Amy sat on her regular stool, watching me prep the shop for the upcoming day. “I can’t believe Jackie might have to go to jail for this. Did you tell her lawyer about the travel scams?”
I stacked a sleeve full of cups near the coffeemaker. “Believe me, he knows everything. And now, so do I. What in the world was she thinking? You can’t solve problems by committing new crimes.”
“You have to give her credit, at least her heart was in the right place. Jackie and Mary have become close over the last year. You’d break into a business to help me out, right?” Amy sipped her hot chocolate and watched me over the lid.
“No, I don’t think so. And if I did, I’d bring Greg along with me to make the breakin a semilegal search.” I laughed and poured my own cup of coffee, walking around to sit next to my best friend. “Who am I kidding? Of course I’d do exactly what Jackie did for Mary. What does that say about my character?”
“That you value your friendships over trivialities.”
“Trivialities like private property and breaking-and-entering charges.” I sighed, setting the coffee down untouched. “I’m worried, Amy. What if she has to go to jail? She’s not a strong woman.”
Amy touched my arm. “Your aunt is the strongest woman I know. Besides, she’s not going to jail for trying to stop some lowlife from ripping off Mary. I have friends in the media. We can rally popular support for her. Just say the word.”
“Thanks. That means a lot.” I nodded at Amy’s phone. “You talk to Justin lately?”
“Not for a couple of days. He’s texted, but he took off work and went home for a short trip. His mom’s really nice. She probably told him if he didn’t show up at her house, she would come to his. He says she worries.” Amy stared at the phone, and I could tell she was wishing it would ring. “I should have been more supportive, I guess.”
“You didn’t know how much finding Kent would affect him.” I felt bad that I had made fun of Justin myself, but I wasn’t his girlfriend.
“I guess.” Amy straightened her back and looked at me, an idea forming in her head. “So what does Greg say about who killed Kent? Is he ready to throw the guilty party into jail?”
“Greg doesn’t talk about suspects with me. You may want to hang around and see if you can charm some intel from Toby, though.” I took a sip of my coffee. “Every time I think I might have a viable suspect for him, the lead peters out.”
“Like Evelyn Baker?” Amy finished off her coffee. “Too bad we can’t blame this on Mayor Baylor. He and Tina are gone on a weeklong cruise, and you know she’s going to want me to make up her scrapbook when she returns. Digital and print.”
“Oh, the life of a small town city planner.” I put the back of my hand on my forehead. “At least they are out of your hair. You can count that as your vacation, too.”
“So true.” Amy stood and headed to the exit. “Time to make the donuts.”
I watched my friend slip out the doorway, just as Leslie, Anne, and a couple of the bank tellers I didn’t know walked in the café. “Good morning. I just stocked the display case this morning with an assortment of cheesecakes and some brownies the bakery swears will replace your need for sex for a week.”
One of the girls nudged Anne. “You better get a couple of those brownies now that your on-the-side guy is harassing the angels.”
“Ruth, that’s mean.” Leslie put her arm around Anne and nodded toward the table. “You two go sit down, and I’ll buy the coffee with an assortment of pastries. Deal?”
Ruth and the still unnamed woman claimed a table in a sunny spot in front of the window. I opened the display case and held up a pair of tongs. “What can I plate up for you?”
“Just give us four pieces, doesn’t matter. And two large coffees, a large mocha, and a skinny latte.” Leslie dug in her purse while I pulled out three cheesecake slices—traditional, pumpkin marble, and a new chocolate mousse that was heavenly. When I reached for a peanut butter pie, a hand stilled my movement.
“Dish up one of those brownies. Ruth may be crass, but she’s right on one point. My body is missing Kent more than my mind.” Anne’s voice wasn’t much louder than a whisper.
Not knowing what to say to that, I grabbed two of the brownies. “One on the house.” Then I went to make the drinks.
“So glad the auditors showed up today for a vault audit.” Leslie opened her purse. “We’ll get paid for the time they’re there, and then they’ll reimburse me for the money I spent on this.”
“Did you all get to leave?” Somehow I hadn’t thought they’d kick out the employees while they counted the money.
Leslie laughed. “Everyone but the new branch manager they brought in from corporate.”