Page 6 of These Shoes Weren't Made for Stalking

As Penny and I turned to leave, Minnie called out, “Leo? Tell Rosie... tell her if she needs anything, I’m here.”

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. Despite their rivalry, she seemed genuinely concerned. “I’ll do that, Mrs. Goldstein.”

3

Aflick of my wrist turned the brass key in the lock. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across Cobblers’ Corner’s weathered sign, the golden elf now a dark silhouette against the brick. The meeting at City Hall scheduled for this evening wouldn’t pause for stragglers, and I was already risking being late despite Penny texting three times in the past hour to remind me.

As I turned from the shop, movement caught my eye. A flash of blonde hair, a hurried shuffle. Jake Thompson pressed himself against the brick wall of Miller’s Alley, as if the shadows might swallow him whole.

“Jake?” I called out, quickening my pace.

He jumped at the sound of my voice, his nervous green eyes darting around as if searching for an escape route. “L-Leo! I... I was just...”

I held up a hand, trying to appear non-threatening. “Relax. I just want to talk.”

He shuffled his feet, not quite meeting my eyes. “About R-Rosie’s bakery?”

I nodded, studying his body language. Every fiber of Jake’s being screamed anxiety, but was it guilt or just his usual nervousness?

“You were seen near the bakery the night of the vandalism,” I said gently. “Can you tell me about that?”

Jake’s face paled, and he began to stammer. “I-I didn’t do it! I swear! I know I got fired, but I’d never hurt Rosie like that. She was always kind to me, even when...”

His voice trailed off, and I felt a pang of sympathy. “Even when what?”

He swallowed hard, finally meeting my gaze. “Even when I messed up. I... I have trouble sleeping sometimes. I bake to calm my nerves. Rosie let me use the bakery kitchen after hours. But then I started making mistakes during the day, and she had to let me go.”

I processed this information, the pieces slowly falling into place. “So you were there that night to bake?”

Jake nodded vigorously. “I still have a key. Rosie said I could use the kitchen as long as I cleaned up after myself. But when I got there, I saw the broken windows and the graffiti. I panicked and ran. I should’ve called someone, but I was scared they’d think I did it.”

His scent, tinged with anxiety and shame, told me he was being truthful. I placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Thank you for telling me, Jake.”

“Oh, and there was something else. A black SUV idling across the street.”

My pulse quickened. “A black SUV?”

“I figured it was just someone getting late-night food from Ming’s takeout next door.” Jake looked around skittishly, as if he was afraid someone might be listening. “You don’t think it could be connected, do you?”

“There’s a chance.” I gave a short nod. “If you remember anything else, anything at all, please let me know.”

As Jake hurried away, I checked my watch. The emergency city council meeting was about to start. I quickened my pace, my mind whirling with this new information.

The imposing facade of City Hall loomed before me as I jogged up the steps. Penny waited at the entrance, his pastel pink hair and eclectic ensemble of vintage pieces and modern accessories standing out against the austere backdrop of City Hall. Trust Penny to bring a splash of color to even the most serious of occasions.

“You made it,” he said, relief evident in his voice. “I was starting to worry.”

“Sorry, got held up. I ran into Jake. He had some interesting things to say,” I explained.

Penny’s eyes widened with curiosity as he nodded. We hurried inside, our footsteps echoing in the marble-floored lobby. As wemade our way to the council chambers, I filled Penny in on my conversation with Jake.

“Poor Jake!” Penny exclaimed. He lowered his voice to a hushed whisper after catching disapproving looks from a pair of women. “Do you think he’s telling the truth?”

I nodded. “I do. His anxiety was genuine, and his story checks out.”

“So, what we know so far… suits asking about property values. And now, a suspicious SUV parked outside Rosie’s the night of the vandalism…” Penny mused, twirling the silver chain of his ever-present lucky penny necklace around his finger.

“But that still leaves us with no leads on who actually vandalized Rosie’s bakery.” I said as we entered the packed council chambers, finding seats near the back. The room buzzed with tension and speculation, concerned citizens whispering among themselves.