Murder of a Chocolate-Covered Cherry

by Denise Swanson

  May raised an eyebrow. “So?”

  Skye giggled and May hugged her again. “We did great. Next year we’ll get the grand prize.”

  “There won’t be any next year.” Skye hugged her mother back and stepped out of her embrace.

  “We’ll see.”

  “No next year,” Skye insisted.

  “Sure. Whatever you say.” May nodded toward the front of the stage. “Now be quiet. I want to hear what our winner has to say.”

  This time the cookie blogger’s speech was even longer, and not even being handed the huge trophy shut her up. Twenty minutes later she wound down, after thanking her Kindergarten teacher, her minister, and the manufacturers of the Easy-Bake oven, in which she first learned to cook.

  Grandma Sal asked the winners to stay so the media could ask questions, then dismissed the audience and the rest of the contestants. The Grandma Sal’s Soup-to-Nuts Cooking Challenge was officially over.

  Most of the media wanted them to talk about Cherry’s death, but they all professed to have nothing to say. After several “No comments,” “I have no ideas,” and “What are you talking abouts?” the press gave up, and the winners were free to go.

  Before they dispersed, Jared told them all they would be notified when their checks were ready. They would need to pick them up at the factory so they could fill out the paperwork for the IRS.

  Waiting for Skye when she was finally released were the four huge guys who had been rooting for Janelle to win the contest. Skye’s heart skipped a beat as the largest man, the one she had dubbed Mr. Elephant, stepped forward.

  He stared at her without speaking, then turned his head slightly. Skye followed his gaze and saw the prison cook standing a few feet away making a “go on” motion with her hands.

  “My posse and me jus’ wanted to give you props on your win. Your recipe was killer.”

  “Thanks.” Skye was pretty sure he had given her a compliment. “Your friend Janelle’s recipe was, uh, phat, too.”

  Mr. Elephant smiled at her use of slang. “We hears that you got juice in this ’hood.”

  That was a little easier to translate. “Maybe some.”

  “Little Boy Blue listens to you, and word is you represent for your peeps.”

  “I try to help when I can.”

  Janelle cleared her throat loudly, and Mr. Elephant took a deep breath before saying, “I know the poe-leece ain’t goin’ listen to a dude like me, but I heard that dead chassis say to that biddie that jus’ won the contest that she be a bammer. That she be cheating by bringing in brownies from the bakery—not making her own.”

  “Oh, my.” If Skye understood him correctly, he had accused Diane White of cheating and said that Cherry confronted her about it. The cookie blogger now had a motive for murder.

  “You tell your man what I heard.” Mr. Elephant turned to leave.

  “No, you have to tell Chief Boyd yourself.” Skye looked the man in the eye. “I promise, he’ll listen to you and not disrespect you.”

  “That be whack.”

  “No. Chief Boyd is straight-up.”

  Janelle had moved closer and spoke up. “Jus’ do it and get it over with. You gonna go straight, you gotta learn to live with the man. That chief of police be cool.” She gave Skye a level look. “Right?”

  “Right.” Skye looked around and saw Anthony talking to Diane and Monika.

  He had each of them by the arm and was leading them down the hallway saying, “I need you to come this way, please. We have a few more questions for you both about Ms. Alexander’s death.”

  Wally had mentioned that he planned to reinterview the contestants and staff who didn’t have alibis for the time of Cherry’s murder. Skye hadn’t realized he would do it right at the school, but it made sense. They were already assembled, and there were plenty of rooms for the interrogations.

  As Anthony led Diane and Monika past her, Skye said to him, “Anthony, this gentleman has some information he needs to tell Chief Boyd. Where is he?”

  “In the principal’s office.”

  Skye nodded and escorted Mr. Elephant, his herd, and Janelle toward the front of the building. As Skye walked, she tried to decide whether she should tell Wally about his father’s visit, or give Carson the chance he had asked for and see if she really was standing in the way of Wally’s desire to go back to Texas.

