Devil's Food Cake Doom

by Addison Moore

  A dull laugh strums from me. “As long as I can eat it, I’m fine with that.”

  Mom makes a face. “Speaking of eating, I heard you found another one of those toxic cookies in the back seat of that woman’s car. And why didn’t anyone tell me that someone was trying to poison my baby?”

  Everett lifts a brow my way, and I can’t help but frown.

  I clear my throat. “I—I don’t really know if the cookies were poisoned. I didn’t really eat them. But they were threatening. And no, actually, she didn’t have any cookies on hand.”

  “That’s right,” a voice hums from the back of the crowd gathering around me and I spot two blonde bimbos who dare step into this sacred establishment. “Tell the truth for once, Luella.” Cormack strides up in a pair of high-heeled thigh-high boots that I hope she’ll take a nasty tumble in once I boot her out the door. “Serena Digby nearly fell to her death because you demanded she buy you cookies.”

  “What?” I squawk as the crowd begins to rumble. “Not true. I’m a baker. I don’t eat store-bought.”

  Cressida scoffs at the thought. “You heard her,” she shouts to the crowd. “She thinks she’s better than the rest of us.”

  “The rest of you?” I balk, amused. “Isn’t that the designer pot calling the kettle a socialite?” Wait. Did that make sense? I defer to the lack of proper sleep defense.

  Cressida tips her head. “I’m the socialite around here.”

  “Exactly my point.”

  Everett steps up. “Don’t you worry about it, Lemon. I’ll make sure the socialites light up another room for now.” He does his best to navigate Cormack and Cressida to the door, but it’s like herding cats—and believe me when I say those two are a couple of pretentious pussies I wouldn’t mind if I never saw again.

  Mom is quick to wave off the drama. “Never mind all of that, Lottie. You’re back and we couldn’t be happier.” She breaks out into spontaneous applause aimed toward the crowd as if coercing them to join her, and they do just that.

  Mayor Nash tips his head my way. “And if you’re feeling up to it, I’d like to offer you a couple of free tickets to the sheriff’s ball coming up. The city was kind enough to gift the Honey Hollow board of supervisors a handful of tickets to distribute as we see fit—and I see fit to give a couple to you.”

  “Oh, that’s great. I’ll take an extra if you’ve got another to spare. I did have two heroes come to my rescue.”

  Mom chortles as if my life had become one of her steamy romance novels.

  “Of course, you can have two men, Lottie.” She winks my way. “And I bet you’ll come up with just the right thank you for each of them.”

  “Mother.” Lainey wrinkles her nose, but Meg laughs it up.

  “She’s just being honest.” Meg slaps me on the back. “Lot has a man addiction. It’s no wonder she has a mob of angry blondes following her around everywhere she goes.” She nods my way. “You better watch your back. You keep snapping up all the available men that Honey Hollow has to offer, and you’re going to have a war on your hands.”

  My gaze hitches to the door where Cormack and Cressida shout something about a hex.

  I’ve already got a war—a cursed war at that.

  Lily snaps her fingers. “Ooh, that reminds me. The sheriff’s station called and asked if we could cater the sheriff’s ball. They said they want devil’s food cake and lots of it. It’s the sheriff’s favorite and they’re giving him a special tribute this year.”

  Keelie coos, “That’s right. Daddy is celebrating twenty-five years on the force.”

  “Keelie, that’s so great,” I say. “I’ll be sure to make up something he’s sure to remember.”

  “Perfect.” Mayor Nash claps his hands and, like magic, the crowd disbands as everyone heads for the counter at once to place an order.

  Noah steps into our midst and flashes those dimples my way.

  “Noah Corbin Fox,” I say as I wrap my arms around him. “Have you arrested Serena yet?”

  He pulls back and winces, and just like that, I have my answer.

  Noah and I are still giving our relationship another go, despite the fact I can’t make up my mind between him and Everett. Everett is the one who thought it would be a good idea to see where this leads.

  “Heard you’re catering the sheriff’s ball.” He dives in for a kiss, and I make sure it lingers.

