by Rosie Sams
“My goodness, where are my manners? I have a kitchen full of goodies, and I haven’t offered you anything after your long day. What can I get you, Al?” she asked.
“Oh, I’m fine, Melody,” Alvin said.
Melody refused to take no for an answer. “Nonsense. What would you like? Tea? Coffee? And I have a variety of pastries, of course.”
“I’ll take whatever you have,” Alvin said.
“Okay. I’ll be back in a jiffy,” Melody said, already making her way toward the kitchen.
Melody prepared some chamomile tea then brought out a slice of carrot cake from the fridge. She knew it was one of Alvin’s favorites from her baking repertoire. She returned to her office and found Smudge in his lap. She smiled at the sight then handed him the slice of cake and mug of tea.
“You’re going to sit down and dine with me, aren’t you?” Alvin asked with mock formality. “After all, your day was as long as mine.”
Melody smiled. “Yes, I believe I will.” Somehow, in spite of the nightmare Dorinda’s wedding day had turned out to be, she couldn’t help feeling that this simple time spent sitting across from Alvin over carrot cake, and chamomile tea would make everything better.
Chapter Eight
Of course, life at Port Warren went on after Dorinda’s tragic wedding day. Melody went right back to her usual routine in the bakery. Kerry and Leslie still constantly bickered amongst themselves over the simplest of things, and she was still called on to play referee.
Three days after the almost-wedding, Melody was elbow-deep in flour as she worked on the first of three items for Kerry’s Aunt Rita. The old lady was fond of her baked goods and consistently featured them at the parties she hosted nearly every week. As usual, this week, Aunt Rita had ordered a pineapple upside-down cake, a hummingbird cake, and devil’s food cake.
Melody was sifting the dry ingredients together when Kerry passed by.
“Hmm, that’s Aunt Rita’s order again, isn’t it?” she remarked. “Why doesn’t she ever order anything else?”
Melody waved her off. “Aunt Rita loves them, and it’s her party. Besides, her friends on the charity board love these selections just as much as she does.”
“Yeah,” Kerry agreed, unenthusiastically. “Still, I think a little variety would do all of those old birds good.”
Melody swatted at her assistant with a flour-coated hand. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to speak about your elders that way?”
Kerry just rolled her eyes and moved on through the kitchen to the front room with her inventory list. After the craziness of the previous week, Melody had to admit that Kerry’s incorrigible attitude was comfortingly familiar and therefore, quite welcome after all of the chaos, as was Aunt Rita’s predictable order.
Just as she began dunking the thick pineapple slices into simple syrup, the doorbell on the front door rang. As usual, Melody’s heart skipped a beat when she recognized Alvin’s voice as it mingled with Leslie’s. She swiftly reached for a dishtowel, wiping furiously at her sticky fingers. She found it almost ridiculous that she wanted to smooth her hair and check her appearance in a mirror.
“Yoo-hoo, Melody!” Kerry called in a sing-song tone, popping her head around the corner. “You have a visitor.”
“Ssshhhh, not so loud,” Melody hissed.
Kerry only laughed. “He’s a good guy, Mel, I don’t know why you insist on being so secretive. It’s not like the rest of us haven’t noticed what’s going on. The blind can see that you two are so into each other. So, just go on out now and greet your boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Melody retorted as she scrubbed her hands in the sink. Much as she wanted Kerry to think that Alvin’s visit meant nothing to her, she couldn’t help stopping to check her reflection in the mirror after removing her apron.
“You look good, Mel. You’re always pretty, especially to Mr. Cop-man,” Kerry said, her voice low.
Melody rolled her eyes at her friend, but couldn’t quite keep the grin from her lips as she strode to the front of the bakery.
She greeted Alvin with a welcoming smile. “Al, so nice to see you this time of day. I didn’t expect to see you until closing time.” It was then that she noticed Alvin didn’t appear completely at ease.
“Can we talk?” Alvin asked. His tone was far too business-like for this to be a social call.
“Of course. Why don’t we go to my office?” Melody said.
