Gingerbread to Die For

by Valerie Tate

  That was a relief. She didn’t like to think what the mayor’s reaction would have been if he’d said no. “I’ll tell Saanvi and she can make the announcement from the mayor’s office. It will make the Dragon Lady happy that it can continue.”

  He heaved himself to his feet, seeming reluctant to leave the cosy kitchen. “We’re going to be working overtime on this. I can’t keep the crew here forever and it will be much more difficult to solve if they’re gone.”

  “I want it solved quickly, too,” Alicia agreed. “We have family coming for Christmas.” And she had a turkey to cook.

  Chapter 9

  The community centre was overwhelmed with visitors by noon the following day, ostensibly to view the gingerbread creations but Alicia was sure that a lot of the interest was due to the murder. She and Saanvi were there, riding herd on the crowds filing through the main entrance and guiding them to the rooms with the displays. The exhibition was open to visitors from noon to four on Friday, ten until four on Saturday and one to four on Sunday after which, with Samuel’s okay, all of the gingerbread would be removed and everyone would go home.

  Members of ‘The Fourth Estate’ were out in force as well, with both print and television reporters jostling for position at the road and stopping townsfolk to ask for the local viewpoint. Officers had been assigned to keep them off of the community centre grounds so the chaos was restricted to the end of the driveway. Once visitors had run the gauntlet there, things were relatively calm.

  In the rotunda and kitchen, the television show crews were hanging around, guarding their equipment. Marcus had been right. It was a perfect time to get more information out of them and so once Alicia had escorted visitors to the appropriate rooms, she casually approached Eric Braxton who was lounging on a chair in the rotunda, looking bored.

  His face brightened as she walked up. “Hi, Alicia, you here to mind the hoards of looky-loos?” A cameraman sniggered and then hurried to block a small child from climbing on a support. One of the people hired to stand guard moved in to help.

  Alicia curbed her irritation at the snide comment. She needed to stay on good terms with the director if she was going to get anything out of him, so she just smiled and said, “Yes, after the forced change of plan yesterday, the police said we could let people in today to view the gingerbread displays. We’ll be open tomorrow as well and then Sunday afternoon. Then everything goes home. Have you heard when you can pack up and leave?”

  “No, not that it matters at this point,” was his disgruntled reply.

  This could be promising. “Why is that?”

  “We were supposed to be doing another show next week,” he explained, “the last before Christmas, but now with Davina gone it’s off and we don’t know what’s happening with the rest of the shows that are booked.”

  Surprised, she asked, “How could the show go on without Davina?”

  Eric moved in closer and said quietly, “It’s a possibility they could continue with Magnus – The Divine Miss Dove Show Starring Magnus Wolff, that sort of thing. A lot will depend on who inherits. Davina owned the rights to Divine Miss Dove, as well as all of her Divine Dove bakeries and her line of kitchenware. If the heirs are willing for the show to continue using her name, then I can see the producers giving it a go, at least for the rest of the season. It’s a really popular show and with all of the publicity about her murder, the viewing public would tune in in droves. The ratings would be through the roof.” It was a cold, pragmatic expression of the bottom line in the television industry.

  There was something she hadn’t considered in what he’d said. “Who does inherit?”

  He flung his hands in the air. “I have no idea. She never married and, as far as I know, has no children. At least, she never mentioned any. Her parents are still alive so it may be them.”

  The will was something for Marcus to look into, Alicia thought. Money was always a motive for murder and there was a lot of it involved in The Divine Miss Dove franchise.

  “Even if it doesn’t happen,” Eric went on, “Magnus won’t have to worry. He’ll get his own show sooner or later. He’s very popular with the fans, especially the women, and the producers have taken notice. He’ll land on his feet, one way or another.”

  Was that bitterness she heard in his voice? Perhaps the director wasn’t as certain of his own future as he’d like people to believe.

