Chapter Nineteen

“The audience is filling up,” said Noah as he walked into the contestants’ tent where I’d returned only minutes before after filming my confessional segment. My spirits had plummeted after the confrontation with Rebecca and although I’d managed to push it out of my mind to focus on filming, as soon as I was allowed off set it had all come flooding back. “You’re going to love the atmosphere. It’s just what we need. A full house! Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I said, “I’m fine.” I rubbed my arms, feeling a sudden chill. I knew it couldn’t possibly be the temperature. The heat was soaring and even the big floor fans were struggling to keep the tent cool. No, it was the chill caused by Rebecca’s words.

“I would have believed you until you said ‘fine.’ No one who is fine ever says they’re fine like that. Is it your nerves? Of course it is. Everyone starts feeling the pressure now but you don’t have to worry. You’ve got this, Candice,” said Noah. “The confessional filming went well and everyone agreed doing it at your station was a good move. And I love the outfit you wore today. You look great!”

“Thanks.” I nodded along, pleased at his expressions of support even though I wasn’t really focusing on his words. Instead, all I could think about was Rebecca. Did she mean to sound so threatening earlier? And if she felt content to threaten me in relative privacy, had she also been content to threaten others? Or worse?

I glanced toward the filming stage, wondering if my feet would willingly walk that way. What would the show do if I turned and ran the other way, never to appear again? Probably sue me, I decided with a resigned sigh. I just had to get through today, for better or worse, then it would all be over.

“We need to head backstage and wait for you both to be called. Declan? Are you ready? Any nerves?”

“I’m okay,” he said from the makeup chair where the artist patted his face with a brush. “Better than okay, in fact. I’m excited.”

“That’s just great. Let’s go. Great shirt, Declan. You two both look like winners,” said Noah, but his cheer felt forced and I had a moment of feeling sorry for him. It must have been hard to appear excited today when tomorrow he needed to find a new job.

I smoothed the pink top with its little silver lightning bolts pattern self-consciously. It was a little more fitted than I was used to wearing, but Meredith assured me it would look great on camera and the contrast with the pants was the perfectly stylish note to make me stand out. I just hoped she were right. And if she were wrong, well, I’d enjoy wearing the outfit now and close my eyes during the final show’s airing later. Plus, who would remember my fashion when all anyone would talk about were the murders?

I had a horrible feeling that would be every person’s lasting memory of this show, especially now that it was canceled.

“I heard the news,” I said to Noah.

“Oh?” He raised his eyebrows then, as if catching my meaning, and blew out a breath. “Let’s go out on a high,” he said with a decisive nod, ever the professional. “Let’s make this the best episode of All Star Bakers’ entire run. Can we do that?”

“You bet,” said Declan. “Candice?”

“Sure!” I said, even though I didn’t feel it. I plastered a smile on my face nevertheless and wondered if this was what was meant by showbiz. Was it always required that “the show must go on,” with smiles no matter what? Glancing around, it certainly seemed like everyone else was acting that way, and if they could, well, so could I.

Arriving behind the filming marquee, I risked peeking through a sliver of a gap in the tent walls. Where before there had been a bank of cameras and an apparently empty paddock, now even more rows of folding chairs had been set out facing the baking stations. The whole audience was filling up and I was sure there wouldn’t be a single empty seat. Several large men wearing ‘Security’ t-shirts monitored the growing crowd and I wasn’t sure whether I should be relieved or concerned at the reminder that we needed their presence.

Each contestant had been assigned several tickets for supporters, with an assurance that they would have a seat too if they didn’t make it this far. I’d offered mine to my friends since my parents were unavoidably out of town for a few weeks, and I knew I’d appreciate seeing any friendly faces.

Mia and George were in the front row but I couldn’t see Beth anywhere. A little part of me hoped she didn’t turn up at all. I could just imagine her being disruptive and heckling from the audience, thereby ensuring retake after retake to exacerbate my nerves.

A rapturous burst of applause sounded as the judges walked onto the stage from the opposite side of the marquee and I withdrew, leaving them to address the crowd before they retreated so the cameras could reset their positions for mine and Declan’s big entry.

“Ready?” asked Noah. He adjusted his mic and spoke into it, assuring someone knew we were in position.

