A Freshly Baked Cozy Mystery Box Set

by Kate Bell

  I stared at him. "Oh. Well, I'm not trying to interrupt nature. I just didn't want Alec to be late. It would be rude."

  He sighed and shook his head. "I will have to ask you to put the phone away. If you're worried about being rude, believe me, phones are rude to the plants."

  For a moment I contemplated being rude to the plants and running for the car. Then I put the phone in my pocket and prayed Alec would show up soon.

  "Thank you, Allie," he said and smiled at me. "I do appreciate it."

  Chapter Nineteen

  After touring the rest of the garden and the small greenhouse, I followed Barnabas back toward the shop. When we got there, he made a detour and headed toward his house. Something told me this was a bad idea. At the back door, I stopped and looked over my shoulder, willing Alec to appear. How bad would it be if I just turned and ran to the car? That creepy sense I occasionally got about Barnabas was suddenly very strong and I wasn’t sure what to make of it. He had seemed eccentric, but now it seemed like something more.

  "Come along," Barnabas said, standing just inside the back door of the house. "I've prepared the most amazing roast beef with spring vegetables. All the herbs I used came from my garden. You will be simply amazed. I promise."

  The scent of the cooking roast beef wafted through the open door and it did smell amazing. My stomach chose that moment to growl audibly, and I followed the scent of roast beef like a shark follows the scent of blood in the water from two miles away.

  The back door opened up to the kitchen and the sight of all the copper-bottomed pans hanging over the kitchen island took my breath away. It was a cook's dream. The island and countertops were done in tiny rustic yellow tiles that matched the rest of the décor perfectly.

  The house was surprisingly cute and neat. He had done everything in Tuscan yellow and olive green. Delicate leaves and flowers were painted and trailed around the windows and archway leading into the living room.

  "That smells delicious," I said.

  "Doesn't it? Wait until you taste it. You'll be amazed!" he said, grinning.

  He led me into the living room and offered me a seat. The sofa was done in olive green crushed velvet with dark wood trim. It managed to not look overly feminine, in spite of the velvet.

  "Your house is lovely," I said and sat down.

  "Thank you," he said. "Let me get you some tea."

  He left the room, and I used the opportunity to pull out my phone. I hoped this wasn't a no phone zone because I didn't want to be rude to the roast beef. I texted Alec as fast as I could, glancing up to see where Barnabas was.

  Where are you? Kind of freaked out here. Hurry up.

  I tucked my phone back into my pocket before Barnabas got back, telling myself I was overreacting. Barnabas was a perfect gentleman, and Alec would be here any minute anyway.

  "Here we are," he said. "I had the water on low heat on the back stove burner. I'm so delighted you could come for lunch." He set a tray with a teapot, cream, and sugar on the walnut coffee table.

  "That's lovely, thank you," I said and picked up one of the cups. I poured tea into the cup and stirred some sugar into it. I took a sip and sighed. It was the best tea I had ever tasted.

  "I grew the tea in my greenhouse. It's not too difficult, as long as you keep the plants from freezing," he said with a smile.

  "Really? You grow tea?" I said in surprise. I shouldn't have been surprised. The guy was really into his plants. He probably grew the walnut tree for the wood that made the coffee table.

  "Yes, there's nothing like freshly dried tea leaves," he said.

  I smiled and held my teacup in my hands, looking around. The house was quite warm and charming. Bookshelves lined the walls and were bursting with books. There was artwork on the walls that matched the Tuscan themed décor and lovely, bright throw rugs scattered about. I was becoming jealous. My house wasn't a dumpy shack, but it was a far cry from what Barnabas had done with his house.

  "Those are my botanical books," he said, noticing my gaze. "I have books going all the way back to the 1800s."

  "Wow," I said. I was losing the ability to make small talk. There was something unsettling about Barnabas and I wasn't sure exactly what. I envied his cute little house and his magnificent garden, though. I was sure it took a lot of energy to produce something this nice, and the truth was, I was a little on the lazy side. I would never have a botanical garden.

