Chocolate Cream Cupcake & Murder (A Dana Sweet Cozy Mystery Book 3) (4 page)

“Well, that sure was odd, wasn’t it, cuz?” Katie said to Dana later at the Cozy Cupcakes Café. The whole town seemed to be buzzing.

The café had never been more packed in her recent memory as long as she could remember. Ordinarily, Dana would be on top of the world, but given the unfortunate circumstances of the events earlier today, how could she feel anything other than helpless, furious and saddened.

The music played over the speakers and the sound of chatter and murmuring, knifes and forks scraping plates and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixed with heavenly baked cupcakes filled the atmosphere.

“I know,” Dana agreed as she placed the topped high with whipped cream cupcakes in the display—adding some spoons on the side. The Cozy Cupcakes Café was known for its cupcakes that were eaten with a spoon, as well as for the fortune-cookie like messages they came with.

A sick feeling came over Dana as she realized that poor Mr. Renaldo was eating one of her cupcakes but then something else struck her. Where on earth was the spoon? 

The line up was long and went right to the front door from the counter, and Dana and Katie worked hard to serve the customers while saying very little about the case.

“Isn't it awful what happened to poor Mr. Renaldo?” A customer said to Dana.

“It was absolutely awful.”

“Don't you mean
rich
Mr. Renaldo?” Gerdie-Sue said to the customer with an arched brow. Dana was surprised to see her back so soon. Gerdie-Sue stood behind the woman in the line. Perhaps Gerdie Sue came back for some more cupcakes for her Bridge club or perhaps, she was just nosing around try to get more juice for her gossip juice mill she had running in Berry Cove.

She just had to keep the juice flowing all the time, didn’t she?

“You mean his kids will be rich,” another woman said.

“But what about his fiancée?”

“Ladies, please. Don’t you think we should be discussing other things? I mean Mr. Renaldo just passed away this morning.” Dana’s voice was somber and gentle as possible.

“She’s right.” Another woman came to Dana's defense. “Let’s all celebrate his life then shall we?”

“For what?” a grumpy customer said. “The man was a git.”

“Chuck.” The man’s wife pinched him in the arm. “Don’t you dare speak ill of the dead.”

“Well, he spoke ill over everyone else when he was alive.”

Dana sighed deeply. What was wrong with the town? Old man Renaldo passed away, albeit, under suspicious circumstances and everyone seemed to be enjoying some sort of a circus.

Lizzy and the rest of the team came up to help out at the front. “It’s okay, Dana. I'll take it from here.”

“Thanks so much, Lizzie.”

Before she could say more, a thought struck Dana. She went to the back kitchen where Inga was busy whipping up another batch of cupcakes.

“Inga.”

“Yes.”

“Um…how did Mr. Renaldo sound to you when he called in this morning for the extra order of cupcakes?”

Inga gave her a funny look.

“Why do you ask?”

“Well, I’m just curious. The police will be speaking with you soon. I just want to know, did he sound all right?”

Inga shrugged. “I guess. I couldn’t understand a word he said though.”

“You couldn’t?”

“No.”

“Why? Was his speech slurred or something?”

“Not really. It’s just the accent.”

“The accent?”

“Yes. His thick English accent.”

Dana’s heart went cold.

Mr. Renaldo was from out west. He had an all Alberta accent. Not an English accent. The butler sure had a British accent…

Dana left before Inga could say more. She had to get a hold of Troy and tell him to question the butler again. Why on earth would the butler call in pretending to be Mr. Renaldo?

Just then Miles came into the café.

Dana couldn't help but walk over to him. She felt so sorry for him after what happened this morning.

“Are you okay, Miles?”

“Well I could be better. I just came here to get some fresh cupcakes. Jackie always loves your cupcakes.”

“Yes, of course we can get some for you. And please don't worry about the cost. It's on the house.”

“That’s mighty kind of you.”

“No problem. It’s the least I could do.”

