Page 5 of These Shoes Weren't Made for Stalking

Bet it was Minnie. Everyone knows she has it out for Rosie.

Mrs. Henderson

Someone saw a suspicious car last night

Sarah

This is getting out of hand!!

“They can’t seriously think Minnie did this?” Penny said, scrolling through the messages, his perfectly manicured fingers flying over the screen.

I remembered the way she’d looked standing in the crowd of onlookers yesterday evening, stress lines creasing her usually immaculate makeup, and her red hair pulled too tight in itssevere bun. The fierce rivalry between the bakeries had been escalating, but this? “No. Minnie’s competitive, but she’s not a criminal.”

“Tell that to the gossip mill.” Penny showed me another message thread, his lucky penny swinging with the movement. “They’re already planning to boycott her shop.”

I put the shoe on the counter and headed toward the door.

“Where’re we going?” Penny asked, trailing on my heels.

I grabbed my coat off the delicate brass coat rack—a gift from Penny—standing by the shop entrance. The soft, cracked leather settled against my shoulders like a second skin. “I need to talk to her before this gets worse.”

“Minnie? At this hour?”

“She opens early for the breakfast crowd. I don’t believe Minnie would stoop this low.” I hesitated, keys jingling in my pocket. “If she’s being falsely accused...”

“We need to get ahead of it before she’s made into a pariah.” Penny finished. “Well then, what are we waiting for?”

The bell above the door chimed as Penny and I stepped into Minnie’s Bakery, the scent of cinnamon and fresh bread enveloping us. Minnie Goldstein stood behind the counter, her severe bun of greying red hair immaculate as always. Her sharp features softened as she recognized us.

“Leo, Penny,” she said. “Welcome, dears. What can I get for you today?”

My eyes darted to the display case, filled with an array of pastries. I scanned the neat rows of treats, each one meticulously arranged next to its neighbor. “Actually, I’m here for one of those apple turnovers. Heard they’re to die for.”

Penny rocked on his heels as he peered into the display case. I watched him brush his messy rose-colored bangs away from his face. “Make that two apple turnovers, please.”

“Coming right up,” Minnie chirped, her fingers deftly plucking a wax paper package from beneath the counter. The display case’s sliding door whispered open, releasing a gust of sweet-scented air.

“Guess you heard about Rosie’s place?” I fished out my wallet, watching her reaction from the corner of my eye.

“It’s quite the shock, isn’t it?” Penny added.

“Yes, I saw the damage.” Minnie’s fingers trembled as she reached for the tongs. “Terrible business, really. Makes a person wonder what’s going on in this town. Do the police have any idea who’d want to cause such trouble?”

“No, can’t say I’ve heard anything about that.” I kept my expression neutral.

I caught Penny’s subtle head shake.

Minnie’s shoulders slumped, and for a moment, her carefully maintained facade cracked. “It’s awful. Rosie and I may be competitors, but I’d never wish that on her—or anyone.”

“Have you noticed anything unusual lately?” I asked, leaning against the counter. “Any strangers hanging around, or someone showing too much interest in the local businesses?”

Minnie furrowed her brow, tapping a perfectly manicured nail against her chin. “Now that you mention it, there have been a few suits poking around. Not our usual clientele, if you know what I mean.”

“Suits? Like… business types?” I noticed Penny’s quick look my way. “Can you describe them?”

“Tall, dark, and handsome types,” Minnie said with a wry smile. “Expensive clothes, fancy watches. They’ve been asking questions about property values and foot traffic.”

I filed this information away, my mind racing with possibilities as I tapped my debit card on the payment terminal. “Thanks. If you remember anything else, let us know, okay?”