“Good timing,” Jocelyn said to the man in front of her as I came into the tearoom. “Jayne’s about to take her break. Here’s Gemma now.”

  Robbie Ellis turned around. He looked about as pleased to see me as I was to see him.

  “What’s up?” I asked.

  “If it was any business of yours, I’d tell you,” he said. “I’m here to see Jayne, not you.”

  Behind his back, Jocelyn’s eyes opened wide and her mouth formed a perfect O.

  Before I could reply with a witty yet cutting retort, Jayne came out of the kitchen, rubbing her fingers through her hair before twisting it behind her head to retie the ponytail. “Robbie, hi. Nice to see you.”

  The smile he gave her lit up his face. “Nice to see you too, Jayne. We didn’t get much of a chance to talk at your party, so I thought I’d drop in.”

  “That’s so sweet of you. Isn’t he sweet, Gemma?”

  “So sweet,” I said.

  “Gemma and I are about to have our business meeting, and we close at four.”

  “Skip the meeting. Gemma won’t care. Let’s go for a drink.” He looked at me. “The two of us.”

  “I’m sorry, but I can’t,” Jayne said. “Not today. I have a final dress fitting this afternoon, and Gemma’s coming with me.”

  I quickly pulled up a mental image of my calendar. There it was: 5:00 Jayne. Dress. I’d forgotten to ask Ashleigh to stay late.

  “Why don’t you drop by tomorrow for lunch and we can catch up then,” Jayne said. “It’s on me.”

  “That would be good. I know we’re finished and all, Jayne, but I care about you. I hope we can still be friends. I want to be sure you’re okay. I mean, what happened the other night at your party was awful. Are you coping?”

  She smiled fondly at him. “Friends sounds nice. I am okay, and it’s so nice of you to care. That woman who died, Tina, she was a friend of Andy’s. I didn’t know her.”

  “I heard she was a former girlfriend. That has to be tough,” Robbie said. “For Andy, I mean. I suppose he still had feelings for her.”

  “Not so you’d notice,” I said. “Sorry, Jayne, but something important’s come up that I need to discuss with you before we go to fit you for your wedding dress. It can’t wait.”

  “Okay. Be right with you. See you tomorrow, Robbie. How about two, after the lunch rush clears out?”

  “Yeah. Great. I expect to be in town for the rest of the winter. The art scene in the Big Apple is pretty quiet, so I’m getting some time to work on a few new pieces. Develop some new concepts.”

  “I’m glad to hear it,” Jayne said. “I’d love to see what you’re working on now.”

  “Come around sometime. Anytime. I’m not too far from your place. On McConnell Street, number 1089. It’s not much, but only temporary, like.”

  “Now that that’s settled,” I said. “We need to get our formal business meeting started, Jayne. Haven’t got all day, you know. Neither does Robbie, I’m sure.”

  He ignored me. “I hope what happened doesn’t disturb your wedding plans. Much. Still going ahead with it, are you? Even though Andy’s got to be upset about his girlfriend dying.”

  “Ex-girlfriend,” I said. “You know about exes, don’t you, Robbie?”

  A nerve twitched beside his right eye as he stopped ignoring me. He did not give me the benefit of that smile. He turned back to Jayne. “I’m a shoulder to cry on, if you need one.”

  “Thank you, Robbie, but I’m fine. No need for a shoulder.”

  “Do you know something about what happened the other night?” I asked. “If you do, you should tell the police.”

  “I might. I might not. I see all. I know all.” He gave me a wink containing not the slightest trace of good humor before turning back to Jayne. “See you tomorrow, then,” he said.

  He brushed past me and went out the door.

  “Nice to see Robbie back in town,” Jayne said as we took our regular seats in the window alcove. “He seems to be doing okay. I was worried about him when he went to New York City. I suppose the art thing didn’t work out as he’d hoped.”

  My friend is smart, well-educated, a good businesswoman, a fabulous baker, a loving daughter, a top-notch friend. But she can be naive at times. Sometimes that’s charming. Occasionally, it’s dangerous.

