A Cup of Murder Read Online Free PDF Page A

Roasted
Love in a worse situation,” I cautioned her with severity. Janie
had worked here a little over a year. She needed this job. She had a
two-year old daughter she had to support. Besides, she was good at
her job; efficient and friendly. I felt I could trust her but I noted
the doubt in her eyes about Jacob Weaver.
    “I know he was in prison for assault,” she
said.
    “I know, but that was also eleven years ago and
he has had a clean slate ever since then. That’s the part to
remember.”
    I locked eyes with her and, satisfied she would be
discreet, I told her to go ahead and clock out. Lily was serving
delicate crust-less sandwiches and salads to a few customers. I had
suggested that to Jacob and it proved to be an added touch for
afternoons to draw more people in. We recently added light food to an
evening menu. It was a successful move on our part and afternoons
rarely lagged without someone in the coffee shop. This was before
Michael Simms opened his business across from Roasted Love. Lately,
the scarcity of numbers was evident but enough still came for that
afternoon break.
    In response, Sunrise had added a small book corner
to one side with tables for two scattered around so avid readers
could enjoy exotic coffee flavors while perusing books at the same
time. The competition was fierce between the two shops.
Unfortunately, most people noticed the personal rivalry between the
two owners, rather than innovations. Sometimes I thought that rivalry
alone drew them and caused sides to be taken.
    A customer entered the shop. I recognized him as a
politician whose face was plastered around town just before the last
election. At the moment I couldn’t think of his name. I knew he
belonged to a party I didn’t follow and that he had won with a
landslide. I should be ashamed that I'm not more politically active.
Lily waited on him and he ordered an espresso. I carefully prepared
it and added the steamed milk. I put it on the counter for Lily and
she picked it up and brought it to the man. He thanked her with an
absent nod and sipped slowly while he kept his eyes on the yellow
tape across the street. After about fifteen minutes, he paid Lily at
the counter and left. She was busy with other customers who had
drifted in and I didn’t get a chance to ask her if she knew who he
was.
    Jacob emerged from the back. He seemed to remain
at loose ends but color had returned to his face. “Laila, I’m
sorry about the way I lashed out at you last evening before you left.
I won’t let that happen again.”
    I assured him it was fine and accepted his apology
though his actions still stung somewhat. To get his mind off of the
situation at Sunrise I told him I thought it would be a good idea for
us to go over our policies and services again. I knew now it was less
important, but someone would probably come in and take Sunrise over
in time. It was good to be prepared for the future. It was also
necessary to keep things normal at Roasted Love.
    “Why not come by my house around seven tonight
and we can make a plan so our business will get back on track,” I
said. “I’d rather meet with you away from here. We could use a
break from Roasted Love.”
    He agreed and the idea of moving forward seemed to
spur him on. He personally greeted the few customers he knew and said
hello to some new ones. It reassured me they still looked at him as
someone harmless. There was one person who did not look familiar at
all. That made two new customers today.
    Now if the cops would leave Jacob alone for
another twenty-four hours that would give him time to look at things
in a different manner. I was sure Jacob had not committed the murder
but proving it would be something else entirely.
    I vowed to do all I could to prove his innocence.

Chapter Five

    Jacob Weaver stood at my door and rang the bell at
five after seven that evening. He clutched a bouquet of lilies and
handed them to me.
    “This is my peace offering,” he said.
    The grin on his