  She said good-bye to Eric and wandered off, wondering about possible heirs. How old had Davina been? She’d looked young but that didn’t necessarily mean she was young. People in show business never liked to admit their real age. (Her own mother didn’t admit that, Alicia thought and grinned.) Had Davina been old enough to have a teen-aged child? Even a young adult? Something else for the police to find out. She’d make a list.

  Seeing Saanvi standing beside the Christmas tree, looking like a Christmas decoration herself in a bright, red suit, Alicia sauntered over to join her.

  “I saw you talking to Eric,” Saanvi whispered. “Did you learn anything new?”

  Alicia filled her in on what Eric had said about the future of the show and her thoughts about an heir.

  “I heard some of the camera crew talking,” Saanvi said excitedly, happy to have something to contribute. “They think the show will be on hiatus until a decision is made about cancellation. Most of them said if that happens, they will start looking for a new show.”

  Looking thoughtful, Alicia said, “I don’t suppose there’s a lot of job security in television, which is why they put up with Davina. Eric said it was a popular show. Would anyone on the crew be likely to kill off the star?” she mused, glancing unobtrusively at Eric Braxton and the cameramen.

  “Not unless they had somewhere else to go already lined up,” Saanvi said, a little flippantly.

  Alicia looked at her friend in awe. “That’s brilliant, Saanvi!”

  Saanvi looked confused, having no idea what she had said that was brilliant.

  Seeing her confusion, Alicia explained, “We need to find out if anyone on the crew already has a new job lined up. They wouldn’t have to worry that Davina’s death would end the show and put them out of work.”

  Saanvi giggled and said, “That is a good idea I had!”

  Glancing unobtrusively around the room, Alicia said, “I see Fiona James over there. I think I’ll sashay over and have a chat with her. The way Davina treated her, she’s at the top of my list of suspects.”

  Not that she should have a list of suspects, she reminded herself. She was just supposed to find out everything she could about Davina and the crew. That was what Marcus Samuel had told her. A big smile lit up her face. Silly man!

  Before she could carry out her plan of talking with Fiona, however, there was a disturbance in the hall and when she and Saanvi rushed to find out what was happening, they saw Marcus Samuel and two OPP officers walking towards the kitchen door. A lot of muttering and demands of “What’s going on?” followed in their wake.

  Alicia and Saanvi pushed their way through the crowd, arriving at the kitchen door in time to hear Marcus ask Magnus Wolff to accompany them to the station to answer some questions. Alicia gasped as the chef was led away.

  Running up to Samuel, she asked, “Is Magnus under arrest?”

  Samuel stopped walking long enough to say, “No, we just want him to answer some more questions.” He paused before continuing softly, “Witnesses have told us that he and Davina had a blazing row just before the show on Wednesday and he has no alibi for the time frame the medical examiner has given us for the murder.”

  He walked away, leaving a stunned Alicia wondering where that left her, investigation-wise. He hadn’t told her to stop asking questions. And he did say Magus wasn’t under arrest. So she’d continue. She would probably continue even if he told her to stop. Actually, she would definitely continue even if told to stop. She always had in the past. Why should now be any different?

  Walking back into the rotunda, she saw Fiona James standing rat
her aimlessly in the centre of the room, a shocked look on her face, and thought that it would be a perfect time to question her. With the distress of seeing Magnus taken away by the police, she might let her guard down.

  Alicia walked over to the obviously shaken woman and said casually, “Hi, Fiona.”

  Davina’s assistant looked at her blankly for a moment, lost in her own thoughts. Blinking rapidly to regain focus, she replied, “Hello, Alicia.”

  “That was pretty upsetting,” Alicia said sympathetically.

  Fiona shuddered and agreed, “It was. I can’t believe Magnus had anything to do with Davina’s murder. He’s such a great guy.” She took a deep breath and stood taller, pulling herself together. “I saw you talking to the inspector. Did he say why they took Magnus in?”

  Alicia quickly contemplated investigative discretion but she couldn’t think of any reason not to tell Fiona what Marcus had told her. “He said it was just for more questioning. It seems Magnus was heard having a loud argument with Davina before the show started on Wednesday.”

