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

by Cindy Bell

  When Ally reached the right floor she stepped out of the elevator and flattened herself against the wall. She began to move towards the office when her phone chimed. She nearly jumped out of her skin in reaction to the sound within the silent hallway. As quickly as she could she turned her phone off, then continued down the hall. As long as the security guard wasn’t suspicious that someone might have broken in, she didn’t think he would come up to check on the office.

  When she reached the office she turned the knob. She was surprised that it was open. She carefully pushed the door open and peered around the reception area, but no one was there. When she tried the knob on the door that lead to the mayor’s office, as she had expected it didn’t budge. She looked at the receptionist’s desk and decided to see if she could find a key.

  She quietly rummaged through the drawers, but there was no sign of the key. By the time she had reached the bottom drawer she had given up hope. As she ran her hand over the contents of the bottom drawer her hand touched what felt like a key. She slowly pulled it out of the drawer. Could this really be it?

  She walked over to the door and inserted the key. She almost squealed with excitement when the key turned and the door popped open.

  Her heart raced as she wondered if an alarm would go off, or a security guard would come around the corner. Once she was sure that neither would happen she closed the door behind her. From her pocket she pulled out a flashlight and shone it around the office. When the light reflected off a glass, she froze. As quietly as she could she walked over to it. The flashlight beam danced along the thin, diamond pattern that encircled the midsection of the glass. It was the same diamond pattern that she had noticed on the glass in the photograph. It was a water glass not a champagne glass, but it was definitely the same pattern. Was it just a coincidence?

  Ally’s breath grew shallow as she reached out to pick it up. Just before she touched it, she stopped. What would she do with it? Would she steal it as proof? Was it even proof of anything, it just had the same design? Would she leave her fingerprints on it? The thought startled her. The last thing she wanted to do was to implicate herself. Instead she pulled out her cell phone to take a picture of the glass. When the bright flash flickered through the room her heart dropped. She’d forgotten the flash was on. Outside in the hall she heard footsteps. Within seconds she would be caught.

  How could she explain breaking into the mayor’s office? Even if his glass had the same design as the one that someone laced with poison, it didn’t prove that he was the killer. She however would be very guilty of breaking and entering. Her chest tightened when the door pushed open. There was nowhere to hide. A flashlight shined right into her eyes. Blinded, Ally couldn’t even see who stood in front of her.

  “Ally, did you find anything?”

  Relief flooded her as she recognized her grandmother’s voice.

  “Mee-Maw, what are you doing here?”

  “I couldn’t let you do this alone, Ally.”

  “But if we get caught…”

  “So, let’s not. Did you find what you needed?”

  “Yes, I think so. We should hurry.” Ally guided her out of the office. She quickly locked the door and then returned the key to the bottom drawer. She guided her grandmother back down the hallway. They were almost to the elevator when a security guard entered the hall.

  “Hey! Who’s down there?”

  “Hurry, get to the elevator.” Ally herded her grandmother in front of her. “Don’t look back, Mee-Maw, just get to the elevator.”

  “Hey!” The security guard shouted. “Stop right there!”

  Ally jammed her finger into the button to open the doors. As soon as they slid open she gave her grandmother a little shove through the doors.

  “Ally, hurry up, come on.” Charlotte turned around to face her. Ally pushed the button to close the doors. Before Charlotte could get them back open the elevator started going down. Ally spun around to face the security guard.

  “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”

  “What are you doing here?” He glared at her.

  She held her hands up in the air. “It’s so embarrassing. Really. I was here for a meeting and I lost my ring.”

  “A ring?”

  “It’s a little loose on my finger.”

  “That’s not an explanation.”

  “Look, the thing is, it’s a special ring. My grandmother gave it to me. I knew if I didn’t get it back she would be heartbroken. So, I just wanted to see if I could get it back.”

  “And there was some reason you couldn’t come back in the morning and ask the receptionist?”

  “I was just so embarrassed. I had this horrible argument with the mayor’s wife, and I didn’t think he would let me in his office after that, and I just really needed the ring.”

  “Well, I hope you needed it enough to spend some time in jail, because that’s where you’re headed.”

  “Really?” She frowned. “Isn’t there anything that I can do? It’s not like I caused any harm. I didn’t even get my ring back.”

  “No harm?”

  “Nothing, I swear. I didn’t even get inside the office. Can’t you consider letting it slide?”

  “What’s in it for me?” He put his hand on his hip and gazed at her.

  “Chocolate.”

  “Chocolate?”

  “I can provide you with a year’s supply of freshly made delicious chocolate candy.”

  “Oh, like they have at Charlotte’s Chocolate Heaven?”

  “Exactly like they have at Charlotte’s Chocolate Heaven. I promise.”

  He sighed and scratched his head. “This is my job we’re talking about.”

  “And the best chocolate in town, no matter where you work.”

  “You’re sure you didn’t cause me any trouble?”

  “None at all.”

  “Okay.” He nodded. “Get out of here before I change my mind.”

