Hot Chocolate Murder: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery - Book 28 (A Frosted Love Cozy Mysteries)

by Summer Prescott

  “Hi, sir,” he replied, glancing up from the graphic novel that he was reading.

  “Can I talk to you for a minute?” the detective asked, sitting in a chair across from him.

  “Sure, I guess.” He placed a scrap of paper in the book to mark the spot where he’d left off, then set it on the table.

  “How are you holding up?”

  “Okay, I suppose,” Bennie shrugged. “I hate seeing my mom so sad,” he stared down at his hands, picking at a loose piece of skin by his thumb.

  “I bet. That’s gotta be tough,” Chas nodded. “I know that this has been a difficult time for you, but I need to ask you some questions about the fishing trip that you and Brittany took with your dad, if that’s okay.”

  Benson raised his head, giving the detective a blank look. “Okay,” he said, finally.

  “When you got to the dock, you encountered a young man named Andrew, is that correct?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Can you tell me about what happened between your dad and Andrew? Did you witness a conversation that they might have had?”

  “Yes, sir. Dad was being really rude to Andrew, and Andrew stood up to him. I actually thought that it was kind of cool – I’d never seen anyone who didn’t back down from my father before,” Bennie admitted.

  “Did Andrew seem to stay mad?”

  “No sir, I think he felt like he won.”

  “Like he won what, exactly?”

  “The argument with my dad. He kinda smiled when my dad backed down.”

  “I see. What happened when you returned the boat?”

  “Well, Brit and I weren’t feeling too hot when we came back, so I didn’t really notice much of what was going on, but Andrew did ask me if I was okay, then he tried to talk to my sister, and Dad just kind of rushed us out of there.”

  “And, were you okay?” Chas probed, trying to get Benson to make eye contact.

  “Yes, sir. I was fine. I’d just never been out on a boat before.”

  “Benson, I found blood and hair, which belonged to you, on the boat’s console. What can you tell me about that?”

  “I fell,” the teenager mumbled, going back to picking at his thumb.

  “How?”

  “Does it make a difference?”

  “I don’t know, does it?” the detective challenged gently.

  Bennie looked up at him briefly, then dropped his gaze again, saying nothing.

  “How did your sister get the bruises on her abdomen?” Chas persisted.

  “How do you know about that?”

  “Anyone who saw her at the pool knows about that. What happened, Benson?”

  The teenager chewed on the inside of his cheek and stayed silent.

  “I know that you don’t want to say things that may seem unkind about your deceased father, but this could be important information,” Chas encouraged quietly.

  “He hurt us all the time,” the young man’s lower lip trembled and his throat worked as he sought to maintain his composure, seeming humiliated by his admission.

  “I could take it – you know – I’m a guy, but it was really hard to see…to see my sister and my little brothers suffer. Especially Brant,” Bennie shook his head, swiping angrily at a tear that traced its way down his cheek.

  “How long had this been going on?”

  “As long as I can remember. My whole life.”

  “What about your mom?”

  “I don’t think she cared enough to protect us.” Another tear spilled over and dripped onto the front of his t-shirt.

  “Did you ever talk to her about it?”

  Benson nodded. “We tried, Brittany and me tried one time after Brant was so bad that he couldn’t go to school for a couple of days.”

  “And what did she say?”

  The teenager shook his head. “She made a bunch of excuses.”

  “Excuses?”

  “He’s tired, he’s stressed, he works so hard,” he bit out, disgusted. “She knew as well as anybody else that he wasn’t working hard, he was out with his girlfriends.”

  “Did you ever think about talking to one of your teachers or the school counselor about what was going on?”

  Bennie barked out a humorless, bitter laugh. “Yeah, we tried. My dad was like, a big deal in the community. He did a lot of volunteer work, went to church, put on this act for the rest of the world that everybody believed. When Brit and I tried to talk to people at school, they refused to believe us and called him to let him know that he should talk to us.”