  I was about to tell her what Robbie had been saying about her at her party, but before I could form the words, she said, “I am seriously worried about this fitting, Gemma.”

  “Why?”

  “What with the shower you had for me, and then Mom’s, and the birthday party, and all the lunches and drinks with friends, I’ve put on weight.”

  “Not so as I’d notice,” I said truthfully.

  “Nice of you to say so,” she said. “I’ve been afraid to step on the scales. What if my dress doesn’t fit?”

  “Here you go.” Jocelyn put a plate of sandwiches and another of fruit tarts in front of us. “Any preferences for tea today?”

  “English breakfast would be fine,” I said.

  “Do you think I’ve put on weight, Jocelyn?” Jayne asked.

  “You! Heavens no.” Jocelyn put her hands on her own more-than-adequate hips. “I don’t know how you do it. Working at this place has added at least twenty pounds to me.”

  “I’ll eat to that,” I said, bypassing the sandwiches and going straight for a raspberry tart.

  “It’s a tough job,” Fiona called. “Taste testing all that baking, but someone has to do it.”

  “Are you taking résumés?” a customer asked as she put her credit card on her table. “Sounds like a job I could do. I’m highly qualified.”

  Everyone laughed. Jayne most of all.

  * * *

  As could have been expected, Jayne’s dress fitted perfectly. The store clerk wrapped it carefully and Jayne proudly carried it out to her car while I brought the shoes and the undergarments.

  Jayne dropped me at the Emporium. She tooted the horn and gave me a cheerful wave, then pulled into the traffic.

  I stood on the sidewalk watching her drive away.

  I’d deliberately pushed all thoughts of Robbie aside while we had the fitting and once again gushed over the dress. It was the perfect “Jayne” gown: simple, perfectly cut, excellent fabric, absolutely gorgeous. Made even more perfect by the sheer joy Jayne radiated wearing it.

  The temperature had risen slightly, giving a cold damp the opportunity to start seeping through my coat. Getting out of the car, I stepped in a puddle and I was not wearing waterproof boots.

  I did my best to ignore all that and thought, once again, Qui bono?

  Did Robbie benefit from the death of Tina?

  I had no reason to believe he knew her, although they were both originally from West London. He’d smiled at her, but no more than a young man did to a pretty woman, and she’d been sharply rude in return. But as I now knew, she had other things on her mind that night than being polite to the serving staff and enjoying a nice dinner. Otherwise, they hadn’t interacted again. Not in my sight anyway, but even I can’t watch everyone all the time.

  Could Robbie benefit from the death of Tina in some other way? He was attempting to worm his way back into Jayne’s life. All that wanting to be friends, that offer of a “shoulder to cry on,” the implications that maybe the wedding should be postponed.

  But Tina had not been a friend of Jayne’s. Robbie had been watching Jayne carefully at the party; he would have known they were not close. Certainly not such good friends she’d cancel her wedding in mourning.

  Had Robbie done something in an attempt to get to Andy? To possibly sabotage his wedding to Jayne? Again, any casual observer would have noticed Andy had not been at all delighted when Tina put in an appearance that night.

  Had Robbie hoped a killing at the Blue Water Café would force Andy’s business to close? An extended, unexpected closing would put the restaurant in a financially unstable position. If rumors got around the place wasn’t safe, that could cause a lot of trouble. That this hadn’t happened didn’t mean someone didn’t think—or hope—it might.

  Was it possible Robbie killed Tina, not because he had anything against her, but as a way of causing trouble for Andy? Did Robbie think trouble for Andy meant Jayne would fall back into his arms? Or was he simply that jealous, working for the man who was loved by the woman he wanted for himself?

  Did he even want to get back with Jayne, or was he lashing out at what he saw as failure and rejection? It had to hurt, coming back to West London, needing to get by on a part-time waiter job working for a man he saw as a rival.

  It was a stretch, for sure, and I had nothing but guesses and assumptions to go on.

  Didn’t mean I wasn’t right.

