by Pat Amsden
Perhaps they were. That land of happily ever after so many of us aspire too and which almost always starts off with beautiful weddings and promises to love each other until death do you part. Its' inhabitants don't often show up in the ER, waiting to find out what has become of the bride.
Detective Patrick Shannon, her friend and one time, boyfriend entered. He approached the triage desk and then took a look around the room, spotting Maxine.
He made a beeline to her and she gave him a small smile. She didn't have to look to know they'd become the center of attention, she could feel the energy shift in the room.
"Maxine, it's good to see you." Six feet two with blue eyes, black hair and a dimple when he smiled, he could be a charmer when he chose.
"And you too detective," she said with a small smile.
"It seems something happened to the bride today. You found her?" It was more a statement of fact than a question but she answered anyway.
"Heath was with me. She was – late for the wedding and Kevin was beside himself. I told him Heath and I could take a look around. I really didn't expect to find her. Certainly..." she broke off not wanting to finish the sentence.
"The doctors are talking to her family now."
Maxine nodded her head.
His voice turned gruff. "Does it ever occur to you not to volunteer when something needs checking? Chocolate making isn't usually considered a dangerous profession."
"I was doing a favor for my friend," she snapped, feeling a flash of anger. "I had no way of knowing that I'd find her," she stopped, at a loss for her words as she gestured with her hands, "like that."
Like it or not she knew what he meant. Earlier that spring someone had fallen dead at the first event she'd ever catered. Before the case had been solved two more people had died and another friend had come far too close for comfort. It was why she'd known so much about cyanide.
And while without her, the case might not have been solved as fast as it had been, she still felt a little ... fragile. And more than a little defensive.
"Are you investigating it as a ..."
"We're not sure what it is right now," he said curtly. "But we need to find out what happened. Obviously something went wrong if she was lying in the snow, fighting for her life, within walking distance to her own wedding."
"Who...I mean all the bridal party except the bride were there. And according to Kevin she took off at the last minute to meet someone and told everyone to meet her at the wedding."
"We're checking the guest list now," he assured her, "along with the whereabouts of everyone connected."
"But – she's going to live," Maxine said, her voice rising as she clenched her fists, fighting tears. "Surely you can ask her then. She'll be able to clear everything up, to..."
"If she recovers," he said grimly. "I thought it best to preserve the evidence just in case..." he didn't finish. "If you can think of anything - "
"I'll let you know," she assured him.
The door opened. Maxine, along with everyone else in the room, turned towards Julianna's parents and the doctor with a mixture of relief along with apprehension.
Her parents smiled. "She's alive. We're going to see her now and then they're taking her up to ICU."
There was an excited buzz of conversation. The wedding party surged forward towards the parents.
A doctor spoke. "Just her family right now. There'll be time enough for everyone else to visit when she's had a chance to recover. For now..."
Rohan stepped forward. "Could you tell her I love her, I.." his voice broke and Maxine's heart went out to him.
"Why don't you tell her yourself," her mother said gently. "After all if things had gone as planned you would be her husband now." She turned towards the doctor. "Surely in this case?"
"As long as it's only for a minute. She's in a very weakened state."
"Of course," Rohan said.
The doctors' eyes scanned the room landing on Maxine and Heath. "Is that the young lady and gentleman who found her?"
The parents nodded. "You should thank them," he said simply. "If they hadn't acted as quickly as they had, your daughter would not have recovered. You were lucky she was there."
"Of course," Julianna's parents said. "After we've seen our daughter."
But there was no need. Everyone in the room had heard. Maxine felt a flush of happiness. Julianna would be all right – and for once she wasn't blamed for the crime.
***
The shop was crowded with shoppers stopping for hot chocolate and a treat before heading out for yet more Christmas shopping. Located on Victoria's Wharf Street it was within walking distance of major shopping malls and stores. Inside managed to be warm and cozy while sidewalks remained treacherous even after being shoveled clear of snow and the harbor seemed strangely still as snow continued to fall covering the tops of boats and the docks.
Sam Dixon, owner of the art gallery next door stopped in. "So this time you're a hero," he said, biting into a chocolate brownie to go with his coffee.
"I was in the right place at the right time," Maxine said modestly. But she had to admit she liked seeing a newspaper headline that said, 'Chocolatier Saves The Day.' She was still curious though.
Why had Julianna run out on her own wedding? And who had she been going to see? The questions niggled at her demanding answers.
It was a question she asked Detective Shannon when he dropped in later that day.
"She claims she doesn't remember anything," he said taking a bite of her latest chocolate, an eggnog flavor. "Not my favorite," he said, "but then I don't like eggnog."
"Is that possible?"
"What? That I don't like eggnog?"
"That she doesn't remember anything," she said.
"Hard to say," he said simply. "Cyanide stops the body from being able to use oxygen. So if the oxygen supply was cut off long enough it could cause problems with memory."
Maxine looked as horrified as she felt. "But she's all right?"
"The doctors feel she'll make a full recovery but whether she'll get her memory back on what happened that night is another story."
