Death by Chocolate Cupcake Read online

  I wanted to ask if he was involved with anyone, but at the same time I didn’t. I didn’t see a wedding ring, but I was too embarrassed to ask if he had a girlfriend. And it didn’t matter anyway. We were here to discuss the murder case and the conversation had just kind of made its way to personal things. I needed to get it back on track. Though he had been the one to ask the personal questions first. What was I thinking? That was what detectives did in order to make the subject more comfortable.

  The waitress brought over the food and set the plates down in front of us.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “What do you think?” the detective asked. “Take a bite.”

  I picked up the sandwich and took a bite. When I finished, I said, “It’s delicious.”

  “I thought you’d like it,” he said with a smile.

  After talking about everything from baking to farming while enjoying our sandwiches, I had finally eaten the last bite. Now that we were all finished with our food what would happen? I supposed it was time to leave. Once I left I’d be on guard again.

  “Well, I had a great time talking with you today,” he said as he grabbed the check.

  “Oh, no, I’ll pay,” I said.

  “I’ve got it,” he said, waving my hand away.

  “Really?” I asked. “Thank you so much.”

  “I really want to pay since I invited you here,” he said.

  I smiled. “All right, if you insist, thank you.”

  We walked up to the register and he paid for the food. I looked around outside for the car of course. Was it Adam’s car?

  “Looking for someone?” he asked.

  “I’m always on the lookout now.”

  “It’s best to be aware of your surroundings.” He opened the door for me and we stepped outside.

  “I guess I’ve always been this way to some extent.”

  “I hate that you have to go through this though.” He walked me over to my car.

  “I just hope that this is all over soon,” I said.

  “I won’t stop working on the case until it is.” He stared at me for a moment. “Well, I’ll talk to you soon, okay?”

  “Yeah, I’ll talk to you later.” I tossed my hand up and then headed over to the driver side door.

  I noticed he glanced back at me when he got into his car. I started the car and backed out of the parking lot. Detective Bailey sure was handsome. He was watching me too. I smiled and waved again. And immediately the butterflies danced in my stomach. Momentarily I’d forgotten about how dangerous it was at the studio now.

  And then someone else popped into my mind. Finn Fine. I’d be seeing him tonight. And immediately my stomach danced at the thought of that too. What had I gotten myself into? One moment I was fearing that my life was in danger and the next I was thinking about these handsome men. My emotions were all over the place. And to top it all off my job was on the line and I’d just started a couple days ago. Could things get any crazier? I probably shouldn’t ask that question because it most certainly could. Things could always get crazier.

  I’d just got behind the wheel when my phone rang again. I didn’t recognize the number, but I answered anyway.

  “Hello? Scarlet?” the tiny voice said.

  “Yes, this is Scarlet,” I said.

  This reminded me of my grandmother’s voice.

  “This is your next-door neighbor Mrs. Wells. Lucille”

  Now I recognized the voice.

  “Is everything all right?” I asked.

  “Yes, well, no.”

  “What’s wrong, Lucille?”

  Now she was making me nervous.

  “It’s just that I thought I saw that man roaming around your property again.”

  “When did you see him?” I asked.

  “It was about an hour ago. I came inside to call you right away, but the call wouldn’t go through until now.”

  “I’m on my way home,” I said.

  “Be careful and don’t drive too fast,” she said.

  I didn’t want to call the detective back and tell him about the latest development. It could be nothing at all and I didn’t want to call him over every little thing that happened. Because it seemed as if there were a whole lot of things happening. The whole drive back my anxiety was on high. But if someone had been at the house, then surely, they still wouldn’t be around.

  Soon I pulled into the driveway and scanned the area to see if I spotted anyone. After a couple seconds, I got out of the car and looked around again. I saw no one and nothing unusual for that matter. I glanced back at Lucille’s house. She walked out onto the front porch and waved, so I headed down the driveway toward her house. I glanced over my shoulder a couple of times just to be sure that no one was back there. Crossing the street, I headed over to her front porch.

  “Did you see anything?” she asked as she stood with her arms crossed in front of her.

  “No sign of anyone, but I didn’t really look around the whole house yet. I came over here as soon as I pulled in. Are you sure about what you saw?”

  “I’m certain that it was the same person I saw before. Perhaps you are expecting a guest?”

  “Well, actually I am expecting someone, but that’s later tonight. If you say it was the same person you saw before then I don’t think he would’ve been out here, then or ever for that matter. Was the person in the same car as before?”

  She shook her head. “I saw no cars around. That’s the strange thing. It’s a long walk down this road.”

  I wondered if the person lived somewhere around here or if they had parked their car at a different location. Darkness soon would surround the farmhouse. What if the person came back?

  Chapter 19

  “I should look around the house,” I said.

  “Oh, I don’t think I want you to do that alone,” Lucille said.

  I kind of didn’t have a choice. It wasn’t like I had anyone to call. Sure, I could call the detective, I supposed, but I didn’t want to make him come all the way out here just to check and see if someone was messing around the house. After all, I’d never actually seen anyone. Could Lucille have imagined this?

