Hux blows out a big breath. “Thanks, Bizzy. I actually feel better. As much as I’m not exactly looking forward to the ceremony, I’m looking forward to spending my life with her. She might be a drill sergeant, but she’s my drill sergeant.” He scoops up another handful of cookies and hops to his feet. “Thanks for helping me out. I’ll see you all at the wedding.”
We say a collective goodbye as he runs out the door.
Emmie stretches an arm out and snatches up another cookie. “Are we taking bets to see how long they last?”
“Not this time,” I say, reaching over and getting a cookie of my own.
Sherlock gives a sharp bark. Incoming! Right behind you, Bizzy!
I turn in time to see none other than Mackenzie Woods heading in through the back door. Her hair is windblown, and her crimson coat is cinched tightly at the waist.
“Bizzy, Emmie”—she hisses as she pulls out the chair with Sugar and Fish in it, and I quickly scoop them up as she falls into the seat—“you have to help me.”
Em leans in, amused. “What is it?”
Fish and Sugar growl over at Mack.
I can’t blame them. They were just taking a moment to indulge in a perfectly good nap when she just about squashed them.
Mack yanks open her coat a notch as her cheeks pique with color. She looks as if she’s cooking alive, and if memory serves correct, Mackenzie always broke out in a sweat when her nerves were getting the best of her.
“I don’t know if I can do it,” she pants. “My wedding is less than a few days away, and I’m not even sure I can walk down the aisle.”
Good grief, Fish growls. They’re a couple of peas in a pod. Go ahead, Bizzy. Prop her up and get it over with.
“Cold feet?” Jasper offers a knowing grin her way.
“Aren’t you the apt detective,” she snips. “Yes, I’ve got cold feet. I never thought I’d get hitched. Heck, I never thought I was the marrying kind. And now look at me.” She thrusts her engagement ring my way. “I’m about to tie myself at the hip to your brother, of all people.”
Emmie clucks her tongue. “If it’s that painful to you, then by all means call it off. Save both him and you the trouble.”
Leo frowns over at her. “This isn’t like you, Mack. You’re surefooted in everything you undertake. You said yes to the guy for a reason.”
“I proposed to the guy for a reason,” she corrects.
Technically, they proposed to each other at the very same time more or less.
Leo shakes his head as he and Jasper get back to the task at hand.
“Have a shot of whiskey and get to bed,” Leo says. “It’s getting late. You’re probably overworked. Your mind needs to unwind.”
“What do you think, Bizzy?” Mack all but rattles my arm and the cats shake right along with me.
“What do I think about Dr. Granger’s whiskey prescription? I say take two shots and call my brother in the morning.”
She takes a moment to glower at me. “About the wedding, Bizzy. Should I go through with it?”
“Do you love him?” This pop quiz is starting to sound familiar. “Can you see a future with him? Or turn the question around. Can you see a future without him?”
Mack’s lips twitch. “Yes, yes, no. God help me, I really love that man even if he does have a smart-aleck remark for just about everything. You do realize, Hux doesn’t have a serious bone in his body.”
Fish purrs, That’s what makes Uncle Hux so fun.
Sugar looks my way. Is that why you kissed him, Bizzy? He is a looker.
Oh, good grief. I knew it was a mistake for Jasper to snitch me out to the pets last night, even if he was laughing about it.
I wasn’t laughing.
And now Sugar thinks I was putting the moves on my brother, of all people.
Gross, gag, yuck.
“He doesn’t have a serious bone in his body,” I echo. “He’s marrying you, isn’t he?” I wince. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”
“I don’t think I would have respected you if you did.” Mackenzie tugs her purse over her shoulder.
“Look, Mack. If you love my brother, and want to be there until his dying breath, or yours, then take the plunge. Marriage doesn’t degrade a relationship, it makes things better. Jasper and I feel closer and far more intimate than ever before.”
