Kitty Cats and Crime Read online

  Kitty Cats and Crime – A Norwegian Forest Cat Café Cozy Mystery – Book 6

  By

  Jinty James

  Copyright © 2020 by Jinty James

  All rights reserved

  No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.

  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  DEDICATION

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  EPILOGUE

  DEDICATION

  For Annie and AJ

  CHAPTER 1

  “Look at my peacock!”

  Lauren Crenshaw glanced over at her cousin. Zoe pointed to the fancy design she’d created on the surface of a large latte.

  “That looks great.” Lauren smiled.

  “All ready for Ms. Tobin.” Zoe grinned, picked up the tray, and headed toward the Norwegian Forest Cat Café’s fussiest customer, seated at one of the pine tables.

  On this Wednesday morning in late April, Annie, a large Norwegian Forest Cat for whom the café in Gold Leaf Valley, Northern California, had been named, snoozed in her pink cat bed, taking a rest from her usual duty of seating the customers.

  A loud growling sound made Lauren blink. Zoe stopped on her way back from Ms. Tobin’s table, and halted.

  “What’s that?” She frowned.

  Chug chug, grr grr.

  “Brrt?” Annie lifted up her head, shook herself, and jumped down from her basket. She trotted to the counter and looked up at Lauren. “Brrt?”

  “I don’t know what it is, Annie,” Lauren replied. It sounded like the noise came from outside.

  “Whatever it is, it’s loud.” Zoe winced as another grumble filled the air. “I’m going to have a look.” She marched to the entrance door, yanked it open, and froze. “Lauren, you’d better come quick!”

  “What is it?” Lauren raced around the counter and joined her cousin. She sucked in a deep breath. “Oh, no!”

  Right outside their café idled a bright pink truck. The word Cupcakes was emblazoned on the side numerous times, in bold, gold lettering.

  The serving hatch slid open and a guy in his late twenties stuck his head out of the space.

  “Get your cupcakes right here! Amazing cupcakes for everyone!” He grinned. His spiky blonde hair was gelled back, and he wore fashionable stubble. His gaze met Lauren’s and he winked. “That’s right, ladies, come and get some!”

  “Brrt?!” Annie padded to the door, seeming to take in the scene, her green eyes wide.

  “Exactly,” Zoe told her. “What on earth is going on?”

  “We’d better find out.” Lauren stepped out onto the street. “Stay inside, Annie.” She turned back to glance at the cat.

  “Brrt.” Annie’s lower lip jutted out a tad.

  “You’re in charge in there while we’re out here.” Zoe waved a hand toward Ms. Tobin, sipping her latte and seeming not to notice the commotion outside.

  “Brrp.” Annie sounded a little happier, but didn’t stray from her position next to the front door.

  “You can’t sell cupcakes here!” Zoe charged up to the truck.

  “Our café is right there.” Lauren pointed to their shop, just in case it wasn’t obvious. “We sell cupcakes. And coffee.”

  “That’s right,” Zoe told the stranger. “And Lauren’s cupcakes are awesome!”

  “I’m sure there’s enough business to go around.” The blonde guy smirked. “My cupcakes are awesome, too.”

  “We’ll see about that,” Zoe muttered, giving him a death glare.

  “What’s with the cat?” The guy pointed to their café. Annie stood near the door, as if guarding the coffee shop.

  “She’s my cat. She seats our customers,” Lauren replied.

  “That’s a good trick.”

  Lauren wished she hadn’t given him that much information. Her first impression of this guy was not a good one. She didn’t know whether it was because she was upset over his sudden arrival or scared he was going to steal their customers, but there was just something about him that didn’t appeal to her.

  He wore a gold t-shirt that enhanced his tanned, well-muscled arms, and then she noticed something that made her eyes flare.

  He had a tattoo on his arm.

  A portrait of a man’s face.

  She glanced from his arm to his countenance, and back again. And did a double take.

  The portrait was of himself!

  “Yeah, I get that a lot.” He grinned at Lauren, flexing his arm, the sketch of his face seeming to wink at her. “The ladies love it.”

