by Amber Crewes
Michelle laughed. “I’m not trying to steal anyone’s boyfriend,” she informed Meghan and Jackie as she flashed her left hand at the women and dangled her ring finger in front of her face. “I’m engaged, ladies.”
Meghan stared at the enormous, princess-cut diamond ring glittering on Michelle’s hand, but Jacqueline continued, “why would an engaged woman buy a ticket that expensive for Meghan’s boyfriend to go to the ball? That doesn’t make sense, Michelle.”
Michelle rolled her eyes. “You two are acting like children; those tickets were free for us working for the Governor, and after chatting with Jack and hearing him rave about his girlfriend, the famous Meghan Truman, I thought it would be a kind gesture to offer him a free ticket. Had I known that Jack’s girlfriend would speak so poorly of me, in public, nonetheless, perhaps I would have given that ticket to my own fiance.”
Meghan’s body grew hot with shame. “I’m sorry,” she whispered to Michelle. “I spoke too soon; it was so kind of you to get the ticket for Jack, and I shouldn’t have judged you before I met you. That wasn’t fair.”
Michelle rose from the love seat and shook her head. “Too little, too late, Meghan,” she hissed to her. “You cross me once, and you don’t get the chance to cross me again.”
Jackie raised an eyebrow. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Michelle smirked. “I’ll be something big someday,” she informed Meghan and Jackie. “Just you wait; the Governor is grooming me to take over his role someday, and sooner than later, little twerps like you two will mean nothing to me. I’ll be in charge, and you two will still be pathetic little nobodies in this pathetic little town.”
As Meghan stared, Michelle collected her purse and tossed her auburn hair behind her narrow shoulders. She sashayed out of the dressing area, and Meghan’s eye filled with tears. “She heard me being so mean and petty,” she cried as Jackie shook her head. “Michelle hates me, Trudy is still angry at me, and Jack and I haven’t spoken in two days. What else could go wrong, Jackie?”
10
The next morning, Meghan was trying to hide her low spirits from Pamela as the two iced cupcakes at the bakery. Despite leaving the fruit basket at Trudy’s door several days earlier, Trudy was not returning Meghan’s calls, and Meghan was concerned that her relationship with her assistant was ruined. As the day went on, Meghan continued to fret, and finally, she decided it was time to call it a day.
“Pamela? I know it’s early, but I’m going to close up shop; you can clock out at your scheduled time, but why don’t you finish up those cupcakes and then get out of here?”
Pamela nodded. “Sure thing, Meghan. I’ll wrap these up and then see you tomorrow.”
Meghan began to clean the kitchen, and as she scrubbed the dough stuck between the metal ridges of her mixing spoons, she ventured deeper and deeper into her own thoughts. She barely registered the sound of Pamela leaving, and as Meghan tidied the kitchen, she pondered her predicaments.
“Maybe I could send an apology note over to Michelle,” Meghan thought as she poured soap into a wooden bowl. “I wasn’t happy about her connection with Jack, but it sounds like I was the one who jumped the gun. I feel terrible that she overheard us.”
Meghan pulled out a tiny bristle brush and began to scrub a set of knives. “And Trudy…if she doesn’t answer my calls soon, I am just going to have to go over to her house. She has been a dear friend and a valuable employee. I can’t lose her.”
Meghan bit her bottom lip as she thought of her greatest worry, the issue that had been tugging at her heartstrings. “And Jack…what am I going to do about Jack? I was so angry at him, but it sounds like I may have been out of line…”
Suddenly, Meghan felt a tap on her shoulder. She reached for one of the knives, gripping it sharply in her left hand and slowly turning to face whoever was behind her. Meghan quickly held up the knife in front of her face, waving it back and forth and screaming.
“Meghan, stop screaming, it’s just me!”
Meghan was stunned to find Jack standing before her, his blue eyes red and his blonde hair messy. She placed a hand on her racing heart and lowered the knife. “What are you doing here, Jack?”
Jack gestured toward the door. “Didn’t you hear me come in? I walked right inside and shouted your name.”
Meghan shook her head. “I was day-dreaming,” she admitted as adrenaline filled her body. “I had no idea you were here.”
Jack sighed. “Meghan, we need to talk…”
Meghan nodded emphatically. “Yes, we do. Can we sit in the dining room?”
Meghan and Jack walked into the dining room and sat across from each other at one of the little white tables. “I want to say I’m sorry,” Jack began as he folded his hands atop the table. “I should have been more considerate of your feelings, Meghan. Michelle is honestly just a friend; she has a fiancé of her own who she is very much in love with, but I should have explained more to you before throwing her into the mix. I’ve been trying to get close to her so that maybe someday, I could get a job with the Governor.”
Meghan nodded. “Jack, thank you so much for apologizing,” she said to him as she reached over to take his hands in hers. “But I was the one who jumped to conclusions. I let my emotions get the best of me, and I should have taken a moment to truly listen to you and what you were telling me. I want to apologize to you, Jack. I am sorry I was nasty, I am sorry I didn’t take you at your word, and I am sorry that we didn’t have this conversation sooner. That day we met to talk in the park was so difficult; I was exhausted and so confused, and I wish we had been able to talk like this.”
