Cookies and Scream (A Cookie Cutter Shop Mystery) by Virginia Lowell Page A

pointless and interminable as they might seem, always had a purpose. If only she would get to it faster. . . .
    “Irv and Louisa had enough to live on,” Ellie said, “but they were used to being active. They wanted to do more than sit around and watch television.” She glanced at her watch. “Relax, Livie. Everything is ready for the event, and I predict that Constance and Greta will arrive momentarily at the alley door. Bertha will let them in.”
    “I can’t believe I’m encouraging you, Mom, but what on earth do Ed and Louisa—”
    “Irv and Louisa, dear.”
    “What do
Irv
and Louisa have to do with Greta and Constance?”
    “That’s an excellent question,” Ellie said with the merest hint of triumph in her voice. “You see, Irv and Louisa desperately wanted to be out and about—they so loved their drives in the country—but Louisa was in a wheelchair and she needed other equipment, for breathing and so forth. Constance offered to make the payments on a specially made van for their use if, in return, Irv would pick up Constance, along with her wheelchair, and drive her whenever and wherever she wanted to go. Within reason, of course.”
    Behind Ellie’s back, the kitchen door opened, and Bertha poked her head out. “Constance and Greta just arrived,” Bertha said. “Constance wanted me to give this to you right away.” She handed Olivia a small key ring with one key. “She said it’s for the secure storage vault. Should I bring Greta and Constance out here?”
    “Not just yet,” Olivia said as she took the key. “The crowd on the porch will see Greta through the front window, and I want to make sure she is mentally prepared.”
    Once Bertha had returned to the kitchen, Olivia said, “Nicely played, Mom. The timing of your Harve and Louisa story was perfect.”
    “
Irv
and Louisa.”
    “Sometimes you drive me crazy,” Olivia said, “but there’s no denying your unique genius.”
    Ellie took her daughter’s arm and guided her toward the kitchen door. “Now, Livie, I meant what I said earlier. The more closely you observe human behavior, the better honed your instincts about people will become. Such a useful skill.” Ellie paused near the kitchen door. “I’m worried about this afternoon,” she said.
    “Really? Why?”
    With a slight shake of her head, Ellie said, “I’m not sure. There’s something about—”
    The kitchen door burst open, and Bertha appeared. “We
really
need you in the kitchen, Livie. Maddie doesn’t know what to do.”
    “What—” Olivia felt herself being pushed and pulled into the kitchen, where she found Maddie and Constance doing their best to convince Greta not to bolt for the alley door.
    The kitchen phone was off the hook and emitting loud, irritating beeps. Olivia reached toward the receiver, but Maddie snatched it away. “Don’t hang it up.” There was a hint of hysteria in Maddie’s voice. “We’ve been getting calls.”
    “I did not come here to be mocked and threatened.” Greta’s rage was evident in her clenched jaw and flushed cheeks.
    “What’s going on? What calls?” Olivia glanced at her mother, who shrugged.
    “From Binnie,” Maddie said. “We’ve hung up on her twice, but she instantly calls back. She keeps spewing nonsense about Greta’s past. As usual, Binnie is hiding behind those ‘anonymous sources’ she finds under rocks.”
    “How does Binnie even know we are here?” Olivia sank onto a kitchen chair.
    “Who knows?” Maddie said. “I suspect she has winged minions with cell phones.”
    Olivia sighed, and said, “Greta, on behalf of the entire town of Chatterley Heights, I apologize for Binnie Sloan’s existence. She is deluded enough to believe it’s acceptable to make up facts, as long as they create a sensational story. Believe me, the best way to handle Binnie is to ignore her. Better yet, laugh at her. We will laugh with you.”
    The flame began to fade from Greta’s cheeks. Ellie pulled over a