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DANA FOUGHT HARD TO shake off the feeling from earlier today at the café as she pulled out some dresses from her closet for her date with the hot detective Troy for the upcoming Mayor’s Christmas Party later that evening.
She’d just had her bath and had her robe on, still trying to figure out what on earth she was going to wear tonight.
Truffles, her fuzzy little ginger haired cat lay cozy on the bed, watching her. “What should I wear, Truffs?” Dana asked as if Truffs could really respond.
Truffles looked on and purred gently.
Dana’s heart melted. She felt a warm and cozy feeling center around her.
“You know, maybe I tend to over react at times. I mean, earlier today I felt a weird feeling with a batch of cupcakes I placed into the oven,” Dana said as she held up a nice emerald green velvet dress to her while glancing in the mirror.
Dana had been very busy earlier today helping out in the kitchen. Even though they’d hired staff, the orders had been piling up with every small business in Berry Cove wanting catering for their office Christmas Parties, not to mention, the Mayor’s office official party this evening. Though Dana often worked in the office, handling business affairs she was all too happy to help out with the baking today. Katie was still wrapping things up at the café and would be home soon to change for the party which would be starting soon at 6 p.m. It was already getting dark. It usually got dark around 5:30 p.m. at this time of the year.
“Maybe it was because we were discussing something we shouldn’t have been. There’s this woman moving into town, your auntie Katie’s arch enemy. Katie really doesn’t want her here. Actually, I don’t think anyone wants her here but Grandma Rae is probably looking down on us and thinking that’s not what the holiday spirit is about, right? We should be accepting, forgiving and using inclusion of others. So I think I’m going to change the way I feel and tell Katie the same thing...”
Truffles looked satisfied and purred.
“Okay, I cannot believe I am talking to my furry little cat,” Dana whispered. “Okay, I need to get a life...”
Just then Dana heard the door open and close downstairs. “Katie!”
“Yep, it’s me.”
“Oh, good.”
Dana heard Katie turn on the iPod downstairs and the song All I want for Christmas is you by Mariah Carey sounded magically through the speakers.
She heard Katie run up the wooden steps of the staircase.
“Hey, nice music,” Dana commented while swaying to the beat of the festive classic. She had the dress in her hand twirling it.
“Thought it would be nice to get us all in the holiday spirit,” Katie said.
“Cool.” Dana paused for a moment and looked at her cousin. “Katie, have you been...drinking?”
“What me? No. I just had a little holiday cheer. Some of the guys from the suppliers came over and brought in some rum punch.” Katie did a little dance.
“Katie. I’m so worried about you. You’re not still worried about...”
“Nah, of course, not, cuz. I’m good, really. I...am...fine.”
Dana could see hurt in Katie’s eyes and felt sorry for her. Katie wasn’t one to usually drink, not since her college days, but she was obviously bothered about the woman who ruined her life back in New York, now moving to her cozy hideaway home town of Berry Cove.
Katie’s attention then turned to the bed where Dana had laid out several possible outfits. She’d already had her manicure and pedicure done yesterday at Bea’s Salon. Katie had hers done the day before. They both sported red and green Christmas nail designs which looked spectacular. Dana was going to have a logo of the Café done but decided the holiday spirit designs would be best.
“Hey, fabulous,” Katie said, picking up a little black dress.
“Oh, I don’t think I’m going to wear that one.”
“And why not, cuz?”
“I...um...I think it might send the wrong message. I’m going to wear the green velvet dress.”
Katie wrinkled her nose.
“What wrong message? That you’re beautiful and sexy and want to be with him?” Katie gave Dana a funny expression. “The green velvet dress,” Katie said, holding the dress up with a funny look, “Looks like something Grandma Rae would wear. No. Forget it. Grandma Rae would never wear this if she was ever on a date.”
“Katie.”
“It’s true. This old Victorian-looking frock, covers everything up and it looks frumpy on you. It’s so heavy and shapeless.”
