Free Scones, Skulls & Scams by Leighann Dobbs

toward the article in the paper that named the alleged bank robbers.
    “Boots Bennett and someone named The Bomb,” Lexy said. “Seems like it would be hard to track them down with just those nick-names to go on.”
    “And don’t forget about the woman … Rose somebody,” Ruth added.
    “If we could track them down, we might be able to learn what happened.” Nans pressed her lips together. “One of them is probably the killer.”
    “And they probably took off with all the loot,” Helen added.
    “We don’t know that for sure.” Ida’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “The money could still be down there.”
    “Either way, now there’s even more of a reason for us to go down in the old sewer system,” Nans said.
    “That’s right.” Ruth shoved the newspapers aside, bent down and picked up the rolled up sewer plans from where she had put them next to her chair. “We can solve the mystery of the robbery, find out what happened to Midas, and maybe even recover the stolen money!”
    “Yes, there might still be a reward to recover it.” Nans lowered her voice to a whisper. “So let’s not tell anyone what we’ve discovered.”
    “Not a soul,” Ruth said. The others nodded in agreement and crossed their hearts as they folded up the old newspapers, put them in a tidy pile in the corner and covered them with their coats.
    “Teddy Mokewitz told me that, in addition to the manhole covers, some of the old mill buildings had access to the sewer channels.” Helen pushed her glasses up on her nose. “So we should be aware of that while reviewing these plans.”
    “Oh, darn. Here comes that Victor guy again.” Ida frowned out the window.  
    “Probably coming over to see Helen.” Nans giggled.
    Helen scowled at Nans.
    “Remember, don’t tell him about the newspapers,” Ruth whispered as the door jingled open.
    Victor looked around the bakery, his face lighting up as his eyes came to rest on Nans and the ladies at their usual table. “I see my favorite girls are here.”
    The ladies, polite as ever, smiled and nodded.
    “Hi Victor,” Cassie said. “Here for your morning muffin?”
    Victor smiled. “Yes. Do you have any blueberry today?”
    “Of course.” Cassie got behind one of the bakery cases and took out a tray loaded with muffins. “Any muffin in particular?”
    “No, you pick,” Victor answered from the coffee station where he was pouring a hazelnut coffee into one of the to-go cups. He paid, took the muffin from Cassie and then came over to the table where, much to the obvious dismay of the ladies, he pulled a seat up next to Helen.
    “I see you are you still going over those sewer plans,” he said taking a sip from the paper coffee cup.
    “Oh, we’re just fooling around,” Nans said. “We really can’t go down in there. It wouldn’t be prudent; especially at our age. Isn’t that right girls?”
    Ida, Helen and Ruth nodded.  
    Victor narrowed his eyes at Nans. “Really? I thought you girls were the adventurous types what with your detective agency and all.”
    “We prefer to do our detecting on the computer and on paper.” Nans pointed to the blueprints. “We rarely go out in the field.”
    “I see.” Victor turned to Lexy. “Did I see you having another run-in with the other baker?”  
    Lexy looked across the street. Just the thought of the other baker was enough to make her blood boil. She took a deep breath, willing herself to remain calm. “Yes I did. I think she is trying to sabotage me.”
    “Why do you say that?” Victor’s voice rose as he spoke and Lexy thought she heard a hint of something. Alarm? Concern? She wasn’t sure which.
    “Edgar Royce, the food critic, was in here yesterday and somehow he got a contaminated scone. I just know she was behind it.”
    Victor nodded. “She’s not to be trusted. She’s doing something suspicious over there. Can’t you get your new husband to investigate or shut her down?”
    Lexy wished she could. The truth was,