Auf'd (The Belinda & Bennett Mysteries, Book Two)

by Amy Saunders

  One crisis averted.

  Only ninety-nine more to go.

  Chapter 26

  After waking up every hour all night afraid she'd overslept, Belinda finally just got out of bed once the sun appeared. It was cupcake truck day, and she was prepped, but they still had a lot to do before the opening in the afternoon.

  She managed to force some food into her stomach, which was more inclined to force food up, and took her time showering, doing her makeup, and getting dressed. Good thing, too, because she could barely keep her hand steady enough to get the mascara on her eyelashes instead of all over her face.

  When it was time to go, Kyle waited downstairs in his distressed jeans, T-shirt, and sneakers that took him all of two minutes to put together. With his hair gelled and sun kissed skin glowing, he looked like a rock star with hardly any effort. It simply wasn't fair.

  "I'm ready!" Belinda dashed down the stairs and to the door, then whirled around. "The kittens!"

  "Taken care of." Kyle held the door open.

  Belinda narrowed her eyes. "Really?"

  "They're downstairs and the bowls are full."

  She scanned the room and realized something was off. The living area. It was...clean. No dirty bowls. No clothes on the floor. No crumbs or debris on the couch. "Who are you and where is the person I shared a womb with?"

  Kyle shrugged. "So what? I cleaned a little."

  "Are you buttering me up for some awful announcement?"

  Kyle wrinkled his nose. "I'm just trying to be helpful. Sheesh."

  "Okay, okay. I appreciate it." Belinda turned to go, then double backed. "Are you sure–?"

  "Go!" Kyle pushed her out the door.

  Kyle drove the truck, which was good because parking a tank was kind of a nightmare with all the Saturday afternoon pedestrians and drivers circling around Portside, and Belinda's nerves were already shot. She'd had to really talk herself up for this, and she still wasn't sure she was ready.

  Bennett met them there and he and Kyle set up the awning over the ordering window while Belinda and Mia prepped inside. Belinda arranged newly iced cupcakes in the display under the counter on the side of the truck.

  "How do they look?" she asked Bennett.

  "Perfect."

  "You didn't even peek."

  "Kinda busy right this sec."

  The awning finally snapped into place, and Kyle brushed the back of his hand along his forehead.

  "Maybe you should scrap the awning when it's just you guys," Kyle said. "That thing's a beast."

  Bennett half-smiled, his eyes grazing over the cupcakes Belinda slid into place in the glass peekaboo beneath the ordering window. "It looks...appetizing."

  Belinda smiled at him through the glass.

  "What's with the monster cupcake?" Kyle tapped where a cupcake at least twice, maybe three times the size of a normal one, stood like a king over his subjects atop a raised miniature cake plate. Blue icing swirled to a peak on top.

  "It's for sharing."

  "Sharing?" Kyle leaned on his knees to appraise the display. Belinda turned back and forth to pick up baby cakes, miniature cupcakes, as her cousin finished icing them. "I'm pretty sure I could eat a whole one of those right now."

  "You can eat the leftovers." Satisfied with the number of cupcakes set out so far, Belinda popped out of the truck to check out her work. Bennett pulled her closer, kissing the side of her head. "So Jonas liked my idea that the flash drive will tempt the killer to come out of hiding?"

  "Yes, he did."

  "You don't suppose the murderer already hightailed it out of town?"

  Bennett rubbed his jaw with his free hand. "I don't. If he wants to escape this, he can't make any sudden movements. Running would qualify as a sudden movement." He glanced around, realizing the truck was attracting interest. Belinda met his eyes. The gold flecks speckled her brown irises at that moment, glittering with excitement and fear. He kissed her forehead. "Showtime." Belinda squeezed his hand and dashed off for their big number.

  Kyle sat in the driver's seat of the truck, queuing up the music. Not interested in getting caught in the middle of a dance spectacular, Bennett shuffled off to the side of a nearby building to watch from a safe distance, scanning the shoppers milling down the cobblestone roads leading to the harbor. Curious, and he hoped dessert-hungry, shoppers eyed the cupcake truck. Belinda didn't tell him who was participating in the dance, so he wondered who around him was only pretending to mill about.

