Ooey Gooey Bakery Mystery Box Set

by Katherine H Brown

  “That’s right. Along with mandatory, hand-picked date.” Sam sighed and closed her eyes. “I foolishly thought once upon a time that she would stop trying to control my life when I was an adult. Obviously, I was wrong.”

  “She is determined,” I agreed.

  “That’s not the worst part,” Sam looked back up at us. “Landon brought me a beautiful flower arrangement that he got from Flo’s. Look around, do you see it?”

  We both shook our heads in the negative.

  “Mother didn’t bring it. By now, I’m sure it has been tossed in the trash somewhere in the hospital.”

  I bit my lip to contain a smile. It would be inappropriate to smile at my friend’s distress, but I couldn’t help but be happy that something might be developing between her and Landon. It would be interesting to watch.

  “She’s really something, isn’t she?” BeeBee curled her lip in disgust, snapping me out of my own matchmaking fantasy and back to the reality of Deidra’s narcissism.

  After some questions, we learned that Sam was still being seen by a doctor, her mother’s private physician. “He left about an hour ago. He says that I shouldn’t be surprised if the headaches come and go for the next several months. So far, the spots have remained clear from my vision and I finally feel awake and alert again. The doctor said those are both good signs that, even if I experience Post-Concussion Syndrome, it will not be severe for me.”

  I realized that we should be going soon if we wanted to make it to church on time so that I could introduce BeeBee to Pastor Dan. I’d been thinking that she might be able to get a spot at the O Heavenly Day Spa, since the church operated it as part of a relief ministry for abused women, both for rejuvenating treatments or jobs to restore them to a place of independence.

  “You’re taking me with you, right? That is why you came, a jailbreak?” Sam tugged at my arm.

  “I’m going to leave that up to Griff,” I told her. “I don’t think even I could sneak you out of here with Deidra in the house. She’d probably call the cops on me for something if I even tried. Where is your brother anyway?”

  “Don’t know. I haven’t seen him since yesterday before I was moved.”

  “Well, if I see him, then I’ll let him know to come here and get you.”

  “Thanks. Thanks for the flowers, BeeBee.” Sam waved bye as we left the room. I took a direct path to the front door. No need to experience the pleasure of Deidra’s company again if we could help it.

  We left the grounds without incident. On the way out, I promised to have some free goodies waiting for Jerry at the bakery the next time that he came in. He nodded, but he still didn’t look convinced that he wasn’t going to be fired. He kept glancing up the hill at the main house, even while I was speaking to him.

  Chapter 22

  Miracle of all miracles, we arrived at Sandy Shores Evangelical Church with two minutes to spare before the morning service began. I nearly bumped into Griff as we were heading into the foyer. “Hey stranger,” I greeted him. “I tried to call you this morning.”

  “I know. I’ve been on the phone all day trying to find Sam. Mother has taken her to a private care facility or something. I was just asking Pastor Dan’s wife if anybody had mentioned Deidra bringing Sam to the spa for treatments.”

  I brought a hand to Griff’s shoulder. “I found her. Your mother took her home with her and is having doctors visit the house.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yep. BeeBee and I just left there.”

  “How did you…?” Music began playing and I held up a hand, interrupting Griff’s question.

  “I’ll explain later. Sam wants you to come and take her home. Deidra is basically holding her hostage in the guest bedroom.”

  Griff rubbed his forehead. “That is crazy. She didn’t even like to care for us as sick kids. Why would she insist Sam be there now?”

  “She has her own agenda, no doubt. We have to get inside though. The service is starting.” I squeezed his arm and then eased through the doors of the sanctuary with BeeBee behind me. Since the praise and worship had already started, everyone was standing up which made it easier to come in unnoticed. I slipped into a row of chairs at the back and let the music flow over me as I caught my breath from the morning’s events.

  I joined in with the singing, willing my thoughts to clear. Soon, a calm and joy bubbled within me and my smile grew as I sang louder. Though the words were on two different screens up front, BeeBee appeared uncomfortable and watched the crowded room of people. A fleeting thought crossed my mind: I wondered if BeeBee had ever been to church before.

