by Amber Crewes
Meghan frowned. “What is the evidence, Jack?” she asked. “Everyone in town knows that Christian Evans killed Roger. What about Lewis from the hotel? Maybe he had something to do with it. I talked to him today, and he said some nasty things about the homeless people.”
Jack pursed his lips. “Saying nasty things and doing nasty things are two different stories,” he explained to his girlfriend. “We have investigated Christian’s misdeeds, and he is guilty of a lot, but he has not killed anyone. Lewis is just full of hot air, Meghan. It’s Angela who killed Roger, along with several others, and it’s Angela who is on her way to jail.”
Rebecca frowned. “It just seems scandalous to take a pretty young lady like Angela off to jail,” she admonished.
Jack shook his head. We have proof. One of the busboys at Luciano’s took his dog into the vet; he thought the dog had been poisoned by a mean neighbor, and he filed a complaint with the police.”
Henry wrinkled his nose. “What does a sick dog have to do with any of this?”
“A lot, actually,” Jack continued. “We looked into the complaint, and after speaking with the busboy, we learned that Angela had stayed late at the restaurant the night the dog became ill. We went through the sick dog’s stool, and after testing, it was determined that the only thing in his stomach was food from Luciano’s. Just for curiosity’s sake, I decided to review the security footage from outside of Luciano’s that night. Well, who was outside at 1am?”
Henry shook his head. “I don’t understand this, Jack.”
Jack shrugged. “Angela was outside, and the footage caught her feeding sandwiches to the little dog right before she took a bag of sandwiches to the homeless fellows outside. We have footage that shows her giving them food. Most of them were asleep, and the fellow who died, Roger, gobbled up all of the sandwiches by himself.”
Meghan’s eyes widened. “So Angela gave poisoned food to the dog and the homeless guys?”
“Exactly.” Jack confirmed.
“Are you sure about this, Jack?”
Jack smiled. “I wasn’t sure until ten minutes ago when Meghan and I spoke,” he said. “The security footage was grainy enough that we couldn’t quite make out the face of the killer, but we could see them in a red poncho. Well, remember what Angela was wearing?”
Meghan gasped. “She was wearing her red poncho,” she whispered. “The same one Jack had described from the film.”
Jack nodded. “It’s terrible,” he admitted. “But think about it: she has a clear motive. Angela wanted to get rid of the homeless population one by one so that she could continue to grow her business. It makes sense. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner.”
Rebecca slumped back in her chair. “Well, that was a shock,” she uttered as she dramatically fanned her face. “I cannot believe that Angela was the killer. What a terrible crime from such a lovely girl.”
Henry shook his head. “That’s what happens when ambition turns to poison,” he declared. He pointed a finger at Meghan. “Don’t you ever let your business stand in the way of you doing the right thing and treating people well. Business and ambition can turn even the purest hearts to stone, and that’s what happened to Angela Luciano.”
“Oh, Daddy,” Meghan said as she reached to hug her father. “I love my work, and I love serving the people of Sandy Bay, but my business is just a business to me. I’m passionate about my shop, but I would never, ever harm anyone in pursuit of my own success.”
“Good girl,” Henry said as he hugged his daughter. “And Ms. Kane, I hope you follow the same principles. I know you are a successful gal, but I hope tonight’s events teach you a good lesson, too.”
Kayley stared at Mr. Truman. She yawned, looking bored, and examined her nails.
“Kayley?” Mr. Truman pressed.
Kayley sighed. “I’ll never let my business or ambitions stand in the way of someone else’s health or well-being,” she said robotically as Henry and Rebecca nodded and smiled. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t do everything in my power to get to the top every other way.”
Meghan laughed. “We know, Kayley,” she said. “We know.”
That night, Meghan shared a quiet dinner with her parents back at the hotel. The news of Angela’s arrest was all over Sandy Bay, and Meghan wanted a reprieve from the heinous story of the beautiful, remorseless killer. She ordered a variety of tacos and three types of queso from her favorite street taco vendor and asked her father to order margaritas from the hotel bar.
“That’s a lot of fattening food,” Rebecca said as Meghan walked in with the bags of tacos.
“Daddy said you like options, so I brought options,” Meghan replied. “Besides, we had a long night, and I need some good food to help me relax. Come on, Mama, try the pork tacos. Or try the fish tacos. I think you will love the lime sauce.”
Rebecca sighed, but took a seat next to Meghan on the velvet couch. She unwrapped a chicken taco and took a bite. “This is quite good,” she admitted. “Thank you for bringing dinner to us.”
“No problem,” Meghan said. “It’s the least I could do. I know you are upset now that the beach house deal is off.”
Rebecca shrugged. “Given tonight’s events, your father and I just don’t feel as though it’s the right time or place to make such an investment,” she told her daughter. “We do want to see you more, Meghan, and we are going to make every effort to be bigger parts of your life. We love you, and we miss you, and we want to watch you grow into the wonderful woman you are becoming.”
Meghan’s eyes filled with tears at her mother’s compliments. Rebecca was certainly hard to please, and Meghan was thrilled that her mother acknowledged her hard work and growth. “Thank you, Mama,” Meghan whispered as she returned her taco to its plate and hugged her mother.
