All You Need Is Fudge

by Nancy CoCo

  “Okay,” Jenn said. “Okay, I’m headed down. I’ll be there in a few. Do you need me to stay on the phone?”

  “I’ve got a situation where I may need to drop Mal to get Mella out of danger,” I said.

  “Let Mal go,” Jenn said. “I’m outside. Tell Mal to find me.”

  That was smart. “Got it.” Keeping my gaze on Mella, who looked like she might jump into the trap at any second, I put Mal down facing the steps. “Mal, go get Jenn. Go, Mal. Get Jenn.”

  Mal seemed to understand and rushed down the stairs. I stood slowly and inched around the trap toward Mella. All I could do was hope that Mal went straight to Jenn. She was smart. I was counting on it.

  “Here, kitty, kitty,” I said, drumming my fingers on the top of the deck rail. My hope was to distract Mella from the raw meat in the center of the trap. Mella turned her gaze to my fingers and stayed put. “Mella, want a kitty treat?”

  She began to wash her front paw. I breathed a bit. If she was acting indifferent, at least she wasn’t staring into the jaws of death with interest.

  “Holy crap, what is that?” Jenn’s voice came from behind me.

  I kept my gaze on Mella. “It’s a bear trap.”

  “Right,” Jenn said.

  “Mella keeps eyeing the meat in the center. How do I get her and keep her safe?” I asked Jenn because she had more experience with cats than I did.

  “Here,” she said and handed me Mal. “Take Mal and let me get Mella.”

  I took Mal. “Okay.”

  “Mella, no!” Jenn rushed forward.

  I held Mal close to my chest and closed my eyes waiting for the nasty sound of the trap going off.

  Silence.

  Then Jenn patted me on the shoulder.

  I opened my eyes to see that she had Mella safely in her arms. I let out a long breath. “Oh, thank goodness. How did you get her?”

  Jenn seemed out of breath. “She jumped and I caught her. What the heck? Who put that there?”

  “I don’t know. I called Rex. He’s on his way.”

  “He’s here,” Jenn said as she looked over the railing. “Let me take the pets.”

  I put Mal down because she was still wearing her leash. Jenn went down the steps holding Mella in her arms and Mal’s leash in her hand. Rex came up and the two met at the first floor landing.

  They said something to each other, but I couldn’t tell what. I’d try to remember to ask Jenn later. Rex wore his neat police uniform and hat. He came up the rest of the way and studied my face. “Jenn said you almost lost your cat.”

  “Hi Rex.” I moved aside. “Someone left this at my door.” I pointed toward the open bear trap.

  He blew out a breath when he spotted it. “Is that the note?” He nodded toward the door.

  “Yes. My first thought was getting Mal before she could step into the trap. She tends to run up the stairs before me. Then I saw Mella hop up on the railing and I nearly had a heart attack when she spotted the meat in the center.”

  “I see.” He laid down a pencil to give the trap size comparisons, then pulled out his cell phone and began to take pictures from all angles. The trap was quite large—large enough to hurt a human very badly. Large enough to kill a cat or a small dog.

  “Whoever did this should be shot,” I said.

  “When we find who did this—he glanced at me from where he squatted beside the trap—they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

  “Thank you,” I said and hugged my waist.

  He pulled his bully stick out of his waistband and stood. “Stand back!”

  I went down two steps off the deck.

  He gave the lever a good hard smack and the trap snapped closed with a solid crunching sound of metal against metal. He pulled a plastic evidence bag out of the pocket on his gun belt. Then he took a cloth handkerchief out and carefully picked up the bear trap and slid it into the evidence bag. He read the note, snapped photos of it attached to my back door, then carefully pulled it off and placed it in a second evidence bag. “All right. It’s words cut from magazines and pasted on. I’m sure the uneven typeface was meant to scare you.”

  I grimaced. “I think the bear trap teeth did that.”

  “Which way did you come up?”

  “We came up from Market Street.”

