Gingerbread to Die For

by Valerie Tate

  “I’ve heard about you two in town,” he went on. “They say that you’re some kind of amateur sleuths. I’m here to beg you to prove my innocence. I’m no murderer. I didn’t kill Davina but I’m afraid that they’re going to charge me.” That he was panicked was clear in the way his voice rose in pitch.

  Chris was just sitting in stony silence so Alicia asked, “Why do they think you did it?” She already knew the answer but she wanted to hear what he had to say about it.

  He ran long, slender fingers through his red-gold locks. “We had an argument Wednesday afternoon before the show. But that wasn’t unusual.” He looked deep into Alicia’s eyes, begging for understanding. “She had been a bear to work with lately and had gone off at just about everyone.”

  “Eric Braxton told me about the problems you’d been having on the show,” Alicia said sympathetically, hoping to encourage some revelations.

  “Yes, and she suspected everyone. I told the police this but I’m still their number one suspect.” He took a swig of coffee and then went on in an anxious hurry. “The problem is, I have no alibi. I was alone in my hotel room. The only reason I’m not under arrest is they can’t find a motive. And that’s because I don’t have one! Sure, we had an argument, but she had those with everyone.”

  That jived with what she had heard from Eric and Fiona, Alicia thought. It did lend credence to what he was saying.

  “I thought those electronic hotel key pads recorded when the door was opened and closed,” Chris said curtly, unmoved by rippling hair or big blue eyes.

  “They do and it recorded that I entered at eight o’clock but my room is on the ground floor with doors that open onto the pool and patio area. They say I could have slipped out that way and returned with no one being the wiser.”

  Alicia and Chris had stayed in that hotel in one of those rooms overlooking the pool once. It was entirely possible. “I guess you could have,” she said looking at Magnus a little doubtfully.

  “But I didn’t,” he said vehemently. “I stayed in my room all evening watching television and then went to bed. I didn’t know anything about Davina’s death until Eric called me in the morning.” His eyes were beseeching. “Will you do it? Will you find a way to prove my innocence?” he implored.

  Chris and Alicia eyed each other before Alicia replied noncommittally, “We are looking into what happened. Hopefully something will come to light that will either clear you or point a finger at someone else.”

  “I can’t thank you enough for this.” Magnus stood up to go. “If there is any way I can help or if you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Here, I’ll give you my cell number so you can contact me if you need to.”

  They exchanged phone numbers and then Magnus took his leave.

  Once he was out the door, Chris let Charlie and Molly out of the study. They sniffed around suspiciously and then Charlie took off on his nightly rampage, the thunder of his paws on the pine floors resounding through the house. Molly didn’t join in, but merely lay in front of the fireplace and enjoyed the show. Chris and Alicia watched indulgently until the terrier collapsed, panting, on his bed.

  “So, what do you think?” Chris asked as they settled down onto the sofa.

  “About Charlie?” Alicia asked, smiling fondly at the dog.

  “No, Magnus.”

  She threw herself back into the cushions. “I don’t know. If all they have on him is that he had an argument with Davina the afternoon of the murder, that is pretty slim.”

  “Which is why they released him,” Chris pointed out before adding, “The bit about him being able to get out by the patio doors is true. He could easily have slipped in and out without anyone knowing.”

  “Well, we’ll keep him on the suspect list while we look into the others. It’s true that Davina was having arguments with everyone. Eric Braxton told me that and Saanvi and I saw her lay into her personal assistant, Fiona James. If Davina had treated me the way she treated Fiona, I would have wanted to kill her.”

  “There’s a big difference between wanting someone dead and actually doing it,” he pointed out.

  Sometimes Chris was so reasonable that it irked her.

  “You’re right, but someone obviously wanted her dead and did do it, so Fiona James is on the top of my list right now,” she said emphatically, daring him to disagree.

  He didn’t take the bait. “So, what’s next?”

  “I have to be back at the community centre again tomorrow to supervise the public viewing. I’m gong to get Saanvi to talk to the competitors to see if any of them noticed anything or heard any good gossip, while I talk to more of the crew. And I think I’m going to ask my mom to see what she and my dad can learn around town.”

  “What about me?”

  She had the perfect job for him. “I’d like you to go to the bakery and talk to Betty Campbell. She didn’t come to the public viewing after what Davina said about her cookies. See what you can find out from her. She certainly has a motive.” She considered a moment and then added, “And buy some cookies. She’ll like that. It might make her open up about things.”

  “Will do.” He’d like that, too.

  “Tomorrow I’m going to call Glynis and ask her if the Silver Hair Brigade can find out anything about the competitors or the crew. They usually know everything that goes on around town. They have more sources than the police and don’t hesitate to call on them. We can meet them at The Tea Room for lunch on Monday.”

  “Can’t wait!” Chris rubbed his stomach enthusiastically. “The Silver Hair Brigade and finger sandwiches – an irresistible combination.”

  “You know, you could make your own sandwiches with the crusts removed and cut them into fingers,” Alicia pointed out.

  He shook his head and said categorically, “It wouldn’t be the same.”

  Alicia had to laugh. How could you not love a man who loved finger sandwiches and elderly gossips? Now if only he would shave that moustache!

