Pumpkin Pie Parting

by Addison Moore

I don’t want to even think about that.

  Instead, I immerse myself in trying to pin down a killer.

  Leo Workman and Chanelle Maples are starting to look pretty guilty.

  How could Leo have been seeing both mother and daughter? He’s perfectly vile for even entertaining it.

  And how could Chanelle have murdered her own mother? That would be terrible if it were true.

  What a big mess.

  And murder is typically very, very messy.

  Chapter 14

  Fall in Honey Hollow is usually never so cold, never so dark, never so heartbreakingly dismal.

  It’s late afternoon, just a few days after my poor ears were traumatized from listening to my mother talk about her psychotic ex and something to do with a riding crop—when Hook called asking both Everett and me to come down to his office to sign documents regarding the Maple Meadows Lodge in Hollyhock.

  We’re just about to pull into the parking lot of Redwood Realty when I get a spastic text from my ex, Bear, to meet him at the Diamond Stop, a jewelry store just down the street. Nothing he said made sense, so Everett and I head on over to meet up with him in the event he’s gone and swallowed a ring and is awaiting his impending arrest. I’m pretty sure if that happened, they’d park Bear’s hairy behind on the nearest potty and wait patiently until he produced that hunk of pressed carbon once again.

  The Diamond Stop is a rectangular building with a giant glass jewelry counter that takes up the center of the room. Men and women dressed in formal wear work their magic behind the counter to make as many sales as possible just as Everett and I spot a woman in a red off the shoulder satin dress working Bear over and making him sweat.

  “Lottie!” Bear practically jumps at the sight of me. His sandy blond hair is frazzled, and his face is red as a beet. He’s got on a dirty sweatshirt that reads Fisher Construction across the front and he’s paired it with a dusty pair of worn-out jeans. I can tell he came over in the middle of a job. “You gotta help me out. I thought I’d walk in and buy a ring. You know, a five-minute deal, but there are way too many choices. Who knew diamonds came in so many sizes?”

  “Me,” Everett says while looking at the array of glittery splendor underneath the glass cases.

  I look to Everett questioningly but don’t say a word. His wealthy upbringing most likely afforded him all the lessons he cared to learn on fine jewelry. Not long ago I was wearing his mother’s shimmering rock on my left hand. Both his mother and sister still believe we’re engaged. It’s a little white lie Everett propagated before we ever met, and I just so happened to fill the mysterious future Mrs. shoes.

  “Look”—Bear’s eyes are bloodshot as if he’s seen his last diamond—“I know that Keelie said we weren’t going to do an engagement ring because she thinks it’s redundant, but I want to give her a token of my appreciation. I’ve got a concrete mixer showing up in ten minutes at a job across town. You know what kind of jewelry Keelie likes better than I do. Why don’t you pick out about five that you think she’d be really happy with and I’ll stop by after work and pick one of those out? At least that way I won’t be making a mistake.”

  “Yeah, sure, no problem. I know exactly what Keelie likes because we have the same taste.” I lift my brows. “We both dated you, didn’t we?”

  Bear laughs and gives me a quick pat on the back. “And she’s still going strong. I’ll catch you both later. Oh, and Everett, I’m doing the property inspection of that lodge in Hollyhock for you tomorrow. I’ll let you know if I find anything big.” He takes off and I look to Everett.

  “You have Bear looking at the property?”

  “Along with a building inspector. I figure it couldn’t hurt to get an extra opinion.”

  “Wise move. And I’m glad you believe in extra opinions because I’d love your opinion picking out these rings.”

  The brunette in the glowing red gown perks to life. “Are the two of you recently engaged?”

  “We are,” Everett pipes up with a manufactured grin. It’s so rare to see a smile from this man, I soak it in and it warms me right down to my toes.

  The woman’s features smooth out. “Let’s see your ring.” She has a heart-shaped face and half-moon-shaped eyes and has an adorably tiny voice that emits from her.

  “We don’t have one,” I confess.

  “Yet,” Everett corrects.

