A Touch of Cinnamon

A Touch of Cinnamon

She sat down on the chair, the brown curls bouncing down her back. The windows were open fully to let in the sunlight. Hungry for a little brunch, she opened the little menu, but paid no attention. The smell of cinnamon wafted from the kitchen. The blue eyes looked around for the owner of the small bakery set on Hickory Avenue, a few blocks away from her own house. His name was Nikolas Kennedy. He always treated her kindly and often offered to give her free food (although she always paid no matter what).

“Looking for someone, Indigo?” A short and sweet looking lady walked up to her with a chuckle.

“Of course, Brooklyn. Where is he?”

“Why, he’s in the kitchen helping the new employee get used to the room. The usual?”

“Yes.” She wrote a few words on her notepad and walked back into the kitchen. Indigo adjusted her hat that hid her face and waited watching a few customers come and go; a man with a long slender coat and a suitcase, a girl in a pink sweater, and a lady with a stroller. Finally, the young man came with a wide (but strained) smile as he walked out with her tray of food.

“Hi Indi.”

“Busy, yes?” She said without replying.

“Oh, um, yeah, of course. The new employee is still struggling. Her name’s Milana.  Tyson and Cole try to help, but she’s really a pain in the butt. I understand that she just got the job in order to pay for her grandmother’s hospital, but you know-” Indigo took a bite out of the cinnamon rolls. “-she doesn’t have any experience with baking.” Nikolas looked at me.

“Enjoying the rolls? We made them fresh like you like them. The specialty of cinnamon; it’s amazing. We make our cinnamon uniquely different from others.”

“Very good, Nickolas.”

“Thank you, Indi.” She gave him an exasperated smile.

As if I didn’t hear that speech every morning when I came here.

“Look, I’m finished. I’ll go pay-”

“No, please. Just once can you let me treat you?” She stayed silent for a while.

“Fine.”

“Thanks Indi! See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, see you…” She stood up and drove home.

A few hours later, she turned on the news and started doing the laundry when an interesting topic came up.

“Hello, this is Reporter Robinson speaking. A few minutes ago, a robbery had taken place at the Cinnamon Bakery this morning. The stolen money amount is two grand. Nikolas Kennedy, the owner of this bakery claims that there were no one in the building so they had closed the store and locked the door so that they all could gather in the kitchen to discuss new recipes when they heard rustling in the main area. When they rushed out, they saw the thief frozen at the sight of them.. They leaped onto him but he escaped. They had run after them and held him still as one of the employees -we will not mention her name unless it is needed-  called the police. The identity of the thief is Avery Mclaughlin. Mclaughlin is a tall man that is an engineer. He had to come to America to learn new techniques. He begged for mercy and said that he was innocent, but the police did not accept anymore words from him. But from the search, they could see more money had been stolen than the amount that Avery had in his sack. Was it a team play or was it Avery alone? Why a bakery? They will soon hire a detective to investigate this situation. For now, the only thing the police could find was a packet of cinnamon on the floor. That's it for [The Robbery On Hickory Avenue]. Now, we introduce you to a new company…”

Indigo didn't need to listen anymore. She had written down everything that they needed to know.

Theft is maybe alone or with someone else… Hmm…

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

Right on time.

“Come in.” The door opened and Nikolas came in with a police officer.

Indigo was not surprised. She had been expecting them.

“Indigo, can we talk with you for a second?”

“Of course.” They both sat on the couch comfortably and looked at each other. When the cop nodded, Nikolas leaned towards her.

“I want to hire you as my detective.”

* * *

“I want to investigate Avery’s house first.”

“Okay. Are we taking your car?”

“Yes Brooklyn.”

“This is going to be a bad experience.”

It was about three days after Nikolas hired her as his detective. She gathered clues and information with the news and even with a 1 to 1 discussion with Nick.

“So since it was about time to close, (about 4 pm,) I came in the kitchen to tell everyone we were closing. Brooklyn went to lock the door, then came back. Milana had gotten a call so she left the kitchen for a few minutes and came back. We were talking about the new recipes we can use when we heard a clatter in the other room. Obviously, we ran there and saw Avery, staring at us as if he was a deer with headlights. He had black clothes on with thin gloves on. He ran and we caught him. He was arrested, but weirdly I think he wasn’t in there to steal. Have any ideas so far?”

“He could have been there on accident, like the door could have been not locked properly.”

“Ah, good point.”

“Well, thanks. Now I have some questions to ask you.” She tapped her pen on the table top.

“How can you lock and unlock the door?”

“Oh, easy. You turn the handle left, right, right again, and then left.  It locks automatically. If you want to open it, you go left right then push the door. Then it opens. If you want it to be locked permanently, you get the keys and lock. It can lock outside and inside with keys, and it stays locked until you use the keys again.”

“Who knows this?”

“Oh all of our employees know that unless you have forgotten how to lock it.”

“Who has the keys?”

