Death by Strawberry Cupcake

by Rose Pressey

  Oh well, I was just thankful for this one. I enjoyed the exercise anyway. The brisk walk across the lot was good for me. I didn’t want Finn’s lousy spot by the door anyway. Never mind it was scorching hot and I had sweat dripping down the side of my face. Oh, pardon me, not sweat, but a glistening of glitter perspiration.

  When I first started to show for my audition, I’d brought my grandmother’s giant mixing bowl. But based on the reaction from everybody, I figured I should just leave it at home. It was a shame though because it was cute, and I thought it was my good luck charm. Maybe it wasn’t though because the only good luck I’d had was getting the show. Everything else was questionable. Maybe I really should bring it back though.

  I stepped inside the studio and headed down the hallway straight from my dressing room. I couldn’t wait to get inside and get a bit of air conditioning. I tried to concentrate on the upcoming show and push thoughts of a murder investigation out of my head. I needed to focus if I wanted to be on my game on set today.

  I stopped at the door of the dressing room and looked to the right. Finn’s room was right next door. I wondered if he was already in there. I certainly wasn’t going to knock and find out. I opened the door and stepped inside my dressing room. A rack of clothing was on the wall ahead of me and to the left was a mirror with lights all around it.

  I noticed a piece of paper waiting for me on the counter. Someone had left me a note. Now every time I saw a piece of paper, I got anxiety. But before I could retrieve the note to find out what it said, yelling caught my attention from out in the hallway.

  I rushed over to the door and peeked out. The security guard was pulling someone out of the hallway, dragging him away. Finn was standing there watching everything.

  “What is going on out here?” I asked.

  “Apparently that man just broke in and ran back here. The security guard tackled him. It was kind of awesome.”

  “What was he doing?”

  “He came to see someone.” Finn hadn’t even looked at me yet.

  “Why so secretive?” I asked.

  He still hadn’t answered my question.

  “He was here to see someone. Was it me?” I asked.

  Finally, Finn turned his attention to me. “Yes, I think I heard him call out your name and profess his love for you.”

  My eyes widened. “Are you kidding me? Why would he do something like that?”

  “You know sometimes you get people who act strange.”

  “That’s putting it mildly. I don’t know him.”

  “Well, he probably thinks he knows you.”

  “After getting a note yesterday, I’m not sure how much more I can handle. I need a chocolate cupcake. Speaking of notes… There was one on my makeup counter waiting for me.”

  Finn followed me back to the dressing room. It was probably nothing, I reminded myself. No need to get all worked up. Maybe it was just a note from the producer telling me something about the show today.

  “Did you get a note?” I asked.

  “No notes for me sorry,” he said.

  My hands shook as I reached down and picked up the paper. I unfolded it and read the words.

  Don’t meddle in something that doesn’t concern you. I won’t warn you again.

  I swayed just a bit as I read the note. Finn caught me. I handed him the paper.

  “Exactly what happened last night?” he asked.

  “Nothing happened.”

  “I have my ways of finding out,” he said. “I know you were involved in something to do with the police.”

  I sat down on the stool. “Okay, I’ll be honest with you. I found another body.”

  His eyes widened. “Who this time? I’m not sure if I should stand here next to you. People are dropping like flies around here.”

  “I had nothing to do with it,” I said. “It wasn’t my fault.”

  “I’m beginning to wonder,” he said.

  “I think it was the candy shop owner’s husband, but I’m not sure yet. I’m waiting to hear from the police.”

  “I’m going to need to hear more of this story than that,” Finn said.

  I explained what happened.

  “But I have a feeling that the person we saw murdered wasn’t in fact the husband. It was someone else.”

  “But where is the husband?” he asked.

  “Maybe he was the one who took off outside after killing the person,” I said.

  “So where is he now?” Finn asked.

  “That’s a good question,” I said “And who is he? He probably saw me talking to the next-door neighbor.”

  Finn shook his head. “It’s really hard to understand all of this. I don’t know how you get yourself in all of these situations.”

  “I suppose it’s a talent,” I said.

  “You might call it that, but some people might call it something else.”

  “I don’t even want to know what other people might call it,” I said. “Right now, I have to find out who is leaving me the little love notes.”

  “Well, in the meantime, we have to get on set.”

  There was a knock and the door opened.

  Ruby peeked in. “Sorry, Scarlet, but I really need to do your makeup and you should change.”

  Finn already had his makeup on. Of course, it didn’t take long for him.

  “I’ll be on the set waiting for you. Try to stay out of trouble while I’m gone.”

  I smiled. “I’ll try my best.”

  “What’s that all about?” Ruby asked.

  I pointed out the note on the counter.

  She peeked down and read it. “Did you just get another note?”

  “Yes, it seems as if someone is angry with me.”

  “I heard that someone broke into the studio just a minute ago looking for you.”

  “I’m not sure what that was all about. Finn seems to think it was just a viewer. But I don’t know what to think.”

  “You really need to be careful,” she said, applying my lipstick.

