Ristretto and Revenge (Cup of Jo 9)

  Ristretto and Revenge

  Cup of Jo Book 9

  Kelly Hashway

  Copyright © 2022 Kelly Hashway

  All rights reserved.

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  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual places or people, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced, copied, or recorded without written permission from the author.

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  The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark ownership of all trademarks mentioned in this book. Trademarks are not sponsored or endorsed by the trademark owners.

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  Cover design ©Red Umbrella Graphic Designs

  To Ayla with love

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Cup of Jo Series in Order

  Also by USA Today Bestselling Author Kelly Hashway

  Writing as USA Today Bestselling Romance Author Ashelyn Drake

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Most of the world hates Monday mornings. Not me. Sure, I work seven days a week, which means I don’t have weekends off, but I happen to love my job. I own Cup of Jo, the coffee shop and café on Main Street in Bennett Falls, the small town I grew up in and love. I also happen to work with my fiancé, Camden Turner, who is the best baker on the planet. And I’m not just saying that because I love him. Everyone in town agrees with me.

  Pretty much everything about my life seems to be destiny. With a name like Joanna Coffee, and having been literally born in my parents’ coffee shop, I really had no other choice of careers. Not that I would have chosen anything else. Coffee is in my veins. And working with Cam, who was my childhood best friend, is pure bliss. We couldn’t get along better. I love what I do, and I love my little town.

  I’m just wiping down the counter to start the day when my first customer walks in. Unfortunately, it’s my ex, Detective Quentin Perry. Typically, when couples break up, especially when it’s because the guy cheats on the girl with her best friend, they don’t continue to interact in their daily lives. But Quentin likes to bring me tough cases he’s investigating with the Bennett Falls Police Department because I happen to have a knack for solving crimes, particularly murders.

  Okay, so maybe there are a few things I’d change about my life.

  But, Quentin and his wife, Samantha—aka my former best friend who dated Quentin behind my back—have been going through a really rough time since Samantha went into early labor that resulted in their son being born extremely premature. They still haven’t been able to bring him home from the hospital yet. Call me crazy, but I feel bad for them both.

  “Good morning, Jo.” His voice is small like he hasn’t slept in days, which he probably hasn’t considering he spends as much time as possible at the hospital watching over his son.

  “How is Quentin Junior doing?” I ask.

  Quentin lowers his gaze and takes a deep breath before answering. “He has to stay in NCIU until a few weeks before he was supposed to be born. He’s still on a respirator.”

  I can’t even imagine how scary it must be to have your child in the neonatal intensive care unit fighting for his life. “But the doctors are handling it, right? He’s going to be okay?”

  “They think the worst is over, but you never know with these things.” Quentin’s voice is completely broken. He’s barely holding it together.

  I reach for his hand on the counter. He might have cheated on me with my best friend, but I wouldn’t wish his situation on my worst enemy. It’s tearing him apart inside. “He’ll be okay. He’s a fighter, like his dad.”

  Quentin pulls his hand from mine and swipes at a tear that escapes his right eye. “Can I get a ristretto?” He motions to the specials board.

  “Of course.” I turn around to start on his drink. “Is Samantha home now?”

  “Yeah, her mom is staying with us to help Sam as she recovers.”

  That’s good. Samantha isn’t good at taking care of herself in the best of circumstances. It’s actually what made me become friends with her when we were growing up. She needs people to look out for her because she can’t do it herself. Luckily, her mother plans to take care of the baby once Quentin Junior comes home and Samantha is able to go back to work at Bouquets of Love, the florist next door to Cup of Jo.

  I hand Quentin his drink. “Are you sure you don’t want something stronger?” I ask. “You know a ristretto is basically a short shot of espresso, right?”

  “No, I had no idea what it was, but everything you serve is good, so I figured I’d go with what’s on special.”

  “It has less water than an espresso and tastes a little sweeter, too. Maybe I should pour you a regular coffee as well. You look like you could use more caffeine to make it through the day.” I give him a once-over. “Or even just the morning.”

  He tries to laugh, but it’s pitiful. “Do I look that awful?”

  “That’s a loaded question to ask your ex, don’t you think?”

  He smirks. “I suppose it is. And yeah, I’ll take that regular coffee, too. Dark roast please. The stronger the better.”

  “Something we actually agree on.” I turn around to get his coffee just as Cam comes out of the kitchen. He smiles at me, but the smile quickly fades from his face when he sees Quentin. To say Cam doesn’t like Quentin is an understatement. Sure, it worked out well for Cam and me that Quentin turned out to be a cheater, but Cam doesn’t tolerate anyone hurting me.

  “Detective, what brings you in today?”

  That’s a good question because Quentin hasn’t told me why he’s here. He doesn’t ever stop in for social visits, though, which means he must have a new case.

  I cap his coffee and hand it to him. “I’m interested in hearing that answer as well.”

  Cam places a hand on the small of my back.

