The Birthday Murders

by Mary Maxwell

  “Thank you,” Adam replied. “Now let me give you the skinny on the business proposal. We can chat about it more later, but I want to sketch in the idea before the server comes back to take our order.”

  For the next few minutes, I sipped my wine and listened as Adam described his plan for the new detective agency. After working for the Denver Police Department for a few years, he had connections all over the state. He also had commitments from businesses in Boulder that they would hire his agency to handle employee background checks. Most of the companies were owned by friends, but a few were referrals from Trent and Dina in Crescent Creek.

  “It’s about who you know,” he said. “As well as who you meet once you’re up and running.”

  “Of course,” I agreed. “But you’re a gregarious guy, Adam. I think you’ll do just fine once the doors are open.”

  “I’m feeling good about it,” he said. “Actually, one of the bank presidents that I met with today hired me to look into something.”

  “Well, that was fast!”

  “Gotta be quick,” he said. “If I turned down the business, he would’ve hired one of my competitors.”

  “What’s the case?” I asked. “Cheating wife?”

  Adam laughed. “Other way around,” he said. “The bank president is a woman.”

  “I guess infidelity is an equal opportunity transgression,” I said.

  “Definitely,” he agreed. “I don’t know what kinds of cases we’ll get most often, of course, but I’d really like you on the team, Katie. In a consulting role, of course. I know that your heart is in Sky High Pies, but I feel confident that we could have a good working arrangement. I’ve seen you in action when you’ve helped Trent and Dina on a couple of their stickier situations here in Crescent Creek.”

  “That’s true,” I said. “But those really are few and far between. I wouldn’t be comfortable getting into something that could potentially be a strain on our friendship.”

  “No need to worry about that,” Adam said. “When I need help on a case, I’ll call and discuss it with you. I’ve got a retired Denver PD detective who might also be interested in doing some consulting. You’d definitely be my first choice, but I can call Gus if and when you aren’t available.”

  I drank some of my wine. It was definitely tempting, but I was concerned about agreeing to the proposal and ending up feeling overwhelmed and stretched too thin.

  “Here’s the thing,” Adam said. “You like the work, right?”

  “I loved being a PI in Chicago,” I said. “But I’m already pretty busy with Sky High and planning the wedding and everything else that I’m already doing.”

  “But once you guys tie the knot, the planning is over and done with, right?”

  I nodded.

  “And Colorado is one of seven states that don’t require private investigators to be licensed,” he said. “So there’s no red tape in that regard. You’ve got your conceal carry permit, so there’s another box checked.”

  “I’ll be honest with you,” I said. “The offer is truly tempting, but I just—”

  “Then say yes,” Adam replied. “If it’s not a good fit at any point, you’ll let me know. I trust you, Katie. I respect you, too. It’s hard finding good people for this type of work, especially when I’m starting a new business and leaving behind the network and support that’s built into the department in Denver.”

  “It is a big step,” I said. “You’re taking a gamble and a risk.”

  He smiled. “But I’m confident we can make it happen,” he said. “You’ll like Gus. He’s a little rough around the edges, but he’s a straight shooter. Twenty-five years with the Denver PD and five before that in Tulsa.”

  “And a little rough around the edges?” I asked.

  Adam shrugged. “Just a bit,” he said. “But aren’t most of us that way from time to time?”

  “How about this?” I said. “What if I think about it for a couple of days? Like I already told you, I’m flattered for the offer. And I’m really tempted to say yes right now. But I think it would be smart to let it sit for a while.”

  “That’s fine with me,” Adam replied. “Hearing you say yes in a couple of days will be just as awesome as hearing it tonight.”

  CHAPTER 42

  The following evening, after meeting with the third wedding planner of the week, Zack and I were sitting at his kitchen table with carryout from Taco Tico. It had been a long day: breakfast and lunch at Sky High along with monthly inventory, an unexpected visit by the health inspector and a long phone conversation with my mother about bridal bouquets. After announcing that she found her missing diamond earring in the crisper drawer, we spent the rest of the hour discussing flowers for the wedding. My mother insisted all-white floral arrangements were tedious, flat and unimaginative, while I argued that they were classic and elegant.

