Free Murder at Redwood Cove by Janet Finsilver

locally made. They have twenty flavors daily and rotate the offerings.” She put the menu down.
    â€œHey, Suz, how’s it going?” A young man with a sunny smile, tie-dyed shirt, and well-worn jeans came to the table. His almost-shoulder-length dark brown hair was tucked behind his ears.
    â€œNoah, I’d like you to meet Kelly Jackson. She’s managing the Redwood Cove Bed-and-Breakfast for a while.”
    â€œNice to meet you.” A cloud passed over his face. “Any news on Ruth?”
    â€œShe’s out of intensive care,” I said.
    â€œGlad to hear it.” Noah pursed his lips and took out a pad and pen from his back pocket. “What can I get you ladies?”
    â€œI’ll have two slices of the Apprentice,” Suzie said, “and a pot of tea.”
    I read the menu. The Apprentice pizza listed roasted garlic sauce, mushrooms, tomatoes, chicken, and caramelized onions all topped with fresh basil.
    â€œAny suggestions?” I scanned the choices.
    He cocked his head at me. “You might want to try the grilled portobello mushroom burger. Like nothing else on the planet.”
    The description of Noah’s burger won me over. Organic mushroom caps marinated in balsamic vinegar and fresh rosemary, among other wonderful seasonings. Toppings included grilled red onions, avocado, spinach, tomatoes, and pepper jack cheese. A seasonal green salad came on the side. “Burger it is, and I’ll have tea, as well.”
    â€œGot it.” Noah went to a side bar and came back with a wide array of organic teas from New Way Tea Company.
    â€œYou wanted to know about my meeting with Bob.” Suzie put the tea bag into the pot that had whizzed to our table in record time.
    â€œPlease.” I placed my purple napkin in my lap and pulled my notebook from my fanny pack.
    â€œBob came over because he wanted to review the details for the chocolate and wine festival one more time. His thoroughness was legendary.” Her smile was a quiet one, not the usual bright burst I’d become accustomed to. “We also help with breakfast baking when your inn is as full as it is now. We were discussing pastry choices. Bob was conscientious about having new offerings for the guests.”
    â€œI talked with the wine merchant, Phil. He said the same thing.”
    â€œBob worked hard to build a loyal clientele.”
    â€œDo you know where Bob was before he met you or where he was going afterward?”
    â€œNo, we didn’t talk about it.”
    â€œWhat time did he meet with you?”
    â€œIt was eleven. Speaking of the festival, I need to show you where some of the food is going to be stored and give you a couple of keys. Would tomorrow morning work?”
    â€œIt should. I don’t know the routine at the inn yet to feel comfortable setting a time right now. I’ll give you a call in the morning.”
    â€œSounds good.”
    A waiter arrived and placed food on the table. Suzie’s pizza had mounds of mushrooms; thinly sliced caramelized onions dripped over the sides of the slices. My burger was a riot of color accompanied by a vibrant green salad on the side.
    Suzie was a local. She’d know about the Silver Sentinels. I wondered how she felt about them. “There’s a group of senior citizens called the Silver Sentinels.” I sipped my tea. “Do you know them?”
    â€œYes. I think they’re a nice group of old folks looking for something to do.”
    I poured myself more tea. Should I say something about their belief that Bob was murdered? If rumors were going around, she’d probably heard them. Maybe others besides the Sentinels had the same thought. It was worth asking. “They believe Bob was murdered. What do you think? Have you heard anything?”
    â€œMurdered?” Melted cheese dripped from her pizza onto the plate as she held it still. “No, I haven’t heard anything like that. Who do they