I’d dropped some deep purple pansies from my garden around the edge of the cupcake plate to add a little color. I’d learned during all the years Charlie worked in PR that presentation was everything.
“I think this whole concept of portion control is just the thing.” CeeCee moved her gaze around the cupcakes and then picked the biggest one. “It’s all about not eating too much of anything.”
Now that CeeCee had help, she’d gone all out with the tea. The tray held a dark blue pot covered with a blue and white cozy, a silver tea strainer and two white bone china cups. There was also a pitcher of cream, a small honey pot, a bowl of sugar cubes and even a half lemon all gussied up with a cheesecloth cover. Rosa had brought in plates and silverware separately.
As CeeCee poured, I took a cheesecake. What can I say, I like my own baking. I was still wowed by the mixture of the creamy vanilla top over the buttery graham-cracker-crumb crust. I’d originally called the recipe Baby Cheese-cakes, but with all the hoopla about cupcakes, I renamed the recipe Cheesecake Cupcakes.
No need to worry about portion control for me. One was quite enough. The tea was a nice accompaniment. I loved coffee, but every time I had tea, I was amazed how it made my insides feel calm and serene.
The two Yorkies positioned themselves on the chair behind CeeCee. They each stuck a head under her arm and started yapping as they stared at her plate.
CeeCee gave them each a bit of cheesecake, telling them it wasn’t good for dogs. They didn’t seem to care and were instantly back for more.
The handkerchief was in my purse. I’d hoped there would be a casual way I could bring it out and show it to CeeCee, but it didn’t look as though that was going to happen. So, I just took out the plastic bag and set it on the table.
“Do you have any idea what this is?”
“So, that’s why you were asking all the handkerchief questions,” CeeCee said, glancing at the bag with the hanky inside. I had wondered what to do about cleaning it. The red stains were kind of icky, but if the hanky was evidence they might be important. In the end, I’d left it as is, only flattening it out. The fabric still had wrinkle marks, but at least it wasn’t squished into a ball anymore.
CeeCee wrinkled her nose in distaste, and I knew she was noting the red marks. “It looks like a hanky in need of a bath.” She pointed at one of the spots with the metal hook. “Is that blood?”
“More likely tomato bisque,” I said.
CeeCee’s eyes widened. “Where did you get it?”
I was hoping she wouldn’t ask, but in case she did I’d already worked out an answer. It was basically the truth without all the details. I said I’d picked it up by mistake at the Cottage Shoppe.
“Do you think it was in the room when that Brooks person died?” CeeCee didn’t wait for me to answer. “It’s some kind of clue, isn’t it?” She picked up the plastic bag and began to examine the hanky. “I’d say the trim is definitely thread crochet. I’d guess it is old, since nobody carries something like this these days. It reminds me of a prop I had in a period piece I did at the beginning of my career. They gave me a hanky to hold in my hand, saying the lacy edge made my hand movements more dramatic.” She set the bag back down. “I’m afraid that’s all I know. You should show it to Sheila. Remember, she’s studying costume design.”
I hadn’t thought of that, but it was a good idea. I put away the hanky, and CeeCee gave me some directions for making a coaster with thread. The doorbell rang, and CeeCee made it clear our time was done. “I know you’re busy, dear,” she said, leading me to the door.
As I walked out, a woman pushed a rack of clothes in. She was followed by a small brunette carrying a makeup case and a man dressed all in black with a blow dryer stuck in his belt. Apparently CeeCee’s stylist brought a crew.
CeeCee was right. I was busy. After stopping home to change and take care of the dogs, I had to set up for Patricia Bradford’s book signing. And I had a feeling it was going to be a bumpy evening.
CHAPTER 20
THE BOOKSTORE WAS IN CHAOS WHEN I GOT there. Patricia’s people seemed to be everywhere. Someone was taking out the regular chairs I had set up, and someone else was bringing in better-looking ones from a rental truck out front. A woman was rearranging the top sellers’ table, taking off what was there and filling it with stacks of
This was way beyond what I’d agreed to. To make it worse, Adele was watching it all and taking notes. I tried stopping the progress of the chair people to no avail. I found the guy in charge of the camera crew, but he told me to talk to Patricia. Eduardo was hanging around near Adele and taking it all in. I certainly hoped that Adele wasn’t promising him a production like this.
I was at the front of the bookstore when a small bus pulled up. One of Patricia’s people flew past me and rushed outside to greet the passengers as they disembarked. It was like the Noah’s ark of the politically correct. An elderly Caucasian couple got off first, followed by a pair of prosperous-looking African-Americans, two Hispanic teens, Asian twins, an arm-in-arm couple of gay men and finally, two hand-holding brunette lesbians.
Patricia and Benjamin came across the parking lot. Even from a distance, it was obvious they both were wearing stage makeup. When they reached the front of the bookstore, the bus passengers were arranged around them and a still photographer got it on film.
How could I have been so dense? They were filming this to use it as part of a campaign commercial. The crowd moved inside, and I dodged the parade of chairs to get to Patricia.
“You’re going to have to tone this down,” I said. She was all smiles as she reminded me it had all been spelled out in the paper I’d signed. Now I understood why she’d made it impossible to read when she’d given it to me to sign.
“Don’t worry, it’ll be fine,” she said in an artificially warm voice. “Look, Benjamin, here’s Molly.” She pulled me into their little circle.
“We can’t thank you enough,” Benjamin said, greeting me. “It’s good to have you on our team.” Benjamin turned his head toward the camera and put on a sincere smile while he shook my hand and put his other hand on my shoulder.
I could just imagine the caption:
I let out a sigh and realized there was no way I could undo this circus, but maybe there was a consolation. People seemed to be attracted by the film crew. Maybe they were curious, or maybe they thought it was their chance to be part of history, but passersby kept coming in. And once they got bored watching the group from the bus be arranged and rearranged in the front rows, they browsed the rest of the bookstore. I noticed a constant line at the cashier. A surge in sales might smooth things out if Mrs. Shedd found out about the filming, which I’m sure she would, courtesy of Adele.
By the time Patricia’s program was to begin, all the seats were filled and there were even people standing. It seemed odd to have everything set up in the middle of the store, but by then I was just going with the flow. I started walking toward the demonstration table to do my introduction, but Benjamin got there first. He took the microphone off the stand and began addressing the crowd while two men with large cameras on their shoulders videotaped him.
“Let me tell you a little about my wonderful wife. Before we married, she was a single parent and she’d told me how hard it was to keep it together for little Kimmee and Demetrius. Her book of hints is testament to her ingenuity and creativity.” He was laying it on pretty thick, and I tuned out so as not to go into sugar shock. I checked out the crowd and noticed a lot of regulars, but was surprised to see Pixie had come in.
As I eased my way toward her, Bob came out of the cafe holding some iced drink with a lot of whipped cream. He presented it to her and hung around waiting to see her reaction. She was more interested in Eduardo, who was leaning against a bookcase behind Benjamin and the demonstration table, so he was facing the crowd. She took a sip of the drink and threaded her way through people until she was next to the cover model. Bob followed her like a puppy dog. I made a mental note to give him more compliments on his work. I hadn’t realized he
