Finally, she was in the park and closing the gate behind her. Unleashing the dogs, she sat heavily on the nearest bench and had pulled out her phone to snag another chapter of her book when a text message from Jackie caught her eye.
OMG! Have you seen this?
Curious, Olivia clicked the link, which led her to a blog post on the newspaper’s website. When she'd read the blog headline, she leaned down, put her head between her legs, and groaned. The Curse of the Bride is back. Olivia Rickard’s wedding put on hold.
It took a few minutes before she could calm herself enough to scroll through the whole post. The anonymous writer was spouting outlandish facts that added up to the conclusion that death seemed follow Olivia wherever she went.
According to the article, every single vendor had pulled out. “Not true,” she muttered. “My venue is still good to go, although Andrew doesn't like it.”
Her boyfriend was ready to break up with her. “Slander!”
And anyone who was betting that she’d be able to say her wedding vows had better be prepared to lose their money.
Gritting her teeth, she gave the dogs a few more minutes to run laps around the park before she recalled them with a loud whistle. Tucker happily bounded to her, jumping up to lap enthusiastically at her face. Goodwin was next, shoving in next to the wildly bouncing Labradoodle so he could lean against her legs. Clyde and Fender took their sweet time getting back.
After leashing everyone, she straightened and smiled grimly. “We’re going to pay a visit to the newspaper and find out just who is writing all these lies about me!”
Goodwin barked sharply, but Olivia knew the dogs didn’t care where they went as long as they got to sniff stuff.
It was a long walk across town, and she ended up carrying the pug for half of it, but by the time she marched through the doors, she was still steaming mad.
“Hey, you can’t bring all those dogs in here!” The man at the front desk stood pointing at the door with a businesslike look on his face, but when he recognized her, his mouth closed with a snap. “Uh-oh,” he muttered.
“Uh-oh is right!” she snapped, glancing at the nameplate sitting on his desk. “Gary Knowles. I don’t suppose you’re the brilliant writer behind that outlandish cursed bride blog post?”
“No,” he mumbled. “It was submitted anonymously, and just like we put in the disclaimer, it’s not affiliated with the newspaper.”
“It’s lies, and you need to take it down immediately! So I’m having a few problems with my wedding. My fiancé isn’t ready to call it quits, and I am going to get married!”
As if to back her up, Goodwin grumbled a little under his breath.
The poor man looked absolutely terrified, but he stood his ground. “We’ve got someone covering your wedding, so once we have all the facts in, we’ll be happy to run an official article. Would you care to make a statement?”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “My wedding cannot be the highlight of Lexingburg.” Even as the words left her mouth, she knew that it was true. “You want a quote for your damn article? You can write that I think anyone who believes in this curse is an idiot, and when I do get married, they won’t be welcome to what’s going to be the most gorgeous and sensational wedding of the year! Did you get all that, Gary, or would you like me to repeat myself?”
He cleared his throat. “Perhaps you’d like to schedule an interview?”
“No, I would not, because I’m trying to solve Lacy McBride’s murder. You know that she’s dead, right? I would think that would be headline news!”
Gary shrugged. “We’ve talked to a bunch of people, but she’s so disliked that we’re having a hard time garnering sympathy for her death.”
“Oh, so you care about a dead woman’s feelings, but I’m chopped liver?” She huffed until she realized what he’d said. “What do you mean—she’s so disliked?”
“Everyone who worked for Lacy was terrified of her. If there was even one small mistake, Lacy had the power to make sure that vendor never worked in Lexingburg again. Lacy ruined budding careers, she refused to pay going rates for highly valued vendors, and she was just all-around rude. The only reason vendors put up with her was because she still brought them tons of business.”
Olivia felt all her anger leave her. How was it possible that the woman she had liked so much was so hated by everyone else? Was she so easily duped? “I don’t understand how everyone can still blame this curse on her death, if everyone she worked with hated her!”
“That one blog post has doubled our views on the website in the past hour,” Gary said unapologetically. He pushed his glasses up on his face and grinned at her. “To be honest, I think the town just likes talking about you.”