  Covertly she eyed the hairy offender, the caterpillar on his upper lip, the Movember remainder. They were well into December and yet it still resided there, firmly entrenched, on his previously clean-shaven face. She hadn’t liked to say anything about its continued presence, preferring to give small hints by praising the appearance of facially hairless celebrities and photos of him, pre-Movember, but if he’d gotten the hints, he had chosen to ignore them.

  I’ve tried being subtle, she thought. Subtle’s not working. It was time to go on the offensive. Operation Razor was about to go into action and she knew just how to go about it and just whose help to enlist.

  *****

  First thing the next morning, Alicia called Glynis and asked for the Silver Hair Brigade’s help with the investigation. With those arrangements in place, she telephoned Marcus Samuel.

  “So, you released Magnus Wolff.” It was an opening gambit she hoped would get Samuel to tell what he’d learned.

  “How did you find that out so early?” He sounded exasperated.

  “He was here last night,” she said coyly, knowing it would pique him.

  “Here, where?”

  “Here at the farm.”

  “What was he doing there?” Exasperation gave way to suspicion.

  “He wants Chris and me to prove he’s innocent of killing Davina Dove.”

  The detective gave a low whistle. “That’s a bold move.” He sounded impressed. “Did he tell you anything?”

  “Only that he didn’t do it. He admitted to having an argument with her before the show on Wednesday but said it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary for the way things had been going lately. Did he tell you anything?” she asked hopefully.

  “Pretty much the same thing. The fight was about nothing and he was in his hotel room all evening watching television, which means he has no alibi.”

  “Then why did you release him?” she wanted to know.

  He sounded a little peeved when he answered, “Because he also doesn’t have a motive th
at we can find. If we knew what the argument was about, that might give us an idea. See what you can find out about that.”

  “I will. I’m off to the community centre soon. Did you learn anything else about him?” she asked.

  “Not from him but we did find out that Magnus Wolff is not his real name.”

  “I suspected as much,” she said wistfully. “It was too good to be true. What is it?”

  “Michael Wright. He changed it when he signed up for Mighty Chef.”

  “Just like Davina Dove. I did hear something interesting from Eric Braxton yesterday.”

  “What was that?” the detective asked, with increased interest.

  “It’s possible that the show could continue with Magnus as the star – The Divine Miss Dove Show Starring Magnus Wolff. I don’t know if that is really under consideration by the producers but Eric thought it might be because Magnus is very popular with the fans.”

  The normally taciturn detective whooped with glee. “That would give him a motive! Thanks! I’ll see what I can find out.”

  She remembered something else she wanted to know. “Have you found out who inherits Davina’s money?”

  “Not yet, but we’re contacting her lawyer.”

  Since she seemed to be on a roll, she was emboldened to ask, “What about forensics? Did you learn anything from that?”

  There was a long pause before he replied. Then he sighed and said, “Nothing we can use. There was a multitude of fingerprints and footprints in the gingerbread house but so many people had been through it that they were worthless. Miss Dove’s body was covered – coat, boots, gloves – so the only mark was on her forehead. We think she was killed on the walkway and then dragged into the house. Her heals were scuffed and there were marks on the pavement. The killer probably pulled her by her coat.”

  “Any DNA?”

  “Not from the killer. We think he was wearing gloves.”

  “And no long, red-gold strand of hair.”

  He ignored the mild jibe. “Unfortunately not. The techs are still going over the evidence. We might get lucky but I’m not holding my breath.”

  Alicia hesitated to ask the next question. It was pretty out there. But still, nothing ventured… “Do you know if Davina had any children?”

  Sounding surprised, he replied, “That hasn’t come up. Why, have you heard something?”

  “No, it was just something that came up when I was talking to Eric. He says she never married but that doesn’t mean she never had a child. She could have given one up for adoption when she was young who would be in his teens or even older now.” And there was the unknown ‘Mike Manning’ to consider.

  “It sounds pretty far-fetched but I’ll look into birth records for Deirdre Doyle.”

  “And Chris and I will see what we can find out today.”

  “Good. I want to get this cleared up before I have to let the crew go home. I can’t keep them in town forever. And my wife wants it cleared up so I can help with the Christmas preparations.”

  “We all want it cleared up so we can get on with Christmas. I’ll call you if we learn anything.” Make that, ‘when we learn something’. It pays to think positively.

  Chapter 11

  Driving into town on Saturday morning, Alicia could see the ‘Molly’ signs she’d made posted on telephone poles. Chris had taken them with him when he left to go to the bakery and he seemed to have plastered the town with them. She knew they were doing the right thing, but it wouldn’t be easy giving Molly up.

  As she drove into the community centre parking lot, Alicia remembered that she needed to find out if any of the crew had another job lined up. She’d forgotten to mention the idea to Samuel. But then, she didn’t know if it would make someone more or less likely to kill Davina. If you had a job to go to then you wouldn’t care if the show went under without Davina but if you had a job to go to why kill her? And if you didn’t have a job to go to, why kill the one person everything hinged on? Of course, if you thought she was going to fire you… Oh, her head was spinning. She’d put it out of her mind and think about it later.

