Frosted Cookies 'n Murder

by Emily Greene

  “Do you have any idea how hard it has been living in your shadow? Of course you don’t. Ever since middle school you were the star. I was always second or third to your first place. Everyone always liked you better. Well, they’re all going to see the truth!”

  “Sarah, you have a great life! Your boyfriend loves you to pieces. What is better than that? You and I only see each other a couple of times a year in New York. Who is comparing you to me?”

  “Everyone! Justin is nothing more than a bookmark in my life right now. There is no way I would spend the rest of my life with him. Once I lose some weight and get a makeover like you did, I can find someone so much better! I’m not covering for you anymore, Janice! Everyone is going to know your secret!”

  “Now you listen to me!” Janice screamed.

  “Ouch, you’re hurting me!” Sarah cried.

  “You’re going to get a lot worse than this if you open your big mouth!”

  “You’re crazy!” Sarah screamed.

  The next thing we heard was the door closing behind her and then there was nothing but silence. Carrie and I looked at each other in disbelief. I could not believe what I had just heard. We didn’t say a word as we stood in the stall and I was hoping Janice would leave because I was pretty sure that Matthew and Jeff were wondering where Carrie and I were. We had been gone for about 20 minutes and the last thing I needed was for one of them to send someone looking for us or to ask Sarah or Janice if they saw us in the restroom. Luckily, a minute later the door opened and closed and there was dead silence. I slowly bent down to see if I could see any feet anywhere and the coast was clear.

  Carrie looked at me, her eyes wide as saucers.

  “Can you believe what we just heard?!”

  “No, I can’t! What do you think Janice’s big secret is and why did she lie to everyone?” I asked.

  “I have no clue but she definitely does not want it to get out.”

  “Speaking of getting out, we should go back to the party before Matthew and Jeff send out a search party for us.”

  “Oh, right!”

  As soon as I walked over to Matthew a look of relief washed over his face.

  “Is everything okay? You both were gone for a really long time.”

  “Yes, we’re fine. I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, come on let’s go take a tour of this gorgeous house.”

  We walked around the party stopping to chat with people here and there and it felt really comfortable to be by his side, but I could not stop thinking about what I had just heard. I was going to have to figure out a way to get to the bottom of it. We were casually chatting about the party when I heard that familiar shrill voice. I cringed as I thought about the big deal my mother was going to make seeing me with Matthew at a formal event.

  “Oh honey! You look beautiful!”

  I turned to see my mother beaming at me and I couldn’t help but smile at her. She wasn’t even trying to hide the fact that she was over the moon that I was with Matthew. She reached out and straightened his tie and I was mortified. She didn’t know him that well!

  “Matthew, you look so handsome. Boy, you two really make a beautiful couple,” she grinned.

  “Mother!” I was beyond embarrassed.

  “Oh honey, calm down, I just mean that you both look very nice tonight. Susan has outdone herself, hasn’t she?” she said as she looked around the party.

  Susan Hanson would have been on cloud nine if she had heard my mother’s comments. The women in Prairie Cove really valued my mother’s opinion because she was on every possible committee in Prairie Cove and she knew everyone.

  “Yes, she has, the gala is amazing. Matthew and I were just going to tour the home, so we will see you a little bit later, Mother,” I said not giving her a chance to respond, smiling as I walked away.

  Matthew leaned into me and whispered in my ear. “I think your mother was a little caught off guard by our exit. Should we go ask her if she wants to take the tour with us?”

  “Not unless you want to have her attached to us for the rest of the evening,” I said giving him a wry smile.

  He raised his eyebrows and chuckled. “Well I don’t think we want to do that!”

  About 30 minutes later I was chatting with Natalie and her date when I glanced across the room and saw Justin grab Sarah’s arm. I motioned in their direction, asking Natalie about it.

  “Have they been fighting all night?”

  “Not that I know of, but Sarah hasn’t really been spending a lot of time with Justin. It’s been more like Justin and his sister following Sarah all around the party. I don’t think she wants to be here with him.”

  “What is the deal with his sister? She seems a little overbearing, and where is she? I am assuming she wouldn’t miss a party like this,” I wondered aloud.

  “Sarah said she’s his best friend and I guess she had some sort of mental breakdown a few months ago so Justin checks in on her constantly. She is pretty much always around and it drives Sarah crazy. She’s actually one of the servers tonight, I saw her walking around with a tray of drinks.”

  “Oh wow, sounds a little bit too close for comfort if you ask me. A server? Maybe she needed extra cash and I am sure the Hanson’s pay well.”

  “Oh, for sure! I also saw Sarah talking to another guy earlier.” She hesitated and I could see the wheels spinning in her head. “Although, she didn’t look too happy with him either.”

  A feeling of dread fell over me.

  “Natalie, what did he look like?”

