Mummified Meringues by Leighann Dobbs Read Free Book Online

that was their way of politely telling her they didn’t like the taste. Nans had said they needed more sugar, which Lexy found hard to believe since she’d upped the amount for that recipe, but she took the advice and had come to the bakery early to bake another batch with a teaspoon more sugar.  
    That batch was now cooling in the oven, but she wanted Cassie’s opinion on the recipe from the day before just to be sure she was doing the right thing.
    Cassie bit into the cookie. She scrunched up her face comically, then swished the bite around in her mouth. She swallowed, then nodded. “Yep. Just a tad, though.”
    “Thanks. Maybe today’s batch is sweeter.” Lexy glanced over at the oven. She’d turned it off an hour ago and resisted the urge to peek in. The secret to perfect meringues was letting them cool slowly, and opening the oven would let in a rush of cold air, so she willed herself to be patient until the timer went off.
    The smell of almonds drifted over from the counter, where Cassie was drizzling icing on a batch of almond scones. Lexy’s mouth watered as she sidled over to the tray, reaching her hand out for one of the freshly drizzled pieces.  
    “I think I need to taste test this,” Lexy said. “I rushed in here early to bake these meringues for my visit to the builder of Jack’s house and I’m starving.”
    Cassie raised a pierced brow as Lexy took a bite. “You found the builder?”  
    “Yep. Ruth found him on the internet.” Lexy broke off a corner of the scone while she finished chewing the piece she had in her mouth. “Did you hear anything more about the case from John? Davies won’t tell Jack a thing, and last night Jack said he hadn’t had a chance to catch up with anyone else in the department about it.”
    “No. He said Davies was doing all kinds of tests to figure out who the mummy was—when he died, and what killed him.”
    “Do you think they can pinpoint any of those things?”
    Cassie shrugged. “Who knows? Jack must be anxious, though.”
    “He’s trying to act like he’s not, but I think he is.” Lexy’s heart twisted as she remembered their good-bye kiss earlier that morning. Jack had asked her to check in with him right after they talked to the builder and she could tell he was nervous. “But I think he’ll be cleared soon since he’s helping us on the case.”
    “That must be a rare treat for Nans and the ladies—usually it’s them helping him .”
    Ding!
    The timer announced that the meringues were ready and Lexy shoved the rest of the scone in her mouth, her taste buds delighting in the sweet icing and cake-like scone. She crunched one of the slivered almonds that had been sprinkled on top as she slowly opened the oven door.
    She held her breath and peered inside, relieved to see rows of perfectly puffed meringue cookies, their tops peaking in a swirl. Perfect. She slid the tray out of the oven and grabbed a white bakery box, then carefully placed the cookies in the box.
    Lexy untied her apron and pulled it over her head, smoothing her white, sleeveless blouse and checking her tan capris for spots of flour. Satisfied with her appearance, she grabbed the box and headed toward the door.
    “I’m off to meet the ladies and visit Mr. O’Keefe,” she called to Cassie.
    “Okay, I’ll hold down the fort,” Cassie said. “Good luck.”
    Fifteen minutes later, Lexy pulled up in front of the retirement center, where the ladies were waiting anxiously at the door. They descended on her VW Beetle like a swarm of ants to a picnic and somehow Ruth, Ida and Helen managed to fold themselves into the tiny backseat while Nans slid into the passenger seat. Lexy always marveled at the dexterity the ladies displayed when getting into her car—they claimed it was all due to practicing yoga.
    Helen poked her head in between the two front seats. “Thanks for picking us up, Lexy.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    “O’Keefe’s house is only about a half-mile up the hill,