“I am,” said Declan. “Candice?”

“I think so,” I said. “I just hope nothing goes wrong.”

“Nothing will,” Noah assured me, “and even if it does, that’s what editing is for. On last season’s finals, one of the finalists blew up a container of flour and it looked like a snow factory. We took an hour-long break, the judges and Miles did an impromptu Q and A for the audience to keep them occupied, and then we started again, editing the scenes together. It was impossible to tell!”

Declan grinned and nudged me. “Let’s not do that!”

“Enjoy your victory walk, guys,” said Noah as he pressed his finger to his earpiece. “Ready in three… two… one…” He waved us forwards. “And go! Good luck!”

For all my nerves, the moment we stepped onto the stage, surrounded by the rapturous applause, I couldn’t help smiling and waving. With the lights shining in my eyes, it was hard to pinpoint any of my friends in the crowd but I caught a flash of Jay and Bridget waving to me, and Meredith giving me a thumbs-up before I had to concentrate on reaching my station without tripping over and falling flat on my face.

For the purposes of filming, both Declan and I had been moved to the front stations while the four other stations behind us had their lights dimmed. It was both strange and exciting to be the last two contestants on set. If only my nerves weren’t fizzling with worry! And if only danger didn’t seem to be lurking at every turn.

No, I couldn’t think like that. I was safe here on set with the lights blaring at me, and dozens of people in the audience. Not a thing could happen to me here… or could it?

I glanced around the filming stage. Declan nodded to me from his station, his face tight. Then he seemed to shake himself as he gave me a smile. “Can you believe we’re doing this?” he mouthed and I had to shake my head.

Next in sight were the judges all in a line, Rebecca leaning forwards to say something to Jack who stood on the other side of Leo. Jack replied something inaudible then caught my gaze and gave me a thumbs-up. A moment later, so did Leo. Rebecca followed their line of sight and gave me a look so frosty that it was all I could do not to shiver. Then the three of them fanned out, Leo heading towards me, Jack receiving attention from the makeup artist who dusted his face with a brush, and Rebecca moving towards Declan.

“Ready for a pep talk?” asked Leo.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.” I glanced at Declan, figuring he was receiving the same question from Rebecca. Had Leo specifically requested me to talk to? I wondered, and was it for a quick pep talk? Or was he instructed to make sure my nerves were calm enough to film? I could only imagine the crew wanted a smooth, clean take so they could pack up and get the heck out of town. None of them could have possibly envisaged how badly the week would have gone, could they?

Once again, I glanced around the stage with suspicion. Was the killer amongst us?

All through the last few days, I’d come to the conclusion it was crazy to think a crazed fan had snuck onto the set to commit a murder… twice. There had to be a reason Robin and Penny were murdered. If only I could work out what it was before it happened again or before the show left town.

No, I had to be strong. It couldn’t happen again. Not with a live audience watching our every movement. The show would conclude today and that would be it. All Star Bakers would leave town… and possibly, so would the murderer!

Did that mean they would get away with it? I hoped not.

Just as my heart began to drop, I spotted Detective Logan taking a seat in the second row and I felt comforted just by his presence. No one would try anything with the detective so close to the stage!

“Candice?”

“Hmm?” I murmured, my attention pulled back to Leo.

“You seem a million miles away.”

“Sorry, I was.”

“Try and push everything else aside,” he said, his voice far calmer than I felt. “I know it’s tough but put everything else in a box and focus only on today. All you have to do is bake.”

“That’s all,” I said with a laugh and a shake of my head, wondering if Leo had ever entered a competition like this. Had anyone here? I glanced across at Declan, wondering if this were an experience either one of us would ever truly be able to share with anyone else?

“We’re filming in five,” called Miles as the crew fanned out across the stage. “I want happy faces, people. I want excitement! This is the final. Today, we’ll have a winner and it’s one of you guys,” he added, flicking his forefingers at me and Declan. “Let’s make sure we give the audience a show to remember!”

“For all the right reasons,” I muttered.

“Hey,” said Leo, his voice softer now. “It’s all going to be okay and I won’t be more than a few yards away. You don’t have to worry.”

“And who’ll be watching you?” I asked.