Dana grinned. “No Katie. Besides, it’s just a casual date.”
“Now, which one of us is a little tipsy?”
“Katie!” Dana grinned.
“No, seriously, cuz. This hot detective guy really likes you. I know you’ve been too blind to see it because you’ve been hurt badly before, but don’t go punishing yourself by never being attractive to anyone else.”
Katie shoved the green velvet dress in the closet. “Remind me to burn that dress later. You are never wearing it. Ever. Where did you get it again, from a vintage rummage sale?”
Dana playfully rolled her eyes and shook her head. “No.”
“Oh, it looks that way. Anyway, this little black number is perfect.”
Katie held the dress up to Dana. “See.”
The dress was hot. It was a curve-hugging long black dress with an open back. It looked sophisticated enough and yet sensual, too. Was Katie right? Her cousin always looked out for her. As she did for her cousin and all her family. One thing about the Sweet family was that they stuck together and looked out for one another, even though they might drive each other crazy from time to time.
“You know something, you’re right, Katie,” Dana said, holding the dress up to her and glancing in the mirror.
“I’m always right,” Katie grinned. “Besides, isn’t it Grandma Rae that always used to say, life is a dress rehearsal for eternity. Always look your best every day.”
“Never be caught dead wearing something you’d regret, was what she used to say,” Dana grinned.
Both girls laughed at the memory. It was as if Grandma Rae’s spirit was always in the home, her words of wisdom and her humor would always be around them.
“Okay, time to get ready now.”
* * *
“I KNOW I SAID IT EARLIER, but I have to say it again. You look...beautiful, Dana,” Detective Troy said later at the party as the music played. His voice deep and silky and sexy.
Tingles erupted down Dana’s spine. Her heart fluttered in her chest.
“S-so do you, Troy.” And oh, boy did he ever.
He sported a sexy black tux with a black bow tie and filled out nicely in his suit with his broad muscular shoulders. He looked fit and gorgeous in his designer attire that had narrow notch lapels and a body-contouring cut. Hot and sexy. The scent of his sweet aftershave was intoxicating. Sensual.
His dark thick hair was slicked back and accentuated his high cheekbones and handsome facial features.
The mood was so festive at the party hall at the Mayor’s Office in Town Square. The holiday lights flickered and glowed. The enormous Christmas Tree looked fabulous as it stood in the courtyard, lit with thousands of tiny flickering light bulbs. A light dusting of snow blanketed the city and the shop window panes. The scent of baked goods filled the air. The sound of Santa’s bell ringing in the middle of the Town Square and the music from the carolers singing Hark the Herald Angels Sing, filled the air.
Who couldn’t be in the Holiday Spirit now?
As they walked further into the enormous-red and green holiday decorated hall, Dana could see rows of tables with various treats lining them. Including a table with the Cozy Cupcakes Café’s Christmas and Holiday baked goods. Trays of ginger cupcakes and raspberry filled cupcakes were laid out nicely.
“Hey, there, beautiful couple. Smile,” Frank, the photographer from the Berry Cove Gazette said as he snapped their picture.
Beautiful couple?
Dana’s spine tingled with delight at the words. Yes, they did look like a beautiful couple, didn’t they? If only they were a couple.
Oh, what on earth was she thinking? It’s only a one-time, date. He was a very busy detective and she was a very busy blogger and café owner. How on earth could they make this “coupling” work?
“Dana! Troy! You two look fabulous!” Bea, from Bea’s Salon made her way over to them with open arms. “Look at you two,” she continued.
“Thanks, Bea. You look fabulous yourself.” She did. Bea wore dangling large red festive feather earrings and wore a beautiful red dress to match. She looked stunning.
“You look wonderful, Bea,” Troy added.
“Why thank you both.”
“Well, hello there, thank you so much for coming,” Mayor Jones said as he approached them. “It’s wonderful to see you here.”
“Thank you, Mayor. We appreciate the invite,” Dana said.
