Strawberry Shortcake to Die For (A Liana Campbell Cozy Mystery Book 2)

by Alaine Allister

  Liana and Sam parted ways. No sooner than they did, she spotted her parents waiting for her in the restaurant lobby. Her mother looked rather upset.

  “Is everything okay?” Liana asked as she joined them.

  “Yes,” her father assured her.

  “No!” her mother exclaimed. She pursed her lips. “Why do you tease me like that?”

  “Huh?”

  “I saw you talking to that tall, good looking young man and thought you had finally met someone,” her mother sighed dramatically. “I got all excited, wondering if he might be my son-in-law someday. But then my hopes were dashed.”

  “You thought Sam and I were dating?” Liana asked incredulously.

  “You think that fellow is good looking?” Rusty asked his wife at the exact same moment.

  Liana couldn’t be sure, but it looked as though her father suddenly started flexing. And he was definitely standing up taller than he had been a moment earlier. He suddenly pulled a comb out of his shirt pocket and began to tidy his mussed up hair.

  Maybe a harmless little threat was good for him.

  “Oh Liana, when are you going to find a nice man and settle down?” Anne asked mournfully as they were seated at a table. “You’re not getting any younger, you know.”

  “Gee, thanks Mom.”

  “I’m just saying!” Anne insisted. “When I was your age, I was already married. And you don’t even have a boyfriend. Do you even date? If you do, I never hear about it. I hate the thought of you being all alone while Dad and I are off cruising. I only want what’s best for you.”

  “I’m not alone,” Liana replied. “I have Fluffy.” As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she cringed. That sounded so incredibly pathetic. It sounded like she was well on her way to becoming a crazy cat lady.

  “I know what you need!” Anne suddenly exclaimed, looking excited. “A singles cruise!”

  Liana stared at her blankly. “Excuse me?”

  “You should go on a singles cruise!” Anne explained, talking a mile a minute. “It would be perfect for you, Liana! You board a ship and spend a week at sea with a bunch of other single young people! How fun!”

  “It sounds like a trashy reality show waiting to happen,” Liana said, unimpressed.

  “Dad and I will buy you a ticket for a singles cruise! It can be a birthday present!” Anne was practically salivating, she was so intent on following through with her brilliant idea. “What better way to spend your thirtieth birthday than on a singles cruise? Isn’t that right, Rusty?”

  “Hmmm,” he murmured as he examined the menu. He pulled his reading glasses out of his shirt pocket and put them on. “Ah, that’s better. I think I’m in the mood for steak tonight.” Clearly he wanted no part in his wife’s hairbrained scheme.

  “Mom, I don’t want to go on a singles cruise,” Liana said, speaking slowly and deliberately. She didn’t know how to spell it out for her mother any clearer. And yet part of her was still worried that she’d find tickets for a singles cruise inside her next birthday card.

  “But it’s such a genius idea,” Anne insisted, looking crestfallen.

  “I don’t want to go on a singles cruise,” Liana said again, hoping the repetition would work.

  “Fine,” Anne relented. “But I’m still going to order you some brochures from the travel agency. Maybe once you read the literature you will feel differently!”

  “Please don’t.”

  Rusty set his menu down. “There’s a lot less selection here than I remember,” he said, sounding disappointed. “And the prices are high. I guess that explains why so many tables are empty,” he reasoned as he looked around.

  “This place certainly does seem different,” Anne agreed. “I was looking forward to seeing the tropical fish in the aquarium at the entrance. Last time it was so impressive! But this time, all I saw were run-of-the-mill goldfish.”

  Liana tried to envision the restaurant the way her parents remembered it. She couldn’t. Anne and Rusty had gushed about how much they had liked it. Now, it looked like a run down, sparsely furnished hole-in-the-wall type place.

  The restaurant, it seemed, had seen better days.

  “Good evening, folks. Can I start you with some drinks?” an older man in a white apron asked. He moved slowly, as though he was far older than his years. Maybe he was in poor health, or maybe life had beaten him down.

  “What happened to your aquarium?” Anne asked the man.

