Triple Dipped Murder

by Gretchen Allen

“And you’ll have the usual?” Yvette looked to Laura.

  “You know me so well,” she chuckled.

  “Don’t you get sick of the same thing all the time?” Marie asked.

  “Never. I’ve been coming here at least once a week for over a year and I’ve never tried anything but a vanilla cone with chocolate sprinkles. Creature of habit, I guess.”

  Yvette left the table, heading to the back to get a banana and a sugar cone, and got started on their order. Just as she was finishing up dipping Laura’s cone in sprinkles, she heard the backdoor slam shut. Good timing, she thought to herself. Joey was here, so she’d be able to chat with the Hudsons for a bit longer.

  Joey Campos had been working with them for about ten months and was the only other full-time staff member at Sundae Afternoon, aside from Yvette and Vanessa. Tonya Petrillo worked part-time and Vanessa’s daughter, Sage, picked up shifts here and there when she was needed. Yvette loved her staff and couldn’t be happier with the team she had put together.

  “Morning. You’re here early,” she greeted him.

  “Hi. Yeah, there’s a leak in my apartment and I couldn’t stand the dripping noise for a second longer. I called my landlord and then came here. Is that okay?”

  “Of course it’s okay. Hopefully everything gets taken care of quickly and there’s no severe damage.”

  “Thanks. Hey, is that Laura out there? I need to talk to her,” Joey peered over the counter.

  “Sure is. You can drop off their order if you want. Tell them I’ll be over soon to visit for a few minutes before it gets busy,” Yvette directed.

  Her curiosity getting the better of her, Yvette made herself a quick Frozen Mocha Java and headed back over to the table to find out why Joey would have to talk to Laura.

  “Thanks for this, Mr. and Mrs. Hudson. I really appreciate the work,” Joey said politely.

  “Work?” Yvette raised an eyebrow.

  Laughing, Steve explained that they’d had a new pool installed and Joey would be stopping by weekly to take care of it for them.

  “Don’t worry, Yvette,” Joey said, “I’m not leaving or anything, I just needed a little extra cash, so I started looking around to see what was out there. I’ll still be here every shift I’m scheduled.”

  “I sure hope so, we need you around here. You’re part of the family.” Yvette smiled warmly.

  Yvette found it odd that Joey was looking for extra hours since she’d already scheduled him for forty hours this week. She figured that maybe overtime at an ice cream shop is not what the twenty-two-year-old had in mind for his life. Hearing the phone ringing, Yvette told Marie she’d love to stay longer to catch up, but she had to get back to work.

  “It’s been great to see all of you.” Yvette got up from the table and headed back to her office.

  “It smells amazing in here,” Joey swung the kitchen door shut behind him.

  Looking up from the prep table, Yvette glanced at her employee. “Doesn’t it? I haven’t even had lunch yet and I’m ready to dig into these waffle bowls.”

  Joey laughed. “I was hoping I could talk to you about something,” he said as he chewed on his bottom lip.

  Brushing her hands off on her purple apron, emblazoned with Sundae Afternoon’s logo, Yvette leaned against the wall. “Sure, what’s going on?”

  Sucking in a breath, he asked, “You aren’t mad at me, are you?”

  “I’m not. I did wonder why you refused the extra hours I offered you but you’re free to do what you want with your time. You aren’t required to work here exclusively or work overtime.” Yvette set down the spoon she’d been holding.

  “I did some pool work a while back, so I have a little experience. Plus, the weather has been so nice lately that I thought spending some time outside would be a good change of scenery. The job won’t last very long anyway, since summer is almost over,” Joey explained.

  “I understand. I’m considering bringing on a new employee, so it’ll all be fine. Enough of that though. I’m off tomorrow and we have a delivery coming. I know you’ve never done one before and I want to go over it with you. I’ll be leaving a list of things for you to check by the back door. Vanessa and Tonya will be here with you and I’ve asked Sage to come in as well. You four should be fine but if you need anything, just give me a call. I have a meeting with Emma and will be stopping at the farm, too.” Yvette stood up and motioned for Joey to follow her, so she could instruct him on how to prepare for the delivery.