  “I have an idea,” I said after giving Zack a summary of the discussion with my mother. “Maybe Julia, Harper and I can plan our wedding. We do events all the time, so it will be like another Sky High project.”

  He shook his head. “We agreed that you didn’t need the extra burden, sweetheart. Remember that conversation?”

  “I do, but I also remember how irritating it is to repeat myself five or six times before someone understands what I’m saying.”

  He smiled. “Are you talking about me?”

  “No, gosh no! I was referring to the woman we just met with.”

  “I thought you liked Bonnie,” he said with a furrowed brow. “What did I miss?”

  “Not a thing,” I said. “But liking someone because she’s a regular customer at Sky High is one thing. Trying to explain myself for the umpteenth time as she fidgets with her phone and misses half of what we’re telling her is an entirely different matter.”

  “I agree,” Zack said. “But you know what’s funny? I thought you were going to say something else just then.”

  “Like what?”

  “That we really should elope,” he said.

  My eyes got bigger. “Seriously? After all of the time we’ve already invested in research and meetings and budgeting?”

  “I’m not saying that’s the right answer for us,” he said. “But we can keep it in our back pocket as Plan B.”

  “Where did this idea come from?” I asked.

  “We both like options, babe. And if we decide to elope, I can use some of the money we’ve set aside for the wedding to buy new equipment for a photography studio in the house.”

  I did a quick calculation. Zack had once confessed that he wanted to quit the newspaper and open a full-time photography business. He’d been doing freelance photo assignments for the past decade, always earning more with each successive year. I’d talked to several entrepreneurs in Crescent Creek who loved hiring him to handle photography for their brochures, catalogs and online promotions. He was talented. Clients loved his flexibility, creativity and easygoing personality. And his future employment at the Gazette seemed more tenuous than ever considering how many small town newspapers were closing their doors.

  “What about you, Katie?” he asked. “How would you use the money?”

  I touched one finger to my nose. “A little cosmetic surgery,” I said, moving to my chin. “A little nip and a little tuck.”

  Zack shook his head. “I love you just the way you are.”

  “That’s sweet,” I said. “And the feeling’s mutual. But I think we should keep moving ahead with Plan A. I’m just tired from the past couple of weeks.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Zack said. “You were burning the candle at both ends again. Between Sky High and helping the cops with the Oldham case, you barely slept at all in the last week.”

  “I don’t regret any of it,” I said. “It feels good to help the CCPD with their investigations. It gives me a chance to keep my deductive muscles in shape.”

  “But that’s something you do all the time anyway,” Zack said.

  I smiled. “What are you talk
ing about?”

  “What am I talking about?” His voice was cheery and hesitant at the same time. “Are you really going to ask me that?”

  “I just did. What was the comment about?”

  “Okay, sweetheart,” he said. “I’ll play along. But I’ll do it by asking you a couple of questions.”

  “I’m game.”

  “What do you read almost every night before falling asleep?”

  I thought for a second. “Cooking magazines?”

  He shook his head. “Maybe a few pages,” he said. “But then you switch to mysteries or true crime books.”

  “That’s right.”

  “And when you watch TV,” he continued, “what do you almost always go for?”

  “I don’t know,” I said. “News and weather?”

  He laughed. “Law & Order SVU,” he said. “Or one of those British cop shows on PBS.”

  “Oh, okay!” I said. “I see what you’re getting at. But what am I supposed to do? I know what I like.”

  Zack leaned over and planted a big kiss on my cheek. “Same here,” he said. “I know what I like. And I like you, my future bride and dream come true.”

  “I’m your dream come true?”

  He nodded. “Actually, maybe we are,” he said. “I always wanted to meet someone to share the rest of my life with, but it didn’t happen until…” He kissed me again. “…until I met you, Katie. You really are an amazing and wonderful woman.”

  There was a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes along with a slight quiver in his voice.

  “Are you going all gooey on me?” I asked.