  Her eyes light up with dollar signs. “Well, you just so happen to be in the right place. My name is Minerva, and I’ll be glad to navigate you through the madness.”

  And navigate she does.

  Everett and I walk the entire circumference of that giant glass case, and soon enough we have a dozen or so rings amassed between us.

  Minerva lays them out, and one by one while I try them all on, I hold my hand out to admire them as I go.

  Minerva leans in. “Everett, you have exquisite taste.”

  He presses those baby blues my way, a prickling of a smile on his lips. “I do, don’t I?”

  Minerva bubbles with a laugh. “Oh yes, in both women and diamonds. Lottie, I think you should choose one for Keelie and yourself.”

  Everett tips his head my way. “I think she’s right.”

  “That’s very kind of you, Everett, but I think I’ll stick to Keelie’s ring for now.” I choose five different rings, all of which Everett selected. The man really knows what he’s doing.

  Everett puts his finger on the princess cut diamond encrusted with smaller stones.

  “I chose this one for you, Lemon.”

  My entire body flushes with heat as he says it.

  “Perfection!” Minerva trills. “A double cushion halo setting surrounded with round, brilliant cut diamonds.”

  “Everett”—I wrap my arms around him as Minerva gets to the task of putting the rings back in their proper places, sans the one that Everett has his eye on—“I love the ring, and I love you.” My chest bucks with emotion just as his chest depresses with a sigh.

  “I know, Lemon. Don’t worry about it.” He lands a gentle kiss to my cheek. “We have plenty of time to think about everything.”

  We wrap it up at the Diamond Stop and head back down the street until we end up inside Hook Redwood’s office.

  “Just sign here. We should get loan docs in a week, and then we’re on track to getting the two of you the keys.” Hook has his dark hair slicked back. He has a strong jaw and commanding eyes and a general likability about him. And most importantly, he treats Meg well and I truly appreciate that about him.

  “It’s all moving so fast,” I say as I sign my life away.

  “What’s moving fast?” a female voice blurts it out curtly from behind, and I happen to recognize that curt voice as my own semi-sweet sister, Meg.

  “Meg!” I jump up and pull her into a hug and she watches as Everett and I finish up. “Are you two up for lunch?” I don’t mind one bit inviting them out for a bite with Everett and me.

  Meg shakes her head out of the bun it’s wound up in and a dark cascade falls over her shoulder. Every now and again I can see a glimmer of Lainey in her features, and because Lainey and I look so much alike, despite the fact I was adopted, I’d like to think that’s a piece of me I’m seeing in there, too.

  “Hook and I are headed out to the Ashford Hideaway just down the street.”

  The Ashford Hideaway is a quaint little motel that reminds me a bit of the lodge up in Hollyhock.

  My entire body perks with surprise. “Are the two of you thinking of buying it?”

  Meg belts out a laugh. “No, Lot. We’re doing what normal people do at a hotel—we’re getting a room. Hook doesn’t have to be back until three.”

  “Oh.” I bounce my brows at Everett.

  Hook clears his desk in haste. “What are the two of you up to?”

  Everett takes a breath. “We’re heading to the Ashford Sheriff’s Department and I’m turning her in. And then I thought I’d hunt down the next person on the suspect list and capture Trisha Maples’ kil
ler myself.”

  “Very funny, Judge Baxter,” I say, pressing my shoulder to his.

  Meg slaps her knee.

  “He’s turning you in, Lot. You’d better watch your back with this one.” She’s laughing so hard, she can’t breathe. “Who’s your next victim anyway?”

  I make a face at her. “Chanelle Maples, and I don’t have a clue where to find her.”

  “I do.” Meg shakes her head. “Chanelle is one of my girls. And she’s one of the best. She really knows how to shake what her mama gave her. But she doesn’t work at Red Satin. She works at Posh down the street.”

  Hook moans as if he’s familiar. “Posh is Red Satin’s wealthy cousin. You’ll need to fork it out for the cover and bring lots of bills for tips.” He nods to Everett as if he were giving him direct orders. “The girls don’t like cheapskates, and they make sure the bouncers know about it.”

