Gingerbread to Die For

by Valerie Tate

  “Betty, it’s lovely to see you again,” Davina cooed. She positively oozed charm on camera. “I did so enjoy visiting your bake shop, Betty’s Baked Goods, when I arrived in town.”

  Betty beamed. Not only had Davina remembered her name, she had also mentioned the name of her bakery, on camera!

  “I was thrilled to have you there,” Betty gushed.

  “Now, I see that you have not only made cookies but you have turned them into decorations for your Christmas tree. I always think that is such a lovely, personal touch. And they are beautifully decorated but, of course, you are a professional baker so I would expect nothing less.” Her tone had abruptly changed from the kindly one she’d used with the amateurs. “So let’s see what we have here.”

  Davina chose one of the cookies that was shaped like a reindeer and took a bite. She chewed thoughtfully and then turned to face the camera. Holding the cookie in two hands she broke it in two. There was an audible snap.

  “Unfortunately, Betty has made a very amateurish mistake with her cookies.”

  There was a hiss of intake of breath from Betty and her face went pale. The other competitors all stood up a little straighter. Some looked at Betty with pity in their eyes, others with a malicious smirk on their faces.

  Davina went on relentlessly. “Her cookies are lovely to look at but in making them as decorations they have become hard and brittle. The local dentist is the only one who will benefit from these cookies.” She stopped and smiled encouragingly at the humiliated Betty. “The flavour is fine, though, and since you are a professional, I’m sure that you can improve the texture.”

  With that final knife to the heart, Davina turned and walked away.

  Betty collapsed onto her chair, but not before casting a look at Davina’s retreating back that gave Alicia a chill. She wouldn’t want anyone looking at her like that. She noticed that the camera was still on Betty. If this is what Eric Braxton considered to be ‘exciting television’, she thought, they should plan on getting Davina Dove a body guard.

  The judging of the gingerbread cakes went by without a repeat of ‘the Betty incident’, as Saanvi kept calling it, and then it was time for the gingerbread houses. Alicia was more nervous about this than ever and hoped that word of what had happened with the cookies hadn’t reached her mom. One look at the grim expression on her mother’s face told her it had. Seeing her daughter enter the rotunda behind Davina and the crew, Alice smiled briefly and then concentrated on what the judge was saying about the other entries.

  It was the kindly, encouraging Davina who admired each gingerbread structure, from the small, jewel-like ‘Hansel and Gretel’s Cottage’ to the more ambitious ‘Santa’s Workshop’, complete with its sleigh and reindeer. Each of the bakers had included something in cookie form for the judge to try so as not to ruin the edifices before the public was allowed in to view them. Davina was extremely complimentary on texture and flavour and commented on the high degree of baking skill that she was seeing.

  But when she got to Alice’s house her eyes grew wide and, for a moment, the professional television host façade slipped and she said quite earnestly, “This is utterly amazing!” Then she remembered herself and went on smoothly, “I am very impressed with the level of skill this displays. Your seams are flawless and your piping is as well. Creating the curve of the bay windows is particularly difficult and you have done it extremely skillfully. I love the windows. That is excellent sugar work and the jelly tiles are very effective.”

  Then she noticed the nest of doves. “These doves are lovely,” she proclaimed almost tearfully, clutching her chest. “I am deeply honoured.”

  She’s good, Alicia thought. There won’t be a dry eye in the house when this airs.

  “Now, I have to try one of these but I have no doubt it will be delicious.”

  She picked a dove from the nest and took a bite… and then another, finishing the cookie. And then, to everyone’s shock and amazement, she helped herself to another. “This is excellent gingerbread,” she declared and then took another bite. “In fact, it’s the best gingerbread I’ve ever eaten and I always thought mine was the best. If it’s not a secret, you’ll have to give me the recipe.”