Alvin nodded, following her down the hall. They sat next to each other on the long couch next to her work desk.
“What is this about, Al? You’re making me nervous,” Melody said. Alvin offered a small smile that made her feel slightly more at ease.
“Sorry, I guess I’m just focused.”
If Melody hadn’t felt so shy, she would have told Alvin that she liked his focused face very much. Instead, she prompted him to continue.
“Ambrose and Dorinda Mitchum bailed out of jail this morning,” he said.
This wasn’t a huge surprise as the doctor had plenty of money at his disposal, making bail money a non-issue.
“They’re out and about then,” Melody said.
Alvin nodded. “The only condition is that they don’t leave town, same as Mortimer.”
Melody took this in, hoping Alvin couldn’t tell that having suspects among them made her uneasy. “Any sign of the murder weapon?”
“Unfortunately, no. We double checked every corner of the bed and breakfast—all the rooms, the garbage, the kitchen… no sight of a weapon of any sort.”
“I guess we’ll just have to keep hoping that it’s the next piece of evidence you find,” Melody said, trying her best to be optimistic.
“I suppose so.” Alvin stood then, glancing at his watch. “I can’t stay, I just wanted to give you that update. Figured you deserve it after all of the help you gave me,” he added with a smile.
Melody smiled. “It was nothing. Thanks for thinking of me, Al.”
They walked out of the office, and Melody swung behind the counter to retrieve a box of cinnamon buns that she insisted he takes to headquarters.
“Thanks, Mel. I’ll drop by again later if I get the chance,” Alvin said.
“Don’t worry about it. I know you’re busy,” Melody said. Smudge yelped in agreement, causing them both to laugh.
Alvin exited the shop then, and Melody returned to the kitchen, intent on finishing up Aunt Rita’s order, but Kerry and Leslie had other ideas.
“So, what was that all about?” Kerry asked as she and her coworker strategically blocked their boss’ way into the kitchen. “Did he ask you to marry him?”
Melody laughed as she ducked under her employee’s arm, heading straight for the work table. She snatched up a piping bag and resumed her work, all the while, hoping that her cheeks didn’t look as hot as they felt.
“What are you talking about? For goodness sake, we haven’t even been…” What exactly had she and Alvin been doing? Certainly not officially dating — not yet anyway. “Hanging out that long. It was nothing like that. He dropped by to tell me that the Mitchums bailed themselves out of jail this morning.”
“Oh.” Kerry’s hand flew to her tiny waist. “So, they can roam free in Port Warren? I don’t like the thought of that.”
“Me neither,” Leslie agreed, squinting at Melody through her glasses. “What if one of them really is the murderer? What if the real criminal decides to stab everyone in town?”
Melody and Kerry shook their heads at the same time.
“They are not serial killers, Leslie,” Kerry said.
“Quite right, Kerry,” Melody agreed. “What happened to poor Robin was likely an act of passion. I doubt there will be any more gruesome stabbings.”
“Well, I’m still worried.” Leslie protested.
“I don’t think the Mitchums are violent killers. They’ve always been nice people,” Melody said.
“Except now one is a hardened criminal,” Leslie pointed out.
“Allegedly,” Melody interjected.
Leslie ignored Melody’s comment and continued, “Trouble is, we don’t know which one it is, so how are we supposed to know who to stay away from?”
Melody sighed with resignation. There was no point in saying another word on the Mitchums’ possible innocence because clearly, everyone had decided one of them was guilty. The evidence against them was damning, though, and she had to admit that her employee had a point. If by chance, either Mitchum was guilty — which one was it?
Melody decided that she didn’t want to encourage any more talk on the matter, so she let the subject drop and focused on the last touches on Aunt Rita’s order. The angel food cake needed a little time to cool before delivery, which meant she had at least half an hour to kill.
“I think I’ll stop by and see Dorinda before I make Aunt Rita’s delivery,” she announced to her friends as she removed her apron. “I’ll be back in an hour or so.”
