WineBuried Wedding (Black Cat Cafe Cozy Mystery Series Book 8) Page 8

  Scarlet stuttered and began to defend herself.

  Milly held up her hand. “I do understand, though. Trisha can be, well, I guess the kindest word would be difficult.” With a shaky hand, she poured herself a mug of coffee. No cream. No sugar.

  Scarlet leaned toward Milly with her mouth open. “Difficult? Ha! She’s a ruthless—”

  Annie reached across the table and covered Scarlet’s hand with her own. She cut Scarlet off before the discussion went down the drain and Milly didn’t get a chance to explain why she even came. “I’m listening. Is it about the gown, Milly?”

  “I guess everything goes back to that gown, doesn’t it?” Milly fixed her unwavering gaze on Leona. “You did give that design to Trisha, didn’t you?”

  Leona sighed, turned her head, and stared off into space. “I never gave it to her, as in—here, I never want this back and you can tell everyone you designed this gown. I asked her to make a gown for me using my pattern, and it was so beautiful, I forgot about the design until . . .” Leona’s voice quivered. “You know, I always thought Trisha and I would be best friends forever.”

  Milly patted Leona’s hand. “I know. No one saw her change coming. Somewhere along the line, she turned into a selfish, greedy person. Her father would never admit that our little girl evolved into such a ruthless creature.” She shrugged. “And here I am. Finally trying to straighten things out. I’m sorry it’s taken so long, but Annie’s wedding seems to be the catalyst for the chance to fix everything.”

  Annie slammed her hand on the table. “Are you serious? A man has been murdered. Your son-in-law. How can you say anything can be fixed now? You can’t bring Steve back to life.”

  Milly remained calm as she sipped her coffee. “I’m a realist. Steve and Trisha’s relationship has always been volatile. And, to be perfectly honest, it didn’t help one bit when Steve and Leona flirted right in front of Trisha’s nose yesterday morning.”

  Annie’s eyes narrowed and she shifted her body as far away from Milly as was possible in the small booth seat they shared. “Are you trying to lay the blame of Steve’s murder on Leona?” She shook her head in disgust. “You people always play the blame game. Is it ever Trisha’s fault in your mind?”

  Milly’s eyes blinked as she stared at Annie. “Well, I can see we aren’t going to get anywhere with that kind of attitude.” She started to slip out of the booth.

  “Wait,” Mia said. “I want to hear what you came to tell Annie.”

  Milly stayed sitting, half balanced on the edge of the booth and half hovering over air. “The gown is part of the problem, but not for the reason you think. Apparently there has been, um, a bit of business shenanigans going on. Harold told me that Steve was setting up a different design company. He also suspected Steve of stealing her designs for that company.”

  “Ha!” Leona pointed her finger at Milly. “It sounds like Harold had as good a motive as anyone to murder Steve. Or maybe it was you. Where were the two of you last night?”

  Milly, obviously flustered, almost lost her balance off the seat. After she got herself settled securely again, she answered Leona’s charge. “Harold’s no murderer; he couldn’t even kill a fly. Besides, we were at that noisy pub with Trisha.”

  “How does Leona’s gown fit in?” Mia asked.

  “Well, it’s the precursor for Trisha’s whole line. She wants to avoid any confusion about her Trish Designs line of clothing.”

  “But Trisha didn’t create that gown,” Leona sneered. “I did.”

  Milly flicked her wrist. “You aren’t back on that old tired story, are you, Leona? We all know Trisha made that gown.”

  “From my design, Milly. Trisha stole my design when I was friends with her.” Leona pushed her face even with Milly’s nose. “Real friends don’t steal from each other. I’ll never forgive her or give that gown to her. Her business can go under for all I care.”

  Leona walked away. She pulled cupboards and drawers open and lined up everything she needed to make the lemon buttercream frosting for Annie’s wedding cake.

  All the clatter and slamming made it quite obvious that Leona was angry. Or, more accurate, furious. Rightly so, thought Annie.

  “I still don’t see how having the gown helps Trisha,” Annie said.