  He pushed back into the sofa. Then he reached over and took my hand.

  “I’m just telling you how I feel,” he said. “Is that okay?”

  My cheeks were growing warm and something wonderful flickered in my heart.

  “It’s better than okay,” I said. “It’s perfect! And I feel the same way, my future groom and dream come true. We’re like those couples that you read about in magazines or see on television. Perfectly suited, perfectly matched and—”

  “Simply perfect!” Zack said. “That’s us, Katie. Simply perfect.”

  Nana Reed’s Sky High Recipes

  Chocolate Cherry Drops

  Ingredients

  1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  1/2 cup unsalted butter

  1 cup sugar

  1/4 teaspoon baking soda

  1/4 teaspoon baking powder

  1/4 teaspoon salt

  1 large egg

  2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  36 maraschino cherries

  3 teaspoons cherry juice

  1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

  1 cup milk chocolate chips

  Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).

  2. Prepare two baking sheets: lightly grease or line with parchment paper.

  3. Whisk together flour and cocoa.

  4. In a separate bowl, combine butter, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

  5. When butter-sugar mixture is thoroughly combined, add egg and vanilla extract.

  6. Slowly blend in flour-cocoa mixture to form dough.

  7. Moisten your hands with water and create three dozen balls from dough.

  8. Arrange dough balls on prepared baking sheets with two inches between.

  9. Create a shallow indentation with your thumb or knuckle in the center of each ball.

  10. Position one cherry in each indentation.

  11. Set aside baking sheets while you make the chocolate topping.

  12. Combine condensed milk and chocolate chips in a small saucepan.

  13. Place pan over low heat, stirring until chocolate chips are fully melted.

  14. Add cherry juice to chocolate topping; continue stirring until thoroughly combined.

  15. Use a spoon to cover each cherry with melted chocolate.

  16. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until cookie edges are rigid.

  17. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to wire racks to finish cooling.

  Banana Oat Bars

  Ingredients

  1-1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

  1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  1 teaspoon salt

  1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  3/4 cup shortening

  1 cup granulated sugar

  1 egg

  1 cup mashed bananas

  1-3/4 cups quick cooking oats

  1 cup chopped pecans

  Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).

  2. Lightly grease 9x12 inch baking pan.

  3. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon.

  4. Cream together the shortening and sugar in a separate bowl.

  5. Add egg, banana, oats and pecans to the shortening-sugar mix.

  6. Once the wet mixture is thoroughly blended, slowly add the dry ingredients.

  7. When the batter is completely mixed, transfer it to the prepared pan.

  8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until tester inserted in center comes out clean.

  9. Cool on wire rack before garnishing with Sky High Glistening Glaze (see next page).

  Sky High Glistening Glaze

  Ingredients

  2 cups confectioners’ sugar

  3 tablespoons milk

  1/4 teaspoon orange juice

  1/3 cup orange zest

  Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients and mix well.

  2. Drizzle over scones before serving.

  Blueberry Lemon Scones

  Ingredients

  2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  1/2 teaspoon salt

  1/4 cup sugar

  2-1/4 teaspoons baking powder

  6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

  2 large eggs

  3/4 cup heavy cream

  2 lemons, zested

  2 cups blueberries

  Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).

  2. Prepare two baking sheets: lightly grease or line with parchment paper.

  3. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.

  4. Blend cubed butter into dry ingredients with pastry blender, fork or fingers until mixture is coarse and crumbly.

  5. In a separate bowl, combine eggs and cream.

  6. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients; hold aside 2 tablespoons of the egg-cream mixture.

  7. Fold in lemon zest and blueberries; mix until all ingredients are combined.

  8. On a floured surface, shape the dough into a circle (8- to 9-inches in diameter).

  9. Brush top of dough with the remaining egg-cream mixture.

  10. Divide the dough into 14 wedges with cutter or knife.

  11. Arrange wedges evenly on prepared pans.

  12. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

  13. Cool on wire rack briefly before serving warm with butter, cream cheese or other favorite condiments.