Brownies & Betrayal (Sweet Bites Mysteries, Book 1)

by Heather Justesen

  “That’s the thing,” Shawn said. “Lidia lives in California, so she’s rarely seen Dahlia—a few times per year at most. On the other hand, Tad and Ana have spent a lot of time with Valerie and her daughter, so she does know them a lot better than her own aunt. It’s kind of sad, but it doesn’t change anything.”

  Sad didn’t even begin to describe it. But what did I know? I didn’t have any siblings, so I may have felt that stronger than most people. Growing up, I always wished for a brother or sister.

  “Where were you this morning?” Bronson asked. “I sat here for over an hour. I thought you were just ignoring me. I was about to call the police, afraid something bad had happened because of the concussion.”

  “I’m fine.” I decided not to mention that ignoring him would have been my first choice.

  “You need to take it easy, sweetie,” Bronson said. “Someone has it in for you.”

  Shawn elbowed Bronson, who had come to stand at his side. They crowded into the space, stealing my air. Shawn put his hands on my shoulders and turned me to face him. His hand touched my cheek, tipped my head up to meet his gaze. “Are you sure you’re okay? A concussion can have effects that last for months.”

  I covered his hand on my cheek, both out of appreciation for his gentle concern and to spear Bronson’s ego. I’m not ashamed that I can give into pettiness. Besides, his touch was sweet and comforting—something I appreciated after everything I’d been through. “I’m fine. Thanks. A little bruised, but I’ll survive.” I studied his face. “You hadn’t heard about the attack before you came today?”

  “I drove by and saw the vandalism. I knew the front window would upset you and thought I’d check to make sure you were okay, even though I was a little early for our date.”

  Bronson crossed his arms over his chest, all but tapping his toe in irritation. The kitchen was feeling very crowded. “What date? And will you stop touching her?”

  I glared at him. “I thought we decided that I’m the one who gets to decide who touches me.” And because I was irritated with Bronson, I turned and laid a kiss on Shawn, which he reciprocated without hesitation.

  When Bronson growled and stomped into the other room, I backed away. “See how you like it,” I called out at the top of my lungs.

  Shawn dropped his hands and crossed his arms over his wide chest, his muscles bunching. “I like you, Tess, don’t get me wrong, and the kiss was great, but I don’t like being used as a pawn.”

  I felt my stomach lurch. Had I done that? Oh yes, I had. But so had he, I realized. “You’re one to talk. Like you haven’t been trying to establish your territory.”

  He stared at me for a moment, then nodded as if to say I had a point.

  “Besides,” Honey said as she slid another crepe out of the pan, “I didn’t see you putting up a fight when she kissed you. In fact, you looked pretty in to the whole thing.”

  “What can I say? I enjoy kissing a pretty woman.” He brushed his hand down my arm. “But maybe from here on out, we can not use each other as weapons.”

  “I suppose I might be able to do that.” I did feel a little guilt, but not enough to apologize.

  “And that goes double for me,” Bronson called from the living room.

  “Trust me,” I muttered under my breath as I started filling the crepes, “I’m more than happy to oblige in your case.”

  “I don’t even know why you’re talking to him,” Bronson shot back. “You know we belong together.”

  “Oh, yes, and when Karen said the two of you had been seeing each other for a while, and it was about time the truth came out, that was because you love me so much.” I dropped the spatula into the bowl of cheese filling and walked over, drilling my finger into his chest. “Well, guess what? I’m not some weak-willed idiot who’s okay with letting you play around behind my back. I don’t even know why you bothered to come here.”

  He stepped back, probably so I would stop bruising him with my finger. “What happened with Karen wasn’t important, Tess. It was a mistake.”

  “Oh, yes, it was a mistake, but I’m not so stupid that I’d take you back.” I felt tears rise behind my eyes and whirled away so he couldn’t see them, only to almost run into Shawn. “Get out, Bronson. I don’t want to talk to you.”

  “But, Tess—”

  “You heard her,” Shawn said, staring Bronson down.

