Murder in the Mix (Books 1-3) Page 18

  “Oh, cheese balls,” I hiss as I snap my laptop shut. “Anyone else? Anyone who could have feasibly done this?”

  “There’s Bear.”

  “Bear?” I screech a little too loud, and a few women at the next table turn this way. They’re tourists and most likely have no idea what carnage took place here last night. “That’s terrible. Bear wouldn’t hurt a fly. That’s nothing but another dead end.”

  “Well”—Noah tugs at his collar—“he didn’t shed a tear last night, but he did look upset. In fact, if I had to guess, he looked fighting mad.”

  That argument I witnessed between Bear and Hunter just a few minutes before I made the gruesome discovery comes to mind, and a breath locks in my throat at the thought of it.

  “Lottie, what is it?” Noah leans in close, the tip of his head just an inch from mine, and his warm cologne permeates me with its warm scent.

  “I—” A part me can’t do it. I know for a fact Bear would never kill Hunter. Why arm Noah with false evidence? “It was nothing. I’ll do whatever I can to prove Bear’s innocence. It’s the least I can do after he moved heaven and earth to open this place in record time.” Even if it means keeping his dark, angry secrets.

  Noah squints into me as if prying into my thoughts. As if he could. But then, if I can see the dearly furry departed, and on occasion those once robed in flesh, maybe he can pry into my thoughts? I straighten in fear.

  “I’ve got a juicy tip for you.”

  “Oh?” I’m right back to leaning in and swooning into those key lime green eyes, those kissable lips just inches from mine.

  “I know of a couple of houses for rent side by side on Country Cottage Road.”

  “Ooh, that’s a nice neighborhood. It butts right up to the woods. I just love that— Hey? Isn’t that the street you live on?”

  He nods, and that naughty grin is right where it’s supposed to be.

  “If you decide to take a look, call me and I’ll join you. In fact, I can have my realtor set up an appointment if you like.”

  My mouth falls open at the thought of living in such close proximity to this alarmingly handsome man who has stolen my heart so quickly.

  “I am more than interested. Let your realtor know we’ll take a look as soon as we can.” We. A content sigh expels from me. Deep down, I’ve always wanted to be a happy we. Although, we haven’t actually spoken about the fact we’re dating. Heck, I don’t even know if you could call what we do dating. We’re pretty good at kissing, though. My lips can’t help but curve up at the sight of his.

  “Good.” He pats his hand over mine as he stands. “I’ll follow up on some leads I’ve got concerning—” He tips his head toward the alley. It’s probably wise not to shout Hunter’s name after what happened. The last thing I want is for my bakery to be a landmark for murder, or a place too sad to visit. “Text me when you hear anything.”

  “Will do,” I say as he takes off with a wave.

  Oh shoot. I forgot to feed him and give him coffee. Everyone knows the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Looks like I’m failing Boyfriend 101 right out the gate.

  Speaking of boyfriends, I need to find a way to clear my ex’s name.

  Micheline and those teary eyes she had at the grand opening come to mind. Hey, wait a minute. She looked like she was grieving before poor Hunter ever bit the big one.

  I head back to the kitchen to pull out my cookies and cheesecakes. I think in a couple of hours I’m going to make a deposit down at the bank. And while I’m there, I’ll bring Noah a dozen fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies that I’m about to whip up just for him.

  Look out, Noah Fox’s stomach, I’m gunning for you.

  I cringe at my own analogy considering the fact Hunter was shot to death.

  Regardless, I hope Noah’s heart is quick to follow his stomach.

  I’m falling for him.

  I just wish I knew exactly how he felt about me.

  Chapter 22

  I was right.

  The thick, sweet scent of the Cutie Pie Bakery and Cakery can joyfully be inhaled all the way down the street where I’m currently standing outside of Noah’s office cradling a box of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. But to my dismay, I’m not staring into the sea green eyes of that tall, dark-haired, and handsome private investigator. I’m staring into a cold hard sign that reads closed in glaring red letters.

  And since Noah isn’t here to partake in this warm batch of ooey gooey goodness, I decide to do the very next best thing with them. I don’t waste any time trotting them into the bank.