  “I didn’t get a good look at him but he looked upset and then he disappeared when Justin went over to them.”

  “Hmm, that seems a bit strange. Was there anything familiar about him at all?” I asked.

  “I haven’t seen him before, and he didn’t really look like the type who would be at a party like this, but I guess that’s what happens when you invite practically the entire town. Everyone is welcome. If this was my party, there is no way I would invite a guy like that. He was very creepy. Thank goodness I haven’t seen him since then.”

  “What time was that, Natalie?”

  “About 45 minutes ago.”

  I was convinced that the man she saw was the same man that had been at the bakery two days prior, and I hoped that he really had left the party. From what I had seen of him, he did not strike me as the nicest person. I took a deep breath and looked over at Sarah again, and she looked miserable standing there talking with Justin who was still holding onto her arm as a waitress was handing them drinks.

  “Is he always so physical with her?” I motioned over at them and they were definitely in a heated exchange.

  “I don’t know. Honestly, I just think he is frustrated with where their relationship is. She complains to me about him all the time, but the things she is complaining about are things a woman should love about her boyfriend. She said he always wants to spend time with her and wants her to make an effort to hang out with his sister a little bit more. I guess his sister is his best friend so it is important to him that they get along.”

  “It sounds to me like maybe they should take a little break from each other.”

  “I agree, but the crazy thing is Sarah can’t be alone. She is basically using the guy and I actually feel sorry for him.”

  I glanced over at them again and Justin looked really sad. I felt angry seeing him like that since I knew how Sarah really felt about him and I wished she would just break things off with him and let him move on. They argued for a while and I was tired of watching her demean him so I turned away. Matthew was talking to a couple of people so I wandered over to the hors d’oeuvres, and as I reached for a block of cheese I heard a familiar voice in my ear.

  “You look absolutely beautiful tonight, Harper.”

  I turned to see Detective Sloane smiling at me and I swear my heart jumped a little bit. I had never seen him dressed up and he was wearing a dark blue suit that complimented his beautiful blue eyes. He was gorgeous.

  �
��Detective Andrew Sloane, I didn’t think you would come to something like this.”

  He had a playful smirk on his face. “Oh really, why is that?”

  I was nearly speechless as those piercing blue eyes held mine.

  “I guess I just think of you as a serious, do the work, take care of business kind of guy.”

  “Ouch. Do I come across as that uptight?”

  I could see that I may have offended him so I was quick to edit my words.

  “No, not at all. It’s just that you are very dedicated to your work.”

  “Yes, I am, but I do like to have fun, too, Harper. When I received the invite, there was no way I could turn it down. It’s a beautiful home.”

  I looked around and smiled. “Yes, it is. Have you…,”

  “There you are!” I heard a female voice say to Andrew.

  I turned to see the same woman I had seen him with the night I had dinner with Matthew a couple of months back, smiling at him. I instantly felt a pit in the bottom of my stomach and had to remind myself that I was there with a date as well. She was even prettier than I remembered.

  He smiled as he put his arm around her. “My stomach was growling so I had to get a snack. Christina, I would like for you to meet my friend, Harper.”

  She held out her hand and for a millisecond I debated whether or not to shake it, but knew that I had to. Most people were friendly in Prairie Cove and I didn’t want to give a bad impression. I forced a smile as I shook her hand.

  “Nice to meet you!” She seemed very sweet and genuinely happy to meet me so I felt like a bit of a heel for feeling not so nicely about her. Of course someone as attractive as Andrew who came from a big city like Chicago would have a girlfriend. I should not have been surprised. “Andrew told me a little bit about you and the case you helped him solve. I am so happy no one was hurt during that scuffle in that woman’s apartment!”

  “Oh, yes, me too!” I felt a little bit uncomfortable because Andrew was sharing personal information with her. Well, of course he is, silly. She’s his girlfriend.

  “Mother and I worry sick about him and even though he moved away, I am happy he decided to move to a smaller, safer town. I really like it here! Are you originally from here, Harper?”

  I was still trying to digest the fact that she and her mother worried sick about him so I just stood there, stunned, unable to speak. I guess they were closer than I realized. I found myself feeling upset and decided it was time to get back to Matthew.

  “Yes, I am born and raised in Prairie Cove. I hope you enjoy it here; we are a very friendly bunch. I’d better get back to my date; he is probably wondering where I am.”

  “Date?” Andrew didn’t hide his curiosity and I didn’t want to cause an uncomfortable scene so I quickly answered him.

  “Yes, I came with Matthew Carson.”

  Was that a flash of jealousy I saw in Andrew’s eyes? I dismissed that because it did not make any sense. He was standing next to his beautiful girlfriend, so why in the world would he be jealous that I was at the party with Matthew? I shook off the thought and smiled at both of them.