  "Yes, I know it's impressive. Say, did you find out anything new about that young woman's death?" he asked.

  "What?" I asked, losing my train of thought.

  "You know. That young woman that died at the festival. The one the pixie-looking woman was telling everyone you had poisoned. Did you poison her?"

  I stared at him. "What do you mean, did I poison her?"

  He shrugged and then chuckled. "It's a joke. I'm sorry. I suppose it was in poor taste." He crossed his legs and kept his eyes on me.

  "I did not poison her," I said, gripping the teacup in my hands and taking a drink of my tea.

  He waved away the statement with his hand. "I know that. I was teasing."

  "I don't know what happened to her," I said. "Do you?"

  He smiled. "Funny you should ask."

  He didn't continue.

  "What does that mean?" I asked.

  He shrugged. "It seems like you've been asking a lot of questions about this young woman. Why is it important to you?"

  "Because people were saying I poisoned her when I didn't. That's why it interests me. Why wouldn't it interest me?" I asked. I had a prickly sensation on my scalp and I thought it was time I made my exit. But Mama and Grandmama had taught me to be polite and I couldn't bring myself to bolt for the door.

  "Of course," he said. "I'm being silly, aren't I?"

  I took a sip of my tea and looked at the magazines on the coffee table. I needed to figure out how to get out of here without bringing shame on my near ancestors.

  "Oh, you like cars?" Barnabas didn't seem the muscle car type, but I needed to change the subject and work my way out of this place.

  "No. I have no interest in them. For some reason that magazine shows up every month." He shrugged. "I thought Alec might be interested, so I set them out."

  I nodded. "You're right. Alec loves cars. Kind of." He only liked the one he drove, but I needed to distract Barnabas. I felt the phone in my pocket vibrate and cursed not being able to check it. I smiled.

  "So, did you find out anything about the murder?" he asked again.

  "We don't know if it was a murder. Not yet," I pointed out. I drank more of my tea. I couldn't get over how fresh it tasted.

  "I have a hunch," he said and grinned.

  "Do you think I could get some milk for my tea?" I asked. "Cream is so heavy."

  "Of course," he said. He jumped to his feet, set his cup on the coffee table, and disappeared into the kitchen.

  I set my cup of tea down and pulled the phone out of my pocket. I had a text from Alec.

  Be there soon.

  I groaned.

  "Do you have that phone out again?" Barnabas asked. He had a small silver pitcher in his hand and he set it down on the coffee table.

  I stared at him. "Oh, Alec texted me. He said he'd be here in a minute." I felt sick to my stomach. Barnabas was creeping me out. Alec could think I was paranoid. I didn't care. I had to get out of here.

  "Oh, good! Lunch will be ready any minute now," he said. "Please, drink your tea."

  I poured milk into my tea and took a sip. "That's good," I said and smiled at him. "You know, I'm not feeling well. My stomach is a little upset. I think I might have to pass on lunch."

  "No problem," he said. "I've got just the thing. You sit tight."

  I sighed and took another sip of my tea. Of course he would have a remedy for an upset stomach. He was the king of herbal remedies. If I told him I was having a heart attack, he'd have a remedy for that and wouldn't dial 911. I'd be a goner. I pulled my phone out again and texted Alec. />
  I need you now!!!

  Barnabas was back sooner than I thought he would be. I was feeling sleepy, and I shook my head to clear it.

  He took one look at the phone in my hand and "tsk tsk'd".

  "Do you like your tea?" he asked.

  I nodded. My eyes felt heavy, and I yawned.

  "Good, try this elixir. It will fix your stomach right up."

  I took the tiny demitasse cup he held out and smelled it. "That smells terrible."

  "But it will help you. Medicine isn't supposed to taste good."

  I looked into his smiling face and took a sip. The noxious liquid curdled my stomach and I spit it back into the cup. "No," I said, shaking my head. I put the cup on the coffee table. I wasn't drinking whatever was in that cup.

  Somehow Barnabas had moved to stand behind me and I suddenly felt my arms being restrained. I couldn't figure out how he had gotten behind me without my noticing him. I tried to squirm away from him, but for a skinny man, he had a vise-like grip.

