Tragic Toppings

by Jessica Beck

  * * *

  “Suzanne, is there any news?” Christine asked as we came to her door fifteen minutes later. She was a heavyset woman with carefully styled hair and nice clothes. I knew that Christine was barely in her fifties, but at the moment, it was difficult to tell how old she was, given the harried look on her face. That wasn’t the worst of it, though. It was as if someone had turned the light off behind her eyes, and it was just about all I could take looking at her. She was known around town for her heightened sense of melodrama, but I wasn’t entirely sure that I blamed her this time.

  “You shouldn’t let your imagination run away with you. It might be nothing.”

  “I keep telling myself that exact same thing,” she said. “But I’m having trouble believing it. Regardless of what some people around town might think, my daughter has a good head on her shoulders. I know she can seem flighty at times, but this just isn’t like her.”

  I shrugged, not knowing what to say. “We brought you these,” I said as I offered her the donuts. “We thought they might help a little.”

  “That’s so sweet of you,” she said, almost automatically, as she took the box of donuts from me. “Where could that girl of mine be? I’ve tried calling her dozens of times, but her phone is turned off.”

  “We wish we knew,” Grace said. “Do you have a second to chat, Christine?”

  “Of course I do.” She shook her head gently, as though clearing the fog from her mind. “Where are my manners? Would you two like to come in?”

  “We’d love to,” I said, “if it’s not too much trouble.”

  “Honestly, it’s no problem at all,” she said. “I’d be delighted.”

  “We’re not disturbing your husband, are we?” Grace asked as we all walked into the living room. The furniture was more than a little dated, and the carpet over the hardwood floors had seen better days, with frays and a few spots testifying that there wasn’t a great deal of money in the Hargraves household, at least not available for home improvements.

  “No, he’s gone,” Christine said simply.

  “Is he out looking for your daughter?” Grace asked.

  She shook her head. “Actually, he left for Tampa this morning, and I haven’t been able to get in touch with him. As soon as he lands, they say they’ll have him call me here. Honestly, I’m losing my mind,” she admitted as she pushed the donut box around on the table, though it was still unopened. I doubted that she even realized she was doing it. “We weren’t sure we’d be able to have children, and Emily has been a blessing from the beginning.”

  “Maybe it would help to talk with us about where she might be,” I said. “Do you have any ideas? Does Emily have a new boyfriend, by any chance?”

  Christine nodded slightly. “It’s complicated. I hate to admit it, but she hasn’t confided in me much lately. We were really close before Emily left for college, but since she’s moved back in here with us, it’s like she’s a stranger sometimes.”

  We were on familiar ground now. “I know it can be tough getting used to having her live with you again. It’s got to be hard on all of you. It surely was for Momma and me after I moved back in after my divorce.”

  Christine looked surprised by the news. “You two had trouble getting along? I find that hard to believe. I thought you always seemed more like sisters than mother and daughter.”

  Grace and I both laughed, and Christine asked, “Did I say something funny?”

  “No, ma’am,” I answered quickly. “It’s just that it’s felt a lot different from the inside of the relationship. Trust me; we’ve had our share of rough patches along the way.”

  “More than their share, if you ask me,” Grace added.

  Oddly enough, the news made Christine smile.

  “Now I’m the one who’s wondering what’s so amusing,” I said.

  She laughed gently as she said, “I just thought you two were the perfect example for the rest of us to try to live up to. It’s a little reassuring hearing that you’ve had some problems along the way as well. It gives me hope for Emily, if you want to know the truth.”

  “It’s not easy coming back home. I know sometimes I feel smothered,” I said, trying to soften the blow of what I was about to say. “Is there any chance she just had to get away?”

  “And leave the shop unlocked and unmanned? I can’t imagine it, especially with the three amigos there. She might leave everything behind in the world that she holds dear, but she would never leave Cow, Spots, and Moose unprotected and unguarded. Especially Spots.”

  “Why Spots in particular?” I asked, my curiosity getting the best of me. “I didn’t realize that she had a favorite.”

  “Spots was always her cow. Cow was mine, and her father reluctantly adopted Moose, though in the end he embraced the fantasy as much as we did. When she was younger, Emily insisted that each of us have our very own pal, and that’s the way it worked out in the end.” She lowered her voice, as though someone besides us could hear her. “I know it’s silly, but I couldn’t just leave the three of them in the shop. I’ve brought them home and tucked them into her bed, just like they used to be in the old days.”

  “Where should we start looking for her?” I asked.

  The question seemed to surprise her. “You’re getting involved? I didn’t realize you and my daughter were that close.”

  “We were closer than you might think,” I explained, “but that’s not the only reason. The last time anyone admitted seeing her was at Donut Hearts. Whether I like it or not, in a way I’m tied to her disappearance until we find her.”

  “I can understand that,” Christine said. She was clearly about to add something when her cell phone rang. “Emily?” she asked breathlessly.

  After a pause, she said, “Hi, Chet. I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news. Our baby is gone.”

  She hesitated, and we could hear the wail on the other end of the phone. “Chester, snap out of it. She’s not dead.”