  “It matters once you wear it and people ask about where it came from. Up until now, it’s been hanging in a closet and no one knew it even existed.” Milly raised her eyebrows. She sighed. “Is it that difficult to see that if you tell people that Leona designed the gown, the cat’s out of the bag and all of Trisha’s designs become suspect? It will ruin her.”

  “Good,” Leona muttered, loud enough for the others to hear.

  Milly stood up. “I told Harold you wouldn’t care about us. He was sure family would count for something.”

  Scarlet, who had been quiet through the discussion, burst out laughing. “What a show.” She clapped her hands as if she had just finished watching a live reality T.V. performance. “Trisha has all of you wrapped around her crooked little fingers. And, now, with Steve out of the way, there are absolutely no checks on her.” Scarlet pushed her way out of the booth. “How convenient for Trisha, isn’t it, Milly?” She spat the name out like it was a bitter taste of medicine.

  Milly started to leave but remembered to snatch her book off the table. “You can scratch three names off your wedding list, Annie. Trisha was right all along when she said she didn’t want to come. Harold and I should have listened to her.”

  Leona shouted as Milly was halfway out the door. “That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.”

  “I’m afraid this is about to get ugly,” Mia said after the café door slammed shut.

  Scarlet nodded. “It’s already ugly if you ask me. Obviously, those people are capable of doing anything to get what they want. There’s no way they’ll let Annie wear that wedding gown. They will figure out some devious scheme to stop her.”

  “We have to figure out who you saw with Steve the night he was murdered.” Annie ticked off the names on each finger of her hand—“Trisha, Harold, Milly, Thorne, or someone else?”

  “Don’t forget to add my name to that list,” Leona said as she smoothed some lemon buttercream frosting on the bottom layer of Annie’s wedding cake. “And Scarlet. She saw me and a mysterious person. She could have been at the scene of the crime with all the spying she did.”

  Scarlet’s face tightened. “I didn’t kill Steve Fitch. Believe me, if I was going to murder anyone, it would have been Trisha. I think whoever murdered Steve was after my sketch pad.”

  Annie saw Leona’s hand pause with the knife covered with frosting. “I think you could be right, Scarlet. Steve gave me the sketch pad and told me to keep it safe. He was afraid someone was going to try to steal it from him. He didn’t think anyone would suspect me of having it.” She focused on the frosting again. “I didn’t know whose it was until you said yours had a black leather cover.”

  Annie squinted her eyes. “You told me you found it under the café door when you got here this morning.”

  “Right. I did tell you that.” She dropped the frosting-covered spatula in the bowl and leaned her hands on the counter. “I didn’t want to get grilled about my meeting with Steve. Especially in light of what happened to him last night. If it wasn’t for Little Miss Spy here, no one would know those details. But, if she rats me out, she’ll be making herself a suspect, too. So maybe I’m safe.”

  Scarlet walked to the counter. “I wouldn’t count on it. Trisha must have something to use as leverage to get what she wants. That wedding gown is an important part of her business plan.” Scarlet dipped her finger in the bowl of frosting and tasted the lemony sweetness. “Wow. Tart and sweet.” She smacked her lips. “Now, I’d like to know where my sketch pad is. When did Steve give it to you?”

  Leona scooped up more frosting and the spatula continued spreading frosting as if it had a mind of its own.

  “The book is safe. He gave it to me when
we left the Cove’s Corner building. I stuffed it in my big tote. It was his way of letting me know he was finally going to do the right thing for a change. It was too late for me and my designs, but he wanted to help you, Scarlet.”

  Scarlet held her hand out. “I’ll take it back now.” She stared at Leona.

  “I don’t think so. You’ll get it after Steve’s murderer is found. I’d hate for you to skip out of town. You know, just in case.”

  “Just in case, what?”

  “Just in case you murdered Steve Fitch.” Leona cocked her head to one side and raised her brows. “You know, after you followed him to Annie’s porch, all under cover of the thunderstorm. It would have been easy. Whack him over the head. Get your sketch pad back. Disappear from town. Only problem was, he didn’t have the sketches, did he?”

  Annie watched the muscles on Scarlet’s jaw tighten with each accusation Leona threw at her.

