“It’s moving slowly, but it’s moving. The money from the robberies has been funneling back to the bank via just about every business in this town. Yours included.”
“What? You mean the robbers are coming in here enjoying my sweet treats?”
“Not necessarily. It was a nominal amount. More than likely the bait money was given as change and it trickled into your shop innocently.”
Suze makes her way over. “Did I hear you mention Ivy?” Her antennae go up. “Beautiful woman. Where did she want to take you?”
“I don’t know, I took off before she could sweeten the offer. But I’ll head to Ashford with you, Lot. Betsy’s next on my list, too.”
“Perfect,” I say. “I’ll ask my mom to watch Lyla Nell, and maybe Everett will be able to go to dinner with us.”
“Sounds like a triple header tonight,” Carlotta crows, and Suze smirks her way.
“There you go, telling the truth again.” Suze cuts a glance to Noah. “I remember when you used to spend your days and nights solving mysteries.”
“Times are a changin’, Suzie Q,” Carlotta tells her. “The only mystery Foxy is trying to solve these days is how to get back in Lot Lot’s pants.”
Suze snorts. “That’s because a thief stole his place in her bed.”
Carlotta and Suze cackle up a storm and exchange a high-five.
“Don’t listen to them, Evie,” I tell her while shooting the two hyenas in our midst a wry look. “I’m heading down to Ashford to investigate, and Uncle Noah is helping me out.”
“Lot.” Noah inches back and holds up a finger my way before shaking his head. “Never mind. You’re right.”
Evie giggles as she pulls apart the cruller in her hand. “Bradford wants to be a private detective one day, too. Hey? If I run around solving crimes before he can figure them out, that will make us just like the two of you.”
“Not true,” Carlotta grouses. “You’ve got to find yourself a Mr. Sexy if you want to get the equation right.”
Suze shrugs. “I’d simply ask Bradford if he has a stepbrother and voila, problem solved.”
“Ignore them,” I tell her. “And yes, you can solve crimes as good or better than any detective if you put your mind to it.”
Her phone bleats. “It’s Bradford! Thank God. It’s been twenty-five minutes since he last texted. I thought he forgot all about me, and I was going to die alone in a house full of cats.” She darts off to the other end of the bakery while tapping away at her screen.
“All right, Fox,” I say, taking off my apron. “Time to make tracks and see what Betsy Monroe has to say.”
“Betsy?” Leo ticks his furry face up a notch. “That name sounds familiar.”
I nod his way. “All I know is that Betsy once worked for Clark Willoughby at one of his antique stores.”
“Ooh.” Suze digs her hand into the pocket of her apron. “That reminds me. I picked up this miniature massager when I stopped off at that big garage sale at the lake.” She holds up the small square, turns it on, and it begins to vibrate and hum.
“Mom,” Noah sips. “Put that thing away before a customer sees you.”
“Oh, they’ve already seen me with it,” she says, rolling it over her back and letting out a moan. “I’ve even given a few customers free massages with it. We should run a promo,” she says my way. “Buy one cookie, get a free massage. I bet we’ll get more than a few amused glances, and a few excited takers.”
“My bakery isn’t about exciting people in that manner. I’m with Noah.” I motion for her to get rid of the thing before the health department shuts me down.
“Lottie never cares for any of my ideas,” she snips to Noah.
“That’s because your ideas scare the living daylights out of her,” he mutters. “Stick to antiques, Mom. The garage sale might be a little too much for you to handle.”
Carlotta lifts her chin. “Speaking of antiques, how about we blow this place, Suze, and see about landing us a few oldie but goodies for the night? There’s a new club out in Leeds that I’ve been meaning to try out.”
“Carlotta.” I shake my head at her. “Trolling for men while you’re in a committed relationship is frowned upon. One day Mayor Nash is going to have enough of your two-timing shenanigans.”
“What do you think he’s doing tonight?” She shoots back. “You don’t have to worry about your parents breaking up, Lot. Harry and I always find our way back to one another at the end of the day.”
