Spooky Spice Cake Curse

by Addison Moore

  Duke snaps and barks. “And I’m getting my own love den.” He nuzzles his head against Carlotta’s neck.

  I cock my head her way. “Carlotta, what do you need an office for? Have you been eating candy corn for breakfast again?”

  “Licorice whips. But if you can refresh the candy corn, it would be much appreciated.”

  Noah shakes his head. “I can explain everything.”

  But before he can, a familiar Southern belle and a brunette with buns of steel crop up—Veranda Wilson, counselor extraordinaire, and Hannah Beckham, my next-door neighbor who is taking this entire town for a ride with her infamous butt lift.

  “Two cheese Danishes, please.” Veranda sheds a toothy smile as she says it, but she just so happens to be smiling at Noah.

  Hannah grunts, “Just coffee for me. Black, no sugar. In a ceramic mug. I don’t do chemically processed disposable containers.” Her lips cinch as she gives me the once-over. She looks exhausted, and I don’t blame her. Loud, raging parties all night, early morning shaking her booty sessions on the front lawn—she’s the epitome of burning the candle at both ends. She glances to my belly, and her expression sours as if my baby bulge offended her on some level. Hannah’s known about my little tummy tagalong for a while now. “When’s the kid due to drop?”

  “March.” I nod her way. And I certainly hope I don’t drop my little sweet sugar cookie. That’s actually been a recurring nightmare so far. And why are pregnancy-induced dreams so vivid and terrifying, anyway? More importantly, is it possible that this child could fall out of my body when I least expect it? And if it does, will the umbilical cord act as a bungee cord?

  She shrugs. “You’ll be doughy as a pillow if you wait to start shaping your body until after delivery. I have a doctor-approved workout that will have you far more toned the day you deliver than you were the day you conceived. Just come on down to my front lawn at six a.m., any day of the week, and I’ll get you started on a strict regimen of squats and belly busters.”

  I wince as she says it and quickly hand her a mug full of coffee just to be rid of her and her belly-busting threats. I hand Veranda her Danishes as well.

  “It’s on the house,” I tell Veranda. “After all, you didn’t charge us for our session the other day.”

  “That’s because I have a strict policy that stipulates I can’t date clients.” She bites down on a smile as she looks to Noah. “Wish me luck,” she whispers before she clears her throat. “Excuse me? Detective Fox? I have a few legal concerns that I was hoping you could help me out with.” She’s quick to link her arm with his as she pulls him deeper into the café.

  “That’s not really my forte,” Noah starts, but she waves him off.

  “It doesn’t really matter.” She giggles and bats her lashes as if she were trying to blow out a candle with them.

  I make a face at the not-so-inadvertent coup.

  Hannah shuffles off to find herself a seat, and Carlotta leans in.

  “Got yourself a little competition, huh?”

  Duke gives a sharp bark. “Let me bite her face off.”

  “No to both of you,” I say. “She’s just another hormonal hussy waiting for an excuse to drop her laundry in front of my man. Now what’s this surprise you and Noah are talking about?”

  Carlotta’s eyes double in size. “You mean you don’t know?”

  The door opens with a whoosh and in walks Trixie Pierce with her hair pulled up into a messy bun and her deep-set dark eyes squinting out a smile of their own. She looks cozy in a black pea coat with an orange scarf wrapped around her neck, and looks perfectly festive while she’s at it.

  “Hello, Lottie.” She gives a cheerful wave.

  “Hey, Trixie,” I say as I motion for Carlotta to shove it, and thankfully she does. “What’s new?”

  “Just gearing up for the big night.” She elbows Duke in the head without realizing it. “Do you think I can order up a couple dozen platters of your desserts? We’re going to be treating the community again tomorrow night as a thank you for showing us their support all month, especially after, well, you know, it became a bona fide haunted house.”

  “Of course. It’s an honor to do so.”

  “Great, and please stay for the festivities. We’ve got a few tricks up our spooky sleeve to ensure this is the scariest night of them all.”

  “That’s great. Do you know if this will be an annual event?”

  Duke growls. “Not with my Ichabod departed this stage of existence.”