  Andy’s mum said something to me that night about “times are tough.” I’d taken it as a generic comment: winter is hard for tourist-oriented businesses. Could she have meant more than that? Was Andy in financial difficulties? Robbie only worked casual part-time at the Blue Water Café, but staff talk amongst themselves. If the staff were worried about their jobs, they’d discuss it.

  Andy’s financial affairs were absolutely none of my business, I told myself. However, Jayne’s happiness was.

  I’d advised Andy not to hire Robbie again, but I hadn’t said why. Perhaps it was time I did. At the same time, I could subtly let him know Great-Uncle Arthur was not without funds, and he was always looking to invest in promising local businesses.

  Yes, I can be subtle. Sometimes.

  Chapter Fifteen

  I sent Andy a quick text asking if he was free for a drink.

  Andy: Nothing better to do.

  A second later: Andy: Sorry about the way that sounded. Drink would be good. Pub?

  Me: Sure. Half an hour?

  Fortunately, Ashleigh had been able to stay the extra hour until closing with no notice. She not only stayed, she swept the floor, tidied the shelves, restocked the spaces, counted up the day’s cash, took care of Moriarty’s needs, switched off the lights, and locked up.

  I really did need to give her more credit than I sometimes did. Our businesses had thrived last tourist season and continued to do well over the winter, so far at any rate. I’d given her and Gale, the part-time assistant, generous bonuses at Christmas, but it might be time to give Ashleigh a raise.

  As I had almost nothing to do regarding closing the shop, I was at McGillivray’s Irish Pub in plenty of time.

  McGillivray’s is an Irish pub typical of the kind found all over America. Meaning, not Irish in the least, apart from the name.

  But it was a warm, welcoming place on a cold, damp day, and I settled myself comfortably in a booth close to the gas fire after hanging my coat and scarf on the hook provided.

  “Hey, Gemma,” the young waitress said as she put down coasters. “Can I get you something?”

  “I’m waiting for—here he is now.”

  Andy shrugged out of his coat and slipped into a seat opposite me. “Worst possible weather. Freezing rain’s started.” He asked the waitress to bring him a beer.

  “I’ll have the same, ” I said. “Thanks.”

  “How did the dress-fitting go?” Andy asked me after she’d slipped away.

  “It’s perfect, Andy. You’re going to love it.”

  “How can I not,” he said, “when I love the woman wearing it?”

  “Jayne’s a lucky woman,” I said in total honesty.

  “I don’t know about that, but I am a very lucky man indeed.”

  Two frothy mugs of beer were placed on the table, and Andy and I lifted our glasses. “Cheers.”

  He drank deeply, then said, “What’s on your mind?”

  “Does something have to be on my mind for me to ask you out for a drink?” I said with a smile.

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. Something is on my mind. First, what’s happening with the restaurant?”

  “Looking on the bright side, I’ve got plenty of time to get caught up on the accounts, pay my bills, check boxes on insurance forms, try out new recipes, all the stuff I normally have trouble finding time to getting around to. On the not so bright side, my income is zero while we’re closed, but my expenses are not, and my staff are worried about their jobs, as they have a right to be. Back on the bright side again, I’ve been told I can have access to the entire inside space tomorrow.”

  “Oh, that is good news.”

  “Yeah.” He didn’t look too thrilled, though. I said nothing, letting the silence stretch out. “Closed for a couple of days isn’t too much of a financial hit. Not at this time of year. But I was closed for Jayne’s party, and I still had to pay the staff, buy the food and drink, all that. Don’t get me wrong, Gemma, I was happy to do it. But the wedding and honeymoon are coming up, I’ve got bills to catch up on, and I’m not entirely confident I can trust Martin to run the kitchen when I’m not there.”

  “Why not?”

  “He’s getting too sure of himself. He’s a good cook and a hard worker, and that should be enough. But one of my waitresses, one who’s been with me for a long time, said he acts like it’s his place when I’m not around. Reprimanding front-of-house staff for things that aren’t any of his business, bullying the kitchen staff—on at least one occasion, he threatened to fire a dishwasher—and even sneering at some of the dishes on the menu. If he doesn’t like my cooking, I don’t know what sort of a job he can do making those dishes.”

