with blue polka dots. “Please take your seats and we will begin.”

People shuffled to sit down and once everyone was settled, Jack Ford cleared his throat and stood in front of the small gathering. “I will read aloud Professor Linden’s wishes.” He began to read from a document that he was holding.

“Thank you, all of you, for coming today. As most of you know, my dear husband, beloved son, and brother predeceased me and I have no family left. The town of Sweet Cove has been a special place for me and I consider many of you old friends and others of you, new friends. I have appreciated your kindness as I have grown older therefore, I wish to thank you by leaving town departments part of my estate. To the Sweet Cove Public Library, I leave fifty thousand dollars.” The head librarian gasped and lifted her hand to her mouth. Jack Ford shot her a disapproving look. He went on, “To the Sweet Cove Police Department and Emergency Services, I leave one hundred thousand dollars.” Chief Martin’s eyes went wide. The attorney went on listing several other bequests to town departments and charities, the museum, the school, and the historical society.

Courtney leaned close to Angie. “Who knew the professor was so wealthy?”

“To my alma mater and the university where I worked for over thirty years, I leave one million dollars.” A buzz of surprise filled the room. Several times, Attorney Ford had to ask for quiet. He continued. “And, finally.” He looked over his glasses at Angie for a half second. “I leave my beloved Victorian home, property, and all of its contents to Angela Roseland.”

Angie’s eyes went wide and she gasped. Courtney’s jaw dropped.

“As well as seventy-five thousand dollars to Ms. Roseland to make the necessary changes to the house to suit her needs. In addition, I leave my dear cat, Euclid, to Ms. Roseland. I trust she will treat him with kindness and love.”

The edges of Angie’s vision were sparkling and her head was spinning. She blinked hard several times, and then she swayed and keeled over out of her seat. She hit the floor with a soft thud. The last thing Angie heard was Attorney Ford saying, “And this concludes the reading of Professor Marion Linden’s will.”

Angie opened her eyes to see a crowd of people peering down at her. Courtney slipped her hand under her sister’s arm and helped Angie to sitting position. “Good thing you wore slacks today since you ended up on the floor,” she gently kidded her sister.

Someone brought a glass of water and handed it to Courtney to pass to Angie. Angie put her trembling hand to her head. A blush of embarrassment tinged her cheeks pink.

“Here. Have a sip of water and then we’ll help you into a chair.” Courtney handed Angie the glass.

“I’m so sorry. I was just so….” Angie took a sip from the glass.

“It’s okay,” Chief Martin said. He helped Angie stand and maneuvered her back onto her chair. “It’s all very surprising.”

Attorney Ford made an announcement. “Probate information will be filed with the courts immediately and I expect everything will be settled in about sixty to ninety days. At that time, checks will be going out to all of you. Thank you for coming. Miss Roseland, a word please?”

Attorney Ford stepped to the side of the room. Angie stood shakily and walked over to join him. Ford said, “Professor Linden indicated in her will that she would like you to have immediate access to the house, moving in right away if you so wished. During the probate period, you may live here in the house free of charge. I will designate you as caretaker. That is, if these arrangements are acceptable to you.”

Angie nodded. Her vision was still blurry.

Attorney Ford continued, “Of course, any changes you choose to make to the dwelling will have to wait until the deed to the house is in your possession.” He handed Angie the keys to the house. “Enjoy your new home. The deed to the house will be enclosed with the check that you receive in a couple of months.” Ford paused for a moment as if there might be more he wanted to say. A jolt of unease washed over Angie as something passed between them. Attorney Ford gave an almost imperceptible nod of his head, wheeled towards the door, and left.

The remaining people in attendance chatted for a few minutes and then slowly made their way out of the Victorian leaving Angie and Courtney alone in the house. They sat side by side next to the window in matching antique chairs.

A wide grin spread over Courtney’s face. “This is all yours. It’s your house, Angie. No mortgage. It belongs to you, free and clear. You’ll be the official owner in two or three months.” She let out a whoop.