Luscious Pastry at a Lethal Party (A Chocolate Centered Cozy Mystery Book 5)

by Cindy Bell

  “Oh no.” Charlotte gasped. “My news is that the police cleared us. They traced the poison to her champagne glass on the podium. There was no poison found in any other champagne or glass. So they think that either the champagne was poisoned once it was in the glass or the actual glass had the poison put in it before the champagne was added.”

  “Wouldn’t someone have noticed it?” Ally’s eyes widened.

  “That was exactly what I asked Officer Frank. But apparently it could have gone unnoticed. The poison used can come as a clear, thin liquid that sticks to the glass like oil and is very difficult to see unless you’re specifically looking for it.”

  “Interesting.”

  “So either Mayor Malcolm poisoned the champagne and handed it to Julia or the glass was poisoned.”

  “Maybe the poison was intended for Mayor Malcolm, it was his glass after all.” Ally showed her grandmother the pictures of the mayor handing Julia the glass to explain what she was talking about.

  “Yes, that’s possible. I prefer that option. I don’t think I could believe that the mayor would kill her.”

  “Why not?”

  “It’s just that, he’s the mayor, if he wanted to kill her, why would he do it so publicly?” Charlotte asked.

  “Maybe he got some twisted satisfaction from that.” Ally frowned. “Murderers sometimes have strange desires.”

  “Maybe, but still. A powerful man like him, could handle things behind the scenes.”

  “True. He could have thought that a public death like that might make people less suspicious of him.”

  “It’s possible. There’s only one way to know for sure. Just because he handed her the champagne glass, that still isn’t proof that he poisoned her. It seems likely that he was the intended victim,” Charlotte said. “I doubt that the police are going to be in any rush to arrest him without solid evidence.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “I think you need to try to talk to him.”

  “But how will I get to talk to him?” Ally asked.

  “You’ll think of a way. You’re pretty creative.” Charlotte smiled and met Ally’s eyes. “You just need to think outside the box. Try to see what you can find out without antagonizing him.”

  “That’s easier said than done.”

  “I’m sure there’s a way we can get some information from him. I’ll tell you what, I’ll run the shop today and you see what you can find out at the mayor’s office. My face is more well-known around there so I think it’s better if you try rather than me.”

  “All right, I’ll give it my best shot. Maybe I should take some delicious treats with me. That opens a lot of doors.”

  “Indeed, it does. We can put together a box to leave at the office.”

  “Perfect.”

  “Also, Julia’s memorial is on Thursday. I think we should both be there.”

  “I agree.”

  “It’s good for the broader community to show respect. Her poor husband is going to have a lot to deal with.”

  Ally bit her tongue as she recalled the hateful way that Scott Brally had talked about Julia’s marriage. She didn’t feel the need to revisit that conversation. Maybe Scott was just bitter with his own life. Either way Julia’s husband was now a widower and he would need support. Ally left Freely Lakes and drove towards the mayor’s office. In her mind she rehearsed all of the ways she might be able to get inside. However, each plan had a weakness that she didn’t like.

  When Ally arrived she pretended that she had a delivery of chocolates, which she sometimes did, for someone in the building. A familiar security guard let her through security to the floor the mayor’s office was on. The anticipation of speaking to the mayor had her nerves on edge. She was sure that he would have no time for her. As she walked towards the receptionist’s desk she heard some raised voices from behind the office door. The desk was unmanned. Ally waited until she was sure there was no one watching, then crept up to the door. Even though it was just open a crack, the voices inside were raised loud enough that she could hear the words clearly.

  “I don’t have to put up with this.” The female voice raised.

  Ally jumped as she heard something crash to the floor inside the office. “Don’t push me right now, Martha. My temper is already on edge.”

  “I’m not afraid of you, Tim. I know you want me to be, but I’m not. I never have been, and I never will be. I’m a strong person, that’s what you didn’t realize when you married me. You thought you’d get a pretty face that you could intimidate into serving your every whim, but that is not who I am. If someone crosses me they pay, and that includes you.”

