Easy Bake Coven: Book One of the Vivienne Finch Magical Mysteries (10 page)

They
kissed once more, only this time it was longer. He nibbled slightly on her
right ear. “I better let you get back to setting up your store.”

She
let out a sigh. “I suppose you’re right.” She fished around in her pants pocket
and pulled out her keys. “I made something special for you earlier tonight.”

“Oh?”
He raised his eyebrows.

“But
it tastes better warmed in the oven, so you’ll have to come back tomorrow to
try it.” She stuck the key into the lock and turned the brass tumbler.

“I
can’t wait. Goodnight Vivienne.”

She
pulled the door open which caused the little bell to ring. “Goodnight Joshua.”

He
waved goodbye and disappeared into the night. She shut the door and let her
heart slow down from its frenzied beats.

Despite
burning the midnight oil once again, Vivienne had started her day a full hour
before her alarm had gone off. Her mind had been working overtime creating
lists and checking items off as she got dressed in one of her better outfits
she had purchased from Kathy’s store. It was a navy blue A-lined sleeveless
dress, paired with a tailored jacket and a faux croc belt. It would be fancy
enough for the media at the ribbon cutting ceremony, yet she could lose the
jacket and slip her logoed apron on to work comfortably through the rest of the
day. Heels, of course, would be impractical so she packed a pair of basic black
flats to change into after the grand opening.

As
she was about to leave, the telephone rang and a quick glance at the display
showed Nora’s cell number. She shook her head and grabbed her car keys off the
hanging wooden rack. “Not this morning, Mother.”

The
gorgeous sunny mornings she had grown used to, failed to repeat today. Thick
gray clouds shrouded the light and threatened rain. As long as it held off for
the ceremony she wasn’t going to complain. She backed down the small driveway
of her little home and hummed along with one of those catchy pop songs that
played on the radio as she started the ten minute drive to work.

As
she drove along Spruce Street, she passed
Clara’s
Diner
and the usual morning regulars that assembled inside. She wondered
who would become a regular at her bakery. Who would claim one of the bistro
tables and regale her with town gossip each morning?

Making
a right at the red light, she turned onto Main Street and accelerated past the
post office and county courthouse. Both buildings had bundled corn stalks and
some pumpkins placed as decorations and it made her smile that her favorite
time of year was coming once again.

Since
it was just after seven-thirty in the morning, most of the businesses on the
street were still dark. However, there were a few exceptions. The lights at
Weiss
Chocolatier
were on as two employees busied themselves with stringing leaf-shaped garland inside
the display window of homemade boxed chocolates and fudge.
Hummingbird Floral
was open for business as the owner, Brian
Amberry
, watered the rows of hardy mums that lined the
sidewalk area in front of his store. He waved to her as she drove by, giving
her horn a little toot. Vivienne made a mental note to stop by and pick up a
few pots to put in her store for some dazzling fall color.

Passing
the darkened storefront of
The Leaning
Tower of Pizza
, she put on her turn signal to pull into the alley when she
noticed Joshua’s deputy cruiser in front of her store along with several other
police cars and an ambulance. ‘He certainly is true to his word about keeping
things secure.’ She thought before braking suddenly as her eyes spied the
bright yellow ribbon around her store and one of those wooden barriers which
blocked all entrance to the alley. Her heart dropped in her chest when she
realized it was crime scene tape.

With
nowhere to park, she had to swing an awkward ‘u’ turn and park where Mona had
received a ticket, directly in front of the fire hydrant. She hurriedly jumped
out of car and dashed across the street as fast as her high heels could carry
her. She no sooner reached the edge of the yellow tape, where a few curious
onlookers were observing the commotion, when Joshua appeared from the alley.
“What happened?” She asked breathlessly as the onlookers murmured to each
other.

“Vivienne,
you’ll have to stay outside the crime scene for now.” Joshua’s voice was low
and professional.

“Is
it my Mother?” She felt tears welling up in her eyes as she recalled ignoring
the phone call. “Did something happen to her?”

“It’s
not Nora.” Joshua assured her.

Without
thinking she fell into his embrace. “Oh thank God. I’d have never forgiven
myself if something had happened.”

He
kept her in his embrace for a moment as she caught her breath. “I didn’t mean
to scare you like that.”

She
pulled her face away from the black leather jacket that he wore over his brown
uniform. “It wasn’t you. I scared myself.”

“I’m
sorry this had to happen on your special day.” Joshua tried to comfort her.

She
could hear the voices of emergency responders talking to each other, radios
crackling from the response vehicles. A sudden flash erupted from the back
alley and she blinked in surprise. “What happened?”

He
looked around for a moment and pulled her out of earshot of the growing crowd
that was gathering in front of her store. “It’s Mona Clarke. She was found dead
in a dumpster out back.”

Vivienne
felt her knees go weak and she grabbed onto the edges of his jacket for
support. “Someone killed her?”

“Yes.”
He kept his voice low. “But right now we’ve got some of the state troopers on
the scene and we’re keeping a lid on the details. Promise me you won’t say
anything.”

“I
promise.” She replied.

“Vivienne,
she was found in your dumpster.”

Her
mind flashed to a horror scene of splattered blood and gore. “Has someone told
her husband yet?”

“We’ve
already sent someone to pick him up.” Joshua’s face was grim. “They need him to
verify her identity before they can transport the body up to Rochester for an
autopsy.”

Vivienne
shook her head in disbelief. “I never thought something like this could happen
here. Who would do such a thing?”

“Given
the mood at the meeting last night, I’d say there is a long line of suspects.”
Joshua added.

Vivienne,
once again steady on her feet after the shock, stepped back from Joshua and
stared at the crime tape. She couldn’t help but think of Mona talking about
those giant novelty scissors used to cut the ceremonial ribbon. “It’s so
unreal. She was just in my shop the other day to get a sneak peek.”

