| |
LAUREN’S HAND SHOOK as she pulled her phone out of her purse.
“I’m calling Mitch.”
“Good idea.” Zoe stepped backward through the tent flap until she was outside in the fresh air. Lauren followed her.
Mitch answered and she told him what had happened, her words tumbling out.
“He said he’ll be here in a minute. And not to let anyone else inside the tent.”
“I don’t think that will be a problem.” Zoe glanced around, her eyes wide. “There’s no one else here.”
Lauren scanned the area. Her cousin was correct.
“Good.” She wished she could sit down, but the only seat was a fold up canvas chair, like the ones Ed had brought to the refreshment stand earlier that day. It was the chair that Father Mike had sat in when he’d taste-tested the pizzas.
Mitch and Chris strode up to them. Concern creased Mitch’s face.
“Are you okay?” He touched Lauren’s shoulder.
“Yes.” She nodded.
“Zoe?” Chris asked.
“You know me, I’m fine,” she reassured him. But Lauren noticed her smile seemed a trifle forced.
“I’ll go check on things.” Mitch entered the tent.
He came back out a minute later, pressing buttons on his phone.
“He’s dead.”
“Want me to take a look?” Chris offered.
“Yeah.” Mitch nodded.
“I’m glad I’m not a paramedic.” Zoe shivered.
Lauren dug into her purse and pulled out a mini dark chocolate bar – for emergencies only. This certainly qualified as one.
“Here.” She gave it to her cousin.
“Thanks.” Zoe ripped off the wrapper and broke the morsel in half. “Have some.”
Lauren smiled at her as she accepted the offering. They munched in silence. The cocoa goodness did make her feel a little better.
“What’s happening?” Vince rushed over to them, bewilderment on his face.
“There’s been a homicide,” Mitch answered. “No one is to enter the tent.”
Vince’s eyes widened. “Who is it?”
“Eugene Kantor, the guy who cheated,” Zoe blurted out. “Oops!”
“It’s okay,” Mitch told her. “But don’t tell anyone else.”
“I won’t.” Zoe shook her head vigorously.
“I’m waiting for backup,” Mitch informed Vince. He paused. “What did Eugene mean when he said that you should have hired him when you had the chance?”
Vince looked mystified.
“When he was announced as the winner,” Lauren prompted.
“Oh, right.” Vince nodded. “To be honest, I have no idea.”
“Maybe he applied for a job a while ago?” Chris suggested.
“Maybe,” Vince said doubtfully. “But I don’t remember him and I’ve been running the shop for many years.”
“That is strange.” Zoe frowned.
Uniformed officers arrived, along with crime scene guys.
“It might be best if you two go home,” Mitch told Lauren and Zoe. “I’ll come over as soon as I can.”
“Do you need me?” Chris asked him.
“No – but thanks.”
“I can help pack up the refreshment stand,” Chris offered.
“I knew there was an advantage to having a boyfriend.” Zoe linked her arm in his.
“Only one?” Chris looked at her sideways.
Zoe blushed faintly and urged him forward, Lauren following.
Ed had already started to close down the stand when they got there. He looked shocked when Zoe blurted out what had happened.
“I’m glad Mitch is handling things,” he said.
“Me too,” Lauren replied.
“Well, we’ve pretty much sold out.” He gestured to the remaining baked goods on the table. “Only a few cupcakes and Danishes left, and most people are leaving now.” He gestured to the crowd heading toward the carpark.
Lauren eyed the four red velvets that remained. “Do you think Father Mike would like them? Or what about the volunteers at the shelter?”
“I thought I’d take my Danishes to the shelter,” Ed replied. “I’m sure Father Mike would appreciate the cupcakes.”
“He would,” Zoe agreed.
“Okay.” Lauren boxed them up. “I wonder if he’s still here?”
“We can stop by the rectory on the way home,” Chris spoke.
“Good idea.”
“If he’s not home, we can leave a note on the doorstep,” Zoe proposed. “I bet he’s used to people leaving him all sorts of food gifts.”
They quickly closed down the stand and said goodbye to Ed.
“Ooh – there he is!” Zoe waved to the priest who was heading to the carpark. “Father Mike!”
“Yes, Zoe?” The priest turned.
“I thought you might like to have the left-over cupcakes for your parishioners – and one for you, of course.” Lauren held out the box. “I baked them this morning.”
“That’s very kind of you.” Father Mike smiled. “Thank you.”
“I hope the animal shelter raised a lot of money today,” Zoe remarked.
“I do, too.” Father Mike nodded.
They said goodbye to him and headed toward their car. Chris had arrived separately, so he jumped into his vehicle, while Lauren and Zoe piled into theirs.
“I can’t wait until I tell Annie I – we – won second prize – for now, anyway.” Zoe giggled. “I wonder what she’ll say.”