  “I am the mayor, don’t you realize what havoc I can cause in your life?”

  “I’m not afraid. I don’t depend on you for anything. You’re the one that’s depending on me, Tim. How will it look when the newspapers print that you killed your lover? How is that going to play at election time?”

  “No one is going to print that.”

  “Everyone is waiting to print that. I’ve had calls from every reporter in town. All I have to do is say the word and they will print exactly what I just said.”

  “But it isn’t true.”

  “You say it isn’t. That doesn’t make it untrue. You lie for a living, Tim, why do you think people are going to believe you?”

  “It isn’t true!” He shouted. Ally took a step back from the door and held her breath for a moment. “Julia was a good woman, she was a good friend. You have been after me for years about our friendship, but that’s all it ever was, friendship. I don’t care what the public thinks.”

  “Well, you need to care. Because, when the media gets hold of this, they’re going to have it plastered all over the country, with me, the idiot wife, pictured right beside you.”

  “You believe me don’t you?”

  “What does it matter?” Her laughter trickled out of the office. “If it wasn’t Julia it was any one of your other conquests. At least if it was Julia, I would have a little more faith in your taste in women. Why do you care if I believe you or not?”

  “Martha, please. You have to think about what you’re saying.”

  “Oh, that’s it, right? You don’t actually care, you just want me to tell you that I’ll lie to the police for you, that I’ll have your back like I always do. Don’t think for a second that I will do anything to jeopardize your position. You may be the mayor in title, but I worked just as hard to get here. All I want is this scandal swept under the rug. Figure it out.”

  Chapter Eight

  Charlotte didn’t have to wait long for the shop to get its first three customers. She expected her usual visitors, especially with all of the gossip spreading through town. She set out a sample tray and smiled as the three women dug right in.

  “Enjoy. You three are some of my best customers.”

  “Or we’re addicted.” Mrs. Bing laughed.

  “There could be much worse things to be addicted to.” Mrs. White smiled and popped a chocolate into her mouth.

  “Yes, mm.” Mrs. Cale couldn’t quite speak around the chocolate she was eating.

  Charlotte leaned against the counter and studied the three women. “Did you hear?”

  It was all she needed to say to launch a torrid of information.

  “Oh, yes of course, I found out right after it happened.” Mrs. Bing sighed and shook her head. “What a terrible, terrible tragedy. I don’t think Julia even had a chance to have any children, did she?”

  “No, but not every woman wants children. Besides, maybe she was worried about the DNA test results.” Mrs. Cale wiggled her eyebrows.

  “Now, now, let’s not talk ill of the dead.” Mrs. White frowned.

  “It’s not talking ill, it’s just discussing her life.” Mrs. Cale looked over at Charlotte. “The poor thing was caught up in a sordid affair that she would never have gotten free from. The man she loved, was already married.”

  “Oh really?” Charlotte clucked her
tongue. “I didn’t know she was having an affair with anyone.”

  “Well, she most certainly was.” Mrs. Bing whistled.

  “Girls, at least tell the whole story if you’re going to tell it at all.” Mrs. White took a deep breath. “The rumor is that Julia and Mayor Malcolm have been having an affair for many years. Apparently, they were once caught in a compromising position at work.”

  “Wow.” Charlotte’s eyes widened. “I never even suspected it. I wonder what the mayor’s wife thinks of all of this? Not to mention Julia’s husband?”

  “Martha is clueless. At least she was for a long time. Maybe she found out the truth.” Mrs. Cale pursed her lips.

  “You think she might have done it?” Mrs. Bing popped another chocolate into her mouth and bit down on it.

  “It’s an awful thing to think.” Mrs. White looked down at the counter. “But a lover’s quarrel can be a very volatile situation.”

  “Everyone seemed so calm at the party though. Mayor Malcolm was polite to Julia, and Martha hung on his arm as if she adored him,” Charlotte said.

