Page 41 of Macaron Massacre
“Lottie?” Lainey looks a touched stunned to see me. She crimps her lips a moment and offers Meg a barely-there shake of the head.
“What?” I ask, clearly apprised of the fact Lainey is trying to keep something from me. First Nell and Greer and now Meg and Lainey? I’m not liking this variation on a theme.
Meg barks out a laugh. “I may have told Lainey that your gift to the happy couple was to keep your distance. And guess what, Lot? She looked relieved!”
My mouth falls open as I look to my older questionably wiser sister. “Lainey? Do you want me to leave?”
“Leave? What! No.” She takes up my hand and moves us as far away from Meg as possible. “Did you see all of these beautiful gifts?” She walks us briskly by a wall of boxes wrapped in every shade of pastel. “And how can I not love these macaron towers? Lottie? Six? You really outdid yourself.” She lunges over me with a firm embrace.
“It was the least I could do. You didn’t want a cake. Oh, and speaking of the cake, I drew some sketches last night I’d love to go over with you for the wedding.”
“You bet.” She wrinkles her nose at the door. “I’d better mingle. Forest’s sisters just showed up. Let’s just say they want to sink their paws into my wedding. Jana and I have been trying to bat them away with my proverbial bouquet for two weeks now. I’d better say hello or I’ll hear about it.”
“Go on,” I say as she takes off, and another familiar face comes my way—my own.
“Hello, Carlotta. You’ve been keeping a low profile. I suspect Mayor Nash’s campaign has kept you good and busy?” And I for one am thankful. Not that Carlotta and I don’t get along, but Carlotta has a way of, well, complicating things. Hey? Maybe we’re more alike than I realize?
She scowls as she looks to the door. “I’ve had it with Mayor Nash. Let it be known I loathe that man. I hope he nosedives in the debate this afternoon.”
“Wow, what did he ever do to you? Let me guess. No donuts in the volunteer room?”
“Oh, he’s got those. And whatever else you’re selling. Your mother has furnished us with enough sweet treats to line Honey Lake with. He’s just, I don’t know—not good for your mother.”
My mouth falls open. “Is he hitting on you? I knew he was no good. Once a cad, always a cad. That man is the next to be evicted out of my mother’s life.”
“You guessed it.” She gives a wistful shake of the head. “And if he thinks he’s getting something out of me, he’s got another thing coming.” She snatches a macaron off one of the many colorful cookie towers strewn around the room and takes off for mayoral pastures.
Mom bops up, dancing away to the soft rock playing lightly over the speakers.
“Isn’t everything just perfect?” She wraps an arm around my shoulders as we take it all in. “Oh, I just can’t wait for you and Meg to experience this as well. I’m so ready for this next phase of your lives and for mygrandchildren.” She lands a hand over my tummy. “I know you’ve decried the rumors, but how I wish they were true. Could you please get that kind judge to gift me a grandbaby or two?Ooh—I know! You can havetwins. Double the pleasure for half the time in maternity clothes,” she sings that last part as if trying to entice me.
“Not happening any time soon. I think I’ll let Lainey blaze a trail in the baby department. And who knows? Maybe Hook will propose and you’ll have two married daughters within a year? He and Meg are getting pretty serious.”
“And how about you? Are you and Noah getting serious? Ooh, sorry.” She catches herself as her fingers cover her lips. “I meant Everett.”
“We are definitely about as serious as you can get.” I flash my bling her way, and a primal cry rips from her as if I just plucked a kidney out of her back with a butter knife.
“Carlotta Lemon!” She yanks my hand forward. “How dare you spring this on me as if it were no big deal? My God, look at the size of that rock! Oh, Lottie, this is an antique platinum setting. I can tell. I’m very good at these things.”
“You are gifted. But I’m pulling your leg, sort of. It’s a long story, but I’m just holding onto this for his mother. And as soon as I figure out a way to give it back, I will.”
A slew of reporters swarm the room, and Meg is quick to redirect them, but not before they blind us with a barrage of flashes all directed at my mother.
The tallest in the bunch cranes his neck our way. “How does it feel to be dating a killer?”
And just like that, Meg employs her wrestling moves, and it looks as if she’s taking him all the way to the front door. Good for her. I hope Noah looks the other way when she assaults the guy.
“The nerve!” I say. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, yes.” My mother closes her eyes as she waves it off. “I’ve been putting up with this ever since that tragic day. Oh, Lottie, we need to find the killer before voting day. Numbers are really beginning to dwindle for Harry. I just hate that Rich had to go and die right there at the rally.”
“Mother! Do you realize how heartless that sounds? Whatever you do, don’t repeat any of that to another human being. And I can promise you—I’m going to get to the bottom of this. I don’t want anyone putting you through more turmoil.”
“Thank you.” She dabs the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. “I didn’t mean to sound so cold. A part of me misses him just as deeply as I missed your father.”
“Is there anything at all you can think of that might help with the case? Did Rich have enemies? Scratch that.” I know the answer.Did he have friendswould have been more to the point. “Why did he stop paying his ex and cut off finances to his daughters abruptly after all these years? I mean, I know it was time—his daughters are grown, after all, but I just wondered if maybe he had money problems.”
Mom’s lips twitch as she gives the room a sideways glance. “I didn’t want to say anything—you know, embarrass him posthumously, but Rich Dallas was living off fumes for the last solid year.” Her face crumbles as she clutches onto my hands. “Rich had a terrible gambling problem. Underground poker,” she mouths the words. “But just a week or so before he was brutally murdered, he bragged about some big win that was going to change his world. He thought I was leaving him because he was broke. You know I would never do that, Lottie. I wouldnever.” She offers a sullen smile before excusing herself and disappearing into the crowd.