Jingle Buried Cookies (Black Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery Series Book 9) Read online

  Annie saw Paul walk out his front door with a big bag. “I’m glad I bumped into you,” she said.

  Paul locked his door and turned around. “Hello, Annie. I’m on my way to the hospital.”

  “Oh? Visiting someone?”

  He held up a bag. “Not exactly. I heard about how John Elmwood was hit by a truck and I’m dropping a gift off for him.”

  “You know John?”

  Paul hefted the bag to his other hand while he slid his keys into his pocket. “I bumped into him a few times last summer. He took great interest in my gardens and we talked a bit. I was impressed with his knowledge of all the local plants and he taught me some things about plants right around here. I hope he isn’t hurt badly.”

  “They had him in surgery for a broken leg and I heard he might have suffered a concussion. He was lucky, I guess. It could have been so much worse.”

  “You got a lot of information already.”

  “Well, I saw the whole thing and the doctor filled me in after he asked me some questions.” Annie pointed to the bag. “That’s really kind to bring something over. I’m sure his mother will be there with John if you want to talk to her.”

  “I don’t want to interfere, just trying to be a good Samaritan. You must have seen the truck that hit him. Did the police catch the person yet?”

  “Unfortunately, I was looking at John and never got much detail on the truck except the color. I’m hoping John can remember more once the police have a chance to question him. He’s extremely observant.”

  “I’ve got to run. Was there some reason you stopped in?” Paul asked as he began to walk toward his garage.

  “Actually, I was wondering if you could tell me what kind of guy Daryl is.”

  Paul stopped and turned toward Annie. “I represented his ex-wife during their divorce, a messy, protracted affair. She had to get a restraining order out against him after he threatened to kill her.”

  That was more than what Annie expected to hear. Daryl had a violent streak. “Do you think he could have had a reason to kill Nelson?”

  Paul’s shoulders bobbed up and down. “Anything is possible, but to be perfectly honest, in my opinion, I think Charlene or Cookie had more of a motive.”

  Chapter 22

  Jason pulled into the driveway at the same time Annie and Roxy left the Lake Trail and walked toward Cobblestone Cottage.

  Jason rushed to Annie’s side, held her shoulders, and examined her from head to foot. “I had to get home to check for myself that you’re all in one piece. Where’s Leona? I thought she was keeping you company until I got home.”

  “I took some cupcakes to Thelma Dodd and Leona didn’t want to risk getting roped into helping with the crossword puzzle.” Annie chuckled. She knew Jason would agree with Leona’s choice on that subject.

  Jason nodded his head. “I can relate to that. And did you help her solve any great new mystery?” Jason opened the door for Annie.

  “It was already done so we had tea and a cupcake and a little chat before her eyes got droopy and I knew it was time to leave. She loves my visits but she doesn’t have much stamina.”

  “And you came right home?” Jason hung their coats up.

  “She better have. That was her promise,” Leona said, giving Annie her stink eye glare.

  “You caught me.” Annie limped to the couch and swung her legs onto the cushions. “Roxy took off the wrong way and got distracted by Paul’s walkway before I could get her headed in the right direction back home.”

  Leona handed Jason a plate with his cheese and tomato sandwich. “Hungry?”

  “You’re a savior. I never had time between getting Annie’s call and driving home to grab a bite.” He sat on the couch with Annie sliding her legs onto his lap. He balanced his sandwich on her legs and set a glass of cider on the coffee table. “How is John doing?” The tender concern in Jason’s voice reminded her of his empathy for others.

  “The doctor expects him to be fine. I want to go back to the hospital and visit him. I’m not sure if he’s up for a visit yet, but I’d like to check. Apparently, he kept saying my name over and over. His memory is the key to finding out who ran into him because all I saw was a black truck but that could belong to so many people in town.”

  Jason shoved the last bit of his sandwich in his mouth and set his plate on the coffee table. “I’ll be ready to leave, as soon as I change out of my suit into something more comfortable.”

