Page 21

Chapter Twenty-One

The doors to the other ballroom opened, and the crowd rushed into the party. I held back a bit, pretending to be interested in my phone. I made certain each of the stepmothers made it into the ballroom before I followed them.

After all the wine at dinner, the crowd grew noisy. Angie, who had changed once again into a shorter dress made for dancing, and her purple Converse sneakers, came in with her groom.

They stopped just inside the ballroom and kissed. The crowd roared with joviality.

The happiness on the wedding couple’s faces made my heart sing. Oh, to be young and in love!

The reception was held in the larger ballroom, which had been transformed into a club-like atmosphere. Specifically, a gothic-punk club. With purple and black tulle, mixed with silver and crystal. It was fun and classy at the same time.

“I can’t believe we’re at the end,” Mara said as she sat down at our table. Angie had been kind and put our little crew together again. Jasper sat down on the other side of me.

“That cake is amazing,” I said. The eight tiers were silver and white, with fresh flowers trailing down and swirling around each layer.

“Is it really a different flavor on every tier?”

Jasper nodded. He was so dapper in his black tux top and blue and green kilt. His eyes were a bit glassy from all the wine.

I’d only had half a glass; I needed to keep my wits about me. I was determined to find the real culprit behind this mess before everyone left.

“So, we have to try a slice of every flavor,” Mara said.

“Basically,” I joked.

The cake was a pure representation of my friend Angie and her many facets. She deserved this special day filled with love. Even my cold, jaded heart believed it was possible for love to endure.

A cheer went up, and Angie and Damien stood on the dance floor. Her hair had been left down in a riot of purple curls. She was a vision, and Damien couldn’t keep his eyes off her.

“She’s so pretty,” Mara said.

Jasper whistled loudly, and we clapped.

Angie’s glorious smile tugged at my heart. Pure joy and excitement poured off her. This was why we’d gone through so much to get her here.

The band struck up a happy tune, and Damien pulled her to him. They started out slow dancing, and then, as the music morphed into the punk anthem “Rise Above,” by Black Flag, they jumped and bounced around the floor.

Cheers went up again, and we all bounced in place. Well, I sort of bounced. My legs wouldn’t allow much. It was more rocking back and forth for me.

I’m not a huge punk rock fan, but Angie had insisted Mara and I be indoctrinated by some of the greats. She’d forced us to listen to some of her musical choices for this evening.

While her new father-in-law had his arms crossed and a smirk on his face, everyone, including her mom and dad, jumped up and down.

I glanced around the room. The steps were at a table together, but one of them was missing. They all faced away, so it was impossible to tell which one.

“The perfect beginning,” I said as the music changed to a Scottish jig—or maybe it was Irish. I’d never tell my friends I couldn’t tell the difference. Some of the attendees stayed on the floor to show their footwork, but the happy couple headed over to the table of cakes.

“Oh, I guess I’m on,” Jasper said.

“Come with me,” he ordered. We followed him, along with several of the children in attendance to the table.

He cut the first slice, and then another, and handed the crystal plates to the bride and groom. Rather than stuffing the slices in each other’s faces, as happens in America at some weddings, they crossed arms, and fed themselves and then kissed.

Sweet and romantic—as punk rock as Angie had wanted her wedding, her lovely heart had shown through every moment.

“Jasper, it’s as delicious as it is beautiful,” Angie claimed. She let go of her groom to give our favorite baker a hug. “I cannot thank you enough. Everything is perfect.”

“She’s right,” Damien said. “Best cake I’ve ever had.”

My favorite perfectionist blushed. “Do you want to try another layer?”

Angie and Damien stared at each other and then nodded.

“We want a thin slice of every layer,” Angie said. “We won’t be one of those couples who doesn’t eat the cake at their wedding.”

“She’s right. Give us one of each flavor,” Damien said.

Everyone around them laughed.

Mara and I waited in line behind the children in attendance. Many of them were from Sea Isle. I loved that Angie had included the townspeople in her wedding.

Since she’d spent most of her summers in Sea Isle with her grandparents, she considered it a second home.

Two women took over the cake delivery system from Jasper.

While I too wanted to try every layer, I settled for the chocolate ganache and raspberry one. Mara picked the lemon custard layer, and we promised to share bites.

Jasper took a slice of the cherry cake. He handed Mara his plate and went to get us some coffees.

I needed a caffeine push if I was to make it through the evening.

People moved around the dance floor. I liked that generations of her family were out there, including her Aunt Lulu. My favorite shop owner, dressed from head to toe in bright green sequins, danced with one of the groomsmen, at least fifty years younger, who seemed to be having as much fun as she was.

“When I grow up, I want to be like Lulu,” I said.

“Me too.” Mara agreed.

“Me, three.” Jasper sat our coffees on the table. “To be that free and not care what anyone thinks. She lives her life as if every day might be her last. I adore her.”

“We do too,” Mara said.

“Angie is on her way to being just like her,” I said. I checked the stepmothers’ table. They all seemed to be in attendance.

“I’m glad all of the drama is over,” Jasper said. “If any of you died, I’m not sure what I would have done. I love our little family.”

“Aww,” Mara said. “Speaking of which, where is Abigail? She skipped out of dinner early.”

“I’m sure she’s checking on Tommy.” I pulled my phone out of the pocket of my dress.