Jack rose from the table. He pulled Meghan up with him, and gathered her in his arms. Jack wrapped his arms around Meghan’s waist, moving her closer to him until she could feel the beating of his heart. “Meghan,” Jack whispered in Meghan’s ear. “Meghan, I love you. We have been through so much together since you moved to Sandy Bay, and I don’t want to lose you.”
Meghan blushed, the heat rising to her cheeks as she placed her hands on Jack’s face. “You love me? You’ve never told me that before.”
Jack nodded. “I thought about it this whole week,” he told her as he stared into her dark eyes. “I missed you, Meghan. Even agreeing to take a few days away from you felt…wrong. You are right for me, and I love you.”
Jack kissed Meghan gently on the lips, running a hand through her dark hair as she leaned into his embrace. “I love you too, Jack,” she murmured.
Jack grinned as he pulled away. “I was hoping you would say that,” he admitted. “I am so happy to hear that.”
Meghan beamed. “Well, can we celebrate being fully back together and being in love? I have some carrot cake in the back that I know you will love…”
Jack shook his head, and Meghan could see the disappointment in his eyes. “I hate to say it, but I’m actually here on official business.”
Meghan raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
Jack shrugged. “There have been some new developments in the investigation of Paula’s death. It has officially been ruled a murder, and our lab reports indicate that she died from overdosing on some small tablets. We believe the tablets were slipped into something she ate at the event, and we are talking with every single person who was in the kitchen last night.”
Meghan gasped. “But I wasn’t in the kitchen! I was a guest. You know that.”
Jack agreed. “I do know that, but unfortunately, Trudy and Pamela were not guests. I have been ordered to follow up with everyone, and I was hoping to find them both here.”
Meghan sighed. “Pamela is probably at home,” she told Jack. “But Trudy…I don’t know where Trudy is. She’s been acting so out of sorts lately, Jack.”
Jack furrowed his brow. “Do you think she had anything to do with Paula’s murder?”
Meghan’s jaw dropped. “Jack…she’s been acting so odd. What if she did? She had access to the ice cream, and I know she takes a variety of medicines f
or her back. What if Trudy slipped some pills into the ice cream and killed Paula?”
Jack frowned. “It sounds like I need to speak with her immediately, Meghan. I’ll send a deputy out to her house to collect her, as well as Pamela.”
Meghan nodded. “I’m coming with you,” she said. “They are my employees, and if anything happens, I want to be there. I doubt that Pamela had anything to do with Paula’s death, but the more we talk about it, the more I think that Trudy knows something.”
Jack reached for his coat and fastened the buttons. “Well, I’ll call the deputy right now.”
Meghan shook her head. “No,” she told Jack. “I’ll go to Trudy’s house. Truly Sweet’s reputation would be ruined if she was the one who poisoned Paula, and I want to talk to her myself.”
11
Meghan walked quickly up the stone path to Trudy’s house. She had never been to Trudy’s house before, and she was in awe of the tall, majestic evergreen trees that lined the walkway to Trudy’s front door. “I hope this goes well,” Meghan thought to herself as she knocked on the front door. “If Trudy had anything to do with Paula’s death, I will be devastated.”
Trudy answered the door after two knocks. “What do you want?” Trudy asked Meghan, her eyes narrowed.
Meghan took a deep breath. “Trudy, you’ve been acting so strange lately, and I just wanted to check on you. The police have some questions to ask you, and instead of sending a squad car for you, I volunteered to take you to the station. I want to talk with you. I care about you, Trudy, and if you’re mixed up in some bad news, I want to help.”
Trudy sighed. “Let’s go for a walk, shall we?”
Meghan nodded, pleased that Trudy had not slammed the door in her face. The two women took off toward town. Trudy’s eyes were cast down at her shoes, and Meghan gently put a hand on Trudy’s shoulder. “Trudy, what’s wrong?”
Trudy turned away from Meghan. “It’s nothing,” Trudy griped at Meghan. “I just get sick of you siding with Pamela over me. You’re always taking her side, and I’m just left by myself.”
Hearing the hurt in Trudy’s voice, Meghan tried again. “Trudy,” she murmured. “What’s going on with you? You haven’t been yourself for awhile, and I am concerned.”
Trudy began to cry. “I’m sorry,” she sputtered as she wiped a tear from her cheek. “You’re right. I haven’t been myself. It’s the anniversary month of my son’s passing; he died ten years ago this month, and this time of year is always hard for me.”
Meghan reached for Trudy and gathered her in her arms. “Oh, Trudy,” Meghan said as she hugged her assistant. “I am so sorry for your loss. I had no idea.”
Trudy wiped her nose on her sleeve. “It’s fine,” she said softly. “I don’t tell a lot of people; I don’t want to be a burden.”
Meghan shook her head. “Trudy,” she said. “You’re my friend. Your sadness is something I want to know about so I can help.”
