A Flaky Alibi Read online

Hadley placed what she hoped was a comforting hand on Mickie’s shoulder.

  “Oh well. It is what it is.” She blew a lock of hair out of her face and feigned happiness. “My stuff’s too messy, anyway.”

  “But yours always tastes the best,” Hadley said, remembering with a hint of guilt that Grady’s had beat Mickie’s in that category as well.

  “Yeah, especially now that Grady’s out of the way,” Suze said, grimacing. “That was terrible. I’m sorry.”

  Mickie shook her head. “Don’t be. He was better than me, and I wasn’t mad he won today. I’ve never been mad at him for winning.” She shrugged. “I can’t figure out why everyone suspects me.”

  Hadley glanced over at Suze before asking, “Mick, had you heard about Grady’s plans to open a bakery here?” Her gaze tiptoed over to Mickie to gauge her friend’s reaction to the question.

  Mickie sighed. “Yeah, but I doubted he would actually do it. Even if he did, it wouldn’t be a big deal. I know I moved here to get away from the chains in Cascade Ridge, but one other bakery in town will not ruin me. Honestly, it would be a relief. I can’t keep up with Stoneybrook alone.”

  That was true, Hadley reflected. Most days Mickie sold out by lunch, having to close down a few hours early because she was out of stock. The woman rubbed at her tired face and took a step back.

  “If it makes you feel better, we believe you,” Suze blurted out as if to keep her from leaving.

  Mickie nodded. “It does. More than you know.” Her attention wandered back to the community center where the townspeople streamed out of the now open double doors. “Look, as much as I love you for checking on me. I’m fine. I need a little time alone.”

  Hadley and Suze said they understood and watched their friend leave, jogging across the small side street toward her bakery. The lime green-and-white-striped awning fluttered in the biting winter wind as Mickie unlocked her shop door and disappeared.

  Her friend’s distress sat on Hadley’s chest as palpably as when she woke up to a cat sleeping on her. She turned to Suze. “We’ve gotta figure out who did this, for Mickie’s sake.”

  “I’d put my money on the other bakers. There’s no way Mickie did this. Those two in there went from being quarter finalists to finalists in one day. That has to be motive.”

  Hadley chipped the polish off her left thumbnail as she contemplated that. “It’s all we have. I’d say it’s as good a place as any to start. But first, we need to go clean up our market supplies.”

  “I’d blissfully forgotten that for a moment.” Suze cringed.

  The women turned toward the community center. The place had cleared out by the time they made their way back. Paul and Kevin were still meeting with Dr. Hall by the crime scene. Paul lifted his chin up in a hello at the two as they scurried over to their tables and loaded their supplies onto the carts. After making sure it was all marked, they pushed their carts into the large storage space behind them.

  A few other vendors followed them into the storeroom, waving goodbye as they finished up. Hadley and Suze headed across the basketball court to check in with Paul when a loud crash made everyone, remaining in the gym, jump and look toward the front door.

  One of the volunteers stood holding a trash bag above the can. The plastic must have snagged on the side of the metal can when she'd pulled, sending the empty bin crashing down onto the linoleum.

  “Sorry.” The woman held up her hands, the trash still clutched in her right.

  Swallowing her heart down her throat, Hadley continued toward her brother, hoping to get some answers.

  4

  Paul hadn’t given Hadley and Suze any information, instead saying, “Hit the road, Velma and Daphne,” when they’d come over to talk to ask him about the case. Even after insisting they were his Scooby gang and could help, Paul—or, in this case, Shaggy—had refused to talk.

  But it had been the arrival of Mark McKay, the ornery sheriff who had finally convinced the women to leave. As much as they saw Paul as the law in Stoneybrook, he was only a deputy. He still had to answer to the big boss up in Cascade Ridge every time something serious happened here. Hadley didn’t envy her brother regarding the conversation he was about to have with the grumpy sheriff.

