Ristretto and Revenge (Cup of Jo 9)

By Kelly Hashway

Revenge can be sweet, and so are Joanna Coffee’s ristrettos. When her ex, Detective Quentin Perry, approaches Jo with a case that seems to be rooted in revenge, Jo has to agree. The victim, a nighttime security guard, was stabbed to death in a way that says this is personal.

With no witnesses and no murder weapon, Jo doesn’t have much to go on. And several people had motive to want Simon Porter dead.

Someone is settling a score, but does it end with one victim, or will there be more?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelly Hashway
• Release date: May 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005887124

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

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 official 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