Suze huffs my way, “Carlotta might just as easily throw your words right back at you. Trolling for men while you’re in a committed relationship is frowned upon. One day Noah is going to have enough of your two-timing shenanigans.”
Noah twitches his brows my way. “Not if I’m the one she’s doing the two-timing with. My door is always open to you, Lot.”
Lyla Nell squeals and gives Noah a wallop right over the nose.
“That was from Sexy.” Carlotta nods. “You might have supplied the DNA, but he’s slowly been programming her.”
Noah smacks his lips. “That sounds about right.”
“Any news on Rooster?” I wince as I ask because I know it’s not Carlotta’s favorite subject.
Carlotta huffs, “What did you have to go and ask that for, Lot? You know every time you mention someone you hate, it gives them power. And right now, that man is trying to summon all the power he can just to open up his peepers. And once he does—he’s going to cause all sorts of destruction in this town. If it’s one thing Rooster hates it’s being cast aside. If that man burns down all of Honey Hollow, it’ll all be your fault.”
“Carlotta, I’m not summoning some dark force. I’m talking to Noah about a man who has essentially come back from the dead.”
“Same difference,” she spits out the words.
Noah shakes his head. “He’s still out cold. The doctors are baffled that he survived at all. The venom he had in his blood was enough to kill six men.”
Carlotta sighs. “Sounds like a dark force to me.”
Me too, now that I think about it.
“All right, Noah. Time to make tracks,” I say, closing up a box of my sweet treats I’ve just put together. “Here’s hoping Betsy Monroe can help us make headway with the case.”
“Here’s hoping Judge Baxter has to work late into the night.” He winks my way. “I’ll make sure his wife has a good time at dinner.”
We take Lyla Nell and head out the door.
The Ashford County Courthouse is known for its ability to pull the truth out of a suspect or two—and Noah and I are going to make sure that’s exactly what happens when we talk to Betsy.
Clark Willoughby’s killer might be walking free for now, but sooner than later, justice will be served and someone will be eating a big helping of just desserts.
Lottie
The Ashford County Courthouse is a white block of a building with enormous Roman columns, limestone flooring, and mahogany walls. The air inside is crisp and cool, and holds the slight hint of justice—if justice smelled like a copy room.
Noah and I dropped Lyla Nell off at home where my mother met us. She said she was just itching to get away from the B&B because Wiley was hosting poker night for the boys.
Noah shakes his head as we step into the courthouse. “I can’t believe my father. I get him out of one financial mess—okay, so not really, but for the sake of the argument let’s go with it—and then he stumbles right into another losing fiscal proposition.”
“If it makes you feel better, my mother said he was pretty good at raking it in,” I say, holding tight to that pink box full of my baked goods.
“He’s pretty good at raking in trouble, too.”
Noah told me all about the fact Jimmy is thrilled to have a cop in his back pocket. That he’s making Noah keep that briefcase full of dirty dealings just to make sure Noah stays on the hook. And he’ll gladly protect Wiley—and come to find out, anyone he’s around—from that hit the Lazzaris have on him.
“Noah”—I pull him to the side and look into his evergreen eyes—“I just want you to know that I appreciate you and everything you’re doing to protect my family—our family. I love you, Noah.”
“I know.” He brushes the hair out of my eyes and lands a kiss to my nose. “I love you, too, Lot.”
“Wow,” a female voice sings and we turn to find Fiona Dagmeyer with her dark hair in a tight bun and a navy blue power suit on. “Take a gander at this, Essex.”
“What?” I take a full step back as Everett comes this way.
Everett looks sharp and destructively handsome in his dark suit, with his dark hair combed back, and that dark look in his eyes that threatens certain death.
“I don’t need to take a gander,” Everett grits as he glares at Noah. “I saw the whole thing. It’s too bad I’ll have to get arrested for killing a man right here on my own turf.”
“Don’t worry, Essex,” Fiona says. “I’ve got you out of a legal tussle before. I can do it again.” She winks Noah’s way.
“Nothing happened,” I say as I wrap my arms around Everett and land a kiss to his lips.
“Nothing happened?” Noah teases. “You just declared your love for me. We shared a kiss.”
