Caked in Murder

by Gretchen Allen

  Yvette gave a nervous wave and turned her attention to Mark. “What’s up? Everything okay?” she asked.

  “Not exactly. What do you know about that guy Amelia’s been seeing?” Mark’s face was turning redder by the minute.

  “I wouldn’t say they’re seeing one another. They went on one date,” Yvette said, realizing Mark’s jealousy.

  “Yvette. I miss her. I don’t want to see her going out with anyone else.”

  “Then you need to tell her that, Mark. You can’t expect her to not move on if you are doing everything you can to show her you aren’t interested.” Yvette shrugged her shoulders.

  “That’s why I’m here. I want to do something for her. One of those grand gesture sort of things you see in all those girly movies. Know anything about them?” Mark asked

  Yvette’s eyes twinkled. “You know I’m all about the chick flicks and love stories. I’ll do anything I can for the two of you. Right now, though, I need to focus on the sale, and then I have Heath’s party. As soon as all of that’s over, I promise I’ll help you.”

  “What am I supposed to do in the meantime? Just wait around?” Mark asked, looking impatient.

  “You can call her or try to spend time with her, maybe?” Yvette replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “But you know as well as I do how much she has going on right now. Between the sale, the upcoming holiday events, and everything with Janet, she’s got her hands full.”

  “I get it. Thanks, Yvette. I knew I could count on you. I’ll see you at Heath’s party.” Mark gave her a quick hug before stepping away to do some shopping of his own.

  6

  Yvette had been running around town all morning trying to donate the remainder of the items from the sale the day before. Everything that hadn’t been sold from the tables at Sundae Afternoon went to the donation center to go to families in need. Yvette only had one more trip to make, and everything would be finished just in time for her to start her day at work. Yvette loved participating in the sale each year but was always glad when it was over so things could get back to normal.

  Pulling her SUV into the last available spot at the Town Hall, Yvette got out and ran smack dab into Eddie Moran.

  “Morning, Yvette.”

  “Morning, Eddie. Lots of donations today?” she asked as she pulled a box from her trunk.

  “A ton! I know I gripe and moan about doing this, but I think it’s great how kind people are. It seems like every year, we get more and more donations for those less fortunate,” Eddie said, holding the door open for Yvette.

  “It’s great, isn’t it? You work very hard. That must be so rewarding.” Yvette set down the box on the donation table.

  “Sure is. Can I get you anything to eat or drink?” Eddie asked. “We have plenty in the kitchen for the volunteers.”

  “I’m okay, thanks. I’ve got to get to work. It was good seeing you. Tell Janet I hope she was able to get the rest she deserves.” Yvette offered Eddie a quick wave before heading back out the front doors of the Town Hall.

  * * *

  “Hey, Yvette. Can you help me for a second?” Joey, one of Sundae Afternoon’s employees, asked.

  “Whatcha need?”

  “It’s someone’s birthday out front, and I really hate to go sing to them by myself. Can you come too?” he asked, giving his boss his best puppy dog eyes.

  “Of course! Let me take off my apron, and I’ll meet you out there,” Yvette said, setting down the jar of salted caramel sauce she’d been filling.

  After removing her apron and washing her hands, Yvette was more than ready for the upbeat birthday song that the Sundae Afternoon staff sang to each of their guests upon request.

  “I’m ready when you are,” she said as she walked closer to Joey. “Who are we singing to?”

  “Heath!”

  “Oh my gosh! That’s right. I can’t believe I forgot! Today is Heath’s actual birthday. He’s probably here celebrating, thinking this is the best day ever. Just wait until the surprise party Audrey is throwing for him,” Yvette said, thinking fondly of Heath’s wife. “Okay, are you ready to sing?”

  “I was but… Heath doesn’t seem to be here anymore,” Joey said, looking around the dining area.

  Yvette saw Audrey and Nate sitting alone at a table in the far corner of the shop. “Maybe he’s just in the restroom,” Yvette noted.

  Yvette and Joey made their way over to the table and noticed the panicked looks on Heath’s family’s faces.