  Leona snatched her coat off the hook by the door. She had one arm in the sleeve and the door open. “I’ll meet you there after I pick up a box of Christmas cookies. I know John’s mother and she probably needs as much support as she can get right about now.”

  Annie and Jason left about ten minutes after Leona. They didn’t see her car in the parking lot so they went in to check if they could visit John yet. The nurse on duty informed them that he was asleep and his mother requested that he not be disturbed.

  “If you brought something for him, I can add it to his pile.” The nurse waved her hand toward a pile of gift bags. “The outpouring has been unbelievable but that’s how it is in a tragedy like this.”

  Leona slid to a stop next to Annie. “Thanks for waiting downstairs for me,” she said sarcastically. “Any news how John is doing?”

  A woman quietly walked out of room 314. The door clicked shut.

  “Judy?” Leona moved toward the woman. “How is John?”

  The woman looked up. Her expression was like a startled doe, not sure who addressed her. “Leona? Are you here to see my Johnny?”

  Leona put her hand on the small of Judy’s back and guided her toward the small sitting area at the end of the hallway. “These are my friends, Annie and Jason Hunter.”

  Judy’s faced jerked toward Annie. “You were with Johnny when it happened?”

  Annie lightly put her hand on Judy’s thigh. “Yes. Your son probably saved me from being hit.”

  “The doctor told me he kept saying your name over and over before he went under the anesthesia. Who did this? Hit and run? So cowardly. Johnny never hurt a flea. He loves nature, plants and animals alike. It’s people that don’t always treat him well that he avoids. He learned early on to stay out of the way of bullies.”

  “I’m so sorry, Judy. I was so focused on John that all I saw was a black truck. It’s not much for the police to go on.”

  “Johnny will tell us more once he wakes up again. He has a photographic memory. Some things don’t work right in his brain but he never forgets anything.”

  “How are you doing, Judy?” Leona asked. “I brought you something if you feel like you need a pick-me-up. Or you can save it for John.” She placed her box of Christmas cookies in Judy’s lap.

  “So many people have sent things over—lots of get well cards, stuffed animals, food. It’s a bit overwhelming to be honest. John doesn’t want any of it in his room. Before he went back to sleep, he told me the food might be poisoned. What am I supposed to do about that?”

  Leona patted her box of cookies. “I can assure you that these cookies are not poisoned.”

  “Of course not, dear.”

  “Who else brought food?” Annie asked. “Is he always particular about what he eats?”

  “He’s particular but he’s never made a claim like this before. Do you think I should take it seriously?”

  Annie looked at Leona and nodded almost imperceptibly.

  “At this point, until we know more, I’d take it seriously. Better to be safe than sorry, right? I can take care of the food if you don’t want to deal with it,” Annie said.

  “Would you? It’s too much for me, but I hate for it to go to waste.”

  Annie stood. “Don’t even give it another thought. When do you think we’ll be able to see John?”

  “He’s been waking up every two hours. Come back if you can. I know he wants to see you.”

  Annie stood. “How about I get you some coffee and you can dig into Leona’s cookies?”

 
“Coffee and a cookie would be wonderful right about now,” Judy said. A sigh escaped through her lips. “Will you stay and join me, Leona? I’d much rather have some company than sit here alone.”

  “Of course I will,” Leona answered. “Make that two coffees, Annie.”

  Annie and Jason found a vending machine outside the cafeteria. “What should we do about the food?” she asked him.

  “Call Tyler or Detective Crank. Who would you rather talk to about this?”

  “That’s a tough one but I think I’d prefer to call Tyler. He came to the hospital after John got hit and we actually had a normal conversation. And since this poisoned food idea is not coming from me, he’ll have no choice but to do something about it and not just accuse me of being ridiculous or paranoid.”

  “Okay. Let’s get these coffees back upstairs, call Tyler, and load up everything that people dropped off for John. We should keep a list of names, too.”

  Judy had already informed the nurse that Annie would be taking all the items that had been left for John. Not just the food.