  Fiona nodded but didn’t seem surprised. “Yes, we all heard them yelling although I couldn’t actually hear what it was about. Davina had been really out of sorts lately and it didn’t take much to set her off. Magnus isn’t one to take a lot of crap or back down so when they went at it… well, you get the picture.” Fiona paused and then looked pointedly at Alicia. “You must have seen what she was like.”

  Alicia rolled her eyes. She had indeed. “Did they fight often?” she asked, still a little shocked at what went on behind the scenes.

  Fiona merely shrugged. “You know chefs, big egos.”

  That was certainly true, Alicia thought. “It can’t have helped that she beat him on Mighty Chef.” Which was another thing that wouldn’t look good to the police.

  “No, but he’s come to terms with that, I think.” Fiona shrugged again and then explained, “They all go into those shows knowing that there can only be one winner but they get a lot of exposure and coming second was still good. It got him the job on this show and, with his looks and personality, he’ll get his own eventually. The fans love him, especially the women.”

  “I can certainly see why.” Could she ever! She gave herself a mental slap and changed the subject. “Someone told me that Davina was upset because The Devine Miss Dove’s episode schedule had been leaked to another show.”

  Fiona looked over her shoulder before replying somewhat furtively, “Yes, she was furious about it. She accused everyone.”

  Alicia noticed that Fiona hadn’t admitted that she had been accused, as well.

  “How did they react to her accusations?”

  “They were resentful but the show is… was popular and so they all just denied it and left it at that. We tried to find out who it was but we weren’t successful.

  “I don’t believe Magnus did this, if for no other reason than that he knows what’s at stake with the show. Davina was the Golden Goose. No one on the show would want to see her dead, however cranky she might be.”

  “And yet, someone did. Perhaps Magnus will become the new star of the show,” Alicia suggested, remembering Eric’s comment.

  Looking startled, Fiona said, “No one has said anything about that yet. We’ll just have to wait and see. All I know is, I’m out of a job.”

  Surprised, Alicia said, “They won’t keep you on if the show continues?”

  “I’m not employed by the show. I was employed by Davina personally. So that means I didn’t have a motive to kill her, either,” she added and then turned on her heel and quickly left the building.

  “Well, that was interesting,” Alicia muttered, watching her leave.

  “What was interesting?” a voice she knew well asked behind her.

  Turning she said, “Hi, Mom.”

  “Hello, dear. What was interesting?”

  There was no way she could avoid the question. Her mother was like a terrier on a rat when she wanted to know something.

  “Fiona James, Davina Dove’s Personal Assistant. She was filling me in on some things about the show.”

  If she’d hoped that a vague reply would satisfy her mother, she was bound for disappointment.

  “I knew it!” Alice crowed. “You’re investigating the murder! I told your father you wouldn’t be able to resist, not now when you’re right in the midst of it.”

  Giving up, Alicia admitted, “Yes, well, the mayor asked Chris and I to look into it and then Marcus Samuel asked for my help.”

  “Marcus Samuel asked you to help?” Alice’s voice rose in a high-pitched squeak. Alicia shushed her, looking around nervously to see if anyone had heard but no one was paying any attention. Alice went on more quietly, “I didn’t think it was cold enough for that.”

  “Cold enough for what?” Alicia asked, confused.

  “For hell to freeze over,” Alice replied and then snickered.

  “Very funny. But you’re right, it came as a big surprise to me and Chris wasn’t happy about it. We had agreed to stay out of it.”

  “But you couldn’t resist, could you.” Her mother knew her too well.

  “Not with the mayor breathing down my neck. Besides…” How could she ask this without alarming her mother? “Did the police question you?”

  “They questioned everyone involved with the competition,” her mother said dismissively.

  “Yes, but did they make a big deal of the fact that it was one of your cookies in her mouth?”

  “No, why?” Alice’s eyes grew wide and she dropped her voice to a whisper. “Do you think I might be a suspect?”