  “I know that all too well,” I mumbled through puckered lips.

  Ruby finished up my makeup and then I put on a red dress and slipped into my heels.

  I had to fight off the sense of dread as I headed for the set. I couldn’t be stressed out or look like I was upset while filming a segment for cupcakes. I had to be happy and smiling. But in the back my mind I was worried about if there is a killer around. I had seen the murder. That was what the killer thought. And now the killer most likely thought I’d seen them. I just wanted to tell them that I didn’t know who they were and to just leave me alone.

  I was involved in this and I would have to find out who the killer was so that they wouldn’t come after me and succeed in eliminating me. Everyone was already waiting for me as I stepped onto the set. The bright lights let me know that I was the focus now. Nowhere to hide with those things shining like a spotlight on me. At least the set was decorated with bright and cheery décor. Nothing dark and gloomy. That would only make things worse.

  “Well, she finally decided to join us,” Adam said from behind the camera.

  He certainly had talked much at first when I met him, but now, he enjoyed teasing me often.

  I’d actually suspected him of murder before. But who could blame me with the creepy way he had acted. He had calmed that act down a bit now. At least I hoped he continued to act this way. I smiled and waved as I headed over to the kitchen set.

  “It couldn’t be avoided,” I said.

  Little did I know that was so true. Finn was waiting for me, looking dashing and handsome. My gorgeous co-host of course. He smiled and I hurried the rest of the way over. Today we would be making the red velvet cupcakes and I just hoped that I didn’t mess it up because I was so anxious. The bright lights were blinding, and it was extremely hot under them. I stood in my usual spot next to the Finn and prepared myself for the filming to start.

  “Are you doing all right?” Finn asked.

  “As well as
can be expected,” I said.

  “Let’s make this show a good one,” the producer said.

  Finn and I took turns with our lines. I added the flour and he added sugar. I supposed we made a good team. He was always teasing me while on the set, which seemed to make the fans of the show happy. And I supposed I didn’t mind it much either.

  I pulled the cupcakes out of the oven and then proceeded to put frosting on the other batch that we’d made. I was surprised how easy this was all coming to me now after only a short time on the show. At first, I’d been terrified. I looked back on those first couple of episodes and realized that I actually looked terrified while on camera. I liked to think that I looked more at ease now.

  I added red sprinkles to the top of the white frosting. Next, I scattered shaved chocolate to the top. The cupcakes looked pretty on the cake beautiful crystal cake stand.

  “So Scarlet, do you have any of your special tips for us today?” Finn asked.

  What? That wasn’t part of the script. I hated when he did this to me. I thought I’d made that perfectly clear. Now I stared at the camera like a deer caught in the headlights. That wasn’t a good look. Was he doing this on purpose? I would have a talk with him later about this.

  “Special tips? Yes, enjoy the cupcakes,” I said with a laugh. “What about you, Finn? Do you have any special tips?”

  Ha. Now I had tossed it back to him.

  “Actually, when using the pastry bag made sure not to add too much frosting inside.”

  Okay, that came out as smooth as the frosting he’d just added to the cupcake. Why did he have so much charm and I always looked like a fumbling idiot? It was time to move on from this disaster.

  “Thank you for that wonderful advice,” I said through a forced smile.

  Chapter 13

  As soon as we wrapped up filming the episode, I grabbed up one of the cupcakes and headed across this set for the dressing room. I was on a mission to find out who was leaving these notes. There had to be some evidence of who had been in my dressing room. I would speak with the security guards and ask about the person that they had captured trying to get to me. Maybe it was the same person who left the note. It was definitely a place to start.

  Finn ran up behind me. “What are you doing now?”

  “I’m going to find out who left that note for me.”

  “Don’t you think that’s something the police should do?” he asked.

  “Why because they’re experienced?”

  “Well, yes, that’s pretty much the reason,” he said. “That’s pretty much what they do.”

  “No thanks. I’m sure they’re good at their job, but I’m not going to wait around to find out.”

  “What’s the matter? You have problems with Detective Bailey?” Finn asked with a hint of laughter.

  I got the impression that Finn would be happy about that. I wasn’t relying on Detective Bailey to help me out of this problem.

  “I can handle this,” I said.

  “How about you let me help you find out who did this?”

  I glanced over at him. “If you want. Just don’t try to stand in my way and tell me that something I’m doing is too dangerous.”

  He held his hand up. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I give you five minutes before you’re telling me again that I should let the police handle this.”

  He waved his hand. “No, no. I won’t do it, I promise. So what do you have planned first?”

  “Getting out of these heels and eating this cupcake,” I said.

  He chuckled. “Fair enough. What about after that?”

  “I’ll let you know.”

  Finn and I went our separate ways. He disappeared into his dressing room and me into mine. I plopped down on the sofa in the corner of the room and kicked off my heels. I just needed a moment to unwind. I peeled back the paper lining from my cupcake and took a big bite. I closed my eyes and savored the flavor. This was especially delicious after the day I’d had.