“Everyone else,” he said with a laugh. “Seriously, Candice, don’t think about anything but the baking. You’ve got this.” Leo fixed me with a long, warm look and for a moment, I thought he was going to lean in and kiss me, then he seemed to shake himself and remember that more than a hundred pairs of eyes watched from the audience. “I can’t wait to celebrate with you,” he said softly, making my heart soar once more before he stepped way.

I watched him return to Jack, then glanced over at Declan. Rebecca blocked my view but they seemed to be having an earnest conversation. Then as Miles called Rebecca’s name, her body shifted and I saw Declan’s hand wrapped around hers beneath the countertop. Quickly, she shrugged him off and pulled away, running the same hand he’d just secretly clasped through her hair before she turned and stepped away, ignoring me entirely.

Declan flapped his hands, flicking his forehead with a relieved “Woo!” like he’d just endured a stern speech. Then he grimaced at me, as if Rebecca had been chewing him out rather than holding his hand.

“Places, people! Judges, get ready!” called Miles, before I could really think about what I’d just seen. Behind him, Noah gave us an excited smile and mouthed good luck before he headed out of sight off the stage. “Lights!”

Calls for “Quiet on the set!” rang out, being repeated until the audience was still. The lights dimmed and as we waited for the judges’ official entrance, I began to wonder about Declan. Why was he holding Rebecca’s hand? Why didn’t she make a fuss about the intimate touch? Unless… she was okay with him holding her hand?

Until now, I’d had no idea they even knew each other personally. Their hands implied otherwise. And with a sinking feeling, I wondered if my shot at winning had ever been feasible at all.

Why the heck were they holding hands? Declan had a girlfriend! She was probably sitting in the audience!

Before I could even think about that question, there was a scurry of activity around the cameras and several more calls for, “Silence on the set!” then, “Rolling!”

I turned my attention to the cameras, plastering on a smile that I hoped looked a lot more real than it felt, but if they could be professional on camera, then so could I!

The judges ran through their introductions, then the cameras focused on Declan and me, panning over us and zooming in for close-up shots as we pulled on our All Star Bakers aprons. I knew the final show would insert a montage of our baking experiences during the course of the series, amalgamated from the footage and the solo interviews they’d already shot, but I didn’t need to think about that now. All I wanted on my mind were the challenges we’d be given and how to knock them out of the park.

While surviving.

Where did that thought come from?

I swallowed hard and pushed myself to listen to what the judges were saying as they announced the first challenge. “We want you to create a simple afternoon tea,” Rebecca was saying. “We’re thinking dainty cakes, bite-sized tarts, and playful petit-fours, all beautifully presented. Contestants, you have ninety minutes. Bake!”

With the complexity of the challenge, which played perfectly to my talents, I shoved the strange memory of Declan and Rebecca away and focused on collecting my ingredients so I could start. By the halfway mark, I’d put a Victoria sponge in the oven, along with teeny, tiny jam tarts, and was finishing up a choux pastry to make finger-sized éclairs. The cream was waiting to be whipped and piped, and the chocolate needed to be melted.

While I cut the cake sponge into thick rectangles for finger-sized cakes, I darted a look at Declan’s station, wondering how he was doing. The cake stand he’d brought with him was delicate china, each level reaching out like a branch of a tree.

I glanced back at the stand I’d brought, one with pretty pastel colors, the edges fluted like flower petals, and wondered if Declan’s theme would outdo mine. Jack was standing behind the station with him, blocking his trays of treats from my view as they spoke in front of the camera.

Before I could crane my head for a better look, Rebecca and Leo approached me, the camera operator moving into position near them. He nodded to us, giving us the go ahead.

“How’s it going over here?” asked Leo.

“Great!” I told them. “Everything is baking on time and I’m really pleased with how my afternoon tea is turning out.”

“You’re making Victoria sponges, tarts, and éclairs. Don’t you think that’s a little basic?” asked Rebecca acidly.

“Not at all,” I chirped, trying to keep my smile in place. “People love simplicity but I’ve added some twists to the flavors to keep things fresh. The decorations are simply the cherry on top.”

Rebecca gazed across my baking trays and raised her eyebrows. “But it’s the decorations they’ll remember. Candice, I’m a little disappointed in what I see so far,” said Rebecca, her voice laced with boredom.