  The Honey Hollow Savings and Loans isn’t too spacious inside, but it’s always offered a warm, comforting feeling with its maroon carpet patterned with leaves, its brightly lit foyer filled with coffee urns, and a box of donuts open for any willing customer to enjoy. Just ahead of me, I see a hole in the wall and construction materials strewn about. I know for a fact Bear put this job off until the bakery was finished, and I feel a bit guilty over it.

  I give a quick glance around. A handful of customers are being tended to at the teller windows, but I don’t see Micheline.

  A woman in a yellow pencil skirt and cashmere cardigan walks by with an arm full of files. “Can I help you?”

  “Yes, actually. I was looking for Micheline Roycroft, but I don’t see her. It wouldn’t be her day off, would it?”

  “Oh no, she’s right next door in the loans department.”

  “Loans department. Right. Thank you,” I say, scuttling my way back out. I know all about the loans department. That day I met Noah comes crashing back to me, and I can’t help but smile just thinking about it. The day I met Everett comes barreling back, too, and I cringe at how up close and personal my entire head came with his nether regions. Both introductions were equally awkward, and yet they both led to what feel like genuine friendships. A part of me hopes that what Noah and I have blooms into so much more. After that New York debacle, I had sworn off men. Silly, I know. But here I am. Hoping to make it official with the cute boy down the street. And if I end up loving one of those rentals on Country Cottage Road, he will literally be the boy down the street two times over.

  I head into the small, boxy room and spot Micheline and a couple of other people seated in makeshift cubicles. She’s the only one without a customer at her desk, so I happily head on over.

  “Hey, girl!” I say brightly and am suddenly mortified because the love of her life was just gunned down brutally less than twenty-four hours ago.

  Micheline looks up with bloodshot eyes, her mouth pulled back in horror, and then just as quickly she softens as she stands and offers me a seat.

  “What brings you here?”

  “I come bearing gifts,” I say with a grimace as I set the pink box in front of her. “Chocolate chip cookies.” A lull of silences cuts through the air. “I know this is hard for you. It’s hard for all of us. I’m really sorry. Hunter was my friend, too.”

  Her face pinches as if she might cry, and she snatches a few tissues out of the box in front of her and pushes them to her nose. “I know. I know it’s hard for you, too.” She offers a commiserating nod. “How is Bear?”

  “He’s with family. I texted him last night after I left, and he mentioned they’d be busy making arrangements today.”

  “I figured so.” Fresh tears pour from her as she dabs them away with that growing wad in her hands. “I suppose it’s for the best. Get that part over with.” Her eyes congeal thick with tears. “How are you? How’s the bakery?”

  Micheline slouches over herself, her body looking far more fragile than I remember. If I didn’t know better, I’d bet she was grieving far longer than a day.

  “It’s great. It’s doing well. I mean, it’s a few hours into the first day of business and the tourists and the townspeople really seem to enjoy it.” I tug on a loose curl near my shoulder. “Can I ask if you had a chance to speak with Hunter last night, you know, before it happened?”

  Micheline si
ghs as she looks to the ceiling. “I did end up finding him, but he was having a pretty heated debate with someone and I didn’t want to interrupt. In hindsight, knowing how awful everything turned out, I wish I would have interrupted.”

  “I bet you had a lot to say.” I tip my ear her way without meaning to. It’s a natural tendency I have when I want to do my best to listen to someone. My mother says it’s hardwired in me to do that.

  “Oh, I did.” She cocks her head as if none of it were good. “He had some troubles, and I wanted to help him as much as I could.”

  “Troubles?” I lean in. Micheline really is beautiful. I remember how close we grew while we dated the Fishers. I used to think she could have any guy she wanted, and I still stand by that statement. Of course, Hunter was a looker himself, as is Bear. But Bear’s problem was that he knew it. And, if I’m being honest, Hunter knew it, too.

  “Not dating troubles.” She shakes her head as if ready to dispel any rumors from the start. “We were getting close, though.” Her voice wobbles, and she adds another tissue to the collection in her hand. Her eyes hook to mine as she gives an exasperated sigh. “He had come to me asking for a loan. He didn’t get it.”

