Dingaling

It was almost closing time when I entered the bakery again.

'Oh, hello again detective, back already?' Myrtle Brothel greeted me.

'Hello missus Brothel.' I gave her a smile, 'I came by again because I thought to myself, why don't I go try one of the Brothels' cupcakes, see if they really are worth stealing. So here I am.'

'But of course detective,' she replied delighted, 'would you like me to make you a small assortment?'

'Actually, I was interested in trying the Rum Special.'

Myrtle gave me an apologetic look. 'Oh I'm sorry, the Rum Special is made-to-order, I can only have it tomorrow. Travis makes it early in the morning.'

'Oh, that's unfortunate. Do you have many made-to-order cupcakes?'

'Some, the Rum Special, the Vodka Special, the Beer-Lemonade... they're an acquired taste and expensive to make, so we don't bake them up front. But we don't have a fixed list if that is what you are asking. If you like something different we can always ask Travis what he can make... just not today anymore, he left for home five minutes ago.'

I looked suitably disappointed. 'You told me this morning that Eddie had bought a Rum Special?'

'Yes,' she nodded, 'mistress Panache is a fan of the specials. She had ordered it two days ago. In fact she called today and asked if we could have it ready for tomorrow, since the police had taken the one today.'

So, I realized, that means she does not have it yet.

'Tell me, Myrtle,' I said, 'you say Travis does the cupcakes?'

'Yes, he loves making the cupcakes, they're very dear to his heart, and he's so inventive with the combinations.'

'How long has Travis been working here?'

She thought about this for a moment. 'I think it's now been four months.'

'And ever since Travis has been here, your sales of cupcakes have gone... up?'

She nodded vehemently.

'Definitely, especially posh people like the specials, I think they like'em because they are something out of the ordinary.'

'I bet they are,' I smiled.

I thanked Myrtle and went outside, calling dispatch to get me the home address of Travis Barker. While they were looking it up I had them patch me through to Rascal.

'Rascal, it's me. Did you find it?'

'Yep. As you suspected, right at the exit of the back alley. We're still looking for the gun, coming to search the bakery now.'

I nodded to myself. 'I'll have dispatch forward you an address, we'll go there as soon as you're done. I think we may have found our murderer.'

'Roger that.'