Frosted on the Ferris Wheel

  FROSTED ON THE FERRIS WHEEL

  Holly Hart Cozy Mystery 3

  Laura Pauling

  Cheesecake, Love & Murder!

  It’s summertime, but not everyone is having a vacation. When the owner of Sunny Side Realty is found buried in a bath of cement, Holly and the gang dive into the investigation. After revealed secrets and failed undercover operations, they have one final attempt to figure out the identity of the murderer, except someone’s next on the list to cool off with a deadly dip.

  More Holly Hart

  Footprints in the Frosting

  Deadly Independence

  Murder with a Slice of Cheesecake

  Frosted on the Ferris Wheel

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  Murder with a Slice of Cheesecake

  The cool breeze off the lake tickled the air and tugged at the ends of Holly’s hair. August had been a scorcher. In the past few days the temperature had dropped to a more normal eighty degrees. Relief. Low on the horizon, the sun sparkled on the water in soft pinks. Small white caps peaked then disappeared. It was Holly’s favorite time to be at the lake.

  On a date with Trent. He’d met her after work.

  It was official. After the last murder investigation, the town had relaxed into summer mode. Trent forgave and forgot the tension between them when she’d nosed around the Agatha Poppleton case.

  “Hey.” Trent ran his fingertips down her arm. “What’re you thinking about?”

  She gazed out over the water. “Oh, just that maybe we should go for one more swim before I pull out the picnic I prepared.”

  She’d spent all morning planning this evening, putting together a simple picnic dinner spread of chicken salad pita pockets, fruit salad, and, of course, homemade chocolate chip cream cheese cookies. His favorite. It was fast becoming hers too.

  His eyes darkened, his gaze lowering to her mouth, then back to her eyes. “In the water? With you? I’m in.” He stood, then offered a hand and pulled Holly to her feet fast enough that she bumped into him. He kissed her.

  “Why, Detective, there could be young children around. You have a reputation to uphold.” She threw in a fake gasp and look of horror.

  He peered down the small beach of the lake. The jungle gym set, the rows of kayaks, and the picnic tables. “I do believe we’re alone, Ms. Hart. Everyone’s home eating dinner.”

  “Well then, okay.” She kissed him back. Minutes later, she broke it off. She’d been finding that harder and harder to do. Kissing Trent was like entering a time warp. Hours could pass in what felt like minutes.

  They walked toward the water, hand in hand. The lake felt warmer in the evening, and they waded in. He let go of her hand and dove under the water. The contours of his muscles flexed as he swam. He looked mighty fine in a bathing suit. All the training for his job had paid off. Not wanting to be outdone, Holly tugged her two-piece into place and dove after him.

  Holly broke the surface and turned to float on her back, staring up at the darkening skies. “Hear that?”

  “What?” Trent floated next to her.

  “The sweet sound of silence.” When they’d arrived, the beach had been packed with families, screaming kids, and hordes of teens.

  Taking advantage of the time, Holly and Trent talked, they laughed, they had a dunking war. The last time, she came up gasping. “Okay, you win!”

  “Ready to eat?” Trent asked. “Before we’re completely in the dark.”

  “Definitely.” Holly looked toward the beach and their set up with chairs, her cooler sitting behind them. Someone had joined them. Smoke rose from one of the grills, the tantalizing smell of steak reaching them. Holly looked closer.

  No way. It couldn’t be.

  Millicent’s blonde hair and fit body couldn’t be missed. She was on a date. A man stood behind her, attempting to kiss her neck. He was extremely good-looking, jet black hair and a body to kill for.

  “Just ignore her,” Trent whispered.

  “Of course.” But for Holly, the mood had been ruined. Millicent had been after Trent since high school, ever since he broke up with her. It was part of the grudge she held against Holly, that and the fact her shop, Just Cheesecake, competed with her father’s bakery, The Tasty Bite.