“Only me. I always keep the keys in my office which has a passcode lock to it.”

“Who knows the password to that?”

“Again, only me. Don’t worry, no one gets into my room.”

“Were there any people absent today?”

“Zach. He was sick today and couldn’t come. Milana tried her best to help fill his spot.”

“Hmmm.... why did she come work at your place?”

“She said her grandma is sick and she had to pay hospital bills for her.”

“How does she look?”

“Oh, I forgot that you haven’t seen her before. She has round glasses and short, blonde hair. Milana also has a big backpack on her at all times.

“Have you looked through it after the robbery?”

“Of course. The police looked at it and said that there was nothing suspicious, like a box of chocolates for her grandmother.”

“Okay, that is enough. Thank you, Nick.”

“I should be saying thank you, Indi.”

Brooklyn decided that they would come with her since they wanted to help too. Indigo denied the fingerprint search because she knew from Nick’s interview that Avery had been wearing gloves.

They drove to Mclaughlin’s house which was pretty small, but packed with stuff. As soon as they came in, they were hit with the strong smell of cinnamon.

Indigo flew back into her memories where she tried her first cinnamon bun. It was when she was eighteen; Nikolas had made it fresh out of the oven. The cinnamon was nothing like the other spices she tasted before.

They shuffled through the things spread over the floor. She found an old magazine that had a picture of the president and a smaller woman. Then she found a picture of a beautiful woman with a baby in her arms.

He has a kid?

“Hey Indi, look!” I clambered over to where Brooklyn stood and saw packets of cinnamon from the bakery.

“How do you reckon he got that?”

“Brook, he could have always asked for extra cinnamon packets for his cinnamon rolls everyday. Then he would have this much.”

“Oh yeah.” She scooted off to another spot.

Indigo dropped low on her knees and searched under his bed and under his cabinets to find a cloud of dust waiting for her. She found a phone on the table and tried to unlock it, but failed. Indigo looked around for more clues.

They spent the rest of the day looking through the house. Indigo had found his wallet, a book of contacts, and letters that Avery and his wife had exchanged.

Dear Avery,

It’s brilliant here in Europe; though it’s not the same without you anymore. I know you had to go to America for work, but I really hope you can come back as soon as possible. Angie is learning a lot of words. She said mummy and daddy today and she misses you a lot. Call you soon!

Your Wife,

Summer.

Indigo folded up the letter and put it in her pocket.

There was a square box that was about three by three inches. Before Indigo could touch the box, Brooklyn yelled back at her.

“We should really wrap up now. Let’s go - could you drop us off at my house?”

“Yeah. If you give me the things you found today, I’ll figure something out.” Indigo stuffed the box into her cloak and walked back to the car.

After dropping off Brooklyn and Milana, Indigo drove to her house and sat down with all the clues they had collected. There was his phone, passport, wallet, book of contacts, his letters, and the box. She flipped through the book of contacts and came across a small scribbled name.

It was too messy so that Indi could not read the name, but the number was clearly written beside it. At first glance, she didn’t recognize it, so she moved on to the phone. It was not numbered, but it was a password with letters. She first tried to type in C I N N A M O N, but the password stopped at C I N N A.

Is it a four lettered thing? Or is it a place? What does he love most?

Then, it hit her.

She rummaged through the pile and saw the letter from Mrs. Mclaughlin.

Angie is learning a lot of words.

Indie typed in A N G I E and the phone opened. She punched the air in delight and began to scan through his phone.

Indigo went right to the calling app and scrolled through ‘recent.’ An unknown number was at the top of the list. Nervous, she quickly opened the book of contacts and slowly dragged her finger down to the number. Indigo’s heart fluttered in excitement.

The numbers were identical.

Then, Indigo went into messages and saw the number in the contacts, but it had no name. She read through the texts as quickly as possible.

Mclaughlin: Is this the right number?

Unknown: Yes, Avery.

Mclaughlin: Oh, finally.

Unknown: My address is 3853 Grimpines Street, the blue house on the right. Meet you there.

Mclaughlin: Okay.

* * *

Mclaughlin: I’m sorry, but I’m having second thoughts on this.

Unknown: Avery, you will do this and this is an order.

Mclaughlin: I am not your servant!

Unknown: You better shut that mouth of yours.

Mclaughlin: Unless what?

Unknown: I will have no choice but to harm your family.

Mclaughlin: No! Don’t! I’ll do it! You can do everything except that, please!”

Unknown: Good.

* * *

Mclaughlin: When do I go?

Unknown: I will tell you when to go, Avery! Stop texting because my phone keeps dinging and the others will know.

* * *

Unknown: 4 pm

Indi stared at the phone in amazement.

The criminal was told the time they closed. The time the person went to lock the door…

The second criminal was Brooklyn Thompkins.

“Like, she couldn't, right?” she said aloud.

But it all adds up.