  She takes a deep breath. “I honestly don’t know. This was Ichabod’s baby. And Cordelia, well, she’s already talking about moving to Palm Beach permanently. I guess if someone in the Hearst family wants to continue the tradition, they’ll have to essentially start from scratch.”

  “Knew it.” Duke swipes a slice of spice cake off my plate, and I take in a lungful of air just praying Trixie didn’t notice the flying confection.

  “Oh no, well, at least you put on a good show while it lasted,” I say. I know for a fact both Mom and the McMurrays will be thrilled to know the competition is leaving town for good. “Hey, what about you? Are you headed to Florida with Cordelia?”

  “I don’t know.” She slumps as she takes a seat on the stool at the counter. “She offered, and she even promised me a raise if I went with her, but my mom passed away not too long ago and I’m still dealing with all of that. A move would be another big life change I’m just not ready for. Believe me, I’m one latte away from wanting to stay in bed all day and pulling the covers up over my head. I told her I’d let her know. She said I didn’t have to answer until the new year. She says once I’m stuck in this frozen tundra I’ll be begging for warm Florida sunshine. She’s probably right.”

  A laugh bubbles from me. “If you did go, I couldn’t blame you. The winters in Vermont can be hard. Any news on who could have done that to poor Ichabod?”

  Duke is right back to growling. “I can’t wait to hear her excuses.”

  I’m tempted to roll my eyes but refrain from the effort.

  Her gaze drifts over to Noah, who seems unable to escape Veranda’s clutches.

  Trixie leans in. “Fester said something this morning that surprised me. He said the night of Ichabod’s murder, he had to physically remove Cordelia from Ichabod earlier that evening. I guess she and Fester went into the room Ichabod was working in and they caught him and his paramour going at it.”

  “Ichabod and Chardonnay?” I whisper.

  She nods. “Anyway, he said he didn’t mention it to the sheriff’s department because he said Cordelia was livid.” A tiny laugh bumps from her. “I guess Cordelia threatened to kill Ichabod.”

  “Trixie, you have to tell this to Detective Fox.”

  She shakes her head furtively. “No way. That’s Fester’s tale to tell. I’m just counting down the hours until November first when this entire nightmare is behind me. I’ve never felt so glad for a job to come to an end.”

  “Do you really think Cordelia could have done this?”

  “She was fuming.” Her shoulders hike to her neck. “I don’t know. It didn’t really seem thought out. It was more of an act of passion. Maybe she was just trying to scare him with that chainsaw? I’m pretty sure no wife wakes up and thinks, this is the day I’m going to decapitate my husband. But then, Cordelia had been raging for days. She wasn’t too thrilled when Ichabod gave Chardonnay a part in the haunted house.”

  I make a face over at Veranda.

  “Trust me,” I say. “I wouldn’t be too thrilled with another woman getting in my boyfriend’s face either.” A breath gets trapped in my throat once I realize what I’ve just done. “Um, I spoke with Cordelia the other night, and she seemed thrilled to be done with the reading of the will. She made it clear she was anxious and relieved to get on with the next chapter of her life. We spoke a bit about Ichabod.”

  “I bet she’s thrilled to get to the next chapter. And I bet she really trash-talked him, too.”

  “S
urprisingly, she didn’t,” I say. “She mentioned that at the end of the day she understood that Ichabod was a product of his environment. She went as far as to say that his mother and grandmother were a driving force in their union, and that if left to his own devices he probably would have married some old girlfriend of his.”

  “His old girlfriend?” She shakes her head as if disbelieving.

  “Yeah, she mentioned her name. Cassie something or other. Mandrake?”

  “Mendelson?” Trixie inches back as she says it.

  “Yes, that’s it. I guess Cordelia has mentioned her before.”

  “Oh, she has.” She sighs hard. “Life is funny like that. Your heart wants to go in one direction and your mother points you in another.”

  Duke sighs, too. “My Ichabod would have been better off with that Cassie person rather than a killer.”

  Noah finally manages to break free from Veranda’s sticky clutches as the two of them part ways.

  “Here comes Detective Fox,” I say to Trixie. “You should really consider telling him what you told me about Cordelia.”

