by Holly Plum
Maple reached out to touch a sugar flower on Joy's cake, and Joy opened her mouth to yell at her. The music stopped suddenly, and a woman in bright red stepped onto the stage and spoke into a microphone. Maple caught Joy's scowl and put her hands in her pockets, stepping away from the cakes.
“Hello, everyone," the woman in red said. "Thank you for coming out for my best friend's bridal shower.”
The crowd applauded, and everyone gathered around the stage.
“For those of you who don't know me,” the woman continued, “I'm Maya Jordon, and I'm very proud to announce that I am the maid of honor for the upcoming wedding of my beloved best friend and business partner, Bridget. Bridget and Matthew are the perfect pair. Give it up for Bridget, everyone. Doesn't she look incredible today?”
Bridget waved to the crowd.
“Let's get to the best part of a bridal shower," Maya joked. "The gifts! And if anyone would like a piece of cake while we open presents, there are two incredible looking cakes back there and two incredible women serving them. Let's all give a hand to the cake ladies.”
The room applauded. Maple put on a huge smile and waved enthusiastically, motioning to her cake. Joy felt faint as many people looked at her all at once. But Joy pulled herself together and copied Maple's gestures toward her own cake. She had no idea what she was doing. The crowd started to move toward the cake table. Joy felt like she was about to be trampled by a stampede. Luckily, Sara Beth rushed forward and joined her at the table, grabbing a serving knife.
Joy watched Maple cutting perfect slices with sharp edges and hardly a spilled crumb. She passed the pieces over to Lenny who placed them on a plate and decorated them with a small edible pansy. Joy felt her anxiety kick in. She hadn't brought any edible decorations. She hadn't thought it was necessary to pull out all the stops for a bridal shower.
Sara Beth snapped Joy out of her panicked state by passing her the cake knife. Joy's assistant stood beside her, holding plates and making small-talk with the guests to keep all the attention off of Joy. This was for the best because Joy quickly became completely engrossed with cutting perfect slices of cake. They needed to be exactly the right size without a single crumb out of place. Joy got better and better at it. The bride and her maid of honor, Maya, took to the stage again.
“Alright everyone, the time has come," Maya announced.
Joy and Maple both reluctantly put down their knives as the crowd turned to watch Bridget open her gifts. A line of gift-givers had formed by the stage. Joy watched as Willow pushed her way to the front, her red hair and green parrot making her stand out.
“Me first,” Willow demanded. Bridget gave her sister a kiss on the cheek and scratched Charles under his chin. Willow's parrot chirped happily.
The crowd grew silent as Willow presented Bridget with a small gift. It was tied with a gold ribbon and decorated with small bells. Bridget unwrapped it gently, and then gasped when she saw what was inside.
“It's beautiful.” Bridget sighed.
“I spent months in antique stores looking for the perfect thing for you. It is your something blue, you see?” Willow explained. Bridget held up an antique locket decorated with blue gems that shone with an intense sparkle.
"Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue," Bridget recited. "Oh Willow, I love it."
The crowd applauded as the sisters hugged, but the applause was cut short by a blood-curding scream.
CHAPTER TWO
Bridget's bridal shower ended early. The police announced that a woman had fallen to her death and that no one was to leave until they had questioned all of the guests. Rain slammed against the windows, and the wild wind rattled the frames. Joy worried that the weather was getting worse and, fearing that flying debris would shatter the windows, she stood squarely in the middle of the room. Sara Beth stood with her, sipping the last glass of sweet tea she had been given before the party had turned into a crime scene.
Detective Sugar made his way around the room with his thick notepad. He gave Joy and Sara Beth a nod from across the room when he noticed them. The detective questioned Willow. He then spotted Maple and proceeded to look confused that both of the town's cake makers were catering to the same party.
