Mary Maxwell [Maxwell - Murder on Red Mesa Road

I was standing behind the counter at Sky High Pies, thebakery caf that my family owns in Crescent Creek, Colorado, when a womanstepped through the front door, sashayed across the empty dining room andannounced that she needed four peach pies by six oclock that evening. Iglanced at my watch: half past four.

Im sorry, I said, noticing the largealligator purse that she clutched in one hand, but were actually closed. Imustve forgotten to lock the door.

She smiled, pointing at the sign mygrandmother had placed behind the counter more than four decades earlier.Isnt the customer always right?

Since wed sold our last slice ofpeach an hour before closing, and Julia, our chef and dessert goddess, had lefta few minutes earlier, I was flying solo.

Ill pay you triple the regularprice, the woman said, removing a small parcel from the alligator bag, to bakethe pies and keep this for me until I come back. Do you mind terribly? Itsmaking my handbag a little awkward to carry.

I studied the package: brown paper,clear adhesive tape and a local Crescent Creek address as the deliverydestination. Then I looked at the woman a bit more closely. I guessed she wasin her early thirties, somewhere close to my age, but her designer outfit andexpensive gear made her seem much older.

Dont worry, she said with arelaxed smile. Its just a bunch of papers; no drugs or explosives.

No problem, I said, taking theparcel and slipping it under the counter.

I need the pies tomorrow for myboss, she added. Peaches are good luck charms for him. Hes coming up from Aspen, so I need them, like, without fail.

I managed a lighthearted grin. Ican make that work. We just happen to have some extra dough in the cooler and afew peaches left from a cobbler that our chef made this morning.

As she closed her handbag, I tookin a few more details about her appearance: matching diamond tennis braceletson one wrist, an utterly flawless manicure, impeccable veneers on her teeth anda tiny dark smudge on her chin.

Youve got a little somethingright here. I tapped just below my mouth and pushed a napkin holder in herdirection. Maybe some chocolate?

She removed the splotch afterchecking her reflection in the side of the chrome dispenser.

Im absolutely captivated at themoment by M&Ms, she said with a limitless smile. You know, the candy thatmelts in your mouth, not in your hand?

I nodded.

Well, they also melt all over yourwhite vintage Calvin Klein dress, the inside of your handbag and the front seatof your rental car.

We both laughed. The hint of snobberythat Id detected when she first spoke was long gone.

Forgive me, she said, offeringher right hand. Im Marina Seaton. Im with the television show thats goingto be filming for the next few weeks at the old Stanfield estate on Red Mesa Road. When I asked the realtor where I could buy peach pies, he recommended yourplace.

Good choice, I said. Whichrealtor gave you the tip?

She laughed. Plural, dear. Wereworking with two realtors: Eugene Crisp and Suzee Dirnhofer. My boss is anold-fashioned lump of intransigence. He thinks only men can conduct businesstransactions. I, on the other hand, hold no such imbecilic views.

Suzee and Eugene are bothwonderful, I said. And it sounds like everyone got along well if youvealready settled on a property for the TV show.

Her eyes rolled left and thenright. True, true, true, she said. Now we just need to find a muzzle for myboss.

I started to say something, butdecided against it. Instead, I reached for an order pad, made a notation about thepeach pies and then asked if she planned to wait while I worked my magic.

Ill be back at six, she said,putting a credit card on the counter. I have a couple of other errands andthen a phone call with my astrologist. She paused, smiling slyly. Do youbelieve in the connections between celestial objects and human affairs?

To be honest, I havent given itmuch thought, I said, ringing up the purchase and processing the credit card.But I do believe in the connection between raw ingredients and recipes, so Ibetter get started on those pies if theyre going to be ready on time.

Touch! she replied with a laughthat was melodic and bright.

I handed her the card and areceipt. She opened her purse again, dropped them inside and then snapped it shut.

Ill see you at six oclockon the nose! she said, turning for the door. And thank you again for beingsuch an angel!