  Part of her said that tricking Wally like that would damage their relationship forever. But another part wondered if she would ever know the truth if she didn’t go along with Carson’s plan.

  She still hadn’t decided what to do when she reached the main office. She’d just have to wing it and see what popped out of her mouth. Perhaps not the best plan, but the only one she had.

  The outer office was empty, and Skye asked the group to wait there. Once they complied, she proceeded down the narrow hall and knocked on the door at the end.

  “Yes?” Wally’s voice held a slightly annoyed tone.

  She inched open the door, poking her head inside. “Could you step out here for a minute?”

  “Now?”

  “Now.”

  When he was outside the office with the door closed she explained about Mr. Elephant and what he had heard. Wally immediately went to talk to them, saying to Skye over his shoulder, “After we get done with this guy, do you have time to help me reinterview Jared’s wife?”

  “Sure.”

  Mr. Elephant repeated to Wally what he had reported to Skye. Friday night at the dinner he had overheard Cherry tell Diane White that if she didn’t drop out of the competition, Cherry would inform Grandma Sal that Diane had used brownies from a bakery during the practice session that afternoon, and that she had an order for three more pans of brownies from that same bakery the next morning.

  Wally asked a few questions, but it was clear Mr. Elephant didn’t have any other information, and since he and his crew had alibis for the time of the murder, there was no reason to suspect he was lying. Wally took his address and phone number, then let them go.

  When Wally and Skye returned to the principal’s office, he said to the woman sitting in one of the visitor’s chairs, “Mrs. Fine, this is our psychological consultant, Ms. Denison.”

  Tammy appeared impatient, and as Skye took a seat next to her, she demanded, “Are you nearly finished? We have a dinner party in Chicago tonight and we need to get on the road. My husband and mother-in-law may have to come back here, but this is the last time I ever have to pretend to want to be in Scumble River.”

  Wally leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk. “Sorry, Mrs. Fine; I still need to talk to your husband and mother-in-law. I was able to catch your sons while the awards ceremony was going on, but Mr. and Mrs. Fine were onstage. Where were you, by the way? I’m told you only arrived at the school fifteen minutes ago.”

  “I was packing and having the car loaded. I can’t wait to get out of this town.”

  “And yet your factory here provides a good living for your family,” Wally reminded the woman.

  “Things change.” The slim brunette stared at Wally.

  Skye caught Wally’s eye and silently asked if she could jump in. He nodded, and she said, “Rumor has it your family may be selling Fine Foods. Is that what you’re referring to?”

  “Well, I can’t confirm or deny.” Tammy’s smile was predatorlike. “All I can say is, read tomorrow’s newspaper.”

  Wally took the conversation back. “So, Mrs. Fine, you were alone in your motel cabin sleeping the morning of Ms. Alexander’s death?”

  “Yes. How many times do I have to tell you?”

  “Have you thought of anyone who might be able to corroborate your story?”

  “No, Jared left early to go to the factory. I took the phone off the hook and put the ‘Do not disturb’ sign on the door.”

  “Did you know Ms. Alexander before the contest?” Wally steepled his fingers.

  “No.”

  “Have you read any of her books?”


  “Certainly not. They’re all lies. It’s clear she has a grudge against anyone rich or famous.”

  Wally was silent for a few minutes, then said, “Okay, Mrs. Fine, that’s all for now. We have your number.” He paused, letting the double meaning of what he had said sink in, then continued, “And your address in Chicago. Don’t leave the state.”

  Tammy rose from her chair in one fluid movement and marched out the door, slamming it behind her.

  “That was interesting,” Skye commented. “Did she have anything of value to say before I got here?”

  “No.”

  “Who all are you talking to today?”

  “I’ve already interviewed Tammy, JJ, and Brandon. Neither Mrs. Fine nor her two sons seems to have any connection to Cherry. There’s no evidence that they ever met her before this weekend, and since they aren’t contest judges, she wouldn’t have had any reason to blackmail or bribe them.”