  “I’ll be here for the rest of the day,” Leona said, returning her attention to Annie’s wedding cake. She carefully set the middle layer on the frosted bottom section. One edge of the medium layer lined up with an edge of the bottom layer, giving an asymmetrical look. She stood back and surveyed her work. “This space,” she pointed to the distance from the medium layer to the edge, “will be filled with beautiful pink fondant flowers and green leaves to match your gown. You have to wear my gown to make the whole theme work.”

  The café door slammed closed.

  Scarlet was gone.

  Leona shrugged. “Don’t worry about Scarlet disappearing into thin air. I saw her designs. She’s super talented and she won’t go anywhere until she has her sketch pad back.”

  Chapter 13

  Annie stuck a knife into the bowl of lemon buttercream frosting.

  Leona tried to slap her hand away but wasn’t quick enough.

  Annie licked the knife and her lips from one corner to the other. “I think it could use more lemon.”

  “Really?” Leona took a taste, too. She tapped the knife against her lip. “You’re right. I’ve been too distracted thinking about all this mess connected to Steve. I keep going over and over every word he said to me the night he died and I’m trying to fill in the blanks of what he left unsaid. Did I miss something important?” She dropped her knife into the frosting bowl. “I can’t believe what Milly told us about him stealing Trisha’s designs to start a new company. That certainly would be a motive for someone to murder him. If it’s true.”

  Annie twirled herself around on the counter stool. “There are inconsistencies in what we’ve heard. Scarlet thought he was going to help her find a better job. But why would he do that? What would he gain?”

  “A clear conscience after all these years?” Leona speculated.

  “Or a big payout into his pocket. Maybe he didn’t like being in Trisha’s shadow?” Annie wondered. “If they were having marriage problems, he might have seen the writing on the wall and wanted to keep some money for himself.”

  Leona spread more frosting. “He mentioned the marriage problems to me, so I think they were real.”

  Mia started to roll the light rose fondant for the flowers. “He convinced Scarlet he was going to help her but he may have done that to get her designs for himself. Isn’t that how he helped Trisha get started way back when he convinced you to let her keep your drawings, Leona? He seems to have a habit of manipulating women for his own scheme. Don’t you see that pattern, too?”

  Leona and Annie stared at Mia.

  Leona blurted out, “You’re absolutely right. And I even started to feel sorry for him last night when he apologized for what he let Trisha do to me and how Trisha was elbowing him out of her life now. What a sucker I am.”

  “Maybe we’ve been looking at all the wrong people,” Annie began. “Not that Scarlet or Trisha don’t have a motive to want Steve dead, but what about Thorne? Maybe he got wind of what was going on and decided to take matters into his own hands.” Annie slid off the stool. “At least I know what to ask Scarlet now. If I can find her. But first I have to make a stop at The Enchanted Florist. Posey McBride wants me to okay the table arrangements before she gets them all put together. Apparently, she had to make some last minute substitutions, or something like that.”

  “What’s Jason doing today? Does he have any say in all these wedding decisions?” Leona asked as Annie walked toward the door.

  “He said he’s busy wrapping up loose ends with his business so we, in his words, don’t have any interruptions on our honeymoon.”

  “Ooo la la.” Leona wiggled her eyebrows. “It’s about time the two of you are finally tying the knot.” Leona turned toward Mia. “Maybe we should tag along on their honeymoon. It sounds like a lot of fun.”

  “You don’t even know where we’re going. Or do you?” Annie put her hands on her hips. “Did Jason tell you, Leona? You two are always scheming behind my back. I swear, if—”

  Leona burst out laughing and pointed at Annie. “You should see your face. Of course he didn’t tell me. This time you two will have that whole island just to yourselves.”

  “What whole island?” Annie’s eyes narrowed.

  “Oops.” Leona covered her mouth. “Did I say island?” She waved her hand dismissively. “Just a guess.”

  Annie stomped closer to the two sisters. “If you two show up on my honeymoon—”

  “What?” Leona interrupted. “You’ll welcome us with open arms. Right, Mia?”

  Mia cocked her head to one side. “I’m staying out of this discussion. You can have your fun, Leona, but I don’t want to be part of it.”