  “That poor woman,” the nurse confided in Annie. “Her son has special needs and this hospital environment is so difficult for him. All the interruptions, the noises, and people he doesn’t know have forced the doctors to keep him sedated. He’ll be going home as soon as possible where he’ll be able to get into his normal routine.”

  “We’ll handle all these gifts and make sure they get to the Elmwood home.” Or the police, Annie added to herself since she didn’t want to alarm the nurse.

  “Bless you. She’s completely overwhelmed with sitting by his side to keep him calm. Thank you for helping.”

  The nurse offered a cart and helped load the bags and cards. A stuffed dog fell out of one bag. “This is adorable. He’s got a cast on his leg, just like John. I hope this fellow is some comfort to him when he gets home.”

  Annie made a quick decision. “Keep this here. I know he likes dogs and he might like to have some company in his hospital bed.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Annie nodded. “Check with his mother first, but, yes, I think he’ll like this one.”

  Jason elbowed Annie. “That stuffed dog looks a lot like Roxy.”

  “That’s why I suggested to leave it here. John connected to Roxy when I saw him in the woods. Maybe it will help to trigger a memory that helps us find the hit-and-run driver. Besides, who doesn’t like a cute stuffed animal?”

  They pushed the cart to the elevator. Annie called Tyler. She kept her fingers crossed that he would be available to take her call.

  He answered and Annie let out the breath she was holding.

  “Tyler, it’s Annie. Can you meet me at the hospital entrance?”

  “Is John awake and ready to talk?”

  “No, but I’ve got something I need to discuss with you.”

  “On my way.”

  “You really think this is necessary?” Jason asked Annie after she hung up and slipped the phone back into her coat pocket.

  “What? Hand all this over to the police? I don’t want it at our house. Just in case.”

  “Just in case something is poisoned? Do you believe that?”

  Before Annie could answer, the elevator doors opened. Tyler walked into the hospital as Annie and Jason pushed the cart toward him.

  “What’s all this?” Wrinkles formed between Tyler’s eyes as he looked at the cart full of bags.

  Annie glanced around the hospital entryway. “Maybe we should discuss this outside. Away from everyone.”

  Tyler nodded and led the way to his cruiser parked to the side of the main entrance. “What’s going on?”

  “John is sleeping. I don’t think you’ll be able to talk to him until he gets home since the hospital environment is way too stressful for him and the doctors are keeping him sedated.”

  Tyler nodded. “And this stuff? I hope this isn’t a wild goose chase you called me about.” The irritation was evident in his tone.

  “People in town have been dropping gifts off for John. Some of this is food and John’s mother said that John is afraid it might be poisoned,” Annie explained.

  Tyler peeked inside one of the bags. “Seriously? He thinks someone would try to poison him while he’s at the hospital? If you told me this, Annie, I’d think you were being paranoid. I guess I have to take everything and have some testing done.”

  Annie glanced at Jason with an I-told-you-so tilt of her head.

  “Don’t be so skeptical, Tyler. His theory is more than possible. I’m sure that whoever hit John was really trying to run me over. John saw that truck so wouldn’t it be logical to get rid of him?”

  “You saw the truck, too, so by your reasoning, someone will still be after you.” Tyler leveled a piercing stare at Annie. “We’ve been checking all black trucks in town and, so far, nothing has turned up with any damage to the front end consistent with hitting a bike.”

  “That’s not encouraging,” Jason said. “How about Daryl Hansen? He drives a black truck. I see it go by my driveway every morning between seven and seven thirty.”

  Tyler pursed his lips and looked away. “We haven’t been able to locate Daryl. Annie, I hope you plan on taking every precaution to stay safe until we find the driver of that truck.”

  She nodded as a chill set in her bones.

  Cobblestone Cottage was a comforting haven when Annie returned with Jason. Roxy wagged her tail. Even Smokey and Snowball left the comfort of the couch to wind around Annie’s legs. The animals seemed to sense that she needed their special animal attention.