  “Do any of them have alibis?” Skye asked, making sure she understood. “Are any of them left-handed?”

  “No alibis. Tammy and Brandon are both lefties, as is the male judge, and two contestants—Monika Bradley and Diane White.”

  “But they aren’t your top suspects,” Skye guessed.

  “No. Tammy says Jared is ambidextrous, and he’s the one who was at the factory, which places him near the scene of the crime. Also, he could probably change the results of the contest if he wanted to, so he’s number one on my list. I’m planning on seeing him next. Then I need to talk to his mother again.”

  “I should get out of your way then.” Skye got up. “Is there anything you need me to do?”

  Wally peered down at the legal pad on the desktop. “Anthony and Quirk are interviewing Monika Bradley and all three judges, but considering Mrs. Bradley’s leg injury, I don’t think she would physically be able to get Cherry into the chocolate fountain.”

  “No,” Skye agreed. “Unless she’s faking her injury.”

  “That would mean she came into the contest knowing she was going to kill Cherry.” Wally made a note. “I’ll have someone look a little deeper into her background, see if she and the vic ever met before.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Quirk located the nanny. Turns out Larissa went home to her parents after she was fired. They live in St. Louis, and she claims to have driven there that night and arrived about five on Saturday morning. A neighbor walking a dog saw her pull into the driveway, which gives her a pretty good alibi.”

  “How about the others?”

  “The others involved in the contest have alibis, too, except Diane White, and now that we know she had a motive, I want you to talk to her.”

  “Sure, but why me?” Skye asked.

  “She’s my other top suspect, but she resorts to hysteria anytime I’ve tried to question her. Which means she’s a prime candidate for Scumble River PD’s finest psychological consultant.”

  “You mean Scumble River PD’s only psychological consultant.”

  “That, too.” Wally got up and escorted Skye to the door. “You ready to rock and roll?”

  “Always.” Skye put her hand on the knob. “Where is she?”

  “Waiting for you next door.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Go get ‘em, tiger.”

  “Grr.” Skye made a clawing motion with her hands, then walked out of the principal’s office and into the nurse’s.

  While she was explaining her role as psychological consultant to Diane, Skye realized she hadn’t told Wally about his father’s visit. Did that mean she wouldn’t, or had it just slipped her mind?

  CHAPTER 19

  Cool Fifteen Minutes

  “I’m through with Mrs. White.” Skye had finished with the cookie blogger and gone to report to Wally, who was ushering Grandma Sal into the principal’s office.

  He seated the older woman and said he’d be right back. Closing the door behind him, he asked Skye, “Anything?”

  “She’s a much cooler customer than I’d expected. That slightly daffy cookie-blogger persona of hers is as fake as Bunny’s boobs, although not as uplifting. At first she tried the hysterical routine with me, but once she saw that I wasn’t buying it, she shifted to her real self.”

  “What did she say then?”

  “I told her we knew about Cherry threatening her and about her cheating. She denied cheating. Said that Cherry had been mistaken; she only used the bakery brownies in her practice recipe to save time, but never intended to use them in the contest. The bakery must have made a mistake if they thought she had ordered three pans for Saturday.” Skye leaned against the wall. “Diane also insisted that she told Cherry that, and thus had nothing to fear from her.”

  “A logical explanation.”

  “Right, and, really, she had nothing to fear from Cherry unless she used the bakery brownies during the contest. Nothing in the rules says you even have to participate in the practice session, let alone how you have to prepare your recipe.”

  Wally crossed his arms. “Not to mention she’d have to be pretty stupid to use the bakery brownies, even if she had originally intended to, once Cherry had discovered her plan.”

  “True. Diane did admit that she arrived at the warehouse before the official practice time, found the front door locked, and went around back to see if she could get in through the factory, which she did. At that point she spotted Cherry in the chocolate fountain and started to scream.”

  “Did she say anything else?”

  “Nope. Just told me that the police should talk to her attorney if they have any more questions.”