“The truth is I really needed a break. Jackie’s really upset right now. Inconsolable.”

“Of course, she is. I'm also sure she loves you very much. It's just that she lost her father. You really shouldn't worry about it.”

“Thanks so much. It’s Dana right?”

“Yes, I’m Dana Sweet, the owner of this café.”

Dana felt so awkward. What else could she say? After all, it was one of her cupcake that was found at the scene. However there was no proof the cupcake caused Mr. Renaldo’s death. As Detective Troy said, the lab would have to determine that information.

“You know,” Miles said, “I've heard about your riddles blog. Actually, I've read a few of your riddles.”

“You have?” Dana was surprised.

“Yes. And, I believe if anyone can solve this mystery, I know it's you. I don't like what's been going on with the old guy. Everybody seems to be after his money.”

“You should tell this to the police, Miles.”

“I will. I just wish there was more I could do for Jackie. She means the world to me. I feel badly for her right now. I'm not even really working right now. I'm just in between jobs really. Gosh things are just so hard,” he said, looking wistfully out the window.

“Everything will be okay.” Dana didn't know what else to say.

“Thanks so much,” he said with sorrow in his voice. My fiancée just wants to be alone right now. All I want to do is just give her a good life. I don't care about the money or anything else, I just really care a lot about her.”

“I'm sure she understands,” Dana said.

After their conversation, he thanked Dana politely and then walked toward the counter where Lizzy proceeded to help with his order.

Dana felt her heartstring tug for him. She could certainly understand his pain.

Just then Dana's heart stopped. Detective Troy was standing there at the entrance of the café. He looked so gorgeous in his dark suit and his short cropped dark hair. What was it about this man that always made her heart flutter in her chest?

Okay, calm down, Dana. He's just a man, remember?

“Well, well, well. Look who's here? The handsome detective.” Gerdie-Sue just couldn't resist.

Dana couldn't help but notice how Gerdie-Sue and the rest of the ladies in her circle glanced at Dana and then Troy and back to Dana again.

Did they all know that she had a serious crush on him? Her heart pounded in her chest. Butterflies exploded in her belly.

“Hello Troy. I mean Detective Troy.” Dana tried to calm her giddiness and her nervousness.

What was with her? She was always on top of things. This was not like her. A moment ago she was more fired up and wanted desperately to help solve the puzzle about what happened to poor Mr. Renaldo.

But now gorgeous, handsome Troy was in her presence, yet again.

“Hello, Dana. Could we speak for a moment?”

“Sure.” Dana wiped her hands on her apron.

Just then everybody gathered closely around them, opened-eyed and the look of eagerness on their faces.

Troy grinned and rolled his eyes. “I mean, can I speak with you alone.”

“Sure. We can go to the back. To the office. I mean to the back office. The office at the back.”

Take it down a notch, Dana. What’s with you today?

Why did she always get that way whenever she was in Troy’s presence? Darn it. One would think she would have learned her lesson about handsome, young men after what her ex did to her.

Moments later they went into Dana's office at the back of the kitchen. Thank heavens for a bit of privacy.

“Is everything okay?” Dana asked, her heart racing in her chest, palpitating like goodness knew what.

She secretly hoped and prayed that she wouldn’t be a suspect, yet again.

“You mean do I think you had anything to do with Mr. Renaldo’s passing?” Troy said, charmingly, as if he read her mind.

His boyish grin really turned her on. A dimple surfaced on his cheek. He sure was a hot-looking detective. His smile could melt ice-cream on a cold day.

“Well I was under the impression that your partner seemed to think I might have had something to do with it. I mean after all it was one of my cupcakes.”

“Yes, that's true. But I don't think you're involved. There's definitely something suspect about the family though. I’m getting conflicting statements. Which is why I’m here. To follow up on something you said earlier. First of all Mr. Renaldo was dead long before you got there.”

“Oh, that's right. He was, wasn’t he?”

