Flag Cake Felonies (MURDER IN THE MIX Book 23)

by Addison Moore

  Good thinking. And it sounds like she had a good mama, too.

  “Are you a big reader?” I post the question his way.

  “I am. Thrillers mostly. My ex was a writer. Maybe you’ve heard of her. Ambrosia Whispers?”

  Both Bizzy and I feign surprise.

  She leans in. “How can we not have heard of her. I guess you know what happened to her that night.”

  He gives a slow blink.

  “I sure do.” He stares off at the wall a moment and Bizzy gasps as if she just pulled a juicy tidbit right out of his brain.

  Ha!

  I hope we got ’em.

  “It’s terrible what happened.” He sags a moment as if he were genuinely grieving. “What can I get you ladies to drink?”

  We both quickly order tonic water with a twist of lime and he gets right to work.

  “So what do you think happened?” I ask. “I mean, the sheriff’s department hasn’t made any big announcements. I guess that means the killer is still out there roaming free.”

  Henry nods as he glides the drinks our way.

  “Valerie—that was her real name—she was a hothead, that’s for sure,” he says. “Not that I didn’t give her anything to be hotheaded about, but she had a strange way of bringing misery upon herself no matter how terribly she was wronged.”

  Bingo grunts, “Is he blaming my Val for the way he cheated on her? Is this a man or a pig? Don’t answer that. Some of my best friends are pigs.”

  Bizzy sits up. “You were in a relationship with Ambrosia Whispers?” She pretends to be starstruck, and for a second, even I believe it.

  “Yup.” Our bearded friend is right back to grinning. “It was bliss in the beginning. In fact, the first four books in the Destined to Sin series she said were about me. Those were the good old days.” He gives a wishful shake of the head. “But Val had a dark side. She liked things to go her way, and when they didn’t, she made sure you knew about it. She was a bit anal about keeping her place tidy. Everything in its place and a place for everything kind of stuff. I guess you could say I’m quite the opposite.”

  I nod his way. “So the two of you clashed over the little stuff. I get it.”

  I don’t, but I can see it happening.

  “You could say that.” His eyes widen a moment. “I tried to stomach it at first.” He winces as he leans our way. “If I tell you the truth, do you promise not to hold it against me?”

  He’s so friendly and likable I don’t see how we can. Except if he confesses to actually doing the deadly deed. No pass on murder one, my friend.

  “You bet.” Bizzy toasts him with her drink, and I do the same.

  He shrugs again. “To be honest, I probably should have left the relationship long before it ended. But I’ll admit, I liked having a famous girlfriend. Heck, my own mother was a huge fan of Val’s work. Anyway, after weeks of being subjected to far more verbal abuse than any man should have to deal with, I started talking to a girl here at the bar. One thing led to the next, and let’s just say things got wildly out of control.”

  My lips part at the revelation. “Did Ambrosia find out about the other woman?”

  He makes a face. “In grand fashion.” He lands his elbows on the bar and leans in as far as he can. “Mel, the new girl, started sending me pictures of herself partially clothed, and nude”—he shrugs again—“she left them on my phone, and it turns out my phone is linked to my tablet. Val never checked my phone for spying purposes. She couldn’t. I have a password on it. But my tablet, well, I guess you could say that’s where I dropped the ball. When the entire nightmare shook out, Val told me she was reading next to my tablet and a racy picture popped up on the screen. And, seeing that merely breaking up with me would have been too much of an easy option for her, she went low. She took screenshots of every single exchange Mel and I had. I won’t lie, we said some pretty raunchy things to one another and made good on those promises later. Valerie somehow managed to keep quiet about her newfound knowledge for about two weeks, silently collecting more screenshots for her big reveal. It was my father’s eightieth birthday, and all of my siblings and their spouses got together at my parents’ place out in Fallbrook for the big celebration. Val waited until most of the relatives went home, but my siblings were still present before she sent each one of my brothers and sister, including my parents, every single screenshot. My poor dad almost had a heart attack. My mother gave me a good beating with a broom right in front of Val. I suppose that made Val feel good. My mom also made me apologize to her, which I did. My siblings weren’t so amused. My sister hated my actions but disliked Val’s timing even more. One of my brothers called her a tacky witch for pulling that off at my father’s birthday party.”

