Spiced and Iced (A Callie's Kitchen Mystery Book 2) Page 13

  “Oh, Melody,” Callie said, truly impressed. “It’s just gorgeous.” She smiled. “You must be so proud.”

  Melody blushed and ducked her head. “I am,” she admitted. “I never really thought it would happen. But – here we are.”

  Kayla was peering in the glass case at one of Callie’s freshly-baked gingerbreads with thick white icing. The icing had dripped down the sides of the cake in a tempting way. “What about this cake?” she asked.

  “Oooh, it does look delicious,” Melody answered, bending down to get a closer look.

  “My gingerbread cakes would be perfect for your launch,” Callie agreed. “And what about these?” she asked, holding out a jar of her newly-baked paxemathia. “These are basically a type of Greek biscotti. They’re flavored with ouzo and they are great for dunking in tea, coffee or even hot chocolate.”

  Kayla and Melody each took a cookie and bit into it, getting crumbs on their coats. “These are a winner,” Melody said, nodding her head. “Let’s do it.”

  “What about some of those little sandwiches?” Kayla wanted to know.

  “I’ll make whatever is in your book,” Callie answered. “Just tell me what you’d like.”

  “You have to make Melody’s Greek yogurt scones,” Kayla said. “They are to die for, with blueberries and a little orange flavoring.”

  “Oh my goodness,” Melody said, laughing. She ate the last bit of her cookie and sighed. “That all sounds good. I really appreciate it, Callie. The thing is, my publisher hasn’t really given me much of a budget. I can’t pay a lot and I know you require a lot of work and time.”

  “We’ll work something out,” Callie reassured her. “After all, I asked you if I could help. Maybe you can just pay me the cost of supplies and the labor will be gratis. Or, you can do some social media posts or something, saying that Callie’s Kitchen hosted the launch.”

  “Of course I’ll do that,” Melody said. “I would offer to plug your business anyway.” She smiled at Callie. “Let’s meet up in a day or two and we can work out all of the details.”

  Kayla was eyeing the paxemathia so Callie handed her a couple more cookies. “For the road,” she said. She poured two cups of coffee into paper cups with lids and handed them to Kayla and Melody. “You need coffee with these, obviously.” The two women sipped at their hot drinks and Callie decided she’d take a stab at seeing what Bix’s coworkers really thought of him.

  “Listen, I’m not trying to gossip, but you know my best friend Samantha is dating Bix,” Callie began.

  “I know,” Melody answered. “I seem to remember Bix mentioning something. They make a nice couple.”

  “Yes, well, here’s the thing. You two work with Bix and I’ve heard some things about him. I just wondered what he’s like to work with, you know.”

  Kayla shrugged. “I only work part-time so I don’t see him all that often. But he’s always been fine to me. Polite, friendly. We don’t chat much, but he seems like a good guy. And he’s always busy working – he’s not one of these people to slack off.”

  Interesting.

  Melody looked a bit pained but surprisingly, she replied in kind. “Bix is a hard worker. He’s actually been incredibly helpful since…uh, since Natalie’s death. He’s been more of a presence inside the hotel, keeping an eye on things, making sure reporters don’t disturb the guests.” Melody leaned forward, eager for details. “Why – what have you heard?”

  Callie was uneasy. Maybe it had been a bad idea to bring it up, but she was worried about Sam and Bix’s behavior had been downright strange. “Not too much,” she said slowly. “Just that he dates a lot and has a bit of a temper.”

  “Oh, I get it,” Kayla said. “You must have heard about Natalie. She was seeing him for a while but I think she met someone else. I never heard or saw anything unusual, though. They seemed to keep their relationship professional.”

  Melody chimed in. “I know that Bix and Natalie may have dated but she never complained about him to me. I thought it was a mutual decision for them to break up.”

  Melody suddenly seemed in a hurry to leave. She wound her scarf around her neck and thanked Callie for the coffee and cookies. “I’ll be in touch about the launch,” she said. “Kayla, I’ll see you at work.” She swept out of the shop.