  Some pop dance song Belinda had listened to obsessively blared out of speakers he and Kyle setup on top of the truck that morning. As soon as the bass started thumping, men and women mixed in with the common shopper and tourist dropped shopping bags and beverages and moved their bodies to the beat. He noticed they all did different moves at first but as the song reached a crescendo at the chorus, they ran to the center in front of the truck and moved in sync.

  Bennett held his phone steady, smiling when Belinda, her cousin, and Kyle joined the dancers. Kyle had told him once that he and Belinda were named best dance duo by their class and he could now see why. They were pretty good from his standpoint.

  He zoomed in on Belinda, enjoying the way she puckered her lips as she relaxed and got more into the music and moves. She had a pro filming the event, and the local news reporter had her cameraman on it, but he wanted this on file for his own enjoyment.

  They reached the finale, each in a different pose with all hands aimed at the cupcake truck. Everyone in the vicinity clapped, the music having drawn a large crowd. He'd been concentrating on Belinda dancing, and didn't realize he'd been hemmed in on the corner of a shop in the meantime.

  Belinda and her cousin hopped up and down. When the applause settled, Belinda raised her voice. "The Cake Diva is now officially open for business!"

  More applause.

  Bennett smirked as she skipped into the truck, her cheeks flushed from the exertion and slips of her blonde waves threatening to come loose from the bun on top of her head. Of course, he was more distracted by how she looked in those jeans.

  He kept filming as the line formed. Kyle popped out of the truck with a tray of miniature cupcakes as samples and a...top hat? Yep. Kyle was wearing a top hat. But he made a good front man, parading around with the samples.

  Bennett just watched as Belinda and her cousin filled orders. He had a good feeling about this. He didn't regret shielding her from Brooke's nonsense. Not one bit. Belinda and her fledgling business were safe and that's all that mattered. Even if his own work schedule had started to open up after news of his arrest started to get around, it would give him a chance to help her out. Give her lessons in driving that truck, for one.

  He noticed some of the dancers also had trays of samples and started spreading out. The TV news reporter pulled Belinda out of the truck to interview her, when a call interrupted the video. He was just glad it happened after the dance. But it was Jonas and maybe he waited, knowing when the flash mob dance was supposed to happen.

  "Sorry to intrude on Belinda's opening," Jonas said. "I was hoping I could get there, but got tied up. Anyway, I just found out something that you'll both want to know."

  ~ * ~

  Belinda stared at the police photos on Jonas' desk at the station. It was late and she was exhausted after hours of cupcake selling. They'd done well for their opening, but they still had kinks to work out. She and Mia agreed they were grateful they'd decided only to open on Saturday and Sunday for the time being. It was probably all they could handle until they got used to things. She hoped she could stay awake to watch the news report about their truck that night.

  She blinked and rubbed her eyes to see the photos better. They were close-up shots of...something. "I'm sorry, but I have no idea what I'm looking at."

  Jonas smiled, his eyes sagging too. But he looked happier than he had when she arrived. She thought it had something to do with the large box of cupcakes now open and ransacked. Belinda figured she didn't have much to complain about i
n comparison. "Stitches. They're photos of stitches from the fuchsia and pink jackets."

  She looked closer and the stitches became clearer. Or maybe that was her imagination because he said that's what they were. "I see...I think. So is there a difference or something?"

  "Here's the thing," Jonas said, leaning all the way back in his chair with his feet up on the desk. "These jackets are a combination of hand stitching and machine stitching done with the type of thing you'd own at home. And I've learned during this case that people have different stitching styles and preferred methods of putting things together. And–" he tapped another set of photos "–they use different sewing machines."

  Belinda looked at the new photo set he slid across the desk. They all looked the same at first. Then she realized one of them was slightly different. "This stitching isn't like the others." She tapped the photo.