  “No dear, you can’t drink the aquarium water,” Rusty quipped.

  Anne and Liana both rolled their eyes.

  “I remember years ago, you had all kinds of beautiful tropical fish in the aquarium,” Anne told the man. “I couldn’t help but notice there are only goldfish in there now. What happened?”

  “Unfortunately, we had to downsize after my business partner left. We needed to cut costs, and the rare, tropical fish were too expensive to look after,” the man explained. “But don’t worry. I personally saw to it that all the fish went to good homes.”

  Rusty took off his eyeglasses. Then he looked at the man as though he was seeing him for the first time. “I think we’ve met once before, years and years ago. You’re the co-owner of this restaurant, aren’t you?” he asked.

  “Yes. I’m the owner now, not co-owner,” the man corrected him. “I’m also the head chef here.” He stuck his hand out. “My name is Nelson Palmer. And you are…?”

  “I’m Rusty. This is Anne and our daughter Liana. Chester and I were actually childhood friends. We played football together,” Rusty explained. “I’m surprised to hear he left the restaurant...last time I saw him, I could hardly get him to stop gushing about it.”

  “Yeah well, that makes two of us. When I went into business with Chester, I thought we had a good thing going. I never expected he’d stab me in the back,” Nelson said bitterly. Behind his white goatee, his face was turning red with anger.

  Rusty’s eyebrows shot up. “He stabbed you in the back? Oh jeez. I’m sorry to hear that. Can you spare a few minutes?” he asked, pulling out the only empty chair at the table. “You look like you could use a drink - and we’d love to buy you one.”

  Liana silently cheered. She could tell her dad was every bit as curious as she was. They both wanted to hear what Nelson had to say about Chester. She crossed her fingers and hoped the white haired chef would agree to sit down.

  Nelson hesitated. Then he nodded. “I could stand to take a load off,” he said as he sat down. “And I could use a drink. Don’t tell my boss I’m drinking on the job,” he joked.

  He motioned for one of his employees to come over and take orders.

  “So what happened?” Rusty asked once everyone had a beverage and some preliminary pleasantries had been exchanged. “The Chester I remember was goofy and fun-loving. He wasn’t the type to stab his business partner in the back. Or do I have it all wrong?”

  Nelson sighed and took a big gulp of whiskey. “That was the Chester I knew, too. We met in culinary school. He was three, maybe four hundred pounds back then. I worried about his health, but he was happy.”

  After polishing off his whiskey, Nelson held up his empty glass. A moment later, one of his employees came over to pour him a refill. Nelson motioned for the employee to leave the bottle at the table.

  Nelson downed his second drink quickly. He made a face and cleared his throat. “Talking about the old Chester is tough for me,” he explained as he poured himself some more whiskey. “I have trouble reconciling that Chester with the one who betrayed me.”

  “I don’t mean to dredge up painful memories,” Rusty said apologetically.

  “It’s good to get it out,” Nelson assured him. “Where was I? Ah, yes. When Chester and I met, he was newly engaged. He and Addy seemed perfect for each other. The three of us became fast friends...I was even best man at their wedding. Buying a restaurant with Chester seemed like a no-brainer. We were close. I never imagined he’d stab me in the back.”

  “So what do
you think changed?” Liana asked curiously. “What made Chester turn on you?” Her iced tea was untouched. So was Rusty’s. They were both hanging on Nelson’s every word, searching for answers.

  Nelson downed his drink and poured yet another one. Thankfully, the alcohol seemed to give him loose lips. Even though he barely knew the Campbells, he was more than willing to talk. In fact, it seemed like a dam had burst within him. Now all his pain was pouring out.

  “As best I can tell, it was the weight loss that changed Chester. I can’t explain it, but getting healthy was a catalyst...and not in a good way. A couple years ago, Chester made the decision to get gastric bypass surgery. We were all thrilled that he was finally going to address his weight.”

  “Gastric bypass surgery is a big deal,” Liana remarked.

  “Yes. But for Chester handled it like a champ...physically, anyway. He started losing weight immediately. But around that time, his personality changed. He was irritable. He was more irritable than I had ever seen him. Slowly but surely the big, loveable guy I knew disappeared.”