  “I woke up to a phone call about a murder at a construction site on Ridgeway Court. I’m heading there now. Apparently, a nighttime security guard was stabbed to death. The morning crew found him when they showed up today.”

  I know what’s coming, but it doesn’t make it any easier for me to hear.

  “Jo, I know I have no right to ask, but would you mind coming with me?”

  “To the crime scene?” Quentin usually doesn’t like me to go near those. To be honest, I don’t like to go near them either.

  “I thought Chief Harvey was dead set against allowing you to use consultants on your cases,” Cam says.

  “He’s willing to turn a blind eye.”

  “But not to actually pay me for my assistance.” I roll my eyes. “Sorry, but I’m busy. As you can see, my employees haven’t even shown up yet for the day.”

  Cam and I have exactly two employees, my neighbor and friend, Jamar, and his friend Robin. Both are great workers and completely trustworthy. They cover for Cam and me all the time. Usually because we’re helping Quentin solve crimes. For free.

  Quentin runs a hand through his hair. “Maybe I could pay you for your time.”

  The man who has a baby in the hospital and will most likely have bills coming at him from all directions because of it? I shake my head. I’m not a heartless person. “That’s not happening.” The truth is, if I’m an o
fficial consultant for the BFPD, I’d have to follow police procedures. I’m not exactly eager to be bound by those rules. Working on my own means I can break some rules, and I much prefer it that way. “Tell me what you’ve got.”

  “Can I show you instead?”

  I gesture to the coffee shop. “I can’t leave until Robin and Jamar get here. Talk.”

  Quentin sighs. “The victim is a man by the name of Simon Porter. He’s fifty-two and has been working with Vitulli Security for the past twenty-two years. He was assigned to stand guard at the site of the new hotel going up on Ridgeway. Someone came onto the grounds and stabbed Porter to death.”

  “Did the killer leave anything behind?” I ask. “The murder weapon? Footprints? Something to give you a clue who you’re looking for?”

  Quentin shakes his head. “Not a thing.”

  “Job sites usually have security cameras, don’t they?” Cam asks.

  “Unfortunately, the construction company didn’t install any since they hired Porter to watch the area.”

  I guess that makes sense. Why hire a guard if you have security cameras, or vice versa?

  “If there’s nothing at the crime scene, why do you want me to go down there?” I ask.

  “I thought maybe you’d see something I missed.” He finishes his ristretto and places his cup on the counter. “I’ve been so tired.”

  He’s afraid he’ll lose his job or be put on temporary leave if he can’t solve this case because he’s not sleeping.

  “Does the chief really know you’re coming to me?” I ask.

  Quentin looks away. “I can’t officially tell him I’m using your help. He doesn’t want to know. As long as we solve the case, he won’t ask either.”

  The door to Cup of Jo opens, and my younger sister, Maura, walks in with her boyfriend, Wes. Her eyes immediately narrow at the back of Quentin’s head.

  “Is he bothering you, Jo?” Mo asks. I might be two years older than she is, but her claws come out every time she sees Quentin. She’ll never let him forget what he did to me. She’s very protective of the people she loves.

  I hold up a hand to stop her. “It’s fine, Mo.”

  Quentin takes out his phone and types something. Then my phone dings in my pocket. “I texted you the address. Meet me as soon as you can get away.” He places a twenty-dollar bill on the counter and turns around.

  “Quentin, you need change,” I call after him.

  “You won’t let me pay you for consulting. The least I can do is tip you well.” He raises his to-go cup in the air before using his back to push open the door.

  Once he’s gone, Mo turns her attention to me. “What’s going on? Why are you being so nice to him, Jo?”

  “His son is fighting for his life. If there’s ever a time to show compassion for Quentin, it’s now.”

  Cam rubs his hand up and down my back. He might hate Quentin, but I can tell he’s proud of me.

  “You know, most people would say karma is kicking in and getting Quentin and Sam back for what they did to you,” Mo says.

  “Possibly losing their child is much worse than cheating on me. There’s no comparison. Now, can we please drop this? What can I get for you both?”

  “I’ll take a ristretto. I don’t think I’ve ever had one,” Wes says, jumping on the change in topic. He’s great at handling my sister, who can be a handful.

  “You like espresso, so you’ll like ristretto,” I say.

  “I need to get back in the kitchen before my muffins burn.” Cam kisses the side of my head. “Mo, Wes, see you later.”

  “See ya, man,” Wes says.

  Mo waves and then walks behind the counter to join me as I make Wes’s drink. “I’m going to go out on a limb and say you and Cam haven’t planned a single thing for your wedding.”

  “Wrong. We’ve decided to have it here to keep the guest list small.”

  Mo’s mouth drops open. “You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, I’m going to have a small, intimate wedding just to kill you. You’ve found me out.” I shake my head at her as I hand Wes his drink.

