Page 47 of Wedding Cake Carnage

Huh. That’s not quite the story I remember her telling—at least not in that order.

“But you couldn’t date him anyhow. That whole no dating employees thing, right?”

Her chest bumps with a laugh. “It’s what I tell people to save face. Steven’s girlfriend helps with the accounting.”

She means Kelleth, my new half-sister, and my nose wrinkles at the thought of her.

“That’s surprising for such a huge organization. I mean, entrusting one person with such a big job. You must have hundreds of employees.”

She shakes her head. “Nope. It’s just the four of us. A pretty small time deal. We’re still killing it, though.”

My antennae go up. Something doesn’t sound right. Hook seemed blown away at how big this place was.

“Well good. As a business owner, it pleases me to hear that other small businesses are thriving, too.”

I rise to leave. “I’ll see you at the funeral.”

“And at your sister’s wedding,” she says through a mouthful. “Jana asked me to help with a few details—you know, before she died”—she whispers that last part—“and, of course, I agreed to it. I’d do anything for that girl.”

“Oh, I’m surprised there’s anything left to do. I’ve got a list a mile long myself.”

She waves it off. “I’ve got some Grecian columns she had stored in my garage and she asked me to help schlep them over. Pierce was supposed to help, and I’m going to make him as one last act of kindness to that girl.”

“That’s sweet of you both, but if it’s too much just give me a call at the bakery and I’ll have it taken care of.”

I take off for Noah’s car and close the door to keep the pressing heat out.

“What happened, Lottie? What did you learn?”

“I’m not sure, but I think Jackie has the hots for Pierce. And I’m not entirely sure Hook knows anything about Underwood Investments.”

“Redwood Realty is just down the street. We can ask him ourselves.”

“Let’s do it. After we enjoy another quick donut break.”

“Ah, a detective after my own heart.” He gives a lightning quick wink. “You already have it, Lot.”

“I know,” I whisper and we tap our donuts together as if we were toasting.

Noah has mine, too, right along with Everett, and I’m entirely baffled as to how I let this happen.

Chapter 17

Redwood Realty is on the corner of a shopping plaza nestled between a pizza parlor and an automotive repair shop.

Inside, it’s reasonably cool. The floors are a glossy black granite, and the furniture is gray with white marbled countertops. Noah and I ask to speak with Hook, but the secretary lets us know he’s with a client at the moment.

A familiar high-pitched voice of a woman tugs at my ear as I give Noah the side-eye.

“That sounds just like Lainey. I’d bet my life that was my sister,” I say as I take a step beyond the wall to my left, and sure enough I spot Lainey and Forest seated across from Amanda Wellington. She’s not only one of Redwood’s premier realtors, but she was a competitor of Jana’s—the exact competitor Jana was arguing with the day she was gunned down. “Well, what a surprise,” I say, pulling Noah in with me.

A spray of white light flashes from the ceiling and down drops Beasty over the desk with a roar.

Nowthatwas a true surprise.

“Not without me, Lottie,” he grumbles as he hops to the floor.

“Lottie!” Lainey jumps up and gives me a firm embrace. “Hey, Noah.” She gives a quick wave as we say hello to everyone in the office.