  As they drew closer, Holly stifled her annoyance. Millicent had set up directly behind them, even though the rest of the beach was clear. And, she had a complete spread on the picnic table. Practically a gourmet feast. Steak, chips, a watermelon shell filled with fruit salad, several kinds of desserts, pasta salad, cheese and crackers. It was enough to feed an army. It put Holly’s planned dinner to shame.

  Millicent giggled and pushed her boy toy away. When she noticed Trent and Holly, she squealed. “Oh, hello you two!” She glanced at their chairs and cooler. “Hope we didn’t interrupt a date. We thought you were a couple of teens out there.”

  Holly bit her lip at the subtle slam. That only teens would have a lame cooler for dinner, instead of a feast. Holly had wanted it simple though, nothing fancy. Like a beach picnic should be.

  “Hi, Millicent.” Trent was the polite one. Holly nodded a hello.

  “This is Chip.” Millicent tugged the man out from behind her. “He’s in town for work. We met last week in the bakery. He’s been a regular since.”

  “I bet,” Holly muttered.

  “But don’t let us bother you two kiddos.” With a flip of her hair, she reverted her attention back to Chip, cooing and giggling, talking in a low seductive voice just loud enough that they could hear.

  “Why don’t we eat?” Holly forced the words.

  This wasn’t the first time Millicent had showed up on one of her dates with Trent in the past month. Maybe it was coincidence. Maybe she’d somehow manipulated Charlene into giving her the information. Maybe she was an obsessed stalker. However she knew, this time was different. This was the first time she brought a date. Holly knew it was an act, an attempt to make Trent jealous by outdoing her in an over-the-top way.

  They sat, backs to Millicent and Chip. Holly pulled the cooler in front of them and offered Trent her chicken salad pitas. Deflated, Holly struggled to recapture the flirty conversation they’d had for the past couple hours.

  Millicent’s soft and husky voice floated in between them. Holly couldn’t help but listen as Millicent read Shakespeare to her date. A glance back revealed Millicent feeding Chip a strawberry.

  “It’s okay.” Trent rubbed the top of her hand. “I love chicken salad.”

  But Holly knew when she’d been outdone. She wouldn’t mind a piece of that steak either. She ate her sandwich in silence.

  Seconds later, Trent’s walkie-talkie buzzed. “Sorry. I have to respond.” He called into the office, offering nothing but a few polite words. “Yes. I’ll be right there.”

  Their date was officially over.

  “Let me guess. Chief Hardy?”

  Chief Hardy was new on the force for about a month. A strong, no-nonsense woman trying to prove she could do a man’s job. She ran a tight ship. She strongly disliked Holly ever since Holly had tried to outrun her last month. It was a mistake. Holly had thought it was Trent.

  “Yup.” He finished off his sandwich. “Work calls.” He grabbed his towel, shirt, and slipped into his flip-flops, then leaned over and pecked her cheek. “Talk to you later? How about we do this again tomorrow night?”

  “Sure.” Holly smiled up at him, not wanting to appear insecure or upset. She understood his job required him to be on call. This wasn’t the first time he’d had to leave in the middle of a date.

  Wit
h Trent gone, Holly wanted to leave, but pride, or something, kept her there.

  Millicent shrieked, laughing hysterically at something Chip said. Holly grabbed another cookie and stared out at the water.

  “Gosh, sorry Trent had to leave so suddenly,” Millicent said sweetly. “Um, do you want something to eat? Instead of lunch leftovers?”

  Holly clenched her teeth and tried to breathe, deep and even, to find a sense of calm. “No thanks.” She was done. Time to go home to Muffins. “I’m heading out.” She gathered her things. As she did, Millicent started reading part of her column from the daily paper she worked for.

  In her sugary sweet voice, she read about the upcoming festival in a few days and that The Tasty Bite had a new cupcake design they would reveal. In honor, they were sponsoring a competition. Most creative dessert.

  Holly swore that Millicent spoke extra loud at that part.

  ***

  Holly woke the next morning in an even worse mood. She didn’t know what she was more upset about. The fact that Trent had to leave or that Millicent had outdone her once again.

