Shivers of Murder

by Gretchen Allen

  “Fine. I’m leaving too,” Yvette grinned. Knowing her mother was right. She had to get to work anyway. There was plenty of time for snooping once she finished her shift. Priorities, ya know?

  Chapter Ten

  Butterscotch Baked Apple Sundaes were one of Yvette’s favorites this time of year. A white chocolate hand-dipped waffle bowl filled with butterscotch blondie ice cream, and topped with freshly baked apple slices tossed in brown sugar, with a homemade cinnamon sugar sauce drizzled over the finished product.

  With the apples baking and the white chocolate hardening on the waffle bowl, Yvette peered through the window of the kitchen into the dining area of the shop. She wanted to be sure that Stella and Joey had everything under control while she was in the back. From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Barry and Kelly Bradford walking in the front door. With just three minutes left on the oven timer, Yvette dashed from the kitchen to the ice cream cooler, scooped the Butterscotch Blondie ice cream into the waffle bowl and made her way back to the kitchen just in time. She pulled the baked apples from the oven and set them on the prep table. Something that she’d gotten in the habit of doing when making sundaes with hot ingredients was making sure she kept them separate from the ice cream. While she knew that the point was to have the hot and cold mix, she never wanted to have the ice cream melt before it reached the guest. So, she put the hot apples into a compote dish, took the ice cream filled waffle bowl and a bottle of cinnamon sauce and set it all on a tray, preparing to carry everything out to the guest and complete the sundae right at their table. Yvette held the tray in one hand and pushed open the swinging door that led to the dining area, stopping only to take the whipped cream dispenser from the fridge.

  “Holy moly. Look at all of that!” The customer beamed when Yvette arrived at her table.

  After explaining the reason she brought everything with her to the table, Yvette removed it all from the tray piece by piece. Setting the plate with the waffle bowl on it down first, she carefully placed the compote dish full of apples down. “Would you like the apples on the ice cream or do you prefer to keep the separate?” she asked.

  “On top sounds delicious!”

  Yvette gently lifted the dish and poured the freshly baked brown sugar-coated apples on top of the ice cream. “Next is the sauce. Tell me when,” Yvette winked at the woman, knowing that people always loved to get as much as they could.

  “That’s perfect!” the woman squealed, clearly enjoying the event. “This is so cool. I’ve never seen something like this before!”

  “I’m glad! It’s fun for us too,” Yvette admitted. “Okay, last but not least. Whipped cream.”

  Shaking the dispenser and tipping it just enough, Yvette swirled the whipped cream over the top of the sundae with a few flicks of her wrist.

  “I’m not sure I can eat it now. It’s so pretty!”

  Yvette laughed. “Enjoy!” she said, making sure she’d taken everything off the table that the woman no longer needed.

  Noticing that Stella was at Barry and Kelly’s table, Yvette knew she had enough time to drop off the tray and wash her hands before going to greet them. Just a few moments later, she sauntered over to where they sat, hoping to play it cool. Originally, she planned on contacting everyone once she was out of work to check on them, but what were the chances they’d show up at Sundae Afternoon? It had to be a sign.

  “Hey, you two!” she exclaimed once she’d arrived at their table.

  “Yvette, so nice to see you! We were hoping you’d get the chance to stop over and chat for a few minutes,” Kelly said.

  “Of course! I always make time for my favorite customers!” Yvette grinned, taking a seat next to Barry.

  “I bet that’s what she tells everyone,” Barry teased.

  Laughing, Yvette set the water bottle she’d been carrying down on the table. “How’s everything going? Have you been allowed back to your house yet?”

  “They said we were cleared to go back if we wanted to. Heath told us that the house was completely fine and anything they’d needed from inside was already taken care of. It’s the backyard that is blocked off. But…” Kelly trailed off, looking down at her lap.

  “She’s having a hard time with this,” Barry explained. “Heath told us we were more than welcome to go back, but we’ve decided to stay where we’re at for now. Even if the house is good to go, there’s something about seeing all that crime scene tape that isn’t making our property feel very safe and welcoming.”

  “I just can’t believe it. All because of that creepy woman. I knew she was bad news from the minute I spoke to her.”

  “Creepy woman?” Yvette asked.

  “The ringleader. April. I can look past her holier than thou attitude, but not the rest. Especially not after what happened. If you ask me, she’s the one that did it.”

  Barry must have sensed Yvette’s confusion, so he offered his thoughts. “Even though the group wasn’t with us for very long, April used to spend a lot of her time out in the backyard. Right beside where I found her brother’s body. We didn’t think too much of it at first, just that she enjoyed the solitude. I know I’ve taken plenty of alone time there myself.”

  “Don’t try to make it okay, Barry,” Kelly spat. “She wasn’t just sitting there with a book relaxing or something. She’d be on her phone down there for hours at a time, pacing back and forth, running her fingers along the clothesline rope the entire time.”