  “I’d better get going, too,” Kayla said, sipping the last of her coffee. “I sure hope they found out who did this to Natalie – and soon. It’s horrible to think about a killer walking around out there.”

  Callie agreed. After the two women were gone, she realized that all she had accomplished was growing more confused about Bix – not less. Wouldn’t Melody and Kayla have had something negative to report about Bix, given what she’d heard from Lina, the ballroom dance instructor and given the show of temper she’d seen at The Elkhorn Supper Club? Then again, Piper didn’t seem to have an issue with Bix either.

  Callie returned to her bakery cases and started arranging the cookies more neatly. Maybe Bix was a good guy after all and there was no reason to worry about Samantha.

  Or maybe Kayla and Melody were afraid of him.

  Fourteen

  The respite following the departure of Melody and Kayla was short-lived. Soon Callie was practically roller-skating throughout the shop serving customers. She filled orders for eat-in dining, sold several jars of festive red-ribboned paxemathia and finally, got a head start on a new batch of Greek chicken stew for her dinner menu. Max had arrived and was prepping food in the kitchen when not serving customers. He seemed chipper enough, so she guessed that he didn’t suspect that Piper was up to anything with Bix. Or maybe he just didn’t know.

  Viv had texted her after Koukla’s visit to the vet. They’d done a couple of X-rays, but the little Yorkie appeared to have emerged from her ordeal in the car without a serious problem. Callie had been beyond relieved – Koukla was part of the family.

  Callie’s mobile phone “pinged” again and she wondered if it was another update on her dog. Instead, she saw that Piper had placed Instagram photos online within the last few minutes. Callie found herself smiling as she looked over the Callie’s Kitchen Instagram feed.

  Piper had taken some great shots of her food: crisp, buttery cookies, steaming spanakopita oozing with cheese, gingerbread loaf cakes dripping with sweet, white icing. It was too bad you couldn’t scratch and sniff the screen. Plus, she was happy to note, Piper had kindly cropped her out of the picture where her hair was flying all over the place. Only her hands pulling cookie sheets out of the oven remained – and they were covered in oven mitts.

  The bell over the door jingled and Callie looked up, eager to greet a customer who’d been inspired to come into the shop because of Piper’s eye-catching Instagram photos. However, it was Christy, proprietor of Tea for Two, the new teashop across the street.

  “Hi Callie,” she said, strolling up the counter and peering into the nearest bakery case. “Mmmm. It smells wonderful in here. And it looks beautiful, with all of your Christmas decorations.”

  “Thanks. Well, thanks to my two employees. They did most of the decorating.”

  “It looks lovely,” Christy said, smiling as she looked around the shop, taking in the lights, miniature trees, Santas and festive baked goods. Her face was rosy from the cold. “Pass along my compliments.”

  “I will. Now what can I get you? On the house – from one business owner to another.”

  Christy smiled and protested at first, but she finally agreed to a cup of coffee and a piece of iced gingerbread. Callie led her to a table in the front of the shop and sat down with her for a minute, since there was a lull in customers.

  “You’re sure persistent, but I’m glad you are,” Christy said, taking a bit of cake. “This is delicious!”

  “Thank you!” Callie said, flattered in spite of herself. “Anyway, good luck arguing with a Greek who’s trying to feed you. We’ll always win.” The two women laughed, Christy less enthusiastically. She faced Callie, a serious look on her face
.

  “I don’t mean to pry, but do you know how Natalie’s murder investigation is going?”

  “It’s going. Why? Do you have some information?”

  “No. I’m just really scared.” Christy’s blue eyes were wide with fear. “I wonder if I did the right thing by opening a shop in town. This murder just really makes me feel unsafe.”

  “Yes, I know what you mean.”

  “People are coming into my shop, which is great, but most of them seem to just want to sit over one cup of tea for hours and talk about the murder. It’s really unsettling. And then, I had a strange incident the other day. Well, more than one.”

  Callie raised her eyebrows and encouraged her to go on.

  “My store alarm went off the other night at about two in the morning. The alarm company called me and the police were there to check it out.”

  “Police?” Sands hadn’t mentioned that, but then again, he didn’t respond to those types of calls. “And?” Callie prompted.