  If Alice hadn’t had a will of iron, she would have collapsed on her chair. But that was not her way. She smiled and thanked Davina and then smiled again into the camera, her beautiful face and big blue eyes radiating happiness. When Davina and the camera moved on to the next contestant, Alice reminded herself that she was going to be gracious in victory. She wouldn’t gloat, at least not here. That could wait until she and James got home. She restricted herself to a little, happy grin and wave at Alicia who was standing by the door, beaming with pride.

  The results of the competition wouldn’t be announced until the end of Davina’s show that evening and so, once the judging was complete, the competitors left and Davina and the crew moved on to preparing for the live show. Since Saanvi and Alicia’s only part in that would be as trouble-shooters, Alicia took time to go home and let the dogs out and check on the horses.

  She also took the time to change clothes for the live show and, remembering Saanvi’s stylish and attractive wardrobe, she was determined to look her best. She chose a turquoise dress with a fitted bodice, narrow skirt and long sleeves that she had bought on impulse one day because the sales clerk had said it matched her eyes. It had never been worn, her lifestyle rarely requiring that level of sophistication. But now, with a pair of black, leather ankle boots it seemed just right. Finally. she added her full complement of make-up: eye shadow, mascara, blush and lipstick. When she looked in the mirror, she was pleased with what she saw. Even the Dragon Lady wouldn’t be able to find fault with her today.

  Since neither she nor Saanvi had had a bite to eat since breakfast, on the way back to the community centre she stopped at The Coffee Bean and picked up sandwiches and coffee to go. Derek, the young owner, whistled appreciatively when she walked in. She decided she needed to dress up more often.

  Sipping her coffee as she walked back to her truck, she thought how happy she would be when the day was done. The mayor would be there for the big announcement later and Alicia wasn’t looking forward to her gloating at the success of the event.

  Because no one was to be allowed to enter the building once the show had started, the competitors were all back at their stations when she arrived at the community centre, waiting for the big announcement. To reduce the congestion in the rotunda for the filming, no one but the contestants was permitted, so James and Chris would be watching the show on television that evening.

  Alicia popped her head into the rotunda and waved at her mom who was chatting with the woman beside her and then she and Saanvi found a quiet spot to quickly eat their sandwiches. No one but the crew was supposed to be in the kitchen to watch the taping of the show, but Davina had invited Saanvi and Alicia to be there as a thank you for organizing the event. There was a time when Alicia would have been beside herself with excitement at that but, after several days of exposure to the Divine Miss Dove, her eyes were opened. What she had thought was fourteen carat gold had turned out to be merely gold plate and the gilt was wearing thin. Still, watching a live television show would be an experience and so she followed Saanvi into the kitchen and stood as inconspicuously as possible at the back of the room, away from the action.

  Once the cameras started rolling, Davina greeted her audience and told them that this was to be a special show. She explained about the competition and coming to town to be the judge. Footage of her walking along the main street and visiting with the merchants was shown. Alicia was pleased to see that Dunbarton looked fabulous and she had to admit that Davina did, too. When they cut back to Davina, she told the audience that the winners of the competition were waiting in the next room to hear the results but, before that happened, she was going to demonstrate how to make gingerbread cookies that would ‘look marvelous and taste divine’.

  And thirty minutes later they did
. Davina had created the dough, rolled it out and cut out various Christmas-themed shapes which she then put in the oven to bake. To save time, trays of cookies that had been baked earlier and allowed to cool were then brought out to be iced and decorated. The results were perfect. Davina tasted one cookie and pronounced it, “To die for!”

  While the recipe was shown on the screen, the kitchen staff quickly piled the cookies onto a platter and removed the trays and equipment. They were remarkably fast, working with silent precision. When the camera was back on Davina, she had removed her white chef’s coat and declared it time to announce the winners of the Dunbarton Gingerbread Competition.

  At that point, while the crew hurried to set up in the rotunda, film from the judging was played showing various entries with Davina’s comments. Watching on a monitor, Alicia cringed when ‘the Betty incident’ was shown but was thrilled when her mother’s segment came up. The camera loved Alice with her flawless complexion, blond curls and big blue eyes. And her Dunbar House gingerbread creation looked amazing, too.