  “Is all this new?” I asked. “He’s been with you for a few months, right?”

  “I don’t know if it’s new, but it’s coming out now. Like I said, my staff are worried about their jobs. They’ve been calling me, asking what’s going on. And then they say things.”

  “But you’re opening tomorrow?”

  “I’m back in business, yes, but I can’t open to the public for a couple of days. I had to put a stop to some of my orders because everything was up in the air. It takes time to get things moving again. Some of the part-time staff took other work because they weren’t sure about me. With luck, I should be able to open with a limited menu for dinner on Saturday.”

  “I’ll help spread the word,” I said. “You know West Londoners will come through to help one of their own.”

  “I do, thanks.”

  He’d almost finished his beer, but I’d hardly had any of mine. “Feel like ordering food?” I asked.

  “Better not. I want to get some of those accounts I mentioned done tonight.” He gave me a tight grin. “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could follow our passion in life without having to worry about paying taxes, conforming to health guidelines, dealing with suppliers, managing unruly staff? Or fixing the plumbing in the men’s room, which took a heck of a hunk out of my fall profits.”

  “Are you in trouble, Andy?” I asked. “Financially speaking? If you need help, Uncle Arthur is always looking for an investment opportunity.”

  His grin widened. “No more trouble than any other independent businessman. I complain, but I love what I do and I’ll be okay.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  “I am. Thanks for your concern.” He grinned. “Jayne told me a few stories about goings-on at the Emporium while Arthur was in command when we were in London.”

  “He tries,” I said.

  “Speaking of Arthur, is he going to make it home in time for the wedding?”

  “Cutting it fine, as usual. He’s in Madrid and has a flight booked to arrive in Boston Sunday night. Don’t change the subject. I hope you’re able to talk to Jayne about any problems you might be having. You are partners now, you know.”

  “I do. The good thing about her being in the food business too is she understands what can, and often does, go wrong. You know Jayne: never anything but a cheery optimist.”

  That, I knew, was true. I also knew, as a quarter-owner of a restaurant, it was unlike any other business. The stresses, the hours, the demands. The enormous responsibility involved in the storage and preparation of food that, if mishandled, could actually kill a person.

  As a quarter-owner of a restaurant, I was glad I was responsible for a bookshop. At my shop, I never have to worry a customer might collapse from reading a badly written book.

  “Is Jayne getting wedding nerves?” Andy asked. “I’ve heard some brides get overcome.”

  “She’s excited and delighted, but she’s still just our Jayne. Practical as ever, but in case not … You reminded me she’s an optimist. I like to think I’m a realist. I’ll ensure everything from her end is on schedule for the wedding.”

  “Thanks, Gemma. I hate to run, but …” Andy dug in his pocket, but before he could pull out his wallet, I said, “Drinks are on me.”

  He thanked me and left. I sat back with a sigh and cradled my mug.

  Andy hadn’t told me anything I didn’t know or guess. The restaurant business is one of the toughest there is. The turnover is astronomical. Not a lot of places manage to survive their first year. But Andy had been on the harbor for several years. The Blue Water Café had become a West London institution. It was featured in a good number of tourist guidebooks. In the off-season, it was a popular place for locals.

  He could potentially be in a great deal of financial trouble if the police ordered him to stay closed much longer, but he hoped to reopen on the weekend.

  Andy and the Blue Water Café would survive.

  As for Robbie, although telling Andy about his offers of “friendship” to Jayne had been my original intention in suggesting this meeting, I’d changed my mind. Unless things escalated, I wouldn’t say anything about it. Andy was generally a calm, considered man. But with the pressures of his impending wedding, as well as the threat to his business, he might not take that news all too calmly and with careful consideration.

  Instead, I decided to have a word with Robbie myself, mainly because I now considered it possible Robbie killed Tina in order to disrupt Andy’s life, and thus (in his feeble twisted mind) cause Jayne to seek solace with him.