The minute Smudge spotted Melody heading toward the door, she perked up. Figuring animals were always great comforters, she beckoned to the pup who was at her side in a moment, wagging her tail as Melody secured the leash to her collar. At the last minute, she grabbed a box of De Vine. It wouldn’t hurt to arrive bearing every type of comfort possible.
As she walked, Melody tried to come up with what to say to Dorinda. It was difficult to know what to say to a woman whose world had just been smashed to smithereens. By the time she reached the Mitchum house, she still wasn’t completely sure what the direction conversation should take. Figuring she’d mostly have to play it by ear, Melody reached up to ring the brass doorbell. Only a few moments passed before the door opened, revealing Dorinda on the other side.
“Oh, hi, Mel,” she greeted with evidently forced enthusiasm.
Melody’s heart went out to Dorinda as she observed the dark circles under her eyes and her pale face. Her hair was also unruly, a state in which Melody had never seen it. She was looking at a completely different Dorinda than the one who had been so bright-eyed and brimming with excitement just days before. Melody held out the box of De Vine. “I brought you a little something.”
When Dorinda opened the lid, her eyes lit up in spite of her exhausted appearance.
“That’s so thoughtful of you, Mel. Thank you,” Dorinda said with sadness underlying her tone. “Come on inside.”
Melody and Smudge followed Dorinda inside the house. It was Melody’s first time inside the doctor’s dwelling, and it certainly was exquisite. The walls were all white, and the expertly arranged furniture still smelled strongly of fine leather. Melody was invited to sit on the couch near the fireplace.
“How are you, Dorinda?” She inquired softly. Dorinda averted her gaze and Melody instinctively reached for her hand. “It’s all right to be honest. I’m here to listen if you need to talk.”
The kind words were apparently too much for Dorinda, and she immediately burst into tears. Melody squeezed Dorinda’s hand as the other woman cried. “I should have listened to everyone! I’m so stubborn!” she sobbed around hiccups. “I shouldn’t have accepted Robin into my life.”
“You didn’t know,” Melody soothed.
Dorinda shook her head, vehemently. “But I did know. Just about everyone warned me, and I wouldn’t listen. If I had listened, none of this would have happened.” She covered her face with her hand, her shoulders shaking.
“It’s not your fault, Dorinda. You did nothing wrong. You just trusted and loved someone. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“But I was a fool! They were all telling me what a cad he was, and I still allowed myself to be beguiled by his sweet words.”
Dorinda wiped tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. Smudge jumped up onto the couch next to her, ready to offer comfort as well. Dorinda stroked Smudge’s soft little head for a moment and even managed to smile down at the concerned pup.
“Mel? I don’t know how to say this, but….”
“Go ahead,” Melody encouraged.
Dorinda took a deep breath before continuing. “I hope you don’t think I killed Robin. No matter what he did, I would never have the guts to kill anyone. Besides, I loved him. Even though he hurt me, I loved him.”
“I believe in you, Dorinda,” Melody comforted. “I saw the light he put in your eyes, and I would never question your grief when he died.”
Dorinda started crying again as tears poured afresh from her dull, blue eyes. “I wish I could just forget all of it!”
“I know,” Melody said. “How about your father? How is he?”
“I worry about him,” Dorinda said, hiccupping. “He’s old, you know. I’m afraid that this stressful ordeal isn’t good for his health. I don’t know what possessed him to take responsibility for the crime. My father couldn’t bring himself to murder anyone any more than I could. he takes his oath as a doctor to do no harm very seriously, I assure you. He’d never hurt a soul.”
“I know, I agree with you.”
“My dad was as happy as I was the morning of the wedding,” Dorinda went on. “He was excited about the wedding from the start. He thought the world of Robin and was eager to have another doctor joining the family. He would finally get someone he could play golf with and discuss boring medical stuff with.”
Melody continued to listen as Dorinda’s words tumbled forth in a rush.
“He was so excited yesterday. He even had his white tuxedo dry cleaned to make sure it would be perfect for my big day. He was so meticulous about the details of the wedding too. He wanted it to be such a success, Mel.”