  Reluctantly, Alicia nodded. “The mayor suggested it might be a possibility.”

  “Well, that’s ridiculous!” Alice said scornfully. “The cookies were out in full view on the front table and Miss Dove even took one to eat later. She wrapped it in a tissue and put it in her pocket. Told me it was our little secret.” Her eyes started to tear up and she dabbed at them with a tissue she pulled from her pants pocket.

  It was a lightbulb moment for her daughter. “So that’s how the killer got it,” Alicia said to herself. “Did you tell the police that?”

  “Of course I did.” Alice was getting irritated. Her face was beginning to take on the ‘Ice Queen’ look so Alicia hurried on.

  “And they didn’t think anything of that?’

  “If they did, they didn’t tell me.”

  “That’s a relief!” Alicia took a deep breath and felt the tension flow out of her body.

  Her mom was right. It was ridiculous that she would be a suspect because of the cookie. The Dragon Lady had played on her fears for her mother to get what she wanted. Alicia would have been furious if it weren’t for one thing. It was what she had secretly wanted as soon as she heard about the murder. Chris was right. She was incorrigible. And now that she no longer had a personal stake in the investigation, it could become a purely intellectual exercise.

  Eyeing her daughter thoughtfully, Alice went on, “You know, your father and I are available to help in any way we can.” Alicia knew. Her mother loved sleuthing almost as much as she did and she had a remarkable way of getting information out of people that was quite impressive to watch.

  “I’ll call you,” Alicia assured her.

  The exhibition closed at four o’clock and all of the exhibitors and show crews were relieved to be able to head home. Chris had dropped in just before four to view the baking and congratulate his mother-in-law. Alicia had given him a quick tour before he left for home.

  As she drove out of the parking lot, Alicia noticed one car still there. Magnus Wolff hadn’t returned to the community centre that afternoon. If that was his car, it was not a good sign.

  Chapter 10

  It was after dinner when there was a knock at the door. Alicia got up from the floor in front of the fire where she had been wrapping Christmas presents and went to answer. Both dogs were barking frantically, trying to outdo each other in the home protection department. Alicia shooe
d them into the study on the other side of the hall and shut them in before opening the door.

  On the front verandah, in a swirl of snowflakes and the warm glow of the coach lights, stood what appeared to be a golden apparition. At least, the long, wavy locks were golden. Magnus Wolff.

  Chris came up behind her in time to hear her swift intake of breath at the sight.

  “Can we help you?” he asked, his tone a little frosty.

  “Chris, this is Magnus Wolff, from the show. Magnus, this is my husband, Chris.”

  The two men gingerly shook hands, each looking a little wary, and then Alicia invited the chef in.

  “I’m sorry to trouble you at this hour but the police just released me,” Magnus said, sounding exhausted.

  “It’s no trouble. Please take off your coat and come into the living room. Chris has just made a pot of coffee. Would you like a mug?”

  “Thanks, that would be great.”

  Magnus followed Alicia into the living room where she quickly put away the gift wrapping and offered him a seat in a chair by the fire. She was glad she had put the murder board in the conservatory. It wasn’t something she wanted him to see, with his name on the list of suspects.

  The room was warm and inviting, aglow with lights from the Christmas tree and the garland on the mantle. Magnus gave a sigh as he accepted a mug of coffee from Chris.

  He took a sip before saying, “With everything that has gone on, I’d forgotten it’s almost Christmas. Your house is beautiful. I love all of the decorations and the lights around the verandah outside. It’s very homey.”

  “Thank you, we love it.” Alicia picked up her coffee from the table and joined Chris on the sofa.

  “So, what can we do for you,” Chris asked, somewhat abruptly Alicia thought.

  “As I said, the police just released me. I’ve been questioned for hours about Davina’s death.” He leaned forward in the chair, clutching the mug. “They think that I had something to do with it, but I didn’t.” His conviction, not to mention his big blue eyes, was compelling.