I bet that’s Fiona.
“How about Hazel? Was she upset?”
“I don’t know. Amanda only ever complained about Slater. They weren’t too close at the end.”
“But he was there the night of my engagement party.” That still feels strange to say.
She nods. “He’s good friends with Chrissy. And, of course, Chrissy and Mark are inseparable.”
“So maybe Slater did this? Although, I can’t imagine a sibling being responsible for such a grisly death.”
“This is true. Something was definitely going on with her, though. Just a couple days before her death, she made mention of going to the police. Something to do with people getting ripped off. I don’t know. And I could never tell if she was afraid of her brother. It sure seemed that way at times.”
“Huh.” The picture seems to be filling in, but too bad it’s still fuzzy. “Is there anyone else she talked to? Another friend she might have confided in the last few days?”
She shakes her head as she looks to the ceiling. “Outside of Connie and me, I can’t think of—” She snaps her fingers. “There was that guy, the cute pastor? She said they were great friends. She spent a ton of time at that church up in Honey Hollow. You know, weddings and funerals every weekend. She said he was a great ear to bend. He might know something.”
“Pastor Gaines?” This flummoxes me.
“That’s the guy!” She claps her hands in my face for getting it right. “But you might be wasting your time speaking with him. You know, that whole confidentially thing those guys have. Anyway, whoever killed Amanda that night wasn’t thinking, if you ask me. Why kill her in a crowd when you could have done it in private?”
“The more suspects, I suppose?”
“I guess. But none of this makes sense. Despite her flaws, Amanda was well-liked. I used to tease her that even the people she hurt the most still liked her.” She shrugs.
“You mean Connie?”
“And me.” Her face turns an instant shade of crimson. “Make it Happen was my baby until Amanda thought she could make a few improvements. And before you know it, she was running the show. I stepped aside and eventually sold it to her for a couple hundred dollars. I guess I wasn’t cut out for that line of work.” Her lips press white. “But then, she’s not cut out for it now, is she?” She scoops up her boombox. “Excuse me.” She takes off, and a cold chill runs through me.
Owlbert flies right through my chest, but that doesn’t explain the icy shivers running up my spine.
Noah comes up along with my sister and Keelie.
“What did you glean, Lottie?” he asks, burying those evergreen eyes into mine.
“Nothing. And everything,” I say hypnotically. “Let’s get out of here.”
All the way home I think about what Janelle revealed.
Connie seems far too nice and forgiving. Not even mentioning a betrayal that big? Of course, she didn’t. She knew revenge was coming. And Slater? A will or a bank account? I smell greed. I know all about that drama intimately. And then, there’s Janelle herself. She could be deflecting me with all that talk about why the killer chose the engagement party as a venue for death. But that revelation toward the end?
Janelle Hastings had her company stolen right from underneath her.
It seems Amanda Wellington was well-versed in stealing boyfriends and companies.
And ultimately, it drove someone to steal the most precious thing of all—her life.
Chapter 12
The next day, I decide to progress my investigation by asking my mother and her questionable boyfriend out to dinner.
I knew there was trouble in paradise when she asked which one. But, of course, I insisted she bring Pastor Gaines. No offense to Mayor Nash, but he won’t do me any good as far as moving this case along. And since I’ve dubbed this a double date, I had to go about the business of eating crow.
Since Noah crawled up on my already rattled nerves last night and burrowed on in, I quickly scratched his name off the list of potential prospects. I texted Everett the invite and he agreed to meet me for dinner, but only if I’d agree to a nightcap at his place later. My mouth watered just thinking about heading to Everett’s place in just a few short hours.
How I miss those wild kisses, those wild nights we spent lighting his entire house on fire with our desire. And, of course, I feel like a ninny for even thinking about any of that because Noah and I are supposed to either find closure or each other. I can’t help it, though. I’m weak.
Mom and I settled on the Honey Pot Diner. For as much as I walk in and out of that establishment all week, I hardly ever dine there, so it’s a perfect excuse to partake in whatever feasts the master chefs have on special.
