Pressing the Issue by Daryl Wood Gerber

Author:Daryl Wood Gerber
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: california, small town, cookbooks, bookstore, culinary mystery
Publisher: Beyond the Page Publishing

Chapter 13

In the early afternoon, when I returned to the Cookbook Nook, I discovered that the children had come and gone and adults had taken their place at the rear table. Dolly, in an olive green medieval gown—she featured so many Renaissance-style dresses in her shop that she could wear a different one every day—had signed on to lead a second class. Today, she was teaching five women and one gentleman how to make Celtic jewelry. Storage trays holding a vast assortment of beads sat in the middle of the table. Her students were reviewing printouts of possible designs.

“Hi, Dolly,” I said, drawing nearer to study the beads. I loved the silver tubes and Irish knots, but my favorites were the long, twisted pendants with a single stone set in the middle. They reminded me of an opal necklace David had given me a month after we’d started dating. It was now nestled in the bottom of my jewelry box, never to see the light of day again.

“Afternoon, Jenna.” Dolly gave me a wink, but I noticed her eyes were puffy and she had developed a rash around them, probably from crying so often. Had she told Cinnamon her alibi?

Luscious, comforting music started to play through the speakers. My breathing settled into a steady rhythm.

Seconds later, Aunt Vera emerged from the storage room. “Like the tune, dear?”

“Love it. It’s the Viking one, right?”

“Good memory.”

I recalled the album because its lengthy title was worthy of a cookbook—Medieval Viking Magic Fantasy for Celtic Folk Lute and Classical Guitar.

“This tune is ‘Saga of Viking Ship in Irish Sea.’ Can’t you just see the ships floating across the water?” She mimed the swell of the ocean in front of her.

“I can, indeed.” I tilted my head to assess her—weary eyes, thin taut mouth. She was anything but lighthearted. “How are you feeling about your misgivings over Alan’s and Hannah’s tarot card readings?”

“Alas, I know I can’t fix everything, dear.” She forced a smile. “I do my best, but ultimately fate takes the lead.”

“Cut it out, Vera.” Bailey scurried from behind the checkout counter and flicked my aunt on the arm. “Don’t lie to Jenna.”

“Lie?” my aunt echoed.

“Lie. Fib. Tell an untruth.” Bailey aimed a finger at my aunt. “Those two readings have you shivering in your Birkenstocks.” She leveled her gaze at me. “Jenna, your aunt has been moping about ever since she returned from the fair. We’ve got to do something. We have to find Nick’s killer.”

“Don’t worry.” I steered the two of them back to the sales counter. “I’ve sent Hannah in Cinnamon’s direction.”

“Do you think she’s guilty?” Bailey asked.

“No, I think she’s innocent. She has an alibi.”

“Then what good does it do sending her to the police?” Bailey huffed. “What’s her alibi?”

I explained.

Bailey folded her arms. “That sounds iffy.”

My aunt agreed.

I nodded. It did. “However, she saw Alan and his crow, which corroborates her story, right?”

Bailey shrugged. “I suppose, but if she didn’t kill Nick, then who did?”

“I don’t know.”

Grumbling, Bailey

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