Free Ginny Gold - Early Bird Café 01 - Rise and Die by Ginny Gold Page A

knew she’d need a cup later.
    She finally made it into the kitchen and was once again reminded of yesterday afternoon’s activities. The kitchen was put away but it would take days to replace lost inventory and get things where they really belonged. She didn’t have time for that this morning.
    Inside the walk -in freezer, she pulled out muffins that she’d made when fruits were in season. She had apple cinnamon with and without walnuts, strawberry, and blueberry. She turned on the oven to defrost them and she would offer them as part of her menu this morning.
    There were plenty of eggs now that she had restocked, so she considered her options and decided on a limited number of popovers and eggs any way with toast and a side of fruit salad. She knew she needed to keep things simple if she was going to let her mind continue to run away. Finally, she’d offer banana pancakes and cinnamon French toast—two staples.
    When the menus were all written on their blackboards, she checked the muffins and took out a blueberry one to defrost faster in the microwave. Then she filled a mug with coffee and brought them both outside to Zach.
    “Morning,” she said when he rolled down his window and put his seat back into the seated position.
    “You look well rested,” Zach teased her.
    She couldn’t help but smile. “I brought you breakfast. I hope you like blueberry muffins.”
    “They’re my favorite. Thanks.”
    “Anything happen while I was sleeping?”
    “Nope.” Zach took a bite of the muffin and Kori could see him enjoy it immediately.
    “Well, I have something for you.” Kori handed him the postcard.
    Zach studied the front, then put his coffee and muffin down to turn it over and read it. “You know too much? Who is this from?” he asked.
    “I don’t know. I saw it last night after I got home. Do you think it’s connected to Tessa’s murder?”
    “That’s my first thought. What do you know that you’re not telling me?” His tone was friendly but the question immediately put Kori on the defense.
    “Nothing. Everything I know I told you yesterday.”
    “But you’ve known Tessa for a while.”
    “Yes.”
    “And you would know her colleagues and acquaintances in New York.”
    “Not really. We never worked at the same place but we were always in the same food space.”
    “I think it’s time you and I talked more about her past,” Zach said. “There are probably missing pieces for both of us and together it could make more sense.”
    “Can it wait until I close for the day? And does Detective Gunn have to be there?”
    “It can wait. And yes, he’ll be there. I’ll set some strict rules, don’t worry.”
    “Do you at least want to come inside and shower?” Kori offered, relaxing again knowing Zach was fully on her side, whatever side that was.
    Zach shook his head. “This coffee is all I need to get me going. Thanks.”
    “One last question, Zach. Do you think it’s someone local or from out of town?” Kori asked.
    “We have suspects in both of those categories. Tessa hasn’t made many friends since moving here and it sounds like plenty of enemies. But there are a lot of holes in what we know about her life in New York. So talking with you this afternoon should help narrow that list down.”
    Kori turned and headed back to her café and turned the sign around to open when she walked inside. Much to her delight, Jenna was the first person to enter only moments later. After Nora’s information about Jenna’s behavior, Kori wanted to see if she could get anything else out of her.
    “Morning Jenna. Your regular?”
    “Hi Kori. Yeah. Thanks.”
    “How’s it going? I haven’t seen you since Monday. Busy with kids this week?” Kori asked, starting the conversation off light as she got her coffee ready and Jenna read over the menu.
    “I actually had to take Tuesday off with the murder right next door. It didn’t feel right having kids next to a crime scene.”
    Kori was surprised how