  “You don’t think I’m afraid of you, do you? You can’t move in on my girl like this.”

  I laughed, though there was no mirth in it. “Don’t make me laugh; Shawn would break you in half. Get out. Maybe I’ll be ready to talk later.” Like in three years.

  A glance over my shoulder told me that Shawn stood between us, intractable. Bronson huffed, but apparently decided I was right about Shawn and exited with a few expletives and a promise to call me later.

  Honey drew me back to the stove, sliding an arm around my shoulders as the first tear fell. “Hey, he’s a jerk. Don’t worry about it.” With her free hand, she picked up the strawberry sauce and poured some over a couple of crepes. “Have some of this. It’s bound to make you feel better.”

  I gave her a quick hug and wiped the tears away before Shawn could see them. “Thanks. You finish the crepes while I fill a few more.” I passed the plate to Shawn, who looked uncertain about what to do after that scene.

  I grinned at him, patting his cheek. “Thanks. Now take a seat and enjoy those. We’ll join you in a minute.”

  He smiled at me. “You’re some strong kind of woman, Tempest.”

  “You better believe it.” I winked at him, then turned back to the stove. I needed a minute to finish pulling myself together. The day had already been long, and it was barely lunchtime. I reached inside for a little of that strength and decided I could hang on until I had time alone. Tonight when I was in bed with the light out would be soon enough to break down.

  Crepe batter

  2 Tbsp melted margarine

  1 Tbsp sugar

  2 eggs

  2 C milk

  ½ tsp baking powder

  ½ tsp salt

  ½ tsp vanilla

  1 ½ C flour

  Mix butter, sugar, eggs and milk, then add baking powder, salt and vanilla until well mixed. Add the flour and mix. Should make a thin batter. Preheat a frying pan on medium or medium-low. Use a dab of butter, or spray oil between each batch to make it simple to remove. Pour a thin layer of batter ( about 2 tablespoons) into the bottom of the hot pan and swirl it around. When the sides begin to curl away, turn it over and lightly fry on the other side for only a few seconds, then place on a plate. Repeat until all of the batter is used up.

  Filling recipe

  8 oz cream cheese, softened

  1 egg

  2 Cups cottage cheese

  3-4 tablespoons sugar

  1 tablespoon grated lemon peel (or ½ tsp lemon juice)

  1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  extra-virgin olive oil (or other vegetable oil) for frying

  Mix filling ingredients together. Put 2-3 teaspoons in each blintz on the more-fried side (depending upon size), fold the sides in and roll up like an envelope. Before serving: Fry the prepared blintzes very carefully in butter or spread melted butter on top and heat in oven. Top with any of the following: a dollop of sour cream, powder sugar, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, fresh fruit, or drizzled jam melted in the microwave.

  Honey’s kids don’t like the cottage cheese filling, so they ask for pudding or a little jam instead.

  After we ate, Honey left to swing by the store to take care of a few things, and I said goodbye to Shawn. My new commercial gas oven and cook top were delivered shortly thereafter, an event that caused me much joy. The delivery man dropped them in the kitchen near where they would be installed. I’d have to make a phone call to set that up right away. “You used one of these before?” he asked as he looked at his clipboard.

  “Yes, they’re similar to what I used at my last job.”

  “Gre
at. Sign here.”

  I did, and he handed me my copy of the paperwork. “Have a good day, ma’am.”

  “You too!” I waited until he pulled out of the back parking lot before I started uncrating the equipment—I wouldn’t be able to move it with all of my aches and pains, or even take it off the pallet, but at least I could get a look at it. Excitement buzzed through my blood with anticipation.

  My wimpy screwdriver wasn’t long enough or strong enough to pry the boards apart, so I ran out to my car and dug in the back, letting out a crow of excitement when I found my lug wrench—it had one end that looked like a pry-bar. It was awkward wielding the tool, but the top boards came loose pretty easy once I got the edge between the layers. The sides took a little more work, but after some squeaky nails, they too released, exposing their cargo.

