Recipes and Revenge (A Macaron Patisserie Cozy Mystery Book 2) Page 2

  “Oh no, I forgot my purse.” Lucy sighed. “I guess I’m carrying so many bags that I just forgot to pick it up.”

  “Just run back in and get it, I’ll load up the trunk.” Chantelle popped open the trunk and began piling in the bags.

  “Thanks.” Lucy jogged back into the building and towards the classroom. Just as she grabbed her purse she heard an ear-splitting scream. It took her breath away and made her heart race in the same moment. It was too close to be Chantelle. It was someone in the building. She rushed out into the empty hallway. “Hello? Is anyone here?”

  Another scream echoed through the hallway, followed by more intelligible words. “Help, please someone! Help! It’s Hugo! He’s dead!”

  Chapter 2

  Lucy ran towards the sound of the panicked voice, which she thought belonged to the owner of the school, Sophia. By the time she reached the classroom she was in, Sophia was already on the phone with the police. Through sobs she explained the situation.

  “He’s in the walk-in pantry. He’s dead! I don’t know, maybe it was an accident, I don’t think so! I think he was murdered! No, there’s no pulse, I already told you that. Please, someone help me!”

  Lucy dropped her purse as she stared into the classroom towards the walk-in pantry. She couldn’t see beyond the doorway, but had no doubt that Sophia had seen what she claimed.

  “Sophia, are you okay? What can I do?”

  “The police are on their way. Oh no, I don’t know how this happened. It’s Hugo, Lucy. How can he be dead?”

  “Maybe he’s…”

  “No, his eyes are wide open, he’s not breathing he’s…” Her voice caught in her throat and she began to sob again.

  “Try to breathe, Sophia.” Lucy wrapped her arms around her and held her close. Sophia’s entire body shook. Lucy couldn’t imagine the shock she’d been through. She slipped off her jacket and wrapped it around Sophia’s shoulders. As she did, two police officers rushed past her into the classroom. Sophia followed after them. She started to as well, but her cell phone rang. She picked it up when she saw it was Chantelle.

  “What’s going on in there? Are you okay? I saw two police cars pull up and there’s an ambulance on its way.”

  “I’m fine. Sophia found Hugo dead in the walk-in-pantry in one of the classrooms.”

  “Dead?”

  “Dead.” Lucy cleared her throat. “The police are with her now. I have to go.” She hung up and stepped aside so that the paramedics could get inside. One of the officers stepped up to her.

  “It’s Lucy, right?”

  She stared at him for a moment. How did he know her name? “Yes, it is.”

  “I recognized you. I’ve been in your shop a few times for macarons.” He frowned. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave while we investigate this. It looks like it was a murder so we need to make the whole school a crime scene. I’ll be in contact if we have any questions for you.”

  “Oh, okay.” She stumbled away from the door, still in shock. When she reached the outer door of the school Chantelle greeted her there.

  “I tried to get inside, but the officers out here wouldn’t let me. Are you okay?”

  “Yes, just stunned. I can’t believe this happened.”

  “Let’s go home. We can sort it all out at my house, okay?”

  “Yes. Let’s do that.” Lucy glanced back over her shoulder, then walked towards Chantelle’s car. As much as she wanted to know what happened to Hugo she was also a little frightened. Someone killed him! Her stomach flipped at the idea. As Chantelle drove home Lucy tried to focus on her chatter. But she missed every other word. Once in a while her mind drifted back to the memory of Sophia’s scream. Even the thought of it startled her. This was real, no matter how much she wanted to ignore it. But why? Who did it and why did it happen? Chantelle pulled to a stop in front of her house.

  “Let’s just get this stuff inside and then I’ll take you home. I’ll get Noah to help. Noah!” She shouted at the front door of the house as she walked towards it. Greg, Chantelle’s teenage son bounded around the side of the house.

  “Hi Aunt Lucy.” He smiled and hugged her. “Let me help you with that.” He began unloading the trunk.

  “Thanks Greg.” She pulled some of the bags out of the trunk as well.

  “Are you okay? You look sick.”

  “Thanks for that.” She laughed.

  “No, I didn’t mean it that way, you just look tired. Did the class go okay?”

  “Something troubling happened.” She frowned. “You should probably talk to your mother about it.”

