Murder in the Mix Boxed Set 28-30: Cozy Mystery Addison Moore (the reading strategies book .txt) 📖

it’s all on you.” She squints at the ceiling. “Okay, here’s a riddle for you. It’s where the florist heads to buy a black rose—and yet nobody goes.”

“It’s where the florist heads to buy a black rose—and yet nobody goes?” I shake my head at the thought. “I have no clue.”

“I got it!” a female voice cries from behind, and I turn to find Cormack Featherby standing there with her fist lifted in victory. Her platinum tresses are pulled up into a high ponytail, and it seems to be having a quasi-facelift effect on her eyes. “It’s the old abandoned flower mart in downtown Leeds! And don’t you dare tell me that’s not where you were about to go to meet up with a suspect. In fact, I’m going to cut you off at the pass.” She trots out the door before I can stop her.

“Flo? When’s this turf war going down?”

“Not to worry, your blonde bestie will be fine. It’s not set to go off until next Tuesday.”

“Next Tuesday.”

I quickly text the words to Noah, along with the location and the fact that Cormack just left for the place without elaborating.

Thanks, Lot. He texts right back before my phone pings again. I’d better pluck Cormack out of there before they see anyone snooping around. We can’t afford to tip them off. Love you.

“Thank you, Flo,” I say, wagging my phone her way. “You’re going to save a lot of lives. Now let’s get out of here and talk to Donata. I bet she has the rest of the answers I’m looking for.”

“Maybe. But if she was the one to pull the trigger, she won’t live to stand trial for my murder. I’ll take care of her myself. I’ll meet you in the van.”

Within minutes, Carlotta and I pile into my minivan as Flo leads the way to our mystery destination, and I happen to notice another all too familiar minivan following us from behind.

“We’re being tailed,” Carlotta whoops. “By Keelie, Lainey, and the rugrats. I hope they don’t mind zucchini bikinis.”

Flo wheezes out her signature braying laugh. “No bikinis where we’re going, but there might be zucchini. Trust me, Lottie. Your witches are going to be glad they tagged along. They might even be upset with you for not extending the invite.”

“How could you not invite us to tag along?” Lainey smacks me on the arm. “I could have missed out on all this delicious goodness.”

Keelie moans like one only can when faced with unbelievable yummy treats. “I may never forgive you from attempting to hold me back.”

Both Keelie and Lainey head to the front of Sophia’s Sweet House as if they were hypnotized by the offerings, and I have no doubt they are. It smells like fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and fresh brewed espresso, and I have a feeling this place can keep every delicious promise those heavenly scents make.

Carlotta groans, “Lot Lot, if these desserts are half as good as they look, the Cutie Pie might be in real trouble.”

I’m afraid she’s right. I’ll admit, once we exited the highway and headed for Leeds, I thought that whole zucchini bikini scenario was still a go. But I was never happier to be wrong. I’d hate to drag little Bear and baby Josie to any dicey facilities. As soon as we pulled up and saw a line of people inside snaking toward the exit, not to mention the fact more than eighty percent of the tables in here are occupied, I knew this bakery meant business. The sign behind the counter reads a little taste of the old country. We make sweets, sandwiches, and coffee the way God intended.

Flo leans in, and a sprinkling of tiny silver stars flutters around her.

“There they are.” She points a ghostly finger toward the corner, and I spot Lorena and Donata sitting at a table with a couple of other women. “It’s a Ruthless meetup.”

Ruthless as in Ruthless Witches, her girl gang that’s supposed to mirror the mobsters that rule this town.

Lorena does a double take our way before squealing with delight and waving us over. Her long dark hair is encrusted to perfection, her lashes are so long they look as if they’re about to brush over my cheek, and she’s donned a hot pink sweat suit with the words Flo’s Hos emblazoned over the front of her sweatshirt in sparkling rhinestones that glitter as she moves. And next to her is a redheaded beauty with her lips in the same matching hue, Donata.

Lorena stands to her feet. “Come on over. We’ve got an open table right next to us!”

Carlotta and I do as we’re told, and soon we’re standing next to an empty table for six with plenty of room for Keelie and Lainey.

“Everybody”—Lorena cups her hands around her mouth—“this is Lottie Lemon and her mama, Spider. Lottie is a world-class private investigator, and she’s working on Flo’s case.”

A round of oohs circles the table.

Donata winks my way. “I bet I know why you’re here. You’re scoping out the competition.”

“You caught me.” I shrug. “I guess I’d better get in line if I want to get to eating.”

“No way.” Donata motions for me to take a seat. “My cousin Jackie runs this place for her mama, and I’m going to make sure they give you the treatment.”

She zips off just as Carlotta leans my way. “Let’s hope the treatment doesn’t involve a shiny new pair of cement stilettos.”

Flo rolls her glowing eyes. “My witches wouldn’t hurt anyone, including me. Take a seat, girls. This is going to be epic.”

I’m about to do just that when I spot a familiar blonde at a table nearby and a familiar dark-haired man with her. A quick breath catches in my throat.

“Just a minute. I think I need to say hello to someone.” I trot on over to the canoodling pair and clear my throat, garnering their attention.

The blonde with the big hair looks up, and her glossy red lips round