  “Were you angry?” Bizzy asks with a touch of innocence to her question. No judgment in her tone whatsoever.

  Henry closes his eyes a moment. “What she did to me was unforgiveable. My dad died last year and my mother a few weeks back. All I ever was to them after the incident was the loser son with the crazy ex-girlfriend. I won’t lie. I haven’t exactly shed a tear now that Val herself is gone. She had a special way of infuriating people. I guess you could say she liked to get creative.”

  “I’ll say.” I shudder. “I’m sorry. I mean, I get why she did it. You were cheating on her. But dragging your parents into it was pretty low.”

  Bingo moans. “I don’t blame her. She was caught up in the moment. I’ve been so angry I could charge a crowd. But I’ve learned to count to ten and find something good to eat before reacting, and it’s saved dozens of people from being maimed.” Her nose ticks up and down. “Do I smell sweet cherries?” She walks right through the bar and begins munching on the tiny red globes in the bin behind Henry.

  Bizzy’s eyes grow large as she watches the condiments slowly disappear.

  “I’m sorry about that mess,” I say to him. “We really didn’t know too much about her.”

  Bizzy nods. “Except that weird rumor we heard. Something about her stealing the plotline from another author.”

  Henry pinches his brows together. “Jackie Hart. Her good friend. And the rumors are true. Believe me, I was there the day she came home from having coffee with the woman. Val had a vindictive gleam in her eye that couldn’t be denied. She said Jackie just gave her the best idea yet and she was running with it. Apparently, Jackie made a quip about her writing style not being consistent. Val’s output was noteworthy. She put out several books at once and it aroused Jackie’s suspicion. She had the nerve to ask if Val hired a ghostwriter. Jackie didn’t think something was right, and Val didn’t take too kindly to the accusations. Stealing that plotline was her way of telling Jackie to back off.”

  Bizzy and I exchange a glance.

  Bizzy hooks her gaze to his. “Henry, do you think Jackie could have done this to Val?”

  He cringes. “I don’t think so. Jackie Leoni, that’s her real name, she’s more of a lover than a fighter.”

  I’ll say. Page thirty-three corroborates his claim.

  He shakes his head. “I’m shocked the sheriff’s department hasn’t arrested Tallulah yet.”

  I blink back. “Tallulah Velvet?”

  He nods. “That woman has a temper ten times the one Val had.” He flicks his wrist as if to annunciate the fact.

  “What kind of beef did Tallulah have with Val?”

  Henry’s lips twitch. “Let’s just say earlier that night, on the Fourth, Tallulah’s ex, Ronald Stigman, proposed to his new girlfriend, and she said yes.” He ticks his head to the side. “I don’t remember the details, but it was Val who cost Tallulah that relationship and they drew enemy lines shortly thereafter. Tallulah vowed revenge. Val said to me one day that Tallulah Velvet was the only person she regretted messing with. She thought about getting a restraining order because the harassment was so bad at one point. But things simmered. And Val waited for Tallulah’s next move. A part of me wonders if that knife in the back was it. That was Tallulah’s go-to phrase.
She always did say that Val stuck a knife in her back. Maybe this was her way of repaying the favor?”

  A couple of customers at the other end of the bar garner his attention and he nods before taking off.

  “Bizzy”—I whisper—“he certainly gave us a lot to think about. Was there anything noteworthy going on in his mind?”

  “Not really. He was pretty forthright.”

  Bingo turns around, her nose pink from her cherry binge.

  “I think he could have been moved to kill her. But I don’t think he did it.” The surly swine lets out a belch. “But this Tallulah person, she might be the killer indeed.”

  Bizzy and I nod to one another.

  And as soon as we track down Tallulah, we’ll try to determine just that.

