The Cupcake Capers Box Set

by Polly Holmes

  Charlotte finished making her own coffee while Alex read. “Daniel has a tendency to colour the truth somewhat. Unfortunately, we’ve all been there. Me, Clair and Cassidy. Murder has a way of finding the McCorrson household. Welcome to the family.”

  If Charlotte’s jovial tone was supposed to lighten the sudden black cloud that loomed over the kitchen, she’d failed miserably. “One patron at the kissing booth got more than he bargained for at yesterday’s Christmas Fair. Alexandra Cohen’s kisses pack a punch, or at least it looked that way for Marcus Slade who was found beaten to death on the floor of the kissing booth.” Alex’s body stiffened in anger and she slid into the closest kitchen chair. “I don’t believe this.”

  Charlotte flicked her hand nonchalantly in the air. “It doesn’t actually say you killed him, so I wouldn’t put too much weight on people believing it. Like I said, Daniel is just trying to sell another paper.”

  Tears stung Alex’s eyes and she slapped the paper down on the table. “Is that what you did when he accused you of murdering Mr Hutson, calling you the cupcake killer? Dismiss it so haphazardly?”

  Charlotte paled, regret simmered deep in her sapphire blue eyes. “You’re right. I’m sorry. How inconsiderate of me to be so blasé. It was one of the worst times of my life and I shouldn’t have dismissed the article so easily.” She sat and reached across encasing Alex’s trembling hands in hers. “You’re not alone, we are all here to help you through this. What I think is far more interesting than the kiss of death reference is the comment about the mysterious dark-haired woman spotted with Marcus in a heated discussion behind the Ferris wheel around five in the afternoon.” Alex’s eyes eagerly scanned the rest of the article.

  “Morning,” Clair said rushing into the kitchen and straight toward the coffee machine. “I hate it when I oversleep. Are you ladies right for liquid refreshments?” Silence greeted her words and she turned to see Charlotte and Alex engrossed in the paper. “Oh no, please don’t tell me Daniel’s up to his old tricks again?”

  Charlotte eased back in her chair, her gaze focused on Clair as she performed her morning ritual of hazelnut Nespresso followed by a bowl of soggy Weet-Bix covered in brown sugar. “You guessed it. Although he hasn’t come outright accusing Alex of murder, he hasn’t denied it either.”

  Clair glanced over Alex’s shoulder and read as she munched. “So, who do we think the mysterious dark-haired woman is?”

  Alex sat immobilised in the seat, Daniel’s words thrashed around in her head like a washing machine. Murder… Kiss of death… Heated discussion… Dark-haired woman.

  “It could be anyone.” Charlotte said taking a sip of her steaming coffee. “Thanks to the excellent job Hannah did on the Christmas fair, there are loads more tourists in town than normal. It will be like finding a lemon cupcake in a tray of vanilla, all with the same coloured icing. We’ll have to pick them off one by one.”

  Alex’s mind raced one step ahead of the girls. “Daniel must know. Reporters tend to bend the truth a little, but they also have a source. We have to find out who it is, we have to find this mysterious woman. She could be the key to Marcus’ murder.”

  “Are you sure you want to do that?” Clair asked rinsing her plate.

  “No.” She paused, refusing to let the nervous anxiety bubbling in her belly rule her mind. “I don’t want everyone in town making assumptions about me when they read this article. The town grapevine will be running hot and I don’t want it to get twisted out of control. I’ll do anything not to be tomorrow’s front page story. Anything except murder that is.”

  Clair and Charlotte glanced at each other. Alex noted the silent acknowledgment that floated between them.

  Charlotte cleared her throat. “I’ve had some dealings with Hannah. I’d be happy to make some sort of excuse to go and see her and find out what the animated discussion she had with Marcus behind Santa’s village was all about.”

  “No need to make an excuse. Back in a moment,” Alex said darting off to her room to retrieve the donations from her stall yesterday. She handed the tin to Charlotte. “Give her this, it’s the donations from the kissing booth yesterday. I was going to take it to her today anyway.”

  Charlotte pretended to drop the heavy tin and giggled. “Wow, someone was gettin’ busy yesterday.”

