Enchantments and Espresso Read online

  “If there is such a book, then why haven’t I seen it?” Maddie asked.

  “Maybe … maybe it’s invisible!” Suzanne pulled up outside the Estherville sheriff’s department.

  “Do you have an invisible spell book, Trix?” Maddie asked the snoozing cat.

  “Mrrow?” Trixie blinked up sleepily at her.

  “She’s not telling.” Suzanne grinned. “I totally get it, Trix.”

  Maddie shook her head at her friend’s persistence. She gathered the Persian in her arms as they headed into the sheriff’s station, hoping to see Detective Edgewater.

  Suzanne looked behind them as they walked in.

  “No Kevin,” she said with satisfaction. “Good job, Trix.”

  CHAPTER 12

  Once Maddie and Suzanne told Detective Edgewater what had happened in Redbud Glen, they were informed that law enforcement had apprehended Kevin in his office. He’d wailed that he could barely move his limbs, and had to be practically carried out of the building.

  It seemed that whatever Trixie had done, the effects wore off slowly – luckily for them.

  By the time Kevin was interviewed, he was a babbling mess, confessing to Vanessa’s murder without asking for a lawyer.

  “Guilt can do strange things to people,” Detective Edgewater told them the next day as he stopped by Brewed from the Bean. “The stress of murdering Vanessa must have made him think he couldn’t move – or maybe he just couldn’t stomach killing again, and that was why he thought he was frozen.”

  Maddie, Trixie, and Suzanne exchanged a glance.

  “For sure.” Suzanne’s ponytail swished.

  “Mm-hm.” Maddie focused on the espresso machine as she made Detective Edgewater a vanilla cappuccino.

  “Mrrow.”

  “You’re just lucky he was unable to move, Maddie.” The detective looked at her sternly. “I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you – or Suzanne or Trixie.”

  “Mrrow.” Trixie looked at him innocently.

  “Make sure your humans stay out of investigations from now on,” Detective Edgewater told the Persian. Then he chuckled. “I can’t believe I’m talking to a cat.”

  “I’m sure she understands you,” Maddie said, handing him his coffee.

  “Yep,” Suzanne chimed in. “I think Trixie understands everything. But I don’t know if she’ll do as you ask.”

  Maddie, Trixie, and Suzanne shared a secret smile.

  ***

  “I can’t thank you enough, girls,” Jill told them the following day. Maddie, Trixie, and Suzanne had decided to drop by Jill’s café in Aunt Winifred. Trixie was playing in the garden with Boyd, who’d seemed thrilled at her surprise visit.

  Customers sat at tables, the sound of people talking and laughing a pleasant background sound.

  The four of them sat at a table in the corner, where they could have some degree of privacy.

  “I can’t believe it was Kevin.” Bob shook his head in disbelief. “I’ve known him for years and thought we were good friends.”

  “Detective Edgewater told us he was one of their suspects,” Maddie said. “I’m sure they were close to realizing it was him.”

  “But if you girls hadn’t helped by asking people questions …” Jill’s voice trailed off. She smiled at Bob. “Although what happened was terrible, it’s brought us closer together.”

  “That’s right.” Bob reached out and took Jill’s hand, kissing the back of it. Jill blushed.

  “It’s full steam ahead for our chain,” Jill told them.

  “And full steam ahead for us too,” Bob added. “We’re going ring shopping this afternoon.”

  Maddie and Suzanne stared at each other.

  “You’re getting married?” Suzanne squeaked.

  “Yes.” Jill beamed. “People might think it’s a bit sudden, but after Vanessa – well, it made us realize how we really feel about each other.”

  “We’re in love.” Bob grinned and wrapped his arm around Jill’s shoulder. “And now we’re engaged.”

  “That’s wonderful!” Maddie hugged Jill.

  “And all three of you are invited to the wedding.” Jill giggled. “I keep thinking how cute it would be if Trixie and Boyd were the ring bearers.”

  “Let’s not get too carried away, hon,” Bob said. “How would they carry the rings? What if they got distracted and ran off during the ceremony?”

  “I think Boyd would do anything Trixie asks him to,” Jill said with a grin. “He loves spending time with her. Will you ask Trixie to be a special guest at our wedding, Maddie?”

  Maddie nodded and smiled. What else could she do? She just wondered what her familiar would think about the request to be a wedding attendant!

  ***

  I hope you enjoyed reading this mystery. Sign up to my newsletter at www.JintyJames.com and be among the first to discover when the next book in this series is published!

  Have you read:

  Spells and Spiced Latte - A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery - Maddie Goodwell 1

  Visions and Vanilla Cappuccino - A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery - Maddie Goodwell 2

  Magic and Mocha – A Coffee Witch Cozy Mystery – Maddie Goodwell 3

  Apricot Health Ball recipe on the next page in US and Metric measurements!

  Apricot Health Balls in US Measurements

  1 ¼ cups dried apricots

  5 teaspoons desiccated or shredded coconut

  1 Tablespoon honey

  Extra desiccated/shredded coconut for rolling the balls (optional)

  Whiz apricots in food processor until fine pieces. Add honey and coconut and whiz again. You may need to use the Pulse button.

  Roll into small balls.

  Roll into the extra coconut if desired.

  Refrigerate for one hour to set. Keep in refrigerator and eat the same day made.

  Makes 8 balls.

  NOTE: You may have some hard bits of dried apricot/shredded coconut in the balls despite lots of whizzing in the food processor. And the balls might be sticky!

  Apricot Health Balls in Metric Measurements

  180g dried apricots

  10g desiccated or shredded coconut

  15 mls honey

  Extra desiccated/shredded coconut for rolling the balls (optional)

  Whiz apricots in food processor until fine pieces. Add honey and coconut and whiz again. You may need to use the Pulse button.

  Roll into small balls.

  Roll into the extra coconut if desired.

  Refrigerate for one hour to set. Keep in refrigerator and eat the same day made.

  Makes 8 balls.

  NOTE: You may have some hard bits of dried apricot/shredded coconut in the balls despite lots of whizzing in the food processor. And the balls might be sticky!