8 Scones, Skulls & Scams Read online

“What was that about?” Lexy unlocked the back door to her bakery.

  “Sounded like they want to get into your bakery.”

  “Yeah, it sure did.” Lexy looked around the gleaming stainless steel kitchen. “But, what could they possibly want in here? And who was that guy?”

  Cassie shrugged. “Maybe he is her business partner. My guess is they want your scones recipe. If they can win the contest it would lend a lot of credibility to their bakery … even if it is full of repurposed grocery store items.”

  Lexy pressed her lips together. Winning the contest would give the bakery credibility, but surely, they couldn’t want to run a bakery that bad. She knew from experience the bakery business was no road to easy riches—it required a lot of hard work for very little money. And if you don’t like baking in the first place, which it seems the people over at The Brew and Bake didn’t, then what was the point?

  She grabbed her purse and wool navy blue pea coat from the coat rack where she kept the vintage aprons she liked to wear. She hadn’t wanted to explain her dumpster diving plans to Jack, so she’d told him she and Cassie were going out for some “girl time” after work. He would be expecting her home soon.

  “I guess we’d better be going.” Lexy shoved her arms through the sleeves of her coat then the two of them went back out the door to where their cars were parked behind the bakery.

  Lexy glanced across the narrow parking lot toward The Brew and Bake. “I have a funny feeling something strange is going on over there—it seems like someone is going to an awful lot of trouble just to win a baking contest for a bakery that doesn’t even bake its own pastries.”

  Chapter Five

  The next morning, Lexy noticed the sewer workers were back in full force. They’d closed down the street, causing her to take a detour to get to the bakery from the other end of the road.

  Walking from her car to the back door of the bakery, she resigned herself to another day of low sales. At least the other bakery would suffer the same predicament, since the whole street was blocked off this time.

  She figured the sewer workers were putting in an extra effort to make up for the lost day yesterday, which reminded her that Nans would be coming to grill her about any information Jack had given up regarding the skull. She’d better hurry if she wanted to get scones baked and sugar cookie dough out of the freezer to thaw before she got sidetracked with Nans.

  Focused on her thoughts, Lexy didn’t notice the door hanging slightly open until she tried to insert her key and the door swung inward without her even having to unlock it.

  Her blood froze as her eyes registered the splintered wood around the lock—someone had broken in!

  She stood in the doorway for a few seconds and then took two tentative steps inside.

  “Hello?”

  No one answered, so she made her way toward the kitchen, her heart sinking when she saw the mess. Cookbooks lay spread open and her recipe box had been torn apart. Recipes lay in messy piles on the counters and spilling onto the floor.

  Reaching in her coat pocket for her cell phone, she ran to the front of the store expecting to see smashed display cases and food all over the place, but the front room looked just as she’d left it the night before. Either whoever broke in had run out of time and never made it to the front room, or they’d found whatever they were looking for in the kitchen and didn’t need to look further.

  Her shaky fingers managed to find Jack on her contacts list and she pressed the button to call him.

  “Perillo,” he answered in the voice he reserved for police business.

  “Jack, it’s me,” Lexy said in a rushed, breathless voice. “The bakery’s been broken into!”

  “What?” Lexy could hear alarm in Jack’s voice. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I came in this morning and the door had been broken. The kitchen’s messed up, but the front room is okay. I guess whoever did it is long gone.” Lexy glanced across the street at The Brew and Bake.

  “Okay, you stay put and I’ll be right over with a crime unit,” Jack said, then added, “And don’t touch anything.”

  Lexy heard a sound behind her and whirled around just in time to see Cassie stop short in front of the opening to the kitchen.

  “What the heck?” Cassie’s mouth fell open. She turned wide eyes in Lexy’s direction.

  “Looks like we’ve been broken into,” Lexy said. “The lock on the back door was jimmied.”

  “What? Why?” Cassie sputtered. “Did they take anything?”

  “I don’t know … Jack said not to touch anything, but I don’t think it can hurt if we look around a little.”

  Lexy followed Cassie back into the kitchen. “What a mess.”

