Page 4 of A Box of Wishes
“They sent a detective round right away. He brought in the crime scene techs. They’ve photographed and fingerprinted everything and asked me about a thousand questions.” Very few of which had had anything to do with the break-in.
“Can you still open?”
“Sure. The cafe and kitchen are fine, so it’s business as usual for today and tomorrow. After that, it might get a touch dicey.”
“What? Why?”
“They made a mess of all my paperwork. I know I have no big orders for the next two days, and the freezer is full. After that…”
“So you’ll be filing.”
“Like a clerk.”
She laughed, knowing how much Ryan hated paperwork. “I’m sorry I’m not around to help.”
“You’re no better at sorting papers than I am. Where are you, anyway?”
“At a food fair in Tokyo. I’m collecting all kinds of yummy samples for you. The sweets are amazing. We had a demo this morning, where the chef created individual treats for each of us from layers of sugar paste and fruit jelly.”
“Wagashi?” Ryan loved his sister’s enthusiasm as much as her ability to distract him when he most needed it.
“That’s it. The apple jelly was out of this world. I’m bringing samples and recipes. I’ve found a couple of cookery books for you, too.”
“You remember I don’t read Japanese, right?”
“Yes, thank you. I don’t think it matters. They’re full of graphics and diagrams. They’re the bits you want.”
“If you say so.” Ryan headed to the kitchen, phone clamped to his ear. Cara was a buyer for a chain of delicatessens, and with a restaurant, a coffee shop, and two pubs in the family, she always kept an eye out for special recipes or unusual ingredients. Ryan had learned to pay attention to her comments. It allowed him to stay ahead of the trends.
“Any new coffee flavours I should know about?”
“Nothing that really floated my boat. Spiced teas are a thing this year. And almond blossom tea.”
She yawned so heavily that Ryan heard her jaw crack. “Go to bed,” he said. “You’re clearly worn out.”
“True.” She yawned again. “And I have more of the same tomorrow. Keep in touch, will you? And stay safe.”
“Always. You know that.” He ended the call, grateful for the reprieve it had brought and not at all surprised when his mind returned to the mess in his office, the strange questions the police had asked, and the memory of DS Hobart sitting in the nook, cradling a cup of tea.
“Ben. A moment?” Detective Inspector Tarbert’s voice stopped him before he’d made it to the end of the hallway.
“Yes, sir?”
“With me.” Tarbert tilted his head towards his office.
Ben followed his boss, settled himself into the visitors’ chair in front of the inspector’s desk, and waited.
“You were first on the scene at the break-in at the coffeehouse?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Impressions?”
He’d pondered on the drive to the station how to phrase his report. “It’s a well-kept place. Welcoming. Warm. Immaculately clean, and popular.” The police van outside hadn’t stopped people from coming in to check on Ryan. Neither had it prevented Ryan from feeding everyone who needed food, including the crime scene techs and Ben himself. “The thieves forced the back door and tossed the office, but nothing appears to be missing.”
“According to?”
“The owner, sir. He checked once the techs had finished. The safe was undisturbed, as was the cash register.”
