Leaping into Larceny by Jinty James

Author:Jinty James [James, Jinty]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: New release cozy cat cupcake mystery, police romance cat mystery, humorous mystery with amateur sleuths, kitty cozies, baking mystery with Norwegian Forest Cat, Culinary kitty cat crime cozy mystery, small town mystery with cats
Publisher: Jinty James
Published: 2022-01-11T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

“Why?” Lauren sprinkled hot chocolate powder on top of the cappuccino, giving the swan design a speckled look.

“Because he wouldn’t marry her!”

“Mitch checked her alibi. She was watching TV and then called her daughter in Los Angeles.”

“She could have done it while she was supposedly watching her show,” Zoe protested.

“True.” Lauren paused. “But I’m sure Mitch is looking into everything. He told me Brooke reported her jewelry missing yesterday.”

“Good.” Zoe nodded. “I hope we – she – finds it.”

They took Doris’s order over to her.

“This looks quite nice.” She peered at the swan design on the cappuccino. “Fancy, in fact. And I must admit, your cupcake does look delicious. Francis told me about this place on Sunday, and I thought I’d give it a try.”

“Thank you.” Lauren nodded.

“Not many customers.” Doris glanced around the room. “In fact, I’m the only one!”

“It can be quiet when there’s a class on at the senior center,” Zoe admitted. “Do you go there?”

“Not really.” Doris struck her fork into the cake. “Sometimes Francis would take me if he could get away at lunch time or if there was something on in the evening. It’s too far for me to walk, I’m afraid.” She placed a morsel in her mouth, then chewed and swallowed. “That is very nice. It’s a credit to you, dear.” She looked at Lauren.

“Thank you.” This time Lauren smiled.

They left Doris to enjoy her order, and time with Annie.

“What do you think?” Zoe asked when they were behind the counter once more.

“About what?”

“About – you know.” Zoe sounded exasperated.

Lauren dropped her voice. “I don’t see Doris as a killer, if that’s what you mean, but I’ve been wrong before.”

“So have I.” Zoe wrinkled her nose. “Huh.”

Lauren felt like echoing her cousin’s sentiments.

A short while later, one of their favorite customers entered.

“Hi, Hans,” Lauren greeted him.

“Brrt!” Annie trotted over to him. Doris had departed, after complimenting them again on her order.

“Hello, Lauren, and Zoe. Hello, Liebchen,” he said to Annie. His faded blue eyes twinkled at the trio.

“Brrt!” Annie slowly led the dapper sixty-something man to a four-seater near the counter.

“What can we get you?” Lauren had her order pad ready.

“You have got to try Lauren’s new blueberry!”

“If Zoe says I must, then I must,” Hans replied gravely, a hint of humor in his eyes. “And I will have my usual cappuccino, please.”

“Is something happening at the senior center?” Zoe asked.

“Yes, they are having an oil painting class this morning.”

“I was nearly right.” Zoe grinned.

“She thought it might be a water color class,” Lauren explained.

“Brrt!”

“That was last week.” Hans smiled.

They returned to the counter, Annie keeping Hans company.

“I wonder if Hans knows Doris – or knew Uncle Francis,” Zoe pondered, plating the cupcake.

“I guess you’re going to ask him,” Lauren said good-naturedly.

“Yep!”

After Lauren created a peacock design on the cappuccino, they took the order over to Hans. Annie was chattering away to him in a series of brrts and brrps.

“Maybe she’s already telling him about Uncle Francis,” Zoe said.

“Maybe.” Lauren looked fondly at her fur baby.

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