  Another pause, and then she said, “She’s missing. The shop was unlocked, and the guys were still inside. You have to come home. I need you here with me.” Two heartbeats later, she said, “Let me know when you get a flight home. I love you, too.”

  After Christine hung up, she turned back to us. She looked startled by our presence, almost as though she’d forgotten we were there. “I’m sorry. I can’t really talk right now. I need to be alone.”

  “We understand completely,” I said as Grace and I stood. “If you think of anything that might help, don’t hesitate to let us know.”

  She nodded, and as we walked to the front door, I asked, “I know you said her love life was complicated at the moment, but do you happen to know who she dated most recently, by any chance?”

  “I do,” Christine answered, though it was clear that she was reluctant to admit it.

  “Would you mind sharing a name with us?” Grace asked.

  Christine frowned, and then finally said, “I was hoping we’d be able to avoid this, but if anyone can get him to tell the truth, it’s you.”

  “Me?” Grace asked.

  “No, you,” she said as she pointed to me.

  “Why would I be able to help there?” And then, without any reason or evidence, I knew why she was reluctant to tell me anything. “She’s been dating my ex-husband, Max, hasn’t she?”

  Christine nodded. “I’ve been phoning him all afternoon, but he’s not picking up, and he won’t return any of my calls. Would you speak with him, Suzanne?”

  “Just try to stop me,” I said with a smile.

  I was out on the steps before Grace called out, “Hey, slow down a second and wait for me.”

  I stopped and turned to her. “Why doesn’t it surprise me that Max is involved?”

  “Maybe because you know him so well?” she asked.

  “Yeah, that must be it.” We got into my Jeep and headed to my ex-husband’s apartment. Leave it to Max to get mixed up in this. What did Emily see in him, anyway? I suddenly realized that
I knew the answer to that without voicing the question out loud. Max was many things, good and bad, but near the top of the list had to be how charming he was. He could talk a woman dying of thirst out of her last sip of water if he put his mind to it. I couldn’t blame Emily for falling for his lines.

  It was just amazing to me sometimes that any woman could resist him.

  “Do you think they’re together somewhere right now?” Grace asked as I drove to Max’s place.

  “It wouldn’t surprise me one bit,” I said, my gaze glued to the road.

  Grace said carefully, “They’re both single, consenting adults. You know that, right?”

  “Of course I do,” I said. “Believe me, I don’t have a problem if they’re together. I just want to make sure that Emily’s okay.”

  We got to his place, and I turned to Grace. “Let’s go see if we can get any answers out of him.”

  I rang the doorbell twice, and then knocked on the door, but there was no answer.

  “He’s not here,” Grace said.

  “Let’s give him another second,” I said as I leaned on the doorbell, hearing it ring constantly inside.

  Max finally came to the door, looking more than a little frustrated. “Suzanne. Grace. What are you two doing here?”

  “We need to talk to you,” I said.

  He glanced back inside, and then said, “Sorry, but I’m a little busy.”

  “With Emily Hargraves, by any chance?” I asked.

  “How did you know about that?” he asked.

  “Max, you’re a grown man. I’m not asking just to be nosy, but do you know where Emily could possibly be?”

  He was about to answer when I saw Emily herself pop out from behind him.

  “Suzanne, what’s wrong? Why are you both looking for me?”

  “Everyone in town thinks you’ve disappeared,” I admitted. “You missed a meeting with the mayor, and you left your newsstand unlocked this morning.”

  She looked ashen. “Are the guys okay?”

  “They’re fine,” I said, finding it touching that that was where her mind had gone first. “Your mom has them at home. She’s going out of her mind with worry.”

  Emily shook her head, and then smacked Max’s shoulder. “I told you I couldn’t leave work like that without telling anyone. You convinced me that it would be impulsive and fun and daring, but all you’ve been for me since we met is trouble.”

  As she raced past us out of the apartment, Max looked sourly at me and said, “Thanks a lot.”

  I gave him my best smile as I said, “You’re most welcome. Have a good day.”

  * * *

  Back at the Jeep, Grace asked, “Should we track George down and bring him up to speed on what we’ve found out?”

  I looked at my watch and saw that it was nearly five. Momma was going to be getting ready for her big date soon, and I’d promised to be there to hold her hand. If I didn’t, I had a feeling that she’d find another way to back out yet again. “Why don’t I drop you off at your place, and you can call everyone and tell them they can stop worrying about Emily, including the chief of police. I need to get home.”

  “Okay by me.”

  I had no problem letting Grace make those happy calls on her own.

  I had something to do that was even more important, supporting my mother as she took the first small steps to a new life after my father.

  She was counting on me, and I wasn’t about to let her down.

  BUTTERMILK DONUT VARIATION

  These are really good, especially with the combination of the buttermilk and the pumpkin spice mix. With spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice, what’s not to like!

  INGREDIENTS

  • 1 egg, beaten

  • ½ cup sugar

  • ½ cup buttermilk

  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

  • 2 cups all purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie mix

  DIRECTIONS

  After beating the egg, add the sugar, buttermilk, and melted butter, mixing thoroughly. In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, and pumpkin pie mix, then add to the egg mixture. Roll the dough out to ¼ inch, then cut out rounds and holes. Put in hot canola oil (375 degrees) for 4 minutes, flipping halfway through. Drain on paper towels or rack, then dust with powdered sugar or ice as preferred.