“You kissed her nose,” Everett growls. “Like I said, I saw the whole thing.”
A couple of women pass us before backtracking, and I note one of them is the exact woman I was looking to see.
“Oh good!” Betsy presses a hand to her chest. Her blonde tresses frame her face, and she’s looking as professional as can be with a pencil skirt, silk blouse, and briefcase in hand.
I’m willing to bet there’s not one nefarious thing in the briefcase either. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to look at a briefcase the same ever again after the drama and trauma Jimmy and Luke have put us through.
Betsy steps forward. “So you’re all coming, too?” She nudges Everett with her elbow. “I’m so glad you changed your mind.” She looks my way. “Lonnie, you’re going to love it. And you, too, Detective Fox.”
“It’s Lottie, but don’t worry about it. We were barely introduced a week ago,” I tell her as I hold out the pink bakery box. “I was just coming down to deliver some desserts from my bakery. I thought it might brighten everyone’s day. Why don’t you take these?”
Betsy eyes grow twice their size. “Really? Why, I guess I will. I’ll take them with me and have a few in the car on the way over. And if there are any left, I’ll share them with everyone else when I get there,” she trills. “It’s just going to be a blast. I’ll see you there, too, Fiona.” She waves as she steps toward her friend.
“Where are we going?” I call out, because I’m not sure I should trust Everett to tell me. I know for a fact he’s not a fan of after-hour meet-ups.
“Limelight!” she calls out. “We’ve got an entire section reserved. It’s law enforcement night. It’s going to be the best. We can’t wait to see you strutting your stuff, Judge Baxter!”
“Karaoke,” Fiona grumbles. “But now that you’re going, Essex, I’ll be there with bells on.” She pulls a tight smile. “Can’t wait to see the three of you hit the stage.” She gives Everett’s tie a quick tug. “You might want to loosen those pipes.” She takes off with a chortle.
Everett points hard at Noah. “I blame you for this disaster.”
“Me?” Noah’s chest pumps as he laughs. “It’s you they can’t wait to see strutting your stuff.” Noah sheds an ear-to-ear smile. “Say cheese, Judge Baxter. I’m catching every moment with my camera.” He nods my way. “You’d better ride with him, Lottie. I have a feeling we have a runner on our hands.”
“I don’t run from anything,” Everett says without missing a beat.
And all the way over to Leeds, I’m sensing Everett wishes he could do just that.
“A karaoke office party,” Everett grouses as we stand in front of a tan brick building with a giant neon microphone spinning overhead. “Remind me to outlaw these come morning.”
“Everett, you don’t have to sing,” I say, wrapping my arms around him. “I’ll get you to make plenty of noise when we get back to the house.” I take a quick nip out of his neck.
His lids hood dangerously low as a smile curves on his lips. “Brace yourself, Cupcake. I’ll make sure you’re singing my favorite song at the top of your lungs.”
I bite down on a smile just as a kerfuffle heads in this direction.
“Lot Lot!” We turn to see Carlotta in a little black dress, matching fishnets, and—are those red sequin shoes? “Foxy, put out the APB. Tell me I didn’t miss it. Sexy, you didn’t get up on that stage yet, did you?”
“Nope.” Everett’s chest expands as we see Noah holding up the rear.
“Good.” Carlotta’s fingers dance over her phone. “Cha Cha is already in there with her friends. Evie Stevie can’t make it out to see you embarrass yourself, but she said if I get a decent angle, she’ll upload it to all of her social media sites. I’d better get in there. I want front row seats.” She darts inside and Everett sets those death beams of his on Noah.
“Spread the word, did you, sweetheart?” Everett’s jaw clenches. “Good. I’ll make sure it’s you on that stage.”
“In your dreams, Baxter.” Noah gets the door for us and waves us in with his hand. “Look out, world. A star is born,” he calls out as we enter the boisterous establishment.
The walls are covered with vinyl records, the floors are made up of a dizzying checkered pattern, the sound of loud—rather pitchy—country music blares overhead, and the dance floor in the middle of the room is pulsating.