  “What’s wrong? Where’d Heath go? Is he okay?” Joey spoke quickly.

  Audrey looked between Yvette and Joey, with a look of terror on her face. “There’s been another murder, and he had to leave right away.”

  “Another one?” Yvette asked, swallowing hard.

  “What do you mean another one? Does this happen often?” Nate asked, a look of confusion on his face.

  “Unfortunately so,” Audrey admitted to her son.

  “Who was it? Do they know?” Joey asked.

  “I’m not sure I’m supposed to say quite yet, but the news will travel fast.” Audrey looked around and whispered, “it was Janet.”

  The color drained from Yvette’s face, and she was rendered speechless.

  “You should sit down,” Nate said, taking her by the arm.

  “I just saw Eddie a few hours ago. I can’t imagine how he feels right now.” Yvette stared blankly at the wall in front of her.

  “I...I’m going to put the cake in the freezer,” Joey stuttered, unsure what else to say.

  “Yes. I’m afraid Heath won’t be celebrating very much. Unless this case gets solved quickly, I don’t see how he can even participate in his own birthday party,” Audrey said, slouching in her chair.

  “Mom, someone just died and that’s Dad’s job. There isn’t much he can do about it,” Nate pointed out.

  “I know. I feel terrible for saying it already. I just wanted to celebrate the man I love, and now he has to spend his birthday at a crime scene.” Audrey wiped away a tear and tried to force herself to perk up.

  Yvette needed to do some perking up of her own, so she did her best to shake off the feeling of sadness and fear that had been consuming her more and more lately, hoping to get back into the swing of things. She had ice cream to serve and a murder to solve… on her own of course, Heath would never approve.

  “Did he say anything about it before he left?” Yvette asked

  “Eddie came home and found her in her bed. That’s all Heath would tell us, but I’m sure there’s much more to it than that,” Audrey replied.

  “There always is,” Yvette agreed, shaking her head.

  “He did say it was murder, so there has to be,” Nate added. “Did Janet have enemies?”

  Yvette’s head shot up, surprised that Nate was asking questions. “Janet had several, sadly. Recently she’d been having problems with so many people, even Amelia.”

  “Certainly, Amelia had nothing to do with this!” Audrey gasped.

  “Of course not. I didn’t mean it like that,” Yvette explained, not wanting to share too much of what had been happening with Amelia, but not seeing any choice now that she’d accidentally revealed that her friend was an enemy of a murder victim. “Janet had a lot going on with the Neighborhood Association and Amelia found a few discrepancies. She brought them to Janet’s attention, and it didn’t go over well. Lately, Amelia has been experiencing some odd things that were making her a little nervous and she was afraid that it may be Janet causing her trouble, trying to get revenge.”

  “Silver lining here, folks. If it was Janet messing with Amelia, then that seems to have come to a screeching halt.” Nate shrugged, trying to be helpful.

  “Nathaniel Briggs! How on earth could you say something so uncouth?” Audrey scolded her son.

  “Sorry, Mother. I didn’t mean it that way. I was just trying to make Yvette feel better,” he explained.

  “I’m okay. Thanks, Nate,” Yvette responded, trying her best to hold
back a smile.

  Having Nate back in town felt nice. Several years had gone by and eventually Yvette had forgotten how close she and Nate had been when they were younger.

  “Yvette is fine. Didn’t your father tell you that she was the one that solved both of the murders that happened here before he did?” Audrey gave her a look.

  “Not to add fuel to the fire or anything, but I solved the one in Townsend before the police did, too,” Yvette winced, waiting for a reaction.

  “Wait till I tell your mother,” Audrey said, shaking her head.

  “What has life in this little town come to? I leave for a few years and come back to murders and amateur sleuths?” Nate raised his brows, looking at Yvette incredulously.

  “That’s enough, you two. Poor Janet is dead, and we can’t go on worrying about anything but that. What if the killer is right here in the room with us?” Audrey’s eyes flashed with terror.