  “Did you see anyone in the alleyway?”

  “Mr. Beecher, but I highly doubt he did something this cruel. He loves Mal. He even carries treats every day . . . in case he runs into her.”

  Rex nodded and wrote down what I said. “I’m sure he’s not the culprit, but he might have seen something.” He stopped and looked me dead in the eye. “What have you been investigating, Allie?”

  “What do you mean?” I put my hands on my hips. “You think this is my fault?”

  “I think someone isn’t happy with the questions you’ve been asking.”

  “Maybe because I’m close to proving Paige Jessop’s innocence and the real killer is not happy about it.”

  “Or one of the Jessops wants us to think that.” He pushed his hat up with the end of his pencil.

  “They would not harm me or my pets,” I said with indignation. “I am appalled you would even suggest such a thing.”

  “You need to stop investigating, Allie,” he said with soft authority. “You have to trust me to do my job.”

  “But there is no way Paige killed Carin. I simply won’t believe it. Besides, I can’t find a single motive for her to do it or a single person who can put her at the crime scene. Any evidence you have is purely circumstantial.”

  “Oh, so you think you know what evidence I have?”

  “Everyone knows what evidence you have,” I retorted. “This is a small island. All you have to do is ask the senior citizens and they’ll tell you every time the wind changes direction. They are great sleuths.”

  “You don’t know what my evidence is, Allie, and it’s driving you nuts.” He lifted an eyebrow at me.

  Challenged, I put my hands on my hips. “Carin was murdered. She was dead before she hit the water, which is why I couldn’t pump any water from her lungs. She was killed by a blow to the back of her skull with a blunt object. An oar from a lifeboat is the murder weapon. The lab found traces of blood and Carin’s hair on it. That oar came from the Jessops’ yacht, the Scoundrel. You arrested Paige because of a rumored confrontation she had with Carin that morning. But you see, Paige was out in the straits with a party of twenty all night. That’s why the Scoundrel wasn’t docked the morning I pulled Carin from the marina.”

  “That’s a lot of information for a woman who isn’t investigating,” he said quietly. “You don’t think perhaps all that digging is what caused someone to try to harm you or your pets?” He raised the evidence bag.

  “If it is, then it’s because I’m closing in on the real killer,” I said.

  “And who is that killer, Allie?” he asked quietly.

  I wanted to stomp my foot, but held myself back. “I don’t know. I haven’t found a motive for anyone to kill Carin.”

  “Someone thinks you have. Maybe I should take you down to the station and debrief you.”

  “There’s nothing to debrief. I’m the one threatened here. Don’t you think you need to figure out who wants to harm me?”

  Rex nodded, “I do. I can do that by finding out who you’ve talked to and what they’ve said. Come on. Let’s go to my office.”

  “Do I need a lawyer?” I asked.

  “I don’t know,” he replied grimly. “Do you?”

  “I don’t know what you’d charge me for,” I said stubbornly.

  “How about obstruction of justice? I can start there. We’ll see what else pops up.”

  “Now you’re just being mean,” I said and started down the stairs.

  “I warned you not to get involved, Allie.”

  “I was involved from the moment Mal spotted Carin floating in the marina,” I said. “You should have let me help.”

  �
�It wasn’t my call,” he said grimly and guided me down the alley toward the police station.

  “Then whose was it?”

  “Trent Jessop.”

  Hot Fudge Banana Split Trifle

  Ingredients

  Brownie mix including eggs, oil, and water amounts on the box.

  1 large package instant vanilla pudding and milk per the pudding box.

  Whipped topping, split into 2 cups and 1 cup

  Hot fudge topping

  Pineapple topping

  Caramel sauce

  Four bananas, split then quartered.

  Cherry pie filling

  Directions

  Make brownies and instant pudding per the instructions on the boxes. Once the pudding is set fold in 2 cups of whipped topping until light and smooth.

  In a large glass trifle bowl or large glass bowl, crumble half of the brownies.