  It was so pretty, all chrome and glass and fancy new dials with numbers that hadn’t worn down to near illegibility yet. I unwrapped the wire shelves and slid them inside, then ran a hand along the top and down the side and smiled with joy.

  After I was done admiring that toy, I began unboxing the rest of the stuff from my trip with Honey into Prescott. It was slow going, but I made steady progress, setting aside the bowls, spoons, whisks and other kitchen staples, along with the emergency candles I’d purchased for my apartment.

  That’s how Honey found me, midway through unpacking.

  “I told you this was where you belonged,” she said as she entered with Zoey on her hip. “I can see it on your face. You were stifled by that job in Chicago.”

  I wasn’t going to correct her, even though I enjoyed my job there, and the prestige I doubted I would earn here. Still, I thought I could make a nice life for myself in Silver Springs, and I had already begun to feel like part of the community. I’d been stopped in the street a few times by people asking if I was really opening a bakery.

  “I guess I hadn’t realized I could be as happy here as I was in Chicago, but assuming we get through this murder issue without me ending up in the slammer, I think it’s good to be good for me,” I teased.

  I pulled the box from my new stand mixer and squealed at all the glittering chrome and extra attachments. “Okay, so maybe I’m a little more excited about this than I’m letting on. But that may just be because I get to buy all these shiny new toys.”

  “I know how you like shiny things.” She shifted Zoey to the other hip. “So what are you going to bake first?”

  “Snickers cookie bars. But we’ll have to take them upstairs to bake, because I don’t have the oven hooked up yet.”

  While the cookie bars were in the oven, Honey and I started a planning session. “What do we do next?” I asked. “Detective Tingey will look into Millie and the jewels. It sounds like we need to research Jeff better, and I wonder if Lidia has more information about Valerie. Jeff said he didn’t think Valerie made a lot of money, but she sure had some expensive designer clothes and bling.”

  “And not costume stuff, either,” Honey noted.

  “And Jimmy Choos aren’t exactly available at your local K-mart.”

  “Right.”

  “If she’s got student loans and all these expenses, how does she afford the designer clothes and fancy car?” I scribbled in my notebook, hoping it would make more sense once it was on paper.

  “And childcare—you have no idea what that costs. It’s unreal, even if Dahlia is only in daycare for a few hours a day after school, and I’d bet with Valerie’s ambition, Dahlia was there a lot.”

  “Lidia did mention that Valerie had Dahlia in daycare almost all the time. So how do we check into that?” I tapped my fingers on the tabletop.

  Honey stood, sliding her purse strap over her shoulder again. “Maybe we need to talk to Lidia.”

  Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

  1/2 cup butter, softened

  1/3 cup granulated sugar

  1/2 cup brown sugar

  1 egg, slightly whipped

  1/2 tsp vanilla

  1/2 tsp salt

  1/2 tsp baking soda

  1-3.4 oz package vanilla pudding (4-serving size)

  1 3/4 cup flour

  1/2 cup raw Spanish peanuts

  1 cup chocolate chips

  1 cup caramel bits (you can buy them in bits in some stores, but if you can’t find it, you can chop up caramels into pea-sized pieces)

  Grease and flour a 9x13 pan; I like to use spray oil like Pam and then flour the pan. Mix butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla, mix. Add one cup of the flour along with the salt, baking soda and vanilla pudding. Mix well and add the rest of the flour. Mix in peanuts and chocolate chips and press into prepared 9x13 pan. Press the caramel bits into the top of the pan. Bake for about 35 minutes or until slightly brown on the edges.

  We found Lidia and Dahlia on the playground of Valerie’s apartment complex.

  “Hi, Lidia,” Honey greeted her. “How are things going?”

  “Could be better.” She sighed, rubbing her eyes. “Sorry, I know you both like it here, but it drives me crazy. I need theaters and a Nordstrom, not Paul’s Burger Shack and the dollar store. I need to go home. It’s been a tough week.”

