Two uniformed officers parked their cars in the alley and came charging towards the back door. Mel recognized Officer Lopez and gave him a faint wave.
“Uncle Stan is inside,” she said.
“Thanks, Mel,” he said. He studied her face. “You all right?”
She nodded and he patted her shoulder and the two officers moved past them into the building.
“I don’t understand why,” Cassie said. “I don’t think Elise even knew anyone named Janie. She certainly didn’t write anything nasty about a woman named Janie Fulton. I would have remembered.”
“And that’s why,” Mel said. “Janie was angry not because she was in the book but because she wasn’t. And apparently she was upset that Elise didn’t include her in gathering her sordid tales, either.”
“Oh,” Cassie said. She frowned.
“Did you know that Elise was using Blaise and the others for material?” Mel asked.
Cassie glanced away, and Mel took that as a yes. Cassie was quiet for a moment and then said, “She paid them very well for any dirt they could give her about residents of the Palms. Elise had a lot of material of her own, but she wanted more. She wanted to destroy everyone who’d ever shut her out.”
There wasn’t much more to say. One woman’s revenge had sparked a series of savage murders, including her own. The whole thing left Mel feeling sullied.
“I’m going to pull the book,” Cassie said.
Mel didn’t say anything. This wasn’t her call.
“Four people are dead because of it,” Cassie continued. “I couldn’t live with myself if I published even one more copy and I’m canceling the movie deal.”
Knowing that she was losing a fortune, Mel’s respect for her friend soared. “I think you’re doing the right thing.”
“Mel!” Joe called her name as he came around the side of the building at a run.
Mel stood on the steps. She’d have run to meet him but her legs were kind of wobbly. She waited until he was within reach and then launched herself at him. He hugged her tight and for the first time since she’d arrived at the bookstore, Mel felt as if everything would be all right.
Joe pulled back and cupped her face. He looked into her eyes and asked, “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” she said. “I promise.”
“If anything had happened . . .” His voice trailed off and he kissed her again. “I can’t even think about it.”
“Me, either,” she said. The fear that had gripped her when Janie had pulled out the lighter rippled through her again. “I’m sorry. I had a bad feeling and I had to follow up on it.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Cassie said. “You saved my life and I, for one, am ever grateful.”
“That’s my girl,” Joe said.
Mel looked at him and was relieved to see that he wasn’t upset with her. Rather, he looked proud.
She rested her head on his shoulder. “Thanks for understanding.”
“Always,” he said.
They stayed at the bookstore long enough to watch Janie get hauled away and give Stan their statements. Steve arrived shortly after Joe and took charge of Cassie. Even though she was no longer a suspect, Steve considered her his client and insisted he be present while she gave her statement. Cassie seemed relieved by his presence, which Mel thought was encouraging.
When they were finally allowed to leave, Mel asked to stop by the bakery. She had already checked in with Oz and Marty and knew they had locked up for the night, but she felt the need to calm her frazzled nerves with cupcakes and wanted to pick up some to take home. Joe, her soul mate in sweets, thought this idea was genius.
She stood in the walk-in cooler packing a box of their favorites while Joe prowled around the kitchen. She had one more space to fill in her box and she wasn’t sure if she wanted a Blond Bombshell or an Orange Dreamsicle. Decisions, decisions.
She heard her phone chime and popped her head out of the cooler and asked, “Will you check that and see if it’s Stan?”
“Sure.” Joe took her phone out of her purse and read the display. “It’s a text from Tate and Angie, checking in. What should I tell them?”
Mel chose the Blond Bombshell. While arranging it in the box, she answered, “Say ‘Nothing much,’” she said. “They’re on their honeymoon. We can catch them up on all of the drama when they get back.”
Joe began to text. He finished and tossed the phone into her purse.
“Speaking of honeymoons,” he said. “I’m thinking I’d like to go on one sooner rather than later.”
Mel felt her breath catch. “Are you asking me to set a date?”
“Yes.”
They stared at each other and Mel nodded. They’d made a run at this marriage thing a couple times now, but this time she felt quite certain they were going to get it right.
“How do you feel about an April wedding?” she asked.
“Sounds perfect,” he said.
“And it’s only six months away,” Mel said. “What could possibly happen in six months?”
Recipes
Champagne Cupcakes
A light fluffy cake topped with champagne frosting.
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup sour cream
½ cup champagne
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and the champagne. It will fizz a bit. Alternately add the flour mixture and the champagne mixture to the large bowl, mixing until the batter is smooth. Fill paper liners until two-thirds full. Bake for 17 to 22 minutes until golden brown. Makes 12.
Champagne Frosting
1 cup champagne
1 cup butter, softened
2½ cups confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon champagne
Simmer one cup of champagne in a small saucepan until reduced to two