  “How did that go?”

  The teenager flipped his hair back, revealing an inch-long scar just behind his ear. “Let’s just say, he didn’t react well. He wouldn’t let Mom take me to the doctor – he said I was just being overly dramatic, so she taped it up with those little butterfly things and told me to keep my hair over it.”

  “Sounds like you found yourself in a pretty dangerous family situation.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “One that you wanted out of.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “And there was only one way out that you could think of, after everyone you spoke with let you down, wasn’t there?”

  Benson slowly raised his head and stared directly into the detective’s eyes, his expression flat.

  “Yes sir,” he said clearly.

  Chapter 20

  “Chas arranged for a search of Benson’s room, and found the knife that had been used to murder his father,” Missy shook her head.

  “The entire situation is just so sad,” Echo replied, her heart aching for the family. “I mean, I know that murder is absolutely wrong, but that poor kid just had taken so much abuse that he snapped. I feel so bad for him, and the whole family.”

  “I know, it breaks my heart. Chas said that, under the circumstances, it’s possible that the poor kid might be able to use a psychological defense and not receive as harsh a sentence, but it’ll be up to the courts to decide.”

  “What an awful, awful thing.”

  “Truly,” Missy agreed. “And I have no idea how Brenda is going to cope. From what Kel said, Bernard had destroyed their finances, and they’re deeply in debt. Unless his life insurance policy is huge, I can’t imagine how she’s going to make it.”

  “As strange as my childhood may have been, something like this makes me grateful that at least I was safe and loved, even if my mom was a bit…unusual.”

  “I lost my parents early, but they were perfect right up until they died,” Missy replied wistfully.

  “You were lucky. Looks like Kel didn’t have to go to Boston after all,” Echo mused.

  “Yeah, apparently, despite what was going on at home, Bernard’s reputation in the community was spotless. He somehow managed to hide his philandering from everyone. Kel couldn’t dig up any dirt on him, which is almost unheard of.”

  “Makes me wonder why he stayed so long.”

  “Well, if he wasn’t turning up any results, it only makes sense that he’d need more time to dig deeper.”

  “I suppose,” she didn’t sound convinced.

  “Sweetie, just talk to him when he gets back. Find out what’s going on so you can stop torturing yourself with imagined scenarios that may or may not be happening,” Missy encouraged her glum friend.

  “Yeah, I’ll do that,” she nodded.

  **

  Kel spent much of his plane ride home debating about whether or not to tell Echo about what was happening. He cared for her a great deal, and still harbored hope that she might someday let down her guard enough to allow something to happen between the two of them, but he certainly didn’t want it to be because of grief or pity, that he wouldn’t be able to live with. He slept fitfully, exhausted from travel, the numerous tests, and the life-changing news that he’d been given. Even his first class seat seemed to confine him as his thoughts darted this way and that.

  The artist’s first instinct when he arrived at his studio and saw her working at the desk in her office, wa
s to take a deep breath and try not to cry. Her beauty and sweet nature never failed to take his breath away, and he wished that he could capture the moment in time, so that he could occasionally remember what it felt like to be deliriously, obliviously, healthy and normal.

  Feeling his presence, she looked up, the hesitant look in her eyes tearing at the very fabric of his being.

  “I’m back,” he said, as heartily as he was able.

  “So I see,” she smiled faintly, somehow catching the vibe that all was not well. “How was your trip?”

  “Tiring,” Kel replied honestly, glad to be home, and far away from the cold, dark place where he’d learned the truth of his condition. “I thought the plane would never land.”

  “Would you like some tea?” she asked, as he stood in front of her desk staring down at her with a strange expression.

  “No, thanks. I’m just going to work in the studio for a bit and then go home to catch a nap, I think.”

  “That’s probably a good idea, you must be exhausted. So, did you manage to convince John?”

  “John?” the artist frowned, confused.