“Careful, this dress is Dior,” Rebecca warned Meghan as she leaned away.
“Your mother and I have talked, and we want you and Jack to visit us in Texas in the New Year,” Henry announced as he strode into the sitting area carrying a tray of margaritas. “Jack is a good man, and he will take care of you. I trust him, and I think we need to get to know him better.”
Meghan smiled. “I would like that, Daddy,” she told him.
“Perfect,” he said. “We’ll purchase some tickets for you two for Christmas. How does first-class sound? That will be our gift to the pair of you, a trip to Texas on us.”
“That sounds amazing,” Meghan squealed, jumping up to hug her father. “What a sweet gift. Thank you both!”
18
One week later, on Christmas Eve, Meghan and Jack were hosting the Trumans for a farewell brunch at Truly Sweet. Meghan had gone above and beyond to cook a feast her parents would love; she had made gourmet omelettes, chicken sausage, fresh caramel strudel, and a hot plate of turkey bacon. Jack had helped set the table with Meghan’s nicest dishes, and as they ate, Meghan’s parents clucked over the meal she had prepared.
Meghan was quite proud of herself. Dressed in her favorite maroon dress, her dark hair tumbled down her back, and from the look on Jack’s face when she answered the door, she knew she looked beautiful. Her mother had even complimented her on the outfit, and as she served brunch to her parents, Meghan felt as though she were finally being treated as the adult business owner she was.
“It’s perfect, Meghan,” Henry told his daughter as he stuffed a third piece of bacon in his mouth.
“Truly sweet, Sugar,” Rebecca agreed. “You are quite the hostess. I am so impressed by the little soiree you have thrown together for us. You have been quite the hostess this holiday season!”
Meghan smiled. Her mother was referring to the event she had held at the bakery the previous day. Given the events of the season, Meghan’s heart hurt for the homeless population in Sandy Bay. She, Pamela, Trudy, and Rebecca had spent an entire day preparing an abundance of treats, and Meghan had hosted a holiday celebration for the homeless folks in town. She had hired a group of carolers to sing festive s
ongs, made pretty decorations, and even organized a variety of games and activities for her guests. The event had made the local news, and Meghan was pleased to learn that the publicity had drawn attention to the homeless population, and donations had been flooding in for the food bank.
“This is a great thing you’re doing for the folks who are down on their luck,” Jack had told Meghan at the event. “You are a truly sweet woman, Meghan.”
“It’s my pleasure to do it for them,” Meghan told her boyfriend. “These people have so little and we have so much. Why not take time to give back? This is the way businesses should be run--to not only make profits, but to give back to the community.”
The event drew over ninety people into the bakery, and Meghan was pleased that every last treat had been taken by the end of the night. As she showered and prepared for bed after she had bid the last guest farewell, she was certain that she had done the right thing by opening her business to those in need. She loved serving others, and she made a vow to keep the homeless in mind as she moved forward.
Now, on Christmas Eve, Meghan was glowing as she basked in the attention of her parents.
Meghan leaned back in her chair, pleased by their compliments. “Thank you both,” she told them. “And thank you for visiting. I am so sad that you are leaving today, and I am so disappointed that you won’t be buying a second home here.”
Rebecca shrugged. “It was going to be an impulse buy,” she admitted. “Now that I know that you are safe here with Jack, I don’t think we need to buy another home. I do, however, think that we need to invest in a better airline credit card, don’t you, Henry? We will be missing our girl terribly, and I want to visit Sandy Bay more than once a year! We can’t wait for you two to visit Texas, but I don’t want to wait until the summer to see you again. I plan to visit next month, and Henry, I hope you will help me make the arrangements.”
Henry nodded. “Yes, we will certainly do that,” he told his wife. “I’m just glad to know that the homeless population here is not dangerous. It was a shock to hear that Angela killed that man, but the entire situation has just touched my heart. Meghan, your mother and I have agreed to donate ten thousand dollars to the food bank this Christmas, and we want you to deliver the check to the organization.”
Meghan’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you, Daddy,” she murmured as she rose from her chair and moved to hug her father. “Thank you, Mama. This means so much to me.”
Henry nodded. “We were just so impressed with your kindness,” he told his daughter. “You gave away so many of your treats to the homeless, not to mention your attention and time. That spirit of philanthropy inspired me, Meghan, and I plan to incorporate that into my own business ventures. You have certainly made us proud.”
Jack also rose to his feet and gently tapped Henry on the shoulder. “Henry? Can we talk privately for a moment?”
Henry nodded and followed Jack into the kitchen. “Henry,” Jack began as he shifted nervously. “I love your daughter. I would do anything for her. She is an amazing woman, and I have something I need to ask you.”
Henry smiled. “I think I know where this is going. What do you need to ask me, Jack?”
Jack grinned. “I want you to know that I am saving for a ring for Meghan. With your blessing, I want to ask her to marry me in the year to come. I will have enough money put away to buy a ring in a few months, and by next Christmas, I would like for Meghan to be my wife.”