  Over the crumbled brownies, pour half of the caramel sauce and half of the pudding mixture. Add half of the bananas in layers. Layer on hot fudge ¼-inch thick, pineapple topping, and half of the cherry filling.

  Crumble the rest of the brownies into the bowl and repeat all layers. Use remaining cup of whipped topping on top.

  Garnish with 2 tablespoons cherry filling and a drizzle of hot fudge sauce.

  Chill 6 hours or overnight. Enjoy!

  Chapter 17

  “Trent, you have to talk to me now,” I said into the cell phone, letting his voice message record me. “If you don’t call me back tonight, I’m going to consider that you are breaking up with me. Is that what you want?” I paused to see if he was listening, but he didn’t pick up. “Fine. It’s nine PM. You have two hours to call me or come to my door and talk to me.” I paused again and knew I couldn’t remain tough. “Trent, seriously, I don’t want to break up with you. I’m falling in love with you, but I can’t love a man who doesn’t trust me. The least you can do is break up to my face. It’s what a real man would do.” I hit END before I stooped to begging and threw my cell phone across the room. It skidded on the floor and bumped up against the wall. Mella thought it was great fun and pounced on it, batting it around like a toy.

  I turned my back on the phone and the living room. Tears sprang to my eyes. I had spent three hours at the police station telling Rex exactly who I’d talked to and what they’d said. In exchange, I learned nothing more about his case against Paige. It was infuriating. He claimed he needed to know everything so he could figure out who set the trap. I wasn’t sure that was even related to my investigation.

  For all I knew, it could have been some neighbor out to get me. There were a few who weren’t all that happy to see me thrive during my first season. The innkeeper behind me was the perfect example. I told Rex that. He made a note and told me to let the police do their job.

  I hated being patted on the head and told to go make fudge. Not that that wasn’t what I was best at, but still. I wasn’t half bad at figuring out who the heck killed someone. How could I let whoever had set that bear trap bully me into stopping?

  Unfortunately, Rex threatened me with jail time for obstruction if I continued to ask questions about Carin. That didn’t mean I couldn’t ask about who might have left that trap on my doorstep. Yes, Mr. Beecher would be the first person I talked to about it. Someone had to know something. Like who owned bear traps? Who sold bear traps? And who bought hamburger to bait the trap?

  “What was that noise?” Jenn came out of the bathroom with her hair in a towel and her pajamas on.

  “I threw my phone,” I said with a childish pout. “I left a message for Trent.”

  “Again? How long has it been since he talked to you?”

  “He called today, but all he did was tell me to butt out. Then he hung up on me. I left him a voice message that said if he didn’t talk to me in the next two hours, I would have to consider that a breakup.”

  “Ouch,” Jenn said. “Isn’t that a little harsh?”

  “He doesn’t even know about the bear trap that threatened me and my babies,” I said. “What kind of boyfriend misses that kind of information?”

  “A bad one,” Jenn said with a sigh. “I guess you were right. He does need to talk to you. Do you think he’s breaking up with you?”

  “I hope not.” I plopped down on my living room chair. “I think I’m falling in love with him.”

  “What if he’s off the island or doing something else and won’t get the message in time?” Jenn asked. “Will you really break up with him?”

  “How can I date someone who doesn’t trust me when important things are going on in his life? I’m going to have to break up with him. It’s the only right thing to do.”

  Jenn shook her head. “I don’t know how you can let all that gorgeous man go. You’re my friend so if you break up with him, I’ll support you.”

  “I’d certainly hope so,” I said.

  The phone rang.

  I raced across the room and snagged it out from under the sofa where the cat had batted it. “Hello? Trent?”

  “Allie, it’s Frances.”

  “Oh, hi Frances. I’m sorry I missed you tonight. Rex kept me a long time at the station. Did everything go well today?”

  “Everything is fine. I was calling to see how you were. I heard from Jenn that someone left a baited bear trap at your doorstep. Are you locking your doors? I want you to be safe.”