  “I don’t see anything missing. I mean the blenders are all here, the equipment is in place.” Cassie gestured around the room. “The only thing out of place is all this paper.”

  “The recipes.”

  Cassie frowned down at the pile on the floor. “Wait. You don’t think …?

  “I sure do.”

  Best friends since high school, the girls had an uncanny way of being able to read each other’s thoughts. She knew Cassie referred to the conversation they’d heard behind the dumpster.

  “We heard them say they needed to get in here just last night,” Lexy said. “And then this morning we come in to this. I don’t think that’s a coincidence.”

  “Not to mention, it looks like they were only interested in your recipes,” Cassie pointed out.

  Lexy’s heart crunched when she thought of her grandmother’s handwritten scone recipe. Sure, she had a copy of it on her computer, but she still didn’t want her competitor getting a hold of the recipe. Besides the original recipe written in her grandmother’s hand had sentimental value.

  She bent down to pick the recipes off the floor and then remembered Jack’s warning. “Crap, Jack said not to touch things, so I guess I better leave these here. But it won’t hurt to at least look at them to see if the scone recipe is gone.”

  “Right,” Cassie agreed.

  The girls sifted carefully through the piles with Lexy taking the floor and Cassie the counters.

  “Hey, I think I found it!” Lexy pointed at a yellowed piece of paper turning her head sideways to read it. “Yes! That’s it.”

  “So, they didn’t take it?”

  “I guess not.” Lexy frowned at the paper. Maybe they’d written out a copy? But it didn’t make sense they’d take the time to do that.

  Something shiny under the cabinet caught her eye.

  “Hey. What’s this?” She reached under the cabinet to retrieve the item—a gold and pearl ring which she held up to show Cassie. “Did you lose this?”

  “No.”

  “Lose what?” A voice squeaked from the doorway. Lexy turned to see Detective Watson Davies standing there with Jack right behind her.

  “Detective Davies. Nice to see you again,” Lexy said.

  “Same here.” Davies jaw worked up and down on a piece of gum. Lexy couldn’t help but notice Davies’ fashionable buckle-studded black leather boots. The woman did have excellent taste in footwear.

  “So, are you tampering with evidence again?” Davies nodded toward the ring.

  “Oh, sorry.” Lexy grimaced. “I found it on the floor and thought it was Cassie’s.”

  “But it’s not.” Davies looked at Cassie who shook her head.

  “And you don’t know who else it could belong to?”

  Lexy shook her head.

  “Do a lot of people have access to the kitchen?”

  “No.”

  “Then it might belong to whoever broke in,” Davies pointed out.

  “Right.” Lexy gingerly placed the ring in Davies’ glove-clad palm while trying to keep from getting fingerprints all over it.

  “I guess we should start making a list of what was taken,” Jack said.

  “Well, that's the thing.” Lexy looked around the room one more time. “Nothing was taken.”

&n
bsp; “What?” Davies scrunched up her face. “Who breaks in to a place and doesn’t take anything? Did you check the cash register? What do you have of value here?”

  “We cash out every night. The appliances are valuable, but they’re all accounted for. The only thing that’s out of place is the recipes.” Lexy gestured toward the counter and floor.

  “So, you’re trying to tell us someone broke in for recipes?” Davies asked. “Who would do that?”

  “I’m pretty sure I know who,” Lexy said. “In fact, I bet if we take that ring across the street we’ll find out who it belongs to and you’ll have your thief.”

  ***

  “I don’t think you should be coming over here with me,” Davies said as she stomped across the street, the plastic bag holding the ring dangling from her hand.

  “What if I just happened to want to go over to get a muffin or brownie?” Lexy knew Davies was right, but she just had to see the other baker’s reaction when caught red-handed. Luckily, Jack had already left after assuring himself Lexy was okay—he never would have allowed her to accompany the detective to question the other baker.

  Davies sighed and rolled her eyes before wrenching the shop door open, causing a cacophony of bells to jingle.