  Meg folds her arms across her chest. “She’s on tonight. Why don’t the four of us head out for a double date? Meet us there at ten.”

  “Ten?” both Everett and I say in unison. We’ve been strictly adhering to an early bedtime because Everett is convinced my body needs all the rest it can get—and I’m convinced he likes holding me long into the night. That happens to be my favorite part of going to bed early, too.

  “Yes.” Meg nods at the two of us as if we had the nerve to ask. “She’s got primo moves that she honed with yours truly. I like to check up on my students now and again, so she won’t suspect a thing.”

  “That’s great.” I shake my head at Everett. “This is too good of an opportunity to pass up.”

  Everett’s gaze drops to my belly, and I can feel his gaze warming my midsection. Everett loves this baby as much as I do, and it melts me just thinking about it.

  “Fine. But we should ask Margo to open the bakery for you. I don’t want you taxing yourself too much.”

  Margo is one of the five-star chefs that runs the kitchen at the Honey Pot Diner. She’s opened for me before on a handful of occasions, and truly only she or her partner Mannford can be trusted with the task.

  Meg bucks with a laugh. “She’s got you wrapped around her little finger, doesn’t she, Judge Baxter?” Meg pats me on the back. “Good work, Lot. Now if any of us run into trouble with the law, we’ll know you’ve got a legal eagle on lockdown. See you turkeys at ten.” She and Hook take off for their afternoon delight.

  “She’s right.” Everett’s cheek flinches. “You’ve got me wrapped around your little finger.”

  I pull him into a tight embrace. “And you are wrapped around me completely. I’m not just being literal. Next stop?”

  “Ethel.”

  Everett drives us down to the Ashford Country Sheriff’s Department just the way he promised, and my heart demands to explode from angst as we walk solemnly past Noah’s office. The door is covered with sticky notes and messages from well-wishers right here in the precinct sending him get well messages, and my spirit soars at the thought of so many people rooting for him. I crack the door open and peer inside, and if I’m not mistaken, it still holds the faint scent of his cologne.

  “Lemon”—Everett whispers warm into my ear—“we can visit him afterwards if you like.” I nod. Tears blur my vision as Everett navigates us over to Ivy’s desk and she quickly produces my long-lost friend, Ethel. The words Glock 26 Gen4 are printed over her side and she looks just as dangerously stunning as I remember.

  “Lottie—” Ivy tips her head back at the sight of me. She has her red hair in a chignon. It’s pulled so tight her face is stretched back. It fits her rather tight and stuffy personality. “I suppose I don’t have to warn you again to stay out of my investigation. I’ve questioned three suspects, and they all claim to have had an encounter with you.”

  I suck in a quick breath. “Are you asking them about me?”

  Her lids hood low with what looks like fury. “I had to. I had a hunch you’d be snooping.”

  “Are you kidding me? You’re putting me in danger. What if one of them is the killer and they think I’m snooping?”

  She postures a moment. “Funny you should mention that. They all brought up the fact they thought you were snooping.”

  “At least tell me who they are.”

  “You know who they are. Annette Havershem, Leo Workman, and Jade Pope.”

  “Well then, it sounds as if you’re one step behind me, Ivy.” I can’t help but smirk.

  “And it sounds like you’re one step from landing in handcuffs. You know—those shiny silver things I’m sure Judge Baxter has landed you in a time or two.”

  My face heats fifty shades of crimson as Everett’s chest bounces with a dry laugh.

  “Don’t you dare laugh,” I threaten as I tuck Ethel safely into my purse.

  “How is Noah?” She looks to the two of us. “Or have you forgotten him already?”

  “You wish,” I say. I know she’s teasing, but I can dish it out as good as she can. “He’s the same for now, but I have news I can hardly wait to share with him. I’m certain it will give him that extra boost to push through this.”

  Okay, so I’m not certain, but I do like the idea of coming across as certain around Ivy.

  “News?” Her lips pull tight as she openly mocks me. “You’re leaving him for Everett and he’s finally free to be with that blonde twit that won’t leave him alone?”