  “Thank you, Mom. At least one of you was born with some common sense. Just to be clear,” Annie stared at Leona, “Jason and I would like our honeymoon to be interruption-free, thank you very much.”

  Leona saluted and tried to keep her mouth from grinning. “You—”

  “No more comments, Leona,” Annie said with her finger pointed at her aunt. “You. Are. Not. Welcome. On. Our. Honeymoon. Is that clear enough?”

  “I’ll make that promise as long as I see you in my gown when you walk down the aisle. If you cave to Trisha’s demands, all promises are null and void.” Leona raised her brows. “Is that clear?”

  “No problem with keeping that promise.” Annie finally made it out the door. She shook her head and realized how much she loved her mother and her aunt. They certainly could drive her crazy at times, but it was a good crazy, she reminded herself.

  Annie diverted her eyes toward Dazzle Design and slowed her pace when she passed the store. Camilla met Annie’s gaze and rolled her eyes. She held up a finger indicating for Annie to wait.

  She went through the Cove’s Corner doors into the fresh air. Heron Lake was shimmering blue and small waves lapped the shoreline. Several boats were tied to the dock. Annie sat on the wall separating the building from the beach and waited for Camilla.

  She pushed the death of Steve Fitch to the back of her mind. Instead, she imagined herself in her wedding gown, holding her bouquet of peonies as she walked down the aisle toward Jason. She knew Jason would have a grin from ear to ear, and the thought of that smile was all she needed to pull her through whatever problems popped up in the next twenty four hours.

  The tap tap sound of heels hitting the pavers behind Annie brought her back to the moment. She waited for Camilla to join her on the wall.

  The tapping stopped. Annie felt a shadow block the sun’s warm rays. She turned her head slightly, but didn’t take her eyes off the lake as she patted the stone next to her. “Sit down for a minute, Camilla.”

  Annie heard a short laugh before a burst of pain exploded on the back of her head. She fell forward off the wall without seeing who approached her from behind.

  “Annie? Are you okay?” Camilla’s worried voice drifted through the fog in Annie’s brain.

  She opened her eyes, surprised to be looking up into Camilla’s face with the bright blue sky in the background. Where did the view of Heron Lake disappear to
o? Why did her head throb?

  “Annie? Say something. What happened?”

  Annie’s eyes blinked several times. “Camilla? Did you push me off the wall?”

  “Of course not. You must have fallen.” Camilla gently slid her arm behind Annie’s shoulders and helped her to sit up. “Lean against the wall before you try to stand. Something happened; don’t move too quickly.”

  Annie rubbed the back of her head with her hand. “Ouch. There’s a bump as big as an ostrich egg. I remember hearing your heels clicking on the pavers behind me before everything went black.”

  “It wasn’t my heels. I got a blister and kicked my heels off as soon as I got outside. Did you see who it was?” Camilla’s voice rose as concern laced each word.

  Annie pushed herself up slowly to a standing position. She turned to look at the Cove’s Corner building. “No. I never turned around because I thought it was you.”

  Camilla looped her arm through Annie’s. “Let’s get out of here. Trisha really doesn’t want you to wear Leona’s gown. She tried to get you to trade it for a new design and that didn’t work. Maybe her plan now is to keep you from wearing any gown.”

  Annie’s brows creased. “Get married naked? That’s the most ridiculous comment you’ve ever made.”

  Camilla was trying to hurry Annie to her car. “No. She wants to stop the wedding. If you’re hurt, or dead, she won’t have to worry about the gown, will she?”

  Annie stopped short. “Dead? Trisha wants me dead? Did you discover something today?”

  “Yes.” She pulled harder on Annie’s arm, finally getting her moving in the right direction. “I’ll explain once I get you out of here.” Camilla bundled Annie into the passenger seat of her car, slammed the door, and scooted to the driver seat. “I’ll take you home. We can talk there.”

  Once Camilla was out of the Cove’s Corner parking lot, she let out a big sigh. “Trisha is crazy. I didn’t get all the details, but she’s involved in something that smells like a bucket of rotting fish guts.” She turned into the empty driveway at Cobblestone Cottage. “What is Jason doing today? I was hoping he’d be here, too.”