Janet Evanovich - Full Scoop

"Sunday is a busy day for her. People come from all over for her, um, services."

They were quiet. As if sensing the tension, Zack grinned. "Your daughter kicked my behind in poker," he said. "She felt so sorry for me she agreed to let me see her artwork. This girl is good." He looked at Mel. "This is your calling, kiddo. Your mission. Your reason for being. Your key to limos, and a penthouse in New York."

Maggie smiled proudly. "Mel's teacher says she finds beauty in simple things, and she makes simple things beautiful." Even in the dim light Maggie could see the bright flush on her daughter's face, and she was surprised the girl had shown Zack her work.

"Zack, I hate to ask this, but I really do need to go back to the grocery store," Maggie said. "This time with my list," she added. She could see that he wasn't thrilled with the announcement.

"Isn't there anyone you could ask to do it for you?" he said. "Maybe Queenie?"

"I need to go," Maggie said. "I'm really particular about what I buy. I can't use scented soap, certain shampoos, or hair conditioners because they give me a rash. Same goes for facial and toilet tissue. I only buy laundry detergent that has a bleach alternative, and I steer clear of foods with additives. Also, when I shop for beef I only use certain cuts that contain less fat content, and I prefer organically grown vegetables."

Zack looked at Mel, whose eyes had already climbed heavenward. "Well, damn, Maggie. I guess we're going to the grocery store."

She hurried into her bedroom, slipped on fresh clothes, and ran a brush through her hair. She found Mel and Zack in the kitchen; he was talking on a police radio.

"Okay, here's the deal," he said, when he got off. "I double-checked with the guys in the area and nobody has seen anything unusual so we're good to go. Even so, I've asked for an escort in and out of here. Now that it's dark, I'm going to move the van inside the garage so we'll be driving your car."

"Thank you, God!" Mel said.

"I've decided to have a patrolman take the two of you to the office tomorrow, but I won't be far behind. Also—" He looked at Maggie. "Just so you're not surprised, I put a couple of patrol cars at the entrance of your subdivision last night, knowing Carl Lee will expect it. He's probably planning on it. Otherwise, he's going to be looking more closely for unmarked cars."

Someone tapped on the door and identified himself. Zack checked the curtain and disarmed the alarm system. "We need a couple of minutes to look around and get the van in the garage." He sighed. "I need to make sure the goat is still in her newly secured pen, although I think she's still exhausted from her busy day. I'll come back for you." Zack reached for the raccoon hat and put it on Maggie's head. "And you'll need to wear your disguise."

Mel looked at him. "She doesn't have to wear it in the store, right?" she said.

* * * * *

Twenty minutes later, Zack parked Maggie's car in front of the Bi-Lo store. A sedan with a plainclothes officer named Bill pulled up beside them. He followed the three of them into the store, carefully maintaining a distance. Zack had wanted him to stay back and watch the people around them.

Maggie grabbed a cart and started through the store as Zack and Mel made their way toward a table where free cookie samples were being offered. Maggie felt Bill's eyes on her from time to time and knew he wasn't far.

The white-haired woman at the table looked like a typical grandmother except she was unsmiling. When Zack and Mel approached the table she held out her tray, one frizzy eyebrow arched in question. "Cookie?" Her voice was flat.

"Sure," Zack said, waiting for Mel to grab one of the fat chocolate chip cookies before taking one for himself. "Thanks," he said.

"Here's your coupon." She handed it to him. "You get fifty cents off if you buy a bag."

"That's a great deal," he said. He and Mel stepped back as a mother with four children approached her.

They ate in silence. "She isn't very nice," Mel said, her voice just above a whisper, once she'd finished off her cookie. "I don't think she likes her job. I don't think she wants to be here. I don't think she's going to give us another cookie."

"You want another one?" Zack asked. "I can get us one because I'm charming and women can't resist me."

Mel gave an eye roll as Zack went back to the display table and gave the woman a big smile. "Did you bake these cookies yourself?" he asked.

The woman looked at him as though she thought it was the dumbest question she'd ever been asked. She pulled the tray closer as though guarding it. "No."

"Those sugar cookies look great," he said.

"You only get one cookie and one coupon. You've already had both."

"Oh." He paused. "If you didn't bake them how come your name tag says Baker and the brand name on the packages say Mrs. Baker's cookies?"

"It's a coincidence," she said. "Plus, they misspelled my name. Mine has two letter ks in it."

"I see." He lingered, shot a quick glance at Mel, who looked hopeful. "So the two names aren't even pronounced the same. Your name is pronounced Backer."

"No it's not," she replied sharply. "They are pronounced exactly the same. You're not getting another cookie."

"We should go," Mel said.

"But we didn't try the peanut butter."

"You had your choice just like everyone else. The rules are, I'm only allowed to give one cookie to each customer who comes through the door."

"What if we leave and come back?" he asked.

The woman's face tightened in annoyance. "It doesn't work that way," she said, raising her voice and drawing looks from several customers standing nearby. "If you want another cookie you can use your coupon and buy some. Now, back off!"

"Grandma, is this man bothering you?" a young security guard asked; the name Bakker was stitched to his uniform.

"Yes! You should use your club on him. You should have him arrested for being a public nuisance. And trying to steal cookies," she added.

The guard turned and scowled at Zack. "You just bought yourself a whole lotta trouble, mister."

* * * * *

Maggie scanned the selection of cakes in the bakery, spied the double-fudge chocolate, and snatched it up before anyone else could claim it, and hoped Bill hadn't noticed. She didn't read the ingredients as she did on everything else. Her rules about healthy foods became null and void when it came to chocolate. She turned to her cart and spied Lydia Green in the deli and hurried over. "Hi, Lydia," she said, coming up beside the woman.

Lydia jumped. One hand flew to her chest as though she feared it would leap right into the cold cuts bin. "Good Lord, Maggie, you scared the daylights out of me! Don't ever sneak up on me like that again."

Maggie was surprised by Lydia's harsh tone. "I'm so sorry," she said, as her friend seemed to struggle to pull herself together. Maggie had never seen her so ridden with anxiety. She raised her hand to touch Lydia's arm, but she didn't feel it would be welcome at the moment. Instead, she pretended to push her hair back. "You're buying a lot of groceries," she said lightly, trying to ease the tension. She didn't want to just hurry away when Lydia looked so troubled. "Are you having a dinner party?" She smiled. "How come I didn't get my invitation?"

Lydia stared at her for a moment. She opened her mouth, then closed it.

Maggie saw the panic in her eyes. "Lydia, what is it? What's wrong? Where is Ben?"

The woman blinked rapidly. "He's resting. He's not feeling well."

"You mean you're alone! You're in no shape to drive home. You need to pay for your groceries, and I'll drive you."

"No!"

This time Maggie did touch her. She took Lydia's hand. It was icy. "Take a deep breath."