Free Ice Cream Murder by Leighann Dobbs Page A

“That might be something. Maybe somebody didn’t want him to make that announcement.”
    “Winston?” Ruth’s brows lifted a fraction of an inch.
    Ida shrugged. “Possibly, or maybe someone else.”
    “But why? And would it be something to kill over?” Helen asked.
    “It’s something to look into,” Nans said. “I think we need to pay a visit to Regis’ personal assistant. What was her name?”
    “Cora,” Anna said. “I don’t know her last name, but she’s still working for the Banks helping settle some of Regis’ affairs.”  
    “She could be a wealth of information,” Ruth said.
    “And she might know about the announcement,” Helen added.
    “It’s settled, then. Tomorrow we’ll call on Cora and the photographer.” Nans turned to Lexy. “You better bake extra cookies tomorrow—there’s nothing like fresh baked cookies to get people in a talkative mood.”

Chapter Ten

    The next morning passed in a flurry of baking. In between waiting on customers, Lexy and Cassie made extra batches of Snickerdoodles, chocolate chunk, peanut butter and, of course the old standby—chocolate chip cookies.
    Lexy had packed two white bakery boxes full of the cookies and was ready to go when the ladies pulled up in front of The Cup and Cake in Ruth’s giant blue Oldsmobile at eleven-thirty.  
    “Put your seat belt on.” Ruth’s eyes met Lexy’s in the rear-view mirror as Lexy slid into the long backseat next to Nans. Lexy did as told and Ruth lurched the car away from the curb.
    “So, what’s the plan?” Lexy asked.
    “Helen got a tip that Cora would be at Regis’ office at noon. We’re going to pay a visit to her there with the cookies to offer our condolences. We figure since you were the caterer, bringing some cookies to his office as a peace offering won’t seem suspicious,” Ida said from her spot in the front passenger seat.
    Lexy squirmed in her seat. She didn’t like being put on the spot.
    “Oh, don’t worry, I’ll do all the talking,” Nans said, as if reading her mind.
    “After that we’re heading straight to Elm Street to visit the photographer, Harry Wolf.” Ruth added.
    “That’s right. He’s on a photo shoot this morning, but said he’d be back to meet us at one o’clock. So we’d better get all our questioning in with Cora pretty quick,” Nans said as Ruth pulled into Banks Development parking lot, swerving through the rows of cars before settling on a spot under a large oak tree in the back.
    They piled out and walked to the one-story brick building.  
    “Gee, I was expecting something bigger,” Lexy said. “A high-rise with lots of offices. I thought he had a big business.”
    “He does.” Ida looked over the top of her large old-lady sunglasses at the building. “But he’s not one to spend money on niceties. Plus, most of his workers are at the construction sites. This building is just for the management.”
    Nans held the door and they walked into a reception area with beige industrial carpeting and tan micro suede sofas. Several vases of flowers bloomed on various tables around the room. Condolence bouquets, Lexy assumed.
    They approached a horseshoe-shaped faux wooden desk, behind which a young woman beamed a welcoming smile at them.
    “Hi, we’d like to see Mr. Banks private assistant, Cora.” Nans said in a brisk, business-like voice. “This is Lexy Baker who catered Mr. Banks birthday event and she has a condolence offering.”
    Lexy’s stomach twisted as the girl’s smile faltered. The receptionist frowned at Lexy. “I’m sorry, but she’s not here—”
    The door opened behind them. They all turn to see Cora, rushing in like she was in the world’s biggest hurry. She stopped short, her flushed face registering surprise at the congregation in front of the desk.
    “Looks like you’re in luck,” the receptionist said to Nans, then turned to Cora. “These people are here to give their condolences about Mr. Banks.”
    “Oh?” Cora scowled