  “It sounds like Chester had a food addiction,” Anne suggested as she sipped her strawberry lemonade. “He probably depended on binge eating to ease his stress. Once he couldn’t do that anymore, he had trouble processing his emotions. Maybe that’s why he started lashing out.”

  “Maybe that was what pushed Chester over the edge,” Nelson agreed. “But the change in him was drastic. I knew he was going through a lot, so I tried to be compassionate. I tried to be patient. But he got nastier and nastier.”

  “How so?” Liana asked, hungry for details.

  “Suddenly, the whole world was out to get him. Nothing I cooked was up to his standards. He turned into a complete health nut - emphasis on nut. He was rude. He was so rude. Rude to customers, rude to staff, rude to me...he was a nightmare to be around.”

  “That’s a shame,” Rusty murmured. “That’s not the Chester I knew at all.”

  “He was like a stranger to me, too,” Nelson confided. “I didn’t even recognize him anymore. His wife made similar remarks. I felt terrible for her. Apparently Chester was intolerable at home. He started pushing their son to slim down and work out. Addy described it as bullying.”

  “That’s awful,” Liana grimaced. It was no wonder Mikey was so filled with rage.

  “Eventually Addy and Chester split up. It was around that time that Chester walked out on the business. He sold a lot of our assets right out from under me, without even so much as discussing it with me first. He nearly bankrupted me. I’m glad he got what he deserved.”

  There was venom in Nelson’s voice. Rage and hatred were bubbling under the surface.

  “I’m sorry to hear about your troubles,” Rusty said.

  Liana nodded in agreement. “Do you know why Chester was in Sugarcomb Lake?” she asked.

  “He moved there,” Nelson replied. “The woman he was dating is from there.”

  “Oh?” Liana was hanging on every word. “Chester had a girlfriend?”

  “I don’t know what she saw in him. Well, actually I do. It was money,” Nelson announced. “Chester had money. It was the money he stole right out from under me. And from what I heard, he wasn’t afraid to spend it. Still, I don’t know how that woman tolerated him.”

  “Do you know the woman’s name?” Liana demanded eagerly.

  “Delia Day,” Nelson said without hesitation.

  It seemed he had done his homework, keeping up with Chester’s life even after they had cut contact. Maybe Nelson had even become a little obsessed - and perhaps thirsty for revenge? That remained to be seen.

  “Delia Day. Hmmm. Why does that name sound so familiar to me?” Liana wondered.

  Her parents both shrugged.

  “Well, I should get back to work,” Nelson said, pushing his chair back from the table. “Thanks for listening to me rant, folks. Sorry I got so carried away. I didn’t mean to go off on a tangent, it’s just that...well, to be honest, I haven’t forgiven that rat. Dead or not, I despise him.”

  “That poor man,” Anne whispered as Nelson returned to the kitchen, walking somewhat unsteadily. “I can’t even imagine what he’s been through. Isn’t it just awful? Be sure to leave him a generous tip, Rusty.”

  “I will,” Rusty promised.

  Liana was barely listening. She was far too hung up on the fact that Nelson had called Chester a rat. Chester had died after ingesting rat poison. Was it a coincidence, or something more sinister? It was anyone’s guess.

  Chapter 07

  “Excuse me! I need some help here! I think he might pass out.”

  The words rang out loudly in the small coffee shop. They were frightening words that immediately made Liana’s blood run cold. She rushed around the counter as two breathless joggers staggered through the door.

  Lily Myers was clad in powder pink workout gear from head to toe.

  Now that the snow had begun to melt, the streets and sidewalks were a slushy mess. Most folks wore boots this time of year, but Lily was sporting running shoes. They were, of course, pink. Even her flushed face matched her ensemble.

  Liana had known Lily for years. As a teenager, Liana had even occasionally babysat her. The eighteen year old was a bubbly, friendly girl with a round face and brilliant smile. She had always been outgoing and talkative. She had also always struggled with her weight.

  Now, it seemed, Lily was taking control of her health.

