“They might have been successful with that last one,” said Parker.

  “Maybe someone wants to destroy the diner,” Posie said with a gasp.

  “We can only print facts, but we can discuss theories,” Carlton said. “Who has access to the pie? And who might want to hurt Ethel Waters, Donna Nestor, Nancy Hampton-Hills, or the Willow Creek Diner?”

  “This flavor is new, but the employees and recent customers had access to it,” Parker said. “Anyone who went to the diner yesterday could have gotten a slice of pie before robbing Nancy.”

  “Or if they overheard Jacques and Don discussing the new flavor before that, they could have replicated the filling,” Posie added.

  “I know our local bank manager has been itching to get his hands on the Willow Creek Diner land. It’s no secret that he thinks it could be used more profitably.”

  “The bank manager?” asked Parker. “Mr. Lowe?”

  Carlton nodded, and she frowned. That’s the man she was meeting with about her business loan.

  “I’m not sure who else would want to hurt the diner,” Posie admitted after thinking it over. “It’s an institution in this town, and I thought everyone loved it. However, the waitress who was there today seemed to be acting suspiciously. I know it was a strange situation, but the waitress seemed to hide when Nancy Hampton-Hills entered.”

  “It looks like you’re going to have your work cut out for you if you’re going to investigate this scoop,” Carlton said. “You’ll need to figure out who had means, motive, opportunity, and pie.”

  “How do you know we’re investigating?” asked Parker.

  “I know you,” he replied. “I know you’re not here just to gossip or hear a good story. You’re both people who want to help others. If you think that your friend is going to be falsely blamed, I know you’re going to try to find the truth. I just hope when all the answers come out, you’ll make sure that I have an exclusive for the paper.”

  “If that happens, we will,” Parker promised.

  “Just be careful,” Carlton said. “You always do the right thing, even if it costs you. I know you probably don’t want to talk about it now any more than when it happened, but I think you did the right thing when you didn’t kill the election scandal story.”

  “Thanks,” Parker said.

  He was right that she didn’t want to say anything else about it. That had started all the problems in her marriage, or rather, had forced her to see the problems that had always been there but she hadn’t recognized. It had also been a major factor in why she’d decided to change careers. She thought if she could get away from reporting and focus on a job that brought her joy instead of stress, she could have more time and energy to work on the issues at home. However, her husband did not agree with the choices she’d made.

  “And thank you for all the information you gave us,” said Posie.

  “You were much more helpful than Detective Emerson,” Parker added, grimacing as she thought about how he had dismissed them and their ideas.

  “He’s very by the book, but from what I’ve seen of him so far, he is capable,” Carlton said.

  “If he’s suspecting Don of being involved with these burglaries, then I don’t have faith in him,” said Parker.

  Carlton shrugged. “If the police are having trouble with this case, I bet you will too. I hope you’ll be as successful as you were with reporting. You had a way of finding good stories that were almost… magical.”

  Parker and Posie tried not to laugh at his choice of words.

  Chapter

  Four

  The next day, Parker and Posie returned to the diner. They had discussed the case after their meeting with Carlton but hadn’t come up with any more suspects. They knew that they should ask the staff who might hold a grudge against the Willow Creek Diner so they could add to their suspect list.

  They also wanted to see how Don was faring after his visit to the station and to keep showing support for the diner despite what had happened the day before.

  When they entered the diner, Posie’s eyes welled up with tears. Parker frowned. She was also saddened that there were so few diners in the establishment. She had a suspicion that Posie was channeling the sorrow and despair from the staff, who were used to a busy Sunday brunch. Today, they were serving only one table and a customer at the counter.

  “This doesn’t bode well,” Parker admitted.

  “Parker and Posie, two days in a row!” Don exclaimed, walking over to greet them. He was smiling, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He looked tired and worried despite the happy façade he was trying to exude.

  “We normally try to stagger our visits so my waistline isn’t as affected by my inability to say no to your specials and desserts,” Posie said, also trying to keep things lighthearted.

  “We felt like we needed to visit you again today,” Parker said, opting to be more honest about the potentially terrible situation. “We were worried about how you were questioned by the police. How did that go?”

  “Detective Emerson was respectful, but he seems to think that my diner and pies are somehow involved with these burglaries. He must have asked me about the recipe a dozen times.” He sighed. “It seems like the town is already associating my diner with criminal behavior. Nancy Hampton-Hills swore she was going to tell everyone that we were thieves when she left the station yesterday. It looks like she kept her word.”

  “She can’t get away with that,” Posie said indignantly. “That’s slander! They’re blatant lies about you and your business.”

  “I’m not sure what I can do about it,” Don said. “But I do know that I can bring two of my favorite customers a delicious meal. I’ll show you to a table, and you can tell me what you want. Our brunch special today is a broccoli and cheese quiche.”

  “That sounds fantastic. I think we’ll both have that,” Posie said, checking with Parker, who nodded. “We’d also like our usual tea, and I’d like a side order of hash browns.”