It’s well into the evening. The sun set hours ago, and the crisp autumn breeze whistles outside the window we’re seated by as the moon illuminates the maples a magical shade of yellow.
Inside the Honey Pot, the large resin oak tree is aglow with twinkle lights. Nearly every table is filled to capacity—a few townies, but mostly tourists. A group of young men laugh boisterously nearby, and I happen to glance over just as a young man with red hair, a pushed-in nose, and wide-set eyes does a double take my way and glowers as if I was admonishing them. That’s not true. I couldn’t care less how loud they were as long as they paid their bill and tipped Keelie twice what she was due.
I scoot my seat closer to Everett and decide not to look past this table for the rest of the night.
Both my mother and I decide on the lemon chicken, and both Everett and Pastor Gaines have decided on the surf and turf special.
Everett looks dangerously handsome tonight in his jet-black suit with gray pinstripes, and his tie gleams as if it were filled with stars. There’s something supernatural about Everett’s comely looks regardless of his glowing tie. He’s a man’s man through and through, and I can’t help but become hypnotized by him.
He and Pastor Gaines are busy carrying on a conversation about some law that Pastor Gaines inquired about, but I’m too love-struck to keep up with it.
“Psst.” My mother gives my arm a quick tap and snaps me out of my Everett-induced trance. Her hair is lightened more than usual, giving it a buttercream appeal, and her lips are swathed a glossy cherry red. Miranda Lemon truly is a stunning woman. “You’re looking at him just the way I used to look at your father.” She touches her chest as if the idea melted her. “It must be true love, Lottie.”
I glance to Everett, and every cell in my body heats up for him.
It is love. That I can never deny.
Our food comes, and Pastor Gaines says a quick blessing. No sooner do I open my eyes than I spot Owlbert on the table doing his best to peck away at Pastor Gaines’ sirloin.
“Please, Lottie, do something about this inability to digest. You can’t expect us to show up at a meal this tempting and not steal a bite or two.”
I do feel guilty about that. But since there’s nothing I can do about his present digestive wishes, I can at least get right to the chase—or case as it were.
“Pastor Gaines”—I start, picking up my fork—“Hazel tells me she’s filling in her sister’s shoes. How’s she working out for you?”
His eyes flit to the ceiling a moment. “Hazel is no Amanda, but she’s learning the ropes. She booked a live band for a funeral and had a eulogy set out for a wedding I did last week.”
We all share a warm laugh on her behalf, and I casually pick up Everett’s hand in the event Owlbert feels the need to squawk his mind.
Owlbert hops my way, landing smack in the middle of Everett’s side of mashed potatoes. “Good work. You’ve warmed him up. Now go in for the kill.”
I glance to Everett and smile before reverting my attention to Pastor Gaines. “Hazel seems like a sweet girl. But Amanda was a powerhouse.”
Mom chortles when I say powerhouse. My mother is a powerhouse in and of herself, so I’m guessing she likes the camaraderie.
“That she was.” He
lifts a brow. “Amanda could do spectacular things that Hazel can never do.”
Mom clicks her tongue at him. “Now don’t say that. I’m sure Hazel will rise to the occasion.”
Why would Pastor Gaines close off to Hazel like that? A thought occurs to me.
“Amanda once told me you were very close friends.” She didn’t, but that’s beside the point.
His eyes widen, and for once that creepy smile glides off his face as he glances to my mother.
“We were. She was a sweet soul. Lost her parents earlier this year and was in need of counseling. Of course, I stepped onto the scene just a few months ago myself, but I lent her an ear whenever she needed it.”
Mom breaks apart her dinner roll in anguish. “The poor girl. Losing one parent is bad enough, but both of them? Do you know what happened?”
“Helicopter crash.” He nods. “They were touring a volcano in South America and it went down.”
“That’s terrible.” I shudder as I think about it. “And how terrible for Amanda and her siblings. She has a brother, too, right?”