“Troy, is it possible to have a word with you privately?” the mayor asked, a worried expression on his face.
Troy looked concerned. “Sure. Dana, I’m really sorry, I’ll be right back.”
“No problem, Troy,” Dana said, trying to hide the disappointment in her voice. She hoped everything was all right, but she was sorry to lose her date so soon.
After the men walked away, Bea inched closer to Dana.
“Well, it looks as if there’s a new couple of the year, here,” Bea winked. Bea’s Salon was known as the gossip center of Berry Cove. Bea was a real sweetie and a good close and dear friend of Dana’s late grandma, but Dana didn’t know if she was ready to talk about a relationship that might not be.
“We’re just good friends, Bea. Nothing more.”
“Oh, really now?” Bea arched her brow. “Child, let me tell you something. That guy is hot and if you don’t snatch him up soon, someone else will. Besides, you two look so great together. I see the way he looks at you when your back is turned. Girl, you’ve got one life to live. Live it. Stop working so hard around the clock that you can’t get to enjoy life.”
“You’re right, Bea. But I’m serious. Nothing is going on between us. We’re both busy in our careers.”
Dana swallowed hard. The truth was, nobody wanted to be part of an “in” couple that ended up splitting apart. That would be the worst thing. She would rather date Troy quietly to see how things worked out. Besides, she’d had egg on her face before when her ex fiancé whom she’d doted about for years, ended up marrying her best friend instead. Her ex-best friend. It was a public humiliation she didn’t want to go through again.
Katie then entered the party hall with her date, one of the suppliers for the café. But before Katie could move over to where Dana and Bea were, Gerdie Sue approached her first and they started chatting. The place was busy and filled with party guests already.
Waiters dressed in beautiful dark tuxes walked around the hall with trays serving guests treats and drinks.
“Here you go, ma’am,” a waiter approached Dana and Bea. The tray had festive glasses filled with rich creamy eggnog drinks.
“Thank you,” Dana said as she took a glass from the shiny silver tray.
Just then, the room seemed to go cold and the chatter hushed a bit. When Dana turned around, she saw who it was that walked in looking dangerous and sexy.
Shags Morefield.
The dagger eyes flew through the room. It was palpable.
Shags looked as if she didn’t care. Shags walked in with her date, a hunky guy with sleeked back hair in a grey tux. He looked more like a bodyguard.
Shags did look stunning herself. She had a gold sparkly dress with her hair piled high on top her head and a gold tiara and other flashy jewelry. She’d always been eclectic from what Dana remembered.
Shags had apparently wanted to be an actress but failed. Was that why she became a critic and ended up cutting up Katie’s acting career? Now, of course, Shags had been promoted at the Gazette as gossip columnist.
Shags knew everyone eyed her with contempt, yet a wide smirk played on her face. It was more of a cocky look.
“Looks like the party died before it got started,” Shags joked out loud.
Her companion chuckled.
What a sight.
A few of the guests approached Shags in a friendly manner in keeping with the holiday spirit. But from what Dana had heard, Shags had something on almost everybody. Something dirty. And if it wasn’t dirty, sometimes, she’d make it up, Dana heard.
“Oh, boy, here comes trouble,” Bea said, stroking her long red feathered earring nervously.
“Now, let’s keep with the holiday spirit, Bea,” Dana offered.
“You’re right. It’s just that no one wants her here. Not even the mayor.”
“Not even the mayor? But why?”
“Because she’d blackmailed him before.”
“Really? Then why would he invite her here?” Dana said with a glass of creamy eggnog in her hand. She took a sip and the rich vanilla drink soothed her throat. The taste of sprinkled nutmeg enhanced the drink. Each glass also contained a small stick of cinnamon. It was decorated so festively and creatively. Inga from the café really did a great job, Dana admitted. She’d been honored that Mayor Jones had asked her café to cater the dessert portion of the event.
“Because when the mayor sent the invite to the Gazette,” Bea continued, “he had no idea Shags would come here too.”