  “What?” Zoe nudged her, looking at her inquisitively.

  “I’ll tell you later,” Lauren whispered.

  “I don’t think it’s legal for you to be here,” Lauren told him politely. She’d never seen another truck operating like this on the road.

  “Legal schmeagle.” He shrugged.

  “You’re blocking the road.” Zoe gestured to the two-lane road.

  “But street parking’s allowed, isn’t it?”

  They looked at each other. He had them there.

  “But you’re touting for business.” Zoe glared at him. “That’s not parking, that’s – that’s – loitering!”

  “I think I’ll wait until someone with more authority tells me to move on. Not two café girls.” He shook his head, as if their assertiveness amused him.

  Zoe opened her mouth to speak, but Lauren gave her a warning glance. “Let’s get back.”

  He disappeared from the serving hatch. The chug chug of the engine stopped.

  “I’m not loitering now.” He grinned at them in satisfaction. “I’m legally parked.”

  “Ooh!” Zoe looked like she wanted to stamp her foot.

  “Don’t you want to try one of my cupcakes?” he asked. “They’re real good!”

  Lauren scanned the hand-scrawled list taped to the side of the truck. Chocolate, red velvet, and strawberry. His prices were practically the same as hers. But she couldn’t see any cupcakes out on the counter.

  “Do you serve coffee as well?” she asked.

  “Nah.” He shook his head. “I’ve heard your coffee is good, so I didn’t want to compete.”

  “But you’re competing with our – Lauren’s – cupcakes,” Zoe pointed out.

  “Even I know making a good latte can be an art.” He shrugged. “But I don’t see what the big deal is about making cupcakes. Anyone can do it.”

  “Anyone?” Zoe’s eyes flared. “What do you mean, anyone?”

  Lauren baked all the cupcakes, and made the batter and frosting from scratch every day. Zoe didn’t have the same cupcake making flair that Lauren possessed.

  “Just what I said.” He smirked again, seeming to enjoy her reaction. “They’re easy to make.”

  “Ooh!” Zoe stomped back to the café. Lauren followed her.

  “What was all that about, girls?” Ms. Tobin inquired as they re-entered the café. Ms. Tobin used to be their prickliest customer, but after they had warned her she was being scammed online, Ms. Tobin had mellowed a little. Annie jumped up on the chair next to her.

  “I think we’ve got a cupcake rival,” Lauren said glumly.

  “And we don’t even know his name.” Zoe planted her h
ands on her hips. “Unless it’s Mr. Smirky.”

  THE CUPCAKE TRUCK REMAINED outside for the rest of the day. So did a lot of their customers.

  “I can see them,” Zoe huffed that afternoon, her nose almost pressed against the window. “They’re going up to the truck and buying cupcakes – and – and – eating them!”

  “Maybe he’s giving them away,” Lauren said hopefully. “Free samples.” She didn’t like to think that her customers were disloyal. On the other hand, they had a right to eat whatever they liked – from whomever they liked. Even if she didn’t like it.

  “I just saw money change hands!” Zoe made it sound like the worst possible crime.

  “At this rate there’ll be cupcakes for our dinner tonight.” Lauren tried to look on the bright side. But too many cupcakes wouldn’t do her curves any good. She’d vowed to improve her fitness earlier that year, but apart from taking a few more walks at lunchtime when she was able, she hadn’t gotten very far.

  “Goody!” Zoe grinned, but Lauren noticed that for once it didn’t reach her eyes.

  Ed came out of the kitchen – a rare occurrence. He was their pastry chef, with monster rolling pins for arms, and made light, flaky Danish that everyone raved about.

  “Want me to take care of him, Lauren?” he asked gruffly, his short auburn hair sticking up in tufts.

  “Um ... not yet,” she replied.

  “Her police detective boyfriend can do that,” Zoe said. It didn’t sound like a joke.

  “But thanks, Ed.” Lauren smiled at him.

  “Let me know.” He nodded to both of them, vanishing into the kitchen.