  A loan? Micheline had to turn him down for a loan? That must have really put a pin in his ego.

  “Is that why the two of you were having trouble? You looked pretty upset last night when I saw you. I didn’t want to say anything, but you looked like you could have used a tissue then, too.” My heart drums into my chest because I can’t shake the feeling Micheline’s walls are about to crumble, and all of the dark secrets she knows about Hunter are going to topple out.

  “I could have. That’s for sure.” She cracks open the box and politely offers me a cookie first.

  “No thanks. They’re all for you.” The rich scent of vanilla and chocolate permeates the air between us. It’s too strong and far too delicious to ignore, so I don’t blame her for diving on in.

  “Mmm,” she moans through a bite, her eyes rolling up toward her forehead. “I’m sorry, but this is bliss. I haven’t eaten a thing all day. And, of course, I couldn’t even think about dinner last night. You’re a saving grace, Lottie. You always were.”

  “You’re welcome.” This is the part where I should probably wrap things up and leave, but I just feel so close to getting the answers that I need—answers that I didn’t even know I wanted. “I hope you don’t feel like I’m pushing, but is it true? Did the two of you have a disagreement? I mean, if you did, I want to be here for you. I can’t imagine what that would feel like to leave things off with someone.” It’s true. I’m still her friend, and I would do anything to support her through this.

  Micheline swallows hard and looks out the window to her left as an older surly man with silver hair loads drywall debris into his truck. I’m guessing he’s one of the construction workers next door judging by the dirty white tee and matching pants. He has a tool belt on without anything attached. He turns slightly while wiping the sweat from his brow, and I note how ruddy his complexion is. I suppose hauling building materials in and out of the back all day would give anyone a great workout.

  “Hunter and I had a lot of disagreements. But in the end, we were close to getting ourselves back on track.” Her chest bucks, but she keeps her gaze firmly directed out of the window. “He didn’t qualify for a loan from the bank, but I know he was asking Chuck for money, too.” She nods toward the surly man outside.

  “Chuck? Does he work for Bear, too?”

  Bear has his own construction company, and Hunter was his second in command.

  “No, that’s the replacement Bear called in to finish up some of his overflow work. Chuck has his own construction company. Popov Construction.” No sooner does she say it than he slams the door, and I see the oversized lettering across the door that reads Popov Construction. We build it to last for life.

  “That’s right. They were so busy with the bakery.”

  “Yes, exactly.” She takes a deep breath, relaxing somewhat for the first time since I set foot in here.

  “Did Chuck give Hunter the loan he needed?”

  She shrugs as if she weren’t certain of it. “Not that I know of. And if he were going to do it, well, it’s too late for that now, isn’t it?”

  There’s a note of anger in her tone, and it can’t be denied. I’ve never seen Micheline so all over the place with her emotions. Not that the occasion doesn’t call for it, but something is definitely off. First of all, she was upset before Hunter was brutally gunned down. I suppose a rocky relationship can do that to you, but still. So odd.

  My brief wedding engagement comes to mind, and I quickly push it away. Curt and all of the grief he caused can stay in New York forever as far as I’m concerned.

  “Hunter sounded pretty desperate,” I whisper mostly to myself. “Hey, Micheline? What do you think made him so desperate for money?” I lean in, ear tipped her way in the event she feels an innate need to fill it with words—hopefully, the right ones.

  Her features harden a moment as she looks right at me.

  “I guess”—her mouth opens and closes as she quickly scoops up a stack of files over her desk—“I really need to get back to work.” She hops out of her seat. “Thank you for the cookies, Lottie.”

  There’s that. She takes off down the hall, and I hightail it out the door and into the icy autumn air just as Chuck Popov is about to climb into his truck.

  “Excuse me, Chuck?”

  He does a double take my way and lifts a bushy gray brow.

  “You wouldn’t have happened to have any dealings with Hunter Fisher, did you?”

  A garble of unintelligible sounds emit from his mouth as he climbs into his truck shaking his head. The engine fires up in a moment as the truck expels a plume of smoke and drives off down the street.

  And there he goes.

  “Looks like I’m two for two.”

