Scones and Secrets (Moonstone Bakery Mystery Series Book 5) by Nova Walsh

Author:Nova Walsh [Walsh, Nova]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-09-29T00:00:00+00:00

13

The late afternoon sun was slanting through the bakery’s front windows in golden bars when my phone rang, casting everything in that warm, honey-colored light that made even the most ordinary Tuesday feel magical. I was wiping down the espresso machine while Maya restocked the pastry case, both of us moving through the familiar rhythm of closing preparations.

“Hey,” I answered, recognizing Vince’s number. “How’s your day been?”

“Interesting,” Vince said, and something in his tone made me pause in my cleaning. “Todd’s wife Patricia was arrested this morning.”

I felt my pulse quicken. “Arrested? For Todd’s murder?”

“That’s what I thought initially, but here’s the weird part—they released her about three hours later. No charges filed, no explanation I could get out of anyone at the county sheriff’s office.”

I sank onto one of the stools behind the counter, processing this information. “So they had enough evidence to arrest her, but not enough to hold her?”

“Or they found something that cleared her completely,” Vince said. “I’m trying to track down more details, but you know how these things go. The investigation is ongoing, nobody wants to talk.”

Maya looked up from the pastry case, clearly catching the serious tone of our conversation. I mouthed “Patricia” to her and saw understanding flash across her face.

“What does this mean for Maya?” I asked.

“Hard to say. If Patricia’s really off the table as a suspect, then Donovan’s probably going to focus more attention on other possibilities.” Vince’s voice carried an undertone of concern. “Maya might become a focus again.”

“We need more information,” I said, frustration creeping into my voice. “About Patricia, about what evidence they had, about why they let her go.”

“I’m working on it. But these things take time, and time might be something Maya doesn’t have a lot of.”

We talked for a few more minutes about the day’s developments before hanging up, and I was just setting my phone down when the door chime rang and Lois entered. Almost immediately, James appeared from the kitchen where he’d been cleaning up, his face lighting up with a genuine grin.

“Lois!” he said, wiping his hands on his apron. “I didn’t know you were stopping by today.”

“Just wanted to check on how you all are holding up over here,” Lois replied, but I caught the slight flush that crept up her neck when James smiled at her.

“Well, I’m glad you did,” James said, and there was something almost puppyish about the way he stood a little straighter, the way his attention focused completely on her. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, are you planning to come to Ginny’s Halloween party on Saturday?”

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Lois said. “Especially since I’m the one responsible for making sure the kitchen’s ready for it.”

“Great! I mean, that’s great that you’ll be there. I’m looking forward to seeing you.” James seemed to realize he was gushing slightly and cleared his throat. “Okay, I should probably finish up in the kitchen and head home. Early morning tomorrow.”

“Of course,” Lois said, but she was smiling. “Don’t let me keep you.

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