  She didn’t hesitate. With a quick push of the button the elevator doors opened. Ally stepped inside and hit the button for the lobby. As the elevator descended she began to relax. She wasn’t out of the building yet, but she was close. Only then did she realize just how close she had come to being arrested. Her chest tightened as the elevator rocked to a stop in the lobby. She left the building as quickly as she could. As she rushed to her car she spotted her grandmother beside it.

  “Mee-Maw, what were you thinking?” Ally paused in front of her.

  “I was thinking that I couldn’t let my granddaughter take such a big risk without me by her side. Does that really surprise you, Ally?”

  “No.” She frowned. “But I wish that you hadn’t done that. I handled things just fine.”

  “Let me remind you, young lady, I am still the experienced one here. I don’t need anyone to tell me what to do, or to be overprotective.”

  “Like you are to me?” Ally smiled and shook her head. “I guess we can’t help but look out for each other.”

  “There are worse things in the world, hm?” Charlotte raised an eyebrow. Ally met her eyes and sighed.

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “Ally, breaking into the mayor’s office was over the top. It was too much of a risk. I think you need to slow down and get a grip on what you’re actually doing here, before it’s too late.”

  “Mee-Maw, I don’t have time for a lecture. We need to get out of here before the security guard changes his mind.”

  “I’ll meet you at the cottage.”

  “Really, it’s late, you should go home.”

  “No, I’ll meet you at the cottage.” As Charlotte walked away Ally held her breath for a moment. It was fairly clear that her grandmother was upset. But so was she. In fact, she was a bit scared. She tried to steady her breath to remain calm. She needed to concentrate on the road. When she reached the cottage, her grandmother pulled in right behind her. Before she could get to the door Charlotte called out to her.

  “Ally wait. If you go inside you’re
going to get distracted by the animals.”

  “You’re right.” Ally leaned back against the door of her car. “We can talk here.”

  “Do you think you were on camera?”

  “I was careful to keep my head down. I know that much at least. Even if they think to look at the cameras, which they shouldn’t have a reason to unless the security guard doesn’t want his chocolate, they shouldn’t be able to see anything.”

  “Okay good.” She fluttered her hand against her chest. “Well, what’s done is done, so let’s try to focus on the good that might have come out of it.”

  “I think some did.”

  “So, what did you find?”

  “Look.” Ally flipped to the photograph on her phone. The moment she saw the picture her heart dropped. The glass with the identical pattern was there, but so was a clear image of her reflection. “It’s a water glass, but it has the same pattern as the champagne glass.”

  “That is the same pattern.” Charlotte narrowed her eyes. “But we can’t turn this into the police. If we do they’ll know that you broke into the mayor’s office. That would go very badly for you.”

  “I know.” Ally groaned and struck her forehead with the heel of her palm. “How could I be so stupid?”

  “You’re not stupid, Ally. Things happen. The important thing is that we know the glass most likely came from the mayor’s office.”

  “Or maybe the champagne glass is at home. If they’re part of a set he might keep the other ones at his home.”

  “Maybe. But the question is, how did it get to the country club? Did he bring it? Did someone else plant it?”

  “Good question.” Ally turned towards the kitchen door. “But I think they’re going to have to be addressed tomorrow. I am wiped out.”

  “I bet you are. The next time you think it’s a good idea to fall on your sword, just remember, I am tough, Ally, and judges go easier on little old ladies.”

  Ally rolled her eyes. “Let me know when you find a little old lady, and I’ll think about letting her take the rap.”

  “Okay, good point.” Charlotte grinned. “I have to admit, working with you on this is pretty thrilling, but this tonight, it was over the top.”

  “I hear you, Mee-Maw. I really do.”

  “I hope so.” Charlotte met her eyes. “Because there is no way you’re going to get away with breaking into the mayor’s home. Understand?”

  Ally nodded a little. “Not tonight.”

  “Not ever.” Charlotte pointed a finger towards her. “That is far too much of a risk.”

  Ally nodded again. “I’d better get inside. Do you want to spend the night?”

  “No, I think it’s best if I head home. With all of this adrenaline I might be up for a few more hours. Though, I’ll try to get some sleep since the memorial is tomorrow.”

  “Oh, that’s right.” Ally shook her head. “I’d almost forgotten.”

  “It’s important that we be there I think.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “I’ll meet you in the morning and we can go together?”

  “Yes.” Ally met her eyes as a pang of guilt coursed through her. “I’m sorry if I’ve stirred things up.”

  “I understand why you did.”

  “I’m sorry I scared you, Mee-Maw. Really, I am.” Ally wrapped her arms around her for a warm hug

  “It’s okay. I know just how brave you are. Let’s just take the time to think things through a little more from now on.” She kissed her cheek. “Get some rest, okay?”

  “I will.”

  Chapter Twelve

  As Ally disappeared through the door of the cottage Charlotte couldn’t help but wonder if she’d sneak out in the middle of the night and try to break into the mayor’s home. She trusted Ally without question, but she also knew how determined she was to find justice. The worry nagged her the entire drive home. By the time she settled in, she knew she had to make a choice. She pulled out her phone and skimmed through the contacts. Then she started to put her phone away, only to pull it back out again.

