Saying Pie Do (A Patty Cakes Bake Shop Cozy Mystery Series Book 6)

by Holly Plum

  “So, you really believe that Minnie's dog was murdered?”

  Detective Sugar’s brows rose. “I’m beginning to.”

  “What was the tip?” Joy pressed.

  “The killer works at the bookstore,” the detective stated.

  Joy blinked in surprise. She only knew one employee at the bookstore, and that was Frances Land. She was Minnie Morin’s biggest cheerleader. The news wasn’t at all what Joy expected.

  “Someone who works at the bookstore ….” Joy said, only to fill the silence.

  Detective Sugar shook his head. “It’s a shame to think that someone local would want to sabotage an event that is sure to bring in new business. Oh, well.”

  Joy did her best to look over the detective's shoulder, but the front entrance to the bookstore was blocked. An officer approached Detective Sugar and handed him a plastic bag. The detective looked at it suspiciously.

  “It was found hidden under a counter," the officer said quietly. Joy stared at the plastic bag. Inside, was a small knife.

  "It looks as if it might match the wound," the detective replied. "Thank you, Officer."

  Joy frowned. Why would someone leave evidence sitting in the shop? Perhaps it had been hidden in a hurry, and the criminal had forgotten to dispose of it? Maybe it had been planted there?

  “Wow,” Joy said. “What do you make of that, Detective?”

  Detective Sugar’s brows rose. “This has certainly become more serious than I’d originally thought.”

  Joy had to agree with him. In the beginning, Joy had believed Minnie’s claim that her dog had been murdered to be another exaggeration. However, things were adding up in Minnie's favor.

  “Minnie Morin will be glad you’ve found a clue,” Joy said.

  “Not the type I hoped for, I’m afraid.”

  “Of course.” All Joy wanted to do was pull off the book launch party and please her client. This was complicating things significantly. She said her goodbyes to the detective and hurried to her bakery.

  Sara Beth’s expression voiced her surprise when Joy told her what she’d seen at the bookshop.

  “Minnie was right. Someone’s copying the murder in her book.” Sara Beth's voice lowered, becoming conspiratorial. “Frances Land? Really? That doesn't sound right.”

  Joy nodded. “I have to admit that I was thinking the same thing.”

  "That tip must have been a hoax," Sara Beth commented.

  “I think at this point; Detective Sugar is just looking for answers.” Joy turned when the front door chimed. It was Saffron Smith. Joy knew before she even greeted the woman that it was about Miss Doodles.

  “Good morning, Saffron,” Joy said.

  “Good morning,” Saffron answered. “Have you heard the news?”

  “Yes, I talked to Detective Sugar on my way in.”

  “It's bogus," Saffron exclaimed. "It’s time to get the real story out in the open before we come across any more funny business.”

  Joy and Sara Beth stood in silence. It was obvious that Saffron expected them to know what she was talking about.

  “You’re going to ask the spirit of Miss Doodles?” Joy guessed, feeling ridiculous even suggesting it.

  Saffron’s expression was one of contentment. “Most certainly. She can tell us what happened.”

  Joy glanced at Sara Beth. As always, her assistant was the hospitable one.

  “It’s so kind of you to offer to assist in finding out what happened.” Sara Beth smiled.

  Saffron gave a confident nod. “I’m conducting a séance on the beach tonight. I’d like to invite you both. The more people are there, the better.”

  If Joy had felt silly asking about the summoning before, she didn’t know how to describe the way she felt about actually attending one.

  “Umm ….” Joy stalled, glancing over at Sara Beth.

  “We’ll come,” Sara Beth agreed.

  Saffron didn’t seem to have any objections and Joy figured she could put up with going if her assistant was beside her.

  "I know you are a skeptic, Joy, but I promise you won't be disappointed," Saffron added.

  “Okay, I will go,” Joy responded.

  “Great." Saffron clapped her hands. "It’ll be tonight on the north end of the beach. We’ll meet at 6. Sharp.”

  Saffron turned away so quickly that she didn’t see how Joy blinked in surprise. When Joy turned to Sara Beth, she was barely holding in her laughter.

