Cupcakes and Celebrities

by Leena Clover

“Sketch may be the wrong word. I just wrote down the names of all the people and who they are connected with. You’d be surprised what the common thread is.”

  “Don’t make me guess.”

  “Rainbow! She knew all of the players, except maybe Ray Fox. But I am thinking she might have known him too.”

  “Are you going to talk to her again?”

  Jenny nodded.

  “Be careful, okay?” Star cautioned. “I don’t want you getting hurt.”

  “Relax! Rainbow’s harmless.”

  “Not if she was mixed up in hurting that poor girl.”

  Jenny went to the café later than usual. Many people preferred to come for brunch on Sunday. Jenny made a batch of muffins and chopped fresh herbs for her scrambled eggs.

  “You could plant herbs in your own patch out back.”

  Jenny recognized Mandy’s voice but ignored her.

  “Have you and Petunia gone through my list?”

  “Don’t you have someone else to pick on?” Jenny grumbled. “I’m busy.”

  “Some people have already started with their renovations,” Mandy proclaimed. “We are painting park benches today. The curbs will be the last.”

  “We have a contractor coming in to give us an estimate,” Jenny told her reluctantly.

  “That’s a step in the right direction,” Mandy said approvingly.

  Jenny called Heather at the inn.

  “Fancy a trip to the country club?”

  Heather had a headache.

  “That’s what too many mai tais will do to you,” Jenny teased. “You need some solid food inside you.”

  “Don’t mention food, please,” Heather begged.

  They drove to the club a couple of hours later. The first person they ran into was Wayne Newman.

  “Ladies!” he greeted, tipping his hat at them. “Here to see Crystal?”

  Jenny nodded vaguely. She didn’t want to reveal the purpose of her visit.

  “She’s at the pool with her girls.”

  “What are they doing?”

  “What they always do,” Wayne shrugged. “I have no idea.”

  Jenny had a thought.

  “We went to Eagle Aviation,” she told Wayne. “Got a tour of the place. We saw the plane you jumped from.”

  “It’s one of the bigger ones,” Wayne told them. “That’s what I liked about the place.”

  “I thought the plane was really small,” Jenny persisted. “It didn’t even have a toilet.”

  Wayne looked uncomfortable.

  “Most of the planes they use for sky diving don’t.”

  “So here’s my question,” Jenny rushed ahead. “How is it possible you didn’t see Bella before you jumped?”

  Wayne turned red.

  “I was excited. I didn’t look around.”

  “You didn’t see that big old white dress she was wearing?”

  “Hey! It was my wedding day. I just wanted to get the dive over with so I could stand with my wife.”

  “You sound like you were doing it against your will.”

  Wayne clammed up after that.

  “I got to go.”

  “Why did you challenge him like that?” Heather exclaimed as soon as Wayne was out of sight.

  “I couldn’t help it,” Jenny said, shaking with anger.

  “It changes nothing, except now he knows what we are thinking.”

  “Good. Maybe he’ll slip up.”

  They went looking for Rainbow after that. One of the maids at the country club told them where her room was.

  Rainbow looked a bit disheveled when she opened the door. She was wearing a silky robe and her hair was mussed. Jenny’s nose twitched as she tried to smell something.

  “Do you have a hangover too?” Heather laughed as they went in.

  Rainbow stifled a yawn.

  “There’s not much to do here. I decided to sleep in.”

  “It’s a beautiful day,” Jenny said. “Don’t they have a pool here?”

  “Crystal and the girls are hanging out there,” Rainbow said. “I couldn’t take it anymore. I just want to go home.”

  “Do you know Ray Fox?” Jenny asked.

  “Bella’s husband? Sure.”

  “Do you know he’s here in Pelican Cove?”

  “I saw him in town.”

  “He seems lost without Bella.”

  “He loved her a lot.”

  “You know what I am thinking, Rainbow?” Jenny asked. “You seem to be the common thread here. You knew Bella, you know Wayne and Crystal, you even know Ray Fox.”

  “What are you implying?”