  The blonde stood behind the counter, handing a bakery box to a customer. She jerked her head in Davies’ direction as if sensing danger, her eyes widening at the sight of the badge-wielding Detective with Lexy at her side.

  “Can I help you?” The blonde glanced nervously at the customer who hurried to the door. Lexy noticed the sugary-vanilla scent of baked goods wafting in the air and wondered how that could be possible if the baker bought all her goods from the grocery store. Maybe she used vanilla scented candles or potpourri? Lexy pictured pots of baking scented potpourri simmering on the stove out back.

  “I’m Detective Watson Davies…” Davies flashed the badge in her face. “…and this is Lexy Baker.”

  “Perillo,” Lexy corrected.

  “Right. Baker-Perillo.” Davies shot an annoyed glance at Lexy.

  “Caraleigh Brewster.” The blonde’s brow creased slightly as she stepped out from behind the bakery case to shake hands with both of them “What is this about?”

  “Are you aware that Ms. Baker … err … Mrs. Perillo’s bakery was broken into last night?” Davies asked.

  “What?” Caraleigh seemed genuinely distraught. “I had no idea.”

  “Really?” Davies cocked an eyebrow at Caraleigh and held up the bag with the ring. “Is this your ring?”

  Caraleigh’s hand flew to her chest. “Yes … I noticed it was missing just yesterday. Where did you find it?”

  “It was found in Lexy’s bakery,” Davies said.

  Caraleigh’s icy blue glare pierced Lexy. “You stole my ring?”

  “What?” Lexy narrowed her eyes at the blonde. How dare she accuse Lexy when she was the thief! Lexy drew herself up to her full five-foot-four-inch height and took a step closer to Caraleigh. “No. You dropped it when you broke in to my bakery to steal my recipes.”

  “Recipes?” Caraleigh stepped closer to Lexy. The taller woman leaned down so their faces were inches apart. “I didn’t steal any recipes. What are you talking about?”

  “Hold it.” Davies pushed them apart, shooting a warning glance first at Lexy and then Caraleigh.

  Caraleigh planted her fists on her hips. “Just what, exactly, is going on here, Detective?”

  “Well, Ms. Brewster, it seems likely you lost this ring during the robbery.”

  “The robbery where they stole recipes? Why would I steal recipes …? I obviously have plenty of my own.” Caraleigh spread her arms to indicate the bakery cases full of pastries.

  Lexy squinted into the cases. Had she baked the items or bought them at the grocery store? She leaned closer to see if she could recognize any of the desserts as being from the grocery. They looked similar, but it seemed like Caraleigh had fancied them up with additional frosting and adornments.

  “Err … well, actually we don’t think they stole anything,” Davies admitted peevishly. “But someone definitely broke in and your ring was found there. Can you explain that?”

  “Maybe Ms. Baker here did it herself to frame me,” Caraleigh huffed.

  “That’s ridiculous!” Lexy’s face flushed with anger. “Why would I do that? And how would I get your ring?”

  “Why would you frame me?” Caraleigh asked. “Maybe because you feel threatened I’m taking all your business away. As to how you would get my ring, I think I have a pretty good idea.”

  “Oh, I’d love to hear that.” Lexy crossed her arms across her chest.

  “Me too,” Davies said.

  “I noticed my ring was missing yesterday, right after I had a visit from your neighbor,” Caraleigh said.

  “My neighbor?”

  “The old guy who owns the antique store.” Caraleigh pointed across the street. “I bet the two of you are in cahoots. Somehow, he stole my ring and the two of you set it up. Although I can’t say what his motivation would be … unless maybe you were paying him.”

  Lexy glanced at Davies, her heart sinking when she realized the detective was actually considering Caraleigh’s explanation.

  “It’s plausible, but seems a little far-fetched don’t you think?” Davies asked.

  “No, I don’t,” Caraleigh answered. “Not only that, but I can prove I didn’t break in. I have an airtight alibi.”

  “Oh?” Davies’ brows raised a fraction of an inch.

  “Yes. I was at the television station WOKQ talking to Pierce Daniels about a segment they are doing on my bakery. About a dozen witnesses can verify I was there until midnight. My brother can verify I came straight home after the interview.”