She nods. “I can tell by that kiss he gave me, he’s pretty into you.” She gives a sly wink. “All right. I’m in. I’m marrying Huxley Baker because I can’t live without him.” She exhales, and a goofy grin takes over her face. “I’m going to be a bride.” She giggles like a madwoman as she rises out of her seat. “I’ll be wearing pearls, so those are off-limits to you, Bizzy.” She snatches up a handful of red velvet cookies. “Jasper, if you could wear a black tie for the family photos, it would be appreciated. Hux is wearing red, and I want him to stand out.”
Emmie shakes her head at our old friend. “I can’t believe you, of all people, are going to be the next Mrs. Huxley Baker.”
“I’m not going to be a Baker,” she corrects as she takes a bite.
“Ah”—Leo muses—“you’ll be pulling a page out of Bizzy’s wedding playbook and become Mrs. Mackenzie Woods Baker.”
“Nope.” Mack snatches one last cookie. “Just Woods. I’m marrying the guy, not stealing his identity. Solve that homicide, Detective. I’d like Cider Cove killer-free on the day I say I do.” She glances my way. “Who are we kidding? Do your thing, Bizzy, before I do mine. Ta-ta.” She speeds off before we can give her a proper sendoff.
“Enjoy the whiskey,” Emmie calls after her.
“My work here is done,” I say.
“Not so fast.” Emmie flicks her fingers at the laptop, and Jasper spins it our way. “Let’s see if we can spot anything.”
Leo ticks his head to the side. “There’s nothing to see, but give it a go.”
The footage rolls from the night of the killing, and both Sugar and Fish perk to attention and watch right along with us.
First, we’re treated to the security camera that captures the action at the front of the inn. We see Bobbie running after Chip, and then they quickly drift out of the frame. Diane comes out shortly thereafter with Gizmo, followed by Keegan Merritt. Each of them is headed in the same direction. Each of them falls out of the frame of the security camera one by one. No sign of Tiger leaving the inn, but after a small spate of time, Tiger is seen walking past the fountain that sits between the front doors of the inn and the back exit of the ballroom.
“Okay.” I nod to Jasper. “Let’s see the footage from the cottage.”
He cues it up and spins the laptop back around.
The world looking out from our tiny cottage looks spherical as our camera does its best to capture the widest shot possible.
Jasper peers over the top of the laptop. “In the lower left-hand area of the frame, you’ll see the bottom of a pink gown wafting in and out of the screen. That’s Bobbie.”
Sure enough, the lower half of her gown pops into view, and it almost looks as if she’s dancing as she takes a few steps forward then a few steps back. A dark shadow suddenly appears to her right. Something pale freckles the screen by her feet, and then she’s out of the frame again.
“I guess you’re right,” I say. “Nothing new there.”
Nothing but Bobbie dancing in front of my cottage—dancing with death.
And something about the sight doesn’t sit well with me.
Someone drove her to that fancy footwork, the very same person who attempted to end her life.
Tiger is right, I should speak to Lacey again. But I have a feeling I should speak to Bobbie again, too.
And I’ll do just that tomorrow.
Here’s hoping that one of them dances me right into the path of the killer.
Chapter 13
After a long night with Jasper, I can hardly keep my eyes open this morning as I stumble into the foyer of the inn, coffee in hand. Sugar, Fish, and Sherlock Bones all tr
ot dutifully by my side with their heads up, shoulders back as they prepare for the duties as the official greeters of the Country Cottage Inn.
The inn has been voted the most pet friendly resort in all of Maine, and it’s a title I’ve been proud of. Not only do we allow pets to stay in the rooms with the guests, but we have an animal sitting service in the back called Critter Corner. It’s the first thing I instated when I was hired all those years ago. And now that I’m the proud owner of the inn, I’d love to start offering grooming services as well.
The twin doors at the entry to the inn have been festooned with wreaths comprised of tiny red and pink hearts, and the reception counter is outlined with heart-shaped lights. Everything is going exactly as it should in preparation for the day we adulate love—with the exception of an arrest.
After dinner last night, Jasper and I went back to the cottage and began to do a little research of our own, but it had nothing to do with the case. Let’s just say we were working on improving our nonverbal communication skills with one another.
