“And you don’t think Mrs. J. is somehow responsible for all this?”
“I seriously don’t. She didn’t like Paulette, but there are a lot of people she doesn’t like and they’re still alive and kicking. But I have a feeling a lot of people would like to see Mrs. J. locked up for good, the way she’s always sticking her nose in everyone’s business.”
“Very true. She’s got the dirt on everyone.”
“Exactly. She seems like an easy person to frame. It was no secret that she and Paulette hated one another. The other person I keep coming back to is Vicki Kline. She’s Paulette and Suzanne’s childhood friend, or rather wanna-be friend. She’s also an expert botanist. I took her poisonous-plants class Monday, and let me just say, wow.”
“That good, huh?”
“She could definitely kill you with a plant or two.”
“What’s your gut say?”
“My gut says there’s more to Vicki’s story. I can’t figure out why, especially now that she’s a grown woman, she’s still hanging around Suzanne and Paulette. Like, what’s the draw?”
“You want to take a closer look?”
“I think we should.”
“Okay, I’ll give you an hour, but then we have to get back to fixing my wedding. Deal?”
“Deal.”
Aria did a white-pages search on Vicki and easily found where she lived. The internet can be freaky like that. I was certain that’s how Whip found me this afternoon. Vicki’s house was located across the street from the elementary school. She lived in a pretty yellow bungalow with little picket-fence accents and an impressive front garden. I might be flower illiterate, but I knew a nice rose garden when I saw one.
I wasn’t quite sure how this was going to go down, seeing it was the middle of the afternoon. We swung by my apartment on the way to pick up Captain Jack and for me to put together a little summer Beauty Secrets gift bag as a cover. I included a bottle of coconut sunscreen, cooling lip balm, and a pair of flip flops in my employer’s signature violet hue.
The plan was for me to drop Aria off further down the street and have her walk Captain Jack to the school playground. From there, she could keep an eye out while I looked around, and she’d text me if needed. Meanwhile, I parked in front of Vicki’s house and crossed my fingers that she wasn’t home.
Luck appeared to be on my side. After ringing the bell and waiting the socially appropriate thirty seconds, I peered inside Vicki’s foyer window. Her front sitting room and entry way looked as tidy as could be. A couple of books were stacked on her front entry table, a lacy doily underneath them with a single rose in a vase beside them. I couldn’t make out all the details, but the top one had a leaf on it and the word “Medicinal” in the title. A bit strange, but not all that surprising, knowing Vicki’s passion for plants.
I left the beauty gift bag on the front porch with my card inside, and looked over my shoulder. Aria was having a seat on a playground swing, Captain Jack sat in her lap. From across the street, I could hardly see any pink left in his coat. I stepped off the porch and walked further up the driveway toward the detached, single-car garage. Again, the garage didn’t house anything all that exciting. Several bags of potting soil, a work bench, stacks of planters, and a vintage Coca Cola machine took up most of the space. Of course, the sight of the soda machine had me crushing on Finn. My guy loved his cola. And I liked that he had a tendency to drink it with his shirt off.
A decorative waist-high white fence surrounded the yard. The gate wasn’t locked, so I pushed open the metal latch and followed the stone path around to the back of the house. If I had thought the front gardens were beautiful, the back gardens were spectacular. So many colors and textures blended together, it reminded me of a painting. Her landscape even featured a bubbling fountain with a koi pond smack dab in the middle of her yard. It was very Zen like and I would’ve loved to stay for a while had I not been on a recon mission.
Tucked in the corner of the yard, I spotted a tool shed. My mouth got all tingly like it does when I eat too much sugar, and I thought I was finally on to something. I quickly crossed the yard and peeked inside the side window of the shed and did a double take. Holy guacamole, Vicki grows a lot of wacky tobacky! Marijuana wasn’t the only surprising find. Vicki also had beakers filled with various powders and liquids lined up on her workbench, dozens of dried flowers and herbs bundled together and hanging from the ceiling, and notebook after notebook stacked on a bookshelf titled “research.” Off to the side, sitting on a shelf was a microscope, rubber gloves, and brown glass bottles with cork stoppers. A white lab coat hung on a hook next to it. I may have just found my evidence. I took out my phone and was going to snap some pics when Aria texted me two words: Vicki’s home.