  "Just hold still," he said.

  Chapter Twenty

  My head rolled back on the sofa and I tried unsuccessfully to force my heavy eyes open. Where was I? Had I fallen asleep? I shook my head and tried to rub my eyes, but found I couldn't move my hands. My eyes popped open.

  "Hey," I mumbled.

  Barnabas sat on the coffee table in front of me.

  "You poor, silly woman," he said. "If you had shut your mouth, you wouldn't be in this predicament."

  "What are you doing?" I slurred. My head felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. Where was Alec?

  "I can't let you continue your little investigation into Tessa Brady's death. Sorry." He poured something from a bottle and onto a spoon. "Now open wide."

  "No!" I groaned.

  He came at me with the spoon and I shook my head from side to side.

  "Stop it," he said and put a hand on my head to hold it still.

  I fought harder, thrashing my head back and forth. "Get away!"

  "Stop that," he said and pushed down on my head. He had a vise-like grip and I screamed.

  "Let me go. Alec!" I screamed. "Alec!"

  "Stop it. He isn't here." Barnabas spoke as if he were trying to calm a child. "Just do as I say and it will all be over soon."

  "What are you doing?" I asked. Why hadn't I followed my instincts and run for the car? Darn my Southern roots and polite upbringing. Where was Alec?

  "Come on now. Cooperate," he said.

  The spoon came close to my lips, and I moved my head back. I pursed my lips closed and bumped the spoon with my forehead. The liquid spilled onto Barnabas' shirt and he swore under his breath as the spoon fell from his hands and onto the floor.

  My hands were tied behind me and I looked around the room for some way of escape. I had to get out of here and fast.

  Barnabas reached for the spoon and picked up the bottle with his other hand. "You need to be a good girl and do as I say."

  I stopped struggling and looked at him. I was regaining my senses, and I needed to hold still so I could think.

  "Here we go," he said, pouring more of the liquid into the spoon. He moved the spoon toward my mouth and I kicked him in the gut as hard as I could. He made an 'oof' sound and toppled over backward off the coffee table. Barnabas's string bean frame crumpled under the force of my kick. He forgot he was dealing with an athlete.

  I jumped to my feet and sprinted toward the living room door, swaying a little as I went. My hands were still tied behind me and it made running difficult. I hoped I could get to the car before Barnabas got to his feet, but I wasn't sure how I would drive with my hands behind my back. We had come in through the kitchen door and I didn't know if there was a fence separating me from Alec's car if I left through the front door.

  I was still unsteady on my feet and ran into a wall. I righted myself and continued on to the front door. Barnabas was getting to his feet, and I turned around so I could turn the doorknob with my hands, then turned around again and trotted as fast as my drugged feet would carry me through the door.

  I could hear Barnabas swearing behind me, but I didn't stop to look as I wobbled toward a gate. It was then I realized my purse and the car keys were in the house. "Oh, no," I cried.

  "Got you," Barnabas said and grabbed me by the shoulders, pinching hard.

  I screamed and turned around and kicked at his legs with everything I had.

  He screamed as my foot made contact with his shin. "I'll kill you," he swore as he hopped on one foot.

  "Not if I have anything to say about it," I said and pushed the gate open with my foot.

  "Hold it right there," I heard a voice say. I looked up to see Alec and Cal with their guns drawn.

  "Alec!" I cried and stumbled into him.

  He put his gun in its holster and turned me around so he could untie me. "You’re safe now," he soothed. He untied me and pulled me to him.

  "Where were you?" I cried into his chest.

  "I'm sorry. It's okay, Allie. Everything's okay."

  I could hear Cal reading Barnabas his rights, but I didn't look up. All I wanted was to go home and forget I had ever heard of a strawberry festival.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  There was a knock at the door and I went to answer it. I peered through the peephole on tiptoe, first. I had had all the excitement I could handle for one day and I was being careful.

  "It's me," Alec said from the other side.