  “What do you think about her explanation for being at the crime scene?”

  “The timing’s plausible.” Skye drew her brows together. “I wonder how many other people entered the warehouse through the factory entrance.”

  “Good question. Mr. Fine claims that door should have been locked, too.”

  “Did Jared have anything else helpful to say?” Skye asked. “I passed him on his way out and he seemed pretty preoccupied.”

  “He claimed he was doing paperwork in his office in the factory and had no idea what had happened until we called his mother and then she buzzed him on the intercom. Her office is a few doors down from his, so they can’t alibi each other.” Wally shook his head. “So far we have nothing. After I talk to Mrs. Fine, that’s it. We’re out of leads. We’ll have to wait and hope forensics tells us something. But it could be weeks before we get those results.”

  Skye made a sympathetic sound and patted his arm, then asked, “Do you need me for anything else?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Because I’m going to go talk to Xenia about Ashley’s disappearance.” Skye drew a deep breath. “Which I should have done several days ago.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself. I doubt she would have talked to you.”

  “You’re probably right, but I should have tried. Ashley’s life may be at stake.”

  “Or she could have just run away.” Wally ran his fingers through his hair. “Listen, we both need a break. Why don’t I pick you up around five and we’ll go into Joliet for dinner and a movie? And while we’re there we can buy a pair of cell phones.”

  “That sounds wonderful.” Skye smiled, thinking that maybe Wally’s father would give up if they weren’t available, which would mean she wouldn’t have to choose between finding out the truth and sticking to the moral high road.

  Xenia lived with her mother, Raette, in a newly remodeled house near the river. When Skye pulled into the driveway, she saw that Raette’s Sebring convertible was in the garage. Skye felt a small ray of hope. Maybe she’d be lucky and both of the Craughwells would be home.

  Raette threw open the front door before Skye could even ring the bell. She was a tiny woman, less than five feet, with platinum hair that hung straight down to the middle of her back. She and Skye had a history, some good and some bad. Skye hoped the favor she had done Raette and her daughter in the fall would gain her access to Xenia.


  Raette looked as if she would have liked to close the door, but instead she said, “Oh, what a surprise. You weren’t who I was expecting.”

  “Is it okay if I come in?” Skye put her foot on the threshold.

  “Uh, sure, but I’m leaving soon.”

  “Then I’ll try to be quick.” Skye stepped into the foyer, forcing Raette to back up. “Is Xenia home?”

  “Yes. She’s in her room.”

  “Could I talk to her?”

  “Well, uh, I guess so. Is it about school?”

  “In a way.” Skye smiled noncommittally. “Do you want to get her for me, please?”

  “Okay. Why don’t you have a seat in the great room and I’ll be right back.”

  Skye walked down the hall Raette had pointed to, and found herself in a large room with a sweep of windows that faced the water. It was a beautiful panorama, and whoever had decorated hadn’t tried to compete with the natural beauty by putting any art on the other three walls.

  Not wanting to be distracted, Skye chose a chair with her back to the view. As she settled in, she could hear Xenia protesting from the other end of the house.

  The girl entered the room alone, a sullen expression on her face. “What do you want?”

  “Hi, Xenia. Nice to see you, too.” Skye kept her tone cool. The teen loved to cause adults to lose their tempers. “Have a seat.”

  “Why should I?”

  “You’re right. Just because my feet are tired doesn’t mean yours are. Feel free to stand.”

  Xenia frowned and sat down in the chair facing Skye. “So, what do you want?”

  “I understand that Ashley Yates is missing, and you may have been the last to see her.” Skye figured enough people had accused the teen of the kidnapping, so she’d try a different approach.

  “Yeah. So what? That doesn’t mean I had anything to do with her disappearance.”

  “That’s right. It doesn’t. In fact, one of her friends told me that she thinks Ashley is holed up somewhere with a guy.”

  Xenia raised her chin. “Whatever.”

  “After all, Ashley is a beautiful girl; she could get any boy she wanted.”