  “I will walk over with you,” she said.

  I’d rather she not come along. What if we found someone? Lucille seemed stubborn though, so I doubted she would take no for an answer.

  “Okay, if it will make you feel better,” I said.

  Lucille and I headed across the road. The sun was quickly setting. No way was I looking around the house in the dark, so we’d have to do this in a timely manner. Wind blew the nearby tree branches and steamy humidity hung in the late summer air.

  “Do you have any idea who this could be?” Lucille asked as we walked down the gravel drive.”

  “Maybe a couple ideas, but I’m not sure. Did you get a better look this time?” I asked.

  “Unfortunately, no. It is a good distance away and I think I need new glasses.”

  When we got closer to the house, I said, “Why don’t you stay right here while I have a look around?”

  “Okay, if you’re sure, but call out for me if you need help,” she said.

  “I’m sure no one is around now,” I said.

  Of course, I said that to make her feel better. Lucille waited by my car. As I walked around the side of the house I scanned the area. When I reached the edge of the house, I paused. No one was in sight. I moved around the back of the house to the other side and headed down the other side. Thank goodness it seemed as if no one was around, and if they had been they were long gone.

  I’d almost made it to the edge of the house when I spotted something on the ground. I reached down to pick up the paper. I unfolded it. Nothing was on it, just a blank page, but there was something about it that struck me right away. It was the same type as the note I’d found next to the pie. This sent a chill down my spine. I took a step forward and bumped right into someone. Lucille screamed.

  “Oh, Lucille, what are you doing?” I asked b
reathlessly.

  I’d told her to wait by the car for me. Why hadn’t she listened? I supposed I wouldn’t have listened either if someone had told me that.

  “Did you find anything?” she asked.

  Should I tell her about the paper? It would only worry her.

  Nevertheless, she looked down at the paper in my hand. “What’s that?”

  “Oh, just a piece of trash,” I said with a smile.

  “That looks like a piece of paper from a pad I have in my kitchen,” she said.

  I stopped in my tracks. “Really?”

  Should I mention that I’d seen the paper before too?

  “Where did you get the pad of paper?” I asked.

  She frowned. “Oh, I don’t quite remember.”

  “If you remember would you make sure to let me know?”

  Not that knowing would help me much.

  “I suppose,” she said with a hint of confusion. “Is there a specific reason why you wanted to know?”

  “I just think it’s cute and I’d like to buy one.”

  “Oh, if that’s the case you can have what’s left of mine,” she said.

  “That’s not necessary,” I said.

  She waved her hand. “I insist.”

  “All right, if you insist.”

  “Well, if no one is here, I suppose I should get back to the house.” Lucille gestured. “I don’t like to cross the street in the dark unless I absolutely have to. It’s dark and hard to see what house you’re even in.”

  “I can see where that would be the case. It does get dark out here with no city lights. I’ll walk you back,” I said.

  Lucille and I headed back to her house.

  “I’ll bring that paper over tomorrow,” she said with a wave.

  Once I watched her walk inside her house I walked over to mine. Of course, I was nervous about what I’d discovered. Had this paper been in the yard since the night I’d found the pie? Or was this new? Would I find another note in the kitchen now? Lucille said she had a pad like this. Did the paper come from her pad or was it just a coincidence? I had very little time to change and get dinner made before Finn arrived. Just enough time to check the rest of the house for any signs of an intruder.

  As I eased into the house, my anxiety surged wondering what I might see on the kitchen table. There was no pie and no note. To be on the safe side, I went through the rest of the house, checking rooms to see if there was any new pie or note for me. Much to my relief, I found nothing. Who had left the note? It had to have been the man Lucille had seen.

  I scrambled around the kitchen, trying to figure out what to make for dinner with the limited items that I had on hand. I pulled out chicken and spices. Next, I grabbed the honey. I would make my honey spiced rum chicken and rice. It was quick and easy but also tasty.

  What would we have for dessert? I didn’t think I had time to make a pie. I glanced over and saw the one that Lucille had brought. That would have to do. Since I only had fifteen minutes before Finn would arrive I needed to chance quickly.

  I ran into the bedroom and sorted through the closet. With the flick of each hanger, I said, No, no, no, and definitely no.” I’d already worn the black dress, so I didn’t want to wear that twice. With time ticking away I finally picked out a nice red and white floral print skirt, pairing it with a white sleeveless blouse. After dressing I sprayed perfume on and touched up my makeup. Lastly, I slipped into a pair of white sandals.

  I’d just made it halfway down the stairs when all of a sudden, the lights went out. My breath caught in my throat. What would I do now? I had left my phone on the kitchen counter. I couldn’t use that as a flashlight. How would I keep from falling down the stairs? Thunder rumbled in the distance. Lightning streaked across the sky. Well, now I was in for another spooky evening.

  Anxiety raced through my body as I finally made it to the bottom of the steps and fumbled my way into the kitchen. I grabbed the phone and turned on the light. A small sliver of a glow lit up an area in front of me. At least I felt a bit better now that I could see my hand in front of me. However, I had to find the circuit box and see if that was what was wrong or if the power was out everywhere. I should see if Lucille had lights on at her house.