There’s a small stage up front with a TV screen in front of it. A woman standing front and center up there belts away a tune about a truck and a dog, and the room is thumping with the rhythm.
Tables are set out on the periphery, and to my surprise, and slight horror, I see an entire horde of people I recognize. I don’t hesitate to trot their way.
Seated at the table is Carlotta at the helm, Charlie, Cormack, Naomi, Greer Giles, and that cool cat, Leo, purring away in Naomi’s arms. It’s disconcerting to say the least.
Greer waves our way. “Hey, Lottie! I can’t wait to see you up on that stage. You wouldn’t be up for one minor possession, would you? I miss karaoke something awful.”
I shake my head at her. With my luck, this minor possession might just morph into a full-time gig.
Carlotta stands and pulls Everett in. “Here’s the man of the hour.”
Charlie sheds a greedy grin our way. “Don’t worry, Mr. Sexy. I’ve already signed you and Lemon up for a duet. You’re on in twenty minutes.”
A groan expels from me. “First song of the night—the blues.” And I’m not singing ’em.
Naomi lifts a dark brow. “I’d lube up the vocal cords with a couple of shots of vodka if I were you.”
Carlotta shakes her head. “Lot Lot’s still playing the part of milk maid to Little Yippy. She’s got to take it like a big girl without any lube.”
“I bet it’s not the first time.” Cormack snickers and the entire lot of them breaks out into wild cackles.
“So not funny,” I say, looking around and spot a table full of people I recognize from the courthouse. I see Fiona, Betsy, and even Millicent Meyers, Everett’s private secretary, a matronly older woman who looks to be whooping it up with a drink in her hand.
“Just our luck,” I say to Everett and Noah. “There’s an empty table right next to them.” I point their way.
Noah groans, “Yup. Just our luck it butts right up to this table.” He glances at the table before us.
“Oh, come on, Lottie.” Greer pats the seat beside her, which technically belongs to the empty table in question. “We’re gonna have the time of our lives.”
“Come on, boys,” I say, leading the way. “Greer says we’re going to have the time of our lives.”
“She’s dead, Lemon,” Everett says as he warms my waist with his arm. “She no longer has a
life to have a time with.”
Noah looks to Everett. “I’m sensing the judge has a bad case of nerves.”
“I have nerves of steel,” Everett says as he pulls a seat out for me and his face goes white.
“Everett, what’s the matter?” I try to follow his gaze and spot a couple of men in dark suits glaring right at him.
Either Luke’s men or Jimmy’s—at this point Everett has both mob families equally as ticked at him—and we can’t forget Manny Moretti.
Everett may not have many enemies, but he seems to have all the right ones—or wrong ones as they were.
Noah ticks his head at Everett. “I bet he caught a glimpse of his future—him running away as soon as it was his time to hit the stage.”
This is typically where Everett scorches Noah with a zinger, but he simply holds out my seat and we sit down together.
“Okay, there she is.” I nod in Betsy’s direction. “We’re almost up, Everett. So I think I’d like to grill her first in the event I feel the sudden urge to run.”
“You’re not serious,” Everett says as his brows pinch in the middle. “Just because Charlie put our names down doesn’t qualify as consent. If this were a case in my courtroom, I’d toss it out.”
Noah’s cheek flinches. “Knew it. Nobody is going to see Judge Baxter strut his stuff on that stage tonight. It’s probably best that way. The room would clear out if they heard him sing.”
I frown over at Noah. “Don’t listen to him, Everett. He’s just trying to get under your skin.” I do my best to pull Everett my way. “You’ll have a blast up there. You have to do it. You only live once.” I gasp as the callous words come from my mouth and my fingers fly to my lips. “I mean, I want to live every minute of this beautiful life with you. I don’t want you to miss anything.” I sniff as the sentiment streams from me, and both Everett and Noah exchange a look. I clear my throat as I pull myself together. It’s not like Nell’s vision is going to come true tonight. “And you don’t have to sing,” I tell him. “You can talk your way through the song like Johnny Cash.”
“Johnny Cash is one of my favorites,” Noah is quick to interject.
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