  Jonas nodded, still leaning back. "The other three are April's pieces and we've confirmed they were sewn by one of her machines, as was the pink jacket. Plus, the hand stitching in places matches her style. This one–"

  "Is the fuchsia jacket?" Belinda stared at the difference. "Who sewed it?"

  Jonas clasped his hands on his stomach. "We're comparing pieces from all the other designers at the show as we speak." He rolled his eyes. "It's a long process, and the answers won't be conclusive by themselves."

  "Okay." Belinda worked to process the new information. "So how did the fuchsia jacket get in April's collection if she didn't sew it? And how did it get swapped with the pink one?"

  "The answer is in that garment bag mess. I'm sure that's when they were swapped and then the pink jacket was used to suffocate April."

  "So the killer swapped the jackets on purpose?" Belinda said. "To kill April with the pink one?" It sounded overly complicated and illogical to Belinda.

  Jonas nodded slowly.

  "Is there evidence of who used the jacket to smother April?' Belinda tried to picture someone's hands on the jacket. Would they leave anything behind?

  "I had hoped." Jonas' chair creaked as he swiveled side-to-side. "But if there was, it's gone now thanks to being thrown around and contaminated by multiple parties."

  Belinda sank a little in embarrassment. She'd touched the jacket when they found it. Stupid.

  "But that would be too easy, right?" Jonas' eyes twinkled. "Per your suggestion, we're going to try something more elaborate. Sawyer's contacted everyone about the drive in Brooke's notes connected to the runway show, except Mrs. Sykes, who we think has already left the country." He looked totally irked by that. And so was Belinda. Embezzling hussy. "We're trying to make it look like Sawyer had it all along. They're supposed to meet him at, uh, Victoria's music recital thing tomorrow night if they want it to disappear."

  "Will that bring more than just the killer to the surface?"

  "Possibly. But at least one of our suspects shouldn't be in a rush unless he thinks more than just the embezzling is on that drive."

  Mr. Sykes. Jonas was probably right that he wouldn't be in a rush. Thanks to the TV news reporter, she now knew firsthand that the fundraiser embezzling was out of the bag. If Belinda had already heard about it, she figured Mr. Sykes had too. Question was, did Brooke leave somebody a tip, or did that reporter find out herself another way?

  How Jonas kept all this straight on his lack of sleep amazed her.

  "If Sawyer or Brooke actually killed April," he said, "this may help show that up too." Jonas twirled his thumbs, studying them like he had something else he should say, but didn't want to.

  "Here's the thing." Jonas adjusted his position and leaned forward. "From the flash drive, we've learned that Brooke knew who Kori was too—at least by name. She mentions Kori in April's file with the whole stealing situation. We don't know yet if Brooke and Kori actually knew each other. But they do have mutual connections."

  "April and Sawyer."

  Jonas nodded.

  Belinda hesitated to even think about the other piece to the puzzle, but April used Kori's design that Sawyer stole. That was the piece April was killed with more than likely. Belinda's face grew ashen. It had to be an unfortunate coincidence.

  Jonas sighed. "Go home. Get some sleep. You need it."

  Belinda was going to say, "You too," until she realized he might not have that luxury.

  She crawled into the guest house about fifteen minutes later. Kyle already snored from his couch, and Belinda reluctantly took a quick shower. She'd been right about needing cool clothes for this job. The truck got pretty steamy, especially once they revved up the oven.

  Once she washed away the stickiness, she sunk into bed with the TV on to watch her news spot.

  Belinda had almost forgotten about her guest book at the poolside party until she discovered it in her pile of stuff in the backseat when she got home. She flipped it open and scanned drowsily, barely able to focus, and paused on Kori's signature. Her handwriting was pretty neat. Did she know April (possibly unintentionally) stole her design?

  Belinda slid the book back on her night table, her eyes closing without permission. She was already snoring by the time the reporter introduced her segment.

  When her eyes opened again, startled by the sound of the TV, images of signatures and martinis floating through her dreams were still vivid. She stared up at the ceiling with wide open eyes.

  Kori wrote the note Bennett found in Belinda's pocket.