  “How do we know you didn’t carry messages between these people?”

  “You think I was spying on someone?”

  “You could have. For example, you could have told Crystal about Wayne and Bella. Or you could have told Ray Fox about them.”

  “Why would I do that? Bella was my friend.”

  “That’s what you told us before. But we heard that you were sworn enemies.”

  Rainbow rubbed her hands, pacing across the room.

  “Who’s feeding you this stuff?”

  “Do you deny it?”

  “There’s someone else who knew Bella…”

  Jenny’s eyebrows shot up.

  “Keep talking!”

  “Crystal’s mother. Why don’t you go talk to her?”

  “Don’t worry, I will.”

  Jenny grabbed Heather’s arm and they swept out of the room.

  “Didn’t you smell something familiar in there?” she asked Heather.

  Heather shook her head.

  “Do you believe that girl?”

  “She just wanted to get rid of us. But I know Crystal’s mother lied to me. I want to talk to her again.”

  Kathy Mars was seated on the patio, sipping a frosty glass of lemonade. Her summer dress made her look ten years younger. She looked up at them with sparkling blue eyes the exact shade of the sunny skies.

  “What brings you here, girls?” she asked. “Do you have any news for us?”

  “Some,” Jenny answered, choosing a chair opposite her.

  Kathy poured some lemonade for them. She settled back in her chair and gave her a speculative look.

  “Something’s been bothering me since our last meeting,” Jenny began. “You knew Bella Darling, didn’t you?”

  Kathy sighed, looking beaten.

  “I met her a few times.”

  “Why did you keep that from me?”

  “Bella and I didn’t meet under the best of circumstances.”

  “Did you have a fight with her?” Jenny asked, sitting up.

  “Nothing of that sort.”

  Kathy Mars gazed over the grassy dunes.

  “Crystal is so beautiful. I knew she was special right from the moment I held her for the first time.”

  Jenny didn’t know if Kathy was going somewhere with her reminiscences but she didn’t interrupt.

  “I gave her the best of everything. When Crystal won a talent contest in junior high, I knew her future was in Hollywood.”

  “So you were a supportive mother.”

  “I planned her whole career. We had big plans, you know. Then we went to Hollywood.”

  “Wasn’t it like you imagined?”

  “It was everything we imagined and more. There was just one tiny problem. Everyone was beautiful and talented. Crystal needed something extra to stand out. I’m afraid she didn’t have it.”

  “She didn’t find any work?” Heather asked.

  Kathy Mars snorted rudely.

  “She got small roles. A cameo here, a music video there. We managed to get by but none of them were enough to launch her career.”

  “Until she landed the reality show,” Jenny said flatly. “But she wasn’t the first choice there too.”

  “Bella was the star of the show,” Kathy said bitterly. “Crystal was one of the minor contestants. They wouldn’t have kept her for more than one episode.”

&n
bsp; “What did you do?”

  “I pulled in some favors. There was a scandal. Bella was off the show and Crystal was in.”

  “You managed that by yourself?”

  “I had help. Money talks, Miss King. There are plenty of starving girls out there, ready to do anything for a bit of cash.”

  “Did you know Wayne Newman at that time?”

  Kathy looked triumphant.

  “That’s where I scored a home run. Bella was having an affair with Wayne Newman at the time. He seemed like a good fit for my Crystal.”

  “Did you pay him to go out with your daughter?”

  “Give me some credit,” Kathy Mars bristled. “I just arranged for them to meet accidentally a couple of times. I knew Wayne is a ladies’ man. He fell under Crystal’s spell.”

  “It didn’t bother you that he might be cheating on your daughter?”

  “My Crystal turned thirty this year. Her time’s running out. She needed to tie the knot with someone influential and soon.”

  “I thought Crystal was the bigger star,” Heather said.

  “She is now,” Kathy Mars said proudly. “Her star’s been on the rise since she met Wayne. They are good for each other.”

  “What happened to Bella after you got rid of her?”

  Kathy shrugged.

  “I heard she had a husband. I figured she would be fine.”

