Capers and Carnage (A Myrtle Lake Cozy Mystery Book 3) by Constance Barker

Author:Constance Barker [Barker, Constance]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Constance Barker
Published: 2022-01-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Charlie opened the café by herself. Gramma drove her over in the morning and baked fresh croissants before heading over to Robbie’s place. For an hour or so, Charlie just rang up customers grabbing coffee and goodies to go.

After the rush, Jarvis and Pequod entered. They looked around before sitting at their usual table. “Where is everyone?”

“They went to Robbie’s to meet the guy buying his paintings,” Charlie said.

“Oh, that’s right. I conveniently forgot.” Pequod made a snorting sound.

She brought over coffee and a blueberry muffin. “How’s your tooth?”

“Hurts. But not as bad. Thanks for the favor, kiddo.”

“You owe me big time. Gramma Carla thinks I’m some kind of pot head.”

“Don’t be such a hippie,” Pequod said. “You should take up drinking.”

Charlie frowned at the bird. The accent sounded Scottish. Was he repeating something Robbie said a lot?

“People get way too bent out of shape about reefer,” Jarvis shook his head. “What’s up with you?”

Glynnis came in and Charlie went to grab her usual muffin and tea to go. Instead, she sat at Jarvis’ table. “Hello, Johnny,” she said to Jarvis. Then she turned to the bird on his shoulder. “Hello, Johnny.”

“Would you like to eat here?” Charlie asked her.

“Yes, please,” Glynnis said. “Thanks, Johnny.”

Glynnis wore a puffy yellow parka, a pink straw hat with the brim the size of a garbage can lid, and two different boots. Jarvis was a stark contrast in navy blue captain’s hat, peacoat and cargo pants. Pequod was something of a color bridge, the bird dark blue with yellow markings.

Carla grabbed a tray for Glynnis’ order. She gave an account of the investigation into Jamison Creel’s murder and ended with she and Saylor witnessing the ghost lights last night.

“You’ve been busy,” Glynnis said. “Have you had time to bake for the Harvest Festival? I could really go for a couple loaves of pumpkin bread.”

“We got a start on it,” Charlie sighed. “I don’t know about this investigation. Is it even a murder? Maybe we should just leave it to the sheriff.”

“It sounds like you got lots of suspects. Including me,” Jarvis said.

“That’s Sheriff Decker’s MO,” Glynnis said. “Round up the usual suspects, and then some.”

Jarvis snorted, a sound the bird made a moment before. “It’s no wonder. Nobody liked Creel. Except, maybe—”

Outside, the chugging roar of a motorcycle cut him off.

“Speak of the devil,” Pequod said.

Charlie recognized Misty Trott as she dismounted the bike. “At least she came without her boyfriend.”

“Well, Creel is dead, so I don’t know why you’re expecting him,” Jarvis gave her a look.

“No, her boyfriend is that awful Cory Thicke.” Charlie said.

“From one douche canoe to another,” Pequod said. Where did the bird hear all these things?

Before she could ask Jarvis more, Misty came in, long red hair swinging. She gave everyone a big smile. It faltered a little when her eyes landed on Jarvis and Pequod. Charlie—made a mental note as she moved to the barista station.

“Hiya, hon,” Misty said, “Just a couple big lattes and two large black coffees to go.

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