Page 35 of Murder on the Page

“It’s cold,” I warned. I’d switched off the machine after my second cup. “Use the single-serve option on the right.”

“You have a microwave.” She zapped her mug for oneminute, pulled it out, and took a swig. “Aah.So much better than the crud Chloe made this morning. I swear, why can’t she measure properly?”

“She probably has a pod-style machine at home and never has to.”

Tegan perched on a stool and wrapped both hands around the mug. “Talk. Why do you know which clues the police have so far?”

“Zach invited me on a hike, and—”

“Ooh.”She waggled her eyebrows in comic fashion. “You and Zach went on another date?”

“Don’t get ahead of your skis. It wasn’t a date. He cajoled me into it in order to question me.”

“The devil. He doesn’t think you’re guilty, too, does he?”

“No. And because I’m crafty, I was able to pry a few tidbits out of him.”

“Like . . .”

I filled her in on the ones I could share. That gloves were used, meaning the killer left no prints. That the techs were studying the empty envelope. “Maybe they’ll find something on the envelope that will prove the killer’s identity.” I told her about the police locating Marigold’s keys and that both doors of the shop had been locked.

She bobbed her head. “The police asked me for names of services Auntie might have given her keys to. There were four. Did you learn anything else?”

“No,” I said, hating that I couldn’t spill the tea. “We went to the Brewery later on.”

“That’s definitely a date!” She thrust a finger at me.

“Possibly. I don’t know.” I pulled items from the pantry so I’d be ready to make my baked goods, once I was done with the meat stock. “While we were enjoying our beer, Katrina left for the night, and Wallis took over the bar shift.” I recapped Wallis’s account.

“What do you think Marigold discovered?” Tegan asked.

“No idea. The police will question Katrina.” I wondered if Zach had followed up on that yet.

“Mom chatted with the estate attorney. He said he’ll present Auntie’s will tomorrow morning at ten a.m. He’ll meet us at Feast for the Eyes. Will you come? I don’t think I’ll be able to handle Vanna with only Mom as backup.”

“I’d be glad to support you.”

“FYI, my lovely sister sent a scathing response to my text about the memorial. She’s such a diva.”

It was to be expected, I supposed.

“Did you tell Zach what Lillian’s customer said about seeing something suspicious at Graham Wynn’s house?” she asked.

“I did.”

“And?”

“He’ll be checking that out, too.”

Tegan glanced at her watch. “You know, I have time before I have to relieve Chloe. Can your stock sit?”

“It needs to simmer for two hours.”

“Perfect. I’ve got an idea. Come with me. I’m driving.” Tegan didn’t wait for me. She slipped on her jacket and raced out the door.

“Be there in a sec,” I called after her.

Rather than leave the stock on the stove with an untended gas flame, I transferred it to a slow cooker and set it on low with a two-hour timer. I snatched my coat and scarf and zipped after my pal.

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