He sure looked blue and stiff. And in Molly, the maid’s, words—stiff as her ironing board. Gosh, what an analogy.

“Dana you mentioned something about a delivery earlier today and I noticed that George wasn't too happy about you mentioning it. I questioned him about it later but he didn't seem to want to say much about it. Did he tell you anything else about the delivery?”

“Not much except they came at six o’clock in the morning and woke George up.”

“Six o’clock in the morning?”

“I wonder if it had anything to do with his death. I mean which kind of delivery service would deliver six o'clock in the morning on a Saturday?

Troy scribbled notes on his notepad. “I’m wondering about that myself. I’m going to get some men on it. You know I'm serious about you joining the force. I think you'd make a great detective.”

Dana couldn’t help but flush. “You mean I’m a nosy busy body.”

“No. I don’t think that at all.” His dark, sexy eyes penetrated her and she felt heat rush through her when their eyes locked for a moment.

She broke away from his gaze and took a deep breath. He had told her that he didn’t do relationships anymore. And she, too, was sworn off being a couple. Chemistry was not allowed.

“Thank you so much for your kind words, Troy, but my heart’s right here at the Café—my late grandma’s café. And I don't mind solving mystery riddles on my blog once in a while but I guess, as you once told me, I should leave real life detective work to the pros, right?

He grinned. “I still mean that. Don’t go doing anything dangerous. But, on the other hand, if you do have any information that would be useful to the case.”

“Sure thing, detective. I’ll be sure to let you know.”

Trouble was, should she tell him everything?

“Troy,” Dana said, hesitating for a moment. “There’s something I think you should know.”

“What is it?”

Dana told him what Inga told her about Mr. Renaldo’s phone call.

“That’s interesting.” Troy made some notes on his notepad. “I’ll be re-interviewing the butler again. Thanks for letting me know, Dana. Why would he call pretending to be Mr. Renaldo?”

“I could think of a few things.”

“So can I. And they’re not good. But we have to tread carefully before throwing wild accusations without any evidence.”

Dana frowned. “You’re right, I suppose. But think it’s very odd that he called as if he wanted me to be there at a certain time to discover the body.”

“Now why would you think that?”

“Well, the fact that the house was cold as an icebox on a day like today. I remember volunteering at a hospice once. And as soon as a person passed away, the nurse would keep the body in the bed until the relatives arrived but she would immediately turn down the thermostat in the room or shut it off completely.”

“Good observation.”

“Not to mention, I was absolutely stunned that you arrived so quickly on the scene. It’s as if they called you ahead of time or as soon as I arrived.”

Troy thought for a moment. “You know something, you have a point, Dana. A very good point.”

That’s what she was afraid of.

Later that evening Dana and Katie sat in the living room of the Victorian by the fireplace. Truffles had just had her meow mix and was purring softly with satisfaction as she laid by the crackling fire in her kitty basket.

Dana had her feet curled up on the couch with her MacBook open, making some entries on her blog for her followers. But funny enough, the entries she was making on the blog was nothing compared to the mystery that was unraveling right now at the Renaldos’ mansion.

“Isn't it just so weird about the butler and the whole scenario with the family in the household?” Katie asked Dana.

“Yes, of course it's weird. I still don't know what transpired. Everything happened so fast. Poor Mr. Renaldo. The family and the staff at that estate sure seem mixed up. But Miles seems like such a nice guy though. The only normal one.”

“Yes he does. That was so sad that his fiancée was inconsolable but under the circumstances...”

“Yes it was.”

“And she blamed Goldie, their would-be stepmother.”

“True,” Dana said, taking notes. “Oh and the brothers were quite odd as well,” Dana commented.

“You could say that again. There's such a chill in the air at that mansion.”

“And I don't think it’s anything to do with Mr. Renaldo’s death. You can just feel the tension between the family and the household staff.”

“Oh, there is tension all right. I felt it.”