  “Mom, stop,” Nate said, giving his mom a hug across the table. “Don’t get anxious. Dad is out there working on everything right now, and you know how seriously he takes his job. He won’t let anything happen to you and neither will we, right, Yvette?”

  “Not if I can help it,” Yvette told the older woman, leaning closer to join in on the group hug.

  7

  So, I just got off the phone with Emma,” Yvette said, settling into a chair in Amelia’s living room.

  “How’s she doing? Is she really opening up a shop in Florida? I just don’t see how that’s going to work. Is it even cost effective to transport the ice cream from Kline’s Farm here all the way down there?” Amelia asked.

  “I think she put in an offer and they are waiting to hear if it’s been accepted, but truthfully, that’s not important right now. Wait until you hear this!”

  “Okayyyy. Tell me everything.”

  “She met with her real estate broker one day last week; they had a lunch meeting at one of the local seafood places on the boardwalk, and you’ll never guess who she ran into?!”

  “Who?” Amelia asked, raising a brow.

  “Bridget,” Yvette stated.

  “Bridget like, Nate’s wife, Bridget?”

  “The one and only. Here’s the real kicker though. She’s not his wife anymore,” Yvette spoke so loudly she was nearly shouting.

  “They divorced? I can’t believe it. Did she say what happened?”

  “She told Emma that she and Nate had been separated for quite a while when they’d decided that it was time to make it official, so they filed for divorce. She did her best to try and make him look bad, but Emma said she was able to see right through it. Bridget never had the best morals or values, and it was rather obvious to Emma that Bridget was upset she had to get a job and fend for herself.”

  “Wow.”

  “I know. I couldn’t believe it when she told me. Especially since Nate just finished telling me how happy they were, and that Bridget couldn’t get away from her job to come for Heath’s party.” Yvette twirled her hair, seemingly lost in her own thoughts.

  “Well, that part might have been true if she’s working at the restaurant,” Amelia teased.

  “Yeah,” Yvette chuckled. “I just wonder why he didn’t tell anyone, or why he chose to stay in Florida instead of coming home.”

  Amelia sighed. “Did you ever think that he considers Florida to be home now? He’s been living there about three years so maybe that’s where he’s most comfortable. Just because his marriage didn’t work out doesn’t mean he has to run back here to his proverbial security blanket.”

  “I guess. It’s what I would do, though.” Yvette shrugged, taking a sip of her coffee.

  “It’s what a lot of people would do, I’m sure. The only way to find out is to ask him. Are you going to do that?” Amelia wondered, looking right into Yvette’s eyes.

  Yvette looked away. “I don’t know. I just…” she trailed off.

  “Don’t do that to yourself, Yvette. I know you’ve always had a thing for Nate and maybe you should explore that, but you shouldn’t over-analyze about the where’s and why’s of things. Just tell him what Emma told you and see what he says.”

  “We were supposed to be working together today on the food for Heath’s party, but after the murder, Audrey officially canceled it. For all I know, Nate already has plans to go back to Florida.”

  “Well, that’s a great excuse to get in touch with him, isn’t it? Ask him if he wants to meet for lunch or something,” Amelia suggested.

  “I will, but first I want you to tell me what’s been going on in your life. All the weird things stopped after Janet died, so that has to make you feel better.”

  “That’s not exactly the case. They haven’t been happening as often, but they still are. No more weird phone calls or stolen food, but I’ve been feeling like someone has been watching me lately. I know that sounds silly, but it’s true. Everywhere I go, I feel like someone’s eyes are on me, but I never notice anyone. Maybe I’m just being paranoid.” Amelia sighed.

  “Maybe, but I still hope you’re being careful,” Yvette chided.

  “I am. Tom asked me out again, did I tell you that?” Amelia asked.

  Yvette wanted to mention what Tom had told her about traveling and not staying in one place for very long but was avoiding it after she had spoken to Mark. She didn’t want to draw attention to either of them, knowing it might confuse her friend. Amelia and Mark had been one of the greatest couples Yvette had ever seen, but when it didn’t work out, they both had every right to move on and find love. Amelia also had every right to know how Mark really felt about her and while Yvette wasn’t much of a matchmaker, she knew how Amelia felt about him, so she’d do her very best to help move things along.