  Charlotte passed the phone back and forth and wondered if she should dial the number. As a rule she had stayed out of Ally’s big decisions in life. Even though she hadn’t liked the man she’d chosen to marry, she kept that to herself. She knew what it was like to be a young woman striking out on her own, and there was no reason not to trust Ally’s ability to make decisions for herself. Now, what she considered doing, seemed like a betrayal. However, there were some ways that she could not reach Ally. She would always see Charlotte more as a parent than a peer and as someone who gave advice more out of protectiveness than wisdom.

  After the risk Ally took by breaking into the mayor’s office, Charlotte was very concerned. What would Ally do next? The fact that she even mentioned breaking into the mayor’s home made Charlotte very uncomfortable. It was one thing to take a few risks while investigating a crime it was quite another to end up in jail for a very long time because of it. Ally couldn’t see past her need to find justice for Julia, to realize that she was risking too much. It was obvious to Charlotte that the conversation they had wasn’t enough to convince Ally either.

  Without many options left, Charlotte felt there was only one thing that she could do. She dialed the number and waited for the line to pick up. She paced back and forth with each ring that passed. Was it too late? Would he not pick up because it was her? At the last ring she almost hung up. She almost talked herself out of following through with the call. Before she could push the button, she heard his voice.

  “Charlotte, is everything okay?”

  “Luke, I’m so sorry to bother you.”

  “It’s no bother, though I’m guessing if you’re calling me, something must be up.”

  “It is, and it isn’t. I guess you’ve heard about the murder?”

  “I have, on the news. I thought Ally might call me about it but she hasn’t. I have been flat out, but I was going to call Ally tonight to check if everything was okay with you two because I know you were at the cocktail party when the deputy mayor was poisoned.”

  “As always Ally is trying to figure out who did it. From what we’ve found the evidence points to Mayor Malcolm, which of course makes it a bit tricky especially seeing as it’s such a high profile case.”

  “Wow, that’s complicated. Who has been dealing with it from the Freely police department?”

  “I’ve had contact with an Officer John Frank.”

  “Oh boy, he’s a transfer. Very by the book. I wouldn’t expect him to be very forthcoming with information.”

  “Yes, we’ve found that out.” She cringed and gripped the phone a little tighter. “I wouldn’t want you to be distracted, but the reason I’m calling is because I was hoping that you could talk to Ally for me.”

  “Okay,” Luke said hesitantly. “What do you want me to talk to her about?”

  “Well, we had a close encounter tonight.” Charlotte paused. She knew that she was taking a risk by providing Luke with the information, but she trusted him and needed his help. “She broke into the mayor’s office.”

  “What?” Luke’s voice raised so high that Charlotte pulled the phone away from her ear. “I hope that you’re joking.” He sighed.

  “No, I’m not. That’s why I’m calling. I’m worried about the risks she’s taking. I tried to talk to her about it, but she wouldn’t listen. I think that she’s determined to break into the mayor’s home, and I’m afraid that she’ll get arrested.”

  “If she gets arrested breaking into the mayor’s home she could be looking at serious prison time. I’ll call her right now.”

  “Wait, Luke?”

  “Yes?”

  “I really shouldn’t have called you about this. It’s just that I’m worried about her, and I think she might listen to you. So just keep in mind, she’s doing this for the right reasons.”

  “Don’t worry, Charlotte, I always keep that in mind. Ally has such a kind heart. Thank you for trusti
ng me enough to call me.”

  “You’re welcome. Good luck.” She hung up the phone with a sense of anxiety still brewing inside. Did she make the right choice by calling him? All she knew for sure was that she wanted to keep Ally safe. She just hoped that she hadn’t made a mistake and overstepped.

  As Charlotte curled up in bed she thought about her life with Ally. As fiercely as she loved Ally’s mother, her love for her granddaughter was just as strong. Without Ally’s mother to guide her, that responsibility fell on Charlotte’s shoulders, and she would never forgive herself if she failed at it. However, if calling Luke meant that Ally was safer in the long run, then it was worth it.

  ***

  As soon as Ally walked in the door, she heard the high pitched squeals. That was a familiar sound to her, but this time it was a little different.

  “Oh no, Arnold, what have you been up to?” As she took a step into the kitchen she realized immediately what the problem was. Pig feed crunched beneath her feet. She flicked the light on to discover that the entire kitchen floor was covered with it. The entire floor, except for the part that Arnold had his snout buried in.

  “Arnold! No!” Ally sighed as she realized the amount of walks he was going to need. “I guess it’s not really your fault, I’m the one who left the bag on the counter.” She picked up the remains of the bag and what food was left inside. Then she looked from the pig to the counter. “Except, pigs can’t reach that high.” She huffed. “Peaches!” A blur of fur blew by the kitchen door. Ally couldn’t help but laugh. Even though the kitchen was a mess, and Arnold’s stomach looked rounder than ever, she couldn’t be angry. She was late to feed them both, and Peaches had stepped in to save the day. She shooed Arnold away from the remaining food and set about sweeping it up. After she salvaged what she could, she turned her attention to Peaches. The cat was probably famished. She set out a larger bowl than normal. As soon as the bowl hit the floor Peaches bolted into the kitchen.