  “Well, that’s it. But I found it odd. No one had broken in, that we could see. It could be that the alarm did its job and prevented a burglary. I have one other person who works there besides me and she swears she wasn’t there, accidentally tripping the arm. I believe her. She’d have no reason to be there at that time of night.”

  “Who’s your co-worker?”

  “Her name is Kayla. She works part-time at the inn, where Natalie was killed.”

  Kayla? Working at Tea for Two? This was news to Callie, but of course, she and Kayla weren’t besties. She was surprised she hadn’t seen Kayla there before. No matter – she’d file that one for digesting later on, when she had more time.

  “What was the other thing?” Callie asked, almost afraid to find out.

  Christy ate more cake, but a dark look clouded her features. “It’s a little awkward.”

  Callie nodded encouragingly and Christie continued. “Weren’t you in the other day with that girl, what’s her name? I’m sorry. I’m still putting names to faces.”

  “You mean Lexy Dayton?” asked Callie.

  “Yes, that’s it. The girl who was crying. Well, a woman who said her name was Dayton was in my shop the other day and she seemed a little…off. Is that her mother?”

  “Was she well put-together, tall and thin?”

  “She was tall and thin all right, and she had nice clothes on, but she seemed a little intense. She kept complaining that she had lost something and was looking all over my shop for it. Well, whatever it was, she never found it. I convinced her to have a cup of tea and then she left.”

  “Hmm. That’s odd. Did she buy anything else?” Callie wanted to know.

  “She just said she was browsing. I get lots of customers like her – just browsing,” Christy said. “I can only hope that they remember the place and come back to it when they really need something. And I hope this murder gets solved, soon. I don’t mean to sound crass but it’s not exactly good for business. And it’s scary, as I said.”

  “I understand. Opening a new business and having a local murder is not exactly optimal timing. I know one of the detectives on the case and I know they’ll get the killer – sooner or later.”

  Christy finished her cake and looked skeptical, so Callie continued her pep talk. “Your place is great. People will love it – you’ve created a beautiful space.” Christy didn’t need to have the high failure rate of new businesses pointed out to her.

  “And what about this? Melody Cartwright told me you’re helping with the book launch. I’m providing the food and you’re providing the tea. Is it okay if we have it here? Bring any print advertising that you have – I’ll display it near the books. That should help boost business for you.”

  “That would be really helpful,” Christy said. “I think once people know I’m there, they’ll show up. As you know, it’s tough to be the new kid on the block.”

  “It sure is. Maybe we can even do some cross promotion – and not just for Melody’s book launch.”

  “Definitely.” Christy had already finished her cake and she took one last swallow of coffee. “Thanks for listening to me. It really helped to share my concerns with someone who understands.” She gave Callie a small smile. “Duty calls. I’d better get back to work.”

  Callie walked her to the door where the two women said their goodbyes.

  “See you later,” Christy called with real warmth in her voice. Callie smiled and waved, happy to have made a new friend.

  Still, parts of their conversation had disturbed her. Kayla was now working at Tea for Two, right around the same time the store alarm was going off mysteriously in the night? It could be total coincidence but Callie was starting not to believe in those.

  And what was going on with Mrs. Dayton? What was she looking for at the tea shop? And why was she seemingly always so agitated?

  Callie understood somebody having personal problems, but the woman needed to stay off the road if she was upset. If not, the next person who she knocked off the road – if that was indeed her behind the wheel the other night – wouldn’t be as lucky as Callie and Koukla were.

  At her next thought, though, Callie felt chilled to the bone. Perhaps Mrs. Dayton was upset because she felt guilty – or afraid. Could Mrs. Dayton have killed Natalie in rage that had simply gotten out of control?

  The phone rang, tearing Callie away from this unpleasant train of thought. Max answered. “For you,” he said, holding the phone out to her. Then, he lowered his deep voice to a whisper. “It sounds like Bix Buckman.”

  Gingerly, Callie took the phone and cleared her throat before answering. “Hi, Bix? This is Callie. Can I help you?”