  “Sure am. Hope you like devil’s food cake. I’m going to make sure there’s enough to feed every sheriff’s deputy in all of Vermont.”

  Noah bites down on his lip. “You wouldn’t happen to want any more catering business, would you?”

  “Name the time and the place. Your sweetest wishes are my bakery’s command.” Cheesy I know. And I blink an equally cheesy smile his way.

  “Thank you. And I’ll take you up on it. But if you change your mind, let me know. You’ve been through a lot.”

  Meg steps up and rolls her eyes. “All men should be so kind when women accidentally lock themselves in a bathroom.”

  Carlotta belts out a laugh. “They didn’t teach you how to get out of that one in self-defense class, did they, Lot Lot?”

  I growl at her and I fully meant to do it.

  “What’s up, Noah?” I offer all of my attention his way.

  He ticks his head toward the window. “There’s a crime symposium in Ashford this Saturday night. Word around the office is there’s no dessert. And I let them know I’d ask you.”

  “A crime symposium?” My eyes light up like a winning slot machine in an illegal gambling casino down in Leeds—and, oh yes, they’ve got them. “Of course. I’d be glad to do it.”

  “I’m glad.” Noah’s evergreen eyes latch over mine. “I’ve got some great friends I can’t wait for you to meet.”

  Everett steps up. “Like me.” He offers a devious, albeit short-lived, smile. “I’ll be there.”

  Mayor Nash steps up. “So will I.”

  Carlotta gives his bottom a brisk swat. “You know there’s no party without me.”

  “Or me.” Mom grimaces. “I’m very interested in crime. I’ve had more than my fair share of murders at the B&B. I’m practically a seasoned detective myself.” She winks over at Wiley.

  He leans in with that smarmy—okay, fine, adorable dimpled grin.

  He nuzzles against her. “I’ll give you something to find.”

  Lainey pretends to retch in response. However, judging by the way she just made a run for the restroom, it might have been the real deal.

  Meg shakes her head. “Hook and I will be there.” She shrugs as if it wasn’t her first choice of venues for the evening. “He’s working a booth on finance with Alex.” She scowls at Wiley at the mention of his younger philandering son. He’s the one that thinks it’s fine to date two different people.

  Mayor Nash gives a curt wave my way. “I’ll see you Saturday night, Lottie. With your two dates!”

  “You bet.” Okay, so I might have more in common with Alex than I’d like to think.

  I pull Noah and Everett in close.

  “I will definitely find a way to thank you both for caring enough to track me down.”

  Carlotta crops up and belts out an obnoxious moan. “I bet there will be an impromptu devil’s food fight—in the bedroom.”

  “Maybe your bedroom.” I make a face her way. Carlotta happens to be shacking up with me for the unforeseeable future until Nell’s old place gets replumbed among other expensive renovations. “On second thought, don’t get any chocolaty ideas.” I turn my attention back to Noah and Everett. “But there will be chocolate for the two of you. And I’m going to bake a cake for each of you.”

  Everett’s lids hood low as if he had an exact idea of what he wanted. And I have a feeling the sweet confection he wants to sink his fangs into is me.

  Noah grunts over at him.

  “Thanks, Lot.” Noah dots a kiss to my cheek. “No rush on that. We know you’ll have your hands full with the symposium.”

&
nbsp; “That I will.” I take a deep breath as I wrap an arm around them both. “Here’s hoping that nothing at all will go wrong.”

  The lights flicker on and off, and the crowd lets out a playful ooh.

  But I’m not feeling so playful at the moment.

  In fact, I’m still feeling rather cursed.

  Noah headed back to work, and a little after six, Lily volunteers to close for me, so Everett and I take off. Of course, we swing by and pick up Chinese food from the Wicked Wok, enough to feed an infantry.

  Everett pulls into my driveway to let me out before he parks his car. Noah, Everett, and I all live on Country Cottage Road. Noah lived here first, and when a rental house became available across the street from his place, I snapped it up. Actually, there were two for me to choose from, and I chose the adorable one with the white picket fence and beautiful red door. Then, Everett ended up buying the house next door to mine, and we’ve been one disjointed, yet happy, family ever since.

