A Thymely Death by Bonnie Hardy

Author:Bonnie Hardy
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781954995062
Publisher: Barbra Hardy

CHAPTER TWENTY

Olivia woke up early the next morning, excited about her first day at the new job. Since Michael had taken a phone call, she was the first in the kitchen. He burst in a few minutes later, hair slicked back from his morning shower, speaking in an urgent voice. "Cookie just called. He'd like us to drop into Thyme Out this morning. The bakery's been vandalized."

"What do you mean?" Olivia turned from the sink, the dish towel in her hands.

"Somebody broke into the bakery last night and spray-painted a bunch of slogans on the inside."

Her heart began to race. "Did they catch the culprit?"

"No, but Cookie says he has someone on closed circuit. Maybe he wants to ask us to help with the painting and repairs. Let's go down there right now. We can have our coffee at Thyme Out and talk to him, figure out how we can help."

Olivia nodded. "I'm ready. Just have to grab my purse and lock up. Don't forget, this is my first day at Hello Age."

Michael looked down at his bare feet. "We'll hurry. Give me five minutes and I'll meet you at the truck."

By the time she turned to lock the front door, he'd already started the engine. He reached over to give the passenger door a shove open.

Olivia hoisted herself into the seat and slammed the door behind her.

On the short drive to town, Michael was the first to speak. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

She pulled her hair back into a ponytail. "Maybe our reluctant teen has taken revenge on their employer?"

"Right. That's exactly what I was thinking. Raleigh was in such a mood and so defensive yesterday. Once Janis picked them up and hauled them to the constabulary, I don't suppose the mood improved."

Olivia sighed. "You tried to talk sense to Raleigh. I hope Janis was able to listen and make some headway. I'm still wondering where Raleigh hangs out when they’re not working."

"Maybe Janis put them in a cell overnight." Michael smiled.

Sighing, Olivia said, "Did we make things worse by confronting Raleigh and turning them over to Janis?"

Michael shrugged as the truck rumbled into town. "It's so early there's a spot in front of the bakery." Michael circled back to pull into a parking space. They both hopped out of the truck, Michael stopping to close her door.

"Everything looks okay from the outside," Olivia remarked, eyeing the bakery window.

"Except for one thing." Michael pulled up his sleeve to look at his watch. "By seven o'clock there's usually a line out the door."

Olivia’s stomach growled. "I know two customers who are ready for coffee and a thyme muffin," she said.

Inside Thyme Out, Cookie stood behind the counter, arranging pastries in the glass display case. He looked up and smiled, though Olivia immediately noticed a wary look around his eyes.

One glance around the room made her realize why. Everywhere she looked, slogans had been sprayed on the walls with black paint. "Trans people won't be erased," the main wall stated in big letters.

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