  “Well,” Joy muttered as Saffron left the bakery. “She’s certainly taking this seriously, isn't she?”

  “Yep,” Sara Beth answered. "I'm going to need a boatload of sweet tea for tonight."

  Joy pulled out a tray with only one glazed donut left on it and began to restock. “Do you believe in this whole séance business?”

  Sara Beth shrugged. “It won’t work. That stuff is all for show. Prayer circles are more my thing. But it might set the stage for the culprit to do something stupid.”

  “Interesting,” Joy said quietly, placing more donuts on the empty tray.

  "I know you, Joy." Sara Beth chuckled. "You're already trying to work all of this out in your head. You really should have been a police officer."

  "I prefer baking," Joy argued. "There's less violence, although I still get hurt once in a while."

  "Yeah, I remember that nasty burn from last week." Sara Beth shook her head. "You know, you really shouldn't multi-task the way you do. You're not good at it."

  "Thanks."

  ***

  Joy was just beginning to think that the afternoon might come to a reasonable conclusion when the bell chimed three minutes to closing time. In walked Maple McWayne, owner of The Sugar Room and Joy’s rival in the baking business.

  Joy turned toward Sara Beth. “Great. Another surprise visitor,” she muttered. She was never excited to hold a conversation with her competition and the fact that Maple had the nerve to come right in wasn’t a good sign.

  “Just be charming, honey,” Sara Beth whispered back.

  “That’s your area.” Joy managed to put a presentable look on her face as she faced her rival. “Good afternoon, Maple.”

  “Your fake politeness always amuses me, Joy.” Maple laughed.

  "I suppose if anyone can spot something fake, it's you." Joy cleared her throat and avoided looking at Sara Beth. “What can I do for you this afternoon?”

  Maple took her time answering, leisurely browsing the display case. She looked up. “Mmmm,” she said, motioning to the pastries. Ones she had criticized many times in the past.

  Joy forced a smile. "We are about to close."

  "Alright, I get the message," Maple replied. “So … what do you make of all the gossip in town about that author woman? It's a shame about her dog.”

  “I don’t know, Maple, what do you make of it?” Joy countered.

  Maple only chuckled. “It’s certainly out of the ordinary. Is the book launch party of hers still on then?”

  “As far as I know.” Joy knew that Maple had something up her sleeve, but she didn't know what. Maple was being far too nice.

  “Well,” Maple replied, her eyes growing with surprise. “I can't imagine what she must be going through. I'm sure a book signing is the last thing on her mind right now.”

  “But the show must go on,” Joy commented, voicing the adage that had been in her mind since news of Miss Doodles' death.

  Maple pursed her lips. “I suppose so.”

  A few moments of silence elapsed and Joy hoped that Maple had gotten her fill of sticking her nose in their business. Maple’s dislike of Joy had only heightened when Joy’s cat, Cheesecake, had won The Sugar Room’s cutest pet contest. Entering the little white feline had been all Sara Beth’s doing and Cheesecake had won the votes of the attendees. It would be a long time before Maple recovered from that defeat, Joy imagined. It was still a pleasure to have it publicly recognized that her cat was the cutest of them all though, no matter how Maple fumed.

  “Can I
get you something to go?" Sara Beth offered.

  "I see you have some tarts leftover," Maple went on. "I hope you're not serving that at the book launch. What are you serving at the book launch?"

  Her question was anything but subtle, and Joy wasn’t going to take the bait.

  “So that is what you're here for," Joy responded. "Well, I'll have you know that there will be many shining stars at Minnie's event, including my super-secret pecan pie recipe."

  “Gasp,” Maple said, once again offering false support. “I thought the book was meant to be the star of the evening. Minnie Morin might not be too pleased if you steal the show.”

  “On the contrary,” Joy went on, smoothly. “Pecan pie is a very important part of her book. It’ll compliment everything nicely.”

  Maple looked slightly stunned by Joy’s bluntness in addressing the subject. “Sounds like you’ve got it all worked out then. Well, good luck to you.”