  “John. The apprentice that you were going to interview,” she raised a suspicious eyebrow.

  “Oh! Right, John,” he sighed tiredly. “No, he had a better offer.”

  “I see,” Echo looked down at her desk so that Kel wouldn’t see her eyes welling with tears as his falsehood was exposed. “Is there anything you’d like to tell me?” she asked, not raising her gaze, bracing herself.

  “Dear lady, there are many things that I’d like to tell you, but unfortunately I just don’t have the strength right now,” he leaned against the desk.

  Echo nodded her head rapidly, blinking back tears and refusing to look up at him again. “That’s okay, I don’t think I’d want to hear them anyway,” she blurted and bolted from the room, beginning to sob.

  “How right you are, my beauty,” Kel sighed, running a hand roughly over his face. “How right you are.”

  Chapter 21

  “Morty and Vera went home this morning,” Missy commented, as Echo sat, staring into space, her chin in her hand.

  “Mmm..” the morose woman replied, pretending to listen.

  “I wonder where Kel is this morning. He said that he was coming back yesterday,” she looked at her friend closely, trying to prompt a response.

  “He did.”

  “Maybe he’s just sleeping in, trying to recover from his trip.”

  “Maybe so.”

  “Echo, honey, talk to me,” Missy implored. “What is going on? Did you get a chance to talk to him?”

  Tears slipped slowly down her cheeks. “I tried. He lied to me.”

  “What do you mean he lied to you?” she frowned.

  “I asked him how things went with John, and he didn’t even remember that there was supposed to be a John. I asked him if there was anything he wanted to tell me, and he said that he was too tired, which means that whatever he’s going to say has to be bad news and he doesn’t want to tell me or is too embarrassed to tell me, which means he’s probably seeing someone and doesn’t care about me anymore. Oh, Missy, it’s too late. I figured out how I feel about him too late, and he doesn’t even have the decency to tell me what’s going on so that I can move on with my life,” Echo babbled, bursting into tears.

  “This ruins everything,” she continued, sobbing. “I can’t work at the gallery anymore, seeing him every day, feeling like a fool. I’d die if he brings whoever he loves into the gallery. I don’t even want to think about seeing him with someone else. I won’t be able to take it, I can’t go back to work, I just can’t,” she dropped her forehead forward, into her hands.

  Missy handed her a tissue. “Don’t you think you’re jumping to conclusions?” she asked gently.

  Echo shook her head vehemently, dabbing at her nose. “No, he’s been acting weird for a while. I can tell something is up,” she insisted.

  “Well, maybe that something isn’t what you think it is.”

  “What else could it be? He tells me everything, and suddenly he’s being secretive and avoiding talking to me…it’s gotta be about a woman,” she sniffled miserably.

  “That just doesn’t sound like Kel, sweetie. I really think that he’s the type of guy who would just break it to you gently if he cared for someone else.”

  “That’s what I would’ve thought too, but he’s not doing that.”

  “Look, why don’t you take a day off, go to the beach, breathe deeply, calm down a little bit, and prepare some thoughts that you’d like to share with him. Go all in. Tell him how you feel and see what he does with it. If you really care about him in that way, it’s only fair to let him know about it, right?” Missy pointed out reasonably.

  “I don’t know if I can,” Echo whispered.

  “Of course you can. You’re a strong, intelligent, brave woman who has a lot to offer. I know that you can do this – that you need to do this. Let’s go to the kitchen at the Inn and pack a picnic for you, and you just take the day for yourself. Text Kel to let him know that you won’t be coming in today, and leave it at that for now,” she advised.

  “Can I have one of those small bottles of wine in my picnic basket?”

  “Absolutely,” Missy smiled. “And plenty of tissues too,” she hugged her friend tightly.

  “I love you, girl. It’s going to be okay,” she murmured against the flame-red curls.