  The transformation the young woman had undergone was impressive. Something about going off to Green City for college had motivated Lily to make some significant lifestyle changes. Though she was still on the chubby side, she had shed some serious weight in recent months. These days, she was looking healthier and happier than Liana had ever seen her.

  But it wasn’t Lily who captured Liana’s attention.

  It was her running partner.

  The young man was doubled over, wheezing in a manner that was concerning. His face was bright red and sweat was pouring from his brow. He seemed unsteady on his feet. Liana rushed to grab a chair and ushered him into it before he collapsed.

  “Should I call 911?” Liana asked worriedly.

  “I’m not sure. I think he’s having an asthma attack,” Lily replied. She crouched down in front of the young man, who appeared to be in his early twenties. “Ray? Do you have your inhaler?” she asked as he struggled to catch his breath.

  He nodded. He reached into the pocket of his hooded sweatshirt and pulled it out. He took a few puffs as the two women looked on anxiously. Slowly but surely, his breathing became more controlled. Thank goodness.

  Liana let out a sigh of relief. “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “Yeah,” Ray replied as he wiped sweat from his brow.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to call an ambulance?” Liana asked as she handed Ray a glass of water. “Or do you want me to drive you to the walk-in clinic?” she offered, wringing her hands. “It’s really no trouble.”

  Ray gulped down the water greedily. “I’m fine,” he told Liana. He looked past her at the display case full of baked goods she had prepared at the crack of dawn. “I’ll have three shortbread cookies,” he told her. “And a cinnamon bun.”

  “Ray!” Lily hissed.

  “What?”

  “You’re never going to reach your weight loss goal if you binge on junk!”

  “Butt out,” Ray said irritably. “I hate when you try to boss me around.”

  “I’m only trying to help,” Lily insisted. “If you’re hungry, we can make protein shakes.”

  “Ugh, you mean those disgusting things with the raw eggs in them? Gross. No way. Besides, I could have died just now,” Ray retorted, somewhat dramatically. “If that doesn’t entitle me to a cheat day, what does?

  Lily threw her hands up in frustration. “Fine,” she told him, clearly exasperated. “But if you keep this up, I’m not sure I can be your gym buddy anymore. You can sabotage yourself all you want, but I’m not about to let you
drag me down. I’ve worked too hard to backslide now.”

  “You sound just like Chester. And that’s not a good thing.”

  Liana snapped to attention at the mention of Chester. The name wasn’t all that common, so it was safe to assume Ray was talking about Chester Atkins. She wanted to ask, but it didn’t seem like the appropriate time. Things were getting heated between Lily and Ray.

  Lily put her hands on her hips. “You may not have liked Chester’s tough love approach, but at least it was effective!” She narrowed her eyes. “Maybe you need tough love. If you’re looking to be coddled, you need a new gym buddy. I push. I don’t patronize.”

  While Lily had always been extraverted, she hadn’t always been confident. The girl Liana had babysat years ago had been deeply insecure. But it seemed she had grown up and come into her own. Liana loved seeing Lily’s newfound confidence. It was refreshing.

  Ray rolled his eyes. It was clear to Liana that he was done talking about the subject.

  She listened silently as the bickering continued. She didn’t think it was her place to step in, so she pretended she couldn’t hear it. She busied herself behind the counter, all the while eavesdropping on the two.

  She could understand both sides of the argument, really. She commended Lily for taking control of her health and happiness. But at the same time, she sympathized with Ray. All he wanted was a snack. Was that too much to ask?

  Liana made a mental note to add some lower calorie options to her menu. She didn’t want to alienate people like Lily and Ray, who were trying to be health-conscious. She figured it would easy to make a few substitutions to “healthify” some old favorites.

  Even if it wasn’t easy, she loved a challenge.

  ***

  “This strawberry shortcake is amazing.”

  “Hmm? Oh. Thanks, Luke.”

  Luke Graham sat in his usual spot down at the far end of the counter. And he was happily devouring a plate of the strawberry shortcake Liana had prepared earlier in the day. He happily devoured everything Liana made and yet he never gained a pound. It simply wasn’t fair.