Just then Truffles purred softly.

“You think there's a lot of tension in the household too, baby?” Dana said softly.

“So what story are you working on for your mystery riddles blog?”

“I wish I could use
this
story. But I'm actually working on a riddle to do with this killer and his girlfriend. Everybody wants to know why he killed her. Everything seems fine on the surface. But when he came home he caught her with his best friend. But she didn't know that he found out.”

“How did he find out?”

“Oh he had taken a snapshot of her. But then there was a shadow in the picture and it happened to be a shadow of the guy hiding near the closet.”

“You're kidding. Where do you come up with these?”

“Oh I kid you not. Thanks for the compliment, though.”

“No seriously, that’s amazing, cuz.”

“Oh, it's just a thing I’ve always had. I like to make up stories and solve puzzles. Though I have to admit I don't even know if I can solve this one.”

“Why is that? I'm sure if anyone can figure out who killed that poor rich guy, it’s you.”

“I wish I could say that, too. But there are just so many possible suspects. I mean for one thing the children have a lot at stake. They will inherit millions and millions of dollars possibly billions according to his fortune—on his death.”

“That's true, but then what about the fiancée?”

“That's a good point. She's quite an odd one, too. She just ran off to go to her lawyer when the family accused her of killing Mr. Renaldo. I wonder if he signed something in advance.”

Just then the door knocked. Dana got up to answer the door and led their guest into the living area. It was Bea from Bea’s Salon.

“Hey, Dana,” Bea said as she walked into the door, “Hey, Katie.” She turned to Katie.

“Hey, Bea.”

“As I promised earlier, I just thought I’d stop by to bring over this magazine for you. I thought you would find it helpful.”

“Oh thanks so much, Bea.” Dana hesitated for a moment before saying anything else. “Oh, by the way Bea, have you heard anything about Mr. Renaldo's family?”

Bea was always on top of local news, just like Gerdie-Sue.

“Well, now that you mentioned it,” Bea said looking at her newly manicured nails. “You know it's no news that the golden girl, Goldie was supposed to marry the rich guy but was having an affair with every poor guy in the district.”

“She was? You're kidding me, right?” Dana was stunned. “Why would she risk losing millions by cheating on the old man?”

“Oh, you haven't heard the last of her, honey. The girl is doing everybody in town.”

Katie said, “Please tell me that you're exaggerating.”

“I wish I could, honey. But the girl certainly knows how to get around. She’s even seeing Phil, the pharmacist.”

“Phil, the pharmacist?”

“Yes, honey. Looks like she really had a thing for the drug guy.”

“But why would she chance it knowing that Renaldo can give her so much?”

“Well it's obvious she didn't really love him,” Bea said.

“Hmm.”

“Oh, and here's the goods,” Bea added, “It looks as if nobody in the household got that much from the old guy. Looks like all of them wanted him dead. According to reliable sources I cannot name, he was a miser he was. He liked his future son-in-law though. The only nice guy in the house seems to be Miles. He’s a collector like me. I met him at the Collectors and Hoarders club of Berry Cove. At least
he
had a job. He works part time at some cleaning company cleaning offices.”

“Yes, I met him at the café he looked torn and broken in spirit over it all.”

“Of course he would be. Jackie’s probably worried about her fortune more than him. But once she gets her money she’d be set for life.  She's not so much worried about her daddy or anybody else. I don't know what Miles sees in her. As far as his sons are concerned Junior and the other guy Tony, well I don't know much about them except Junior was a pharmacist himself. I think he had some pharmacy out west but then he lost his business in the divorce. That poor rich guy never signed a prenup.”

“Oh no.”

“Oh yes. Seems like stupidity runs in that family. None of those rich men sign prenups. Don't they know that there's a lot of gold diggers out there?”

Dana just thought about something. She really had to tell Troy about these new findings but first she would finish up her blog entry for the week.

Oh boy, were things ever looking worse by the minute.