  “Who helped you get rid of Bella?” Jenny asked.

  “It doesn’t matter now. Bella’s gone.”

  “Was it Rainbow? Did she tell you some deep dark secret about Bella Darling?”

  Kathy Mars changed the subject and refused to divulge any more information.

  Jenny stood up and stomped to Rainbow’s room. Rainbow had showered in their absence. She was dressed in a pair of shorts and a bikini top.

  “What do you want now?” she asked, rolling her eyes.

  “You’re a two faced liar, Rainbow!”

  “What have I done?”

  “You threw Bella under the bus, didn’t you? Kathy Mars paid you off.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “It’s like I said, Rainbow,” Jenny fumed. “You are the connection between all these people. Did you spy on Bella for Ray Fox? Did you tell him about the affair?”

  “Look! I didn’t ask him to come here, okay? I just saw him in town the night of the rehearsal dinner.”

  “What?” Heather and Jenny exclaimed.

  “Are you sure you saw him the night before the wedding?”

  Rainbow nodded.

  “Crystal had sent me on an errand. I saw him go into that pub, what’s it called?”

  “The Rusty Anchor?”

  “I guess. How many pubs do you have here anyway?”

  “According to Ray Fox, he was back in L.A. when Bella fell to her death.”

  “No he wasn’t,” Rainbow shook her head. “He was right here in Pelican Cove.”

  “This doesn’t let you off, Rainbow. You’re up to something.”

  “Have you ever thought I might be a victim too?” she cried.

  “Can you elaborate on that?”

  Rainbow shut up after that.

  “I’m going to the pool,” she said, picking up a towel.

  “Do you really suspect Rainbow?” Heather asked Jenny that afternoon.

  They were watching the sunset from Star’s porch, their feet up on the railing.

  Jenny smacked her lips as she enjoyed the sundowners she had mixed for them.

  “I didn’t until now but I’m not sure any longer. She is definitely involved somehow.”

  “She could have told Ray Fox about Bella’s affair. So he came here to confront her.”

  “Who told him Bella was here?” Jenny mused. “Speaking of which, how many people knew Bella was in town?”

  “How did we not know?” Molly asked, coming out with a plate of crab dip and crudités. “Crystal had booked out the entire country club for her wedding. And Bella wasn’t staying at Heather’s inn.”

  “She must have been staying out of town,” Jenny said. “Someone would have noticed her otherwise.”

  “You think Kathy Mars stopped after paying Bella off?” Heather mused. “She seems awfully concerned about Crystal turning thirty.”

  “Turning thirty is a big deal,” Molly stressed. “I remember how depressed I was on my thirtieth birthday.”

  “Rainbow turned out to be something else, didn’t she?” Heather said, taking a sip of her drink.

  “Each one of them is wearing a mask,” Jenny said coldly. “I need to rip it off if I want to find out the truth.”

  Chapter 15

  Jenny’s room looked like a tornado had torn through it. The bed was strewn with discarded clothes, so was every available surface. Jenny had spent the past hour trying to find the perfect outfit for the annual Pelican Cove BBQ.

  “Is this a big thing?” she had asked Star the previous evening.

  “It happens once a year, so yes. The town goes all out. The men set up a smoker and start smoking the meat in the morning. The ladies make a ton of side dishes. And there’s ice cream, of course.”

  “How many people go to this thing?”

  “The whole town goes, Jenny. It’s one of the highlights of the year.”

  “What about tourists?”

  “We didn’t allow tourists until recently. You know how the islanders are, but this year’s going to be different.”

  “How so?”

  “Barb Norton and her minion have butted in here too. They are going to charge admission and use the money for the town beautification.”

  Jenny was getting sick of Mandy James and her brilliant ideas.

  Star peeped into Jenny’s room and started laughing.

  “How old are you, girl? Sixteen?”

  Jenny ignored her and held out two outfits. Star shook her head at either one of them.

  “It’s going to be hot as hell. I suggest you wear a swimsuit and a pair of shorts. You might want to take a dip in the ocean to cool off.”