  I opened the door and stared at him. I had never been so happy to see someone as I had been earlier, not to mention right at that moment as well. He put his arms around me. "Don't go away again," I mumbled.

  "I won't," he said and kissed the top of my head, holding me tight.

  I gave the police my statement and Alec had deposited me in a motel room. It was 4:00 in the morning and I had dozed off and on, never falling into a deep sleep. I was exhausted. I had missed the remainder of the last day of the festival. I didn't care. Festivals were not for me.

  "Did he kill Tessa?" I asked. I knew he had, but I wanted confirmation.

  "He confessed after a few hours of applied pressure," Alec said. We sat on the sofa and I snuggled up to him.

  “I’m glad you showed up when you did,” I said.

  “Me too. Cal and I had gone back to the station. After you texted me, the toxicology report came back. Tessa was poisoned with Belladonna. I realized there was really only one person that would have something like that around here and you were with him. I’m sorry. I feel like I almost led you to your death,” he said and kissed the top of my head again.

  I sighed. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t know. But, he knew you were arriving soon. I don’t know why he tried to kill me with you on the way.”

  “He was going to say you were exhausted and you went to lie down in the bedroom. Then he was going to get me to drink the belladonna. The berries are sweet and I had an interest in botanicals that might help my athletic performance. He thought it would have been easy to get me to drink something with the juice of the berries mixed in,” he said. “He had become paranoid that we were talking to too many people and thought we would find him out, so he decided to stop us before it was too late.”

  "Wow. Why did he kill Tessa?" I was trying to take this all in, but I was having a hard time wrapping my mind around it.

  "She worked for him for a short while, but quit when Barnabas became obsessed with her. Tessa didn’t return his affections. So, he did what any sensible mad man would do, and he killed her."

  "He does seem to have an obsessive personality,” I said.

  He nodded. "He said both Tessa and Tracie worked for him long enough to learn the business. Then they both quit, taking his ideas with them and turning them into their own businesses."

  "But Tessa was just selling strawberry jam. Tracie sold soaps like he did. It seems like Tracie took more of what she learned and turned it into a business, not so much Tessa," I pointed out.

  "Barnabas sold jams at hi
s shop. Apparently he had his own secret recipes that he claims Tessa stole after breaking his heart. She was his love obsession and she rejected him. So, he made one of those famous smoothies of his and put belladonna in it. She drank it, then indulged in one of your cupcakes, and the rest is history."

  "I would think the smoothie would have made her sick pretty quickly, since it didn’t take long for her to collapse. I suppose she could have bought the cupcake first, then headed to his booth. I also wonder why she would drink the smoothie. She had to know he was nuts if he was that obsessed with her."

  He shrugged. "He convinced her he wasn't angry with her. Rich was questioned, and he said Barnabas tried to remain on friendly terms with the girls."

  "I'm tired of murderers, Alec. I mean it. If there's ever another murder, I swear, I am running in the other direction," I said sleepily. "What did he put in my tea?"

  He snickered. "An herbal concoction."

  "Stop it. I'm going to eat Twinkies and junk food for the rest of my life. Eating healthy is deadly."

  "You just want an excuse to eat more cake," he said.

  "I sure do. Can you retire from being a PI now?"

  He sighed. "I guess I could open a pet store. Or something."

  "It would be safer," I said, laying my head on his shoulder. "For me. Do it for me. Puppies and kittens are safe."

  He smiled. "Maybe I'll just handle missing persons cases from now on. Or lost puppies."

  "Okay, but if it turns out to be dangerous, you're going to have to find something else to do."

  "Deal," he said. "Sorry this strawberry festival was a bust for you. On the positive side though, Lucy texted me and said they sold all the donuts."

  "At least I had one good sales day," I said. "Those donuts were great."

  "Yes, they were. Hey, sit up," he said.

  "Why?" I asked.

  He got to his feet and helped me sit up. I looked at him and he smiled.

  "I wanted this to be so much more special. I had it planned. I was going to have balloons and flowers and strawberry champagne and cake, and well, it was just going to be a lot nicer."