A Blend of Betrayal: A Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery (A Cafe Crimes Cozy Mystery Series Book 3) by Simone Stier

Author:Simone Stier [Stier, Simone]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-11-25T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

The morning after Eleanor’s poisoning, I woke to a world transformed. Snowflakes drifted lazily past my apartment-above-the-cafe window, covering Magnolia Grove in a pristine white coat. The town had effectively shut down, with only the bravest souls venturing out into the wintery weather.

I padded downstairs to the cafe, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeting me like an old friend. My parents were already there, Dad fiddling with the espresso machine while Mom arranged pastries in the display case.

“Morning, Sherlock. I put those trays of chocolate chip cookies in the oven, and some of Hazel’s too,” Dad called out, grinning over his shoulder. “Are you ready to solve the great case of the missing customers?”

I tied on my apron. “I think the snow might have something to do with that, Dad.”

A trickle of die-hard caffeine addicts braved the weather, shuffling in with rosy cheeks and snow-dusted coats. I served up steaming mugs of my holiday blend, along with Hazel’s gooey ginger-molasses cookies and a few of my chocolate chip. Between customers, I found myself drawn to the window, watching kids sledding in the park up the street. Their laughter carried faintly through the glass, a reminder of simpler times.

The bell above the door jingled, and I turned to see Major bounding in, sporting an adorable red-and-green Christmas sweater. Clyde followed, stamping snow from his boots.

“Mornin’, Parker,” he called out cheerfully. “Thought we’d stop by for some of that magical brew of yours. It’s colder than a witch’s—” He caught sight of my mom and quickly changed course. “Well, it’s mighty cold out there.”

I laughed, already reaching for a mug. “Coming right up, Clyde. And hello to you, Major!” I knelt to scratch behind the pup’s ears, earning myself an enthusiastic tail wag.

The cafe door swung open again, bringing with it a gust of frigid air and, surprisingly, Sheriff Amelia Sinclair. She stomped the snow off her boots, her cheeks flushed from the cold. She wore her thick black sheriff’s jacket with a fur-lined collar and adorned with a silver badge. A black woolen hat covered her head, with a few loose strands of hair escaping from beneath it. Her eyes scanned the cafe. “Morning, Hayes, morning, Clyde. Quite the winter mess out there.”

I straightened up, trying not to look too shocked at her unexpected visit. “Sheriff Sinclair, what brings you to my humble cafe? Surely not just my irresistible personality?”

“Don’t flatter yourself, Hayes. But since I’m here, I wouldn’t say no to a cup of coffee.”

I gestured to my parents, who were watching our interaction with poorly concealed curiosity. “Sheriff, meet my parents, Beth and Daniel Hayes. Mom, Dad, this is Amelia Sinclair, the sheriff I’ve been telling you about.” I began to prepare her coffee—the holiday blend, of course.

Dad’s eyes lit up in that way that always spelled trouble. “Sheriff, eh? Well, I hope you’re not here to arrest our daughter for stealing hearts with her coffee!”

Mom groaned. I wished the floor would open up and swallow me whole.

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