  “You didn’t tell me. Are you going?”

  “I don’t think so,” she shook her head. “He’s a nice guy and everything but I just don’t feel a spark. I’m getting to be more and more like you every day,” she giggled. “I don’t wanna go on a series of dates that will never lead to anything, so in order to avoid that, I’m going to turn him down and tell him we should just be friends. I’m busy with work so I think that’s best,” Amelia replied, sipping the last of her drink.

  “As long as you aren’t making excuses. You said the same thing about Mark in the end. Work, work, work. That’s not what life’s about, my friend.” Yvette waggled her finger, trying to lighten the mood.

  “Have you heard any more about Janet?” Amelia asked.

  Not letting the change of subject go unnoticed, but moving it to the back of her mind, Yvette spoke, “Eddie got home after leaving the Town Hall and went upstairs to find Janet and saw that she was asleep in bed. He noticed that the window was open, so he went around to close it and that’s when he saw a pool of blood on the floor.”

  Amelia gasped. “That’s awful! Do they know what… how it happened?”

  “I’m sure they do, but it hasn’t been released to the public yet, and I haven’t heard anyone even talking about this. Janet is sort of high profile around here too, being in charge of the Downtown Association and all. I’m surprised more people aren’t discussing it.”

  “That’s true. She is very well known in town.” Amelia agreed.

  No matter what Janet did wrong, paying for it with her life just wasn’t fair. So far, there had been no real suspects and the only person questioned had been Eddie himself. It wasn’t a secret that they’d had their fair share of arguments that neither one of them had ever tried to hide. Yvette wasn’t sure that Eddie had it in him to kill his wife, even if they had spent the majority of their marriage arguing about one thing or another. She refused to say it out loud, but Amelia, her very best friend, was a logical suspect in this murder. Amelia had every reason to want to see Janet dead, but there was no way she could be involved. The only way to ensure that the police wouldn’t consider Amelia, was if Yvette figured out who it was first.

  “I feel bad for Eddie having to find her like that. Do you have any ideas
about who may be responsible?” Yvette asked.

  “Only people I’ve ever seen Janet openly fight with aside from myself,” Amelia winced, “are Eddie, Della, and Monica.”

  “I forgot all about Monica!” Yvette exclaimed.

  Monica Carothers was the second in command of the Downtown Branch of the Neighborhood Association. She had been Janet’s right hand for several years. Could it be possible that Monica would do such a thing? She certainly may have wanted the position as the chair of the association, but it seemed like an awfully silly reason to murder someone.

  “Monica was probably the closest person to Janet, but there have been plenty of times when they just couldn’t agree on things. She came to me several times, telling me horror stories about working with Janet on projects for the town. Monica is a lovely woman, but I’m sure it’s possible for killers to hide their true selves well.” Amelia twisted her hands, acting nervous.

  “You just told me not to over-analyze. You need to follow your own advice,” Yvette said, understanding that her best friend realized just how easy it was to see that she herself may end up being a suspect in the murder of Janet Moran.

  8

  Yvette saw her parents, Abigail and Charlie Lockhart, sitting on their front porch waiting for her to arrive. They’d decided on a spontaneous dinner that evening even though it wasn’t their typical Sunday evening family meal. Abigail had called Yvette, telling her that it was important and for her to come over right away.

  “Hey, guys. What’s the rush? Is everything okay?” Yvette asked as she trotted up the steps to where her parents sat.

  “Have a seat, dear,” Abigail said, motioning to the chair beside her.

  “You’re making me nervous,” Yvette groaned.

  “We’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?” Charlie asked his daughter.

  “Good?” Yvette responded.

  “We decided to host Heath’s party here Sunday evening. Hopefully, he’ll have the case solved by then and can get a little time away. I hope that you’ll still be able to offer some of your ice cream,” Charlie said.