Bayou Book Thief by Ellen Byron

Author:Ellen Byron [Byron, Ellen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2022-06-07T00:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

Nothing ruined a morning like a run-in with Franklin’s former nemesis, Winifred.

“I don’t care if there’s only four of them,” the tour guide hissed in Ricki’s ear, “give them the group rate. New Yorkers are big tippers.”

“What you’re saying,” Ricki hissed back, “is that Bon Vee loses money so you can make it.”

“I had no idea you were such a cynic, Miracle.” Winifred flashed a sunny smile at her charges. “We’ll have your stickers in a minute, folks.”

Ricki gritted her teeth but did what Winifred ordered, since the guide had already bragged to the visitors about being able to get them a discount. They seemed nice enough and it wasn’t their fault they’d been commandeered by the rapacious Winifred. It was enough to make Ricki feel sorry for Franklin, especially since Winifred had no qualms about benefiting from the staffing hole created by the old man’s death. “I hope you stop by Miss Vee’s after your tour. We have cookbooks, gifts, and some wonderful new souvenirs.” She held up a potholder and bamboo spoon imprinted with the Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop logo Zellah had designed for her. “These arrived this morning and I’m super excited about them.”

As Winifred hustled them off, the New Yorkers threw assurances over their shoulders that they’d be back to shop, and true to their word, they returned immediately after the tour. Ricki overheard several members of the group griping about how Winifred guilted them into overtipping. “What a schnorrer,” a husband complained to his wife.

“Larry, be nice,” she admonished him. “The poor woman lost her husband in an industrial accident and her cat, who was like a child to her, to a coyote. She lives in a hovel and can barely make ends meet. It’s a terrible life.” Ricki lifted her eyebrows. From what she knew, Winifred’s husband was a happily retired real estate agent and the couple lived pet-free in a spacious Lakeview condo miles from the nearest coyote.

Ricki took a midafternoon coffee break. A few days had passed since she’d been schooled by Detective Rodriguez, and the sting of the conversation had faded. Still Ricki didn’t mind a respite from the tension at Bon Vee wrought by the NOPD’s constant poking around the house museum and its staff. She walked past Gumbo and Jambalaya, who were trolling the ground for scraps, and joined Lyla at a café table on the patio. “I’m glad you’re here,” Ricki said to the executive director. “I think Winifred is scamming our guests.” She repeated what she’d overheard.

Lyla sighed. “I’ll talk to her. It won’t be the first time. I’d fire her if I could, but we’re still short-staffed. I had four interviews scheduled for today and they all canceled.”

“That’s weird. Do you know why?”

“No. That’s a drawback with doing everything online. If I was on the phone with someone, I could find a casual way to ask. If the applicant didn’t want to answer, I’d at least get some insight from their tone of voice.

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