  A small black box sits on my porch, and I pick it up before letting myself into the house. I don’t bother closing the door since Everett will be on my heels and my cats are far too smart to venture out into the snow.

  Both Pancake and Waffles hop up onto the sofa as I stand next to them working open that tiny black box. A mound of black tissue paper sits bundled inside, and I carefully peel it back and gasp when I see what’s nestled inside.

  A black heart-shaped cookie stares back at me with hot pink icing scrolled over the top.

  Everett steps in behind me, and I hold it up for him to see.

  It reads remember me?

  Chapter 8

  Another day, another cookie.

  Okay, so I haven’t been getting them daily—thank goodness. But it’s beginning to feel that way. Noah came right over and took the nasty not-so-sweet-nothing right down to the lab where he had the others tested for toxins. He also took the box to dust for prints. But since this one was delivered via US mail, it doesn’t look as if we’ll have much luck in that department. And so far none of the cookies were poisonous—but that doesn’t mean they were made with quality ingredients either.

  The rest of the week drifts by in a blur. Everett hung out with Seven most of the time, right there in my bakery, and I’ll admit, it was nice having him around. He has to get back to the bench next week, and I finally got him to confess that he wasted his vacation time on me. Wasted was my word choice, not his. He said it was a privilege—and that staring at me for a week was one of the best vacations he’s ever had.

  I haven’t heard a peep out of Serena. I suppose she’s laying low. She’s checked out of both the hospital and that seedy no-tell motel she was staying at in Leeds. But, believe you me, I’ll be catching up with her soon enough.

  But not quite yet.

  It’s Saturday night, the night of the crime symposium, and Noah drove out with me to Ashford County, where it’s being held, in my bakery van. Since Lily is here at the symposium as Seven’s plus one for the evening, she helped me haul out the three-tiered devil’s food cake and land it safely next to the refreshment table.

  The cake is simply luscious. It has a smooth chocolate buttercream frosting, and inside it’s as moist and light as can be. Devil’s food isn’t quite as sweet as traditional chocolate cake, so that really lets you experience the rich, dark cocoa that illuminates every bite. And the coffee they have at the refreshment table next to it smells absolutely divine. I’ll have to find out what roast they’re using.

  Lily moans as she looks at the chocolaty wonder. “You have no idea the torture I went through watching you make this. I can’t wait to cut into it.”

  “You don’t have to wait. It looks like the convention staff left the plates and utensils for us to get right to it,” I say, pulling a basket from behind the table. “Here’s a long knife and a server, too.”

  “Let me at it.” Lily takes the knife from me. “Why don’t you check this place out while I slice up this monster? I hear they have everything you need here to be a good detective—and you’re practically one yourself. I’ll make sure to give a piece of cake to everyone who walks by.”

  Noah chuckles. “Trust me. Once word gets out, you’ll be mobbed.”

  “Thanks, Lily,” I say as Noah and I wander off toward one of the many booths they have stationed here.

  The crime symposium has drawn forth a well-dressed, seemingly well-mannered crowd at every age and stage of life. It’s being held at Mendelsohn Hall, a small convention center located across the street from the Ashford Sherriff’s Department and just up the road from the courthouse where Everett works. Apparently, all of their friends and co-workers are present and accounted for here tonight.

  I spot Everett talking to an older gentleman, about my mother’s age with elongated features and a head full of gray hair.

  “Look at that.” Noah takes up my hand as he nods their way. “It’s Perry Rosin.”

  “Who’s that?” I ask as Noah navigates us through the crowd in that direction.

  “A great friend of mine. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”

  We bypass a maze of booths offering the latest and greatest technology for private investigators and homicide detectives alike. There are state-of-the-art handcuffs on display, tasers and lasers, several booths that feature a full weapons display, and even a handful of canine units are out and about. They’re so cute and fuzzy, I make a note of giving one a hug before I leave tonight.

  A lone Doberman Pinscher sits at the edge of a booth featuring security systems, and I can’t help but smile at him. He looks handsome and stoic as he sits up straight with his glossy black coat catching the light and a smattering of brown fur around his nose and mouth. With that spiked collar he’s wearing he looks absolutely fierce. And I bet if he showed off those teeth, he’d have an impressive set of fangs.