  4

  Pulling her SUV into the parking lot of The Carlisle Bistro, Yvette kept thinking about the long day she had ahead of her. She was thankful that Emma had requested a morning meeting so that they could go over sales, marketing ideas, and potential new plans for the company as a whole. Yvette knew that Emma trusted her opinions, and appreciated that she always involved her in everything within the business. Working for the same family for nearly twenty years certainly had its perks.

  “Table for two, please,” Yvette requested once she was inside The Carlisle.

  “Of course, ma’am, right this way.” A staff member Yvette didn’t recognize led her to a table in the back of the restaurant as if she knew she would need some privacy.

  “Thank you,” Yvette said as she sat down.

  “My name is Stella. Your server will be right over, but I’d be happy to get you started with a beverage while you wait,” the woman said.

  “I’d love a coffee, thank you,” Yvette replied.

  “Great.” The woman smiled brightly. “We have a Smoked Skillet on special today. It’s got a bed of crisp hash browns, topped with two eggs cooked any style, smoked sausage, onions, green peppers and cheddar cheese.”

  Yvette’s eyes widened. “That sounds delicious.”

  While Yvette enjoyed her coffee, she went over some of the ideas that she’d wanted to bring up to Emma. Yvette received weekly calls from the second location in Connecticut. Henry, the manager of the shop, seemed to have a high turnover for his staff, and he never ordered enough products, so they were always running to Yvette’s shop to borrow from her. They didn’t have to travel far, but it wasn’t fair to her or her staff. Yvette hoped that Emma would consider having a meeting with Henry to discuss some of the things he could do differently to help run his shop more efficiently.

  “Morning!” Emma announced her arrival. The tall, athletic woman was clearly glad to see Yvette.

  Yvette stood to hug her boss. The two women sat down just as a waitress came up to their table.

  “Are you ready to order?” the young woman asked.

  “I think we’re ready. I saw the special board on my way in and I definitely want to try it. I’ll have my eggs over-easy,” Emma ordered for herself and looked to Yvette when she was finished.

  “I’ll have the Eggs Benedict, and please have them toast my English muffin well,” Yvette was barely through ordering, and the waitress was already walking away.

  “I can’t see how employees like that last.” Emma raised an eyebrow.

  Yvette nodded her agreement. “I was actually thinking the same thing.”

  “Thank goodness we have such professional staff!” Emma said gratefully. “Now, let’s get down to business.”

  Just as Yvette had expected, Emma was thrilled with the numbers the shop had been producing so she was taken aback when she saw the look of disappointment on Emma’s face as she opened up the next folder she had brought along with her for the meeting.

  “Now, the Connecticut location leaves something to be desired. The numbers are down pretty low even in these last few months. Normally, the sales there meet and sometimes surpass yours in the summer so I’m a little unsettled as to what’s been going on.” Emma looked discouraged.

  “I’ve been meaning to talk with you about Henry. Honestly, I’d been trying to let it go because I thought it was just a fluke, but something has been going on with him lately.” Yvette dove into her concerns about Henry and his shop only stopping when their food was deli
vered.

  “Not quite what I was expecting to hear, but also kind of a saving grace,” Emma sighed. “I was actually going back and forth about asking you to check it out for me. Henry has some vacation time coming up soon, and I was hoping you’d consider taking his spot. It’s just for a week but you’d be able to see how the staff works together and what the general vibe of the shop is like. What do you think?”

  Yvette had to hide her surprised reaction. She hadn’t expected Emma to ask her to take over another shop even if it was for just a short time. While she felt honored to be asked to dig deeper to see why things weren’t running properly, she worried about her own shop.

  “Hellllllo… Yvette, are you in there?” Emma laughed. “Did I shock you into silence?”

  “First time for everything.” Yvette giggled. “I think I love the idea actually, but what will happen to my shop? We don’t have enough staff to cover me being gone for a whole week. Are you thinking of stepping in?”