“When
was this?”

“Yesterday
morning.” Vivienne stepped to the side of Joshua as two burly men in medical
garb began to wheel a gurney up the alley. A simple black body bag rested on top
as the metal frame rattled and echoed between the buildings.

“Don’t
be surprised if you get called in for some questions.” Joshua explained as he
turned to face the men.

“Am
I a suspect?” She asked.

“As
someone who was with the victim less than twenty-four hours before her death,
you’re going to get questioned.” Joshua replied and went to assist them with
loading Mona’s body into the ambulance.

“But
it wasn’t anything important.”

Joshua
slammed the back doors. He rapped on the window a few times indicating they
were good to go and turned to face her as the ambulance pulled slowly away.
“Every ounce of information can help to solve a crime. No matter how
insignificant it may seem. I’ll be in touch.” He tipped his hat and walked back
down the alley where several state troopers were gathered in a tight circle.

With
nothing left to do, Vivienne crossed the street only to find the parking
enforcement officer sliding a ticket under her wiper blade. “I’m leaving.” She
tried to explain.

“There
is no parking allowed in a fire zone.” The officer who couldn’t have been more
than twenty explained. He had a pencil thin blond mustache that she imagined he
had grown in an attempt to look older.

“I’m
the owner of
Sweet Dreams Bakery
.”
She pointed across the street. “My parking space wasn’t available this morning
due to the emergency.”

“I’m
sorry ma’am.” He tapped the little device that created the violations. “But I
can’t cancel the ticket once it’s printed.”

Suddenly,
Vivienne could understand why Mona had become so upset. She hadn’t been parked
more than a few minutes and there certainly wasn’t a fire that required access
to the hydrant. “There are never any spaces on the street this early. I was
concerned something had happened to my Mother inside my business.”

“I’m
going to have to ask you to move your vehicle or it will get towed.” The young
officer explained. “The towing and impound fee alone would be a few hundred
dollars.”

Vivienne
shook her head and removed the ticket. She wanted to scream and yell and stamp
her feet, but she couldn’t. Joshua would surely hear of it and worse, she would
probably get thrown in jail for obstructing justice or something. “I’m moving
it now.”

“Thank
you for your cooperation in this matter.” His voice was downright cheerful, as
if he wasn’t used to winning so easily without a fuss.

She
slid into her car and stuck the ticket inside the armrest where several
receipts and other papers had accumulated. She was all dressed up with no place
to go. As she put the key in the ignition and turned the engine over, she gave
one last look at the crime scene in front of her bakery and sighed. A couple of
rain drops splattered onto the windshield. Mother Nature sure could have a
rotten sense of timing, she thought as she pulled out onto Main Street and sped
away.

By
the time she had turned back onto Spruce Street, the rain had become a steady
deluge and she found it necessary to turn the wipers up to high. The bright red
neon of
Clara’s Diner
sign called to
her like a beacon. With a sharp turn, she pulled into the parking lot and
dashed inside.

Clara
waved from her post at the front register. “Vivienne, have you been down on
Main Street this morning?”

Vivienne
ran her hands in an attempt to fix her hair which had become damp and slightly
messy from her morning ordeal. “I just came from there.”

“Did
you find out what happened? Everyone’s dying to know what’s going on.” Clara
inquired as the sound of Harold pounding on the little order bell interrupted
her.

“I
couldn’t get past the crime tape.” Vivienne took a seat at the first counter
stool.

“Did
it involve your bakery?” Clara’s eyes widened. “What happened?”

Vivienne
wanted to tell her what she knew, but Joshua has asked her to keep quiet until
they could make a formal announcement. “I don’t know yet.” She lied. “I saw the
ambulance guys loading a body bag.”

“Good
heavens.” Clara walked over to the counter and set a coffee mug up in front of
her. “No one we know I hope.”

“All
I know is that the body was found in my dumpster.” She took a deep breath. “And
that it wasn’t Mother.”

“Thank
heavens.” Clara grabbed a carafe of fresh coffee and poured it into the
mug.
 

Vivienne
poured some cream into her coffee and swirled the liquid with a spoon watching
the color change from black to tan. She thought about the standing order for
tea that Mona had placed. She wouldn’t require that anymore. Nor would she
require cookies or anything else for the committee meetings. Would the
committee even stay together after this? Had this been the work of someone to
stop the process all together?

“Penny
for your thoughts?” Clara asked.

“I
could use a penny right now.” Vivienne took a sip of coffee, thankful it chased
away the chill from the morning cloudburst. “To offset the loss of all those
baked goods that will go unsold.”

Clara
reached over and placed her hand on Vivienne’s. “You and your business will
survive this.”

“I
hope you’re right.” Vivienne gave a little smile but she knew the effort was
half-hearted at best. “Who’d have thought
Sweet
Dreams Bakery
could turn into a nightmare?”

After
enjoying a cup of coffee and a sympathetic ear to listen at the diner, Vivienne
returned to her home and changed from her damp dress clothes into her comfy
gray sweats that were usually reserved for lazy Sunday mornings of clipping
coupons from the newspaper. She planted herself in front of the computer and
navigated to the
Social Butterfly
site.

She
found the little flower patch icon was highlighted red with the number one
above it. She moved the pointer over and clicked. Josh’s picture appeared along
with a message that he had accepted her invitation to join his friend garden.

Another
click brought up the profile that had been hidden from her and Kathy the other
day. Much to her dismay, it didn’t reveal as much as she hoped. There was a
column with some basic vital statistics that revealed he was six foot five
inches tall and was born on January tenth. He was thirty-three years old and
had graduated from the State University in Albany, New York with a degree in
criminal justice.