  With that, Maple finally strolled out of the bakery.

  Joy turned to Sara Beth with raised brows. “Okay, how was that? I didn't shout this time.”

  Sara Beth waved her hand in the air, dismissively. “She’s always got a bee in her bonnet, hasn’t she? I say you were very professional.”

  Joy shrugged. “Thank you.”

  “She's just jealous as usual,” Sara Beth responded.

  Joy turned the open sign to closed, wishing to shut out any other after hours visitors, though even wishing such a thing went against the definition of Southern hospitality.

  The Baker and her assistant made quick work of closing the bakery. When everything was in its proper place, all set for the following morning, Joy grabbed her purse.

  “I’m going to head home and pick up Cheesecake,” she stated.

  “What for?” Sara Beth asked, collecting her own belongings as well. “You’re not planning on bringing him to the séance, are you?”

  “Of course I am,” Joy said.

  Sara Beth laughed.

  Joy wrinkled her brow. “You didn’t think I would go through with this without my most faithful companion by my side, did you?”

  “I’ll be there,” Sara Beth pointed out, working not to start laughing again.

  “My point exactly,” Joy teased.

  “You're the boss.” Sara Beth grinned.

  "Besides, we are contacting the animal spirit world," Joy added. "So, why not bring an animal along? What's the worst that could happen?"

  "I can think of a few things," Sara Beth muttered.

  ***

  “Come on, Cheesecake,” Joy said, tugging the strap of her cat carrier as she started toward the pier. “Let’s get this nonsense over with.”

  The sky was already beginning to darken, and the sound of ocean waves filled Joy's ears. A sea breeze blew past her as she wondered what sort of a night was ahead of her. She glanced around for the members of the book club. The first thing she noted when she spotted the group was that Frances Land was absent. As it turned out, the bookstore employee was the subject of the conversation when Joy came near enough to hear what the group was discussing.

  “I heard she was snatched right out of the bookshop," Colby declared. "The police didn't even wait until her shift was over."

  “I heard that too,” Vivian added. “They snagged her like she was some criminal.”

  “Did you see it happen?” Ruth asked, her voice filled with speculation.

  “No," Vivian responded. "But they took her in for questioning. Only a guilty person gets taken in for questioning. It’s as good as jail time if you ask me.”

  “Frances Land?” Joy asked as she joined the group.

  “Yes,” Vivian continued.

  “She wouldn’t have been taken in for questioning if she hadn’t done anything suspicious,” Ruth said. “Detective Sugar is beyond fair, and I think that we need to trust his judgment.”

  “But, Ruth,” Vivian argued. “How can you think that Frances would ever take part in this? She is such a fan of Minnie Morin. Why on earth would she harm Miss Doodles?”

  Ruth held up her hand. “I’m only saying that what’s done is done and the truth will eventually come out. It’s not up to us to question the actions of our law enforcement when they are working to solve a rather cruel crime here in our town.”

  No one else argued with this.

  “All I can say,” Saffron said, speaking up for the first time, “is that it’s a good thing we’ll be hearing the truth from Miss Doodles herself tonight. It’ll save the police and Detective Sugar a lot of trouble, and help us get to the bottom of this which I know is what we all want.”

  Joy guessed that all Saffron wanted was to be credited with finding the killer. She was grateful when Sara Beth made an appearance. Being in the presence of the book club even for this short amount of time reminded her why she’d never become more acquainted with all of them in the first place.

  “What happened to six sharp?” Joy muttered to her assistant.

  “It’s dark out here,” Sara Beth protested. “I had trouble finding y'all.”

  Joy glanced at the group before taking a step away and lowering her voice so that only Sara Beth could hear. “They were just talking about Frances Land.”

  “Yeah, I was wondering where she was,” Sara Beth responded.

  “She was taken in by the police today for questioning. They all seem to think she might be guilty.” Joy raised her eyebrows.

  “That poor little thing,” Sara Beth exclaimed. “Why would anyone take her in like that? She certainly wouldn’t have done anything wrong. Would she?”