  “Oh, haha. You’re really funny.” All three girls burst out laughing. “If you speak to Hannah, on my way out to work this afternoon I could make a detour via The Chronicle to see Daniel. Maybe he’ll tell me his source and we can compare notes when we get home this evening.”

  “Sounds like a plan. What time are Caroline and Christopher due?” Clair asked.

  Charlotte’s eyes widened and her back stiffened. “Caroline and Christopher? Have I missed something?”

  Alex quickly brought Charlotte up to speed on their discussion last night. “I stay at Liam’s place one night and I miss the best bit of gossip I’ve heard in ages. Caroline could use a nice man in her life.”

  “Clair thought it would be best to have them apprised of the details from the start.”

  A chuckle escaped Charlotte’s lips. “Good idea. Maybe we should have them on retainer.”

  “No.” Clair and Alex said together.

  Clair joined Alex at the table, a disgruntled expression on her face. “That would definitely make us look guilty. Anyway, I thought you had some big Christmas order to fill this morning?”

  Charlotte beamed pure joy. “I know, and I can’t wait. Shelly from The Classic Curl is having a Christmas-slash-birthday party for her ten-year-old nephew and she had me design the cutest cupcakes based on all the Disney Christmas movies. I have plenty of time, so I can postpone starting them ‘til after the meeting with Caroline if you like.”

  Alex felt humbled by the unconditional support her friends were willing to offer. Their lives had been uprooted a week ago when she’d moved in. Marcus had been like a continual bug that never seemed to leave them alone.

  Until someone decided to terminate him permanently.

  It was time to show them that she was more than the sad scorned girlfriend. Alex stood. “You ladies have done more than enough to help me over the last week. I’ll take it from here. I’m going to meet with Caroline and Christopher by myself. You two are going to go to work and do what you do best, make and sell delicious cupcakes.”

  “Are you sure?” Charlotte pried.

  “Surer than I’ve ever been in my life.” Alex ignored her worried gaze and picked up the paper, turning it face down on the table and silencing Daniel’s accusing words. She made a shooing action with her hands. “Now, both of you off to your respective jobs. I’ve forty-five minutes to get myself ready before they arrive, and I don’t want to greet them in Smurfette pyjamas with a head of hair that looks like a bird nested in it.” Collective gasps erupted from both girls as they left.

  Alex emerged after her shower, dressed and with renewed energy flowing through her body. She licked her lips as the sweet scent of caramel and hazelnut wafted from the kitchen. She’d packed her bag, ready to shoot off to work at The Springs Café as soon as her meeting was finished at Daniel’s office.

  Dalton had promised to discuss her moving to the position of manager of the café this week. She just hoped this nightmare with Marcus hadn’t hampered her chances. The welcomed sound of the doorbell sailed through the house. Alex glanced at her watch. “Right on time.”

  Alex’s cheery greeting was met with Caroline’s huge smile. “Good morning, Alexandra.”

  Ushering Caroline and Christopher down the tiled hallway, Alex felt a million times calmer just knowing she had two brilliant minds on her side. “Thank you for coming over at such short notice.”

  “Boloney, the McCorrsons are like family and that includes you, young lady.” Caroline grabbed her iPad from her briefcase and made herself comfortable at the kitchen table. Christopher following suit. “I sensed something wasn’t right when we spoke at Clair’s opening.”

  Christ
opher cleared his throat. “I hope you don’t mind me tagging along? It seemed the right time to take a well-earned break. Putting criminals behind bars is exhausting.” Alex caught the cutesy eyes he made at Caroline and she did her best to hide the blush that crept over her face.

  “Now what’s this nonsense about you murdering someone? Tell me everything,” Caroline said.

  I did not murder anyone!

  While Caroline typed copious notes, Alex described the events of the last twenty-four hours in meticulous detail ensuring this time she didn’t leave a single detail out. She turned over the newspaper and Caroline and Christopher scanned the front page.

  Caroline huffed. “I’ve got a good mind to pay this young man a visit. This isn’t the first time he’s taken the liberty of bending the truth.”