Who knew Jasper Wilder’s body had such great things to say?
Me, that’s who.
Jordy heads this way with his toolbox in one hand and a cookie in the other.
“Heads-up, Bizzy. Don’t go near the Valentine’s Day tree.”
My mouth rounds out with delight. “You put the tree up?” I take a few steps toward the windows to the right of the reception counter, and sure enough, a tall, white, Christmas tree stands proudly. Each branch is entwined with pink and red twinkle lights, and hung on each bow is a red glittering heart. “Jordy, it looks amazing! You did a great—”
The sound of giggling comes from somewhere behind it, and I glance down to see two pairs of shoes on the other side of the white behemoth. I don’t hesitate making my way over, and a sickly groan comes from me once I see the horrific sight.
Nessa and Grady are intertwined as they rather aggressively give one another mouth-to-mouth resuscitation—because I refuse to believe it’s anything else.
I clear my throat and they part ways, nearly knocking every heart off that tree in the process.
“Lord!” I cover my ears with my hands, and both Fish and Sherlock scamper in this direction.
What is it? Fish yowls while Sherlock gets straight to barking.
Nessa stumbles back, looking as if she just got caught with her lips in the cookie jar.
Grady gives a sheepish nod while passing me by. “Morning, Bizzy.”
“Not so fast.” I step in front of him and block his path. “What are the two of you thinking? This goes completely against our no dating co-workers policy.”
The two of them exchange a glance.
“Actually”—Nessa hitches a dark curl behind her ear—“we checked and there is no such policy.”
“What?” I glance back to Jordy, and he sheds a quick grin my way.
“Hire some hotties for me, would you?” He turns around to take off. “Congrats, you two. Just a heads-up. Room thirteen is empty.”
“Ooh.” Nessa’s eyes grow wide as she looks to Grady, and it takes everything I’ve got to keep from swatting her.
“No oohing allowed. And room thirteen is strictly off-limits to the two of you. What are you thinking? You’re just friends. Remember? You don’t want to ruin a perfectly good friendship, do you? And Nessa, if things go sideways, you’re going to hate coming to work.”
She chokes in response. “Well, what about him? Isn’t he going to hate coming to work if things go sideways?”
“He’s a guy, Nessa. He’s easily distracted. No offense, Grady.”
“No offense taken.” He nods to a crowd that just bustled down the stairs. “In fact, the guests are distracting me right now. I’ll take care of them.” He zips off, and I step in close to Nessa.
“You’re not serious about him, are you? We both know Grady is a playboy. He’s been known to mine the phone numbers of the female guests for his private purposes. An offense worthy of termination by the way.”
She makes a face. “You’d never fire him, and you know it. Besides, now that he’s dating me, those phone numbers will never be used again. He’s only got eyes for me.”
She takes off for the reception counter, and I shudder to think how and when this will end. I’m all too familiar with Grady’s track record. Things aren’t exactly leaning in Nessa’s favor with this one.
Sherlock barks and jumps just as Georgie and Juni head this way. Georgie looks cheerful in a purple kaftan, and Juni looks stylish, and yet slightly uncomfortable, in a leather pantsuit.
“Off to work, girls?” I pin a smile on my face and force all thoughts of my co-workers locking lips out of my mind.
“Nah.” Juni sniffs. “We’re playing hooky. Your mama is steering the ship solo today.”
“Solo?” I cringe at the thought of my mother running an entire retail shop on her own. “Good thing she’s okay with day drinking.”
Georgie waves me off. “The last time we left her alone for the day, she claims she forgot to turn the sign on the door around. It said we were closed all day.”
Juni nods. “And the time before that, she claims to have forgotten to unlock the front doors.”
“Let’s hope she doesn’t forget to pay the rent at the end of the month,” I say. “So where are you two ladies off to?”
“That’s what we came to ask you.” Juni juts her head forward. “Who’s next on the suspect list?”
“I’m all out of suspects, but I do need to track down Bobbie and Lacey.”