Sweet sugar, now is not the time.
I quickly looked left and right for a place to hide. Vicki’s car pulled up the driveway and I threw myself flat on the ground with an oomph. My shorts would be sporting some major grass stains later, but I didn’t care. I scurried as fast as I could, keeping my head down, to the other side of the shed and ran behind it, squishing myself between the shed and the small fence.
I should’ve been looking in front of me and not over my shoulder. That was a major mistake. I ran right into a skunk. As in, I almost stepped on the little guy. I’m not sure which of us was more freaked out. I gave a shriek and leapt over him, jumping the fence like it was a hurdle, while he sprayed. I landed in a summersault-like fashion in the neighbor’s yard and stood up to run from the little bugger, unsure if I had been hit or not. The neighbor’s dog barked and I looked up to see a ginormous mastiff charging toward me. I kicked up my speed, jumped over a kiddie pool, around a trampoline and was about to run through a hedge when I totally slipped in a ginormous pile of dog poo. I swear I went airborne for a second, flying high in the sky along with chunks of dog poo, before landing flat on my back, the air completely pushed out of my lungs.
OOOOF! I lay there gasping for air, unable to suck any in, my diaphragm completely forgetting how to work. I rolled onto my side in the fetal position and felt a big, slobbery wet dog kiss across my face and into my hair. Oh gross. The mastiff continued to lick me, I think to make sure that I was okay. Either that, or to slobber me to death. Drool stuck in my hair and ran down my neck. It was disgusting.
After a minute, when I could finally breathe, I rolled over onto all fours and looked up at the furry beast. I swear he smiled.
Aria looked horrified when she spotted me. I had walked over and met her on the playground. My shorts were grass-stained, shoes and backside were smeared with dog poop, my hair was styled with essence of dog, and the overall aroma of skunk clung to my body. I would’ve smelled better after an afternoon of dumpster diving.
Captain Jack, excitedly ran toward me on his leash; but once he reached me and took in a whiff, he sneezed and pawed at his nose.
Aria shook her head and backed away. “No way, girl. I am not riding with you.”
“It’s not that bad.” I looked down at my disheveled, stinky self. “Okay, it is that bad. Just do me a favor. Run over to Vicki’s and get my truck. I’ll stay here and hop in the back.” I figured if I lay down in the bed of my truck, no one would see me and maybe I’d air out a bit. “Please? Pretty please with sugar on top?”
Aria looked like she was ready to bolt.
“Who found the perfect wedding dress for you?” I reminder her in a sugary voice.
I had Aria and she knew it. “You so owe me, girl.”
“Would you like a hug?” I outstretched my arms.
“Don’t you dare!” Aria backed up while saying the words, and then turned and jogged across the playground to fetch my truck.
I went home and took the longest shower of my life, complete with a baking soda and peroxide scrub to help get the stench off. I had peeled off my clothes the second I got home and chucked them in the trash, throwing the bag on my front porch. I wasn’t ready to part with my Converses yet, even if they did take a
direct hit from the skunk. I put those in a separate grocery bag on my porch next to the trash while I debated what to do with them. Let’s see someone steal that, I thought. It would serve them right.
This evening was the dinner party at Mrs. DeVine’s. If I hadn’t already told her I’d be there, and if she wasn’t my financial backer, I would’ve backed out. As it was, I could only hope I didn’t smell too awful.
Once I was cleaned up, I switched over to wedding planning and googled “online flower packages” to see what we could get shipped in by Friday. From the looks of it, you could buy anything online for a price. Good thing Vince was paying. I text a couple links and images to Aria to see what she thought. Neither one of us had much experience in floral design, but I was thinking that if we got the blooms in, we could pay a florist to arrange them. Although, maybe not Claire or Betsy.