  I needed to add candles to my list of items to buy. I couldn’t rely on a cell phone flashlight all the time. Checking out the front window I saw that there were no lights on at Lucille’s house either. I doubted she had gone to bed this quickly so that probably meant that the lights were out in the area.

  At least the dinner was prepared, but it would be cold if Finn didn’t arrive soon. Did I even have a candle in the house? I raced back to the kitchen and rummaged through the drawers until I located a votive candle. I placed it in the middle of a saucer and set it on the middle of the table. Great. Now we were having a candlelight dinner. What if he thought I did this on purpose? Since rain pelted against the windows, I assumed he would guess the lights had gone out because of the storm.

  I headed over to the door to see if he had arrived when a banging noise caught my attention. I froze on the spot. Had the person Lucille had seen returned? The person had been stalking around my house. What if he’d gotten in this time? Was it Adam? A cousin? I raced through the house to the front so that the look out. No sign of anyone out there.

  I went to the back so that I could look out over the wooded area. It was so dark, how would I ever see? Flashes of lightning streaked across the sky, lighting up the area. What would happen if I caught sight of someone out there? I had no idea what I would do. I supposed freak out.

  I headed back for the kitchen so that I could see if anyone was in the driveway. Just as I reached the door, lightning flashed through the sky and lit up the area. I screamed when I saw a man standing at the door. The area went black again. I flashed my light on the spot and realized that it was Finn.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  I barely heard him speak through the other side of the door. I clutched my chest and tried to calm down. I opened the door. Finn was soaking wet.

  “Come in, please,” I said, motioning for him to get inside the house. “You’re soaking wet. Let me get you a towel.”

  “Thanks,” he said. “It’s really coming down out there.”

  “I lost the power. We have no light, but I have my flashlight and candles. I made dinner too.” I gestured.

  He looked around the room and I knew he was thinking that this was some kind of romantic dinner. I had to set him straight on that.

  “It’s nothing special and it would be better if the lights were on,” I said.

  He smiled. “Well, it’s very nice. Thank you.”

  “I’ll get you a towel,” I said.

  I left him in the kitchen and raced to the bathroom to grab a towel. When I came back, he had the candle lit and the dinner on the table. Okay, it really looked like a romantic meal. He looked so handsome too. Butterflies danced in my stomach. He pulled out one of the chairs for me.

  “Thank you,” I said as I sat down.

  Finn sat across from me. I tried not to study his face so much because he would think that I was smitten with him. But I was feeling a bit awkward.

  He took a bite of the chicken. “This is delicious.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “It’s a recipe I found years ago, and I’ve just tweaked it here and there over the years.”

  “Well, I hope you made extra,” he said as he took another bite.

  I laughed. “There’s plenty.”

  “I’m really sorry about what happened to you today at the studio. It’s unnerving for sure.”

  “I’m trying to figure it all out. I had a strange encounter with the cameraman too.”

  “Really?” he asked he took a drink of wine.

  “I saw him at the coffee shop and then again I think he followed me.”

  “Do you think he attacked you?” Finn asked.

  I sighed. “I just don’t know at this point. When a black car that I thought was
following me went by, I followed it. Adam was the one who got out. But I suppose I have no proof he followed me.”

  “No, I suppose you can’t say it was him for sure,” Finn said, looking down at his plate.

  We continued talking about everyone at work, trying to piece together who could have carried out such a crime. Then I speculated that it could’ve been someone not involved with the studio at all.

  “Whoever did it I think they’ll be caught eventually,” Finn said.

  “I suppose you’re right.” I placed my napkin on the table.

  “I know I’m right.” he said with a smile.

  I bet he said that a lot.

  “How about dessert?” I asked.

  “I’d love that,” he said.

  Cooking for Finn made me nervous because, well, we were on the show together. And he did have a bit of experience, I supposed. Should I tell him that I hadn’t baked the pie or just let him think that it was mine? What if the pie was bad? Then I wouldn’t want him to think it was mine. That was so terrible of me. Why did I feel competitive with Finn? Oh, yeah, because I didn’t want him to take my spot in the show.

  I took the pie dish from the display case and brought it over to the table. After slicing the pie, I put a piece on the dessert plate for him.

  “Cherry, my favorite,” he said as he picked up the fork.

  “Mine too,” I said.

  I supposed Finn and I had quite a bit in common.

  He took a bite and I waited with bated breath for his reaction.

  “This is delicious,” he said, pointing at the pie with his fork. “I got to tell you, Scarlet, I don’t know if I can compete with this.”

  Okay, now he thought the pie was excellent. The pie that I hadn’t baked. For sure I wouldn’t tell him that it wasn’t mine. Oh, but the guilt of not being truthful would get to me.

  After we finished the pie, I asked, “Would you like another slice?”

  He held his hand up. “Oh, no, I’d better not. I don’t want to eat too many carbs.”

  I pushed to my feet to grab the plates.

  Finn got up from the table and put his hands on the plate. “Here, let me. You made such a great dinner, I want to help.”