Detective Sugar was a tall, eccentric man. Ever since Joy had sold him one of her cherry tarts, he had become a regular at Patty Cakes Bake Shop. The detective came in almost every night just before closing and ordered a slice of cherry tart and a cup of strong black coffee. Being privy to the happenings of the town, he was well aware of the rival between Joy and Maple. It wasn't a secret that Joy's tarts meant that the detective was squarely in the Patty Cakes Bake Shop camp. Joy watched as Charles the parrot crawled gently onto Detective Sugar's shoulder and gave him a gentle peck on the cheek.
“Cake, everyone,” a shrill voice cut through the crowd. “Have some cake while you wait.”
Joy couldn't believe her eyes. Maple had begun serving her cake again.
“Oh, that's a bit unprofessional,” Sara Beth mumbled.
“I'll say. She has no respect for the dead.” Joy sighed, watching as a line of people formed by Maple.
“That's because her manners are as stale as her cinnamon rolls,” Sara Beth said plainly. Joy tried to stop herself from laughing.
Another loud clap of thunder made everyone jump. The police glanced at one another as the rain started pouring down even harder. Their radios buzzed and hissed. All that could be heard through them was static.
Joy took Sara Beth's hand and moved them farther away from the rattling windows. They stopped when they almost ran into two women wearing hotel staff uniforms and holding catering trays.
“I can't believe Janet is gone, Susan. She was one of my best friends, you know?” one of the women sobbed. The woman named Susan handed her a tissue and nodded compassionately. “Janet wasn't even supposed to work today. Can you believe they're saying it's suicide? I don't believe it. Not one little bit."
Joy glanced at Sara Beth who gave her a knowing look. Sara Beth had recently begun to label her boss the truth finder and joked that Joy had superhero powers that helped her sift through lies. The problem was that Joy was against inviting any extra drama into her life. Joy hadn't even dated anyone for fear of bringing unnecessary stress into her already busy life of trying to keep her mother's baking afloat. But no matter how much Joy tried to avoid it, somehow drama found its way to her. Bridget's bridal shower had proved to be no exception.
The staff member named Susan caught Joy and Sara Beth looking at her curiously. She turned to face them.
“Hello, I'm Susan," Susan introduced herself. "Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Sorry,” Joy said sheepishly. “We didn't mean to eavesdrop.”
“I suppose you couldn't help it." Susan raised her eyebrows. "It's not every day the hotel is turned into a crime scene." Susan chuckled uncomfortably. "Just trying to lighten the mood."
Joy relaxed a little and Sara Beth smiled. The woman crying next to Susan nodded and then left the group in a hurry.
“I'm Susan.” Susan shook Joy's hand. "Don't mind my co-worker, Jessica. She's having a hard time working through her emotions right now. We all are."
“Pleased to meet you. I'm Joy, and this is my assistant, Sara Beth. We baked the cake – uh, I mean, we baked one of the cakes.”
“Oh, really? Not that one, I'm guessing?” Susan pointed to Maple who was boxing up the remaining quarter of her cake.
“No, the one that hasn't been served yet. I didn't think it was appropriate to serve cake after a tragedy like this.” Joy glared at Maple.
“I'd have to agree," Susan responded. "I certainly don't have an appetite after hearing about what happened to Janet.”
“Did you know her well?" Sara Beth stepped in with some gentle interrogation.
“Yes, we worked together," Susan admitted. "Janet and I rarely worked on the same floor, but I guess we knew each other pretty well.” She smiled with one
side of her mouth.
“I'm so sorry for your loss,” Joy said.
“You must be devastated,” Sara Beth chimed in.
“To be honest, I think I'm in shock.” Susan lowered her voice. "The police are saying that Janet jumped. Janet doesn't seem like the sort of person who would ever do a thing like that." She paused and glanced over Joy's shoulder. “Listen, sorry to run but I have to go back to the kitchen. It was nice to meet you both.”
“Nice to meet you, Susan." Joy stepped aside.
"Likewise," Susan said. She sighed and hurried off just like her co-worker, Jessica, had done.
CHAPTER THREE
“Who was that?” Detective Sugar appeared beside Joy, holding a plate in one hand.