  All of the competitors were waiting in the rotunda for the announcement of the winners. When their names were called, they would take their entry and place it on the long table in front of the Christmas tree. The signs for first, second and third in the three divisions were already there.

  The big moment finally arrived. The cameras came to life and Davina introduced Marion Wright who made a grand entrance, radiating self-confidence (and self-satisfaction) in her role as mayor. The two women exchanged mutually congratulatory comments about the town, the show, the competition and the beautiful decorations before getting down to what everyone else was waiting impatiently to hear – who won the competition.

  The cakes and cookies were announced first and the winners twittered excitedly as they heard their names and carried their baked goods to the front where they received their cheques. Betty Campbell looked on grimly as the winner of the cookie competition hoisted her ‘First Place’ glass plate and smiled exultantly for the camera.

  Just when Alicia thought she couldn’t stand the suspense much longer, Davina said it was time to announce the winners of the gingerbread house competition.

  Fingers crossed and breath held, Alicia heard, “In third place, Tracy Benton’s ‘Hansel and Gretel’s Cottage’!”

  There was a lot of sincere applause as an ecstatic Tracy carried her cottage to the front and accepted her prize from the mayor.

  “In second place, Amy Andrews’ ‘Santa’s Workshop’!”

  Alicia heaved a sigh of relief. That was the one gingerbread creation she thought might have had a chance to beat her mother’s.

  “And finally, in first place and no surprise, Alice Dunbar’s ‘Victorian Mansion’!

  Alicia whooped with glee and clapped with abandon as her mother carefully carried her winning creation and put it in the place of honour in the centre of the table. She smiled radiantly at the camera and shook hands with Davina and Mayor Wright. Alicia captured the moment of triumph with her phone and quickly sent the photos to her dad and Chris who were watching the show at home. Seeing that look on her mom’s face made all of the work of the past two and a half weeks worthwhile.

  And then it was over. Davina signed off, promising her audience new thrills the following week. The director said “Cut!” and everyone heaved a sigh of relief.

  “Good show everyone,” Eric called out.

  Davina glared at him and said tersely, “We’ll discuss the show first thing in the morning, Eric. Fiona, I want to speak with you.”

  Fiona and Eric glanced at each other, then Eric turned away and Fiona followed Davina outside.

  Feeling the chill in the air, everyone quickly dispersed, the competitors to their homes and the crew to do their final jobs. The equipment would be packed up the next morning and the Divine Miss Dove would head home. Alicia couldn’t wait.

  “Now we can get back to the really important business of getting ready for Christmas,” she said happily, to which Saanvi whole-heartedly agreed.

  ******

  The phone rang the next morning just as Alicia was hurrying back from the barn. She considered not answering. Her breakfast was waiting and she was starving, but then she saw it was Saanvi.

  “Hi, Saanvi, what’s up?”

  “Alicia, the mayor wants to see you and Chris in her office, a.s.a.p.”

  Not again! What did she want now? “Why? I’ll be in to help supervise the public viewing at the community centre after breakfast. Can’t it wait until then? And why does she want to see Chris?”

  Saanvi’s voice quivered as she struggled to reply. “A body was found this morning, in the big, wooden gingerbread house. It’s Davina Dove. She was bashed on the head and one of your mom’s dove cookies was stuffed in her mouth.”

  “We’ll be right there.”

  Chapter 7

  As it turned out, it was just Alicia who went to meet Saanvi at the mayor’s office. Chris had an early appointment with a client. His last words were ringing in her ears. “Just say no!”

  She arrived a little later than planned, even though she had eaten her breakfast in the car, because she had made a detour past the community centre to have a quick look at the crime scene.