  Leaving the stuffy community center felt akin to taking a breath after deep-sea diving, to Hadley. She pulled the crisp, winter air in through her nose and reveled in the way it whooshed into her lungs. Snow blanketed the surrounding hills, and even Fenton Park still held on to a dusting, no doubt crusty with ice after melting in the sun and refreezing last night.

  “Freedom,” Suze said, the word wrapped up in a sigh, zipping up her down jacket. “I don’t even care that it’s about as cold as the inside of a freezer around here.” She turned to Hadley. “Wanna grab coffees and walk along the river?”

  Hadley nodded without a second thought. Now wearing her winter coat, nothing sounded better.

  The two friends headed to Cascade River Coffee and left out the back door a few minutes later clutching a latte each in their gloved hands. Hadley zipped up her coat so it covered her neck and wrapped her fingers around the warm drink. They clomped down the steps leading off the back porch of the café which led them to the mighty river.

  At that time of the year, the Cascade River slipped by at a slower pace than it did in the spring when the snow from the nearby mountains melted. And while the smaller local streams froze solid—along with every pond in the valley—the river was much too large and fast-moving to freeze. The normal rushing had a muted quality to it as if someone had turned down the volume a few notches.

  “I hope Paul can figure this out before next weekend.” Suze shook her head. “I mean, it would be awful if he had to shut down the Bake-Off. Grady’s proof that the competition is huge for local businesses.”

  When Grady won two years ago, he’d used the capital toward opening Cascade Valley Bakery, which had grown into a successful staple in Cascade Ridge. Hadley wasn’t Grady’s biggest fan, but she loved to see local small businesses succeed rather than, yet, another chain moving into the city to the north.

  “Unfortunately, Grady’s also proof of the competition’s not-so-awesome consequences,” Hadley said.

  “I suppose.” Suze took a drink. “So the competition was the reason he died?”

  Hadley shrugged. “It makes sense, right? He dies right after winning top baker, two weeks before the final? Poisoned with a pie? Sounds like it’s all related.”

  “True.” Suze dipped her head once. “And who are you thinking of as suspects?” she asked.

  Hadley paused and cut a sidelong glance at her friend. Suze was her partner in solving crimes, but ever since she’d gotten involved with Paul, Hadley wasn’t sure if she’d still be up to helping her investigate.

  As if she could read her thoughts, Suze waved a gloved hand toward Hadley. “Oh, don’t be worried about Paul. He said himself that he doesn’t want our relationship to change the things we love about our friendship. And helping him with cases is one of my favorite parts.” Her smile faded. “Plus, seeing him pull Mickie in for questioning was terrible. We’ve got to do everything we can to clear her name.”

  Hadley nodded. “I understand Paul is just doing his due diligence in talking to her, but she was just fitting in around here. I’d hate to see how this could affect her business if the locals distrust her.”

  “Right.” Suze stared at the river for a moment. “So, suspects,” she said, turning back to Hadley.

  “Well.” Hadley sighed. “There are the other competitors. I thought Willow at first, but poison in a pie seems like something she would’ve had to cook up beforehand, both figuratively and literally. Her outburst today was much too raw and in the moment to warrant that kind of attack on Grady.”

  “Unless she assumed she would get kicked out of the competition and prepared ahead of time.” Suze shrugged, her breath escaping in puffy clouds in front of her. “What about Ian and Erica?”

  Hadley squinted aga
inst the midday sun. “I can’t see why either of them would have a problem with Grady outside of the Bake-Off. They’re both strong bakers who would have a good shot at the title if Grady was out of the way.”

  “But by killing him, they may have blocked anyone’s chance of winning.”

  “Right, so maybe it’s less about winning and more about a baking-related grudge.”

  “Paul sure has his work cut out for him.” Suze shook her head. “I still can’t understand how someone could think Mickie was responsible.”

  “I know, but we know her and love her. To anyone who doesn’t, the fact that she was competing against Grady for the title might seem like enough motive. Not to mention his news about opening a bakery in Stoneybrook.”

  Suze scoffed.

  Hadley held up a hand. “I said might.”