  “Okay. Whatever it was, I hope it gets better.”

  “Thanks.” Lucy offered a small smile. As he walked away Noah jogged up to the trunk.

  “Hey, you all right, Lucy?”

  “Do I really look that bad?” She quirked a brow.

  “Huh?” Noah grabbed the remainder of the bags out of the trunk. “Chantelle told me what happened.”

  “Oh, yes I’m okay. I guess. It’s just so strange.”

  “Sounds like it.” He walked with her to the door of the house. “Sorry something like this had to ruin your day.”

  “It’s more than that though. I mean, he was alive one moment, gone the next. How can anyone just accept that?”

  “It’s the way of life, don’t you think?”

  “Not when it’s murder.” She shook her head and set the bags down inside the foyer. “Murder isn’t normal or natural.”

  “You’re right about that. I’m just glad you and Chantelle are okay.”

  “Me, too.”

  “It might be on the six o’clock news.” He glanced at his watch. “Want to come in and watch?”

  “Yes, I do.” She followed him into the living room where Greg and Chantelle were already seated on the couch.

  “It’s just about to come on, Lucy.” Chantelle took her hand as she sat down beside her.

  A moment later the cooking school filled the screen, along with a female reporter who clutched a microphone.

  “The students at this cooking school received more than a delicious lesson today, they received a lesson in tragedy.”

  “Really?” Lucy raised her eyebrows.

  “Sh!” Chantelle squeezed her hand. “Look who they’re interviewing.”

  “I understand that you’ve known the victim for a long time.” The reporter held the microphone out to Georgina, whose eyes were swollen. Her lips and voice trembled as she spoke.

  “Yes, I had the luxury of knowing such an amazing man before the rest of the world was introduced to him.”

  “I’m very sorry for your loss. What exactly happened?”

  “He was stabbed, so terrible.” She gasped and covered her mouth.

  “Amazing man?” Lucy shook her head. “She despised Hugo.”

  “True, but she did know him for a long time. Maybe his death has hit her harder than expected.”

  “Maybe.” Lucy turned her attention back to the television screen as Sophia came on camera.

  “I understand you are the owner of this school. Were you aware of any difficulties Hugo was having?”

  “No, none at all. He came here as a celebrity chef to give a class, and everyone was excited to have him. We’re just grateful that he shared his time with us, although no one could have expected that it would be the last time that we would see him.” She winced and shook her head. “I’m sorry, I can’t say any more right now. I have to go.” She turned and hurried away from the reporter.

  “This is a developing story, more details to follow as they unfold.”

  Chantelle picked up the remote and turned off the television. “They’re acting like it’s some kind of television show to keep up with, not someone’s life. I’ll never understand media today.”

  “Well, he was pretty well known.” Noah frowned. “I’m sure there are a lot of people that want to know what happened.”

  “Including me.” Lucy stood up. “Would you mi
nd taking me home now, Chantelle? I need to feed Mia.”

  “Sure, let’s go. Guys, did you organize dinner?”

  “Noah?” Greg looked at him.

  “I told you to call for a pizza an hour ago, Greg.”

  “No you didn’t, you said you would call.”

  “No way, I even gave you the number!”

  “But it was the wrong number, so you said you would look it up and call.”

  “That’s not what happened.”

  “Forget it!” Chantelle waved her hands in the air. “I will pick up a pizza on my way home. Seriously.” She shook her head at them both and led Lucy out to the car. “Sometimes I wonder how they even tie their shoes when I’m not here.”

  “How are things between them? Better?”

  “Some.” She sighed and started the car. “I think Greg’s teenage years are a real test. Noah loves him, and Greg loves Noah, but Greg is becoming a man.”

  “Noah’s a great role model for him.”

  “Yes, he is.” Chantelle smiled and turned down Lucy’s street.

  “Is everything okay?” Lucy glanced over at her sister. “We didn’t get to finish our conversation this morning.”

  “Yes, it’s fine. Just me being silly. It’s not easy getting older. All of my insecurities keep cropping up. It doesn’t help that he has no interest in getting married. I didn’t think it was something that I wanted, but now.” She shrugged. “I guess, maybe it is.”

  “Have you talked to him about it?”

