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“Malcolm as director?” I could hear the frown in Raleigh’s voice. “But the company’s yours now, right? You’re Astrid’s heir and successor. How would the sales manager be made director over you?”

“He wouldn’t. Unless I chose to make it so. In fairness, I did say I wasn’t sure I was ready or even wanted to be director. And also in fairness, I did say a few things on Thursday that probably concerned him.”

“Like what?”

“Like I wasn’t sure I was up to attending Bredahl’s holiday party.”

I heard Raleigh’s snort bouncing from cell tower to cell tower. “Okay, well, let’s get that straightjacket ready.”

I weighed whether to share some of the other even less pleasant things I’d mentioned in my interview with Matilda Seger. Frankly, I already regretted a lot of it. I had been too angry and emotional to be giving interviews. Not that I’d said anything that wasn’t true at that moment in time, but I was smart enough to know that, like the song says,in a moment everything changes. I knew it was highly unlikely I’d be selling the company—and almost as unlikely I’d be able to hand over the directorship to anyone else.

“It bothers me a lot that he lied about Astrid. But I don’t know that this means anything beyond his fear that if he doesn’t take action, I’m going to destroy the company while I’m still emotionally off-balance. His concern seemed genuine on Thursday. I think he sincerely believes I’m not well.”

After a moment, Raleigh said, “You don’t want me to assume this proves Malcolm had anything to do with Astrid’s death.”

“Right. Because I don’t know that it does. The two things might not be connected. But I do know, after our chat, that he would definitelypreferthat I not be well enough to make decisions concerning Bredahl. I think he might take steps in that direction.”

“It’s not easy to get someone committed, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

I laughed, which I think surprised us both. “I know. He might not. For now, I’m just going along with him, not arguing, playing it passive. I did decline to drive with him tonight.”

“Thank you for that. Did you talk to Dax?”

“I did. But I’m late getting ready for this party, so I can’t get into most of it. The main thing Dax said is Astrid was supposed to meet one of Bredahl’s managers for an offsite hush-hush meeting a couple of days before she died. He didn’t know when or what the meeting was about, but he thought that Astrid was maybe concerned with something going on at the bakery.”

“But he doesn’t have any idea what?”

“No.”

“Okay.” Raleigh sounded thoughtful.

“Also, Dax thinks Malcolm killed Astrid because he found out about their affair. I didn’t tell Dax he wasn’t the first and probably wouldn’t have been the last.”

“Right.” He said at a seeming tangent, “I don’t like that conversation you had with Malcolm.”

“I didn’t enjoy it much either, but the fact that he might feel justified in taking drastic steps to save Bredahl Cakes and Cookies from a madman—”

“It’s not funny.”

“No. I agree. Okay, I’ve got to go—”

“Wait,” Raleigh said quickly.

I waited.

“What time will you be home tonight? Can I come by? Can we…talk?”

“I should be home by midnight.”

“Can I come by?”

I didn’t have to struggle with myself this time. “Yes. I… Yes.”

“I’ll see you around midnight. And Caz—?”

“Still here.”

“Please be careful tonight.”