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  **

  Echo went on her beach picnic, as instructed, and Missy bustled around the cupcake shop, baking, frosting, decorating and arranging her latest creations. The morning rush had been particularly busy after her friend had gone, but Spencer had stepped in to help, and after the line died down, Missy sent him back to the Inn, enjoying her solitude while she restocked. Surprised to hear the bell over the door jangle so close to closing time, she glanced at her watch and headed for the front of the shop, surprised to see a rather haggard-looking Kel standing awkwardly just inside the door.

  “Kel, what a lovely surprise,” she exclaimed, embracing her friend. “We missed you this morning.”

  A sad look passed over his patrician features. “I thought that it might be best if I weren’t here,” he said simply, appearing too tired for pretense.

  “Sit down, sweetie,” Missy directed, determined to get to the bottom of whatever it was that was happening.

  The artist seemed pitifully grateful for the invitation, looking like he was in particular need of a chair at the moment, and sat.

  “Can I get you something? I’ve got some German Chocolate cupcakes with your name on them,” she tried to tempt a smile out of him.

  “Just coffee, dear lady. I’m afraid I don’t have much of an appetite these days,” he sighed.

  Missy set a steaming cup in front of him and sat down close by, concerned.

  “Darlin, just what on earth is going on? You and Echo are my dearest friends and I hate it that both of you are miserable right now,” she took his hand in both of hers.

  Kel was done. He’d been hiding from those who loved him most for far too long, and Missy’s warmth was his undoing. His tears ran freely and she pulled her dear friend into her arms, soothing him while he let out all of the pain and fear that he’d been keeping inside. She didn’t know what was wrong, and it didn’t matter. He was in pain and he needed her, so she held him until the storm had passed.

  After a time, he pulled back, taking a handkerchief from the breast pocket of his sport coat and dabbing his eyes and nose with it.

  “I apologize…I just couldn’t…” he began, when he could speak normally.

  “Don’t you dare say you’re sorry for being human,” Missy interrupted him. “You know that you can talk to me anytime. I’m here for you. Now, tell me, what’s going on? What’s making you so sad, sweetie?” she asked, placing a hand gently on his cheek.

  The artist sighed, as though heavily burdened, and looked at
his friend a long time before replying.

  “I love Echo dearly. I honestly believe that somehow, the universe sent her to fill in the missing pieces of my soul, but I’m not yet ready to share with her what I’m about to tell you, do you understand?” Missy nodded.

  “We have to keep this just between us for the moment, until I figure some things out,” he continued, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly.

  “I understand, sweetie. Whatever you need,” Missy held his hand.

  Everything that he’d learned, felt and experienced over the last few weeks came tumbling out in a flood, which, while painful, was a relief. He hadn’t known how to tell anyone, and hadn’t realized how much better he’d feel after he did. He poured out his heart, his soul, his fears and shattered dreams, sitting at their favorite bistro table, and it wasn’t long before the tears of his tender-hearted friend flowed as freely as his. The human contact and unwavering support of this strong, steadfast woman was like a balm to his weary soul, and when he left her, nearly two hours later, he felt drained, but at peace…at least for the moment.

  Missy sat by herself at the bistro table after Kel left. She’d flipped over the “Closed” sign, and had turned out the lights, but still lingered, stunned and profoundly saddened. Her coffee grew cold in her cup, and the light of day waned, and still she sat, thinking of life, of love that never dies, and of the treasure of friendship. She laid her head down on her arms, too numb to move, for quite some time, until a knock at the back door interrupted her reverie.

  “I can’t believe you’re still here,” Echo said with a smile. “You were so right, I just needed to take a break and think things through. I feel so much better now,” she sighed with relief.

  She peered at her uncharacteristically quiet friend closely. “Hey girl, are you okay? You look like you need a day off and a wine picnic,” she teased.

  Missy smiled at her friend, her heart breaking. “Yes, I think I do.”

  Copyright 2016 Summer Prescott Books

  All Rights Reserved.