“Slater.” The creepy smile bounces back to his lips. “Amanda didn’t care much for him. He felt slighted by her—something to do with a joint bank account that belonged to their parents. Perhaps a will?” He shakes his head as if he were unclear on that.
Note to self: Speak to Slater.
“Well, I certainly understand how things can go south quickly whenever there’s a will involved.”
Mom lifts her glass as if she were toasting me. “But, Lottie has a court date set for next Thursday concerning the will she’s involved in, and we’re confident she will come out the victor.”
Everett gives my hand a light squeeze, his lips curling at the tips. “It sounds as if you’ll be in my neck of the woods. Please feel free to stop by my chambers if you get a chance.”
“That sounds like an exciting date.” My entire body sizzles from head to toe as I recall our last dalliance in his coital chambers. I do believe my motion to speak was denied and a good time was had by all.
Everett’s chest thunders with a barely-there laugh because I have a feeling we’re sharing the same memory.
“Speaking of exciting dates”—Mom starts in, and I’m terrified we’re getting too far off the subject of Amanda—“I ran your idea of having Keelie and Bear’s surprise engagement party at the Apple Festival by Becca and she’s simply in love.”
“Great. I’ll hire Hazel.” I look to Pastor Gaines. “It’s something Amanda would have jumped on. Speaking of Amanda again, has her fiancé come by for counseling?”
His lips pull into a line as if the mention of her fiancé makes him sick.
“No, he hasn’t. But why would he? He and Amanda were on the rocks right before she perished.”
Owlbert squawks as if it were news to him.
“They were?” It’s the first I’m hearing of this. “They seemed so happy at the engagement dinner.”
He nods through a bite. “They remained good friends. Mark Russo likes to remain on good terms with those he’s parting ways with. He was eyeing other women, but Amanda had her sights set elsewhere, too.”
“Really?” I can’t focus on anything but extracting all I can from him. I certainly can’t focus on my food.
“Oh yes. She was a lover and not a fighter.” He gives a sly wink my way, and I’m not sure I’m loving the implication.
“Amanda was spirited,” Everett adds, his eyes pinned directly on Pastor Gaines because I can tell he wants more. “I guess you could say she was passionate.”
He nods vigorously as he takes a sip of his water. “As passionate as they come.”
Wait a minute… Was Amanda having an affair with Pastor Gaines? Or did my mind just jump over a horny hurdle that wasn’t there to begin with?
Mom’s lips twitch, and I can tell she suspects something, too. Well, this is certainly a bombshell I had no intention to unleash.
Dinner drags on with Mom trying her best to keep the conversation alive.
We each order a slice of my apple pie for dinner. The Cutie Pie provides all the sweet treats for the Honey Pot Diner, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
And all the while Everett’s leg is pressing over mine, my leg wrapping around his with glee. His hand warms mine, and I’m about to faint with desire if he takes it a single step further.
We wrap it up and say goodnight. Mom and Pastor Gaines take off, and we watch them as Everett warms me in the chilly night air.
Owlbert circles the sky above before diving down low. “Something is not right, Lottie. There is just something odd about that man. I can’t put my finger on it.”
I look up at Everett. “I agree.”
He gives a slight nod. “We’ll figure it out.” His hand dips down and warms my lower back, and we move as if we’re slow dancing in the breeze.
A breath hitches in my throat. “I think we’re about to figure something else out, too.”
“How about we head back to my place and continue this slow dance?”
Everett speeds us back to Country Cottage Road, and we speed our way right into his living room.
We figure it all out and complicate things a heck of a lot more in the process.
Everett knows he’s my weakness, and he certainly isn’t playing fair.
Chapter 13
It took a google search—which yielded nothing, and a quick conversation with Hazel to learn that Slater works as a bartender at a place called the Devil’s Punchbowl, an upscale bar in Fallbrook.