  Yvette hoped that Emma wasn’t just making up a reason for her to get out of the Heritage shop, so she could come back to work there herself. Emma had been around a lot more often lately and Yvette thought that she was maybe missing the work environment. After all, she’d built these shops from the ground up, basically on her own.

  The ladies were interrupted by their waitress. “Everything okay? What did Stella forget to bring you?” she asked.

  Yvette and Emma both looked mildly surprised. “Everything is wonderful,” they said in unison. The waitress turned on her heel and walked off.

  “First of all, why is she so bitter?” Emma’s mouth dropped open in shock. “I may talk to the manager before I leave. Second of all, me? Step in? Girl, I can’t fill those shoes of yours. You have by far exceeded any expectations I ever had for any of my shops. If I have my way, I’ll never let you go. Maybe I’m just training you to take over my legacy one day.” She winked.

  “Okay. So, what WILL happen to my shop when I’m gone?” Yvette appreciated Emma’s praise but couldn’t help but worry. Plus, she knew her boss would never give up Sundae Afternoon to anyone.

  “What if Vanessa took your spot for the week? We can check with Sage and see if she wants to pick up a few more shifts before school starts, too. We might even be able to bring someone from another shop over for a couple of the busier days,” Emma suggested.

  “Yeah, that sounds like it might work,” Yvette agreed. “Would you be around to stop in once or twice as well?”

  “I’m leaving for Florida in the morning,” Emma said slowly.

  “Florida? Another vacation?” Yvette teased.

  “Not exactly. I found an adorable spot right on the Boardwalk on St. Alder’s beach and I’m thinking of expanding down there. It would mean I’d be gone more often, but I think it’s going to be a great location for us.” Emma smiled brightly. “Imagine the vacations you’ll get to have.”

  Yvette was excited for Emma. The thought of opening a fourth location, and one so far away was a big undertaking, but she knew how determined Emma was. She was proud of her.

  “Oh wow! That’s such great news. But, how will you get the ice cream there? Are you looking for a new farm or something?”

  “Heavens no. I’d never serve anything that didn’t come from the dairy cows at our farm. If it works out, we’ll purchase a larger refrigerated truck and hire a delivery driver or two to transport the ice cream for us each week. We’ll still make the sauces, cookies, brownies and cones in-house, and I’ll have to find a food vendor for some of the other things.”

  “I bet a place like that would sell a ton of ice cream. Beaches are always so busy and the weather down there is pretty nice all year round. I’m so happy for you!” Yvette’s eyes sparkled.

  Emma pushed her empty plate away. “I’m looking forward to seeing the place in real life. Everything online makes it look way too good to be true, but I’ll be meeting the realtor in just a few days.”

  “You’d better send pictures!” Yvette exclaimed.

  “I will,” she laughed. “But getting back to where we left off, I’d love it if you considered working in Townsend. Give it some thought and get back to me as soon as possible. I’ve got to go get some packing done. If this works out in Florida, I’m going to be renting a little cottage on the beach for while I’m there.”

  Thankful for a large table, the women gathered the papers they’d spread out from around the empty plates that the waitress had never bothered to pick up and said their goodbyes, with Yvette promising to let Emma know about spending a week in Connecticut.

  5

  Sundae Afternoon had been bustling with activity all day. For at least two hours, there had been a line out the door with eager customers waiting to be served their favorite frozen treat. Yvette and Vanessa worked together like a well-oiled machine but there was no doubt about it: Yvette needed to hire someone else.

  “I just brought out the last order,” Vanessa said to her boss. “Mind if I sit a few minutes? I’ll keep the phone with me for any orders that come in and I can stay out front if you want.”

  “Sounds good,” Yvette agreed, heading to the back to take her own breather in the comfort of the shop’s office.

  Yvette decided to put out some feelers of her own. A few people her dad had sent in dropped off their applications, but no one really fit the bill. Maybe an ad online would draw in some possibilities, she considered.

  Just as she was about to open her laptop, Yvette heard Vanessa call from the other side of the door.