  As the choir returned to their seats and the music time ended, Pastor Dan crossed the platform and stopped behind the pulpit. “Good morning brothers and sisters!” Pastor Dan, though quiet in person, was always excited during his sermon. “What a fine and beautiful day God has given us.”

  “Amen,” chorused several of the front row individuals.

  “Let us rejoice and be glad in this day.” Pastor Dan prayed, quoting part of Psalm 118:24, followed by giving praise to the Creator and remarking on several specific things he was joyful about today. Afterward, he launched right into his sermon on freedom. “With Independence Day right around the corner,” he said at one point, “one should consider the hard-won freedom. But I’m not talking about freedom of religion, freedom of speech, or freedom from other countries. I want to look at what the Bible tells us of the ultimate freedom. Freedom from sin, freedom from chains, freedom from the wrath of God that we cannot win, we cannot earn, we cannot write for ourselves. This freedom is given only through Jesus Christ.”

  The sermon was poignant, there were shouts of agreement and clapping, men and women alike stepping out to pray at the altar. Pastor Dan closed the sermon reminding us the cost of our freedom as believers, reading John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall be saved. For myself, it was a reminder that I didn’t rejoice in my freedom in Christ as often as it warranted; I didn’t always value it as precious as the price that was paid for it. BeeBee, I noticed, brushed away a stray tear or two.

  After the close of the service, I stayed put with BeeBee in our seats as the rest of the congregation trickled out. Some went alone, some were in families, many others clustered together in groups of friends all moving slowly as one big unit toward the double-door exits on the right and left sides of the back wall.

  Gladys caught sight of us as she was on her way to the exit and scooted in to sit with us. That turned out to be a good thing; I was able to tell her not to bother stopping back by the hospital to see Sam since she was no longer a patient there.

  “Has that woman ever had her brain examined?” Gladys asked about Deidra.

  “No, doctors have been too busy searching for a heart all of these years,” I joked.

  “Where’s Griff?” she asked.

  “Gone to break Sam out of confinement. He left right after closing prayers to go to Deidra’s place and check on Sam.”

  At last, the long line of people leaving dwindled to only two or three. “Would you mind opening up the bakery with Victoria if I’m running late?” I asked Gladys. “I want to introduce BeeBee to Pastor Dan and Nora.” We had been opening the bakery at one on Sundays lately, and quite the after-church crowd had been frequenting it. It was a good compromise; we still got part of the day off, yet the bakery still sold plenty of goodies in the afternoon to make opening worth it.

  “I don’t mind at all,” Gladys gave BeeBee a hug. “You’ll just love Pastor Dan. Everybody does.”

  ~

  Nora and Pastor Dan had insisted we join them for coffee and tea in the pastor’s office. It was snug fitting four of us in the small room, but cozy and full of life. Framed photos decorated the walls, interspersed with crosses and Bible verse plaques; the bookshelves were bulging with volumes stacked every-which-way. “Are you sure we can’t get you anything to eat?” Nora asked for the second time, lookin
g closely at BeeBee.

  BeeBee pulled a chocolate from the candy bowl on the desk. “No thanks, this is fine.” She looked at her hands as she began to unwrap the silver foil from around the treat. “I thought that what you had to say this morning was really interesting, sir.” She glanced at Pastor Dan and ducked her glance again.

  “Thank you, but it isn’t just me saying it. God gives us the promise of freedom and forgiveness in the Bible,” Pastor Dan smiled wide. “Would you like to read some of them?”

  “I guess so, yes.” BeeBee leaned forward in the chair as Pastor Dan opened his thick Bible up and took her through what to me were the familiar passages of the Romans Road, several scriptures in the book of Romans that explained about salvation. As for BeeBee, her eyes widened more with each new verse until I feared she was going to strain them.

