SWEET SHOP-CHAPTER 11

Hope your Spring has sprung where you are. We are still waiting. Here is the next chapter, hope you enjoy!

Chapter 11

 

 

There was no door peep hole to look through. Sophie opened the door as far as the chain would open. She peeked out and there stood a tall thing man wearing black hoodie and black jeans. His hood was down and Sophie tried to figure out if that was the same one running down the back alley.

“Your recycle bin is stuck and I can’t retrieve the recycles. You will have to remove them yourself and take them to your nearest depot.”

“Oh,” Sophie coughed out. “I thought that it was almost empty as…”

The thin man just stared at her getting annoyed. Sophie sighed. “Thank you for telling me, I will take it in myself and next time it won’t be stuck.”

He nodded and backed away and turned around leaving Sophie standing there. She watched him disappear around the corner hearing him opening up the flower shop’s bin’ She closed the door but there was something that was not quite right there. Gingersnap was sniffing around the bottom of the door now.

“What do you smell boy? Is that man says who he is?”

Sophie decided to go out the front door and look around where all the bins are and see if there is the truck. She hurried out to the front and stopped short when the old recycle truck came limbering around the corner. Two men wearing their uniforms hung onto the side of the truck. Sophie knew there was something wrong. He wasn’t wearing any uniform like they were. She rushed back in and through to the back door. Gingersnap was still sniffing at the door. Sophie opened it and out jumped Gingersnap still sniffing where the tall thin man was and continued to follow the trail around to where the recycle bin was.

Sophie was right behind him. When she got to where the bin was, she noticed that it looked over stuffed. Someone had out more in and it wasn’t her. She marched right up to the bin and there were three extra bags full of plastics shoved in tight. Sophie had a hard time freeing them but they finally gave with the final one ripping spilling plastics in the alley. Of course that’s when a breeze decides to get up and the first thing Sophie sees is plastic bottles being taken down the alley far from her. She had to run after them to retrieve them.

Sophie had to go back and get more bags to shove all of these fallen one in. Finally she got the last of the plastics put into another bag. Now she could take a look in the bin. When she looked. Sophie had to take a second look. “Is that what I think it is?” She reached in and pulled out a large bag. Sophie opened it and it was indeed what she thought it was. Dresses!

“Did that man put them there? But why?” There was a tag on so Sophie looked and it was her friend’s tags. It was Susan’s! The new owner of the property across from her. What was her dresses doing in her recycle bin? Sophie looked down at Ginger. “I think someone is out to sabotage Susan’s shop.” Gingersnap let out a faint mew. He liked Susan and didn’t want to see anyone harm her.

“I will have to phone Susan and tell her what happened and she can pick up these dresses.”

They both went back in. James met them covered in flower. Sophie knew why. “Did those dough hooks act up again?”

“Don’t worry, I got strong hands and did it by hand. There’s nothing like a good dough kneading.”

He looked at them. “Why are you two out here? I thought today you were presenting some new cupcakes out front.”

Sophie gasped. “I forgot all about that. I had an issue with someone pretending to be a recycle man and he wasn’t.” She proceeded to tell him the rest. All James could do was shake his head. “This is getting more and more complicated all the time.”

Sophie agreed and then quickly made her way out to the front. James fed Gingersnap quickly before heading back into the kitchen. Gingersnap decided to go back outside and do some more sniffing. Maybe Molly would be out to help.

There was some noise around the corner of the shop and it sounded like another cat thought Gingersnap. When he got there however, Molly was there but was being challenged by another large tom cat who didn’t look so friendly. Molly let out a yell and that brought Gingersnap out in view and the large tom cat hissed at him. Out of the dark the same black hooded dressed thin man came out of the shadows. “Get a way you two and leave Brutus alone.” He scooped him up and took him over to his bike where he placed Brutus in a protective basket and took off down the alley.

Molly came over to Gingersnap and they touched noses. They both looked down the alley where they had taken off. Gingersnap looked over at Molly. “We have trouble.”

Molly let out a weak mew. She agreed with him.

