Ink and Shadows(Secret, Book, & Scone Society #4)(84)
“But you were all in the dark,” Nora protested. “The only person he should be mad at is me.”
A crash came from the kitchen. It sounded like an avalanche of pots and pans hitting the floor, and the women exchanged nervous glances.
“See? He’s mad at everyone,” Hester whispered.
Estella saluted Nora with her glass. “But especially you.”
June swatted Estella with a pillow, deliberately mussing her hair, which was immaculately arranged in a high chignon.
“Hey, now! I’m going to Jack’s after this, and I want to look like Queen Elizabeth, not Ms. Frizzle.”
Sheldon poked his head into the room. “Estella, corazón, I haven’t opened a Magic School Bus book in years, but I still have a crush on Ms. Frizzle. Come in here and give me a hand. The rest of you should sit down and get ready for the parade of Cuban dishes!”
Sheldon pressed a button on his smartphone and salsa music danced out of the portable speakers in June’s dining room.
“We begin with mojitos and fried plantains!” he announced.
Estella carried a heavy pitcher garnished with mint leaves into the room. Sheldon was right behind her, balancing a tray of empty glasses in one hand and a platter of sweet fried plantains in the other.
Sheldon pulled out a chair for Estella and said, “No more work for you, Fancy Nancy. I’ve got it from here.”
He hustled back into the kitchen and reappeared with a bowl of avocado salad and a basket of Cuban bread. On his third trip to retrieve food, he danced a salsa, whistling as he swung his hips from side to side.
Nora smiled in relief. If Sheldon was cooking, whistling, and dancing, then he wasn’t that angry.
“Our star attractions for tonight are Arroz con Pollo—that’s rice and chicken for you non-Spanish speakers—and Lechon Asado, the food of the gods. Or, in simple terms, Mojo Marinated Pork.”
“Everything looks and smells beautiful, Sheldon,” Hester said. “This must have taken you all day.”
June gazed at her roommate with pride. “He was already at it when I left for church, and I went to the early service. I invited Dominique to come with me, and she brought her whole family. And her family can sing! Lord, but we had fun. Anyway, when I got back home, the front porch was full of cats. I’ve never heard such yowling and carrying on.”
“They’re my backup singers,” Sheldon explained. “My papa always said that if you sing while you cook, your food will taste like music in people’s mouths.”
Nora picked up her mojito glass. “To our chef, for creating this amazing meal. Not only does he give the best bear hugs and channel Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry in his sweater vests, but he also makes life better for everyone who walks into Miracle Books. Including me. To Sheldon!”
The rest of the women toasted Sheldon. He stood up, put one hand on his belly, and bowed. After returning to his seat, he told everyone to start passing dishes.
He scooped fried plantains onto Nora’s plate before serving himself. “Heroes do better with a partner.” He offered the platter to June but kept his eyes on Nora. “Holmes didn’t need help solving cases. He needed Watson’s friendship. Poirot needed Hastings. Monk needed Natalie. You need me. I’m your Robin, so you should tell me when you’re transforming into Batman. I could get the wrinkles out of your cape. Shine your boots. Warm up the Batmobile.”
“Batman kept things from Robin all the time. For his own safety.” Nora handed Sheldon the avocado salad.
Sheldon scowled. “I have chronic pain, but I’m not made of glass.”
“Are you going to sulk through the whole meal?” June asked, holding the breadbasket aloft. “Because if you are, I’ll take my plate of gorgeous food into the kitchen where I can eat in peace.”
“You can’t go anywhere. I want to hear what Hester has to say almost as much as I want to shovel this Arroz con Pollo into my mouth.” Estella looked at Sheldon. “What makes the rice yellow?”
“Cumin and saffron. It’s the ultimate comfort food. My abuela made it whenever she came to visit. All in one pot.” Sheldon’s face softened at the memory. “She would have loved everyone at this table.”
June picked up her glass. “To Abuela!”
After the toast, everyone began to eat. As his friends tried every dish, Sheldon received round upon round of praise. When he’d finally heard enough, he asked Hester to tell them about the investigation.
Hester raised a finger. “Before I get to Beck, I want you all to know that Lazarus Harper has been helping me at the bakery.”
Forks hung in the air. Everyone stopped chewing.
“It’s only temporary,” Hester went on. “After he pays his legal fees and covers the cost of the mirrors he knocked off of those two parked cars, he’ll head back to Pine Hollow. His civil case has finally been rescheduled, and now that Beck’s admitted to selling untested CBD products to Mr. Harper and lots of other people, I believe Lazarus is feeling like a new man.”
Sheldon groaned. “Please tell me that wasn’t a risen-from-the-dead reference.”
Hester laughed. “It was bad, wasn’t it? Okay, on to the serious stuff, starting with the contents of Beck’s pockets. The biggest shocker was the flask of homemade chloroform. He soaked a bandana with it in the front of the bookstore and walked back to the ticket agent’s office. That’s when Sheriff McCabe came up behind him and put the kibosh on his Knockout Nora plan.”