  Yvette stared blankly at her customers. What Kelly had just told her, along with a potential motive of stopping Jason from telling their parents something that made April look bad, certainly made her name jump to the top of the suspect list. If only Yvette could figure out what Jason could have told them? Without that bit of information, April being the killer was just too far of a reach. Yvette knew what it was like to be accused of murder when you weren’t involved at all, and there was no way she was willing to accuse someone of killing their family member without actual evidence.

  “I’m so sorry. This just isn’t fair. You don’t deserve to have to deal with all of this, either of you,” Yvette told the Bradfords.

  “What matters is that we are safe. We are staying with a good friend of ours until this all is taken care of. The only thing I worry about is your mother. When I called her, it wasn’t to ask her to take the group in. I was just panicking and needed someone to talk to. I never meant for her to do what she did. I tried talking her out of it, but she insisted. I think she just wanted to help me feel better and instead she put herself in a dangerous situation.” Kelly shook her head.

  “My mom is fine. I think she’s crazy for doing what she did as well, but she’s okay. Heath has an officer patrolling the area and is getting a hotel for them to stay at until they are allowed to leave town. I’m betting they are out by morning, if not by the end of the day today,” Yvette said trying to reassure Kelly.

  “I just wish there was some evidence. Without it, they are all just going to get to go home, and the murder will never be solved,” Kelly groaned. “Wait a minute…. Can you? Do you think you can do something?” she asked, looking at Yvette.

  “Kelly,” Barry said slowly.

  “I’m sorry. I never should have suggested that. Heath is doing everything he can.” Kelly looked back down at her lap.

  Yvette didn’t want the Bradfords to know that she’d already been thinking about who could have been capable of killing Jason. The problem was, that was all she’d been doing. Thinking about things wasn’t getting her anywhere. Every time she tried to go to her mom’s house, everyone was gone. No one was allowed at the Bed and Breakfast, and she was certain that any clues that were there hadn’t been left behind. Yvette needed to figure out a way to talk to April, Cyndee, Patrick, and Shannon. Maybe there was a way she could invite them to Sundae Afternoon and have it look like a simple invitation to a local restaurant. All Yvette knew was that if she didn’t find a way to make that happen now, Heath would have them all moved out to
Merryville and then there’d be no chance.

  “Let her get back to her actual job. Investigating murder should be left to the professionals,” Barry warned.

  “It was good to see you both, but you’re right. I do have to get back to work,” Yvette said, scanning the dining area, realizing how busy the shop had gotten in such a short time.

  Chapter Eleven

  After a long day at work, Yvette wanted nothing more than to get outside and enjoy the rapidly cooling weather. The temperatures during the day weren’t exactly hot, but when the sun set, and the nighttime breeze came through, Yvette loved to feel the cool air on her skin. It was by far her favorite part of the autumn season. Pulling on her sneakers and a jacket, she made sure her front door was locked and headed out into the night. Thankfully, her neighborhood was well lit, and she’d just be taking a brisk walk to Main Street and back. That shouldn’t take her more than fifteen or twenty minutes each way.

  Rounding the corner from her road onto Main Street, Yvette saw a woman not too far ahead of her coming in her direction. She squinted to see who it was since Heritage was an everyone knows everyone else sort of town, but couldn’t make out the face from where she stood. Coming closer, she squinted again, this time swearing that it was Cyndee coming her way.

  “Cyndee?” Yvette called.

  “Yes?” the woman replied, coming a bit closer. “Oh, hi, Yvette.”

  “Hi. Nice night,” Yvette said, unsure what else there was to say.

  “It’s was a little chilly at first, but I’ve gotten used to it now,” Cyndee smiled.

  “Oh? Have you been out long?”

  “About an hour I guess.” She shrugged, looking past Yvette at Stafford’s Country Store. “What about you?”

  “I just left my house for a spur of the moment walk around downtown,” Yvette said, tired of the awkward small talk. “Do you have to get back to my mom’s for anything or would you like to sit with me and have something warm to drink? The store up ahead has a really great cappuccino.” She pointed to where Cyndee had been looking.

  “You don’t have to do all that. Your family has already done more than enough for us.”

  “I insist.” Yvette began walking forward, heading toward Stafford’s.

  “Okay,” Cyndee said, jogging to catch up. “This is such a cool town. I’m really enjoying it here, except for, well… you know.”

  “I’m so sorry about everything. It’s such a shame what happened.” Yvette frowned and held the front door of Stafford’s open for Cyndee.

  “I just wish we could all go home and get out of each other’s hair. It’s really taking a toll on all of us.”

  “I can imagine. I bet you were all very close, and losing a part of your group has to be really hard,” Yvette consoled her.

  “Not just that. I mean, yes, losing someone is hard but I think it’s time we all were able to get away from one another. That’s why I’m out right now. I couldn’t sit in that house for a minute longer all cooped up with everyone.”

  “Oh,” Yvette said, a little surprised.

  “Not that there’s anything wrong with the house. It’s lovely, and so is your mom. I feel terrible we’re in her hair though. I’m sure we’re all a little hard to handle.” Cyndee grabbed herself a paper cup and scanned the cappuccino flavors.