  Joy shook her head. “Your guess is as good as mine, but the police did find a knife at the bookstore.”

  “I do hope it’s not her. What a shame. She’s so young.” Sara Beth hung her head for a moment.

  Joy chuckled. “You’re not exactly an old maid, Sara Beth.”

  “Oh, I know." Sara Beth sighed. "But I am in my thirties and still single. My mother thinks I'm an old maid. That's a story for another time.”

  “Silence, please,” Saffron said, gathering everyone's attention. "Let us have a moment of silence for Minnie Morin's poor pet."

  As if the mention of the bestselling author’s name could summon her, Minnie was suddenly among them. The shock that settled over the group confirmed that her arrival was a surprise to everyone and definitely not planned.

  "Hello." Minnie eyed everyone in the group. "I heard about your little meeting, and I thought I would stop by."

  "Welcome." Saffron smiled widely, ready to proceed.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “Minnie,” Vivian exclaimed. “We didn’t expect to see you here. What an honor.”

  Joy looked over at Sara Beth. The words of envy were sure to feed her ego until it was higher than the Appalachian Mountains.

  “I sure hope this works. I just want to know what happened to my precious Miss Doodles.” Minnie appeared genuinely distraught, and Joy felt the first inklings of empathy for the woman. “I’ll do anything to help you reach her.”

  “Yes, we’re with you on that Miss Morin. Come on. Let’s not waste any more time.” Saffron held out her arms beckoning the group to gather closer together.

  Joy looked down at Cheesecake, who was looking rather bored. But if Joy let him out, he might dash off down the shoreline. She held her cat close.

  “Hang in there,” Joy muttered as she reluctantly followed the group closer to the water.

  “Brilliant,” Sara Beth whispered. “Do you think the ghost of Miss Doodles will rise out of the sea? This could be quite a show.”

  "Very funny.” Joy was far more convinced that this was most likely just a waste of time.

  Still, the surprises never ceased. They were almost to the spot on the beach that Saffron had picked out for the séance when another unexpected visitor joined the group.

  “Good heavens, look, it’s Frances,” Colby muttered.

  Indeed, Frances Land did her best to keep a straight face, her golden hai
r piled on her head. The group couldn't help but break out in whispers.

  “She’s out of jail,” Vivian whispered.

  “She was never in jail, Vivian,” Ruth corrected, her voice irritated. “She was only taken in for questioning. There is a huge difference. Let’s not jump to conclusions.”

  Frances took a deep breath of the ocean air as if everything was just fine.

  “I came as soon as I heard," Frances stated. "I know why y'all are meeting and I can't believe I wasn't invited. Just a mix up I'm sure.”

  “We weren’t sure that you would be able to make it,” Vivian said, slowly.

  Frances’ look was pleasing. “Why not?"

  "Because …" Vivian looked to the group for support.

  "Because of what happened with the police," Ruth took over.

  "What?” Frances wrinkled her nose. "Yes, they questioned me, but that knife wasn't mine. I have no idea how it got there." She looked at Minnie. "Miss Morin, you have to believe me. I don't know what happened." Her expression immediately saddened.

  After a few moments, Colby came forward. “Don’t get all worked up. No one is accusing you of anything. Right guys?” He glanced over at Saffron. “Saffron says she can find out what happened to Miss Doodles? Miss Morin is anxious to discover anything she can from the deceased pup as well.”

  Frances readily agreed to accompany them.

  Joy felt wary about the whole thing. It was strange for Frances to show up uninvited. Was she trying to show that she wasn’t guilty because staying away would imply that she was?

  “The police believe I’m being framed,” Frances announced as the group started down the shoreline once again. “Detective Sugar seemed sure of it.”

  Minnie stopped suddenly and studied Frances.

  “There was a character in my book who was framed for murder,” Minnie said, apprehensively. “Perhaps it’s just part of the killer’s plan to follow the storyline perfectly.”

  Frances gulped as the book group stared at her. Minnie's expression looked a bit worried. Minnie quickly changed her composure and continued walking with her usual haughty stride.