  “No problem, we’re not offended. It can take some adjusting. Do you have any idea how irritating it is that I’ll either have to special order or travel almost an hour to Phoenix for some of my baking supplies? And the equipment . . . it’s going to drive me nuts.” I looked down at my designer jeans. “Okay, and I’m going to miss the shops too, but I’ll deal with that.” I was exaggerating a little. I figured Honey would forgive me if it got us more answers.

  “You didn’t say you didn’t like it here.” Honey looked a bit wounded.

  “I love it here—it’s just . . . not the city.” How was that for a massive understatement?

  “I can’t argue with that.” Despite her words, Honey still appeared a little disappointed. She turned back to Lidia. “Anyway, that’s not why we came to see you. First, if you’d like, I’d be glad to have Dahlia over to play with my daughter when school gets out this afternoon. Dahlia’s about the same age as Madison, and I know they’d have fun together.”

  “I’d like that. Thanks. I’m sure she’ll enjoy it.”

  “You can probably stand a break after so many days of full-time childcare,” I said, seeing the exhaustion in her eyes.

  “I love Dahlia, and I’m totally excited to have her come live with me, but it’s going to be a major adjustment, you know? And it’s not so much the childcare as that on top of everything else I have to do.”

  “I understand Tad and Analesa have offered to, um, lend a hand with Dahlia.” I watched her for a response, saw her jaws tighten, her lips firm.

  “Yeah. I know Dahlia’s more familiar with them than with me, but it seems so strange, them offering to take her on. Especially since they’re newlyweds. And while Tad’s very gung ho about it, I don’t think Analesa’s quite so enthusiastic.”

  I wasn’t going to tell her that she was right. “Analesa can be a bit standoffish,” I said instead. “And keeping Dahlia with family is important, don’t you think?”

  “Absolutely. I’m Valerie’s sister, so I’m the closest family Dahlia has. She belongs with me.” Though she nodded as if it was settled, she still looked worried.

  It seemed almost wrong to badger Lidia about Valerie’s finances and other problems when she was already tired and a little broken down, but we didn’t have time to spare. Everyone would be allowed to go home soon, and unless Detective Tingey found more evidence against Millie than just possessing the necklace, I was still in prime position to be charged with murder. I took a seat across the picnic table from Lidia. “We wondered if you could tell us anything else about Valerie. Anything that might explain why someone would kill her.”

  “I’ve been over this so many times. I know she tended to, um, tick people off a lot. I mean, she was pretty self-absorbed and inconsiderate. Honestly,” she lowered her voice, looking acro
ss the playground at Dahlia. “I didn’t think she’d keep Dahlia. I mean, she’s more the type to get an abortion, or give her child up for adoption rather than taking on the responsibility. No one was more surprised than me when she brought Dahlia home.”

  “That must have been difficult as a single parent with a demanding career,” Honey said. “It’s hard for me working part-time, and I have a husband and in-laws who help out a lot.”

  “I’m sure there were compensations, though. Dahlia’s a sweetheart.” I watched her as she swung higher, her face turned to the sun, filled with determination as she pumped her legs.

  Lidia picked at her fingernail. “I know Tad wants to help, but I look at Analesa and know I can’t leave Dahlia in her hands. Not if she doesn’t love my niece. She and Valerie are a little too similar for that.”

  “Childcare must have been really expensive.” I brought the conversation back around to what we needed to know.

  “I’m not sure how that all worked out,” Lidia said.

  “It’s obvious Valerie liked to spend big, but Jeff said she probably didn’t make much as a grunt at the law firm,” Honey said.

  Lidia tugged on her jacket, smoothing the wrinkles and, sliding her pink Prada clutch under her arm “No matter how big she talked, she was a glorified law clerk with plenty of bills. The win against Jeff last month was pretty huge for her. A few more wins like that, and she would be moving up the ranks pretty fast.” She pushed the hair back from her face, strain showing around her eyes and mouth.

  “But if she didn’t make that much, and childcare is expensive, where did she get the money for designer suits and fancy jewelry? Did she have massive amounts of debt?” Honey asked. “That’ll be a mess to untangle.”

  Lidia shrugged and looked a little mystified.