  “Why did you leave? Did something happen?” Yvette asked, half wondering if everything was okay with her mother and half hoping she could get some information from Cyndee about April.

  “Ehhh. I’m kind of a loner, and I’m tired of being stuck in the same room with the same people. If you didn’t notice already, everyone I work with is a little over the top in one way or another.”

  Yvette considered her options. If she made sure Cyndee felt comfortable enough to talk with her about personal matters, then she could probably get her to explain more about the people sitting at her mother’s house right now.

  “I guess I noticed that a little.” Yvette’s mouth turned up into a smile.

  “You don’t have to be nice about it. I totally get it. My boss is a lunatic that can barely handle her career, so I do it for her. Shannon and Patrick are both very nice on their own, but when they get together, they are enough to drive anyone insane. Jason, well he was the most normal out of the bunch, but he still caused more problems than any of the others ever did.” Cyndee stopped, as if she realized she’d said more than she intended to.

  “I’m sorry. Your job seems like it’s very difficult. I had no idea you did so much for April. I’m sure she appreciates it, even if she doesn’t show it well.” Yvette tried to reassure the other woman, knowing full well that it wasn’t likely that April appreciated anything anyone did for her.

  “That’s what I signed up for. I get paid handsomely for what I do, and so, I do it. There was never really any question about it. Doesn’t mean I don’t get frustrated sometimes, though.” Cyndee put the lid on her pumpkin caramel cappuccino and gestured toward a small table that sat in the corner of the building. “Can we sit here and chat a while longer?”

  “Of course,” Yvette agreed, finding that she was enjoying the other woman’s company.

  “We don’t have to. I’m sure I’m being annoying sharing all my drama with you.”

  Yvette headed over to the table and took a seat. “Share away.”

  “Your mom is the same way. She’s so easy to talk to. I’ve had coffee with her every morning since I’ve been there. I wake up really early and was afraid I’d be a nuisance, but she’s always up too.”

  “No kidding. My mom has woken up before four in the morning every day for as long as I can remember. You are both nuts if you ask me.” Yvette grinned.

  “It’s just so peaceful that early in the morning. No one else is awake and arguing about anything. If I didn’t have roots in Smithfield, I’d consider moving here,” Cyndee confided.

  “Really?” Yvette was shocked. Who would want to move to the town where their coworker was killed? Unless, she was the one that killed him, and she was trying to make it look like she didn’t. No matter how sweet Cyndee seemed, it was more than possible that Yvette was sitting directly across from Jason’s killer.

  “Sure. It’s great here.”

  “You said you did well at your job though. Wouldn’t you miss that?” Yvette asked.

  “The money. I wouldn’t miss the people or the job itself. When it comes down to it, I make money and run the company for April. If I had my own company, I’d make more money, and I’d be happier, but I signed a contract, and my hands are tied,” Cyndee explained.

  “I see. I’m thankful that I enjoy my job and the people I work with, especially my boss,” Yvette said thoughtfully.

  “You’re lucky. If I could, I’d run a property management office. It’s what my parents did while I was growing up.”

  “Why don’t you?” Yvette asked.

  “Remember that pesky contract I mentioned? For the next six months, I am locked into working for April with a contract renewal after that. I know this sounds terrible, but now that Jason is gone, things may get a little easier.” Cyndee pursed her lips.

  “What do you mean?”

  “April always felt like she needed to fight to be loved by her parents. Jason was less successful in every way compared to April. She got better grades, did more extracurricular activities, went to a better college, but the Hatton’s just always preferred Jason and April knew that. It’s a terrible thing that he’s gone, but at the same time, April must feel a little relief knowing that she doesn’t have to compete anymore. I know she hired him just to please her parents. So, now, I can get what I wanted all along.”

  “What that?” Yvette asked, making a mental note. April felt like she had to compete for her parents’ love. If that wasn’t a motive, she didn’t know what was.

  “Patrick gets the maintenance job that he deserves. That man has more talent, skill, and education that I’ve ever seen. He was so excited when I mentioned it to him knowing he’d get
a raise and satisfy Shannon and all of her anxiety over money. Then I could have April hire my roommate Ian for the open driver position since he’s short on cash.” Cyndee sipped her drink, looking proud of her plans.

  “Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out,” Yvette said, nodding her head. She had to admit, it did sound like a great business plan. In her scenario, everyone got what they wanted. Except for Jason. Honestly, Cyndee could have killed him herself. Thinking back to the day of the tour, Yvette remembered when Cyndee got the call that Jason was upset and had taken off. Everyone else from the tour went about their day, driving the trolleys to various stops or following behind them in their personal vehicles. Everyone but Cyndee. She went directly to find Jason. What if the first thing she did when she found him, was kill him? She could have easily gotten back to the tour, like nothing ever happened. No one was at the Bed and Breakfast that day since Barry and Kelly had been working at one of the stops at the Town Hall. Yvette decided to talk with Cyndee to get information about April, which she did, but now... she also walked herself right into another possible suspect. Sweet little Cyndee may not be who she thought after all.