“I’m a dog walker. I’m really not all that interesting.”
“And now you’re a cursed bride. You should enjoy the fame.”
“That fame is ruining my wedding,” she grumbled.
Gary sighed. “I’ll take it down if you really want me to.”
She was about to demand that he do just that when a sudden thought occurred to her. What if she could draw the killer out? “I’ll let you leave it up, but I want you to make an addition to it. Let this town know that I’m not going to stop until I figure out who the real killer is. Then I’ll be able to prove that this isn’t my fault. Make sure you include my participation in the capture of Yvette Dunn’s killer.”
The reporter’s eyes widened, and he leaned over and scratched something down on a piece of paper. “Is there anything else I can do?”
“Yes. When it’s time to put my wedding announcement in the paper, you’re going to do it for free, and I’m going to make Lexingburg eat their words.” Satisfied that she’d be able to spin this to her advantage, she tugged on the dogs’ leashes and left the office with her head high.
Hopefully, the killer would see the notice and do something to reveal their hand. When that happened, Olivia would be ready.
"Why are you following me?" he snarled as he grabbed her wrist. His grip was painful, but Rose didn't flinch. She kept her face impassive as she looked him dead in the eye.
"You murdered your wife, and I'm going to prove it. I'll follow you night and day, if I have to. You may have fooled the police, but you don't fool me."
His eyes narrowed. "I'll get a restraining order against you. I'll have you jailed for harassment."
Rose just shrugged and stirred her tea with her other hand. "I don't think you will, Mr. Jones. I think you like knowing that I'm chasing after you. It's a thrill for you, isn't? Knowing that I know what you've done? You're the not the kind of man to back down from a challenge. Using the law to keep me away only proves that you know that I'm smarter than you."
A slow smile spread across his face, and he released her. "I don't know what you're talking about. I suggest you use your talents and find the real killer, Ms. Palmer. Maybe I'll even hire you myself."
As he walked away, Rose raised her glass and saluted him. He'd played that well, and he was a worthy adversary, but Rose had yet to meet someone who could best her at this game. He might think he'd gotten away with murder, but he hadn't even begun to realize just how good she really was at uncovering a man's deepest and darkest secrets.
After dropping off Clyde and Lily, Olivia swung by the sheriff’s station to leave Tucker with Nick—only to discover that he wasn’t there. All the dispatcher would say was that Nick was out following a lead. Knowing that if she took Tucker home, Mary would figure out that Nick wasn’t walking Tucker—and interested in Nick’s new lead—she called the sheriff.
“I’m sorry, Olivia,” he said as he picked up. “I completely forgot about Tucker.”
“That’s okay. I’d be happy to meet you wherever you are,” she said brightly, hoping that Nick would give her some clue.
“Nice try,” he said mildly. “I’ll tell you what. I should finish up in about twenty minutes. I’ll meet you at Happy Endings and pick Tucker up there. Is that okay?”
/> At least he didn’t ask her just to drop Tucker off at the station. This way she’d be able to grill him in person. After she agreed, she stopped by the house to drop off Goodwin and Fender and grab her car. She was supposed to meet Andrew for dinner at Double-Stacked, the burger joint next to the hospital, at six. Tucker, always eager for a car ride, happily jumped into the Jeep.
When she arrived at the bakery, she glanced in the window and frowned. It was just about time for people to get off work, and usually there was a line at the counter. Why was the place empty?
Janelle had taped a handmade sign on the door declaring the place temporary closed for the night. Olivia was about to knock on the door when Nick showed up. “Everything okay?” he asked as he watched her tap on the glass.
“I’m not sure. Janelle didn’t say anything to me about closing the bakery.”
Tucker jumped up on Nick and slobbered on his face. Olivia handed off the leash and knocked at the window, in case Janelle or one or more of her workers was in the back. “Do you have another suspect?”
“As a matter of fact, I do,” he said grimly. “I was on my way to bring her in for questioning, but she’s not at her bakery.”
“Bakery?” Olivia whipped her head around and stared at him. “Who is it?”
