To Brew or Not to Brew Read Online Free Page A

training the kitchen staff, as that had been Kurt’s domain, and I didn’t know how I’d ever find another assistant. He said he had a great idea and not to worry. Knowing some of the ideas he’d come up with in the past, I was reasonably sure I had cause to worry.
    â€œMax?” Candy called again.
    â€œIn here.” I stood and stretched. It felt good when my back cracked.
    Candy whooshed into the office carrying a clear glass plate holding two chocolate chip muffins. These were definitely not ordinary muffins. They were twice the size of most and topped with pecan slivers and drizzled with a dark chocolate glaze. She put the plate down on my desk and crushed me into a bear hug.
    â€œOh, Max,” she said. “I just heard. I am so sorry! That poor boy. And what you must be going through.”
    I seriously doubted Candy “just heard” about Kurt. She almost always heard about things the minute they happened. I wouldn’t be surprised if she sometimes knew in advance. Her information-gathering skills were second to none. She should have been working for the NSA. I disentangledmyself and backed up far enough that she wouldn’t hug me again. Ordinarily, I didn’t mind hugs but Candy’s were a little too enthusiastic to suit me. She was a good bit taller than me, so my head ended up smashed against her ample bosom. The rest of her was fairly ample, too.
    Before we met, I’d pictured a statuesque blond bombshell when I first heard her name. She was as far from that as one could be. She was tall, but that’s where the similarities ended. Picture Mrs. Santa Claus in black and gold. She was a rabid Steelers fan and wasn’t afraid to show it, no matter how outlandish the outfit. Today she wore lemon yellow pants and a black T-shirt with a large photo of Troy Polamalu on the front. Her black orthopedic shoes were tied with yellow Steelers laces. Even her fingernails had team decals.
    â€œI’m all right,” I said.
    â€œIt must have been so traumatic.” Candy lowered herself into one of the chairs I’d picked up at a yard sale, and I reclaimed the seat at my desk.
    â€œIt was.” I knew she was waiting for the particulars. As much as I liked her, I didn’t want the events of the previous night to be fodder for gossip. Candy knew everyone and everything that happened in the neighborhood. She wasn’t malicious about it; she just liked to talk.
    â€œI just can’t believe it,” Candy said. “Kurt was such a nice young man. Did you know we exchanged recipes?”
    I shook my head and broke off a chunk of muffin. One piece wouldn’t be too many calories.
    â€œI gave him my aunt’s recipe for German chocolate cake. Maybe I’ll make some in his honor.” She picked up the other muffin and split it in half.
    â€œThat would be nice.” I picked off another piece of muffin.
    Candy went on about a few more recipes they’d shared. While she talked, my mind wandered and I only half listened. I couldn’t help thinking about Kurt’s last words to me. He’d known who was behind the sabotage. I only came back to earth when Candy stood up.
    â€œI need to get back to the bakery,” she said. “And you look like you need some rest.”
    â€œI’m sorry I’m not very good company right now,” I said. As I walked with her through the pub to the front door, I had a thought. I hadn’t wanted to tell her the whole story because she might gossip, but Candy was the eyes and ears of the neighborhood. Maybe she knew who might not want the brewery to open. “Did Kurt ever mention anything about some of the strange things that happened here lately?”
    â€œLike what? Ghosts? I’d love to have a ghost.”
    I told her what had been going on and what Kurt suspected, including what he told me when he called.
    â€œIt wasn’t an accident, then,” she said.
    â€œI