 

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SWEET SHOP-CHAPTER 10

Here we are with the latest chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter 10

 

Gingersnap went over to where the noise was. They were still there and making quite the noise. Gingersnap thought that they were trying to crawl right inside he thought and would come through the wall. He sniffed around the wall and paced back and forth like there was a mouse on the other side.

Finally he heard a huff that a human would make. Then there was no noise. Gingersnap sat there staring at the wall for a moment. He went to the window and peeked out but couldn’t see anything. He wondered if they were still there or not. Thoughts of going to get Sophie nudged him to move back up the stairs. When he got back up he went straight to the dresser and onto the window ledge. The noise from down stairs started again. Gingersnap flew down and over to the window that faced the same side as the recycle bin. Only thing the roof jutted out too far to see anything. They continued to make noise and then a loud thump sound echoed. That woke up Sophie who jolted up and looked over at Gingersnap. “What is it?”

Gingersnap mewed out sending Sophie out of the bed to the window. She got up on a stool to look out the window. “I can’t see anything. I have to go downstairs.”

Sophie grabbed her phone dialing for help on her way down the stairs. She quickly unlocked the door and went flying out around the corner, just in time to see whoever it was running down the back alley. They were wearing all black and could run pretty fast. Sophie stood there with her phone in her hand watching them disappear.

The police arrived and looked everywhere with their dogs but turned up empty handed. “Well, whoever it was, knew that money was in there hiding and how did they know to come early to get it?”

Sophie let out a sigh. “They obviously figured it out when the money wasn’t taken right away. Now they will probably not be seen.”

The officer tapped his chin. “Not if he thinks that there is more that has been left behind.”

Sophie gave him a scrunched up look. “What? Are you going to print more money or something?”

“Not quite but we will give them the impression that they didn’t get it all. This is going to take some doing.”

The officer went back to his car to talk to some others leaving Sophie. She went back inside closing up the shop. It was starting to come daylight and with all the excitement, Sophie couldn’t go back to get some more sleep. In two hours James would be coming in to start on the breads. Instead she made some coffee and fed Gingersnap who purred now. “I know Gingie, it’s scary what is happening. I don’t like that the police are going to use my shop for bait.” She scratched the top of his orange head. “So, you have to stay in okay? I don’t want you being taken or anything.”

Gingersnap let out a loud purr and laid on her lap. She laid back in the big chair with Gingersnap curled up. Soon they were both a sleep. The sound of James coming into the office startled Sophie awake. He looked at her. “What are you doing down here?”

Sophie told him what happened. James blew out a breath. “Better make a fresh batch of coffee for this story.”

They all sat around in the kitchen. James didn’t like the idea either about setting up a bait for the thief to come back. “But maybe this time, they will get him,” James said.

Sophie sighed. “I hope so but I think I will keep my own eye out for anyone coming in today that might look suspicious.”

James grinned trying to make her feel better. “So you’re going to look over every little ole lade that comes in for her cookie today?”

Sophie stuck out her tongue at him. “I’ll try not to give the old ladies a hard time.”

James popped out of his chair. “The bread awaits for no man.” Before Sophie could retort he dashed off to the kitchen ovens.

Sophie sighed. “Well, Gingie, it’s time for me to get to work. We have a cookies to make and a thief to catch. Could be an interesting day.”

There was a knock on the back door. Sophie frowned. “No one comes through there. Must be a new delivery man.” Sophie got up and headed to the door. Gingersnap raced ahead and leaped up onto the desk and along to the window ledge. He looked out to see who it was. The way he looked at Sophie made her stop in her tracks.

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SWEET SHOP-CHAPTER 9

Hello, here is the next installment of the cat cozy. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 9

 

Gingersnap crouched down as James confronted him. “You will leave here now. We have not touched anything of yours. As you can see, everything over on your side is burnt to the ground. Maybe you should talk to your friend Mr. Grant!”

Mr. Fifer backed down and almost fell back at James’s words. But quickly regained himself. “I’ve seen all kinds of tracks over there. And there are things missing.”

Gingersnap could see James eye Mr. Fifer carefully like was some kind of unknown bug. “What kind of missing things? Like a certain kind of box perhaps?”

