Maggie glowed in the praise but was quick to return it. “And what about you? I watched you all week. You were like Sherlock Holmes on the trail of Professor Moriarty. You knew Ray was innocent, so you flushed out the real killer. It was genius, pure genius!”
Candy snorted. “I got lucky, that’s all. Heck, I almost got us both killed. I wouldn’t call that genius.”
“No, Maggie’s right,” Cameron said to Candy. “You’re the only one who was smart enough to start snooping around. If it wasn’t for you, who knows what would have happened? You deserve a medal or something.”
Candy’s eyes flashed with sudden humor. “I’d settle for someone to help me fix that broken window in my back door.”
Suddenly put on the spot, Cameron stammered a bit, uncertain how to reply, but Maggie and Amanda laughed. “Oh, I’m sure Ray will be over first thing in the morning to help you with that,” Maggie said, coming to his rescue. “Maybe Cameron can come up with a better reward for you, once he comes into his inheritance.”
“Um, yeah, I’ll think of something,” the teenager mumbled.
Candy laid a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t be silly, Cam. You don’t owe me a thing. I’m just glad we’re all safe, and that Bertha Grayfire is in custody, where she belongs.”
“Is she going to live?” Cameron asked.
Candy nodded. “I think so. The police told me this morning that she has a broken collarbone, a broken hip, and two broken legs. But she’s going to survive to stand trial.” As she spoke, her gaze shifted toward a figure walking from the graveside. “Excuse me a moment. I’ll be right back.”
Leaving her friends, she hurried down the slope at an angle, so she could intercept the lone figure as he headed toward his car. “Herr Georg!” she called after him.
Hearing his name, the baker paused and looked back. His expression brightened as he gave her a muted wave. “Hello, Candy.”
She smiled and waved back. When she caught up with him, he continued, “It was a lovely ceremony, yes?”
She took his arm as they continued down the slope toward the cars. “It was lovely, yes. Sapphire would have been very pleased.” She paused a moment before she continued, her tone becoming more serious. “Herr Georg, there’s something I must say to you.”
He turned to look at her expectantly. “Yes?”
“Well, I… I wanted to apologize to you for what happened yesterday-about our conversation in the park. I didn’t mean to pry into your private affairs like that, and I hope you didn’t think I was accusing you of having anything to do with Sapphire’s death. I know I probably jumped to conclusions, but I should have realized you were…”
She broke off as Herr Georg waggled his finger in the air. “Candy, Candy,
Candy squeezed his arm. “You shouldn’t blame yourself about anything that happened at the pageant. You weren’t the only one being blackmailed, you know-and you weren’t the only one who adjusted those scores.”
“I wasn’t?” This took Herr Georg by surprise. His eyes grew wide. “But who else could have…?” But he stopped himself and smiled again. “Ah, but that is in the past, isn’t it? And it is over.”
Candy nodded emphatically. “It’s over.”
He patted her hand, noticeably relieved. “Well, that is good to know.”
She took him by the hand then. “Come, I have something for you.”
She led him to her Jeep, which was parked not too far away. Opening the passenger-side door, she withdrew a thick manila envelope, stuffed with papers, photos, and documents.
“These are yours,” she said, passing the envelope to him. “It’s the rest of the documents Sapphire collected about you. I’ll let you decide what to do with it, though I’d recommend having a nice bonfire in your backyard some night very soon.”
Herr Georg took the envelope appreciatively, his expression solemn. “Candy, I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. As far as I’m concerned, this whole issue is closed.”
She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the cheek. He blushed deeply, making his hair and handlebar moustache seem all the whiter.
At that moment a voice cleared behind them, and someone else spoke. “Miss Holliday?”
Candy turned.
Helen Ross Pruitt stood behind her, looking quite sophisticated in a stylish black suit, a lavender silk scarf that added a bit of color, and a wide-brimmed black hat with a matching lavender band. Candy’s gaze flicked to the right. Standing just there, off to one side, hands folded formally in front of him as he waited patiently, was Hobbins the butler.
With the height of dignity and compassion, Mrs. Pruitt extended a thin-boned hand to Candy. “I have spoken to Cameron and the others,” she said, “but I wanted to express my utmost condolences to you personally on the passing of your friend. I can’t say I knew Ms. Vine well, but I do know that she had a wonderful spirit and energy. She certainly will be missed in this town.”
Candy shook hands with her. “Thank you for your kind words.”
Mrs. Pruitt then turned her gaze to Herr Georg. “Might I borrow Ms. Holliday for a moment,” she asked politely, “so we could have a private word?”
Expertly taking his cue, Herr Georg first kissed Candy’s hand, then bowed deeply to them both. “Of course. I must get back to work. Candy, I will have a little surprise for you early next week. Something special I’m baking. I’ll bring it by the farm.”
She smiled at him warmly. “I can’t wait.”
He nodded to Candy, then to Mrs. Pruitt. “Ladies,” he said gallantly and took his leave.
Candy turned back to Mrs. Pruitt. She noticed that Hobbins the butler had stepped away to a discreet distance, far enough so he was out of earshot, yet not too far away should Mrs. Pruitt have need of him.
It was just the two of them now, standing beside the Jeep, under the clearing sky.
“I would simply like to tell you,” Mrs. Pruitt began, leaning in toward Candy and speaking in low tones, “that I am aware of what you have been up to this week. I wanted you to know that I am greatly impressed by your valiant efforts and congratulate you on your success. I’m not sure you’re aware of it, but the whole town is talking about your sleuthing skills.”
Candy tried not to appear as surprised as she felt. “I… wasn’t aware I had those skills. But thank you very much anyway, Mrs. Pruitt. That’s very kind of you to say so.”
“Risking your own safety as you did, and capturing that horrid woman. It’s quite amazing, really.”
“I had help,” Candy said magnanimously.
“So I understand. But you were the catalyst. Your conviction and tenacity were admirable.”
“Thank you,” Candy repeated awkwardly.
“As you know,” Mrs. Pruitt went on, “Haley is scheduled to be crowned as the new Blueberry Queen on Sunday afternoon.”
“Oh, yes!” Candy looked around. “Where is Haley?”
“She’s waiting in the Bentley. I’ve asked her to give us a few moments to talk alone. Well, to come to my point: we would be honored if you would join us at Town Hall on Sunday for the ceremony and for a brief reception afterward.”
“Of course. It would be my pleasure.”
Mrs. Pruitt nodded in acknowledgment. “Excellent, excellent. We shall look forward to seeing you there. Two o’clock sharp.” She started away, then stopped and turned back. “Oh, and Candy dear-perhaps you would like to come to Pruitt Manor for tea some day next week? We could tour the gardens afterward. I know how much you love them.”
Candy was almost at a loss for words. “That sounds wonderful. Yes, I’d love to.”
“Good! I’ll have Hobbins arrange it. And do you think your friend Ms. Tremont would like to join us?”
“I’m sure she would, yes.”
“Very well. Please extend my invitation to her also. She’s such a nice woman. Delightful sense of humor.”
Candy had to hold back a chuckle. “She certainly has that.”
