“The police think it’s
“No. They don’t know yet,” said Ginger.
“So, now we’ve got a major crime being investigated by a chief of police who couldn’t shoot his way out of a box of corn flakes,” said Barb.
“It could have been just an accident,” said Ginger.
“I don’t buy it,” said Barb. “A healthy, sober 24-year-old doesn’t just fall down on the sidewalk and die.”
“How do you know he was sober?” said Ethel.
“Well, it was early in the morning, so I assume…,” Barb looked at Ginger. “
“I think so,” said Ginger. “Addie didn’t notice anything unusual about him when he came by the bakery.”
“I heard that he dropped off the coffee cakes and then ran out to his car and started tearing out the interior,” said Ethel. “Somebody said it looked like a wild raccoon had ripped the dashboard to shreds.”
“Where did you hear that? No. That’s wrong,” said Ginger. “He was apparently trying to find something in his glove box, and just pulled everything out and threw it on the floorboard.”
“What do the police think he was looking for?” said Barb.
Before Ginger could speak, Jane said, “They don’t know. But once they figure that out, they’ll understand what happened to him.”
“Who told you that, Jane?” said Barb. “One of your ‘horny hobblers?’
“No,” shouted Jane. “I mean—they didn’t tell me that. And they’re not horny and they don’t hobble.”
Barb loved to needle Jane about two seventy-something year-old deputies who often came around flirting with Jane at the diner.
“Well,” said Barb, “if you ever decide to go out with one of them, you’d better
“Barb,” said Ethel, “quit picking on her.”
“I’m not interested in that,” said Jane. “I just love a man in uniform.”
“Yeah, uniforms are great,” said Barb. “You can hide a whole lotta ugly inside one of those things.”
“Well, that was just rude, Barb,” said Ethel.
“I call ‘em like I see ‘em,” said Barb. She threw back her tea glass and gulped down half of it.
“Well, not that it matters, but I got my information from two fine,
“Those boys are greener than Foenapper,” said Barb. “What we need around here are more veteran officers —men who can command some respect. All we’ve got is a couple of over-the-hillers and a pack of skinny-butt pimple-poppers.”
“Well, I’m sure our new mayor will try to get higher salaries for our deputies,” said Ethel. “Then maybe we can get some men with more experience.”
“If y’all will allow me to speak,” said Jane, “I’ll tell you what I found out.” She cleared her throat for the big pronouncement, and then waited until all eyes were on her. “They found a pair of panties under his front seat.”
“So? They were probably
Ethel giggled.
“No, no,” said Jane. “They were
“Still could have been his,” said Barb.
“I don’t think so,” said Ginger.
“Why? What do you know?” said Jane.
“Probably nothing,” said Ginger. “Anyway, I don’t want to talk about it. Let’s change the subject.”
“I’m all for that,” said Ethel. “What’s for dessert?”
Jane jumped in before Ginger could answer. “Coffee Cake of the Month.”
“Oh, wonderful,” said Ethel.
“Bring it on,” said Barb.
“Okay.” Ginger got up and went into the kitchen.
“What’s it called?” yelled Jane from the breakfast nook.
“Firecracker Cocoa Cake,” said Ginger.
“What?” yelled Jane.
Ginger would not answer anymore yells. She uncovered the serving dish and carried it back out to the table, along with four dessert plates and forks. “It’s called Firecracker Cocoa Cake.”
“Ooh—sounds hot,” said Ethel. “So, it tastes like hot cocoa?”
“No,” said Ginger, “not at all.”
“Come on, Ethel,” said Barb, “that would be too easy.”
Ginger sat the serving dish in the center of the table and then placed a dessert plate and fork in front of each of the women. She had pre-sliced two of the mini-cakes.
They each took a slice and began to eat it.
“It’s not really that hot,” said Ethel. “Oh—I take that back. It’s getting hotter. In fact, I don’t know if I can —”
“—yes, you can, Ethel,” said Ginger. “Hang on.”
“Okay,” said Ethel. “I see what you mean. It almost got too hot for me. But not quite. Then it cooled back down a little. How unusual.”
“And delicious,” said Jane.
“Weird combination of flavors,” said Barb. “But I really like it.”
“Thanks.” Ginger smiled. Her new recipe had passed the ultimate test.
Ginger’s cell phone rang. She couldn’t imagine who would be calling her at 6:30 p.m. She took it out of her pocket and checked the caller ID. It was an unknown caller.
“Hello? (pause) Oh, hi, Chief.”
The other three women watched with great curiosity.
Jane motioned for Ginger to put him on speakerphone.
Ginger clicked the button. “So, what did you find out from the medical examiner?”
“He’s not finished. They apparently had a rash of suspicious deaths in Longview last night. So, Navy’s been waiting his turn. I’ve got one of my deputies down there. He was supposed to call me when they were getting close to Navy. But he took a quick dinner break, and when he got back they were almost done with him.”
“I see. Well, do you know
“Yeah. Are you at home?”
Ginger was puzzled. “Yes.”
“Good. I want you to ride down to Longview with me.”
“Right now?” She looked at her guests.
“Yes. I’m on my way.”
Was he coming from his office? If so, he would be there in less than a minute. “Why do you want
“Well, from what my deputy told me, it sounds like they found some kind of poison in Navy’s body. And we know he ate one of your coffee cakes, so—”
“—how do you know
“We found a cellophane wrapper on the front seat of his car. The label said ‘Sweet Ginger Cake.’”
Ethel stared at her empty dessert dish and gulped. She looked at Barb and then at Jane. Clearly, they were all having the same thoughts: (1) There was no way that their dear friend would try to poison them (2) But under the circumstances, would it be considered bad manners to barf up their dessert?
Chapter 10