Henry beamed. He pulled Jack into a tight hug. “You have my blessing, sport,” he told Jack. “Now, just make sure you run that ring by Rebecca before you buy it; Meghan’s mother has an affinity for nice things, and surely she’ll want you to have her opinion. Meghan is easy to please; surely she will love whatever you find for her, but you know my wife...”
Jack laughed. “I’m sure that will be an interesting conversation when the time comes. Anyway, thank you for your support, Henry. It truly means the world. I cannot wait to ask Meghan to marry me. Now, I just need to keep saving for the ring, and I need to plan the proposal.”
Henry shook Jack’s hand. “My pleasure, son. I’m happy for the pair of you. Meghan sparkles when she is with you, and I see from the look in your eyes right now that you are excited for this next step in your life. I remember feeling this way the night I met Rebecca. I was at a party, and I took a bite of this amazing coconut tart. It was topped with roasted pineapple, and it was to die for. Anyway, I asked to meet the cook, and sure enough, Rebecca had made the treat.”
Jack smiled. “That’s a great story.”
Henry nodded. “It gets better. Rebecca’s tarts brought us together, and on the night we were engaged, little did I know that she had spent all morning making my favorite tarts for me. Everytime I think about those tarts, and the woman behind them, I get that look in my eye...the same one you have now.”
Jack chuckled. “I’m lucky to have found a Truman woman.”
Henry winked. “Yes, you are, Jack Irvin. Hmmm. Meghan Irvin. That sounds nice I think. Now! Let’s get back to brunch. I am going to pour some champagne into our orange juices...I believe we have something to celebrate, even if my little girl doesn’t know it yet.”
Jack followed Henry back into the dining room and grinned as Henry poured the bubbly into everyone’s glass.
“Daddy?” Meghan asked. “What is this for? You two are traveling today! Are you sure you want to dive into the champagne?”
Henry winked at his daughter, and then shot a look at Jack. Jack blushed, and Henry laughed. “I’m sure, Meghan,” Henry said. “Absolutely sure.”
“Henry, you know what champagne does to my stomach,” Rebecca protested. Henry reached over and whispered Jack’s news into Rebecca’s ear, and she squealed.
“What, Mama?” Meghan asked. “What is this fuss about?”
Rebecca quickly regained her composure. “Oh, it’s nothing, dear,” she told her daughter. “Nothing. Let’s just have a nice little breakfast drink and a toast.”
“A toast,” Henry announced. “To our little girl and her big heart, her big business, her big dreams, and her big, bright future. I believe Meghan will have a lot of joy in the year ahead. Merry Christmas to you, my girl, and happy holidays to all of you. Cheers!”
“Cheers!” everyone called out.
As everyone lifted their glasses, Meghan felt a happy tear trail from her eyes. She looked at her father, who was merrily raising a glass in her honor, and to her mother, whose time in Sandy Bay had been precious to her. Meghan lastly looked at Jack, her handsome boyfriend. She loved Jack with all of her heart, and as she sat next to him on Christmas Eve, she hoped that she would spend every Christmas with Jack.
“Cheers,” Meghan exclaimed as she lifted her own glass. “Cheers to the sweetest days ahead.”
The End
About King Cake and Grave Mistakes
Released: January, 2019
Series: Book 11 – Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery Series
Standalone: Yes
Cliff-hanger: No
A spate of muggings. A murdered victim. Can a small town bakery owner solve the case before the killer ending?
Meghan Truman has cornered the desserts market in the Pacific Northwest. With her twin poodles by her side, the once-upon-a-time newbie in town is set to grow her mini empire. But Meghan has a real-life murder mystery on her hands when a pampering party for a famous painter ends with the demise of a guest.
How could a girly night of fun and laughter with some tasty nibbles end on such a sour note?
As Meghan continues her investigation, she discovers one common denominator links all the suspects on her list: their relationship to the famous painter...plus their consumption of her king cake!
With her boyfriend, handsome detective Jack Irvin out of town, will Meghan discover the mistakes the killer made to link them to the murder?
King Cake and Grave Mistakes
1
It was a dull, dark evening in January, and twenty-seven year o
ld Meghan Truman was fighting a serious case of the winter blues. Nearly three weeks into the New Year, the novelty of the holiday season had worn off, and Meghan’s life in Sandy Bay, a small town in the Pacific Northwest, felt drab and dreary. Meghan’s professional life was booming; as the sole owner of Truly Sweet, a quaint bakery that had gained enormous popularity over the last few months, Meghan could hardly keep up with the incoming requests for treats, and the new sets of corporate orders seeming to pour in each day.
“I need to do something to perk myself up,” Meghan thought to herself as she scrubbed the front counter of the bakery. “I’ve felt down in the dumps for the last few days. I wish I could call Jack.”
Meghan’s heart sank at the thought of her tall, handsome boyfriend, Jack Irvin. With his blonde hair and bright blue eyes, Meghan swooned every time she looked at him. Jack was a detective, and for the next two weeks, he was out of town in New Orleans for a special training. Meghan had anticipated his time away would feel fast; her schedule was so busy, and she hardly had time for herself. Yet, while Jack had been gone for only two days, it had felt like two years.