  She grimaces. “Would you look at the time? I’ve got a haunted house to stage for tonight. Sorry, Lottie. But if I’ve learned anything while working for the Hearsts, it’s that I should mind my own business. I’ll see you tomorrow night.” She gives a quick wave before taking off.

  Noah nods my way. “What was that about?”

  My lips twitch back and forth before I spill everything Trixie told me.

  I come around the counter and pull Noah off to the side. “Now, you tell me what new bit of evidence you have. As an unofficial consultant, I think I have a right to know.”

  Duke growls. “Me too. Spill it, Detective.”

  Noah frowns in the direction Duke is standing in. “Easy, boy. No need to employ vigilante justice. I think this is one case the Ashford County Sheriff’s Department can solve on its own.”

  My mouth falls open. “Really?”

  That would be a first, but I don’t dare say it to Noah’s face.

  Noah gives me a wry smile. “And I know what you’re thinking, Lot, but I really do have this. Forensics found fingerprints on the packaging of the chain that was used to kill Ichabod.”

  “The chain? You mean for the chainsaw, i.e., the murder weapon?”

  He nods.

  “Don’t make me beg. Whose fingerprints were they, Noah?”

  “Cordelia Gray’s.”

  “Cordelia…” I say as I search the bakery with a glance as if looking for clues. “Noah, if you have time, I’d like to sit and go over the suspects.”

  “For you, I’ve got forever.”

  I set us up with a platter of his favorite chocolate chip cookies and fresh donuts and about half a spice cake thrown in for good measure. Carlotta tags along with Duke, and she brings over an entire chocolate cake and a fork. I’m guessing they’re sharing, but with Carlotta it’s hard to tell.

  “Give me some elbow room, would you, Lot?” she grouses. “Freaky Fido and I need to get in on this investigative effort.”

  I flick my fingers at Noah, and he takes up my hand so he can listen in on the supernatural conversation at hand.

  “Freaky Fido?” I look to Duke to see if he approves of this next level loving Carlotta is bringing to the table.

  Duke twitches his head. “This little wolverine says I’ve earned it.” He licks a clean line up the side of her face, and I’m wishing I can unsee that.

  “That’s enough about that.” I nod to Noah. “Shall we begin?”

  “Okay, Lot.” Noah picks up a glazed donut. “Who’s up first?”

  “I don’t know where to start,” I say. “But I guess we should include Trixie Pierce. She was there that day. She helped set up the haunted house.”

  He nods. “And she works for Cordelia.”

  “And then there’s Cordelia herself.” I frown as that memory of us at the Monster Mash bar comes to mind. “She seemed so down-to-earth. So relatable. I really do feel sorry for her.”

  Carlotta stabs her fork in the cake as she looks to Duke. “What do you have to say about Ichabod’s old lady, Passion Paws?”

  Duke licks the icing right off the top of the cake. “I can’t imagine someone so close to him would do something like that.”

  I nod. “I have to agree with Passion Paws, but Trixie did just mention that Cordelia caught Ichabod and Chardonnay in the act right before he was killed. And Noah, you said you found her fingerprints on the packaging for the chain. It’s not looking so good for the woman.”

  “No, it’s not.” Noah’s brows lift a notch. “And then there’s Chardonnay.”

  “She mentioned that she could be with child.” I shrug. “She could be several months along for all we know. And Lord knows all of these hormones have me feeling psychotic. He could have tried to end things with her. And, in turn, she could have lost her mind.”

  Duke barks softly to Carlotta. “Here that, Sugar Toots? I’d watch my back around your baby girl, if you know what I mean.”

  Carlotta glares my way. “Oh, I do, Dukey. Oh, I do.” She gives Noah the crazy eyes. “And you’d better watch your head, Foxy. She’s already got a defense lined up for herself once she wields a chainsaw of her own.”

  I choose to ignore those to the left of me and focus all of my attention on the cute detective at hand.

  “Chardonnay also mentioned that the Hearst men were notorious for having what she called spare heirs.” I lean in. “She said the men would then pay the women to either disappear themselves or to make the baby disappear.”