  Chapter 10

  After a long day Bizzy, Carlotta, Georgie, and I head back to Honey Hollow. Jasper picks Bizzy up and they take off for a romantic dinner at one of the lakeside restaurants. Carlotta takes Georgie out to dinner with her and Mayor Nash. It’s nice to see he’s still in the picture. I’m not hung up on that whole they’re-my-biological-parents-I-want-them-together thing, but I think they’re a decent pairing. Evie is off to a movie with friends, and just as I’m about to entertain the idea of slinking off to Everett’s hot tub to sneak in some R&R, Noah sends a group message to both Everett and me, inviting us to Mangias for dinner to discuss the case.

  Everett responds that he’ll meet us there if I’m up for it and I quickly agree as well. It looks as if my nice night of R&R has quickly morphed into playing the part of referee between the two great loves of my life.

  And if I’m honest, for reasons unknown to me, I miss them both. Yes, I saw them just last night, but they weren’t exactly in top form. I miss the three of us actually getting along. I knew things would be different now that I’m with Everett, but I had no idea it would feel as if my world had turned upside down.

  Here’s hoping an extra-large pizza from Mangias can help right all the wrongs.

  Mangias is located right across the street from the Cutie Pie Bakery and Cakery, so I park right in front of my bake shop and pause to peer inside. It’s closed at the moment. The twinkle lights from that behemoth resin oak tree that expands its branches into my shop are the only thing giving it life at the moment. This bakery was my dream for so long, and now I have it. Maybe once you achieve one dream in your life it’s time to reach for another?

  Both Lainey and Keelie are moving on with the next phase of their lives.

  Should I be doing the same?

  I mean, technically, I’m married. But what about children? Of course, I want them. I’ve always envisioned myself as being a mother one day. My own mother was a loving example of how to raise and nurture a family. But I won’t be able to have kids forever. I really need to get my procreating act together. I need to get my heart together.

  A part of me wishes I had met either just Noah or Everett and not both on the very same day. Life just seems so much more complicated when you have two men that you’re hopelessly in love with.

  I just wish I had a sign as to what I should really be doing and with whom.

  A burst of pink light erupts in the bakery and a tiny tot of a piglet materializes as Bingo appears before me.

  “Lottie Lemon,” she oinks my name out. “I do believe all the world’s problems can be solved by eating dessert.” She moseys her way to the bakery shelves, and in less than five seconds half of one shelf quickly disappears.

  Maybe so. But right now, it’s time for pizza. I give Bingo a friendly wave before heading across the street. I’ll clean up the mess she leaves behind in the morning.

  Inside the Italian eatery, I find both Noah and Everett already seated at a table near the window and the two of them stand up like true gentlemen once they see me.

  “Save it.” I pull each one in for a hug in turn. They both look devastatingly handsome. A table full of women nearby keeps stealing glances in this direction and a few of them look genuinely disappointed that I’ve shown up. “You’re both savages and you know it.”

  The three of us take a seat and the waitress stops by as we put in an order for our usual pepperoni pizza and garlic bread.

  “Lemon”—Everett takes up my hand and kisses the back of it—“I want to be the first to apologize for my behavior last night.”

  Noah dips his chin. “I believe I was the one who started the argument. I should be the first to apologize.”

  A quick laugh bounces from me. “For goodness’ sake, let’s not brawl over who should apologize first. I accept both of your apologies. In fact, I think we should just drop the subject. Noah, I realize seeing Everett and me together is hard for you to deal with. I would be devastated if I were in your shoes. If anyone should be apologizing around here, it’s me. And in light of that, I’m truly sorry to have dragged you both into an unfair situation.”

  “It’s pretty fair to me.” Everett gives a sly wink, and I can’t help but bite down on a smile.

  “Yes, well,” I clear my throat, “it wasn’t fair to you while I was with Noah.”

  Everett’s dark brows meet in the middle as he frowns. “Lemon, I was insistent you finish things off with him. I was a willing participant. Don’t feel bad. Certainly don’t apologize.”

  Noah leans in. “For the record, Lottie and I haven’t finished things off. I suggested she see if there was anything between the two of you to return the favor so Lottie and I could resume our lives without interruption.”

  Everett straightens a bit. “So you classify me as an interruption?” He folds his arms across his chest. “Don’t worry, Noah. I won’t resort to name-calling.”

