Cobblered to Death (A Courtney Archer Mystery Book 1) by Rosemarie Ross

Author:Rosemarie Ross [Ross, Rosemarie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2019-11-25T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Skylar had accompanied the judges on the second round of tasting and judging the contestants’ casseroles. We’d been filmed sitting around a white bistro table, part of an outdoors set used by the judges, weighing the pros and cons of the dishes prepared in today’s competition.

Now, we stood ready to make the announcement. I glanced at Skylar. “The baker leaving us today is . . .” I stopped and slowly swept my gaze over the contestants, starting with Rhonda and ending with Tabitha, who picked up on the gesture and sucked her bottom lip under her front teeth. “Rhonda,” I said, casting what I hoped was an apologetic expression her way. “The judges had a tough choice between two contestants. Tabitha managed to salvage her spot with an outstanding skinny-casserole version of chicken Marsala. Rhonda, for some reason, your seasoning was off today, with too much salt in the biscuits and overpowering heat in your chili bake.” It was hard to keep my expression neutral when I knew her overuse of seasoning was intentional.

While the cast hugged, cried and bid her farewell, I wondered if Rhonda really was unnerved by the murder, or if she could have committed the murder and now wanted to leave the premises. Two contestants had left the resort. Had we unsuspectingly released Mick’s murderer back into the world?

“Now to deliver the happier news.” Glee filled Skylar’s voice, creating tension and anticipation on the faces of the remaining nine contestants. “The baker of the day is . . .” He paused. “Barb.”

“Oh my!” Barb shouted and lifted her palms to her cheeks, her surprise genuine.

As the remaining contestants gathered around her, Shannon addressed the group. “Barb’s use of simple ingredients to create vintage comfort food, shepherd’s pie and strawberry shortcake, reminded us good food and meal preparation needn’t be hard or complicated.”

“Well done,” Harrison added with a smile.

For a full minute, we remained on our marks while the cameras caught the congratulatory celebration of the contestants. Then Brenden hollered, “Cut.”

The crowd dispersed. Barb still beamed, which was more than I could say about Otto. Stony anger settled on his features. In a loud voice, he said, “There is no way her food was better than mine.”

He ripped off his apron and stalked for the door through which they ushered the contestants. Melissa followed, her demeanor mirroring Otto’s. The remaining contestants removed their aprons and walked to the exit. The only expression their faces showed was fatigue from a long day of stress-filled cooking. Kinzy beelined to Barb, whisking her off into a corner. Probably to film her interview about the win.

“I have to go.” I started for the stairs. I needed to do a quick change from their wardrobe to my clothes, only to get to the resort to make another wardrobe change for the taping of the Cooking with the Farmer’s Daughter episode.

“I’m coming too.”

After Shannon and I changed, we hurried from the building.

“Let’s go this way.” Shannon pulled at my arm.

“That path is off-limits.

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