“Her name is Susan. She was just telling me about the woman who died. Hey, where did you get that cake?” Joy glared at him.
The Detective shrugged and quickly shoved a piece of cake in his mouth in an attempt to get rid of any evidence that he had visited Maple's cake display.
“Is that a piece of Maple's cake?” Joy asked. "Oh, Detective." She shook her head in disappointment.
"What?" The detective finished the last of his cake with haste. "Police work is very tiring."
“At least tell me it's a little dry,” Joy whispered, desperate to know if the cake was better than hers.
“I thought you were smart enough to not eat the cake of our enemy,” Sara Beth interrupted. "I guess that means no more cherry tart discounts."
“Maple insisted." The detective licked crumbs off of his fingers before fumbling through his jacket pockets, finally finding his notepad and pen. "Can we get back to business here?"
“My thought exactly," Joy responded. “And you won't get much help from us. We were slicing cake on the other end of the room when we heard the scream. I know I didn't see anything suspicious.”
“Maple says she didn't see you ladies until after the scream,” the detective reported.
“Oh she said that, did she?” Joy almost hissed. She squinted at Maple from across the room. The woman was watching them talk to the detective. Maple waved at Joy.
“That's ridiculous,” Sara Beth insisted. “Our cake is set up right next to hers, for crying out loud. You can see it right there. We were starting to serve people when the incident happened. You can ask anyone in this room…apart from Maple."
“I have," Detective Sugar responded. "You will be happy to know that you two are not on my suspect list. Now, tell me what that woman Susan said to you."
“I've already told you everything,” Joy insisted. "Why don't you look into Maple McWayne? If anyone around here is acting suspiciously, it is her."
“Susan did say that you all think it was suicide,” Sara Beth added. "Is that true? Did that poor employee kill herself?"
“It is too early to tell." The detective scratched his head. "We haven't found a note or any means of motivation. Janet was well-liked from what I can see."
Suddenly the speakers screeched with a deafening noise that caught everyone's attention. Joy looked at the stage where a man was waving his hands. Joy noticed he was wearing a suit with the Diamond Shell Hotel logo on the lapel.
“I'm sorry for interrupting, and for the tragedy that occurred here today,” The man motioned to Bridget who was standing close to the stage. She looked miserable as she held the locket that Willow had given her for her wedding day. “Our deepest apologies from all of us here at the Diamond Shell Hotel. But unfortunately, I have some more bad news. There is a tropical storm moving this way, and we have been advised by the authorities to keep everyone indoors until it has passed. The winds are incredibly dangerous.”
An uncomfortable murmur went through the crowd.
"Oh, great," Joy muttered.
“We have complimentary rooms for everyone," the man on the stage announced. "Please, stay indoors. Staying here for the night is the safest option at the moment."
Joy thought of her cat Cheesecake back home. With all of the thunder and heavy rain, she imagined that he was running wild through the house.
CHAPTER FOUR
With the party being officially over, the bridal shower guests dispersed quickly from the ballroom and retired to their rooms to wait out the storm. Joy, Sara Beth, and Detective Sugar's team made their way to the lobby after everyone else had cleared out of the ballroom. The detective wanted to keep an eye out for any clues he may have missed, and Joy wanted to keep an eye on her cake until Maple left. Joy boxed up her cake and double-knotted the ribbon.
The two receptionists working at the front desk of the hotel looked as though they had been out in the storm. Their hair was frizzy and out of place, their eyes were bloodshot, and they both slumped in their chairs. Joy chose to speak to the one who looked slightly less exhausted.
“I'm afraid that this complementary room situation was not particularly well planned,” the receptionist whispered to Joy, checking to make sure her boss wasn't within earshot. “And I'm afraid that means that we don't have enough rooms for everyone.”
“What are you saying?” Joy sighed.