  The life-sized gingerbread house had been covered by a large, white tent and police tape enclosed it as well as the entrance to the building. The parking lot was full of police vehicles, and officers and forensics technicians were scurrying around hunting for evidence. As early as it was, Alicia had seen Tim Kane, the scurrilous owner, editor and chief reporter from the Dunbarton Times, standing at a distance, taking notes. He had noticed her stopped by the curb and raised a hand in mock salute which she had taken as her cue to drive on. The man gave pond scum a bad name.

  Saanvi sighed with relief as Alicia came down the hall. “Thank goodness you’re here. The mayor is beside herself.” She looked behind Alicia. Seeing no one, her face fell. “Where is Chris? Is he parking the truck?” she asked hopefully.

  “No, he can’t be here. He has an appointment,” Alicia explained. “But I can tell you that he doesn’t want us to get involved in this.”

  Saanvi’s eyes took on her ‘deer in headlights’ look. “Oh, that’s bad. She really wants you two to investigate this. And you know what she’s like when she doesn’t get what she wants.”

  Alicia did, from past experience. “A two-year old in a temper tantrum,” she acknowledged.

  Before Saanvi could reply, the door to the mayor’s office opened and she came out, looking like a storm cloud. “Why are you talking out here? We need to get working on this as fast as possible.”

  “I was just filling Alicia in on what we know,” Saanvi hastened to explain.

  “What is there to explain? A television celebrity has been murdered in Dunbarton. It’s a public relations nightmare! Now come in.”

  Mayor Wright waved them in and pointed to the two chairs in front of her desk. They sat obediently, like errant schoolgirls summoned to the principal’s office.

  “Well this is a fine mess,” she said, looking from one to the other accusingly. “What are you going to do about it?”

  What are we going to do about it? Alicia took a deep breath. “The police are investigating,” she pointed out.

  The mayor flicked her hand and made a noise that sounded like “Phfft!”.

  “We need this cleared up quickly, before Dunbarton gets labelled ‘The Murder Capital of Canada’. I want you to look into it, Alicia, you and your husband.” She stopped and looked around, noticing Chris’ absence for the first time. “Where is your husband? I asked for him to be here as well.”

  Hearing the imperious tone, Alicia dug her nails into the arm of her chair.

  Taking a deep breath, with as much self-control as she could muster, she said slowly and precisely, “He was unable to be here. He had a previous engagement at his law firm which he couldn’t cancel at a moment’s notice.” Her self-control couldn’t keep a certain huffiness from cree
ping in at the end.

  The Dragon Lady glared at Alicia, looking like she wanted to be able to breathe fire. The two women stared fixedly into each other’s eyes for a moment before the mayor capitulated saying, “Hmph. Well you’ll have to fill him in later. As I was saying, you two seem to have a knack for solving murders and this one needs to get solved a.s.a.p. Saanvi can help you,” she added, giving the deputy mayor a look that dared her to protest. Saanvi didn’t dare. She just nodded in meek agreement.

  When Alicia looked like she might refuse, the mayor added the clincher, “It was your mother’s cookie that was stuffed in the victim’s mouth. That will make her a suspect in the police’s eyes.”

  Shocked, Alicia’s strict control crumbled. “My mom won! What reason would she have to want Davina Dove dead? The cookies were with her gingerbread house. Anyone could have taken one.”

  The mayor sniffed and said dismissively, “Tell that to the police.”

  As much as Alicia hated to admit it, the Dragon Lady could be right.

  “All right, I’ll do it,” she said reluctantly.

  And she hated to think what Chris would say when he found out.

  ******

  Heading home, Alicia decided she might as well get started looking into things so she took another detour to the community centre to get a closer look at the crime scene. She had to park down the road because it seemed that half of the town had the same idea. Social media being what it is, word had spread and the press was out in force, as well. Television crews and reporters jammed the end of the driveway and it was taking a small army of police to keep them away from the crime scene. Seeing Inspector Marcus Samuel of the Ontario Provincial Police talking to one of the forensics techs, she was happy for the camouflage.