“Thanks, Meghan,” she whispered. “It’s just been a difficult month. I’m sorry I’ve had attitude. I’m sorry I was rude and taking selfies at the event; my grandson, the son of my late son, got a new phone with a really good camera for me during Thanksgiving, and taking photos has been the only thing taking my mind off of my late son. My grandson asked me to take some photos at the ball; he adored Paula Brown’s old movies, and he wanted to see if I could snap some pictures of her. I actually have it here, do you want to see?”
Meghan nodded politely, and Trudy showed her several features on the phone. “It captures even the tiniest details. It’s been so fun to have something new to try, and I love playing with it. Again, though, Meghan, I am sorry I used it at the ball. I know I shouldn’t have.”
Meghan smiled. “It’s all okay,” she told Trudy. “I’m just glad I know that you are okay, Trudy. Let’s consider this a fresh start; I’m ready to forget the rough last few weeks if you are?”
Trudy grinned. “Yes, I am,” she replied to Meghan. “Being so angry hurts me, and I am ready to be back to my normal self.”
The two women continued walking. They were on the outskirts of Sandy Bay, and Meghan squinted, recognizing a familiar figure who was walking their way. “Look,” Meghan pointed. “It’s Pamela. Why don’t we say hello?”
The three women greeted each other. “Pamela,” Meghan said. “Trudy is ready to start fresh this week. We can get back to normal at Truly Sweet.”
Pamela’s face was dark. “I don’t know about normal,” she responded in a quivering voice. “My mom just called; the police are at my house, and I have to go home. They’re looking for me.”
Meghan bit her lip. “Yeah, I know,” she said. “I was actually going to escort Trudy into the station; Jack told me that the police are talking with everyone who was in the kitchen at the ball, and they want to interview the pair of you. It shouldn’t be too difficult, though; as long as you answer their questions honestly, it will all be okay. They’ll probably ask about your whereabouts before the ball, your feelings toward Paula, and some other questions about the night she died.”
As the trio arrived at the police station, Meghan’s stomach churned when she spotted the reporter in the trench coat who had shown up at the bakery. He waved at her, smiling wolfishly as he shoved a microphone in her face.
“Meghan Truman, can you say a few words on the investigation of Paula Brown’s death? Is there a reason you are accompanying two of the police’s suspects to the station?”
Meghan glared at the reporter. “You should have told me you were a reporter when you asked me questions in my bakery,” she hissed.
The reporter smirked. “You should have been smart enough to figure that out.”
Meghan gritted her teeth as she tried to push past the reporter. “Get out of our way. We are trying to get inside of the station, and you are blocking us from entering.”
The reporter chuckled. “I’m not moving until you answer my questions. Now, Meghan, what can you tell us about Paula Brown’s murder? I hear the police have declared her death to be a murder. Can you say more on the state of the investigation?”
Meghan’s face was burning with anger, and as the reporter jabbed the microphone back into her face, Meghan tore it from his hands. She reared back, and sent the microphone crashing down on the concrete steps of the police station.
“Hey! You cannot do that,” the reporter exclaimed as he bent down to collect the pieces of his broken microphone. “I’ll sue you for that. That’s my private property, and you ruined it.”
Just as Meghan opened her mouth to argue, a police officer walked out of the station. “Officer,” the reporter pleaded. “This woman damaged my property. I would like to file a police report immediately.”
The police officer looked between Meghan and the reporter, and then down at the pieces of the microphone that lay on the ground. “I didn’t see anything,” the officer replied, slicking back his hair and nodding kindly at Meghan. “Besides, I know Ms. Truman here would never hurt a fly, let along damage the property of a slimeball report like yourself.”
The reporter frowned. “Excuse me?”
The officer narrowed his eyes. “That report you did on the local schools? It was demeaning for teachers; you suggested that Sandy Bay teachers don’t care about their students. Guess what, buddy? My wife is a teacher, and you hurt her feelings with that trashy piece of journalism. My word here is that Meghan didn’t touch you, or your microphone. Now, you all have a good day.”
The officer strutted away, and Meghan flipped her hair behind her shoulder. “You heard him,” she gloated to the reporter. “You have a good day.”
As Meghan turned on her heel and marched into the station, Pamela turned to Trudy and whispered, in awe “I’ve learned something today, Trudy: no one messes with Meghan Truman. She may be truly sweet, but she is also truly fierce.”
12
The police station was bustling; Meghan saw dozens of people waiting to be interviewed, and the three women could not fin
d a free chair amongst the crowd.
“Hey, those people were working in the kitchen with us,” Pamela whispered to Meghan as she pointed to four mustached men. “They were part of Claude’s team. There was another guy with them who was my age, and man, he was so cute.”
Meghan laughed. “Pamela, you silly goose.”
The three women sat down on the floor of the station. Suddenly, Jack emerged from his office, and Meghan perked up, shyly tucking her hair behind her ears and straightening her posture.
“With that look in your eyes, I’m going to guess that things are fine with you and Jack?” Trudy asked as she leaned against the wall.
“Yes,” Meghan confirmed with a huge smile on her face. “We talked it all through, and it’s all going to be okay.”