  Within a short amount of time, the cupcake was gone. I quickly changed back into my shorts, T-shirt, and flip-flops, putting the clothing from the show back onto the rack and then grabbed my bag. I stuffed the note into the bag. Maybe I should just hide out in the dressing room all day and all of this would go away. That wasn’t a good idea. After all, the person responsible for the note had obviously been in my dressing room.

  Just as I was passing Finn’s door he stepped outside the hallway.

  “Are you leaving without me?” he asked.

  “Of course not,” I said with a smile.

  He raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, right.”

  “No, really I was going to talk to the security guys.” I motioned.

  “And you weren’t going to wait for me?” Finn furrowed his brow.

  Yeah, I needed you to do that. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

  “We’re in this together. I’m helping you one hundred percent.”

  “If you say so,” I said.

  I wasn’t sure I liked this idea. Once again, I was always trying to do things myself. No help from anyone else. It was yet another thing with a co-host. I didn’t need help or anyone messing around with my murder investigation as well.

  We stepped over to the receptionist. She looked up at us from her book. A loose strand of brown her tumbled to her face.

  She pushed it back and said, “What can I do for you?”

  Now I had to repeat my question. Apparently, I had interrupted her from her reading.

  “Is the security guard around? I’d like to speak with him about the incident involving me earlier,” I said.

  She picked up the phone. “I’ll call and get him for you.”

  Finn and I stepped away from the desk and waited by the door for the security officer to come around. It was only a few seconds until he popped around the corner.

  “Hello, Scarlet,” he said with a big smile.

  “Good afternoon,” I said.

  At least he was nice and seemed to like me well enough. He could’ve told me to get lost or not told me anything at all.

  “Sorry about what happened earlier. We got everything under control.” He puffed his chest out.

  “Do you know who that person was?” I asked. “I’m a bit concerned.”

  “Well, he certainly won’t be coming around here anymore. The guy wouldn’t tell us his name and then he managed to get away before the police arrived.”

  “You called the cops?” I asked.

  I wondered if Detective Bailey would find out about this.

  “Well, no we didn’t call the cops. We were going to, but like I said, he got away.”

  Maybe they should’ve called the police anyway. Finn chuckled and I glared at him.

  “I can guarantee that he’s not coming back around here,” the security guard said.

  “Do you think you got inside my dressing room before you caught him? Maybe he left a note in my dressing room?”

  How would he have gotten in without anybody seeing him?

  “No came in here at all. There’s no way they’re getting around me,” the security guard said.

  I wasn’t so sure I believed that.

  I turned to the receptionist. “Did you see anyone?”

  She shook her head no.

  “Someone one left a note with you before and you didn’t get his name then either,” I said.

  She looked annoyed with me.

  “You’re sure you saw nothing?” I pressed.

  She narrowed her eyes more and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

  Okay, I guessed that was a no from her.

  I turned to the security guard again. “Well, thanks for taking care of that.”

  “Anytime, Scarlet,” he said.

  I motioned for Finn to follow me outside into the parking lot.

  “Well, that was pretty pointless,” I said.

  “At least you tried,” he said. “You wouldn’t know until you ask.”

&nb
sp; “No, you’re right I had to ask. Now what do I do from here?”

  “I’m just following your orders,” he said. “That’s the thing, I don’t have any orders.”

  “I really do,” he said

  “That’s my point of contact.” I blew the hair out of my eyes.

  “Unfortunately, that’s the way it works sometimes. How about we get some lunch?” he asked.

  “I guess I do you need for fuel. But I should be doing something about this note.”

  “You could just give it time and do it after we have lunch.”

  “I really would feel more comfortable if I had the detective looking at this right away.”

  “All right. If that’s what you want, then that’s what we’ll do,” he said.

  Finn was being sweet about this. And I appreciated that.

  “I’ll drive, I said as I motioned toward my car. “We’ll go to the sandwich shop around the corner. The detective can meet us there. We’ll get lunch and show the note to him. Problem solved.”

  “Yeah, problem solved,” Finn said less than enthusiastically.

  I knew that was this shop was the detective’s favorite place. Finn didn’t seem that thrilled, but unless he had a better option and that was where we were going. Finn got into the car with me.

  The air-conditioner had been on full blast, so I turned it down. The music was also pretty loud.

  “80s?” Finn said.

  “Yeah, it’s kind of my favorite. My mom listened to it a lot, so I guess I got it from her.”

  “I like it,” he said with a smile.

  That was the thing with Finn, I never knew he was just saying that, or he was being sincere. It felt strange having him in the car with me. I was always self-conscious around him for some reason. Unlike when I was with Detective. I was more determined around him.

  I pulled out onto the highway and pointed the car in the direction of the sandwich shop. “I suppose I should ask the detective to meet us.”

  “Well considering he doesn’t know he has an appointment with us, yeah, that’s probably a good idea,” Finn said with a laugh.

  I would ask Finn to send the message, but I didn’t trust him. When we stopped at a red light, I typed up a message.

  “Okay, hopefully he can make it,” I said.