  “Not yet. I know I need to, but I just don’t think it’s a conversation I can come back from.”

  “I think you should consider it. You don’t want to harbor ill feelings for too long.”

  “Yes, that’s good advice.” Chantelle pulled the car into the driveway. “I see you planted some new flowers.”

  “Something to brighten the place up. It’s not like I won’t kill them.” Lucy laughed.

  “Just keep them watered and you’ll be fine. See you tomorrow?”

  “Yes, tomorrow. Are you going to call Mom about what happened?”

  “Yes, I’ll talk to her while I’m waiting for the pizza.”

  “Have a nice night, Chantelle, call me if you want to talk.”

  “Thanks Lucy.”

  Chapter 3

  As Chantelle’s car backed out of the driveway Lucy unlocked the door to her house and stepped inside. As expected, little feet raced across the floor to meet her. She smiled and crouched down to greet her cat.

  “Hi there, Mia. Did you think I wasn’t coming home in time for dinner?” She scooped up the cat and pet her as she walked into the kitchen. “Don’t worry, I would never miss dinnertime.” She popped open a can of food for her. As she dished it into Mia’s bowl, she heard another meow. But it didn’t come from Mia. It seemed to come from the front door.

  “What is that, Mia? Have you become a ventriloquist in my absence?” She laughed and set down Mia’s bowl on the floor. As Mia busied herself eating, the other meow grew louder. Too loud to ignore. Lucy walked to the front door and peeked out through the side window. There on the front step was a tiny orange cat. Her eyes widened. “Well well, where did you come from?” She opened the door, and the little cat meowed again, just as loud.

  “What’s wrong little one, are you lost?” Lucy crouched down in front of the cat and stroked a hand back over her fur. It only took a few pets to realize that she might not have a home. There wasn’t an ounce of extra meat on her body. “No wonder you’re making so much noise, you must be starving.” She scooped the cat up and carried her inside. As soon as she closed the front door, Mia skidded into the hallway with a deep hiss.

  “Shush now, Mia, this is our friend and she needs our help. Look how skinny she is. She needs to eat.” Mia still hissed as Lucy carried the tiny cat into the kitchen. “Do you want some food, hmm?” She popped open another can and the cat went wild in an attempt to get to the food. She barely managed to get it into a dish before the cat jumped out of her hands and devoured it. Her heart softened at the thought of how hungry the cat must be. “How long did you go without eating you poor thing?” She clucked her tongue and stroked the cat’s fur as she ate. Mia hissed between bites of her food. The fur on her back was raised and her ears were flat. Normally, Lucy took Mia’s opinions very seriously, especially of people. The cat seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to who was good and who was bad. However, in this situation she guessed that Mia’s behavior had more to do with jealousy than intuition. The orange cat finished her food, gulped down water, then began to prowl around the kitchen. Mia hunched down and stuck her bottom up into the air as if she was about to attack.

  “No Mia!” Lucy picked Mia up and placed her on the back of the couch in the living room, one of her favorite spots to be. Then she walked back into the kitchen where the orange cat still paced. “You can stay. I’ll look for your home tomorrow.” She scratched along the top of the cat’s head and hoped the gesture would soothe her. Mia glared from the back of the couch. Her nails dug into the pillows. “Easy Mia, no need to be jealous. If you were alone you would want someone to help you, too. Wouldn’t you?” Mia crossed her paws and rested her head on them. Lucy looked into her eyes and imagined what the cat might be thinking. “I still love you, silly cat.”

  Lucy made a soft bed for the stray in the laundry room to keep her away from Mia until the two adjusted to each other. Then she used a spare dishpan to make a small litter box for the cat. The little stray was a good distraction after the day she had, and since she was gone so often working at the patisserie she thought that it would be great for Mia to have a friend. That was if the two managed to get along and the orange cat didn’t have a home already. She snapped a picture to post on the local lost pets page then headed back to the living room. When she sat down on the couch she patted her lap, but Mia turned her nose up and flicked her tail.

  “Aw, really? You’re going to be that mad at me?” She sighed. “Fine, I guess I’ll have to eat my chicken all alone.”

  Mia’s ears perked up. She wound her head over Lucy’s shoulder to spy on the chicken on her plate. “I thought that might change your mind.” She laughed and offered her a small piece.

