“That’s what they’re there for? What about people who are already calm?”
“Different cookie tin, no added magic. That’s the sort Violet had.”
He made me switch equipment to whip up the non-magical batch. Heck, he even allowed me to choose the flavor. I went for my trusted stand-by, chocolate chip, with a few drops of peppermint essence. My mouth watered as I took them out of the oven.
With the all-important baking out of the way, I tidied the kitchen while my mundane cookies rested. They’d cooled enough for me to snatch one on my way to get changed. As I’d hoped, they’d come out with a firm crust and a soft inner. Chocolate and mint mingled on my tongue. My aunt would have loved them.
I pushed that thought aside. If the cat and I were to solve a murder, I needed a firm grip on my emotions, and my brain power.
“Where to first?” I asked him. I owed it to him to take the lead, not only because he’d do it anyway, but also because he let me snap his picture with the shower cap on for my daughter. I’d sent it to Alex to show her how great everything was on my side.
“Normally, I’d say you wait until the library fills with customers and let the cookies help us with interviews. But since we’re still closed, we must start elsewhere.”
“We could take a tin over to the police station. Being neighborly and all.”
“In the middle of an investigation? The dispatcher might accept the gift, but the officers won’t give you the time of day.”
“Do you have a better idea?”
“We’ll go where all the gossip happens.”
Chapter eleven
Thanks to my early rising, we caught the tail-end of the morning coffee crowd atSweet Surprise. I’d invited Ange to come along, since she knew people in town much better than I did. Also, although Cosmo had nixed the idea she was a born witch, he admitted she had great instincts, honed by her Wicca studies.
She’d been happy to put down her tools for a while, she told me as we met at the door. The café owner welcomed small, well-behaved dogs, so I figured a well-behaved, medium-sized cat who caused no trouble would be welcome too. Especially one that wore a harness and possessed the power of the purr.
Inside, we saw a few moms recovering after the school run and shopping, to go by the bags on their sides. I recognized Mimi and two mature ladies from the garden club. The other woman on their table was a stranger to me.
Soft chatter mixed with the noise of a coffee grinder, the whoosh of a milk steamer, and the snuffles from an elderly beagle underneath Mimi’s table.
“Hello, Cosmo.” The waitress, a woman with neon-pink hair that made my blue appear sedate, stooped to tickle his chin.
“You don’t mind me bringing him?” I asked.
“Goodness me, no. Your aunt, may she rest in peace, brought him all the time. Here’s where she used to sit.” She led us to a corner table, angled between the moms and the garden club ladies.
I glanced at the name embroidered on her frilled apron. “Thank you, Vonda.”
“Violet will be missed, I’m telling you that. Why, when my momma fell ill, she sent her books and flowers and some home-made cookies every week.” She handed us two bound menus.
We waved them aside. “Mochaccino for me,” I said.
“I’ll have the organic orange blossom tea,” Ange added.
“Normal milk okay for you? Or you can have semi-skimmed, skimmed, soy, almond, oats, or goat milk.” She fished a notepad and out of her apron pocket. Electronic devices hadn’t yet made their appearance in the café, in keeping with the nostalgic design that reeked of the 1950s and 1960s.
“Normal milk is fine.”
Cosmo purred. Vonda’s heart melted. “Does he want a saucer with milk?”
“I’m afraid no. Lactose can be so bad for animals.” I took a bag with treats out of my purse. “If you could give me a saucer for these?”
“Sure.” She bustled off.
“It’s awful what milk can do to their stomach.” One of the garden club ladies turned around to address me. The woman next to her nudged her. She colored slightly. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
“Don’t be silly.” Ange’s bright smile took the sting out of her words. “You all remember Violet Walker’s niece, Bex?”