  “Maybe Annie and AJ can take care of him – Smirky.” Zoe jerked her head toward the street.

  AJ was an eight-month-old brown tabby Maine Coon cat that Annie had found the previous year. She now resided with Ed, or was it the other way around? Lauren knew AJ had him wrapped around her little paw.

  “Have you called Mitch and told him we’ve got a problem?” Zoe pointed to the pink van parked outside.

  “No.”

  “Why not?” Zoe glanced around the empty café, the pale yellow walls and pine tables and chairs looking lonely. “That guy’s only been here one day and already he’s stealing our customers.”

  “At least he’s not selling Danish pastries,” Lauren pointed out. “Our customers should still come in for Ed’s baking.”

  “And our coffee.” Zoe sounded a little cheerier. “He said he wasn’t making coffee and everyone knows that your lattes are the best!”

  “So are yours,” Lauren said loyally. Last year they’d taken an advanced latte art class and after practicing a lot, they could both pull off an excellent peacock or swan, as well as the usual array of hearts, tulips, and rosettas. They used great quality beans and were experts at foaming milk.

  She had already told Zoe about the tattoo she’d spied on the newcomer’s arm. Zoe’s face had registered shocked awe at the revelation. “I’m going to have to see that for myself,” she’d vowed. “I can’t believe I missed it!”

  Now, Lauren scanned the empty tables. Annie sat in her cat bed, her ears pricked and her eyes alert, ready for their next customer.

  The entrance door opened. Lauren and Zoe turned to see who it was.

  “Hi, Lauren, and Zoe.” Father Mike, from the local Episcopalian church, entered the shop. Balding, of medium height and build, he was a popular member of the community.

  “Brrt!” Annie ran to greet the priest.

  “Hi, Annie.” He bent down to greet her. “Why the long faces?” He stood as he addressed Lauren and Zoe.

  “We’ve got competition.” Lauren explained.

  “And he’s stealing all our customers.” Zoe scowled.

  “I’m sure once the novelty wears off everyone will be back to enjoy your cupcakes,” he told them. “Your baking is wonderful, Lauren, and everyone around here knows it.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled.

  “You’ve also got Ed’s pastries, and your coffee. I’m sure there’s no need to worry.”

  “I hope not,” Zoe said.

  “What can we get you, Father?” Lauren asked.

  “I’d love a cappuccino and a raspberry swirl cupcake.”

  “Coming right up,” Lauren replied.

  “Where should I sit, Annie?” he asked the cat.

  “Brrt.” Annie led him to the table nearest the window. “Brrt.” Sit here.

  “Good thinking, Annie.” Zoe beamed at the silver-gray tabby.

  Annie seemed to smile back at Zoe before hopping on the opposite chair to the priest’s.

  “Ha! Mr. Smirky doesn’t have a gorgeous cat like you with him, Annie.” Satisfaction crossed Zoe’s face.

  Annie and Father Mike ‘conversed’ as Lauren made the coffee and Zoe plated the cupcake. The priest told Annie about the latest church service, and she replied in a series of brrps and brrts.

  They brought the order to Father Mike and chatted with him for a few minutes, before leaving him to enjoy his treats and Annie’s company.

  “Now what should we do?” Zoe furrowed her brow. “Father Mike is our only customer.”

  “Want to take a break?” Lauren suggested. “I can take care of things here.”

  “I feel like I’ve been taking a break nearly all day,” Zoe grumbled. She scowled in the direction of the pink van. “I think you should call Mitch and have Smirky taken care of.”

  Before Lauren could answer, the door opened and two women walked in, carrying garish pink paper bags.

  “Okay if we sit here and eat our cupcakes?” one of them asked, plonking herself down at an empty table and ripping open the bag.

  Lauren stared at her. So did Zoe.

  “Brrt?” Annie turned her head from her seat at Father Mike’s table to look at them in a scolding manner.

  The two women were strangers to Lauren.

  After a second, Zoe found her voice.

  “No, it is not okay. Not unless you order a beverage. This is a café. Not a public park.”