  *****

  Betty’s Baked Goods was empty of customers when Chris walked in. Betty, herself, was sitting on a wooden chair behind the counter. looking depressed. Chubby and grandmotherly with rounded cheeks and a short cap of brown curls, well on their way to grey, she was usually bright and chipper, bubbling over with good humour. But not that day. And who could blame her, Chris thought, after the bashing that Davina Dove had given her. He decided he needed to do what he could to pull her out of the dumps, if only for a while.

  “Hi, Betty! I’ve come for some of your sinfully delicious cookies,” he said with a good-humoured smile.

  Betty slowly pulled herself to her feet. “Well, you’re the only one,” she said with a sniffle.

  “Business slow?” he asked, even though the answer was obvious.

  “Non-existent, ever since that Davina Dove slammed my cookies on national television.” Her lips quivered and tears started to form in her eyes. “I might as well close up shop.”

  “Don’t you dare!” he said, truly horrified at the thought. “What would we do without your cookies and cakes and pies, not to mention your amazing bread and rolls? Alicia sent me for cookies but I’d also like a cherry pie.”

  “I know you love my cherry pie, Chris,” Betty said with the beginnings of a little smile as she took one from the display case and boxed it up. “What kind of cookies would you like?”

  Chris put on a show of trying to decide before saying, “I think I’d like some of your raisin cookies and do you have any gingerbread?”

  Betty’s face fell. “No, I haven’t made any since the judging. I thought no one would buy them after what she said about them. I know my gingerbread was crispier than usual but I was afraid the lights would make it go soft. Besides, a lot of people like their gingerbread cookies with a snap.”

  “I know I do,” Chris agreed heartily, with a mischievous grin, and then wondered if he was overdoing things.

  Betty didn’t seem to think so. She smiled gratefully. “I’ll bake some for you tomorrow.”

  “I’ll be sure to come in and get some,” he assured her.

  “You’ve always been good customers, you and Alicia.” Betty’s lips started to tremble again. “That Davina Dove, first she ruined my business with her nasty comments and then she died and ruined my life!”

  Stunned, Chris could only ask, “How did her dying ruin your life?”

  That did it. The floodgates opened. “She was going to buy my bakery,” Betty wailed. “Turn it into one of her Divine Doves. I could have retired early and moved to Florida. Whoever killed her destroyed all of my plans. Now I’ll be stuck here until I’m old and grey and they wheel me off to the old folks’ home.”

  Chris could only marvel at the woman’s complete self-absorption. “I’m sure we’re all glad that you won’t be leaving town, Betty,” he said at last. “I’ll be back tomorrow for the gingerbread.”

  He paid for the pie and cookies and took them from the counter but as he started for the door, he paused and then turned back.

  “You know, Betty, she didn’t start life as Davina Dove. That was a persona she created – a brand – when she started her career. She reinvented herself and it worked. No one had heard of Deirdre Doyle, but Davina Dove – she’s a legend.”

  *****

  The crowds were already lining up at the door at nine forty-five. Smiling apologetically as she rushed past the impatient hoards, Alicia was relieved when the security guard hurried to let her in.

  “There are even more than yesterday,” Saanvi exclaimed as Alicia took off her jacket and tossed it over the back of a chair. “The mayor is planning on dropping by today to bask in the glory of the success of her plan. She’ll be thrilled at the turn-out.”

  “Just don’t mention that most of them are here because of the murder,” Alicia cautioned. “Let her enjoy the illusion. It will keep her happy.�
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  “And when she’s happy, she stays off our backs.” Saanvi snickered conspiratorially.

  “Not necessarily.” Alicia dropped her voice to a whisper. “I have a feeling she’s going to want to know what progress we’ve made in finding the killer.”

  Saanvi’s face fell. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

  Once the crowds had been directed to the various rooms, Alicia gave Saanvi her investigative assignment. The deputy mayor was thrilled to have a mission and went off happily to, as she put it, ‘grill the competitors’. Alicia set off to find Eric Braxton. If anyone would know whether one of the crew was moving on, it would be him. She also needed to learn if he had heard the argument between Magnus and Davina. Someone must know what that was about.

  As Alicia walked into the rotunda, Magnus hurried over from where he had been slouching against the wall.

  “Have you learned anything?” he asked, desperation in his eyes.

  She shook her head. “Nothing yet, but I just got here.”

  He seemed to wilt in front of her, his handsome face lined with worry.

  “They’ve searched my room at the hotel and my car looking for the murder weapon.” His eyes darted back and forth nervously as if he was expecting the police to burst in at any moment.

  “They haven’t found it yet?” Alicia asked, surprised.

  “No.”

  “Do they have any idea what it is they’re looking for?” Surely the medical examiner would have given them that much. She could kick herself that she hadn’t thought to ask Marcus, but then, she wasn’t supposed to be looking for a murder weapon. She had to keep reminding herself that she was just supposed to be trying to pry information from the witnesses.

  “I don’t think so, at least they didn’t mention it.” He didn’t appear to be too bothered by that.

  “That makes it hard to find,” she said ruefully.