Page 7 of Donut Disaster
Everett and I head into the woods as the skeletal fingers of a dry pine tree claw us farther into the darkness by way of their bony-like protrusions.
“What’s your name? What kind of a dog are you? And are you a boy or a girl?” I like to keep my pronouns straight when it comes to the furry little creatures.
The stately beast glows an ethereal blue, his coat looks thick and glossy in this unnatural light, and he’s panting, which almost makes it look as if he’s about to smile. And oddly enough, upon closer inspection, the dog really does look more like a small bear.
“Boy. Newfoundland. And my name is Cookie—Cookie Monster is my formal moniker.” His voice is deeper than the sea, and it sends a shiver up my spine just hearing it.
“Did he just say Cookie?” I look to Everett, disbelieving.
“Cookie?” Everett’s voice hikes with something just this side of amusement. “Man, I’ve missed you.” Everett bends over and does his best to pat the air, so I guide his hand until he’s actually swatting it right through Cookie’s ghostly frame. “Cookie Monster. You were the best. I’m sorry about Morgan.”
“As am I, Essex.” The gorgeous beast growls.
“It’s just Everett now.” He shoots me a sly look.
“Who did this?” I’m quick to interrogate the otherworldly canine. “Who killed Dr. Dawson?”
“I don’t know,” Cookie roars it out like a threat. “But I’m going to prowl the grounds. I will not rest until I find the one who wears the blood guilt.” He barks up a storm as he takes off toward the lake like only a beloved dog on a mission can.
“Hey!” I call after him. “Clue me in on that blood guilt thing, would you?” My voice wanes as Everett and I head back out of the woods, only to meet up with Noah and Ivy.
Ivy Fairbanks steps up in a white pantsuit, her hair wild like kinky flames.
“Lottie Lemon, you did it again,” she says it flat without a stitch of sarcasm that the sentiment probably deserved. “We’ll handle things from here. Judge Baxter, why don’t you escort her back to the party? It’s best some of the guests be informed right away that there’s been an incident.”
Noah closes his eyes briefly. “I’d better get down there, too.” He glances to Everett. “I just texted Jeremy. He says he’s here at the lake.” He looks my way. “He’s the next of kin. Morgan let me know earlier their mother is unreachable in Europe.” He steps over to Ivy. “I want this area cordoned off. Forensics is on their way. Lottie, Everett, why don’t we go break the news to Alex, his buddy, and the girls? Jeremy is on his way over to meet me.”
We make our way back to the party where the donuts are almost all gone as the guests mingle and laugh under the twinkle lights as if it were the best party they’ve ever been to.
We come upon Alex speaking with Britney and my new stepbrother, Finn. When it was revealed to me that Mayor Nash was my biological father, I won a few siblings as a door prize. And, of course, Britney is Noah’s soon-to-be ex-wife. Noah has exes coming out of the woodwork. It’s basically a hazard with him.
“Lottie Lemon.” Finn holds out his arms and offers me a warm embrace. “How’s my favorite sister?” He gives a hard wink. “Don’t tell Aspen and Kelleth I said that.” Finn has a boyish adorableness to him. We share the same caramel-colored hair and light eyes. He has an infectious grin, and you can just tell he’s the kind of person everyone wants to be around.
“I’m not doing so well, actually.” I glance past him into the crowd.
Britney blocks my view. “What is it, Luka?”
For reasons unknown to me, both Cormack and Britney get my name wrong at every turn. It’s probably a power play on their part, but I really don’t care at this point. Britney has that Jessica Rabbit smoldering beauty going on—one eye cleverly hidden by a stray blonde lock, smoky eyes, and large red lips ready to take a bite out of just about anyone. She’s also a franchise owner of Swift Cycle gyms, and she’s busy peppering them all over Vermont.
Everett takes a breath. “There’s been another murder.”
Noah leans in. “Excuse me”—he says, eyeing his brother—“I’d better break this to a few people myself.”
“I’m going with you. Hey? Don’t you have to break this to Jeremy first?”
“Trust me, Jeremy won’t mind one bit.”
I traipse alongside him as best as I can until we come upon Alex talking with Colin—Dr. Drake—and Sandra, the labor and delivery nurse. They burst into a warm laugh just as we come upon their circle.
“Here’s the man of the hour.” Alex pats Noah on the back.
Dr. Drake nods to the three of us. “Everything okay? You look like you had one too many donuts.” His eyes spear into each of ours as if trying to read us, but his jaw is clenched as if he were angry while doing so.
Noah offers a meager smile my way. “I haven’t had any. I’m sorry, but I have some pretty tough news.”
Sandra gently touches a trembling hand to her chest. “Goodness. Is everything all right?”
Noah stiffens. “Morgan is dead. Someone shot him in the woods. The Ashford Sheriff’s Department is taking care of the scene.”