  Mo pours herself a large coffee and sips it. “What am I supposed to tell everyone you don’t invite?”

  “You tell them we’re having a small ceremony with family and close friends.”

  She scoffs. “We live in a town the size of a pea. You try telling these people you don’t consider them family or close friends. Let me know how that goes.”

  Robin and Jamar walk into the café, talking and getting along well. I was worried there might be some tension between them after they tried and failed at dating. And now Robin is dating Jamar’s friend Lance. But I guess things with Jamar and his new girlfriend, Summer, must also be going well because he and Robin are acting like nothing ever happened between them. I have to hand it to them. They are definitely handling the situation in a very mature manner.

  “I’m glad you two are here. Cam and I need to run out for a bit,” I say, grabbing my purse from behind the counter.

  “Let me guess,” Jamar says. “We just missed a certain detective.”

  “You’re smart. I’m hoping this won’t take too long.”

  “No problem, Jo. We’ve got it covered,” Robin says.

  Jamar turns on the sound system. “And I’ve got my dancing shoes on.” He’s known for dancing with the customers. It draws quite a crowd and plenty of tips.

  Cam comes out of the kitchen holding a pastry box, which he hands to Wes. “These just came out of the oven. They’re triple chocolate muffins, hot and gooey the way Mo likes them.”

  “I adore you, Camden Turner,” Mo says. “Although, I’d love you more—in a future brother-in-law way—if you’d convince my sister to have a proper wedding.”

  “No can do. I’m all on board with having the ceremony here.”

  “Ugh, you’re both hopeless.” Mo rolls her eyes and loops her arm through Wes’s. “Let’s go before they totally ruin my morning.”

  “One bite of that muffin and you’re going to be singing my praises again,” Cam tells her.

  Mo waves a hand over her head.

  Wes just shrugs as he holds the door open for her.

  Cam catches Jamar up to speed with what’s in the oven and when it needs to come out. Then we head to the crime scene.

  I text Quentin once we’re close because I’m sure he doesn’t want the CSI team to see Cam and me if Chief Harvey isn’t supposed to know we’re helping Quentin with the case. He tells us to park down the road and walk the rest of the way. He also tells us to meet him near the trailer on site, which happens to be outside the border created by the police tape.

  Cam knocks on the trailer door, but Quentin comes up behind us.

  “Hey.” He motions for us to walk around the trailer so we’ll be out of sight of any officers on the scene.

  “You’re not letting us near the body, so why did we have to come down here?” Cam asks.

  “Once the body is removed and the others are gone, I’ll bring you in there,” Quentin says. “For now, here’s what you need to know. The victim was stabbed in the stomach, the chest, and the neck.”

  “That seems excessive,” Cam says. “Do you think the killer was trying to make sure the guy would die and have no chance of being saved?”

  “No idea. But a killing like this…” Quentin stifles a yawn. “It’s usually a sign of passion.”

  “Or extreme rage,” I say.

  “Both usually come down to one thing. Revenge. The question is for what?”

  For the second time today, I find myself agreeing with Quentin. Revenge is a strong motivator, and a weapon like a knife puts the killer much closer to the victim. This was personal.

  Chapter Two

  I can’t help thinking that the killer had to get close to the victim to stab him. That might imply the victim knew the killer. It could be a spouse or someone Simon Porter was involved with on a personal level. Whoever it was, Simon wasn’t afraid to let
them get near him.

  “Quentin, does Simon have any defensive wounds on him?” I ask.

  Quentin shakes his head. “There’s no sign that he fought back, but if he was surprised by the attack, he might have reached for a wound instead of trying to fight.”

  “So, if he was stabbed in the stomach first,” I say, “he could have grabbed his stomach to apply pressure to the wound, allowing the killer to stab him again.”

  “That’s my theory,” Quentin says. “I’d guess the chest wound came next and then the neck.”

  “The attack doesn’t seem like the work of someone who’s killed before,” Cam says. “I mean, why stab him three times? And why the neck last? A stab to the neck should have been enough to kill him, shouldn’t it?”

  “Yes.” Quentin crosses his arms.

  “It’s possible the killer got close to Simon,” I say. “Maybe under the pretense of going to hug him or something. That would allow for the stab in the stomach. Then Simon would probably stagger backward, so the killer aimed for the chest, going for the heart. And if Simon fell but was still breathing, the killer could have crouched down and stabbed him in the neck to finish the job.”

  Quentin is staring at me like I planned the murder. “It’s a little scary how you just figured out the killer’s actions without even seeing the body.”

  “I blame you for my knowledge of crimes and psychotic killers,” I say. The truth is we don’t even know if I’m right. I’m purely guessing at this point, but my theory certainly sounds plausible.

  We have to wait about twenty more minutes before the CSI team finishes and takes the body away. Then Quentin brings us onto the actual job site. There are markers on the concrete foundation of the hotel where the body was found, but I’m not sure they’re all that necessary considering the amount of blood.