“Maple syrup,” Noah said after another bite.
“Bingo.”
“Yeah. Go me.” Noah pulled out his cellphone and called Jake McBride, Branna’s husband and another friend.
“Put your wife on, I need to brag,” he said after Jake answered.
“Hello, Noah.”
“Hey, Irish. I just guessed the mystery muffin. Tell her.” He held out the phone.
“He guessed it right, Bran. First time!”
“Asshole,” she sighed. “But as I have to prepare for my daughter’s birthday party, I can’t stay on the phone insulting you for too much longer.”
“It’s all good, you keep on trying, honey, one day you may even get it right,” Noah said.
“I’m almost tempted to take back that invitation, but I like your sister.”
“Aww, come on, you love me, Irish, and your daughter too.”
“Okay, but you have to bring me chocolate.”
“Deal. Take care, Branna.” He threw some insults at Jake when he got back on the phone, then pocketed his cellphone. His thoughts returned to Lani. He still couldn’t get his head around the fact she was in town. What were the chances she’d end up here?
“What?” Buster handed him a coffee.
“Nothing. Just thinking.”
“Yeah, I can see how that would be a problem for you.”
“Ha ha.”
“Willow and I were talking about that facility along the lake. The one that’s been there a few months and you’re all bent out of shape over,” Buster said.
“I’m not bent out of shape. It just pisses me off that something’s going on there and we don’t know what.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Buster waved the servers he held. “No need to start in on all that now, green boy, we get that it bothers you.”
“I’m not a green boy just because I want to know they’re not genetically modifying food or doing other dodgy stuff there. It’s responsible to be aware of that shit, Buster. Like it is to look after the environment.”
“I recycle, and I don’t know why they would be using that place for nefarious intentions.”
“Nefarious, really?”
“I’ve been reading.” Buster was suddenly busy cleaning the counter. “It’s important that I can always relate to my children.”
“And you think they’re coming out using words like nefarious?”
“Shut up.” Buster raised a hand. “I am neither for nor against genetically modifying stuff, but I do know it has its place sometimes. They’re not polluting the lake or anything, nor do they have rowdy parties and race through town in their V8s.”
“Once. I did it for a dare, and it was you who put me up to it.”
“It’s a moment etched in my memory.” Buster closed his eyes. “Especially when Sheriff Tasker cuffed and dragged you into the Liar.”
“Whatever, now focus. Here’s a couple of clues for you, Baker Boy, as to what is going on down the road. Two huge greenhouses the size of a football field, security gates, and a large fence.” Noah had been trying to find out what was going on inside that compound for weeks. “Plus, no one is talking.”
“He on about the aliens again?” Tex wandered over.