  “They’ll be right out,” Don promised as he gestured toward a table. But instead of sitting down immediately, Parker and Posie decided to walk around and talk to the staff to see if they could gather clues. They decided to start with Diana and approached the counter, where she was still talking to a young man.

  He looked to be about the same age as Diana. He was lanky and had a concerned expression on his face as he fidgeted with the hem of his work shirt that advertised W.C. Locksmith.

  “Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to help you?” he asked Diana.

  His bright green eyes stared at Diana with affection, but she didn’t seem to notice as she shrugged and said, “Unless you can round up some customers to cheer up my dad, I don’t know what can be done.”

  “He’s in love with her,” Posie whispered to Parker before they reached the counter. “I can feel it with my abilities.”

  “And I can see it with my eyes,” Parker replied. “But I’m not sure Diana realizes.”

  “I’m only sensing worry from her right now,” Posie whispered, “and maybe a touch of boredom.”

  “Here are some customers right now,” the young man said as he noticed the two women. “I hope you’re not here to get gossip about the diner. Diana has had a rough day. She doesn’t need to hear more upsetting rumors.”

  “Calm down, Mitch,” Diana said. “They’re regulars and friends with my dad. And even if they weren’t, I can stand up for myself.”

  “Sorry,” Mitch said sheepishly. “I’m feeling a little protective right now about my… friend.”

  “You’re probably going to be late to work now because you’ve been trying to cheer me up,” Diana said, sliding a to-go bag toward him. “Here’s your food. I went to your fallback order because our special today has cheese in it, and I know you’re lactose-intolerant. Dessert is in the bag too.”

  “You have a really great memory,” Mitch said admiringly. “I’m always impressed with how you can keep track of everyone’s usual orders and know everyone’s routines.”

  Diana waved away the compliment. “I don’t remember everyone’s preferences.”

  A grin crept across Mitch’s face. “I’m glad you remember mine. You’re right—I should get back to work so no one is locked out of their homes. But I’ll make sure to check in again. Keep your chin up. I’m sure everything will work out for the best.”

  He took his food and left. Diana turned her attention to the women.

  “I suppose that young man is trying to support you the same way we’re trying to support your father,” Parker said.

  “Well, not exactly the same,” Posie remarked, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

  “Mitch is a good friend,” Diana said.

  “Just a friend?” Posie asked.

  “What do you mean?” Diana asked.

  “Nothing,” Parker said in a way that alerted her friend that she was being too nosy. “We meant to ask how you’re holding up.”

  Diana leaned against the counter. “Well, I don’t like that the police questioned my dad about all this. So what if the diner is in financial trouble? He’s never committed a crime in his life. He’s not going to break in and rob people’s homes. It’s ridiculous.”

  “We completely agree,” Parker said, nodding vigorously. “We know Don is not behind this.”

  “We’re curious who could be,” said Posie. “Do you know anyone who hates the diner?”

  Diana frowned and picked up a cloth to start wiping down the counter. It wasn’t dirty due to the lack of customers, so it was clear that she was stalling to avoid answering the question immediately.

  “It’s not a place that people are vocal about hating,” Diana said finally. “Except for the lady who came in yesterday. That was a big exception. My dad makes good food, and he’s nice. I don’t see why anyone would hate this place.”

  The few customers in the diner had finished their meals and paid. The room suddenly seemed exceptionally empty and quiet.

  “What about someone who holds a grudge?” asked Parker.

  “A grudge?” the waitress asked, joining the group since there was no one else to serve. She was the same woman who had been there the day before, and her nametag read “Cindy.” Though Parker and Posie often saw her, they rarely spoke to her beyond a greeting because Don liked to take their orders.

  “They wondered if someone held a grudge against the diner,” Diana explained. “I don’t think there is. People don’t hate this place.”

  “You’re forgetting about someone,” a voice called from the kitchen. They turned and saw Jacques, who was leaning out the door. He was clearly interested in this topic.

  “The last waiter?” Cindy asked.

  “He definitely holds a grudge against us,” Jacques said. “And I hold a grudge against him!”

  Parker and Posie exchanged a look. This sounded like the information that they were hoping to learn.

  “What happened?” asked Parker.

  “He was fired,” Jacques explained. “We were certain that he was stealing from us. I was very angry about it. Don wanted to give him a chance to repent, but when Don brought up the thefts, Fred began insulting us all. He said our food was subpar and that he hated working here. He said if he had taken a few odds and ends, it was to stave off his boredom. Naturally, Don had to let him go.”

  “Odds and ends?” asked Posie. “So, he wasn’t stealing money?”

  “No, it was kitchen equipment. It started off small, but I soon noticed that some things I needed for food preparation were missing. It made me furious!” For dramatic effect, Jacques slammed the door to the kitchen. However, he returned a moment later to continue the conversation.

  “Did you know Fred?” Parker asked Cindy.

  “A little. I mean, we worked together. I didn’t really come over here to chat, though. Diana, this place is dead today. I don’t think we’re both needed, and there are not going to be a lot of tips. Do you think I could go home?”