  “Let’s see if we have this right. Marcus turned up on Saturday at The Springs Café, wanting items from you, made a scene and Dalton had security escort him out. Then he turned up Sunday while you were setting up for the Christmas Fair demanding the same items?” Christopher’s brown eyes glanced up above his bifocals for her approval.

  “Any idea why he wants these particular items?” he asked.

  Alex shook her head. “No, he said it was compensation. He thought he should get something in our break-up. That’s when I went for lunch and I spotted him and Hannah in an argument. Before I could find out what it was all about, Marcus received a phone call and they went their separate ways.”

  Caroline continued looking at her notes. “The next time you heard from Marcus was that evening when he rang you around seven-thirty while you were packing up your stall. Following the phone call, you went to the recycling bin meeting Kayne Pendleton on the way to discard your empty cupcake boxes. You cleaned up the mess beside the town hall and on your return found Marcus’ body.”

  The bloodied image of Marcus had the hairs on the back of her neck standing to attention. She squeezed her eyes shut a moment and sucked in a deep breath. “Yes. I called for help and Kayne turned up within minutes and then I accompanied him to the station, gave my statement and came home with Clair and Mason.”

  “Where is your phone now?” Christopher asked.

  “I don’t know.” Alex shrugged. “After Marcus rang, I was so upset I threw it on the chair in my stall but when I got back and found Marcus’ body I was so flustered my phone was the last thing on my mind. It could be anywhere by now.”

  Caroline scanned her notes. “You gave your statement to Kayne and now openly admit that in the shock of finding the body, you neglected to mention the meeting with Hannah.”

  Alex’s stomach clenched. “Do you think he’ll think I deliberately kept the argument from him?”

  Caroline shook her head. “Of course not, dear. People react to shock in different ways.” She looked at Daniel’s article once more. “And then there is this mystery woman. For all we know, she could be the murderer.”

  Murderer. The ghastly word taunted Alex. “I’m sure there is a simple explanation for the argument with Hannah. Charlotte volunteered to pay her a friendly visit and drop off my takings from yesterday. I’m going to call in and see Daniel on my way out to work this afternoon to see if he has any more information on this mystery woman.”

  Caroline continued. “Interesting how Daniel has described her. ‘A mysterious dark-haired woman with an air of urban sophistication new to Ashton Point. The woman’s stylish glasses her defining feature.’”

  The calm ease within the room was shattered by the unexpected chime of the doorbell. Alex gasped, and her hand flattened against her chest. “Sorry, I’m a bit jumpy. The girls have left and I’m not exactly expecting any more visitors this morning. Excuse me.” Alex rose, her body moved on rote toward the repeated chime of the doorbell.

  Opening the door, the morning summer heat slapped her in the face as she stood, face to face with the cutest side of the law. “Kayne? What are you doing here?” His honey-brown eyes clouded with apprehension.

  “Morning, Alexandra. I’m sorry for the intrusion, but there have been some developments in the murder of Marcus Slade and I’d like you to come in to answer some more questions.”

  The excitement of seeing him was squashed by his sharp, authoritative words. Alex licked her lips, her throat suddenly as dry as an empty creek bed in the middle of a drought. Developments? What is that supposed to mean? What developments?

  A stern male voice boomed from behind her. “Can we help you, Mr Pendleton?”

  Kayne’s left brow inched up. “Mr Linnell, Mrs Tuscon. What an unexpected surprise to see you here. I was just explaining to Miss Cohen that there have been some developments in the case and I’d appreciate her co-operation in accompanying me to the station for further questioning.”

  “I see,” Caroline said, folding her arms across her chest. “As Miss Cohen’s legal counsel, you wouldn’t have any objection to Mr Linnell and I being present for such questioning?”

  “Legal counsel?” Kayne frowned, his gaze slid from Alex to Caroline and back again. “Of course not. If Alex feels she needs legal counsel.”

  “I don’t, but you can never be too careful these days,” Alex said, holding Kayne’s gaze in hers.

  “Go ahead, dear. We’ll be right behind you, but don’t say a word until we’re there.”

  Alex nodded. Numbness crept inch by inch through her body. She had hoped to spend more time with Kayne, but this wasn’t exactly what she had in mind.