  Before I know it, we’re standing in front of the gray-haired gentleman and Everett, who looks dashing per usual. Come to think of it, I don’t think it’s possible for him to look any other way.

  “Lemon.” Everett lifts a cup of coffee my way. “This is Perry Rosin, licensed PI. We’ve been friends going on ten years now.”

  The older man laughs. “That’s right. I used to hang out at the courthouse, trying to drum up business when I first started out. This guy was still interning at the time.”

  Everett nods. “I was still in school. Perry taught me all the dirty underpinnings of law.”

  Perry’s eyes widen as he looks to Noah. “Detective Fox?” He quickly pulls Noah into a manly embrace. “It’s been a while. Look at you. I hear you’re at the sheriff’s department now.”

  “That I am.” Noah gives a wistful shake of the head. “Perry, this is Lottie Lemon, my girlfriend.” He shoots a quick look to Everett when he says it. “She baked the devil’s food cake for the event, so be sure to get a slice before you leave.”

  “I’d never turn down devil’s food. And just between you and me, I might get two slices before I leave.”

  We share a quick chuckle, but Perry’s laughter is cut short as he looks to something just past my shoulder.

  “On second thought, I think I’ll get to the cake right now. Excuse me.”

  He takes off abruptly, and both Everett and Noah glance in the direction he was staring at.

  Everett nods. “Tim is headed this way.”

  “Ah.” Noah nods as well as if fully understanding the meaning of what just transpired. “Lottie, Tim and Perry used to be close friends. They had a PI service together up until a little over a year ago. They even bought a rundown gym on the side.”

  I lean in. “What happened a little over a year ago?”

  Everett’s cheek flinches. “Tim caught Perry in bed with his wife.”

  “Tim’s wife?” I gasp and they both offer a somber nod.

  “Wow.” A dull laugh thumps through me. “No wonder he took off as if a wall of flames were chasing him. More like a wall of angry husband.”

  “Ex-husband,
” Noah offers. “He divorced his wife almost immediately after.”

  Everett shakes his head. “But they’re still good friends. They have a couple of dogs they share custody of.”

  “Oh,” I say as I look to Noah. “Like you and Britney.”

  Noah and his ex-wife share custody of the sweetest Golden Retriever in the world named Toby.

  Noah twitches his brows. “I guess so.” He glances back, surprised to see a couple of men and a woman ready to greet him. “Son of a gun.” Noah pulls the first man in for a pat on the back. He’s tall with brown and gray thinning hair. He has a sparkle in his eyes and a winning smile. “Lottie, this is Tim Troy. I was just telling Lottie about the gym you bought.”

  Tim frowns for a moment before offering me his hand and a genuine smile.

  “Nice to meet you, Lottie. I’m sorry he was boring you with my latest business misadventure.” He shakes Everett’s hand as well. “Everett, long time no see. You still fighting off all the women?”

  The pretty blonde next to him purrs like an engine, “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure to fight this one off. Spoiler alert”—she shakes Everett’s hand and leans his way in her sleek red dress—“I wouldn’t fight you off, honey.” A dark laugh brews in her chest. She’s pretty with shoulder-length hair, big brown eyes that she can’t seem to take off Everett—not that I blame her, and she’s tall and fit as if she spends time at the gym herself. She looks closer to my age than she does Tim’s.

  Tim shakes his head. “Lottie, Everett, Noah, this is my ex-wife, Leslie.” He hikes his brows as if he were amused himself.

  Leslie nods to the three of us. “I do a little investigating on the side.” She gives a quick wink to Everett. “I specialize in going undercover.” She belts that last word out with just enough innuendo for us to realize exactly what she meant.

  I can’t help but glance to Tim. It must be awkward to have your ex openly flirting with someone in your presence. But then, Noah did mention she slept with his old partner, Perry. I guess the poor man is used to it.

  Tim holds a hand out to the tall barrel-chested man next to him. “And everyone, this is Nelson Gilmore.”