Then I looked up “how to make a wedding cake,” you know, incase Mrs. J. was still in jail come Friday. Just looking at the pictures, I decided that wasn’t happening. I was more of an eater than a baker. I sighed and tried to think about what Aria really wanted in a cake. Maybe Sweet Thangs could make some carrot cupcakes with organic cream cheese frosting or something along those lines. The healthier they could make it, the more Aria would love it.
I sat and debated if I should just call Sweet Thangs or run over. It didn’t take much to get me to stop in to my favorite sweets shop. I stared at my phone, thinking about it, and on cue, it rang. I had an incoming FaceTime call from a number I didn’t recognize. Normally, I wouldn’t answer such calls, but with Finn out to sea … I never knew what number he’d call me on. I pulled my hair over my shoulder, smoothed out my shirt, and answered. Whip McGovern’s face filled the screen. Yikes. I pulled the phone away. He was a little too close. He hadn’t realized that I had answered. He was still checking himself out in the camera, running his fingers through his hair and making sure nothing was stuck in his teeth.
I went to hit end when he saw we were connected. “Just wanted to check in and see if you’d changed you mind. I know it’s a tempting offer.” Whip just couldn’t drop it. I had a feeling women didn’t tell him no all that often.
“Yeah, no, definitely didn’t change my mind.”
“I heard the pastry chef is amazing,” Whip countered.
What the heck, is this guy spying on me? I’m ashamed to say that I did think about it, for like a millisecond before, once again, telling him that I wasn’t interested and he’d be better off ringing someone else up. I hung up before he could say another word. I had to get ready for tonight.
19
I arrived at Mrs. DeVine’s just after six PM. I hadn’t felt like dressing up, but I couldn’t show up looking like a bum either. I decided to wear a red-patterned cotton romper with leather, heeled sandals and gold hooped earrings. Tonight’s party was a garden-themed event and my wardrobe choice was perfect. The air was warm, the humidity had lifted, and I found myself wondering what Mrs. DeVine treated her yard with to keep the mosquitoes away. For whatever reason, the suckers usually ate me alive if I didn’t plan ahead, and tonight was one such occasion.
Mrs. DeVine greeted me with a hug and kiss on each cheek. “Wonderful to see you, darling,” she said.
It could’ve just been my imagination, but I swear she sniffed my hair. I hoped she picked up the subtle grapefruit notes in my shampoo and not the lasting scent of eau de dog.
“You too.” I swept my hair over one shoulder.
“I can’t wait to stop by and see our new retail space.” Mrs. DeVine announced the last part over her shoulder so a handful of guests heard her.
I gave a non-committal, “Uh-huh.” I couldn’t wait to see it either, wherever “it” ended up being. Cassandra still hadn’t called back. I was going to have to quickly locate a new space if that one fell through. Mrs. DeVine eyed me expectantly, and I was about to spill the beans when none other than Whip McGovern interrupted us.
“You didn’t tell me you’d be here tonight.” He had come up from behind and I almost didn’t move fast enough to avoid his kiss on the cheek. Whip laughed it off and whispered into my neck, “Playing hard to get, are we? I like it,” before greeting Mrs. DeVine. “It was nice of you to throw this party for me tonight. I’m honored. I see you even made my favorite—crab cakes.” It was hard to tell if he was joking. Mrs. DeVine’s expression faltered for just a second, but it was enough for me to see that she shared my impression of the guy. Unfortunately, she didn’t know that and excused herself so Whip and I could, “enjoy ourselves.”
“Now, where were we?” Whip said when she left.
“Listen, I’m flattered and all, but this,” I motioned between us, “it’s not happening.”
“Not yet.”
“Not ever.”
“You say that now.”
For the love of all things chocolate, this man is hopeless. I thought about smacking him across the face, or spilling my drink on him, but I knew that would only encourage him. Instead, I played to his ego. “You know, I might change my mind, but the truth of the matter is, you deserve someone better than me.” That caught his attention. “I’m just a small business owner with not much to call my own. You need someone with a much more impressive résumé. Someone who deserves to be the mayor’s wife … No, make that, the governor’s wife, or maybe even the First Lady.” I thought I might have gone a little too far with that last part, but Whip had stars in his eyes. Man, he was totally delusional. I knew he was picturing it now.
