Lattes and Lynching (Cup of Jo 4)

By Kelly Hashway

Joanna Coffee’s business couldn’t be going better, especially when Cup of Jo becomes the hangout spot for two famous boy bands visiting Bennett Falls for a charity concert. That is until the lead singer of Big Time Crush winds up murdered, seemingly the victim of a lynching.

Worse, Zeke Taylor, while worshipped by his fans, was hated by just about everyone he worked with—Jo being the exception since she kept him well-caffeinated in lattes, his favorite drink. When local police detective, and Jo’s ex, Quentin Perry rules the death a lynching, Jo feels like something is off.

Jo’s compelled to don her detective hat once again and find out who really killed Zeke. But a high-profile case like this, might put her in the limelight and on the killer’s hit list.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelly Hashway
• Release date: Feb 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005533267

Kelly Hashway

Kelly Hashway fully admits to being one of the most accident-prone people on the planet, but luckily she gets to write about female sleuths who are much more coordinated than she is. Maybe it was growing up watching Murder, She Wrote that instilled a love of mystery, but she spends her days writing cozy mysteries. Kelly’s also a sucker for first love, which is why she writes romance under the pen name Ashelyn Drake. When she’s not writing, Kelly works as an editor and also as Mom, which she believes is a job title that deserves to be capitalized.

Book preview

Chapter One

I chug another shot of espresso, trying to keep up with the latte orders. Yes, it’s the special of the day, but it’s also the drink of choice of a certain boy band visiting Bennett Falls. Big Time Crush is the it band at the moment—at least, according to my customers with teenage daughters. And the band happens to be in town for a charity concert tomorrow night.

If things get any busier, the fire company might show up. There are way too many people in here, Cam says through the window between the kitchen and the coffee counter. We had the window installed when we joined our businesses, Cup of Jo and Cam’s Kitchen. His Cam’s Kitchen sign is hanging above the window since I never was comfortable with the idea of using my coffee shop’s name and scrapping his bakery store name altogether. It’s a partnership. Cam and I make the perfect team, and not just in business. He also happens to be my boyfriend and lifelong friend.

It’s Zeke Taylor. He loves my lattes.

I know. Cam wipes his forehead with the back of his hand. I think he likes to flirt with you, too.

No way, I say, making what feels like my millionth latte of the day. I’m way too old for him. Every member of Big Time Crush is between twenty and twenty-two years old. I have no doubt they see me as ancient since I’m thirty.

Hey, Latte Lady.

I recognize Zeke’s voice immediately. He has a slight British accent. One that shows he’s lived in the US for quite some time, despite having been born in England. Cam raises his brow at me, and I shake my head before turning to Zeke.

Mr. Taylor, need a refill already? I ask.

It’s Zeke to you, Latte Lady.

Okay, Zeke. Maybe you should try calling me Jo, then. I hand the latte I just made to Robin, my newest employee, and get to work on Zeke’s latte.

Jo. Do you mean like coffee? Zeke snaps his fingers. Oh, I get it now. Cup of Jo.

You catch on quickly, I say with a teasing smile.

I’m just finishing Zeke’s drink when Samantha Shaw, my ex best friend and current fiancée to my ex-boyfriend, Detective Quentin Perry, walks in and straight to Zeke. She’s holding a pad and pen in her hands.

Hi, Jo-Jo, she calls to me. I hate that she calls me that like we’re still friends. I’ve come to terms with the fact that Samantha and Quentin had an affair behind my back. I’m even civil to them both, but calling me by the nickname she gave me in middle school is too much. You’re Zeke Taylor, she gushes, much like a teenage girl. Could I get your autograph?

I’ve come to learn that Zeke loves attention. He’s signed more napkins in this place than I can count. In fact, I had to place a rush order for more, and he’s only been in town for two days.

Of course, luv. Zeke flashes a big smile as I cap his latte. Who should I make this out to?

Sam. She hands him the pad and pen. I’m a good friend of Jo’s.

I stupidly thought I’d gotten through to her recently when I clearly spelled out that we aren’t friends anymore. Silly me.

Well, any friend of Jo’s is a friend of mine, Zeke says as he signs the paper.

I hand Zeke his latte, and as he pulls out his wallet, Samantha says, I’ll pay for that.

Zeke raises the cup to her, flashes me a smile, and walks back to join his table of adoring fans.

Samantha orders a latte for herself and pays for both drinks before wandering to Zeke’s table.

Cam comes out of the kitchen and wraps one arm around my waist. How are you holding up?

It’s almost quitting time. If we can convince Zeke to leave.

Don’t you think it’s odd that the rest of the band is sitting at a different table? Cam asks. It’s like they don’t even like Zeke.

Before I can answer, the other boy band in town walks in. Their name is Fifteen Minutes of Fame, which seems odd to me because who wants to be associated with only being known for a short time?

Over the past two days, the bands have been strangely avoiding each other. The news has been describing them as rival bands, even though they’re on tour together.

Hey, look. It’s the opening act, Zeke says in a loud voice, and everyone gets quiet. I hope you don’t plan to be this late tomorrow night at the concert. You’re not exactly main event material.

One guy takes a few steps in Zeke’s direction. You just wait, Zeke. We won’t be opening for you for long. We’ll be bigger than you can even dream.

That so, Heath? Zeke laughs. I think you’re about to find out your fifteen minutes are up, Zeke says.

Heath glares at Zeke. "Funny, I was just thinking your time is up."

Two of Heath’s bandmates push him toward the counter.

Can I help you? I ask them.

Lattes all around, Heath says.

Coming right up.