"So who would have access to cyanide?"
"Cyanide is used in manufacturing. Game boards for one thing," Patrick said.
"So almost anyone who worked for either of ye Olde family firms."
"Bingo," Patrick said. "I want you to be careful Maxine. Juliana came within an inch of dying. If you hadn't recognized the signs she'd be dead."
She shivered and it wasn't from any sudden draft coming through the door as he left. How had such a happy event gone so horribly wrong? She was dreading her trip out to pick up the wedding cake.
The family had already assured her they wanted nothing more to do with the cake and who could blame them. Kevin had said he had an idea... what that was she had no idea. He'd said he had a few more things to sort out and he'd get back to her.
She was about to give him a call when her phone went off and she noticed it was Kevin calling.
"Hi," he said. "You ready to host a party tonight?"
"Not really," she said cautiously. "What's up?"
He laughed. "Since the food's already paid for and none of the family wants it we've decided to throw a party with it."
"But...for who?" She couldn't think of anyone who would want such a macabre reminder.
"The shelter," he said simply. "They don't need to know where it came from and we're adding some seasonal treats. My crew is decorating a church basement as we speak. Zeke and Amoury have both volunteered to help out as well as supplying extra turkeys."
"And it's tonight." Her voice squeaked going up an octave.
"We want the food used as quickly as possible so it stays fresh," Kevin said grimly.
"I'm going to have to do something with the cake," she said, thinking quickly. "A wedding cake won't work."
"I trust you to work your usual magic," Kevin said. "You're in then?"
"I'm in," she said. Still, she felt a
little shell-shocked. She'd long since realized being a caterer meant being able to think on your feet but she hadn't seen any of this coming.
Heath was upstairs working on Christmas chocolates for the shop. She could probably draft him. Jane was coming in at eleven to help with the busiest part of the day and do the books. She could do the books another day.
When it slowed down a bit she could spend some time figuring out what to do with the cake. What, she thought wildly, would be appropriate for a homeless celebration cake?
As usual Heath supplied the answer. "So? Homeless people spend time in Beacon Hill and other parks as well. Just take out anything that makes it obviously Butcharts, along with all the bling and personal stuff." He grinned. "A couple of years ago, someone got upset because he claimed the homeless were catching ducks from Beacon Hill Park and roasting them for dinner."
"How did I miss that?" she said wonderingly.
"It was short lived," he said laughing. "Our social studies teacher made it a topic of the day. Half the class had to argue against killing ducks in Beacon Hill Park and half had to argue for the homeless man accused."
She shook her head. "Should I ask which side you argued for?"
"The homeless man," he said cheerfully. "I argued ducks were good eating and the homeless shouldn't be denied the right to enjoy duck when most people could afford to get it from the supermarket or restaurant of their choice."
She laughed. "And the other side?"
"The ducks of Beacon Hill Park are special and should be safe from barbarians who feel they're outside regular laws. It's a child hood rite of passage to feed ducks in Beacon Hill and children would be traumatized to think the ducks they're feeding might end up on a homeless man's plate."
She shook her head. "Only in Victoria."
"Maybe we can put a few ducks on."
"Bite your tongue."
"Actually I think the cake will be easier than the grooms' cake. I'm guessing most homeless people aren't up on the latest PlayStation or Xbox."
"Maybe just cut off the sides and make a square cake," she said frowning.
"Wouldn't work that well. Besides I've got a better idea. I'm having a gaming night at my apartment tomorrow so I'll take it off your hands and make something else for the party. If that's OK with you, of course."
"Perfect and the cake is big enough to feed five hundred. I think we'll be OK."
"Awesome," Heath said. "But then you have to let me put something else in."
"What?" she said.
He just shook his head. "Trust me, OK. I just have to make a few phone calls."
In the end she didn't have much choice. Although considering the mountains of food left from the wedding she really didn't think there was anything to add to the feast.
The church hall Kevin had managed to secure was huge. And judging from how it looked Kevin's crew had been working non-stop throughout the day to transform what would have been a drab and dowdy venue to one filled with warmth and Christmas cheer.
Garlands of pine with big red bows covered the walls. Tables had been set up in long rows with white table cloths. The same linen ones, she suspected, that she'd seen a day ago at the wedding itself. Each table had a small flower arrangement while in the corner a tree, easily twenty feet high had been decorated with Christmas bows in red and gold along with Christmas ornaments and lights. Underneath was a mountain of presents. At least they looked like presents. The smell of roasted turkey filled the air along with all manner of other good smells. Kevin approached her with a smile on his face.
"Not bad for a last minute change of plans is it?"
"You've outdone yourself," she cried. "Have you slept at all?"
He shrugged. "Sleep is over-rated. There'll be time enough for that when tonight is over."
She gestured towards the tree. "Don't tell me those are presents for everyone attending?"
"Mainly for the children," he said smiling. "Although we've tried to provide something for all the adults as well."
She shook her head. "I don't know how you managed to pull all this off at the last minute. And how did you find the guests?"