  “Fine,” Diana said, setting down her cleaning rag. “You’re right. We’re not busy, and I never get to leave here. You might as well go home.”

  “Before you do—” Parker began.

  However, Cindy was already hurrying away. “I’m sorry. There’s somewhere I have to be.”

  “But she was scheduled to work,” Posie said as Cindy disappeared behind the “Employees Only” door. “Where could she have to be?”

  Don appeared, carrying the quiches and drinks on a tray. He looked at Parker and Posie’s table, then back to the counter.

  “Would you rather sit there? You can have your choice of seats today. I suppose that’s one perk for our loyal regulars,” Don said.

  “We were just talking to Diana and Jacques,” Parker said.

  “And Cindy before she suspiciously ran away,” said Posie.

  “Is anything wrong?” asked Don.

  “I’ll tell you what’s wrong,” Jacques said, reappearing at the kitchen doorway. This time, he was holding an old-fashioned kitchen device in one hand and shaking it in frustration. “What’s wrong is that no one is coming here to eat my delicious food! What’s wrong is that everyone believes those awful lies from that loud red-headed woman! What’s wrong is that we have so many pies baked and no one to give them to!”

  “I meant, is anything wrong with Cindy?”

  “She just wanted to go home because no one is here,” Diana said. “Some people don’t love spending all their waking hours here.”

  She headed toward the “Employees Only” door and left the room.

  Posie gestured to Jacques. “What is that thing you’re holding?”

  “A pasta maker,” he said. “Of course, I won’t be needing it because no one is eating here!”

  He stormed back to the kitchen. Don set the tray down and put in the food orders on the counter near Parker and Posie.

  “I’m sorry that tempers are coming out,” he said. “Everyone reacts to stress differently.”

  “They were just telling us about another time of stress,” said Parker. “When you had to let a waiter go due to theft?”

  “Fred Johnson? Oh, that was months ago. Before the flood,” Don said. “It was a disappointing situation but not as stressful as this one. I don’t want you to be thinking of all this unpleasantness, though. Enjoy your food.”

  “Oh, we will,” Posie promised. “However, we didn’t come here today just to eat. We wanted to tell you that things are going to be okay.”

  “It’s nice of you to say so.”

  “It’s not just a pleasantry,” said Parker. “We’ve begun investigating. We’re going to find out who is really behind this crime wave and clear your name.”

  “That’s very sweet of you to try,” Don said. “Please, eat your food before it gets cold.”

  Parker and Posie sat at the counter and obliged. They started eating, and Don left them to enjoy it. The food was delicious, but Parker’s mood had soured.

  “Is it just me, or do you get the sense that Don doesn’t believe we can solve this?”

  “I guess it seems like a jump to go from guidance counselor to sleuth,” Posie admitted.

  “I’m so tired of people underestimating me,” Parker said, pushing her food around her plate instead of eating it.

  “Don doesn’t mean anything by it, and he will be extremely grateful when we break the case.”

  “It’s not just Don,” said Parker. “It’s my ex, and my daughter, and everyone who questioned my decision to start my own business. It’s everyone who thinks I’m too old to try something new.”

  “I don’t think you’re too old.”

  “You’ve never underestimated me. You’re an amazing friend.”

  “And I think I’m going to be an incredible investigator,” said Posie. “I want to solve this more than anything right now. I don’t want to sit at home and meal plan and watch TV. I want to do something that matters, like save this diner.”

  “We can do it,” Parker said, holding her fork triumphantly like a spear. “Something is working in our favor tonight. It’s a full moon.”

  That night, Parker and Posie sat on the deck in Parker’s backyard. The rental she was staying in as her divorce was finalized was fairly small, but it made up for its lack of indoor space with comfortable outdoor seating.

  “Let me know if you get too cold,” Parker said. “We only need the moonlight for a little while.”

  “I’m not too cold,” Posie assured her. “This is the perfect night for this. I’m having a hot flash, so the cool air helps. I also like being away from Pete and the boys when this happens because every once in a while, I make the furniture shake.”

  “I know what you mean. Of course, I don’t have to worry about anyone seeing any magical mistakes these days, except for Malachite.”

  Hearing his name, a black cat with green eyes perked up from the third chair in their group. Parker leaned over and stroked his fur. He purred happily for several moments and then shook his head, indicating that he had received enough affection for the time being.

  “Let’s see if we can gleam the future at all,” Posie said, fanning herself with the scarf she had worn earlier.

  Parker nodded and unveiled a large crystal on her table. It wasn’t round like the crystal balls in the movies, but it worked similarly. Using her powers in the moonlight, she could sometimes see images of the future.

  “I’m sorry my hands are sweaty,” Posie said as they joined hands across the table.

  “It’s alright. It won’t affect anything. Let’s see if I can divine any clues in this case.”

  “Wouldn’t it be amazing if it could just tell us who the burglar is?” asked Posie.

  “It’s rarely so direct, but let’s hope it could be. Let’s focus.”

  They gazed into the crystal, searching for answers. They stared for several minutes until the table began shaking slightly. Malachite jumped up in surprise and slinked away.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9