Mr. Fifer’s eyes went wide and suddenly he was stammering. “I have no idea what you are talking about…boxes? I’m talking about my tools.”

“I bet you are. Why didn’t you get them after the fire?”

“I was injured, you know.”

“You look healed now.”

Mr. Fifer growled. “I will be back and when I do…you better be ready.”

James towered over him. “I will be waiting.”

Mr. Fifer backed down almost cowering. Gingersnap didn’t think he looked too dangerous. His skinny little body huddled near the entrance ready to run thought Gingersnap.

Finally he took off and out the door in one big hurry. Sophie came out then and looked at James who just shook his head. “These old men!”

Sophie shook her head. “These old men are up to something.” She crossed her arms. “What I’m thinking is, one of them double crossed the other and now one is out to take that money that was stuffed in the recycle bin.”

“Well,” said James. “The culprit will be back tonight to get it, I imagine. The police can nab which ever one it is and then this whole thing will be over.”

Sophie let her arms drop and let out an exasperated breath. “I would hope so. I will be glad when the new dress shop is going up.”

“Will be nice,” agreed James. “But with everything going on, I hope your friend wasn’t bamboozled for the money.”

Sophie gasped. “Oh I hope not. This is turning into a royal mess. I must talk to the officer and make sure they get the pair of them.”

James nodded. “Yes, let’s hope they get both of them.”

Gingersnap came down the rest of the way then and they both looked down at him as he rubbed up against Sophie. “Hey there buddy. I’ll get your supper.”

Gingersnap purred in delight. While he was eating he watched James finish off a cake. Next he moved on to some cupcakes to decorate. James glanced over at him. “Nice huh boy? I should make some with cats on them. Think that would be okay?”

Gingersnap let out a purr. James smiled. “I thought so.”

He liked that James was now in a better mood and not yelling anymore. He was also hoping that the pair of them would be nabbed tonight.

Both James and Sophie had finished up their orders and were closing up shop. Gingersnap always did his little rounds around the place and then back upstairs to rest on the bed again.

Sophie followed him up the stairs. “Boy Gingersnap, I’m so tired. After all this with that box full of fake money and being stuffed in the recycle bin? I have had enough. I think I will join you for a nap.”

Gingersnap hopped up and started kneading the comforter. Sophie grabbed her favorite blanket and wrapped herself up and laid beside Gingersnap. It wasn’t long and they were both snoozing.

Time had slipped by faster than Gingersnap had thought. When he woke the sun had gone down. Sophie was curled up in a ball. All he could see was her light brown hair sticking out. Then a rattling sound made his ears perk. He got up and looked around the room but nothing. Then it got louder. It sounded like metal getting banged about.

It wasn’t upstairs so he padded downstairs. He knew right away where the sound came from. It was the recycle bin. The thief was back!

 

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SWEET SHOP-CHAPTER 8 CON'T

Happy Friday! Hope everyone is fine. Here is a little bit more to the last chapter. Hope you enjoy!

Gingersnap flew under the desk into the far corner. James and Sophie flew away from the window. James took a peek out as the police were arriving. “They should get him soon now.”

“I hope they do,” cried Sophie. “I don’t want that man around anymore.”

James who continued to look out the window nodded. “I hope they get him too and I don’t really want to see him any time soon either.”

“Do you see Mr. Grant?”

“Nope, I think he must be hiding on them but one of them has found the money. They have not removed it yet. Another team is coming in and now they are looking around the place.”

“Where could he hide when there is not much left of the place?”

“With him, who knows? Crooks like him are sneaky,” explained James.

Sophie looked under the desk. “Are you okay Gingersnap? The police are over there now so we are safe.”

Gingersnap let out a small mew that didn’t sound too convincing. Suddenly there was some shouts and when James looked out again, he noticed one of them pointing to where the money was found. James couldn’t see what the commotion was about. One of them was getting into a police car and took off it like in hot pursuit. Sophie was not looking out the window. What is going on?”

“I don’t know but I think it has to do with the money.”

