Daisy McDare And The Deadly Rock Star Affair (Cozy Mystery) (Daisy McDare Cozy Creek Mystery Book 5)
Page 10
That hit too close to home for Gwen. “Shut your mouth.”
“Women go for the wallet, men go for the jugular. That’s usually the way when a person finds out their partner has been cheating on them. Only, it wasn’t the case with your father. No, things are different in the Stringer family. Instead of your father going for the jugular after finding out your mother was having an affair with Blaze Billick, you were the one who got violent. Then again, you’ve always been different. While most rich kids are content to suck off their parents, you wanted to make a name for yourself by starting your own business. While most rock stars have affairs, it was your mother, rather than your father who was cheating. And while it was usually men that went for the jugular, it was you instead of your father who went to Blaze’s backyard music studio and killed him with his own lifetime achievement award trophy.”
“Stop it,” Gwen said.
Daisy kept pushing. “Oh, I’m just getting started. The fact is, you’re the tenacious type. You believe in not letting anything get you down. Those are your words. And you certainly weren’t going to let Blaze Billick get the better of your family, were you?”
Gwen finally broke down. “No. And I’m not going to let you get the better of my plan either.”
Gwen grabbed a knife from the behind the counter and threatened Daisy with it.
“I’ve worked too hard to keep things together, to put a good face on things, to pretend like everything isn’t falling apart—my relationship, my family, my whole life. I’m not going to let you ruin all my hard work,” Gwen insisted.
Daisy took a few steps back as she reached into her purse for her bottle of pepper spray. Unfortunately, she started fumbling at the wrong moment.
Gwen meanwhile looked primed to lunge at Daisy.
It was then that Daisy called out for Detective Stickler, who had been waiting with his deputies outside the boutique next door this whole time, just out of Gwen’s view.
“Now detective,” Daisy yelled.
Detective Stickler and a group of his deputies entered the shop and pulled their guns on Gwen.
“Put the knife down,” Detective Stickler demanded.
Gwen saw all the guns pointed at her and dropped the knife. She then broke down.
“Blaze Billick was threatening everything I held dear—my engagement, my parent’s marriage, my happily ever after. He had to be stopped. Trust me, the man got what he deserved,” Gwen declared.
“You’re going to get exactly what you deserve too—the rest of your life in jail,” Daisy replied.
***
“Take her away boys,” Detective Stickler said.
The police deputies dragged Gwen Stringer out of the sweet shop.
That left Daisy and the detective alone to compare notes on the case.
“She sure went down in a blazing inferno,” Daisy deadpanned.
“That’s because she underestimated you,” Detective Stickler said.
“Never underestimate a blonde.”
“I wish you’d told me that before. It would have come in really handy.”
“The way I remember it, you weren’t exactly receptive to my feedback earlier.”
“At my own peril. I won’t make that mistake next time,” Detective Stickler said.
“I keep hoping there won’t be a next time,” Daisy replied.
“And I keep hoping I’m going to win the lottery, but you can’t buy a mansion with nothing but hopes and dreams. Still, I wouldn’t mind being put out of a job if it meant the streets would be clean of deadbeats and dirt bags,” Detective Stickler explained.
“Do you think that’s going to happen anytime soon?”
“I’d say I have a better chance of winning the lottery.”
“I can’t say I’m a fan of those odds,” Daisy replied.
“At least this case has been cracked. It turns out you’re not a half bad gumshoe,” Detective Stickler said.
“If you like my detective work, you should see my interior decorating.”
“Do I look like a man who knows what good interior decorating even looks like?”
“No, but you do look like a man who appreciates a good donut,” Daisy said.
“Ms. McDare, that’s a whopper of a stereotype,” Detective Stickler replied.
Daisy grimaced. Uh oh. Did she put her foot in her mouth?
Detective Stickler continued. “One I embrace freely. Speaking of donuts, do you want one? I’m determined to convince you they’re better than cupcakes.”
Daisy was relieved. “Sure. Anything to take the edge off. This sleuthing is a stressful business.”
“You’re telling me. Would you believe with all these wrinkles I have that I’m only twenty-nine years old?” Detective Stickler joked.
Daisy raised her eyebrow at the detective. “Does it look like I was born yesterday?”
“Alright, so I was pulling your leg. I guess I can’t put anything past a smart cookie like you.”
Daisy’s mouth started to water. “Never mention cookies when I have an empty stomach.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
With the case all wrapped up, it was time for Daisy to head back to Cozy Creek. First, she had an all too relieved cousin to say goodbye to. Addison gave Daisy a big hug.
“Thank you so much Daisy,” Addison said.
“Come on, you would have done the same for me,” Daisy replied.
“When I got done tripping over myself you mean. I only seem to know how to get myself into messes. I don’t have much luck getting out of them.”
“It’s never too late for your luck to turn around.”
Addison crossed her fingers. “I can’t say it enough Daisy, but you’re the best.”
“Hey. Family comes first,” Daisy replied.
“In our family at least.”
Daisy nodded. “It turns out other families have a much different philosophy.”
Addison laughed. “To say the least. I’m sorry your relaxing weekend away turned into a stress-filled mess.”
“I’ll just have to take twice as long of a vacation next time to make up for it.”
“That’s the spirit.”
“So, what’s your plan now?” Daisy asked.
Addison looked off. “I’m think I’m going to go to Vancouver.”
“You’re going to take a run at making your songwriting dreams come true then?”
Addison nodded. “I don’t want to look back on my life one day and wonder what might have been.”
“I see bright things in your future,” Daisy said.
They gave each other one last hug.
“But we have to stay in better touch this time,” Addison said.
“Yes we do. Bye Addison, let me know when you get to Vancouver.” Daisy gave her a big wave as she got in her car and drove off.
Epilogue
One Day Later
Back home in Cozy Creek, it turned out absence truly had made Daisy’s heart grow fonder. She’d missed Gavin so much. That made reconnecting even sweeter.
“I never get tired of kissing you,” Gavin said.
“And I never get tired of hearing that,” Daisy replied.
“Thanks for Blaze’s autograph, by the way.”
“I’m surprised your father still wants it after finding out what a jerk Blaze was.”
Gavin nodded. “I know. But he just wants to sell it though.”
“To sell it?”
“Since Blaze died, the value of his autograph has skyrocketed. When my dad auctions the signature off online, he’ll probably be able to buy vintage tires for the car he’s been restoring.”
“Well, it’s nice to know some good has come of this weekend,” Daisy remarked.
“Strangely, this whole incident has gotten my father and me to reconnect. Last night he got really nostalgic with me about the Blazing Inferno concert he took me to as a child.”
“I hope this is sign of good things to come between you and your dad.”
“M
e too. Either way, I have you to thank for it all.”
“You’re quite welcome.”
“By the way, something else good did come of this weekend,” Gavin said.
“What’s that?” Daisy asked.
“I realized how much I’m falling in love with you.”
Daisy smiled. “I love you too.”
Gavin then leaned in and gave Daisy a long, deep kiss.
The End.
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Daisy McDare Series Book Order:
Book 1 – Daisy McDare And The Deadly Art Affair
Book 2 – Daisy McDare And The Deadly Legal Affair
Book 3 – Daisy McDare And The Deadly Directorial Affair
Book 4 – Daisy McDare And The Deadly Real Estate Affair
Book 5—Daisy McDare And The Deadly Rock Star Affair