  “Good idea!” Jenny said brightly.

  The Boardwalk Café was closed for the day. Jenny was going to take advantage of it and enjoy her day. She wondered if she could spend some time with Adam.

  “Adam will be there,” Star told her, “but he might be on duty.”

  The two women set off for Main Street some time later. The aroma of smoking meat hit them as they made their way toward the drinks stand. Jenny picked up a paper cup of sweet tea and gulped it down. She was already feeling parched.

  “There’s Heather and Molly!”

  She waved at her friends and hurried over.

  A marquee had been set up in the middle of the street. People had brought their own trestle tables and camp chairs and set up wherever they found a spot. Betty Sue and Petunia sat on two plastic Adirondack chairs flanking a long metal table. A red checked table cloth barely covered it. Betty Sue had kept her knitting at home for a change. But her fingers twirled in a familiar rhythm.

  Star sat on the chair Petunia had saved for her.

  “Don’t worry, I have a camp chair here for you too,” Heather told Jenny.

  The ladies caught up on the gossip for a while. The girls were dispatched to get some food.

  “Isn’t it too early?” Jenny asked.

  “We have to pace ourselves,” Heather explained. “I’m guessing you at least want to taste everything.”

  They were back with plates loaded with barbecued chicken, coleslaw and corn bread.

  “The pork needs some more time,” Molly told the older ladies. “We’ll get baked beans and potato salad when we get the ribs.”

  “Hello beautiful!” a voice called out.

  Heather and Jenny whipped their heads around making the others laugh. Jason and Chris were walking toward them.

  “How’s the barbecue?” Jason asked.

  Chris and Jason were both wearing aprons proclaiming them to be pit masters. Sweat was pouring down their
faces.

  “You know how to operate a smoker?” Jenny asked Jason. “You are a man of many talents, Jason Stone.”

  He winked and whispered something in her ear, making her blush.

  “What was that?” Betty Sue thundered.

  Jason picked up a fork and started eating from Jenny’s plate. Chris was eating a drumstick he had lifted off Heather’s.

  “Have you seen Adam?” Star asked Chris.

  “He’s on duty,” Chris said. “He should be getting off soon though.”

  “This is not his kind of thing,” Jason dismissed. “He’ll probably pack a plate of food and go home.”

  “He’s going to meet me here at 1,” Jenny said sweetly.

  Jason’s face fell.

  “Time to go back to the pit, buddy,” Chris said to him.

  “How much longer for the pork, boys?” Molly asked.

  “We’ll bring a plate for you when it’s ready,” Jason promised.

  “Did you see his face?” Heather laughed when Jason was out of earshot. “There’s going to be a battle here, Jenny, and you’re the prize.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Jenny brushed her off. “Jason is just a friend.”

  “A friend who takes you out on dates?” Molly teased.

  “I see a lot of strangers around,” Betty Sue commented. “I’m not sure I like that.”

  “You have to change with the times, Grandma,” Heather consoled her.

  “We cater to plenty of tourists year round,” Betty Sue grumbled. “Isn’t our whole business centered around tourists? The barbecue is supposed to be just for the town.”

  “Yoo-hoo…”

  “Here’s who you can thank, Betty Sue,” Star said and Barb Norton came up to them, beaming from ear to ear.

  Mandy tagged along a few steps behind.

  “We’re doing great,” Barb told them enthusiastically. “Our take has already crossed five hundred bucks. You have Mandy to thank for this.”

  She paused and widened her eyes meaningfully.

  “I’m sorry for taking over your town festival,” Mandy James said cheerfully, sounding anything but sorry. “But we need funds, ladies. The town of Pelican Cove desperately needs some TLC.”

  “TLC?” Betty Sue asked. “Speak English, girl!”

  “I mean, it needs a lot of repair.”

  “We were doing fine until you came along,” Petunia snapped.

  “I’m just doing my job, ladies,” Mandy sighed.

  “You better start looking for a new one soon,” Betty Sue railed.