CHAPTER 25
T hanksgiving Day here in Cider Cove is usually a whirlwind of joy, laughter, and delicious aromas wafting through the crisp Maine air. And, well, it’s still sort of all of those things, with a greasy patina of murder.
The parade has started and I’m bundled in a coat as I watch float after float roll down Main Street. My muscles are sore from my rather turtle-like jaunt during the Wobble Gobble Turkey Trot, but it’s nothing some pie can’t cure.
Jasper and I stand with our furry menagerie out in front of my sister’s shop which affords us a decent view despite the fact the crowd is twelve deep in front of us.
“What happened to Emmie and Leo?” I raise my voice an octave as the chatter from the crowd and the music from the floats tries to drown me out.
“Leo was asked to work security. They’re short and this crowd is blossoming by the second. And I think he mentioned something about Emmie running back to the inn to make sure dinner was still on target.”
I make a face. “She had three members of the kitchen staff offer to help for a few hours, but I know she wanted to send them all home. Believe me, if I wasn’t such a menace in the kitchen, I’d do it all myself.”
“It’s safer for all involved that you keep a good distance from the stove.”
“Watch it, buddy,” I tease, knocking my elbow into his ribs. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”
“I’m lucky you’re the whole package,” he says, leaning in to give me a kiss just as his phone goes off. He glances down at the screen and frowns. “All right. It’s Leo. He says they can use my help down at the gazebo. Looks like some teenagers are getting rowdy. I’ll be right back.” He lands another kiss on my lips. “Try not to run toward trouble. On second thought, I saw how the Wobble Gobble ended. Run anywhere you like.”
“Very funny,” I say as he takes off.
Fish growls in the direction he took off in, He’s lucky I don’t run after him. We all know you did your best in the race, and that’s all that matters.
“Thank you,” I tell her, giving her a quick pat.
I ended up coming in dead last. I didn’t want Magda to have the honor after I all but accused her of murder and having an affair with her ex—which she fully intends to do, she just hasn’t gotten that far yet.
And as luck would have it, come to find out there is a prize for the last person to cross the finish line. A warm hug from the mayor. Yes, Mackenzie was waiting for me, rolling her eyes, and wondering to herself how many years in a row she’ll have to hug it out with me in the name of civic duty.
On the bright side, I got a hug from little Mack, too.
Sherlock nuzzles his head against the back of my knee. What do you think, Bizzy? If Magda’s not our killer, who is?
Don’t answer that, Bizzy, Fish mewls. For once, I agree with the oaf you married. No discussing the case until after Thanksgiving.
It’s true, that was his request. And I get it. Besides, for me to tell him anything, I’d have to practically shout at the top of my lungs, it’s deafening here at the moment. That would certainly get the gossip wheel turning.
Chestnut gives a happy little bark as she looks up at me. Bizzy, do you think the killer is here now?
I bite my lip as I look into the crowd. Once Jasper put a holiday-based moratorium on the investigation, I’ve been working overtime trying to keep all thoughts of my conversation with Magda out of my head.
“Yes, Chestnut,” I tell her. “The odds are very high in that department.”
Considering all of Maine seems to have shown up, it’s hard to believe the killer isn’t in our number.
Acorn yips and barks. If that’s true, then we need to act fast before the parade is over. What if they try to get away for good? Then we’ll never put Mama’s killer away. And you never know whose mama they might be coming after next. It could be yours, Bizzy.
I tip my head at the thought. “I suppose it could be. I suppose none of us are really safe.”
An icy wind blows through the crowd and sends a wild shiver up my spine.
Acorn is right. There’s a killer on the loose. Jasper and I can’t take the holiday off. It could endanger someone’s life—my own mother’s life.