  Jason raked the coals in the fireplace and added a few pieces of dry kindling and two bigger logs. Annie started to put the tea kettle on but changed her mind and found an open bottle of Merlot in the fridge.

  With two wine glasses, the Merlot, and a box of crackers, she made herself comfortable in front of the fire.

  Annie filled the wine glasses. “Daryl Hansen has moved to the top of my suspect list. I hope Tyler finds him sooner rather than later.” And before he finds me, she left unsaid.

  Chapter 23

  The Wednesday morning light, or lack thereof, hinted at the promise of a winter storm. Grey clouds hung low over the lake and the wind howled outside.

  Annie wrapped a fleece blanket around herself as she sipped her morning coffee. Jason was already gone for the day after leaving strict instructions for Annie to stay home or help Leona at the café since she was finally cleared to open for business.

  She had no intention of wandering around with the threat of a storm looming and the worry of when or where Daryl might pop up. She shivered with that looming possibility.

  Roxy whined.

  “You’ll have to take yourself outside for a quick walk.” Annie opened the door. “I don’t think you’ll want to be out for long.” Roxy rushed down the porch steps. After a quick trip to the edge of the yard, she was back at the door ready to return inside to the warm comfort of the house.

  Annie had every intention of going directly to the Black Cat Café, but as she approached the parking lot, she didn’t turn in. Instead, she continued to Main Street and parked in front of Cookies ‘n Dreams. No black truck was in the driveway so she decided it was safe to ask Cookie a few questions about her missing boyfriend.

  The door jingled as she entered the sweet smelling shop. “Cookie? Are you in the back?”

  Cookie pushed through the swinging door, drying her hands on her apron. “I didn’t expect to see you back here so soon after I told you you’re not welcome, and I’m not sure I’m happy about it.”

  Annie ignored the comment and Cookie’s attempt to get under her skin. She had more important items on her agenda than a petty argument. “Where’s Daryl?”

  The blunt question seemed to fluster Cookie until her eyes narrowed to suspicious slits. “Since when do you keep tabs on him?”

  “Since he tried to run me over yesterday.”

  Cookie’s jaw dropped. “What are you talking about?
”

  “You heard the crash. A black truck hit John Elmwood and if John hadn’t been where he was, I would have been right in that truck’s path. I think it was me that was the target and not John. The police need to see if Daryl has any damage on the front of his truck.”

  “He’s out of town since early yesterday so it couldn’t have been Daryl. Why on earth do you think Daryl would try to run you over?”

  “Just a hunch.”

  Cookie laughed and shook her head. “Daryl will be home tonight if you want to stop by and run this theory by him.”

  “Thanks for the invitation.” And I’ll be sure to bring Police Chief Johnson along, Annie added silently. She certainly wasn’t going to visit Daryl on her own.

  Annie sighed with relief when she left Cookies ‘n Dream. At least she found out when Daryl would be around, and she didn’t believe for one minute what Cookie said about when he left town. Maybe that was what he told Cookie but it would have been too easy for Daryl to follow Annie to Cookies ‘n Dream and wait for her to leave the shop.

  The storm began while Annie was inside talking to Cookie, and by the time she left Cookies ‘n Dreams, her car was covered with a thin layer of snow. She brushed off her windshield, thankful that it was a light, dry snow, and drove to the Cove’s Corner parking lot. It felt good to be getting back to work in the café, although she wasn’t sure if she could manage to be on her feet for the whole day.

  Paul Ames parked next to Annie and she waited for him to get out of his car.

  “I was happy to hear that the Black Cat Café is open for business.” Paul said. “Hot chocolate and a blueberry muffin while watching the snow fall sounds like the perfect recipe for a snowy day.” He held his arm out for Annie.

  She took his offered arm, glad for the extra support. He really wasn’t so bad, as long as you were on his good side and not on the side of a divorcing spouse, she decided.

  Once inside the Black Cat Café, Paul stood in front of the French doors that opened to the porch with Heron Lake beyond. Snow was already falling at a fast and heavy clip. Driving might be tricky on the way home and the storm was sure to keep customers away.