“I know, Dorinda,” Melody said with a sigh. She reached over to grip the other woman’s hand. “Don’t worry. I talked to Al this morning, and he is working hard to get this whole mess straightened out. Now, I want you to just rest on that thought.”
Dorinda offered a tearful nod as Melody stood.
“I need to make a delivery now. Smudge and I’ll come to check in on you again, all right?”
Dorinda smiled as Smudge jumped off of the couch to follow her owner. She stood as well, pulling Melody in for a tight embrace. “Thank you for coming, Melody. You have no idea how much your visit means to me.”
“I’m here to help. You’ll let me know if there’s anything I can do?”
Dorinda nodded, escorting her visitors to the door.
Though being able to comfort Dorinda should have made Melody happy, she instead found herself feeling even more uneasy about the murder than before. Dorinda was in such distress and would continue to be so as long as the investigation dragged on.
“Oh, Al,” she murmured. “Please find that murder weapon soon. I don’t know how much more waiting poor Dorinda can take.”
Chapter Nine
The next day after another sleepless night spent contemplating the case of Robin Werther’s murder, Melody heaved a sigh and dropped her head to her desk. She was going through photos, trying to build a portfolio of cake decorations for a birthday cake for one of her clients to choose from. She’d been at it for almost an hour, and the only thing she’d accomplished was to stare at one photo until the image started to blur.
Rubbing her eyes tiredly, Melody pushed her chair away from the desk and dragged her eyes from the computer screen to stretch her tense shoulder muscles. “I don’t know why I’m so pressed about this case,” she mumbled. “I’m not a detective, for goodness sake.”
Smudge, sprawled in her usual corner, lifted one eyelid to cast her owner a curious glance before going right back to sleep. Melody snorted, a bit jealous of Smudge’s relaxed attitude. How she wished she could be just as unruffled about the murder case. Especially as it really had nothing to do with her. It was just so difficult to let go of the recent tragedy because it was in her beloved little town and involved people she knew. People she considered friends.
Deciding that she would get absolutely no work done, Melody jumped up and marched through the door. The sound of paws scurrying behind her indicated that Smudge
was now wide awake.
Rounding the corner into the kitchen, Melody found Kerry and Leslie huddled together. The women spoke in hushed tones, piquing Melody’s curiosity. It wasn’t often she found Kerry and Leslie doing anything other than bickering. The closer she got to the couple, she realized that Kerry was demonstrating how to make spun sugar while Leslie looked on raptly.
“Wow, this is a pleasant surprise,” Melody mused. Two heads whipped around. “Seeing you two working together so peacefully is new.”
Leslie’s lips twisted wryly as she adjusted her glasses. “It sure is new. Kerry told me you taught her how to make spun sugar. I figured I’d ask her to show me rather than bother you. You seemed so focused on whatever you were doing when I peeked in your office.”
“Don’t get too excited, Melody,” Kerry snickered. “I only agreed to teach Leslie so I can have it to rub in her face later.”
“Could you be any more contemptible?” Leslie scoffed.
“No more than you,” Kerry quipped with a wicked grin.
“Well, that didn’t last long,” Melody voiced before Leslie could respond and have world war three erupt in the kitchen.
Leslie grinned good-naturedly and turned to Melody. “So, boss, what were you so engrossed in earlier. You were staring at your computer with such intensity, I thought it would burst into flames.”
Leaning against the counter, Melody huffed. “I was focused all right, so focused I didn’t even see you. But, I wasn’t concentrating on what I was supposed to be working on, gathering possible cake designs for Mrs. Charles to choose from for little Matty’s birthday party. Instead, I was thinking about Dorinda’s wedding that wasn’t and her dead groom.”
Kerry and Leslie exchanged knowing glances. “I told you she wouldn’t give it up,” Kerry muttered, tucking a lock of her stubborn hair behind her ear.
Melody directed pointed stares at her employees. She was annoyed that her inability to stay out of police matters had been discussed among them. “You’re right, I can’t give it up. On that note, I have a question.”