  They rounded a bend, and Jefferson Island came into view. The small hundred-by-fifty-foot tract of land in the middle of the river was reachable by foot only during the colder months. In the middle of spring and summer, when the river was high and fast, a boat and rope where required to make it to the sandy shores.

  “You going to miss it if they do cancel?” Suze asked.

  “Yeah, I will. It’s been nice eating all of those desserts and breads.”

  “Not to mention seeing Luke every weekend.” She elbowed her.

  Normally, Hadley would scoff, roll her eyes, or deny anything when her friend would bring up the handsome man Hadley had known her whole life. Today she simply nodded. A small gesture, but one that spoke volumes.

  Suze must’ve known how much. She dipped her chin, obviously trying to play it cool, but failing at hiding the grin pulling across her face. “You two seem to be getting along much better.”

  It was true; they hadn’t always seen eye to eye. Especially because of Luke’s close friendship with Hadley’s ex-husband. But Luke had noticed the change in Tyler too. After the way he’d treated Hadley, and a few less-than-admirable comments he’d made about her, Luke realized their friendship was over.

  She agreed. “We’re getting back to our old selves.”

  Luke’s comment about not ruling things out had made her wonder. Was he hinting at being more than friends? Or had he just been talking about cats? She had misread the man in the past, so it was a definite possibility in this situation.

  But Hadley didn’t have a moment more to consider Luke or anyone else. As they came up behind the community center, she noticed something that took all of her concentration.

  Willow.

  Suze gasped. “Where’s she been?”

  The young woman was skirting around the back of the building, glancing over her shoulder toward the parking lot. She was unaware of Hadley and Suze, their footsteps were no doubt masked by the rush of the river. There was also a line of sparse birches in between them and the building, though bare from the cold winter, they provided a little cover.

  Even so, Hadley stopped and ducked behind one to watch, hoping Willow might not notice. Suze caught sight of what had stolen her friend’s attention. She followed Hadley’s lead and sidled up behind her own tree.

  “What are you doing?” Suze whispered. Hadley knew she was talking to Willow, not her.

  The young woman glanced their way, and they both ducked. Their cover seemed to hold, and Willow turned back toward the building and rounded the last corner, stopping outside the back door to the community center’s basement.

  She can't get in without a key. Hadley kept the thought to herself, knowing Suze was well aware of the fact.

  Willow paused at the door, grabbing the handle, and then pulled it open. Both Hadley and Suze sucked in a surprised breath as Willow slipped inside.

  “What’s she doing?” Suze hissed.

  “I have no idea.” Hadley pulled out her phone. “But whatever it is, Paul needs to crash it.”

  She knew from experience he wouldn’t answer her call, especially when he was meeting with McKay—figuring she was just being nosy about the case. But a text would catch his eye for sure.

  Willow snuck into the basement!!! Right below you. Go down there!!!!!

  She hoped her excessive use of exclamation points would convey the amount of urgency the situation called for. Her shoulders relaxed as she saw him typing an answer back. Seconds later, a thumbs-up emoji came through.

  The women stared at the back door. Hadley had never wished for X-ray vision so intensely. What was going on in there? Suze tensed up beside her, the stress obviously getting to her too.

  While it was only seconds, it felt like hours passed as they waited for something to happen. Hadley jumped as her phone buzzed with another incoming text from her bother.

  No one down here. You sure?

  Suze, who read the text over her shoulder, squeaked. “Is he serious? We saw her go in!”

  Hadley typed as much in a reply.

  “Could she be hiding?” Suze wondered aloud.

  Hadley’s eyebrows furrowed together. “She has to be. Right?”

  Suze shrugged. She looked from the phone to the back door.

  Another text came through. No one down here, Had.

  His curt text dripped with frustration. Especially with McKay there, he was no doubt looking pretty silly right about now, dragging his boss downstairs based on a text from his sister.

  Just as she was thinking they should get their eyes checked, the back door opened again and Willow slipped outside, a bag slung over one shoulder. She let the door latch slowly and then slid around the back side of the building.