If Brooklyn had been ‘helping’ Avery, she would have gotten the door open for him, taken some of the money, hid it somewhere, and came back to the group. Frightened for his family, Mclaughin must have made noise on Thompkins’ accord. Plus, the address the other person had sent to Avery was the same description of Brooklyn's house

I need more evidence.

Indigo pulled on her pajamas and sat on her bed. She would go to the bakery tomorrow and investigate more, but for now, she closed her eyes and began to sleep.

* * *

In the morning at five a.m., she dressed into her clothes and drove into the parking lot of the [Cinnamon Bakery] that was wrapped up in yellow DO NOT TRESPASS ropes. Indigo leaned under the rope and looked around.

Indigo felt the door. It was unharmed although the door was see through glass. If the thieves did not have the access to the open door, they would have broken it in some way to get in.

But, it was unharmed.

Did Brooklyn just not lock it correctly? No, probably not.

Indi looked into her bag she brought with her. Inside was Avery's phone. The address … could it be the key to everything?

She bent back under the ropes and sat down in the driver's seat in her car. On her phone she typed in 3853 Grimpines Street. It was about two miles away so she started the engine and drove away.

About an hour later, she had stopped at a small blue house with a little dog at the door. Indigo tried to open the door, but it was locked. She pressed the doorbell. A man opened the door. He looked like the butler here.

“Hello, is Brooklyn here?”

“She went out for a walk. You can come in and wait for her.” Indigo took off her shoes and walked through the door. The hall was decorated with flowers and the couch was a bright pink. Indi then saw a little box that looked like the one Avery had. It had a little note on it.

This is for you Brooklyn. Please take this note off the box as soon as you see it. Thanks, Milana.

Weird, Indigo thought. She took the lid off the box and saw a bunch of poker chips at the bottom.

Just then, she heard the door open. She quickly put the lid back on and crawled back onto the sofa. Brooklyn came in with a bright blue dress that came with yellow laces.

“Phew! It's hot out, especially at six thirty in the morning! What did you come here for, Indigo?"

“Oh nothing. I want to ask you if you've gambled before."

“Of course not, my mother would kill me if I did. Although, I did hear a little jingle in Milana's backpack. I've seen her in the casino before too on the day of the robbery. Weird, eh?” Indigo's eyes widened.

“Um, sure. And, could I see your phone?”

“Naw.”

“Why?”

“Because the shop has it.”

“Why?”

“It broke three weeks ago. Go ask Nick: he knows.”

“Are you sure, Brooklyn, that you don't gamble?”

“Of course! Why would I! I already have a job with a decent amount of money; I don't need.” Indigo hurried out of the room.

“Hey Indi! Stay for some food!"

“Nope! I've gotta go! Thanks and see you tomorrow at the bakery!”

“Wha? Oh! Okay!” But Indigo did not hear her. Her mind was fixed on one thing.

“Milana gambles?

* * *

Indi was now at the bakery. Nikolas was there sitting in one of the chairs.

“Oh, Hi Indigo! How’s the case going?”

“Okay. I have to ask you two things.”

“Sure.”

“Did you see Brooklyn’s phone broken?”

“Of course I did. I in fact saw it break. We were working when it fell on the marble floor and it shattered. I was a little techy and I tried to fix it for her but failed so she gave it to the mechanical shop to fix it. What’s next?”

She can't text.

“Do you have Milana’s number?”

“I sure do. Y’need it?”

“Yes. Urgently.”

“Well…” He took a slip of paper out of his pocket and handed it to her.

“Thanks.”

“You want something to eat?”

“Actually, yes. I got up at five in the morning-” A loud ringtone interrupted her.

“Oh, that’s my phone in the locker room.”

“Locker room?”

“It’s where we put our stuff. Care to come with me? I mean, if that’s going to help the case of course.”

“Sure.” They walked into the locker room where there was Tyson, Brooklyn, Cole and Milana’s bag with Nickolas’ in the corner. Without thinking she dived into Milana’s bag and searched for something useful. Soon, Indigo found Milana’s diary.

Wednesday: Grandma died from a heart attack. Going gambling.

Friday: Lost all my money. Made a friend named Avery. He lost his money too.

Saturday: We planned to rob the small bakery in Hickory Avenue.

Sunday: Avery doubts me. I threatened him. Got the job.

Tuesday: Robbing success. Hid the money under the chocolate. Hid poker chips in box. Framing Thompkins.

Wednesday: We are going to move 2k to Leopard Avenue on Friday.

Inigo stared at the diary in amazement. She dug through the bag, found the chocolates, and opened it.

There it was.

2k.

Explanation: Rogers lost all her money by hospital bills and gambling. She forced Mclaughin to help her steal the money and get framed, threatening his family. Rogers lied about her grandmother’s bills in order to get the job. Rogers opened the door for Mclaughlin to come in and stole the money, stuffing some of her own in Mclaughlin’s sack. She went into the locker room and stuffed the money under the chocolates. To frame Thompkins, she used Brooklyn’s phone number to text Mclaughlin the time.