“Oh, right.”
“You know he might be going through a divorce, right?”
“Yes, I heard.”
“Well, I bet she’s a factor in it. I heard that he had an affair with Shags.”
“What? Are you sure?”
“That girl gets around. Her name ain’t Shags for no reason.”
“That’s...awful. His poor wife.”
“Exactly. My guess is that she threatened to tell his wife about their affair or she already did. Anyway, their marriage is in trouble. And I think the mayor is going to announce his retirement this year. He won’t be running in the next election. Think he might even step down soon.”
“Stepping down? Are you sure?” Dana was beyond puzzled.
She really liked Mayor Jones. Grandma Rae had loved him, too. He’d been an innovative thinker from the get go and he’d really turned the tourism industry around in a good way for the small town of Berry Cove. It would be a shame to see him leave office. He was in his early fifties and had so much energy.
Was that one of the reason’s the mayor took Dana’s date, Troy, away for a private word? Or was it about something else?
Dana’s ever mystery-thinking mind was beginning to spin into overtime now. Thoughts swirled around in her head about the feeling she was having and how much almost everyone in the room wanted Shags to not be there.
Shags had shagged Katie’s ex-husband, the mayor, and who knew who else?
Okay, positive thoughts, Dana. It’s a holiday party. Where’s the holiday spirit?
“I can’t stand her myself,” Bea continued.
Okay, there went the holiday spirit. Did anyone have anything nice to say about Shags Morefield?
“What do you mean, Bea?” Dana took another sip of eggnog.
“Oh, that girl is nothing but trouble. She...she tried to get me to give her some dough too. I tell you blackmail is her part time source of income. It’s like she’s some sort of spy or detective or something. I bet you she unscrupulously taps people’s phones without them knowing it. I hear her ex used to work in the spy business.”
“Oh?” Dana swallowed hard. Well, that wasn’t good. Dana took another sip of her tasty eggnog. “Why would she want to get dough from you, Bea?”
Bea frowned for a moment. “Oh, its...never mind.”
Oh, no. Did Shags find out an embarrassing secret about Bea?
Just then Shags sauntered over to where Bea and Dana were standing. Frank, the Gazette freelance photographer, who was making the rounds at the party was taking pictures of all the guests. He then approached them.
“Say cheese biscuits, ladies,” Frank said with a wide smile.
The ladies all playfully rolled their eyes and grinned. They said cheese biscuit in unison and he snapped a few shots before thanking them and walking away to take more pictures of other guests.
“Hello ladies,” Shags said, her jewelry dangling from her neck. She had massive earrings.
“Hello,” Dana and Bea said in unison.
“Having a good time?”
“Yes, and you?” Dana said, trying to sound festive. She really didn’t want to be a snob and besides, as Grandma Rae would say, “always be kind and courteous to people, regardless of what you hear about them, especially if they’re being friendly to you. Being nice doesn’t cost a thing,” she would always say. Man, Dana missed Grandma Rae like crazy and wished she were still around.
Shags twirled her hair. “Oh, I’m very good thank you.” She then turned to Bea. “Bea, you remember what we both spoke about earlier.”
Bea seemed uncomfortable and shifted on the spot. That was so unlike her. There really must be something that Shags knew about Bea that Bea did not want anyone else to know.
“Um...yes. Yes, of course.”
“Good. Don’t forget. I’m heading back to New York on the weekend. I need to have it cleared before I leave.” The woman smirked at Bea.
“F-fine. I’ll see what I can do.”
Bea nervously took a sip of her eggnog.
Dana narrowed her eyes at Bea and Shags. Just what was going on here?
Just then, a handsome young waiter approached them with a tray of delicious Holiday Cream Cupcakes. There were only five left on the tray. It looked as if the cupcakes had been going like hot cakes.
“Thank you,” Bea said and took one of the cream filled cupcakes.
“Thanks,” Dana said. She couldn’t resist. Even though her café was catering, she always loved the taste of the treats. And why not? She was there as a guest tonight.