“You know that I can’t tell you that.”
When no one came to answer the door, Olivia fished in her bag for the key and unlocked it. Frustrated, she held the door open for the sheriff as she called out for her sister. “Janelle?” She glanced at Nick. “Is everything okay?”
“Olivia!” Janelle rushed in from the back. “Quick! Lock the door before—“ she skittered to a stop and her eyes widened. “Sheriff Limperos. What are you doing here?”
Olivia stared at Janelle before glancing back at Nick. He looked equally stumped by Janelle’s strange behavior. “He was meeting me here so I could give him Tucker,” she said slowly. “Janelle, is everything okay?”
Her sister’s face was flushed, and she’d clasped her hands behind her back, a telltale sign that she was hiding something. “Everything is fine,” Janelle said brightly. “Sheriff Limperos, I’m sure you’re very busy. I wouldn’t want to keep you.”
She kept putting a loud emphasis on Nick’s name.
What in the world was going on?
Nick cocked his head. “I thought I might take one of those apple pie muffins that Andrew is always talking about and a cup of coffee.”
“I’ll get those for you. On the house. You just stay right there! Don’t move!” Janelle scurried behind the counter.
Nick ignored her command and slowly moved around the counter. Curious, Olivia followed him.
Standing quietly around the corner inside the kitchen entrance was Patricia.
Olivia was about to greet the woman and ask her what was going on when Nick shook his head. “Patricia,” he said softly. “I’ve been looking for you.”
Janelle’s mentor bit her bottom lip. “You have?”
Olivia’s heart sank when Nick handed her Tucker’s leash. When he rested his hand on his belt, near his gun, her eyes widened. He couldn’t possibly think that Patricia was dangerous, could he?
“You’re not at your bakery.”
Before Patricia could say anything, Janelle shot forward. “That’s my fault,” she said hurriedly. “I needed some advice on Olivia’s wedding cake.”
“Oh, Janelle,” Olivia muttered sadly.
Nick shot her a suspicious look, but when Patricia walked forward with her head down, he took her gently by the arm. “Let’s go. I’ve got some questions for you.”
“I didn’t kill Lacy. I swear,” the older woman protested, but she walked with him to the door without fighting him. Nick took Tucker’s leash back, and it wasn’t until they’d left the store that Olivia whirled around to Janelle.
“Were you hiding her from Nick? Have you lost your mind!”
“I didn’t know that Nick was looking for her,” Janelle said, cringing. “She came here this morning and told me what happened, and I thought that maybe she should lay low for a while.”
Olivia crossed her arms. “So what happened?”
“First of all, Patricia would never kill anyone. I know that woman. I owe her my whole career!”
“Janelle, calm down. Maybe I can help, but I need to know exactly what happened. I know that she and Lacy didn’t get along, but that seems to be the story with almost every wedding vendor in town. Nick wouldn’t question her just for that.”
Her sister took a shuddering breath and shook her head. “The cake that was poisoned? It was Patricia’s. It was a special request from someone, and Patricia admitted that she knew it was for Lacy—but she didn’t poison it!”
“How does Nick know that it was Patricia’s cake?”
“Rachel told him!”
“Rachel? The wedding planner’s assistant? She requested the cake for Lacy?”
Janelle nodded. “Apparently, she was hoping to get back on Lacy’s good side and work for her again. I guess her new employer isn’t doing all that well, so she talked to Patricia that night and said that she needed a peace offering. She said that Patricia special-made the cake! She has to be lying.”
“Janelle, Lacy ruined Patricia’s business,” Olivia said gently. “People have killed for less.”
“No,” her sister snapped. “Patricia is no killer. Olivia, I need your help. You have to prove that Rachel is lying. She killed Lacy!”
Olivia wanted to say something to comfort her sister, but it seemed like Nick was right to arrest Patricia. She had motive, and she’d made the weapon. “Why would Rachel kill Lacy if she wanted to work for Lacy again? That doesn’t make any sense, Janelle.”