  After pouring a cup of coffee, Holly slumped on the couch, Muffins in her lap. She played over and over again in her mind Millicent’s sexy voice, her dinner spread, and Shakespeare! Holly had some major planning to do for her next date with Trent. But the one thought that rose to the top was the baking competition. Of course, Holly had to enter. She planned on manning a booth anyway. This was the perfect way to outshine, outwit, and outdo Millicent Monroe.

  For good.

  Holly stayed on the couch, calmly petting her dog. She thought about the upcoming festival. The hot sun beating down on the crowds. The crying children, squealing babies. The hassled dads and moms in need of escape. Even if it’s just in a decadent dessert...or a cold drink. Like a strawberry cheesecake smoothie.

  Inspired, she eased Muffins onto the couch. Time to experiment. To lose herself in what she loved, baking and being creative. To distract and forget about sizzling steaks, sexy voices, and naughty bits of Shakespeare. A quick peek in the fridge told Holly she had most of the ingredients to get started. Murmuring to herself and dreaming about the frown on Millicent’s face when customers flocked to her booth, she put frozen strawberries, sugar, vanilla, and softened cream cheese into the blender. Above the roar of the old blender, the ingredients were chopped up. When the machine stopped, she heard the frantic pounding on the door.

  “Open up, Holly! Stop binge baking and let me in.”

  Holly giggled. Her friend, Charlene, Trent’s mother and leader of their amateur mystery club, sounded like the big, bad wolf. “Be right there.” She lifted the top off the blender to taste the creamy mixture.” Delicious. But it needed improvement.

  Charlene burst through door before Holly could make an attempt to let her friend inside. Her eyes were wide and bright with excitement. That could mean only one thing.

  Murder.

  Once Holly got past Charlene’s excitement, she noted a subtle difference in her friend. Charlene’s hair was nice and smooth. Was that gel in it? The last remaining tinges of lipstick painted her lips. And she wore flats. Not her yellow boots.

  “What’s up with you?”

  Charlene waved her off. “Never mind about me. There’s been a murder.”

  “How do we know it’s a murder?”

  “This is something you just have to see. It was an accident I stumbled on it at all. Just happened to be driving past.”

  Holly glanced at the time. It was almost six in the morning.

  “I know. I know. I’m usually not out and about this early. I couldn’t sleep last night. A touch of insomnia so I went for a drive. Now, are you coming with me or not? The crime scene is at the other end of town. The abandoned lot.”

  “I’m in.” But Holly stored away for later the fact that Charlene wouldn’t look her in the eyes and quickly changed the subject. And who wore lipstick to take an early-morning drive?

  Once they were in Charlene’s truck, Holly asked, “Can you give me any clues?”

  Charlene gripped the steering wheel, focused on the road. “Nope. This is something words can’t describe. Well, they could, but this way is better.”

  As they drove through town, Holly gazed out the window. She should be excited. Their secret sleuthing club loved to solve murders, hunt down clues, and use their undercover skills. Holly loved to see justice served. But then she thought about Trent, and the past month. Their relationship had seemed normal almost, movie and dinner dates, evening strolls, soft-serve ice cream, hikes. Of course, Millicent had showed up on quite a few of those dates, but regardless, a murder investigation would bring tension. Trent hated they nosed around in business that wasn’t theirs, interrogated possible subjects, at times, causing more trouble than they helped, and they didn’t leave it to the cops.

  “What’s your problem?” Charlene asked. “You don’t seem excited. I wouldn’t have left...I mean I wouldn’t have driven all the way to get you if I’d known you’d be as useful as a pile of beans.”

  “It’s nothing.” She faked a yawn. “Just tired. Still early.”

  “Right,” Charlene said. “We’ll talk about that later.”

  Minutes later, Charlene pulled to the side of the road at least half a mile from the abandoned lot. They climbed out of the car and Charlene went to the trunk.

  “What are we doing?” Holly asked. She wasn’t in the mood for a hike.