“Oh, no thanks,” Shags said emphatically.
“You should try one, ma’am. They’re really good,” the waiter said as he offered Shags one.
“Oh, I heard about these killer cupcakes,” she smirked. “I’ll pass for now, thanks.”
Shags then walked away.
Dana’s heart fell.
She’d heard about these killer cupcakes? Who on earth did Shags think she was, dissing Dana’s cakes like that?
“Oh, don’t worry, child,” Bea said, noticing Dana’s frozen expression. “She always has something to say about everything.”
“That’s no help.”
“Hello ladies, is everything all right here?” It was Sarah, Mayor Jones’ loyal secretary.
“Yes, I’m fine thank you.” After a round of insults from Shags Morefield, Dana was not going to let Shags ruin her evening. She would let those snarky comments about her killer cupcakes slide off her back like water off a ducks back.
“You sure?” Sarah said, her golden locks of hair dangling at her side in spiral curls. She wore a nice festive red holiday dinner dress and looked spectacular. So different than she usually looked when working at the mayor’s office. She certainly dressed up for the occasion. It was so nice to see everyone sporting their finest attire and coming together to celebrate the holiday season. Dana noticed Sarah had a coat slung over her arm.
“I just saw Shags walked away, just making sure you’re good,” Sarah grinned. Everyone knew about Shag’s snarky hostile behavior.
“Yes, she’s quite a woman,” Dana said.
Just then Bea excused herself and quietly walked away.
“Yes, she is,” Sarah agreed. “I wouldn’t worry about her.”
“I can’t believe the Gazette is giving her a full time job as a gossip columnist.”
“Yes, it’s true. But it’s supposed to be some sort of parody column.”
“Parody column?”
“Yes, almost like humor. I heard from the editor that she’s going to do some sort of fictitious column to entertain readers with disguised news,” Sarah said.
“Oh, I get it. She can’t actually use real names because the newspaper could be libel,” Dana said.
“Bingo. It’s some sort of gimmick to help boost sales in this economic times with stiff competition from online entertainment. Everything seems to be about reality TV, YouTube and gaming. Subscriptions have been slipping apparently and the newspaper was thinking of closing down, but I guess Shags offered them some sort of deal based on her own popularity with that New York newspaper.”
“Oh, right. I get it.”
“Anyway, I’m just going to run out and get some more ice,” Sarah said, putting her coat on, “See you later.”
“Great. See you later.”
Dana felt a bit self-conscious being there without her date. Was Troy still talking to the mayor? She scanned the hall and could see many faces of cheery guests being entertained, chatting with other guests, taking treats from the trays of waiters making the rounds, and drinking. But there was no sign of Troy, or Katie for that matter.
She frowned.
Then Dana sighed.
Not long after that everything went dark and there were a few screams.
“Not to worry, it looks as if we have a blackout guys,” a voice called from across the room.
Oh, great. Where was Troy? Dana thought. She could really use him at her side right now. Dana stood still.
It was funny that the flood lights were not in operation. Everything was dark.
Just then, she spotted a waiter carrying a flashlight.
Then the emergency dim lights kicked in—albeit after a weird delay.
Some guests sighed heavily with relief. What a way to begin a holiday party. The sound speakers were quiet and all one could hear was the sound of murmurs and chattering amongst the guests.
Dana then walked over by the far corner where the dessert tables were to see if she could see Troy. She tripped and fell behind the table on something...
Or someone!
Dana let out a loud scream.
Just then Troy came out from the room behind the table. “Dana, are you all right?”
Troy followed Dana’s horrified gaze as her eyes were fixed on what she’d stumbled on.
It was Shags Morefield. She had what looked like raspberry stains over her lips, a half-eaten cupcake by her head and she was turned on her side.
Troy leaned down and pressed his finger to Shags’ carotid artery in her neck. He then shook his head and stood up.
“She’s dead!”