“Just give us the room you have reserved for Mrs. McWayne.” Sara Beth leaned across the desk. “Maple. M-a-p-l-e McWayne. She won't mind at all. In fact, she was just saying how much she would love to forego sleeping and help out in your kitchens instead.”
“What are you talking about?" Joy frantically murmured, but Sara Beth paid little attention.
The receptionist stared blankly at the two of them before checking her computer. "I can bunk you two together in a room, but it only has one bed?"
“Fine,” Joy stated certainly. "But if you make me share a room with Maple, I'll be sleeping outside in the storm. That would be less painful."
“She's kidding.” Sara Beth wrapped an arm around Joy's shoulder. “We will share. No problem.”
Detective Sugar walked Joy and Sara Beth to their room. He was fond of the two bakers and wanted to make sure they felt safe.
“Will you two be okay on your own?” Detective Sugar asked as Sara Beth opened the door to their hotel room.
“We'll be fine, thanks,” Joy replied.
“I'm only a floor away. Keep your eyes peeled. Something isn't right around here. I can feel it my bones." The detective glanced up and down the hallway.
“Thanks, Detective Sugar,” Sara Beth said. She gasped as she observed the room. She had always wanted to stay at a big fancy hotel, and couldn't believe she was getting to do it for free.
“Thank you, Detective,” Joy repeated.
“No problem. Oh, and off of the record, Maple's cake was too sweet." The detective clasped his hands together. "I can't wait to try yours as well. I'm rooting for you." Detective Sugar winked at Joy and walked off toward the elevators.
Joy smiled, completely elated, and followed Sara Beth into their hotel room.
“It was too sweet!” Joy cried triumphantly as she shut the door behind her. Then she paused and thought for a moment. “We didn't use too much confectioner's sugar in the frosting, did we?"
“No way. It's perfect. We tasted that frosting at least thirty times.” Sara Beth threw open the closet doors and gasped at what she found.
“You're right,” Joy reassured herself. “Our cake is definitely not too sweet. We have an advantage over Maple. We will get the job to make the wedding cake for Bridget, right?”
“Look at this!” Sara Beth ignored Joy and pulled out a silk robe. She quickly threw it on over her clothes and began stroking her arm.
Joy turned her attention to the window. She saw the ocean through the torrential rain, but just barely. She saw the tops of huge waves, the biggest she had seen in years. The wind threw the spray from the top of the breaking waves in every direction. A branch flew by and plunged into the sea. Joy loved ocean fishing from the beach and spent a lot of time down on the white sands because of how calming it was. She imagined how terrifying it would be down there right now.
“Do you think the bake shop will be al
right in the storm?” Joy asked over her shoulder.
“Oh yeah, it's survived worse than this,” Sara Beth replied cheerfully. Joy turned and found Sara Beth looking through the mini bar.
“I suppose.” Joy wasn't completely convinced. Another huge branch flew past the window, and Joy thought of Cheesecake again. Would her little bungalow stand up against the storm? Being on the Florida Panhandle, it had survived plenty of hurricanes but not without some damage. The last time a storm like this had rolled through, Joy had to replace half of the roof. What if her roof had been blown off, and the house was flooding, and Cheesecake was stuck somewhere?
Joy's worrying was cut short by yelling in the hallway. Joy and Sara Beth looked at each other and then raced to open the door. Neither of them could imagine what happened this time.
CHAPTER FIVE
Joy and Sara Beth burst into the hotel hallway with fists in the air. Bridget was crying, and Willow and Maya were trying to calm her down. Joy took a deep breath.
“I'm sure it's not true,” Willow said, rubbing her sister's back.
“Don't you lie to me!" Bridget argued through tears. "It did happen. I can't go back in there.”
“Back in where?” Joy asked.
“It's been a stressful day for Bridget.” Maya made an apologetic face and motioned for Joy to go back to her room.
“My room," Bridget answered angrily. "I'm not going back into my room.” Bridget burst into tears.
“Is there a spider” Sara Beth guessed. Joy shook her head, silently scolding her for joking around when Bridget was clearly upset.