  “Avoiding Trent. He’ll know the minute he sees my car.” Charlene shoved a sweatshirt at her. “Wear this and pull up the hood. Your hair is a dead giveaway. No one should know about this yet. Too early. Nothing has leaked to the papers. There haven’t been any arrests.”

  “Good. Then our dear friend Millicent shouldn’t know about it yet.”

  Charlene slipped into a gray rain slicker. A few steps down the road, she spoke. “I know Millicent is a pain in the rear, but you’ve got to let it go.”

  They continued to walk at a fast pace. Holly thought about what Charlene said. She was right. Starting now, Holly wouldn’t let Millicent bother her one little bit. One iota. Not even a sliver of her favorite cheesecake bit. Nope. Not anymore.

  They slowed as they approached the lot. A small crowd had gathered.

  “Most likely family and friends,” Holly whispered.

  “Yup. And you know what that means?”

  “What?”

  “That the killer’s here too. Time for our best sleuthing.”

  “Should we call Kitty and Ann?”

  Charlene shook her head. “No. All four of us here might be too obvious. We’ll catch them up later.”

  They circled behind the small group until they stood on the fringe. At first, they observed. Holly noticed the grim faces, the worn and devastated expressions. One lady with long brown hair seemed the most upset. Wife, probably. That meant the victim was a man, husband or boyfriend, or other family member. They couldn’t hear or see anything, only the murmur of Trent and the chief’s voices. Great. Charlene nodded at Holly to worm her way through to get closer.

  Slowly, bit-by-bit, Holly wiggled her way through until she was as close as she dared. Just one row of people blocked her from Trent’s keen eyes. He was a smart cop. She peeked through, trying to see the body. First, she saw a construction worker, hard hat and jackhammer, ready to drill.

  Then she dropped her gaze. A hand, pale and almost shriveled, stuck out of a block of hardened cement. The rest of the body buried inside it. Holly sucked in her breath. What a horrible, terrifying way to die.

  ***

  She should go back and relay the news of the body, the death, to Charlene, but she couldn’t move her gaze from the cold, pale hand. A thick gold ring encircled his finger. She closed her eyes and shuddered, briefly imagining the fear and panic the victim must have felt as the cement was poured. The wet mixture, heavy and cold. Maybe the hissing last words of his enemy or the clichéd evil laugh. Who would do such a thing? Was this a planned murder? Or a crime
of passion? It had to be planned. No one happens to have cement on hand. Most likely that meant money was the underlying motive.

  And where was Millicent?

  With a soft excuse me and nods of empathy, her head down as much as possible, Holly backed the way she came until she was at Charlene’s side.

  “About time. Thought you were in some sort of trance up there.”

  “I was.” Holly stifled another shiver and tucked her hands up into the sleeves of the sweatshirt.

  “What happened? Bullet to the head? Strangulation?”

  Holly hesitated, not even wanting to say the words. “Cement.”

  Silence fell between them. Tension crackled through the crowds as the jackhammer started up, the loud digging sound rattling nerves. Charlene pulled her away from the crowds.

  In a low voice, she said, “I know this is tough. But most likely all our suspects are here, and probably the killer, especially if this was done by family or a close friend. We have to take advantage of this opportunity. We won’t have it again.”

  Holly nodded, still a bit dazed and torn between getting involved and hurting her relationship with Trent. She thought about her past life, with her wealthy family and all she disliked about that lifestyle, and the murder she had to walk away from. She thought about Aunt Lizzie, the sparkle in her eye and her words of encouragement to go after what she wanted in life. Sadly, Holly had to admit if Trent couldn’t accept her for all of her, then she’d have to let him go.

  “Are you listening?” Charlene threw her a sharp elbow jab in the side.

  Holly cleared the cobwebs from her mind. “Yes. Just say it again?”

  “Wear these.” Charlene handed her a pair of sunglasses. “Look at a person and then click this button.” She slid a small device into the sweatshirt pocket. “It will take a picture. Try to take pictures of faces, or anything suspicious. Guilty looks. Anything incriminating. I’ll cover the side behind the body. You cover this area here.”