Pastries and Puzzles by Constance Barker

Author:Constance Barker [Barker, Constance]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Constance Barker
Published: 2020-02-18T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

I was back at square one. Trudging out to the parking lot, I jerked open my car door and flopped down into the driver’s seat. My head dropped against the steering wheel and the horn blared.

Lurching upright, I glanced quickly around. A woman glared at me from a few cars over. I waved sheepishly, before shoving the keys in the ignition and starting the car.

Hestia wasn’t the killer, and now, I wasn’t sure what to do or where to go to find more clues. Wondering how Clive fared in questioning the hotel staff, I typed out a short text before heading back to the bakery.

Vivian and Stella were sitting at a table when I walked through the door. Their eyes were wide and full of excitement and mischief.

Masie leaned, elbows on the counter, chin propped in her hands, enthralled with their conversation. Scooter stood next to her, arms crossed, a look of disbelief painted across his face.

All eyes turned to me when they heard the bells on the door chime.

“Did you...?” “What did...?” Masie and Scooter started simultaneously.

“I know, I know. You just need to give me a little more time. The problem is, you’re both so talented, just in different ways. I don’t want to disappoint either one of you.” I put my hands out in front of me, palms wide, like a shield.

“Coco, dear, we were just chatting about you. Did you find out anything juicy about Hestia?” Stella asked.

“Nothing pertinent. It seems like no matter which direction I go, I run smack into a brick wall. Maybe it’s time I followed Logan’s advice and stayed out of it.” I said, turning toward the kitchen.

“We were going to do some investigating of our own. You should join us,” Vivian called.

“I’m sorry, ladies. I need to prepare for the baking competition. These two aren’t going to give me a break until I declare a winner.” I hooked an accusatory thumb towards Masie and Scooter. They at least had the decency to look ashamed.

“Not to mention, find a way to keep the bakery afloat,” I added glumly.

Flopping down at my workstation, I grabbed a sheet of paper from one of the drawers. I scribbled Masie’s name across the top right side and Scooter’s name atop the left. There were so many pros and cons for each, I figured the only way to compare them fairly was to write it all down on a list.

Just then, Rose burst through the back door of the shop, breathless. Had she run all the way here? I felt like we’d played out this scene before, not too long ago.

“You’ll never believe who was in the salon again today. That rat-faced Oliver. He was talking about Gilbert and how he was dead because he was a shady little snake who didn’t care about anyone but himself.”

That in itself wasn’t a big reveal. We all knew Oliver hated Gilbert. They were cousins, and Oliver had never made it a secret that he hated Gilbert for leaving town and becoming more successful than him.

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