Spells and Scones by Bailey Cates Page A

was no actual threat made, so Ms. Miller was told she could come in and file a report today.” He cleared his throat, and when he spoke again his tone was firm. “Katie, Angie Kissel had clear motive and obvious opportunity. I just have to figure out how she got the cyanide.”
    â€œAnd how she convinced a woman who loathed her to let her close enough to poison her sweet tea,” I said.
    He was silent.
    â€œAre you looking at anyone else? Remember the man I told you about who also heckled Dr. Dana?” The one who liked the jalapeño corn pones so much.
    â€œHe left well before the victim went in back—”
    â€œDetective Quinn! First off, Ben gave . . . Dr. Dana had the sweet tea beside her the whole time she was signing. People were walking by and milling around, and she was distracted by her adoring fans. Plus, anyone could have come in from the alley before Angie came in and found the body. Including that guy. Do you even know his name?”
    Quinn sighed. “No. If he bought something, we’ll get around to questioning him. Croft gave us a list.”
    â€œHis wife is named Sophie,” I offered. “And what about Dr. Dana’s husband and sister? They weren’t in the bookstore when she apparently took the poison. One or both of them could have sneaked around back—”
    â€œNow, come on, Katie. I’m not an idiot. I checked on their story about moving the car closer so Dana Dobbs wouldn’t have to walk three blocks after the signing. The timing is right, and several patrons who were sitting in the front window of the Chive Restaurant saw them get in the car and go back toward the bookstore.” He paused. “I thought you said you didn’t know Kissel.”
    â€œI don’t.”
    â€œSo what’s your stake? You have no reason to fight the obvious like this. You might have been helpful before—somewhat helpful,” he quickly corrected himself. “But now you’re just being contrary. I’m disappointed in you, Katie.”
    â€œQuinn, you’re not—”
    â€œSeriously. This is one you can leave to the professionals. Good-bye, Katie.”
    Mungo tipped his head and looked at me with worried eyes.
    â€œWell, heck.” I thumbed off the phone. “Little guy, maybe Angie did do it.”
    His forehead wrinkled.
    â€œI know, I know. But there is a lot of evidence.” I frowned. “But there was against Uncle Ben, too, and we all
knew
he didn’t kill Mavis Templeton. Is that how you feel about Angie?”
    He responded with a quiet but intense
Yip!
    I made a decision. “Okay, then.” I softly stroked his ears. “I’ll do what I can.”
    When I returned to the kitchen, Iris whirled around from where she was unloading the dishwasher.
    â€œHoly cow, Katie! Lucy just told me about what happened last night in the Fox and Hound. You didn’t say a word about it earlier.”
    â€œSorry. We were pretty busy . . .”
    She waved her hand. “Never mind that! She said you were back there talking to a
detective
?”
    I nodded. “Detective Quinn. You remember me telling you about him last August.”
    â€œOf course! Are you going to solve the murder like you did then?”
    Lucy made her way back from the register. “There are customers out there, and they can hear you, Iris.”
    â€œOops! Sorry,” she stage-whispered.
    â€œKatie, what did Peter have to say?” my aunt asked in a low tone.
    â€œWell, you were right about the cyanide.”
    Iris’ eyes widened.
    â€œAnd our pastries were all untainted,” I said. “So were the water bottles. Someone put it in the sweet tea Ben gave her, and Quinn is sure as anything that Angie Kissel did it.”
    Lucy looked thoughtful. “Hmm. She was pretty obnoxious at the signing, and then she came back.” Her eyes cut toward our helper. “But we can talk about