  Carlotta feeds Duke a bite of chocolate cake right off her fork. “I know how to make a baby disappear. I’m a pro at it. I did it myself almost three decades ago.”

  “And to this day I thank you,” I tell her before taking a huge bite out of my spice cake.

  “You’re welcome, Lot,” she says. “Those were the last words I said to you that day. ‘You’re gonna thank me for this someday.’” She wags her finger at me as if she were reliving the memory. “And look here, it just came true. I think I’m a prophet.”

  “You’re no prophet,” I assure her. “More like a strumpet.”

  “That’s okay.” She shrugs. “A strumpet sounds like a whole lot more fun. Foxy? What’s a strumpet?”

  “A very fun woman.” He nods before shooting a sober expression my way. “The Hearsts operate by their own set of rules, that’s for sure.” Noah fiddles with a chocolate chip cookie. “What about Fester?”

  “Fester Hamilton.” I shrug. “I really liked him, too. He seems to be on the lookout for his sister’s best interest.” My eyes bulge wide as a thought comes to me. “Noah, Trixie said both Fester and Cordelia walked in on Ichabod and Chardonnay. Maybe he was the one that took a chainsaw to Ichabod’s neck? And he’s strong. A chainsaw is heavy. Not to mention it’s a violent means to a murderous end. Women aren’t prone to attacks like that.”

  “True.” He tips his head. “And even though my evidence points to Cordelia right now, doesn’t mean she couldn’t have got her brother to do the dirty work for her. I plan on being at the Hearst house tomorrow night. If I can’t pick up on anything else, I’ll drag them in for questioning first thing the next morning.”

  “And I’ll be there with hell’s bells on,” I say.

  Duke barks. “Cordelia or Fester.” He growls. “Don’t worry, Lottie. I won’t let them get away with murder. I’ll keep an eye on them for you. In fact, I’ll start right now.” He jumps right through the window and disappears before his paws ever hit Main Street.

  Carlotta scoffs. “Now look what you done did.” She pokes her fork angrily into the cake at hand. “I guess I’ll have to call Harry and see if he’s up for a private monster mash later tonight. I finally know what a privilege it is to be you, Lot—having two men you can seamlessly move between. When Harry’s too busy, I’ve got Duke. And when Duke is on the prowl, I’ve got Harry to fall into bed with. How do you like that, Lot? Who knew the s
tudent would one day be the master?”

  “Ignore her,” I say to Noah. “You’re not a fallback plan.” That message from Nell the other night comes back to me. “When I saw Nell the other night, she had a message she wanted me to relay to both you and Everett.”

  He leans in. “What’s that?”

  “She said both you and Everett will fare well in this scenario. That it all works out. She mentioned the fact you’re both my soulmates. That it’s highly unusual, but that this doesn’t have to end in tragedy. She said she wanted me to enjoy all that life gives me.”

  He gives my fingers a light squeeze.

  “I want that for you, too, Lottie. And I’m excited about the future, about the baby. I trust things will work out exactly how they should.”

  “And they will.” Carlotta wags her phone our way. “Harry just called, and he’s meeting me at my place in fifteen minutes.” She stands and swipes the cake off the table. “I’ll be taking this to go. Harry and I are doing a little role-playing tonight. He’s playing the part of the cuckold, and I’m the feisty sister who he’s going to sneak around with to teach his wife a lesson. I told him to bring the clown shoes and red ball for his nose. I plan on humiliating the man tonight.”

  She takes off, and I shake my head. “I feel humiliated just listening to it. And there was an odd amount of truths mixed in that warped fantasy she just cooked up.” I shudder in an attempt to shake it off. “Never mind. Noah, what’s this surprise you and Everett are cooking up?”

  “I think he should be here. We should tell you together. That way if you don’t like it, you can blame him.” His dimples invert. “I guess he does come in handy, after all.” He takes another bite out of his cookie.

  “Fine, I’ll wait. But patience isn’t my strong suit. Which is exactly why I hope we button up the Hearst case sooner than later.”

  His brows hike a notch. “We will, Lot. Whoever killed Ichabod won’t hide for long. Their days are numbered.”

  “Good,” I say.

  And I’m hoping that number is up.