The Crêpes of Wrath: A Pancake House Mystery by Sarah Fox

anyone talk like that about Jimmy?
    “So,” Ida went on, still smug, “he’s no longer here to get rid of me.”
    “But I am,” Ivan’s voice boomed from behind me.
    I jumped and Ida’s head jerked up, her eyes wide behind her thick glasses. Ivan stepped forward and I scooted to the side to stay out of his way. He loomed over Ida, his muscular, tattooed bulk even more intimidating than usual.
    “Leave. Now.”
    Ida didn’t move.
    “Now!” Ivan bellowed, his voice booming through The Flip Side.
    Ida’s chair screeched across the wood floor as she rose to her feet. She stomped halfway across the room before spinning around. “You’ll regret this.” She spat the words in Leigh’s direction. “You’ll see.”
    With that, she charged through the front door and out of sight.
    I realized that both my hands were balled into fists at my sides, all my muscles taut. Forcing myself to relax, I surveyed the other diners. They all stared at us, wide-eyed. I couldn’t blame them.
    Shocked silence had settled over the room and everyone remained still, as if afraid to be the one to break it.
    Ivan ran his dark eyes over the dining area and blew a breath of air out through his nose. “Eat!” he ordered the room at large.
    As his one word resounded through the pancake house, the chef strode back to the kitchen and disappeared behind the swinging door.
    One by one, the diners picked up their forks and resumed eating. Conversations started up again too, but I remained in the same spot, frozen. I couldn’t believe Ida Winkler. How could she hold such a grudge against Jimmy? I didn’t know whether to be angry or distressed. I didn’t even know what to do next.
    Fortunately, Leigh came to my rescue. She took my arm and guided me toward the office.
    “Come on, Marley. Sit down for a minute.”
    As I lowered myself into the desk chair, I remembered my earlier concern about my wallet. I rummaged through my tote bag but found my wallet and all of its contents as I’d left them.
    “Are you all right?” Leigh asked.
    “Yes. It’s just…that was upsetting. Jimmy died only yesterday and it’s…” I trailed off, not sure what else to say.
    “I know. But that’s Ida for you. She’s as mean-spirited as they come. Do your best to forget about her.”
    “Good idea.” A woman like that wasn’t worth my time or energy. I stood up and smoothed the creases out of my red apron. “We should get back to work.”
    “I can take care of things out there if you want a break.”
    I shook my head. “Thanks, but I’d rather get back out there and get things back to normal as soon as possible.”
    Leigh agreed with me and we left the office together. But as I refilled coffee mugs and took down orders, I had to wonder what normal meant now that Cousin Jimmy was gone.

Chapter 8
    The rest of the workday passed in a blur of serving meals, talking with customers about Jimmy, and cleaning up after departed diners. When two o’clock finally rolled around, I flipped the sign on the door so the CLOSED side faced outward. For good measure, I locked the door as well. I knew now that not all unexpected visitors would be as welcome as Brett.
    On my way back toward the office, I met up with Leigh as she came out of the break room, zipping up her jacket.
    “I’ll see you tomorrow, Marley,” she said when she saw me.
    I didn’t miss the lines of worry creasing her forehead or the distraction in her eyes. I put a hand on her arm to stop her as she passed me. “I meant what I said earlier, Leigh. We’ll work things out.”
    She blinked back tears and gave me a quick hug. “Thank you.”
    I watched her leave before I got back to work, tidying the dining area and sweeping the floor. An hour later, with the pancake house cleaned up, I finally untied my apron and sank down into the desk chair in the office. While busier than usual, the day had taken a toll on me that went beyond the physical, thanks in part to Ida Winkler. I felt emotionally