I didn’t come right out and ask Hazel anything about her brother. I had to skirt the issue by way of hiring her to help with Keelie’s surprise engagement party. It turns out, Hazel’s price points are a bit steeper than her sister’s were, but she did say she would give me a significant discount if I brought her sister’s killer to justice. Of course, I assured her I would do my best to make this happen. And I plan to.
As soon as we hung up, I called the smarmy so-called upscale establishment to confirm whether or not Slater was on the schedule tonight, and thankfully he is.
And since I have no intention on showing up to a place called the Devil’s Punchbowl all by my lonesome, I rustled up my posse, which includes Lily, Naomi, and Alex—a threesome that is destined for heartbreak and maybe a broken nose or two—I should know, I’m still playing that horrific game—Cormack and Noah, Everett and myself. To be fair, Noah and Cormack are coming off a counseling session in the area. And honestly, she’s harder to ditch than a bad habit.
The entire lot of us congregates outside of the establishment and takes a moment to observe the neon pitchforks set at either side of the entry. A pair of elongated horns that gives the illusion they’re on fire sits above the threshold to the entry, pointing up at a flashing neon sign bearing its wicked moniker. A smaller neon sign boasts the fact that every night is karaoke night.
“Wonderful,” I say as I look to Everett. “I don’t suppose you’re up for doing a little crooning.”
“Not if my legal seat depended on it.”
“I’m in.” Cormack snaps her fingers as if she were already on stage.
“Me too,” Naomi coos into Alex’s ear.
Noah’s doppelgänger fights the goofy grin doing its best to erupt over his face. “I’m in, too.”
“Really?” Lily and I say in unison. You can bet I’ll be snagging a front row seat to hear Noah’s brother belt out a tune.
“Yes, really. Our mother had both Noah and me in choir for as long as I can remember. We’re both perfectly capable of carrying a tune.”
Both Naomi and Lily swoon hard.
Okay, so I’m silently swooning myself. There is nothing sexier than a hot detective that can carry a note.
“You’ll have to delight us, Detective Fox.” I try to keep it formal since Cormack is pawing all over him. He’s tried to casually deflect her, but she nearly fell over the last time and he ended up scooping her into his arms instead. I don’t doubt for a mi
nute that Cormack knows what she’s doing.
Alex and his harem head inside.
Everett threads his arm through mine before looking to Noah. “Come on, choir boy. It’s showtime.”
Cormack giggles up a storm as we head on in, and instantly I’m both floored and offended by the atmosphere. Red lights glare down at us from above, giving the room a smoky hellish appeal, and I suppose that’s the point. Booths are strewn about with oversized cushioned leather backrests, and there are riding crops hanging from each one as if ready to use at the patron’s discretion. The counter of the bar is lined with handcuffs encased under a glass surface, and a bevy of ropes and other toys of sexual destruction hang in various places around the establishment.
The karaoke is going strong. And whoever that woman is up on stage, she’s killing it with a cover of a song I must have belted out myself a thousand times when I was in high school. But I can’t see her. The stage is far deeper inside the club, and I’ve already spotted Slater serving up drinks right here at the bar.
Noah leans in. His heady cologne holds the scent of every one of our carnal memories, and it makes me feel bad for indulging in that heavy-duty make-out session with Everett the other night. But, then again, Noah is fresh off his counseling session with his newly minted fiancée.
Naomi grabs ahold of Alex. “Let’s get in line for the karaoke. I’m thinking a duet. Something slow and romantic.” She glances to Lily. “Maybe you and that scary bartender can dance to it?”
Lily growls as they take off and head for the dance floor instead. No one is ever going to accuse Lily of being shy.
Cormack pulls Noah toward the dance floor. “Come on, Boss. Let’s show ’em what we’re made of.”
Everett’s chest bucks with a silent laugh. “Sing us a song while you’re at it.”
Noah rambles out twelve different excuses all at once just as the woman on stage hits a high note destined to shatter glass and eardrums alike.
Everett’s brows peak as he cranes his neck, trying to get a better look at the stage.
Toxic Apple Turnovers: MURDER IN THE MIX 13 Page 11