I’ll help, Robin says. Jamar’s handling the tables right now, although I think he’s a little bummed that everyone is paying attention to the bands and not him.

I laugh as we start on the lattes. Jamar has been known to draw a crowd with his dancing. He tends to dip the customers, too. Hiring him was the best thing I did for bringing in business. But he can’t compete with two boy bands. Even my older customers are hanging around to collect autographs.

I think it’s good to give Jamar’s ego a break, I tell Robin with a wink. Truth be told, Jamar is a great guy. And considering he worked as a personal trainer before I hired him, he’s in amazing shape. Really, these boy banders have nothing on him other than their voices, money, and fame. On second thought, Jamar doesn’t stand a chance while they’re in town.

I look through the window to see Cam removing a tray of double chocolate muffins from the oven.

Do you know you smile whenever you look at him? Robin asks me, capping two lattes.

Do I?

She laughs. You two are really good together.

I won’t deny that.

We bring the lattes to the counter, where one of the members of Fifteen Minutes of Fame is still standing. The others have claimed a table in the corner, the previous occupants now standing around them, getting autographs.

After paying, the guy slips a ten-dollar bill in the tip jar, which is actually a giant coffee mug Cam bought me when I opened this place.

Thank you, I say. That’s very generous of you.

Sucking up to Jo, Emilio? Zeke says, walking around to the side of the counter like he works here.

Emilio bobs his head to me.

Zeke stands up. I asked you a question. Are you just going to ignore me?

Again, Emilio doesn’t speak.

Do you even sing, or are you only moving your lips? Zeke asks him. Then he looks at me and jerks a thumb in Emilio’s direction. I’m not sure the guy can speak. How is he in a band?

I think he’s sweet, I say.

Not to mention cute, Robin adds with a smile.

Emilio returns the smile before walking over to his bandmates. Robin skirts around Zeke to clear some tables with Jamar.

I’m your favorite, aren’t I, Latte Lady? Zeke says.

I don’t know, Zeke. You were pretty rude to Emilio, and he didn’t do anything to you.

Zeke leans toward me and whispers, All part of the act. We all have our roles to play. He winks at me, places a twenty-dollar bill in my tip mug and heads back to his table.

What was that about? Cam asks me, and I nearly jump because I didn’t realize he’d come out of the kitchen.

I’m not sure. I don’t think I know what to make of Zeke Taylor.

I’m still tired when I wake up Friday morning. Cam and I stayed open late yesterday because Big Time Crush didn’t want to leave. Or more like Zeke didn’t want to, and his bandmates simply followed his lead. Maybe that’s what he meant by roles to play. He’s the leader. The others are supposed to be his backup. But how does that play into the way Zeke interacts with the members of Fifteen Minutes of Fame?

I yawn as I walk into Cup of Jo. Cam is already here. He beats me every morning since he has to start baking. I go into the kitchen to greet him. He’s wearing his grandmother’s white lace apron. It’s the sweetest thing ever that he not only still has it since she’s the one who taught him to bake, but that he wears it every day. I don’t think I could love the man any more than I do. Good morning, I say.

He smiles at me, white flour on his cheek. Morning.

I grab a rag on the metal island, where he preps everything for the oven, and use it to clean his face.

Am I a mess? he asks.

I only see perfection.

He blushes before kissing me hello. The television in the kitchen is on, and Zeke’s image draws my attention.

What’s wrong? Cam asks, turning to see what I’m looking at.

Where’s the remote? I look around for it, finding it in the window where Cam places food orders. I quickly raise the volume on the TV.

Lead singer of Big Time Crush, Zeke Taylor, was found dead this morning on stage at the park. The official cause of death is hanging, as Taylor’s body was discovered suspended from a beam above center stage. Taylor has been in the news a lot as of late for publicly badmouthing rival band, Fifteen Minutes of Fame. While in town, Big Time Crush and Fifteen Minutes of Fame have been sighted multiple times at Cup of Jo, where fans have been able to obtain autographs and get to know the band members. Disputes between the bands have also been witnessed by patrons of the establishment.

The reporter turns to a young woman, about twenty years old. Could you state your name please?

Lucy Sinclair. I’m a huge Fifteen Minutes of Fame fan. Hi, Heath. Hi, Jared. Hi, Mateo. Hi, Emilio. She waves as if she personally knows each band member.

I see. Well, you say you were in Cup of Jo with both bands yesterday. The reporter turns the microphone back to Lucy.

Yes. Zeke was at it as usual. She crosses her arms. He can’t leave Fifteen Minutes of Fame alone. I swear he’s jealous. Or he was.

Do you think that’s why Zeke Taylor killed himself?

Lucy’s arms fall at her sides. Oh, there’s no way Zeke killed himself. The guy thought he was the greatest thing to walk the earth. No way. If you ask me, he was murdered.

Any theories by whom? the reporter asks.

Any number of people. Zeke Taylor hated everyone but himself, and the feeling was mutual. I bet a bunch of people got together to put an end to his reign once and for all.

The camera zeroes in on the reporter again. Detective Perry and the rest of the Bennett Falls Police Department refuse to give statements at this time, but we can’t help but speculate if this rather public death is actually a lynching.

I turn off the television. I can’t believe he’s dead.

Do you think there’s any truth to the lynching story? Cam asks. I mean, I don’t see why Zeke would have committed suicide. The guy had everything.

He did.

Cam and I turn to see Quentin in the doorway to the kitchen.

Excuse me, Detective, but we aren’t open for business yet. The guy has some nerve thinking he can barge in here like this.

Sorry, Jo, but I needed to catch you before you open for business today.

Why is that? I ask, already assuming he’s here to tell me to stay out of his way