  When BeeBee didn’t say anything after they were through, Pastor Dan reached around behind him and pulled a thinner leather book from the shelf. “Here. I’d like you to take this Bible and read some more whenever you want to. Nora or I am always around here somewhere and would be happy to answer any questions.”

  “Okay. Thank you,” BeeBee grasped the Bible tightly and wiggled in her chair, seemingly unable to get comfortable.

  “You know,” I took a sip of iced tea, “I was wondering if there were any openings or perhaps a need for an extra set of hands at the spa?”

  “Oh? Are you looking to get out of the bakery?” Nora asked, eyes wide with a look of surprise.

  “No, not for me. For BeeBee. She worked at a massage establishment,” I ignored BeeBee nearly choking on her candy next to me, and forged on with my idea. “I thought, with as busy as the O Heavenly Day Spa stays, there might be work for her there?”

  “How old are you, BeeBee?” Nora handed her a napkin. “If you don’t mind my asking, of course. You just look so young.”

  “I’m seventeen.”

  Pastor Dan shook his head. “Unfortunately, the policy says we can’t hire anyone for a massage therapist position under the age of eighteen. When is your birthday?”

  BeeBee washed the last of her chocolate down with a drink. “In December,” she answered.

  “If you’ll come to the spa in November and get an application, I’d be happy to go with you when you turn it in.” Pastor Dan smiled, wide and warm. “I have a little pull with the hiring department, you know.” He chuckled.

  “Darling, I don’t want to cut our chat short but you do remember you have to leave for the jail soon, right?” Nora glanced at the bracelet on her arm and I noticed it had a small clock charm on it.

  “We’re sorry for taking up so much of your time,” I stood to leave.

  “Don’t be sorry. It was a pleasure to meet you BeeBee,” Pastor Dan shook her hand. “Don’t forget about that application, and I hope to see you plenty before your birthday. Piper, we’ll be by for some more delicious desserts soon.”

  “Sounds great, Pastor.” I fell into step beside Nora as we spilled out into the hallway. “Nora, did you say Dan has to go to the jail?”

  “Yes. It’s visiting day on Sunday and my dear Dan tries to go at least once a month to see some of the folks who don’t get visitors. He brings some little encouragement and offers free Bibles as well.”

  “I see. Thanks for sharing. Y’all have a wonderful afternoon.” I hugged Nora and Pastor Dan. They stood holding hands in the doorway, waving as we left the church parking lot.

  ~

  BeeBee went into Flo’s, while I hurried inside the bakery. Gladys had her hands full with the after-church crowd and I took over handing out goodies while she took payments. When we finally hit a lull and everyone was seated, I swiped the screen on my phone and opened my internet browser. A quick search showed me the information I wanted; Pierson County Jail was also open for visitation this afternoon until five pm.

  My phone rang. “Hey,” I answered it. “I was just about to call you.”

  “Hey yourself,” Griff said. “Before I forget, I got a call from Sheriff Kent a few minutes ago.”

  “Did they catch the guy?” I squeezed the phone a little tighter.

  “No. They found a white Mercedes abandoned, flat tire, on a back road not far from where you and Sam were run off the highway.”

  My heart sank. The partial license plate from the Mercedes was the only solid lead the police had. It was beginning to look like the bad guy was going to get away with murder. “Any sign of the dark car that ran us off the road?” I doubted it but had to ask.

  “Nope.” I could hear the frustration in Griff’s voice. “He says with no make, model, or plate number that they have nothing to go on to even look for it.” There was a short pause before Griff tried to change the subject and cheer me up. “I got Sam home, safe and sound.”

  “Good!” I smiled, though he couldn’t see me. “What did it take this time?”

  A low chuckle escaped as Griff answered. “Sam told Mother that if she didn’t let her leave, she would start writing the doctor notes that she was being held hostage.”

  “Good for her.”

  “Didn’t you say you were calling me about something?” Griff asked. “Let me guess, you miss me already?”