  Chapter Six

  THE STRAINED ATMOSPHERE in the interrogation room had Alex on edge as if the tension in her body would snap any minute and shatter her into a million pieces. The wild butterflies she’d had in her stomach the last time she’d been with Kayne had been replaced with deep-seated knots.

  Alex sat next to Caroline while Christopher stood behind, his authoritative demeanour beamed power and confidence. Two qualities it appeared she may need in the next few minutes.

  Caroline threaded her fingers together, her thumbs tapping each other as she spoke. “As I’ve already stated, my client is ready to assist the police in any way possible to help find the real murderer of Marcus Slade. She had been very forthcoming in declaring she failed to inform you about the discussion she’d witnessed between Marcus and Hannah Carver at the fair yesterday. Alexandra openly admitted she was suffering from shock after such a gruesome discovery.” Caroline’s golden-brown eyes drilled into Kayne holding his attention with her every word.

  “And we appreciate her assistance in this matter.” Kayne glanced down at his notes before continuing. “Alexandra, why didn’t you tell me that you made a call to Marcus from The Springs Café before you left work on Saturday evening?”

  What? Alex’s face fell and a dark shadow gripped her chest. She licked her lips. “I didn’t.”

  “You didn’t what?” Impatience laced Kayne’s words.

  “Make a call to Marcus from work on Saturday night.”

  Christopher took a step forward. “There’s no law against making a phone call, Mr Pendleton. Or Marcus visiting Alex at work.”

  Alex sat back in her chair, narrowing her eyes at Kayne. Was this some sort of joke? She of all people would know if she made a phone call. She shook her head. “No, I didn’t make any phone call. To anyone, let alone Marcus.”

  “What time did you leave the café on Saturday evening?”

  “Around ten. I was on close. Dalton left about nine.”

  “And this helps you, how, Mr Pendleton?” Caroline snapped.

  “A phone call was made to Marcus’ mobile from the landline at The Springs Café at nine-thirty and, if as you say, Dalton left at nine that leaves you as the only person who could have made that phone call.”

  Alex felt the blood drain from her face. No, no, no it can’t be. “But I didn’t make any call.”

  “My client has done her utmost to answer your questions as honestly as she can. If she says she didn’t make any such phone call, then she didn’t. There must be a logical explanation
.”

  “Excuse me if I have some doubts, Ms Tuscon.” Kayne’s abrasive voice filled the confined room. “I can only go by the evidence and the evidence shows that a phone call was made to Marcus’ mobile at nine-thirty on Saturday evening from The Springs Café and if no-one else was present, that can only leave Alexandra.”

  Alex couldn’t understand why Kayne was being so rude and cold toward her. Could he really believe that she murdered Marcus? Anger festered in her belly. “For the last time, I didn’t make any such phone call.”

  “Did he or did he not make an appearance at your work on Saturday evening?”

  Of course that would be public knowledge. She should have known news of Marcus’ disturbing behaviour would be all over Ashton Point by now. “Yes, he came into work earlier that evening.”

  Kayne’s eyes narrowed. “We have a witness that said you threatened Marcus. Is this true?”

  Witness? Who?

  Alex swallowed, her heartbeat picking up a few notches. Her mind raced trying desperately to recall the words she sprouted in irritation at Marcus on Saturday evening. Leave or I’ll make sure it’s the last thing you do.

  Oh gosh, that does sound like a threat. “I may have had a heated discussion with him, but I did not threaten to kill him. I could never do such a thing to another person.”

  “Mr Pendleton,” Caroline said, an annoyed sigh escaped her lips. “If you charge every person who made an idle threat against another person, all our jails would be full to the maximum. Why just the other day, I myself spoke very sternly to Mary-Jane in the chemist. She mixed up my medications and almost gave me penicillin, which I am highly allergic to. Does that make me a potential murderer? I don’t think so. And what about Hannah Carver? By all accounts, it looks like she and Marcus had unfinished business. Maybe she finished it off on Sunday evening.”

  Kayne shuffled uncomfortably in his seat. “Ms Tuscon, Alexandra isn’t under arrest and I’m not accusing her, I am just following up on some further developments.”