  Kori wrote it.

  Chapter 27

  Sunday night could not come fast enough. Selling cupcakes was exhausting. The throngs of spring tourists (not as large as the summer throngs to come, mind you) had definitely found the Cake Diva and weren't letting them drive away without iced clouds of deliciousness. Belinda was positive she recognized a few faces from the day before, so they were doing something right. They had trouble keeping up with the demand, which was thrilling and nauseating. Bennett assured her it would get easier once they got their system down, and he offered some tips based on observation.

  She wasn't sure what was up with him, but he hung around most of the afternoon, even handing out samples. She figured he must be behind on work with everything going on, but he acted like he had nothing better to do.

  By the time they shut down early so Belinda could get ready for Victoria's (well, her music school's) recital, Belinda and Mia were leaning on each other physically for support. It was a good thing they had a week to recoup. But they were getting some awesome feedback already and that was a much-needed boost to keep Belinda upright.

  If she had had time for a nap, she would have taken one. As it stood, she just had time to shower and change into her halter dress with the full skirt and reapply her makeup. Bennett had texted to inform her that the flash drive plan was on the move, but she was in the dark on the details other than that. She would just have to go and see what transpired.

  And keep her eyes on Kori.

  Belinda found a parking spot and clip-clopped her way with other onlookers into the auditorium. She wasn't sure when she went to one of Victoria's recitals last. It had been a few years. Every seat was full, and Victoria claimed they partially owed Belinda for that. She'd scooped up tickets for the designers to give them something to do. But it was also the closing recital for the school year, though the more serious students continued their lessons year-round. Extended family members, like Aidan Sykes, showed up to see their relatives perform. Some students wouldn't return; they were en route to one of the large prestigious music schools or conservatories.

  They were in their old private high school's auditorium, which took Belinda back quite a few years. Victoria had planned to be a concert pianist back in the day, performing on that stage numerous times. But she changed her mind after meeting and falling in love with Dan in college. Now she was happy to focus on her students.

  Aidan waved hesitantly from a few rows down. Belinda waved back equally thrilled, wondering what the poor guy must be thinking with his mother apparently on a plane to Brazil or wherever you we
nt after embezzling from a fundraiser. Did the father fill him in on the family secret? Or was his mama just mysteriously MIA for her Amazing Gene granddaughter's big solo?

  She also wondered if Aidan could remember who she was since the pool party.

  Belinda didn't see Mr. Sykes yet at all, but he might not show between his wife's vanishing act and his distaste for anything pleasant.

  "He seems happy to see you." Kori smirked. Belinda ignored that and scoped out the rest of the audience once Aidan turned his attention to someone else. "Looking for your stud?" Kori's head swiveled in the other direction.

  Belinda shrugged. Now that she knew Kori wrote the note that had almost ended her relationship with Bennett, Belinda had a hard time even looking at her. She had no idea why Kori had done that, and she had to be patient for the moment. She was looking for their bait, of course, but couldn't see him. Belinda knew Bennett and Jonas were standing by somewhere.

  Kori's eyes locked on someone and she hurried to get out of her seat. "Be right back. I see someone I want to talk to." Belinda watched her climb her way out into the aisle. She couldn't see Sawyer, but she didn't waste time and followed once Kori was a way down the main aisle.

  The director's voice cut across the auditorium and the conversations and milling dissipated. Belinda screwed up her face in irritation, dodging people going upstream, losing sight of Kori. She exited through the side door and headed backstage as a trio of teenagers were introduced. One of them had already performed with some major orchestra. Prodigies.

  No one paid her any mind; they were all too busy paying attention to their own upcoming performances. Thinking she may have lost Kori for good, Belinda teetered around, peeking into the rooms. Finally, Kori's head appeared in a less crowded and chaotic nook near an exit. Sawyer leaned against a painted concrete wall, hands in pockets, looking almost exactly like he did when Belinda saw him backstage at the fashion show. But now his face was paler and eyes dark. Belinda's heart fell. The idea had worked and someone had responded.