  Makes approximately 6 donuts and holes

  CHAPTER 3

  Grace understood when I told her that I had to go. “I nearly forgot about your mother’s big date. Need any help getting the old gal ready to go?”

  I grinned at her. “No, but I’d love to be in the room and hear her response when you ask her that way yourself.”

  She laughed, and I knew again why Grace was so dear to my heart. “Not on your life, and if you repeat it, I’ll deny that I ever said it.”

  I smiled as I shook my head. “You would, wouldn’t you?”

  “You can bet on it,” she replied. “Ordinarily I’d say that our investigation trumps everything else, but this is important; helping George find Tim can wait until tomorrow. Drop me at my car so you can get home.”

  “We’re still having dinner together later, right?” I asked.

  “You can count on it. Suzanne, I just love being your backup when your boyfriend is out of town,” Grace said.

  “Which is most of the time,” I admitted. “Do you honestly mind?”

  “Are you crazy? I love the company, especially since my love life is so stagnant these days. When is Jake coming back to town?”

  “As soon as he finishes up in Dillsboro, I guess, and honestly, who knows when that will be?”

  “No worries, then. In the meantime, you’ve got me as a happy and willing substitute,” Grace said.

  I dropped Grace off at the donut shop where she’d left her car, and as I drove my Jeep back to the cottage, I couldn’t help wondering what was going through my mother’s head at that moment. Was she nervous? Certainly, she had to be. After all, it had been a long time since she’d gone out on a date, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it had been all the way back when my father had been courting her. Was she a little scared? Without a doubt. The real question, though, was whether she was the least bit excited about dating again. I had to hope that there was a spark left within her that was open to the possibility of love coming back into her life.

  “I’m home,” I said loudly as I came into the cottage we shared. The park was beautiful where we lived, filled with love and memories, but the house meant even more to me. Moving back in with my mother had been tough on both of us as we worked through a rocky adjustment period, but at the moment, I couldn’t see myself being anywhere else.

  “I’m back here,” she called out.

  I followed the sound of her voice and found her in the master bedroom, if you could call the cramped space that with a straight face. To be honest, there wasn’t much masterly about it, though it did have a small half-bath off the bedroom that helped make it a suite.

  I was surprised to find my mother sitting on her bed in her white slip, with six dresses laid out carefully on the comforter around her.

  “Is everything okay?” I asked as I came in and leaned against the door frame.

  “It’s fine,” she said, her voice barely showing any emotion at all. “It’s too bad, but I’m afraid that I won’t be able to go out tonight.”

  “Why not?”

  “I have nothing suitable to wear,” she said as she looked around the room.

  I wanted to laugh, but I realized that would be exactly the wrong thing to do.

  “What about your red dress?” I asked as I pointed to it.

  “I tried it on, but it’s too festive for the occasion,” she said.

  I wasn’t exactly sure what that was supposed to mean, but I wasn’t going to pursue it any further. “Okay, then how about the black one?”

  “Too somber,” she replied. “It’s no use.”

 
We could have gone on like that all night if I didn’t do something. “I’ve got an idea. Do you want to borrow something of mine?”

  She looked at me as though I’d lost my mind. “Suzanne, you are six inches taller and thirty pounds heavier than I am. Anything you own would drape on me like a curtain, and I would swim in that much material.”

  “Wow, you could have stopped with the fact that we’re not the same size,” I said with a smile. “Mentioning my weight was just plain mean.”

  “I didn’t mean anything by it,” she said with a frown, finally breaking out of her level tone.

  “I know that,” I said, trying to laugh. “Do you want my honest opinion?”

  “Of course I do,” she said as she looked at me. It was as though she were drowning, and I might have a rope to pull her out.

  I studied the dresses again, and then made my choice. “You should wear the blue one.”

  She glanced at the dress to her left, looked away, and then studied it again. “Do you honestly think so?”

  “Absolutely. It’s perfect.”

  “Fine,” she said. “Blue it is.”

  After she slipped into it, I applauded. “Wow, Momma, you look beautiful.”

  “Nonsense,” she said, but I could see her trying to hide her smile. “I haven’t been anywhere close to beautiful in years.”

  “I beg to differ. Look in the mirror.”

  She glanced at the full-length mirror, and I could see a glint of approval in her eyes as she brushed a few nonexistent wrinkles away.

  “I suppose that it will just have to do,” Momma said.

  “Don’t sell yourself short; it’s a lot better than that. Chief Martin will be ecstatic.”

  “Not too delighted, I hope,” Momma said.

  “Trust me, you could come out in a track suit and a floppy pink hat and he’d still be impressed. All of this is just a bonus.”

  “I don’t know what I’m doing,” she said. “I’m too old for this foolishness.”

  I hugged her. “You’re wrong there. I think you’re exactly the right age for this foolishness.”

  “Is it too late to call it off?” she asked, a hint of worry in her voice.