  “Yvette, get out here, you’re gonna want to hear this!” she exclaimed.

  Worried, Yvette came out of her office to find Kelly and Barry Bradford on the other side. They both looked distraught.

  “Hey guys, what’s up?” Yvette frowned.

  “She’s gone. I can’t believe it, I just can’t believe it.” Barry was frantic.

  Kelly, the more level headed of the two spoke up, “It’s Laura. They found her body this morning.”

  “Wait, what? Her body? What happened?” The color drained from Yvette’s face.

  “I don’t know the details yet, but from what I heard, they found her in her pool. Looks like she drowned, poor thing never was a good swimmer. I just don’t see why she would have been out there alone. They found her and one of those float things upside down next to her, as if she’d flipped right over and couldn’t get out,” Kelly’s voice was grim.

  “I just can’t believe it. Laura was such a lovely woman. Her poor family must be losing their minds.” Vanessa’s eyes welled up.

  Yvette twisted her hands together. “I’m sure no one is in the mood for ice cream but if you two want to sit down for some coffee and chat a while, it’s on the house. I’ve got a couple of things to take care of and then I’ll join you, if you don’t mind.”

  The Bradfords agreed and headed to their favorite table, making a detour at the last second and sitting a few tables over. Yvette couldn’t help but feel for them. Laura was one of their best friends. The group did everything together, from their outings at Sundae Afternoon, to casino trips and even cruises with their families. Laura was a very special woman and would be greatly missed by everyone in town, especially her group of friends.

  Suddenly something dawned on Yvette. “Oh my gosh. Colleen. Does she know yet? Did anyone tell her?” she wondered aloud.

  “Oh man, you’re right. I’m sure she’s devastated,” Vanessa replied from behind her. “I hate to have to tell you this right now, but I just got a text from Joey. He said he can’t come in today, but he didn’t give an excuse.”

  Yvette sighed. “I know he never does this but what terrible timing. Let’s call Tonya in to cover him.”

  “I’ll give her a call, but isn’t it a little odd that he isn’t coming in? He just finished telling me that he was looking for other work to supplement his income a little,” Vanessa told her boss.

  “Yeah, I heard, he was doing some work for Laur….” Yvette stopped.

  �
�What’s wrong?” Vanessa questioned.

  “The other day, the Hudsons were here, and I found out that Joey was going to be working on their pool. Poor guy, maybe he heard about Laura and that’s why he isn’t coming in. But why text you instead of me, or even calling the shop phone?” Yvette pursed her lips.

  “I’m not sure, but either way, he isn’t coming in. How about I call Sage to see if she wants to come in and work for the rest of the day? She could use the extra cash, and that way Tonya won’t need to find a babysitter,” Vanessa suggested.

  “Good plan. I’m going to go sit with the Bradfords for a few minutes and see if there’s anything I can do for them. I don’t know how Kelly is holding it together so well right now. Let me know if you need me.”

  “Sage! You have no idea how happy I am to see you.” Yvette greeted Vanessa’s daughter with a hug.

  “You know I love it here. Plus, when my mom told me what happened, I wanted to come in and help out any way that I could.”

  Sage Monroe was one of the kindest and most tenderhearted teenagers Yvette had ever met. She’d been helping out around Sundae Afternoon for just as long as her mother had been working there. When she turned sixteen, she’d begun working there officially after school and on weekends. Now that Sage had been working there for well over a year, she had become a perfect addition to the team.

  “I don’t know what we’d do without you. Now get to work and please tell your mom to meet me in my office when she can.”

  Yvette sat in her oversized office chair, looking at the security cameras that showed the dining area. The colorful pinks and yellows made everything seem so cheerful, yet she couldn’t help but wallow in the sadness that Heritage would be feeling once they all learned of Laura’s tragic death.

  “You wanted to see me?” Vanessa asked, coming through the office door.

  “I did. There’s something I want to talk to you about and I want you to try to stay open minded,” Yvette began.

  Vanessa looked curiously at her boss and took a seat in the chair on the other side of the desk.