  “Two for two?” a female voice calls out behind me, and I turn to find freakishly tall, redheaded Collette Jenner standing before me on what appear to be stilts, i.e., expensive red-bottomed stilettos. She’s donned one of those power pantsuits she’s prone to wear in a deep shade of burnt orange. Collette works at some fancy PR firm in Ashford, and I’m guessing she’s through for the day. Lucky me.

  She leans in with her nose twitching. “I bet you’re two for two as in one man too many. I don’t know who you think you are all of a sudden collecting boyfriends like they were playing cards, but stay away from mine.” She sneers before speeding off in the opposite direction.

  “And who would that be?” I call after her. I couldn’t help it. Everett has told me countless times they are and will remain exes. Okay, so he may not have included the bit about remaining so, but he emphatically implied it.

  “You know who he is, Lottie Lemon!” She turns around with fury in her eyes. “I’m warning you. Stay away.”

  I watch as she hops into her shiny black sports car and zooms off without so much as turning the ignition. Everything has always fallen into place for Collette—the looks, the cars, the careers, and the men.

  Three out of four ain’t bad.

  She can’t have Mr. Sexy. And not because he’s mine.

  It’s because he doesn’t want her.

  I find myself standing in front of the window to Noah’s office and touch my hand against the glass.

  And I wonder if Noah wants me.

  One thing is for certain—Micheline Roycroft knows exactly why Hunter was so desperate for money.

  And I’m going to make sure I know exactly why, too.

  Chapter 23

  The first few days at the bakery have been more than hectic. Usually when I finish up for the evening, I head straight home to Lainey’s where I happily crash on the bed in the guest room and Pancake is happy to crash right along with me. He’s made it no secret how much he’s missed me these past few crazy weeks. But I plan on making it up to him soon with a trip to Just for Pets. For the last few months, e
ach time I head over to stock up on his Fancy Beast pet food, I’ve brought him along. I always bring along his carrier, too, in the event a large dog decides it’s hungry for pancakes. But so far, the need hasn’t arisen, and Pancake seems to be more than content to peruse all the goodies. I’ll admit to purchasing him a few new toys each time we’re there. But I did manage to resist the cute cat costumes they have on display. When I presented the idea to him, along with an adorable little tutu, he shot me with death rays. I’m pretty sure he knew where that was going.

  Noah and I have been hit-and-miss all week partially because I’m so busy with the bakery, but he too has been so very busy with all of his new cases, it makes me wonder if the best of what we were to have is already in the past. I would never want him to slow down because of me. I totally get not having time to do all the fun things. Hopefully, it’s just a passing phase. A part of me was hoping he’d at least ask me on a date, but on this mundane Friday night, I’ve decided to take myself out.

  Mom called an hour ago and asked if I would meet her at McMurry’s Pumpkin Patch to pick out a few of the happy squashes and gourds for her bed and breakfast and, of course, I was more than happy to oblige. Nothing makes me happier than a cool fall night spent at Honey Hollow’s famed questionably haunted pumpkin patch. The McMurrys play up the Halloween angle every year and wisely so. Their haunted hayrides are so famous you need to buy tickets weeks in advance before they sell out. They have a haunted maze, a haunted house, which is more of a series of trailers that have been welded together, and, of course, there are a ton of family activities for the younger sect—games, petting zoo, bounce houses. It’s a real party the entire month of October, and usually I’m here every single night soaking it all in.

  The pumpkin patch is festooned with scarecrows in every shape and color all around the enormous farm, and they stand illuminated against the backdrop of a glowing purple night sky. There’s a traditional pumpkin patch lot, and then there’s the pick-it-yourself version, which leads you out into the acreage the McMurrys own. As far as the eyes can see, the cheery orange globes dot the landscape, and the surrounding trees have all shed their colorful leaves as stacks and stacks of hay are strewn about with people sitting on them, climbing on them, and taking an endless array of selfies. The air holds the slight scent of cinnamon, and I spot a cider booth not too far off from here. Nothing pairs better with a crisp, fall night than a steaming cup of cider. My feet are already headed in that direction when I stop dead in my tracks and gasp.