  “It was so nice to meet you, Christina, I am sure I will see you around.” I looked at Andrew and did my best to give him a genuine smile. “Enjoy the party, Andrew.”

  I walked back over to Matthew, refusing to turn around and show Andrew how shaken and I was after meeting his girlfriend. It did not matter anyway and I did not understand why I was feeling what I was feeling. Matthew Carson was a perfectly nice man and I enjoyed spending time with him, so I needed to focus on getting to know him better and forget about any butterflies I may have felt with Detective Andrew Sloane.

  Matthew turned and smiled at me as I walked over to him and he gently put his arm around me.

  “There you are, I was wondering if I had lost you.”

  With Andrew’s beautiful girlfriend in the picture there is no possibility of that happening anytime soon. As soon as the thought entered my mind I had to take a second and ask myself why I was even thinking that way. Clearly Andrew meant more to me than I wanted to admit.

  “I went to grab a quick snack. Did I miss anything fun?”

  He chuckled as he gently rubbed my arm. “No, I’ve just been chatting with a bunch of people. Your sisters are here, by the way.”

  “Oh, I will have to find them and say hi.”

  “I see a patient’s dad, Carl, over there and I need to talk to him about our golf time.”

  “You play golf with your patient’s dads?”

  “Not usually but I have known him forever so he’s more of a friend than just a patient’s father. We’re playing Monday afternoon since my office is closing early for Columbus Day.”

  “Oh, sounds like fun.”

  “His wife, Beth, is really nice, I think you’d like her. In fact, maybe we should all go to dinner together sometime. Come on, let me introduce you.”

  Why was I not more excited about that idea?

  “Sure, I love meeting new people.” What harm could there be in meeting his friend’s wife? Was I hesitant because I was not quite sure how I felt about Matthew? The truth was we didn’t know each other that well and I would have much preferred to spend more time getting to know him better before I ventured out and got to know his friends, but I didn’t want to make a big deal about it. Obviously, Matthew felt comfortable enough with where we were to start planning double dates. I was probably overthinking it, but the more I thought about it the more I needed some air. We made the polite introductions and truthfully, everything Carl and Beth were saying went in one ear and out the other. They were talking about their daughter and I had to get away. I leaned in and told Matthew I had to go to the restroom.

  I told Carl and Beth I would be back in a bit and didn’t mention the restroom because I didn’t want Beth to offer to go with me. As I rounded the corner to another room I breathed a sigh of relief and eventually wandered through the garden out to the pool where I saw something that changed my night. I immediately ran to get Detective Sloane.

  Chapter Three

  “Someone call 911!” Andrew yelled.

  He rushed with me back to the pool and jumped in without hesitation. My hand flew to my mouth as he pulled Sarah from the water, gently placed her limp body on the ground, and proceeded to give her CPR. After seven minutes of CPR there was still no pulse as the ambulance arrived.

  Justin was a mess as he hopped in the ambulance with her, his head in his hands as they closed the door and pulled away. It seemed everyone at the party was out by the pool, shock written all over every single face, except one. Janice Blaine stood there, expressionless, seemingly unaffected by what everyone else had seen. I watched her as Carrie came rushing over to me.

  “Harper! I cannot believe this kind of thing has happened in Prairie Cove again!” She was literally shaking.

  I looked at her and put my arm around her trying to calm her down.

  “We don’t know exactly what happened yet.”

  I looked over at Andrew and he and Greg, the sheriff, were in deep discussion. A couple of seconds later Matthew was by my side, his face full of concern.

  “Unbelievable, Harper. I can’t believe you found another body in less than six months. Are you okay? I am sure this is all very traumatic for you.”

  “I think I’m still in shock. Sarah was so young and had so much life left to live. I wonder what happened.”

  “It looks like maybe she drowned,” he said.

  “Oh Harper, honey! Are you okay?” My mother rushed over to me.

  “I don’t know, Mother. This is all so overwhelming.”

  “Did you see her fall in or anything?” she asked.

  “No, when I saw her she was already face down in the pool.”

  Detective Sloane came over to us a minute later while Greg talked with a couple of the other officers.

  “Harper, what happened?”

  “I was just walking around and when I came out to the pool I saw a body float
ing in the water and ran to get you.”

  “Okay. I am going to have to ask you a few questions about Sarah and see if I can find out more about her. Can you come down to the station tomorrow morning at 10:00?”

  “Absolutely.” I didn’t realize I was shaking until I felt his arm gently caress mine.

  “Are you okay?” His sparkling blue eyes were filled with concern and for a couple of seconds nothing else existed around me.

  “Yes, I think so.”

  He gave me a gentle smile and I just wanted to melt into his arms. “Okay, I have to go talk to the sheriff so I will see you tomorrow.” He went back over to Greg and I turned to Matthew who looked just as concerned as Andrew.