Page 22 of Wedding Cake Carnage
“Hollyhock…” The name spins through my mind like a haunting song. “Wait a minute.” My heart drums wildly. “Noah? Wasn’t it strange that both the guy from Mangias and the guy from Wicked Wok said they had similar orders they delivered to Hollyhock? Isn’t that a little out of range for them? I mean, it’s almost as if—”
“Everett’s communicating with us.”
Noah and I bolt out the door and we don’t stop until we get to Mangias.
Chapter 8
July is the only month of the year that the weather seems to be consistently, well—hellish. Our sweet small town has effectively been transformed into a toaster oven for all practical purposes.
By the time Noah and I cross the street, a mere one hundred yards, I’m sweating as if I just ran the Ashford Marathon. My hair clings to the back of my neck, I’m panting up a storm, and Noah is giving me that bedroom eye as if he likes what he sees.
Noah opens the door to Mangias and the cool air greets us, right along with the heavenly scent of a fresh baked pizza. An entire thicket of people waits to be seated, each fanning themselves after narrowly escaping the flames from the sun. Come to think of it, it is lunchtime. But my appetite has taken a leave of absence, and all I can think about is finding my way to Everett.
Before I can accost the cashier, I spot an all too familiar shimmering aura of light coming from the dining room, and sure enough a gorgeous creature of ghostly proportions slinks his way over.
I take up Noah’s hand. “Beasty is here,” I whisper.
“Lottie,” Beasty roars out my name low and dramatic, the exact way Everett was prone to do during our most heated moments—albeit my surname—and I feel terrible for reliving the memory. “You’re just in time to have an impromptu run-in with someone very special to my sweet Jana.”
I think it’s adorable the way he referenced her as hissweet Jana.
Noah takes a look around at the crowd in the reception area. “They look locked up. A stroll through the dining room couldn’t hurt.”
“Let’s do it.”
Beasty leads the way and both Noah and I straighten when we see him.
Pierce Underwood sits at an intimate table for two with a brunette who has her back to us. Her hand stretches across the table to grab ahold of his, but he quickly withdraws his fingers.
Huh.
Noah and I casually stroll by before I backtrack.
“Pierce?” I ask, perhaps a little too cheery.
Both Pierce and his companion look our way and it’s only when I see her face I recognize her as well.
“Oh, and you’re…” I’m at a loss for Jana’s best friend’s name. Beasty growls as he hops up onto the table and it’s a menacing sight.
“Jackie.” She presses her black fingernails to her chest. “You’re the baker, right? From the convention?”
“Yes. And unfortunately, my sister’s new wedding planner.” I offer a mournful smile to both of them. “I’m so sorry about everything you’re going through.”
“Thank you.” Pierce nods as he looks to Noah. “Detective Fox. How’s the investigation?”
Noah’s dimples press in as he glances my way. “I interviewed Pierce at the scene.” He looks back his way. “I wish I had better news. Whoever did this must have lured her out back and out of range of any security cameras the convention center had set up.”
Jackie shudders. “I don’t know who did this to her, but when I get my hands on that person—and I will—they’re a goner.” She twists her body to get a better look at Noah. “No offense, detective, but I’m going to save you a heck of a lot of trouble and the taxpayers a heck of a lot of money. That person is just as dead as Jana.”
That was convincing—even if she does turn out to be the killer.
Beasty grunts and the table quivers, but no one seems to notice.
Pierce takes a breath as he looks my way. “Wait a minute. You’re the baker that Felicity says brought down her mother’s killer?”
A breath hitches in my throat. How I hate that my reputation precedes me. It really does ruin a lot of good sleuthing opportunities. As for example…
“That would be me.” I dip my knees a bit as if the thought humbled me—more like enraged. “That was just a lucky shot, though. Right place, wrong time. Total fluke. Wouldn’t you say?” I slap Noah on the back and accidentally give his gun a whack.