Whip turned serious and coughed to clear his throat. “That must have been painful for you to admit, but I see now that you’re right. I do deserve someone with an equal pedigree to my own.”
“And aspirations,” I added.
“No, no, we don’t need her to try and outdo me now,” Whip said, and chuckled as if he found himself hilarious again.
Oh brother.
I watched him survey the gardens to see if such a woman would appear.
“Well, good luck with that.” I said, with a fake smile. Whip paid no attention to me. I walked away from him as quickly as I could and ended up walking right into Suzanne Butterfield.
“Oh sorry, I was just—”
“Running away?”
“Exactly.”
“I can’t stand that man.” Well, there’s a shocker. Another man who Suzanne hated. I looked behind her, half expecting to see Mayor Potts. I wondered how much longer their relationship was going to stay secret. I spotted Jeffery instead. He came up and stood next to Suzanne. She completely ignored him. I greeted him with a smile and a friendly “hello”. Only then did Suzanne look over her shoulder to see who I could possibly be talking to.
She changed the subject. “So, did you get a chance to try my honey? It’s the best,” she said the last word all sing-songy.
“Not yet, but it’s on my must-do list, and soon.” Could whoever killed Paulette turn themselves in? It would really save me some time and let me focus on my own life again.
“Well, have you at least tried the baklava? It was made with my honey. I was just telling Mrs. DeVine how much I love helping area business out.”
Does baklava have chocolate in it? I didn’t think so, which is why I had no intention of trying it. I did however plan on having another drink. I paid homage to my heritage and nabbed a piña colada from the waiter when he stopped by. I took a sip of the sweet rum cocktail and, for just a moment, I was transported to Flamenco Beach, with its soft, white sand and calm, crystal waters. I closed my eyes and could almost hear the waves rushing in. I needed a vacation in the worst way. Sun, sand, Finn by my side. I was ready to book it today. I wonder what Finn would say? If I was feeling brave, I’d mention it to him when he got back. I swear, I was a total badass until it came to relationships.
Since I wasn’t on vacation now, I did the mingling thing, chatting with this person and that, skirting around Mrs. Devine’s inquiry on how business was going. “It’s been very busy!” I replied, a little too enthusiastica
lly. Once again, I didn’t offer any details, and thankfully another guest joined the conversation, sparing me from having to elaborate. I had been very busy, just not in the way she might have thought. I could’ve continued to work the garden and make some new contacts, but my heart just wasn’t in it.
I was thinking about my next move when I spotted Vicki walking toward me. If I could’ve disappeared right then and there, I would’ve. I prayed she hadn’t seen me fleeing her backyard. I tried to think up a story quick, like maybe Captain Jack got loose and I chased him through her backyard?
“Hey, I wasn’t expecting to see you here,” I said when she reached me.
“Oh yeah, Cynthia and I go way back. She’s a flower lover like me.”
“That’s nice.”
“It is. Sorry I missed you earlier today.”
“Er… my dog… um, I…” My face must’ve looked panicked.
“The beauty bag, on my doorstep.”
“Oh, yes, yes, yes, that’s right. Sorry, it’s been a long day.” Major understatement. “I just wanted to drop that off and let you try out a couple products.” And see what secrets you had hidden. “You’ll have to let me know what you think.”
Vicki assured me she would and then I excused myself from the conversation. Last thing I needed was to slip up and let her know that I had been snooping.
I looked toward the dessert table and saw a woman about my age busting her butt, trying to keep everything stocked and looking just so. I knew a girl boss when I saw one. Now, she is someone I should network with. My bet was she was a new caterer on the scene, and tonight was Mrs. DeVine’s way of introducing her. That was just the type of thing she did. If that was the case, tonight would be huge for her. Mrs. DeVine had that type of star power. Most caterers would kill for an opportunity to host one of her parties.
“Hey there, need a hand?” I asked. The caterer was holding a baking sheet in one hand and arranging appetizers on a plate with the other.
Kiss & Makeup: Beauty Secrets Mystery Book 2 Page 13