Rubbing her hands on her chef’s coat, Janelle looked as if she was about to burst into tears. She shook her head emphatically. “I don’t know, but I know that Patricia isn’t a killer. I told her that we would help her!”
Olivia relented. “All right. Rachel’s boss, Tina, has been giving me some advice on my wedding. Maybe I can use that to get more information about Rachel, but I don’t want you to get your hopes up. Patricia has motive, and she baked the murder weapon. It doesn’t look good for her.”
After giving Janelle a hug, Olivia headed back out to her car to meet Andrew. Even though she’d promised to help, it seemed like maybe the case was already wrapping up.
13
Olivia had just pulled into a parking spot when her phone rang. Glancing down at the caller ID, her heart skipped a beat.
"Mrs. Patterson," she said in a bright, fake voice. "How can I help you?"
"Andrew has told me all about this investigation that you're doing," Tabitha said with a sniff. "I don't know why you're putting so much effort into solving that horrid woman's death."
Olivia cringed. Just how much did Andrew's mother know? "I'm not really doing it for her. I'm doing it so I can get my wedding back on track."
"Yes, I've heard. I do believe you live in some backwards town. Anyway, that's not why I called. I'm rather impressed that you would come to me with questions about Andrew's gift, and I've decided to help you. If you’ll please give me your email address, I'll send you some stories and items that should give you an idea. I'm sure if you love my son, you'll come up with something that he'll cherish for all time."
There was an underlying threat in her voice. If Olivia didn't choose the right gift, Tabitha would know, and Andrew’s mother would hate her forever.
Swallowing hard, Olivia rattled off her email address. "Thank you so much for your help, Mrs. Patterson. Perhaps you'd like to hear about my wedding plans as well?"
God, why had she said that? It was bad enough that her own mother was trying to plan her wedding. Now she was inviting Andrew's to do the same?
Tabitha was quiet for a few seconds before she finally sighed. "I suppose you could email me your ideas. I'll let you know if they're atrocious or not."
The woman hung up before Olivia could answer. Blinking at th
e phone, Olivia slowly shook her head. She had a feeling that Andrew’s mother was going to hate every idea that she had.
This was what she was marrying into.
Andrew was already waiting for her in a booth when she got to Double-Stacked. The smell of grilling beef and beer made her feel instantly better, but Andrew looked haggard. His face was drawn, and his eyes were weary, but he still smiled when he saw her.
Her heart skipped a beat, and Olivia knew that she’d do just about anything to make sure that this marriage happened. “You look tired,” she said softly as she kissed him. “Is everything okay?”
“I didn’t sleep very well last night, and work was a little crazy.”
Frowning, she slid onto the seat across from him. “You didn’t sleep well?”
“Just too much on my mind.”
Part of her wondered if she was the reason that he wasn’t sleeping well, but she didn’t dare ask. Their regular waiter came by and brought them their drinks. He asked if they wanted their usual, but it was a needless precaution. Andrew always got the Black-and-Bleu burger, and she always ordered the Jalapeño burger.
“I’ve got some news. So apparently, Patricia made the cake that killed Lacy.”
Andrew yawned. “Who’s Patricia?”
“Janelle’s mentor. She ran a really successful catering business called Patty Cakes—until she and Lacy had a huge fight. Apparently, Lacy forgot to tell her that a bride was allergic to nuts, and Patricia made a nut-based cake for the wedding. Lucy blamed the whole thing on Patricia and basically made sure that she never got another wedding gig again.”
“Your wedding planner was a real peach, wasn’t she?” Andrew muttered darkly.
Her shoulders slumped, and she nervously ran her fingers along the wood grain of the table. It gave her something to focus on so that maybe Andrew wouldn't see the pain in her eyes. She knew that it was ridiculous, but discovering that her new friend was really no friend at all hurt her more than she wanted to admit. “I guess I didn’t really know her very well. You were right. She wasn’t my friend. I was just another client for her to dupe. I feel like a complete idiot.”
Till Death Do Us Bark (Happy Tails Dog Walking Mysteries Book 2) Page 10