  Hadley’s fingers flew across her phone’s digital keyboard.

  She’s out back! North side of the community center!

  She held her breath again as Willow tiptoed around the side of the building, peeking around the toward the front.

  Suze leaned forward, taking a small step and proving that she considered chasing the suspect too. They couldn’t let her get away.

  Right when Hadley was about to give chase, Willow stumbled backward and ran toward the river and their hiding spot.

  “Stop right there, Willow!” Paul’s booming voice preceded him around the building.

  Willow’s shoulders scrunched up and then fell. She came to a stop and turned to face Paul.

  A sigh of relief slipped from Hadley’s lips, and she looked down as Suze squeezed her hand. It was as if they’d been ready to stop the woman Red-Rover style if she’d gotten that far.

  “I’m going to need you to come with me,” Paul said, leading Willow back to the front of the building.

  Before he turned, he glanced toward the river, searching for his informants.

  5

  An hour later, Suze and Hadley sat on a bench in front of the community center, not having moved more than a few inches since Paul had taken Willow inside. Rays of sunshine blanketed Hadley, taking some of the bite out of the frosty day. She lifted her face to the sun, soaking up as much as possible.

  “This is the best place to sit on a sunny day like today.” She sighed and glanced over at Suzanne who was next to her on the bench. Hadley took a bite of her sandwich, her down jacket making swishy noises with the movement of her arms.

  “Yep. You can hear the river, see everyone walking through town, and we’re right next to the park.” Suze, clad in sunglasses and a puffy jacket, unwrapped her food.

  Luke cleared his throat from the other end of the bench. “You two realize no one else is here. You don’t need to lie about how we’re sitting here waiting for Paul and Willow to come out.”

  Hadley and Suze shot him annoyed glares, but he just ate his own sandwich and winked at them before putting on his sunglasses.

  They couldn’t be too mad at the guy. He had brought them food. Neither Hadley nor Suze wanted to chance missing Paul or Willow, but it was past lunchtime, and their stomachs had been growling in protest. They’d settled on calling Luke and asking him to bring them sandwiches from Wendy’s café. He agreed, but only if they allowed him to sit with them and “experienc
e the show firsthand” when Paul left the building.

  Suze cleared her throat. “We like to have our story straight.”

  Luke laughed. “Right, because Paul won't see right through this.” He motioned to the three of them sitting on the bench. “You keep living that lie, Suze.”

  Hadley had just finished her sandwich when the double doors of the community center creaked open. Willow scurried out, keeping her head down and hiking the duffle bag higher on her shoulder. Suze sat forward and Hadley caught her breath, wondering if they should chase after her.

  Those thoughts went out the door when her brother stepped out into the snowy afternoon. The chill of his gaze reached her long before he did. She had the distinct need to run away as he walked toward them.

  Luke kicked back and smiled. “I lied earlier. This is the real show I came to see.”

  Suze and Hadley didn’t have time to do anything more than scoff at their third wheel before Paul approached. He raised his eyebrows as if waiting for the answer to a question he hadn’t asked.

  Or didn’t need to ask.

  Hadley waved. “Isn’t it gorgeous out?”

  “We got you a sandwich,” Suze said, pulling out the last item left in the to-go bag next to her. “We figured you might be hungry when you came out.”

  A sense of pride welled up in Hadley at her friend’s resourcefulness. She’d been the one who’d thought to ask Luke to get an extra sandwich, in case Paul was hungry. It was much harder to be mad at someone offering you food.

  “It’s below freezing.” Paul’s voice was as thin and sharp as the gourmet slices of cheese Wendy used in her sandwiches.

  “Which must show our level of commitment.” Hadley dropped the we were just here having a picnic act, seeing her brother wasn’t buying any of it.

  Paul glared at her. “Or insanity.”

  “Come on, Paul,” she pleaded. “Tell us what you learned. We’re the reason you have anything on her.”

  Paul cocked an eyebrow. “Who says I have anything on her?”