He shrugged. "Sadly that wasn't hard at all. Particularly with snow bringing more of the homeless indoors and out of the cold than usual. I simply asked the minister to find homeless people and others in need of help and he happily said he'd find people to attend. By noon we had a full house."
"Where do you want the cake?"
He pointed in the direction of the church kitchen. "There's a pantry area off to one side. That should keep it cool enough and stop anyone from running into it in their rush."
"OK, we'll get it set up. When are the guests expected to start arriving?"
"We've moved the dinner up to five o'clock." He shrugged. "It's not a problem for us and with the weather like this the sooner we open the doors the sooner guests can come in from the cold."
She smiled. "At least some good will come of this."
"I think that's why both Zeke and Amoury responded so positively to it. Although I didn't expect them to be down here helping out."
"They're getting along?"
"I'm doing my best to keep them separated," Kevin said. "Although I don't think either of them is in a mood to fight right now."
She spotted Zeke on the far side of the room putting flower arrangements together for the tables. Noticing he was alone she headed towards him.
He looked old beyond his years, easily having aged ten years in the last day. He gave her a grim smile when she approached. In his mid-forties with gray just beginning to show through his dark brown hair, he had grey green eyes that usually danced with happiness. Today she saw only sorrow and hurt.
"I'm so sorry for what happened, Mr. Grant. How is Julianna doing?"
"The doctors think she'll make a full recovery." He gave a deep sigh, shaking his head. "I just don't understand what happened. And if Julianna knows anything she's not saying."
He gave her a small smile. "I should be thanking you. Without your quick thinking she'd be dead." A shudder passed through him.
"I'm just happy I could help," she said modestly. "If I can do anything let me know."
He shook his head. "I don't want you getting involved in this. You could end up injured or worse."
"But-,"
"I know your reputation as an amateur sleuth but let the police do their jobs. I'm more than glad you were there last night to save the day. The police have the training and expertise to get the job done."
"I never even thought about it," Maxine said truthfully. "I just wanted to make sure you were all right. I -," she gestured at the huge hall being set up for a feast with entertainment to follow. "This is very generous on your part and I'm sure no one would fault you if you stayed with your daughter."
"My wife and Rohan are taking turns sitting by Julianna's bed waiting..." he broke off, unable to continue and Maxine placed her hand on his arm in a gesture of comfort.
"I understand. If there's anything we can do for you, anything at all..."
He gave a grim smile. "Right now it's a matter of waiting. And when Kevin asked about this it was a no-brainer. At least something good will come of this whole mess." He gestured toward Amoury, "although I didn't expect to see him here."
"I think he felt the same way you do," she said carefully.
"Yeah," Zeke said grimly. He gave another deep sigh. "We started out together you know, grew up in the same neighborhood, started a company together-," He gave a bitter laugh. "Until I came up with something he didn't believe in and I did. So I went out on my own and he's been calling me a thief ever since."
"You don't think..."
He gave her a look of honest surprise. "That he's involved in this." He shook his head. "He wasn't happy about the wedding. But he'd never do anything like this. And I..." he shook his head. "I was hoping this would bring our families together, that we could put the past behind us."
"Maybe it still will," she said. As she headed back toward
s the kitchen to work on her cake she wasn't so sure. No matter what he wanted, Amoury didn't seem nearly as ready for reconciliation. Whatever his personal feelings though, he, and all his family, as far as she knew, had been at the wedding.
She was wondering how to approach Amoury, when Kevin announced they were throwing the doors open early.
"Are you sure about this?" she whispered at his announcement.
"Minister wants to. This is turning into the worst winter storm Victoria has had in years. With the temperature going down we need to get these people off the streets."
She shivered at the thought of anyone outside in this weather. "Of course," she said.
At the same time she couldn't help wondering how Grandma Ellie was or Bernice and all her cronies over at the Bernice Kelly townhomes. There wasn't much time to worry about that though as people crowded through the doors and she found herself in an impromptu receiving line.
There were old people and young people, families and small groups of friends. Most she didn't recognize although she recognized one of them as a busker who played in front of her shop when the weather was warmer. And she'd seen another down in the inner harbor juggling during the summer.
"This days for you," she said smiling at an older women with missing front teeth.
"And I plan on enjoying it," the lady cackled. "Though I can't help wondering who died."
Maxine winced. "That's not why we're doing this."
"Yeah, yeah, I know," the lady said. She leaned forward whispering conspiratorially. "It's OK dearie. I know it sounds hard-hearted but I'm glad. We're going to have a bang-up time tonight and it just might keep one or two of MY friends from dying."
Maxine was momentarily rendered speechless until a little girl twirled in front of her. Dressed in an overcoat that had seen better days she opened it to show a pink dress with tulle skirt.
"Look at me! I look bea-u-tiful!" she said, her face lighting up in the biggest smile Maxine could remember seeing.
"You certainly are," she said bending down to talk to her. "Are you dressed up for the party?"
The little girl looked at her with big eye and nodded. "Mommy said this was going to be the biggest party ever!"