No sooner do the words leave my lips than both Juni and Georgie are tapping over their phones like mad.
“Ah-ha!” Juni holds up her phone with triumph. “Tonight at seven-thirty there’s an end-of-life bash for Chip at a place called the Village Kitchen in Rose Glen. Both Bobbie and Lacey will be there.”
“The Village Kitchen?” I blink back as my mind does its best to retrace where I last heard that name. “That’s the food kitchen where Chip had a spot on the board. Jasper was telling me they help feed the hungry. And I do believe Jasper mentioned the fact Chip had an office there, too. All right, girls. Seven-thirty. It looks as if we’ve got a date with destiny.”
Georgie threads her arm through her daughter’s. “Come on, kid. Let’s get pampered before our big night out on the town. Where there’s a free meal, there’s a smorgasbord of men. I’m getting my hair done.”
“I’m getting my lips done,” Juni is quick to tell her. “Dr. Buggywhip said he’d plump my kisser for free anytime I wanted.”
“Ooh, I’m going to get my kisser plumped up, too.” Georgie turns my way. “How about you, Bizzy?”
“No thanks. I like my kisser just the way it is.”
“Suit yourself,” Juni says as they head for the door. “But fair warning, men won’t be able to resist our lips once we’ve fluffed our puckers. Jasper can’t be blamed for his actions once he sees us.”
“In that case, I’d better give him a pass.”
They take off, and I don’t waste any time in texting my handsome hubby.
Hot date tonight, you and me at the Village Kitchen, seven-thirty.
He texts right back. See you there. I’ll head straight over from Seaview.
Perfect. Just FYI, Juni and Georgie’s kissable lips are off-limits to you.
My phone lights up again. Fine. But that means your brother’s kissable lips are off-limits to you. Turnabout is fair play.
“Jasper thinks he’s funny,” I say to my furry menagerie circling around the Valentine’s Day tree. Two want to climb it, and one is itching to pee on it. And I certainly didn’t need to be a mind reader to know that.
I glance out the window, at the frost clinging to our world. It’s icy cold in Cider Cove, almost as cold as the killer running around on the loose.
He or she thinks they’re in the clear.
They think they’ve gotten away with murder.
I’m about to prove them wrong on both counts, and hopefu
lly I’ll do it tonight.
Chapter 14
The Village Kitchen is located in downtown Rose Glen near the city park. And since throngs of people have showed up for the event, most of the overflow is milling around outside in the snow as a jazz band plays from the sidewalk.
The Village Kitchen is a giant cafeteria, brightly lit with a boisterous crowd inside. The tangy scent of tomato sauce lights up our senses as just about everyone in here is holding a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs.
Next to the entry sits a large framed picture of Bobbie and Chip on their wedding day. They both glow with joy and their happiness is palpable. I crane my neck into the crowd, and right off the bat I spot Bobbie and Lacey talking to a small group of women. Come to think of it, women are the vast majority here.
“Would you look at this?” Juni snips through her bloated kisser.
As it turns out, both Juni and Georgie’s kissers have fluffed up ten times their natural size, and oddly enough, they look far too swollen to do any kissing.
“There’s not a man in sight,” Juni grunts.
“I want my money back,” Georgie shouts to no one in particular. “How are we supposed to wrangle up some dates for the big dance tomorrow night?”
“Don’t worry, Mama,” Juni snorts. “My testosterone antennae just went up. I see a man up front doling out the mashed potatoes. I’d best head over and claim the gravy before he’s scooped up. With all these women fighting over one man, things could get ugly.”
“You go get yours, hon. And don’t come back without some eats. If you find a man with some real meatballs, you send him my way.” She pulls me to the right. “Come on, Biz. It’s showtime.”
Georgie ushers us right into the nexus of Bobbie and Lacey’s holy huddle. Bobbie hardly looks like the grieving widow with her purple dress with its shapely form. And Lacey looks toasty, bundled in a baby blue sweater and matching jeans.
Bobbie gasps as she sees me.
Sealed with a Hiss Page 12