  “The doors are locked,” I said, glancing over to see that I did indeed turn the deadbolt on the back door. “I can’t believe anyone would do that. Have you heard any rumors about it?”

  “There is some speculation,” Frances said, “but nothing definitive. Bear traps aren’t sold on the island. Whoever had it brought it in.”

  “Or they might have found one brought in years and years ago,” I said. “It looked kind of old, but the teeth on it were shiny like they were recently filed.”

  “I still can’t believe anyone would put you and your pets in danger like that,” Frances said. “They have to be mad.”

  “I think I’m closing in on Carin’s true killer or someone is worried that I am. The note on the door said to be careful where I was stepping. I don’t think they meant where I put my feet. Rex thinks it wasn’t meant to hurt my pets. He said a bear trap is overkill if you want to get rid of a cat or dog.”

  “I agree,” Frances said. “It was a statement. Do we need to huddle as a group and go over the clues you’ve uncovered?”

  “That might be a good idea,” I said thoughtfully. “How about tomorrow night?”

  “Sounds good. I’ll let Douglas know.”

  “Please be careful, as well,” I said. “A threat to me is a threat to all my friends.”

  “We’ll be careful,” Frances said. “Try to sleep tonight.”

  “I will. Thanks!” I hit OFF on the phone.

  “Not Trent?” Jenn said when I put the phone down on the counter.

  “No, it was Frances.”

  “What are you going to do if he doesn’t call?”

  My heart skipped a beat. “I don’t know. I hate to give ultimatums for that reason. I don’t want to break up with him, but if he can’t include me in his life, especially during hard times, then why am I dating him?”

  “You do have to be strong,” Jenn said. “You have a lot going for you, Allie. You deserve a guy who is there for you and lets you be there for him.”

  “I know.” I sat down on my couch and put my head in my hands. “Why can’t things be easy?”

  Jenn chuckled. “You know the old saying. Nothing worth having is ever easy.”

  I stuck my tongue out at her. “Just because it’s true does not mean I want to hear it.” The phone rang and I jumped up and grabbed it. A glance at the number told me it was Trent. I headed toward my bedroom. “Hello?”

  “Allie, it’s Trent.”

  “Really? I thought maybe you were dead. What other reason would you have for not doing anything more than bark orders at me?”

  “I don’t bark ord
ers.”

  “I think I’ll just agree to disagree on that point,” I said and closed my bedroom door. I climbed up on my bed and sat cross-legged. “More importantly, why have you shut me out? It hurts me to think you can’t share the hard part of your life with me.”

  “Allie.”

  I could picture him running his hand through his hair like he does whenever he is finding me difficult. Let’s face it: relationships were difficult. “Trent.”

  “We were advised by our lawyers to not talk to anyone about what’s going on,” he said.

  “That’s a sorry excuse. You could have called me to tell me how you were feeling. You could have called to see how I was feeling.”

  “I’ve been a little overwhelmed.”

  I was at once frustrated, sad, and oddly understanding. “I know you are a busy man.”

  “Allie, stop. You are right. You are important to me and I should be sharing my day with you no matter what has happened. I’m sorry.”

  I chewed on my bottom lip. Apologies were tricky. Was he saying it just to get me off his back or did he really mean it?

  “Allie,” he spoke into the silence. “I really mean it. I don’t blame you if you are mad at me and want to break up. I’ve been out of line not including you.”

  “I don’t want to break up. I need to know that you won’t shut me out of your life.”

  “I won’t. I mean it, Allie. I know you won’t endanger the investigation or put Paige at risk. It was stupid of me to allow my mother and the lawyers to pressure me into excluding you.”

  “Yes, it was,” I said. “And I accept your apology. How’s Paige doing?”

  “She’s taking this hard. It’s difficult for her to believe anyone would think her capable of murder.”

  “Can you tell me anything about the case they have against her?”

  “What do you know?”

  “I know bits and pieces,” I said. “Although someone seems to think I know enough to be a danger.”