“I think we’re only at the halfway point and I’m excited to see what Candice pulls out of the bag with her classic treats. I think she has several tricks up her sleeve,” said Leo, giving me a reassuring nod.

“I suppose we’ll find out at judging,” said Rebecca. She turned to leave and just as she stepped away, I saw her fingers brush against the temperature gauge of the oven, turning the dial. I waited for her to step away, until her back was to me, before I reached for the dial and returned it to its intended position. Had she done that deliberately? I could only frown in my concern.

“I’m going to get a shot over the baking trays,” said the camera operator. “Then I’ll need another shot of you arranging something.”

“Go ahead,” I said as I stepped out of the way for him to capture his first shot.

“It’s all looking good,” said Leo. “Your sponge looks perfect. Don’t worry about a thing.”

“I’m not,” I said, as I worried harder and glanced at the oven dial again. What the heck had that been about?

“I saw,” said Leo, leaning in to softly whisper it in my ear.

My eyes widened. “You did?”

“Yeah. Good catch. I don’t know what the heck was going on there but… good catch.”

“Should I be filming this?” asked the camera operator, readjusting the camera and checking the lens.

“No, we’re done here. Let’s let Candice get on with her baking,” said Leo.

“I’ll get some more B-roll shots. Go ahead, Candice. Pretend I’m not here,” said the camera operator as Leo moved away. I took a moment to gather myself then carried on.

By the time I was icing my cakes, I felt a lot more confident. I’d carefully tested and tasted all the flavors, practiced all my icing, and felt assured nothing had gone wrong, inadvertently or by design. Now my afternoon tea plates looked beautiful, each cake covered in tiny, pretty flowers, with little sugarpaste butterflies and caterpillars to fit my enchanted garden theme.

I didn’t feel hurried as I added my cake stand to the judging table and a moment later, Declan added his. The cameraman hastened to film them from every angle, and then us as we waited.

“Our competitor’s themes are ‘enchanted garden’ and ‘English country garden’ and I think we can see here why Candice and Declan made it to the finals. Their creations are stunning. What do you think, Jack?” asked Leo, addressing the camera as the judges came to a stop in front of the table.

“I’m delighted with the presentation,” said Leo. “These are both restaurant quality. Who wouldn’t be pleased to be served either of these afternoon teas?”

“I can already see an edge in the decorations,” said Rebecca. “But the proof will be in the tasting. Leo? Jack? Let’s get into it.”

I hardly listened as they went through the judging motions, tasting and commenting on everything, their remarks blurring together before they stepped away to deliberate in a huddle at the back of the filming stage. Declan gave me a confident smile that I found hard to return, yet I knew the cameras were watching for any sign of our emotions breaking.

What I wanted to know was: did Declan have an unfair edge? Rebecca’s criticisms seemed mostly aimed at me. She seemed blatantly unsubtle in her denigration and disappointment, being far more pleased with Declan’s offerings. Had Rebecca tried to sabotage me because she wanted him to win?

When the judges assembled in a line, my heart was already thumping.

In a few minutes, the challenge would be over.

Yet I was determined that no matter what happened, my dreams weren’t finished. Somehow, I would open my bakery!

“It was a close contest, but the winner of the afternoon tea challenge is Declan,” said Rebecca, a smile spreading across her face as rapturous applause burst from the audience.

Leo locked his eyes with mine, the surprise on his face so evident that I couldn’t do anything but look stunned. All at once I knew, I was not going to win and I had the horrible feeling I knew why.

It wasn’t just that, but new, appalling ideas were clicking into place.

Had Rebecca ever been in danger? Or was she the danger?

The only thing I couldn’t work out was why.

“Cut!” called Miles. “Everyone, take a break.”

Before anyone could stop me, I turned and pulled off my apron and folded it on my counter. I wanted it ready to retrieve after the cleaning crew had cleared up our stations for the final challenge. I grabbed my phone from under the counter and hurried to the back of the set, away from the noise and excitement at the front of the stage where the audience had erupted into chatter.

I searched for the number I wanted even though the person I wanted to talk to was only yards away, and hit connect.

In a hushed tone, I said, “Sam, I think I know who the killer is!”