Deadly Desserts (Sky High Pies Cozy Mysteries Book 6) Read Free

dolls.
    “You’re too kind,” I said, doing my
best not to choke on the cloud of perfume that followed Portia everywhere.
“It’s such an honor!”
    “Quite true,” she said. “And…you’re
welcome, Muffin.”
    I held my smile without cringing or
letting her know how much I detested the childhood epithet. One evening at Bier
Haus, when my sister was visiting from Denver, Olivia had spilled the beans
about the nickname. Portia had grinned playfully at the revelation, brandishing
it with glee during every conversation since that night.
    “Should we go downstairs?” She
waved a willowy hand toward the staircase in the rear of the store. “Lacy
Orvane came in extra early to get everything ready for the tasting, so we should
be ready to begin.”
    As Pinky and I followed Portia
toward the stairs, she reminded us of our vital role in tasting and evaluating
entries in two categories: Decadent Desserts and Sassy Snacks. When I’d read
the email invitation to join the panel of judges, I smiled at the cutesy names.
Until I saw the final paragraph of Portia’s note: Your mother and
grandmother both served, Katie! This is an offer you simply cannot refuse!
    I was thinking about the veiled
threat when Portia’s assistant met us as the bottom of the steps. Daphne Wright
was a tall, dark-haired young woman wearing a pale pink blouse and pleated gray
slacks. I’d only talked with her a time or two, but I got the sense that she
knew Portia’s assistant should follow the adage about children: seen and not
heard. Since Daphne was twenty-two and a recent college graduate, I wondered
how she felt about such a subservient role.
    “The other judges are in the
conference room,” Portia said, gesturing toward the double doors at the far end
of the narrow basement corridor. “Daphne will get you something to drink while
I run back upstairs to make sure the front door is locked. We had a little…”
She paused, glaring briefly at her assistant. “Well, we had a little incident earlier when someone who shall remain nameless …” She gave Daphne another
furious scowl. “…left the delivery door unlocked as if we were inviting the
local riffraff to come right in from the alley and help themselves to whatever
they could find.” She sneered at Daphne again. “And, when you consider that
she’s never done that before, it’s even more surprising!”
    “But my keys went missing somehow,”
said the timid assistant. “You were running errands or whatever, so I couldn’t
use your set to lock the door. I mean, I tried to—”
    “Yes, yes,” Portia snapped. “That’s
all very fascinating, but I doubt if our guests give a hoot.”
    I was afraid the uncomfortable
silence that followed would be endless, but Pinky quickly thanked Portia for
the update and held one hand toward Daphne.
    “I don’t believe we’ve met,” she
said. “My name is Pinky Newton.”
    Portia smirked silently before
click-clacking on her heels back up the staircase.
    “And I’m Kate Reed,” I added,
shaking the young woman’s trembling hand.
    “What would you like to drink?”
asked Daphne.
    “I’m fine for the moment,” I said. “How
about you, Pinky?”
    “A cup of tea would be perfect,”
she said. “And maybe a thimble of strychnine for Portia.”
    I gasped at the sinister quip as
Daphne smiled—nervously and with a darting sideways glance.
    “I’m teasing!” Pinky whispered. “I
think half a thimble should do the trick!”

CHAPTER
4
     
     
    A chorus of bubbly voices spilled
into the corridor as Pinky and I approached the conference room. I recognized
them instantly: Becca Hancock, proprietor of my favorite vintage clothing store;
Yvonne Masterson, a retired bookkeeper with a penchant for rescuing orphaned
cats; Luigi Benedetto, owner of the most popular Italian restaurant in town;
and, Harley West, a local caterer renowned for his artisanal goat cheese.
    “Kate Reed!” Luigi cheered when I
walked through the door. “Welcome,