  Davies whipped out her cell phone and tapped a note into it. “I’ll have to verify those. Where can I find your brother?”

  “We’re new in town, so we’re sharing an apartment at the Westlake Village. Number twenty-ten. His name his Harvey Brewster.” Caraleigh said indignantly.

  “Okay, I’ll check up on this and get back to you … both of you.” Davies turned to leave.

  Lexy glared at Caraleigh for a few seconds before following Davies to the door.

  “Oh, and detective?” Caraleigh yelled after them causing Davies to turn around. “Next time, you should think about doing a more thorough job before accusing innocent people. I don’t appreciate it and if it happens again … I’ll have your badge.”

  Lexy bit her lip at Davies’ outraged look, but the detective didn’t get a chance to say anything before Caraleigh opened her mouth and spoke again, this time to Lexy.

  “And you, Ms. Baker, better mind your own business … while you still have a business left to mind.”

  Chapter Six

  Lexy struggled to keep a lid on her anger as she stomped back across the street to her own bakery. The back door hung open and she bent down to inspect the area around the lock, now covered with black fingerprint dust. She’d have to call someone to have it replaced right away.

  “How did it go? Did she confess?” Cassie stood in the doorway eyeing Lexy and Davies excitedly.

  “No, she denied it. Claims she has an airtight alibi,” Lexy said rolling her eyes.

  “I’ll be checking that out today,” Davies said. “In the meantime, you guys are free to clean all this up and get back to business as usual. We dusted the lock for fingerprints, but I doubt we’ll get anything from it.”

  “That’s all you’re going to do?” Lexy stared at Davies.

  “Well, since there was nothing stolen, there’s not much for us to do.” Davies looked at the broken door, then out into the back parking lot. “We’ll try to figure out who broke in, but unfortunately, in the grand scheme of things, this is going to be a very low priority.”

  “But what about the ring?” Lexy asked.

  “We’ll keep that as evidence while I check out Caraleigh’s alibi.” Davies looked at her watch. “I gotta run, but I’
ll try to swing by tomorrow with an update.”

  “At least she’s not quite as abrasive as she was the last time you had to deal with her,” Cassie said as they watched Davies retreat to her car.

  “Yeah, but it doesn’t seem like she’s going to be very helpful,” Lexy added.

  “She’ll come through once Caraleigh’s alibi doesn’t pan out,” Cassie said.

  “Will it not pan out though? Caraleigh seemed pretty confident.”

  “But we know she did it—”

  The bells jingling on the front door interrupted Cassie, and Lexy’s spirits picked up. “Sounds like we have a customer!”

  The girls rushed to the front room. Lexy felt a minor tinge of disappointment to see Nans, Ruth, Ida, and Helen come through the door instead of the throng of paying customers she was hoping for.

  “Did I just see the police leaving here?” Nans asked.

  “Yes.” Lexy told her about the break-in and their suspicions it was the bakery owner across the street.

  “What makes you think it was her?” Nans asked.

  Cassie and Lexy exchanged a sheepish glance. “We kind of heard her say that she needed to get in here.”

  “Kind of?” Nans’ brows creased as she eyed Lexy.

  “We took a little trip over there last night to peek in her dumpster and heard Caraleigh and some man talking.”

  “Oh, that sounds exciting.” Nans’ eyes sparkled. “I wish you’d called me to go with you.”

  “So, did you tell Davies you overheard her?” Ida asked.

  “Well, that’s the thing.” Lexy sighed. “We really can’t tell her because then we’d have to reveal we were sneaking around back there and it could make us look suspicious. As it was, Caraleigh accused me of planting the ring to incriminate her!”

  “Oh, the nerve. Now why did she think you would do that?” Helen asked.

  “I wouldn’t.” Lexy answered. “But I did find out something else interesting.”

  “What?” The four ladies chorused.

  “Her dumpster was loaded with boxes from the grocery store bakery. I think she’s just loading her cases up with purchased goods.”