  “Politicians.” Mrs. White rolled her eyes. “The one thing they’re good at is telling lies and wearing masks.”

  “Maybe so, maybe so.” Charlotte refilled the sample tray. “It would be motive, that’s for sure. I wonder if the police know about it.”

  “If they don’t know yet, they will soon. That chatty secretary is the reason the rumor got started in the first place.” Mrs. Bing helped herself to some of the new samples.

  “Donna Jenkins?” Charlotte asked. Charlotte knew her quite well because she was a regular at the chocolate shop.

  “Yes, that’s her. She talks and talks. If you get her started it’s nearly impossible to get her to stop. Charlotte, can I get a little box of these hazelnut clusters please?”

  “Of course.” Charlotte got a small box for Mrs. Bing.

  “How much?” Mrs. Bing asked as she picked up a milk caramel.

  “On the house!” Charlotte smiled. The three woman would buy a lot of chocolates and Charlotte liked to occasionally give them some to take home for free. They often recommended the shop so she made the money back many times over.

  “Thank you,” Mrs. Bing said.

  Charlotte watched as the women continued to sample as many of the chocolates on the tray as they could. While the women were occupied with the chocolates Charlotte excused herself and picked up her cell phone. She texted a message to Ally.

  Talk to Donna Jenkins if you have the chance. Find out about a possible affair between Mayor Malcolm and Julia.

  ***

  Ally’s phone chimed with an alert that she had received a new text. She ducked away from the door. With the level of the voices inside she hoped the chime was drowned out. She read the text and raised an eyebrow. The secretary, Donna Jenkins, returned to her desk as Ally walked up to it. She held a coffee in her hand as she sat down.

  “Hello there.” Ally smiled. The woman looked up at her with furrowed brows. Ally assumed she had overheard part of the argument as well. “These are for you.” She set down the box on the desk.

  “Hi Ally. What is it?” She looked towards the box with interest.

  “Just an assortment of chocolates from the best chocolate shop around.”

  “There’s only one.” She smiled.

  “They’re for you, Donna, and whoever you might want to share them with.”

  “What’s the catch?” Donna lifted the top of the box and peeked inside.

  “I’d like a few minutes with the mayor.”

  “Oh, you and one hundred other people.” Donna shook her head. “I’m sorry it’s going to take more than a box of candy to get that.”

  Ally frowned. “Well, then maybe you could answer a few questions for me?”

  “Depends on what they are.” She drew the box close to her. Ally smiled as she considered that as an acceptance of the offer.

  “I’m a little concerned with something that I overheard.”

  “Oh? The argument? That happens quite a bit.”

  “No, not that. One of my customers mentioned that the mayor is considered a suspect in the deputy mayor’s murder. When I heard that, I was shocked.”

  “Well, you should be. Whoever told you that has the wrong information. There’s no way that Mayor Malcolm had anything to do with Julia’s death.”

  “You would certainly know. I’m sure that you know him better than most people ever could.”

  Donna’s cheeks flushed. “Yes, that’s true. People don’t realize how much a secretary does to support the career of the individual they work for.”

  “I do.” Ally rested her hands on the desk and leaned closer to her. “So tell me, Donna, do you have any idea who might have done this to Julia?”

  Donna pursed her lips. Ally held her breath as she wondered whether the woman would share anything with her. Then Donna nodded.

  “All right, between us, I’m certain of who the killer is.”

  “Really?” Ally fixed her gaze to Donna’s. “Who?”

  “This is the situation. The mayor is reviewing all of the services contracts for the area, including waste disposal. There’s a lot of pressure from voters to make everything as local as possible. So he has to choose a new provider for waste disposal. Now the current provider, Garbage Inc., has been providing service to this town for a few years. This town, and Blue River, are the only ones they service. So, if the mayor pulled the plug on the contract, Garbage Inc. would likely go out of business. I think that the owner is the one who did it.”