  My lips twitch as I look to both of them. “I’ll admit, I rather like the idea of being married.”

  Noah’s deep green eyes enlarge a moment. “I’ll marry you, Lottie.”

  Everett laces his fingers with mine. “Sorry, Noah, she’s taken.”

  Noah growls over at him, “That’s merely a legal technicality.”

  I take a breath, already wary of their war of words.

  “Bizzy and I went down to Lowlifes today and spoke to Henry Watson. He asked us both out for a date.”

  Noah squeezes out a quick smile. “A little competition?”

  “No,” I quickly assure him.

  Everett rubs his thumb over my fingers. “Someone asked my wife out?” He narrows those cobalt eyes to mine. “That’s because you don’t have a ring.” His lips curve at the tips. “I was going to save this for later, but I don’t see why I should wait.” He pulls something out of his pocket and holds what looks like a diamond-riddled platinum band between us. “Carlotta Kenzie Lemon, would you do me the honor of wearing this ring as a token of my undying affection?”

  A series of sighs break out from all around me. Not surprising considering women sitting in a close proximity to Everett have a certain duty to keep tabs on his every move.

  A breath hitches in my throat as I take in the magnificent cushion-cut diamond surrounded by a halo of diamonds set on a diamond eternity band. It’s a darn right diamond palooza happening here.

  “My God, Everett, it’s exquisite,” I pant as he slides the jewel onto my ring finger.

  Everett leans in and brushes a soft kiss over my lips as a round of applause breaks out around us.

  I pull back to see Noah glowering over at Everett.

  “Sorry.” I wince his way.

  “Don’t be.” Noah’s dimples dig in. “I’m not intimidated by his latest tactic.”

  “No tactic,” Everett replies. “I’m simply furnishing my wife with what is due to her. And the next time someone wants to hit on her at a bar, they’ll spot the ring on her finger and think twice.”

  “It’s so beautiful, Everett. You really shouldn’t have. This must have cost a fortune. Please tell me you plucked this out of your mother’s vast collection of baubles.” A while back I wore an engagement ring that once belonged to his mother and it was the size of a globe. Long sto
ry short, I eventually gave the ring back to his mother and she put it into the family vault where it belongs.

  Everett catches my gaze. “I picked this out especially for you. Wear it in good health, Lemon. Always.”

  There’s a sincerity in his voice that neither Noah nor I can argue with. And before I can respond, the food arrives and the three of us dig right in. Of course, I’ve got one eye glued on my brand new sparkler. Dear God, it shines like a supernova. I’m no expert, but I’d say I have four or five carats on my finger at least. This must have set Everett back a fortune. Not that he doesn’t have a fortune or two—but still.

  After we indulge in a few aggressive bites in a satiated silence, Noah nods my way.

  “Tell me about your meeting with Ambrosia’s ex.”

  “You know about Henry?” I ask him.

  “I’m the lead homicide detective on the case,” he says. “I know about everything.” He gives a playful twist of his lips. “So what did you glean?”

  “Henry was caught cheating,” I tell them. “And, well, let’s just say Ambrosia found a creative way to pants him in public.” I fill them in on Henry’s father’s birthday debacle, and how that exposure affected his relationships with his family.

  Everett leans back in his seat. “That’s pretty brutal. But I’ve heard worse in the courtroom. It’s usually that behavior—both his and hers—that land people in front of my bench.”

  Noah shakes his head. “I think I’d better pay a visit to Mr. Watson. Anything else you’d like to report, Detective Lemon?”

  “Henry confirmed the fact Ambrosia stole Jackie Hart’s plotline as one of her shiny new ideas. Apparently, Jackie had wondered if Ambrosia had a ghostwriter helping her write all those novels she was putting out three and four at a time. Henry said Ambrosia’s ego was bruised, and that’s why she dug her claws into Jackie’s plotline. But the strangest thing he brought up was another author, Tallulah Velvet.”

  Noah gives a crooked grin. “Tallulah Velvet had a major beef with Ambrosia Whispers.”

  “What about?” Everett asks before reaching for another slice of pizza.