  After dinner she curled up in bed and tried not to think about what had happened that day. Her instincts told her to figure out what happened to Hugo, but her mind insisted that it wasn’t her place to even wonder about it. The police would investigate. Lucy fell asleep with Mia curled up close beside her. A moment later she was wide awake. There was someone in the house, she was certain of it. In the distance she heard the little orange cat meowing. Mia snored beside her.

  “Some protector.” She frowned and pushed the blankets back. Even though her entire body shivered at the thought of a stranger prowling through her home she pushed herself to get out of bed and figure out who it was. She grabbed a baseball bat from beside her bedroom door and crept out into the hallway. She heard it again, what must have woken her, the sound of dishes moving in the kitchen. Why would anyone break into her modest home? On tiptoes she made her way to the kitchen. Through the door she could see a long shadow as it played across the tile floor. There was definitely someone there. She tightened her grip on the baseball bat, and readied herself to strike. It didn’t cross her mind to hide, or call the police, all she wanted to do was catch the person who invaded her home. When she stepped into the kitchen she heard a loud laugh.

  “All you have is macarons! So simple! Nothing complicated! Macarons, and more macarons.” He laughed even louder. “Why would you have nothing but macarons?”

  Lucy swung the bat before she even recognized the voice, or the face. The vibration of the collision of the bat made her entire body jolt. Her eyes spread wide open. She drew in deep breaths as she stared up at her bedroom ceiling. It took several moments for her to realize that it had just been a dream, and several more to get her heart to slow down. As she lay there she realized that it was Hugo in her dreams. Mia crawled over her st
omach and sniffed at her cheeks.

  “I’m okay, Mia, sorry. Just a bad dream.” Lucy closed her eyes and heard the yowl of the orange kitten. Perhaps that part hadn’t been a dream. With the remnants of her dream still clinging to her thoughts she made her way into the kitchen. To her relief there was no one there. She checked the locks on the back door and the front door, then returned to the kitchen. When she opened the door to the laundry room she discovered the orange kitten perched on a fresh pile of laundry.

  “Are you lonely?” Lucy reached down and pet the cat with a gentle touch. “I guess it isn’t fair for you to be stuck in here all by yourself. Why don’t we see if you and Mia can get along?” She picked up the cat and carried her into the bedroom. Mia jumped off the bed and crouched down on the floor. The closer Lucy came to the bed, the louder Mia hissed. “Now stop that, Mia, there’s no reason to be worried about this little kitty. She needs a little company. Why don’t you come up here and say hello?” She sat down on the edge of the bed and continued to pet the cat. Mia’s hissing subsided but she didn’t come any closer to the bed. Lucy studied her for some time. Mia usually had a very sweet personality, unless she came across a person with bad intentions. Was it possible that she sensed something in the orange cat? Was it more than just jealousy? The cat nuzzled her head against her palm and meowed so sweetly that Lucy had to smile.

  When Lucy switched the light off Mia reluctantly climbed back on to the bed. After a few hours of sleep she woke to streams of sunlight. As she blinked she thought it was odd to have so much sunlight in her room. She always slept with the curtains drawn. A quick look around the room revealed that she had slept through some kind of disaster. The curtains were shredded and half off the rod. Everything on her dresser was knocked on to the floor. The lamp shade was tilted at an odd angle. Even her pile of clothes on the floor from the night before were scattered in all directions.

  “What happened here?” She sat up and saw Mia perched at the end of the bed. Her muscles were tight as if she was watching something. Quietly, Lucy made her way to the end of the bed and peeked over. There, with pieces of curtain still stuck in her claws, was the orange cat, curled up on the floor. “Oh no! Maybe the laundry room was a good idea. How could such a tiny kitten do so much damage?” She frowned as she looked over her room. Mia lifted a paw and licked it with her sandpaper tongue. “Yes, yes, I know, Mia. You don’t have to say it.” She sighed and climbed out of bed to clean up the mess. Once she had everything as straightened out as she could she headed to the kitchen to make breakfast. She wondered how it was possible that she slept through such a commotion. If she slept through that she could sleep through anything. As she fed the cats, Mia eyed the orange kitten and hissed.