  “Ha,” I laugh. “Yes, but I’m calling for a different reason. How would you feel about a little road trip to Pierson County this afternoon?” I explained my plan. Griff grudgingly agreed to pick me up in fifteen minutes. “At least I called you,” I told him.

  “True. Maybe there’s hope for you yet,” he joked.

  I told Gladys the plan while I waited for Griff.

  “Hmm,” she ran a finger across her chin thoughtfully. “It might work.” She grabbed a small plastic to-go container and put a sampling of six different desserts in it. Handing it over to me, she said, “Take these just in case though. More flies with honey and all that – sugar is probably even better than honey.”

  “Thanks, Gladys.” Minutes later, Griff arrived to pick me up as promised. As we drove, panicked thoughts assaulted my mind. Did I really want to do this? Go back into that jail? Sit across from Regina and ask for her help, when not long ago she would have killed me or sold me to other traffickers if given the chance? The thoughts tempted me to abandon my plan. But, deep down, I knew I would regret it if I didn’t at least try. I had to do this.

  Chapter 23

  Griff parked in the visitor lot of Pierson County Jail. I stared out the window at the ugly tan brick building. A shiver coursed through me and I gave an involuntary shudder. I did not want to be here.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” Griff asked.

  “Of course,” I lied. Not one single part of me felt good about this. Still, the determination lingered.

  “We could grab a late lunch instead. Nobody would blame you for not going inside.”

  “It’s fine. Regina might know something and if she does, I want to find out.” I grabbed the door handle. “I’ll be okay, really.”

  “I still think I should go in with you.” Griff frowned, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

  “And I appreciate that,” I told him. “I think that Regina will be more likely to talk if she doesn’t feel ganged up on though. I’ll be back soon.”

  I forced myself to walk up the steps to the jail’s main entrance, not looking back at Griff waiting patiently in the truck lest I give up and run back to him. I cringed as my mind played my time in a holding cell over on a loop; the smells, even in memory, made me nearly gag. When Pastor Dan mentioned visiting at the jail it had spurred this crazy thought in me that Regina might be hurting for visitors. Perhaps she’d had time to think about her actions; maybe she even regretted them. If so, she might know something about the man who kept trying to kill me.

  I noticed there were not many other names listed as I signed in on the visitor’s list.

  “License or other valid ID?” the officer behind the desk held out a hand expectantly.

  “Here you go.” I fished my driver’s license out of my pu
rse and handed it to him. I was grateful Sheriff Kent had called in to get me added to the Approved Visitor Roster while Griff and I were on the way over.

  “Have a seat in the waiting area,” the officer instructed, returning my license. “You’ll need to leave your purse in a locker. Here’s a list of items allowed in the visitation room.”

  I took the slip of paper; it didn’t need to be large because the list it contained was minimal: ID, glasses (medical), change or dollar bills. So much for bribing her with cookies, I thought. Griff and I would just have to eat those on the way home. I placed my purse in a locker and took the key from the door. It would be stupid for someone to steal inside of a jail, but I wasn’t taking any chances.

  After sitting for about twenty minutes, I saw a stream of people exit a side door. Another officer, a young female, brought up the rear of the line. “Next visitation group,” she called.

  I fell into line with others from the waiting area and we were led to a large open room with several small plastic tables and chairs. Most of the tables were occupied by one inmate. I searched the faces and finally spotted Regina.

  “You.” Regina bit out the word, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “Me,” I smiled but faltered at her icy stare. This wasn’t going to be easy; darn, I wish I had those cookies. Might as well cut to the chase. “Listen, I was hoping to get some information from you. If it helps, it might even look good to the D.A. at trial.”

  “I have nothing to say to you.”

  “Just hear me out. It’s not like you have anywhere else to be.” Oops. Maybe not the honeyed approach that Gladys recommended. “Please,” I added.

  Regina stared.

  Right then, here we go. “Did you send someone to kill me?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “There’s a guy that has been following me, and my friends, bugging our vehicles. He tried to shoot me, then tried to have me killed in a car wreck. Did you send him after me?”