  “Sorry,” the other woman said. She gave them an embarrassed smile. “I told you it wouldn’t be all right,” she hissed to her friend.

  “Okay, sure.” The first woman shrugged. “I’ll have a latte.”

  “I’ll have the same,” her friend added.

  “All right, then.” Zoe slid off the stool behind the counter and started grinding the beans, the scent of hazelnut and spice filling the air. “I’ve got this,” she murmured to Lauren.

  “Okay.” Lauren sat back down on her stool.

  Annie kept an eye on the two women from Father Mike’s table.

  Rip!

  The other woman opened her paper bag containing a cupcake.

  Lauren’s gaze was riveted to the concoction. A large wobbly swirl of chocolate frosting decorated the top of the cake. Colorful sprinkles, white and pink mini marshmallows, and silver sugar pearls festooned every speck of the frosting.

  “Wow!” The woman who had barged into the café and plonked herself down looked at her friend’s cupcake in admiration. “Mine’s the same. Look!” She pulled out the cake from the pink bag.

  Indeed it was. More wobbly chocolate frosting, the edible decorations crammed in every direction on top.

  Zoe paused in foaming the milk, her eyes wide.

  “That’s a sugar explosion waiting to happen,” she muttered to Lauren.

  “I know.” Lauren couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She would have been a little embarrassed to serve something so over the top, but the two women didn’t seem to mind how sugary sweet their cupcakes looked; instead they seemed to revel in it. Was there a new cupcake trend she’d missed?

  “That guy is so cute.” The first woman laughed. “I wouldn’t kick him out of bed for eating cupcakes.”

  “I know what you mean.” Her friend smiled, then bit into the cake. Her eyes widened as she munched. “OMG. So sweeeet.”

  “Let me try.” The first woman stuffed her cupcake in
to her mouth. “Mmm. Mmm. Mmm.”

  “Two large lattes.” Zoe marched over with their order. “You can pay at the counter when you’re ready to leave.”

  Lauren frowned at her cousin’s curtness. She wasn’t a fan of these two strangers, but they were paying customers – at least now. But the women seemed too engrossed in tasting their treats to notice Zoe’s tone.

  “Yeah, thanks.” The pushy woman nodded as Zoe set the coffees down, with only a standard heart design on the microfoam, instead of Zoe’s usual more advanced art.

  “They don’t deserve a peacock,” Zoe whispered to Lauren when she returned to the counter.

  “Do you really think those cupcakes taste that good?” Lauren asked her in an answering whisper. She cast her gaze down to the glass cases she sat behind. Raspberry swirl, orange poppyseed, and vanilla cupcakes filled the space, with elegant frosting and subtle decorations on top, as well as Ed’s apricot, and apple Danishes.

  “They can’t be,” Zoe murmured fiercely. “Everyone knows yours are the best.”

  “Thanks.” Lauren smiled at her cousin. “But what about—”

  The door swung open and Mitch strode in.

  “Whoa,” the pushy woman said, the cupcake halfway to her mouth. “Who’s he?” She eyed the tall, dark-haired man in his early thirties.

  “What’s going on?” Mitch asked as he reached the counter. His lean, muscular frame was encased in charcoal slacks and a gray button-down shirt.

  “About time you got here,” Zoe told him.

  “Zoe!” Lauren admonished her.

  “Sorry,” Zoe apologized, “but that guy out there—” she pointed to the street “—is stealing all our customers!”

  “Why didn’t you call me, Lauren?” Mitch asked, his brow furrowing.

  “I know you’re busy,” Lauren said. “But what can you do? Is he committing a crime by parking outside and selling cupcakes?” She hoped he was.

  “Yes,” Mitch replied shortly. “He’s touting for business, using street parking without a permit. I’ll tell him to move on.”

  “Thanks,” Lauren replied, touching the gold letter L necklace he’d given her. Sometimes she still had to pinch herself that Detective Mitch Denman was her boyfriend. They’d been dating for a while now and it was becoming serious.