Suddenly there was a commotion outside and Sophie looked around. It sounded like it was on the side of the shop. Sophie went out to the front and slipped out the front door and went around to the side where there was a chute used for recycles. All Sophie could see was someone trying stuff something down the chute. She yelled down the alley and they bolted down the back alley and disappeared. She ran down to the chute to see what they had stuffed. Sophie had a hunch what it was and who the escapee was. When she opened the chute, all she could saw plastics. But she took a closer look and sure enough there was a round looking box down there but she couldn’t reach it. Sophie went back inside. “Someone stuffed a round looking box like the one we saw down the recycling chute. But I can’t reach it. What should be do?”

James eyed her. “You didn’t see who it was?”

“No, they were wearing a dark hoodie and disappeared down the alley.”

“They will be back for it, we should tell the police and they can wait for him.”

Sophie nodded. They both headed out to where they were and one of the police officers smiled at them. It was Mr. Dwight who was a regular at the shop.

“How are doing? Quite the thing that happened here, huh?”

Both Sophie and James agreed. Sophie told him of what she saw. Mr. Dwight nodded rubbing his chin. “Interesting. Well, I think we will not retrieve it just yet. They will be back. We’ll set up a surveillance and catch them.”

Sophie didn’t know if she liked this idea or not but was rest assured that everything would go quite swiftly once they caught them. James and Sophie went back inside and got back to the baking. Gingersnap from all the noise went upstairs and hopped on the bed to take a well-deserved nap.

Gingersnap stretched out and yawned. The sun was getting low so he knew it was getting to be supper time. He got up and just as he was about to make his way down, he heard loud voices. His tail fluffed out. Thoughts of that Mr. Grant made his tail fluff out even more.

 When got down to the bottom of the stairs, he peeked around the corner.

There was Mr. Fifer!

 

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SWEET SHOP-CHAPTER 8

We are late once again but here we are! Enjoy!

Chapter 8

 

Gingersnap scampered back to the shop and went straight into the kitchen. He let out a real howl making Sophie almost drop her icing bag. She quickly set down the icing bag and rushed over to Gingersnap who she thought was hurt.

“What is it? Are you okay?”

He went over to the door and continued to mew at her and would come back and forth. James came over and said. “I think he wants you to follow him. Lead the way.”

Off Gingersnap went and they both followed and out the cat door he rushed through. He waited for them on the step and then over to the other side to the burnt shop.

He took them right to the round box and James was the first to peer in. He looked up at Sophie. “Come see what Gingersnap found.”

Sophie rushed over and gasped. “Look at all that money. Where did it come from?”

James hovered his hand over the top of the box and then quickly snatched his hand back. “We can’t touch this. I think this is fake money.”

Sophie gasped. “Counterfeit? Oh my. So what should we do first?”

“We have to call the police and let them take care of this. We can’t touch it and get out fingerprints all over this. I think our two friends here were more into shop tools and garden tools if you ask me.”

Sophie shook her head and then she frowned. “Why is this money in a hat box?”

James gave her a look. “It’s a ruse if you ask me. They are covering something up.”

Sophie crossed her crossed her arms. “With all the things that has happened to these two, I would say that their scheme has gone all wrong and maybe they are out to erase each other out of the picture.”

James eyes went wide. “Wow that could be it and why all this wildness has been lately. We don’t need these two in Pepperlane if you ask me!”

Sophie nodded in agreement. “Well, we better go in and phone the police.”

She scooped up Gingersnap holding him tight to her chest and back over all three of them went. They went into the office to phone and Gingersnap went to his bowl for a snack. While they were phoning, a roar of a vehicle filled the backyard. Gingersnap hopped up on the window to see and there was that black truck. Gingersnap knew it was the same truck that Mr. Grant had. He watched for a moment and this large man got out of the truck and he had something in his hand and it looked like a stick. When he turned Gingersnap howled.

Sophie came running out. She could see Gingersnap looking at something. “What is going on over there now?” She took a look and her jaw dropped. “James, come see this?”

James came rushing out and took a look too. He let out a huff. “Well, I guess our Mr. Grant has been found or should I say he came out of hiding?”

They could see the police car coming around the bend. But before it got there, a shot was fired in the air.

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