Murder Takes the Cake Text Read Free Page A

Pierre was impressive in every way, but Bonnie and I had already dubbed him a HUG—Hot Unavailable Guy. Chef Pierre was married, had three young children and was devoted to his lovely wife. Todd couldn’t get past the chef’s stellar looks though; and since I was the chef’s star student, Todd thought I had to be sleeping with the man. He’d made me drop out.
    But by then I’d been bitten by the baking bug. I watched TV chefs, bought books—including cake-decorating course books—rented how-to videos, and practiced decorating every chance I got. I’d practice on vinyl placemats. And I’d tell myself “someday.” Now it seemed my “someday” had come. I was an excellent cake decorator, I’d finally taken a chance, and I was finally tuning out Todd’s taunting voice in my head. I believed in myself for the first time in years. I knew I could make this business work.
    The phone rang. It was Violet.
    “Hey, I heard about Mrs. Watson. You must’ve freaked out when you found her.”
    “How’d you know?”
    “I saw Bill Hayden’s wife at the school when I picked up Leslie and Lucas this afternoon.”
    Bill Hayden. Officer Bill Hayden. Married . . . and with children. He must be older than he looked.
    “Why didn’t you call me?” Violet was asking.
    “I don’t know.” Because you’re perfect; and in three years when you turn forty, all you’ll have to be concerned about is laugh lines. Because I didn’t come back home because I need a babysitter. Because I promised myself I wouldn’t be the one thorn in your bouquet of roses. “Myra came over as soon as I got home, so I really didn’t have a chance to call.”
    “No, I don’t suppose you did. Did you tell her about Yodel?”
    “Yeah. Was that all right?”
    “I guess so. It’ll be in the paper tomorrow anyway.”
    “Plus, it’s a really small town, Vi. There were probably a dozen messages on Myra’s answering machine when she got back home. I mean, you heard it at the school, right?”
    “I didn’t mean anything by it,” Violet said. “I’m merely cautioning you to be careful of what you say to Myra.”
    “With Myra, I find myself mostly listening.”
    “I know that’s true.” Violet laughed. “I’m only asking you to be careful. As a witness in a homicide investigation, you have to watch what you say to the general public.”
    “A homicide investigation? The coroner didn’t send the woman’s body to Roanoke for autopsy until this afternoon. The results couldn’t possibly be in.”
    “No, of course not, but Joanne told me Bill said there were indications of foul play.”
    “Is that ethical?”
    “He only told his wife , Daphne.”
    “And she told you and who knows who else. What is it with small town dramas?”
    “Excuse me, Ms. Big City. I forgot how boring we must be to you now.”
    “That’s not what I meant. I just think Officer Hayden should learn a bit about confidentiality, that’s all.”
    “Please don’t get him in trouble.”
    “I won’t. I—”
    “Let’s talk about Thursday. What time will you be here?”
    “I was thinking eleven, but I can come earlier if you’d like.”
    “No. Eleven’s good. Mom’s spending the night, so I’ll have plenty of help in the kitchen.”
    “Then eleven it is.”
    After talking with Violet, I went out the kitchen door to sit on the side porch. The autumn air was cool outside, but I had on a jacket. Plus, I was feeling a little sorry for myself and felt better in the big wide open than I did in an empty house.
    Violet did have a lot to be proud of. She’d been married for the past fifteen years to a dreamboat of a guy. She had gorgeous eleven-year-old boy/girl twins. She was a successful realtor. She had a lovely home. She had curly blonde hair, blue eyes and a bubbly personality; as opposed to my straight, dark-brown hair, brown eyes, and more serious demeanor. And she had a great relationship with Mom.
    I’d been married for ten years to an abusive manipulator