  “That’s a bit extreme don’t you think? To murder over a contract?”

  “Not if you knew this man. Scott Brally. He’s a fierce guy. A real bully. I don’t even like to be alone in the same room with him. He’s only kept the contract for so long because of his bullying tactics. I don’t think he would let go of the contract easily.”

  “Did you tell the police this?” Ally’s heart skipped a beat. Did she really make fun of the deputy mayor with her killer?

  “Of course I did. But they kept asking me questions about the mayor. So I told them to arrest me if they wanted to ask me questions, otherwise they had to leave the office.”

  Ally couldn’t help but smile. Donna had plenty of nerve. She was relieved that the woman was willing to tell her anything.

  “Did you ever notice anyone else who might have had problems with Julia? I mean, why would Scott target her instead of the mayor?”

  “I don’t know for sure, other than the termination of a contract requires both of their signatures. Maybe he thought Julia was the easier target. As for enemies, the mayor has a few of them, but I think they are mostly harmless.”

  “Have you heard anything from Scott Brally recently?”

  “I didn’t have to hear anything. He was at the cocktail party the night of Julia’s death.”

  Ally nodded. “I see.”

  “Yes, I saw him and his wife the moment they came in.”

  “Did you see him go near Julia?”

  “No. Honestly, once I saw him I did my best to avoid him. Now I wish I had paid more attention.”

  Ally glanced towards the mayor’s office. She wished she could get inside to ask him some questions, but she knew it was too much of a risk to push Donna. Instead she decided to take a chance and ask a question that might upset her.

  “Someone mentioned to me that perhaps Julia and the mayor had something more than a business relationship?” She didn’t want to mention that she had just overheard the mayor and his wife fighting about it as that might put Donna on the defensive if she knew that she had been listening so closely.

  “Ha.” Donna narrowed her eyes. “No one can mind their own business these days, can they?”

  “So, it’s true?”

  “Whether it’s true or not, it’s no one’s business. What a man does behind closed doors is off limits. Don’t you think?”

  Ally took a deep breath. “Maybe it depends on the situation.�
�

  “Well, in my book, asking questions like that is an invasion of privacy. Not something that I will participate in. So if you want dirt, you need to dig somewhere else.”

  “I’m sorry, Donna. I just want to find out who killed Julia.”

  “I understand. But I have nothing more to tell.”

  “You’ve helped a lot already. I hope you enjoy the chocolates.”

  “Oh, I intend to.” She grinned.

  Just as Ally turned to walk out of the office, Mrs. Malcolm pushed the inner office door open and stomped past her.

  “Mrs. Malcolm, would you like me to call you a car?” Donna stood up half-way from her chair.

  “Yes please. He gets the office, the least I can get is a nice car.” She continued walking.

  Ally hurried to catch up with her. Before the elevator doors could close she ducked inside with Mrs. Malcolm. A grimace that flickered across her face warned her that she didn’t want company.

  “Men, right?” Ally rolled her eyes.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I overheard you and your husband fighting. I just thought you could use a sympathetic ear.”

  “Ha. What are you, a reporter?” She scowled across the elevator.

  “No, I manage a chocolate shop. I just know what it’s like to have the person you care for the most turn against you.” She balled her hands into fists at her sides. “It just makes you want to lose your temper, doesn’t it?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. My husband and I have our moments, but that’s because his position is so stressful. It’s not easy to have so much responsibility. Sometimes he needs to blow off some steam. I don’t resent him for that.”

  “Oh.” Ally shrugged. “I guess I misunderstood.”

  “Yes, you did. In fact, it might be better if you stayed out of other people’s business in the future. If it doesn’t involve you, then it doesn’t concern you.” She jabbed her finger against one of the elevator buttons. The doors slid open and she walked out. Ally thought about following her, but she assumed that she wouldn’t get any more information out of her. Instead she continued down in the elevator until it reached the bottom.