  “Probably not,” Bix answered, gruffly. The sounds of a loud and rapid conversation in the background made it difficult for Callie to hear him. She left Max to the customers at the front of the shop and went in the back room to hear more clearly.

  “What’s going on?” Callie asked, almost afraid to know.

  “What’s going on is that your grandmother and your cousin were found trying to break into the boathouse near where Natalie was killed,” Bix said. “I told them I was going to call the police but they asked me to call you first. I’m only doing that because you’re Samantha’s best friend,” Bix said, biting off each word sharply.

  Callie’s knees felt rubbery and quickly she sat down, holding her head in her hands. The large and luxurious boathouse was attached to the inn – how did they expect to break in without anyone seeing them?

  “My grandmother?” she repeated. “And my aunt?”

  “Yep. What the heck are they doing here, Callie? This is not acceptable. Don’t they know what crime scene tape means?”

  “Is there crime scene tape on the boathouse?” Callie asked, stalling for time. She had to prevent Bix from calling the police. Who would ever believe that she didn’t put the two women up to it? And – horror of horrors – what would Emma say? Or Sands?

  “No,” Bix answered, exaggerating the word. “But other parts of the area have been roped off. You’d think they would have noticed.”

  Now Callie could hear Sweetie and Viv begging Bix to let them talk to Callie, not the police. Recovering from the shock, Callie spoke quickly. “I’ll tell them to leave immediately,” she said. “Please don’t call anyone. I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation for what they were doing out there. Come on, they’re harmless.” Her throat constricted and she felt unexpected and entirely unwelcome tears start. She never should have discussed Natalie’s murder with them. Who did they think they were? The Bobbsey Twins?

  How could they have put themselves – and her – into such an awkward and suspicious situation? And what about the danger they could be in, with a killer still walking around on the loose, a killer who could very well be Bix himself?

  At this last thought, Callie couldn’t help it. She let out a strangled sob and quickly tried to hide it by coughing.

  “Don’t cry, Callie,” Bix said, softening his tone slightly
. “I hate it when women cry. Just a second.” He must have put his hand over the phone because the voices were muffled. “Your grandmother wants to talk to you.”

  “Grandma! How could you?” Callie started in on Viv immediately and then regretted her harsh tone. Clumsy though her attempts may be she knew that Viv was only trying to help her.

  “I’m sorry,” Viv wailed. “It’s a long story. You see…” she began but Callie shushed her.

  “Please, Grandma. Not in front of Bix. Just get out of there – come straight to Callie’s Kitchen. You can talk to me here. Can you put Bix back on?”

  “Yes, dear. Here he is,” Viv said, sounding relieved and back in control.

  “Bix, please let them go. They were probably just looking at the water or something. I know my grandmother is interested in that Christmas Tea. Maybe she wanted to show my aunt how beautiful the view of the lake is from the boathouse. “At this last, even Callie had to roll her eyes. Bix would know she was bluffing.

  “Oh, sure,” Bix answered extravagantly sarcastic. “The beauty of the lake? It’s 10 flipping degrees out here! You know what? Some people have to get back to work. This one time, I’ll let them go. But if I catch them out here again, I am calling the cops. Maybe I’ll start with your friend, that detective!” Bix exhaled noisily and hung up.

  Callie hung up the phone in a daze. She had way too much work to do to deal with family members trespassing on private property. Correction: her work load would be lightened because Viv and Sweetie could be kitchen helpers for the rest of the day. They might not like it, but too bad! She couldn’t have them mingling with suspected killers.

  Stomping back out to the front of the shop, Callie waited until a couple of groups of holiday shoppers had left their comfortable tables before filling Max in on Viv and Sweetie’s plight.

  Max burst into delighted laughter. “That’s awesome!” he exclaimed. “They’re tough. Did Bix know who he was messing with?”

  Callie couldn’t help but join in his laughter, but she was still annoyed with her grandmother and Sweetie –and concerned for their safety. “They are tough all right. And too stubborn for words! What were they thinking? I have no idea what they were even doing there. I think they’ve been watching too many episodes of Murder She Wrote.”