  I can’t help but frown at her. “I’d laugh if it were funny. We’ll see you later, Ivy.”

  “Stay away from the case, Lottie. I have a very bad feeling about this one, and my bad feelings are never wrong.”

  I avert my eyes a moment. “I’ll do my best.”

  “Your best has landed you in hot water a time or two. Everett, talk some sense into her before she gets herself killed. If she keeps walking into danger, one of these days she won’t be able to walk out.”

  Everett searches the room a moment as if processing this bit of dire news.

  “Don’t worry about me, Ivy,” I say, taking up Everett’s hand and leading him out the door. “I’ll be just fine.”

  Everett and I get back into his car, and he pauses before starting up the engine.

  “She’s right, Lemon. You could get yourself killed—and it’s not just you anymore.”

  My hand rides over my tummy, and I bite down hard on my lower lip. The thought of jeopardizing my child—Noah’s child makes me sick to my stomach.

  Everett lands his hand gently over mine. “I care about you both. I think maybe it’s time to hang up the detective hat for a while—maybe forever. You’re a mother now. You have everything to live for.”

  “You’re right.” A heavy feeling presses over me. “I will hang it up. Right after I talk to Chanelle.”

  Everett gives a wistful shake of the head and drives us back to Honey Hollow.

  Could I really hang up a hat I’ve worn so consistently these last few months? It certainly doesn’t feel like I can.

  One thing I know for sure. I’m headed to Leeds tonight, and I’m going to watch one of Meg’s best students shake what her mama gave her.

  And it just so happens that her mama is dead.

  Could she have been the one who pulled the trigger?

  I’m about to find out.

  Chapter 15

  There is something to be said for freezing your tushie off in the name of an investigation. Everett hustles me inside of the glossy black building that looks far too cosmopolitan to be located anywhere near downtown Leeds.

  Posh is exactly as its name purports. It boasts of onyx hardwood flooring, mirrors everywhere you look—which give the place the illusion of being much larger than it is—smoky gray chandeliers hung from the ceilings, and the tables are small white marble beauties surrounded with burgundy quilted circular sofas.

  It is indeed posh inside, and I’m not too sorry about it. The last place I want to be at this hour is someplace that looks as seedy as it sounds.

  The music is twanging away through speakers a
s Meg leads us to a table up front and we watch a few girls do a tasteful little number while thankfully keeping their stitches right where they belong. I’m more than relieved to learn that this isn’t exactly your run-of-the-mill strip joint. Instead, we’re met with a classier version, with far more teasing going on and a lot less strip.

  I had a moment of hesitation before we walked in tonight, and if it wasn’t so icy out there, I would have turned right back around. Technically, I’ve brought my unborn child into a strip club, and for some reason—obvious reasons—that doesn’t quite sit well with me.

  It’s not hard to envision a miniature version of Noah in my tummy—a little baby boy trying desperately to catch a glimpse of the salacious activity outside the womb while giving me a thumbs-up for taking him to his first strip club while in utero.

  No, thank you.

  A trio of blondes belly up to the stage, tossing dollar bills in the air as if they were as plentiful as toilet paper, screaming their heads off as if they were having the time of their lives.

  “Hey!” Meg barks. “Sit down, girls. This isn’t that kind of club.”

  The tallest of the three turns our way, and both Meg and I groan hard.

  “Loddie?” Cormack Featherby herds her crew in our direction, and soon we’re faced with Cormack and two dazzling blondes that look as if they could be in the running for Miss Universe.

  “Essex?” The adorable one with a perfect pout and large doe eyes lets out a harrowing squeal and he pops right out of his seat—most likely in fright.

  “Cressida Bentley?”

  Oh Lord, it’s Cressida. That Cressida whoever she is. The one Kelleth and Cormack were discussing, the one with a history with my man.

  A twinge of guilt washes over me when I say that last part. I can’t lay ownership of anyone, let alone a grown man—two of them if I’m being completely honest. But in the back of my mind my greedy self-conscious is screaming why not?

  The girl dives over Everett as if he just saved her from a drowning ship, and the girl next to her offers the rest of us a meager wave.