“There she is.” Jasper pointed toward the dance floor.

Abigail and Henry danced stiffly together, but Henry’s grin spoke loads.

“That may be the most adorable thing I’ve seen in months,” I said.

“Do you think she knows?” Mara asked.

“Knows what?” Jasper asked.

“That Henry has moved far beyond a crush,” Ewan said as he sat next to Mara.

“You made it back,” I said. I was surprised.

“Angie insisted on it. My men are set up outside. They’ll be checking the cars as they are brought up by the valet.”

“I thought they checked them last night.”

“Aye, but as you said, the evidence may have been moved more than once.”

“I’m so confused,” Jasper said. “What did I miss?”

“So, you believe me about Caleb?”

“Nay.”

I rolled my eyes.

“But you are right that he most likely was working with someone.”

“I’m still doing ‘em up for attempted murder. Caleb won’t say a word about that gargoyle, and he already admitted he was there when Robbie died. He’ll be spending time in jail. No matter.”

“Won’t his dad get him out on bail again?” Mara asked.

“The prosecutor will claim he’s a flight risk, but you never know.” He stretched his legs under the table and leaned back in his chair. It was as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

“I hope he rots,” Mara said. “Even if he didn’t try to kill Angie, he knew about Robbie. He’s a louse.”

“And don’t forget, you almost died,” Jasper added. “And the doc.”

“We all survived,” I said. Thank the gods, as I couldn’t bear to lose my friends.

“No thanks to the Carthages,” Ewan said.

It was the way he eyed Damien’s parents that made me wonder if there was more to the story.

“What made you change your mind about the second killer?”

Ewan shook his head. “He’s smart enough to keep his mouth shut—though he still claims he didn’t bring Robbie here. Nor did he push that statue on you. Can’t trust a word out of his mouth,” Ewan said, and then he frowned.

“What is it?”

He shrugged. “He’s a reprobate and self-entitled, but is he smart enough to have coordinated all of this? And why poison himself?

“You were right about that. Seems a painful way to go, given he saw what happened to Robbie.”

“There was a great deal of chemistry involved,” I said. “I—”

“What?” Mara asked.

“While he should have come forward about being with Robbie, the only thing he saw that night was Robbie vomiting. Caleb only left because the victim insisted on it.”

Ewan grunted.

“Someone had to know about the antifreeze. Someone strong pushed that gargoyle on me. And he did have an alibi when someone followed me to the dungeon.”

“Wine cellar,” Ewan interjected. “Wait, what?”

“Ruh ro,” Mara tried her best at a Scottish Scooby-Doo voice.

I might have laughed if it hadn’t been for the expression on Ewan’s face.

“Did I forget to tell you about last night? So much has happened.”

He crossed his arms.

“Right. So, when I left Caleb’s room last night, I got a little lost upstairs. I turned the wrong way—this castle is much too large. You need those you-are-here maps on the hallway walls.”

He stared at me and frowned even more deeply.

“Anyway, everything was fine, but I thought someone was following me. I headed to the back stairwell, and then I knew someone was there—heavy footsteps on the floor above me. I called out, but no one answered. The lights had gone out in the stairwell, and I couldn’t see anyone, but I heard the footsteps.

“When I opened the door to the first floor, the hallway showed the shadow of a man just a few steps above me.”

“You’re certain it was a man?” Ewan asked.

“It was only a silhouette, but yes. I’m quite familiar with anatomy. I ran for the dun—wine cellar—and used my key to get in. I locked the door, but he banged against it and tried to get in. Abigail will back me up. She was there.”

“Hold on,” Mara said. “I had a lot of wine, but that means we are still looking for a male and a female?”

“Well, as much as Ewan would like it to be, Caleb was not the one chasing me down those stairs.

Ewan shook his head. “Why didn’t you tell me? I have my men focused on a woman.”

“A lot has happened the last few days. I’ve forgotten who knows what.”

He grunted again.

Jasper stabbed his cake. “So, we still have two killers in the castle. Thanks for ruining my buzz.”

The band played a quieter song, and there were several couples out on the dance floor, including Henry and Abigail.

They were so sweet together.

While his wife danced with their son, Mr. Carthage sat at the table sneering. The man was impossible. Even now, he probably hadn’t given up on his scheming.

Was he the kind of man who would allow his son to take the blame for murder?

The answer was a resounding yes.

Damien’s father glanced at his phone and then stood. He headed out one of the side entrances.

“I need some air. I’ll be back in a minute,” I said.

“I’ll come with you,” Mara said.

“I’ll be fine. Just need to clear my head.”

I still had a bit of a limp, but I made it to the hall just in time to see Mr. Carthage turn to the right. I followed. Waited until he made his way down another hall, and then followed again.

But I waited too long. I lost him. To the right was the outside area that led to the garages.

To the left, I couldn’t remember. That passageway was dark, though, and the one on the way to the garage had the gas lamps lit.

If he wasn’t down there, then I’d circle back.

I caught up with him again as he entered a side room off the back area leading to the garages and carriage houses.

I was out of breath and stopped just outside the door I’d seen him go into.

“Where is she?” he growled.

“I’m right here, and we have a guest,” a female voice said from behind me.

And then something slammed into my head, and the world went black.