Cookie Dough Killer Read online

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  COOKIE DOUGH KILLER

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Cookie Dough

  KILLER

  Cupcakes in Paradise

  Book 9

  By

  Summer Prescott

  Copyright 2018 Summer Prescott Books

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication nor any of the information herein may be quoted from, nor reproduced, in any form, including but not limited to: printing, scanning, photocopying, or any other printed, digital, or audio formats, without prior express written consent of the copyright holder

  **This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to persons, living or dead, places of business, or situations past or present, is completely unintentional.

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  COOKIE DOUGH

  KILLER

  Cupcakes in Paradise

  Book 9

  CHAPTER ONE

  * * *

  Melissa Gladstone-Beckett buried her face in Kaylee’s hair, as the little girl wrapped both arms around her neck. She drank in the sweet smell of her newly-adopted three-year-old, and didn’t want to let her go.

  “Can’t I just stay home with her today?” she murmured, with a loving gaze across the breakfast bar at her husband Chas.

  “Of course you can,” her handsome husband grinned, sipping his coffee.

  Life had just become just about as perfect as it could possibly be for the Private Investigator and interim Homicide Detective. Not only had precious Kaylee been enveloped into their home and lives, but they’d also recently found out that Missy was pregnant, and Chas couldn’t be happier.

  “No, I can’t,” Missy sighed, kissing the little girl’s forehead. “She’s expected at her new daycare, and I have a huge order of cupcakes to bake and deliver to the City Hall today. I just hate the thought of leaving her,” she gave Kaylee a quick squeeze, making her giggle.

  “I hate the thought of leaving you both,” Chas rose, taking his cup to the sink. “But, duty calls.”

  Coming back to the breakfast bar, he kissed Missy, then took Kaylee from her arms, wrapping her in a big hug. Delighted, his new daughter placed her hands on his cheeks and planted a sloppy kiss on his nose.

  “Have a good day, you two,” he grinned, handing her back.

  “You too, darlin,” Missy replied, walking him to the door.

  “And take it easy,” he admonished, running his thumb tenderly across her cheek before stepping out into the Florida sunshine.

  “Always,” his wife chuckled, closing the door.

  **

  “She’ll be just fine, I promise,” Kendra Henderson assured Missy, gathering the happy little girl in her arms.

  “Bye-bye, lovie,” Missy cooed, waving at Kaylee.

  Kaylee still wasn’t speaking much, she’d been through a horrific trauma when her parents were murdered, but she waved back and promptly stuffed her fingers in her mouth.

  “Wanna go play?” Kendra asked, receiving a vehement nod in return. She then turned to Missy. “I’ll keep you posted with texts and video,” she promised, subtly shooing the new mother out while Kaylee was distracted.

  “Thank you,” Missy mouthed, slipping out the door, tears welling in her eyes.

  Kaylee had become such an important part of their little family so naturally that it seemed like she’d been there forever. Missy’s heart swelled with love at the thought of her daughter, and she swallowed her tears, heading off to her cozy cupcake shop near the beach, Cupcakes in Paradise. So far, her stomach was cooperating, but she never knew when morning sickness might strike, so she carried a bottle of water and some crackers with her everywhere she went.

  When Missy arrived at her shop, she was greeted by a look of utter shock from her one employee, an elderly, but more than capable, woman named Beulah.

  “What are you doin’ here this morning?” Beulah demanded, hands on hips, when Missy came in the back door of the small commercial kitchen.

  “Why wouldn’t I be here?” Missy was baffled.

  “You just got that precious little one all settled in. Where is she?”

  “I dropped her off at daycare.”

  “Daycare? You left my little angel at daycare?” Beulah’s eyebrows shot skyward. “I hear terrible things about them places,” she shook her head with disapproval.

  Beulah had a special relationship with Kaylee – she was the one who had found the toddler wandering around in her back yard after the murder of her parents.

  “Well, I did my homework,” Missy assured her bristly baker. “This gal comes highly recommended, has good reviews, and runs the daycare from her home.”

  “Hmmpf, that sounds suspicious to me,” Beulah turned back to frosting her cupcakes.

  “What sounds suspicious?”

  “Somebody having a daycare at home. Is she licensed?” Beulah’s eyes narrowed.

  “Yes, she’s licensed and has been doing this for years. Kaylee loves it there and will be just fine,” Missy said, wondering whether she was trying to convince Beulah or herself.

  “Morning, lovely ladies,” Missy’s best friend, flame-haired Echo Kellerman breezed in for her daily dose of cupcakes and coffee.

  “Hey, darlin,” Missy grinned, accepting a hug from her free-spirited gal pal.

  “And just where is your baby?” Beulah frowned at the new arrival.

  “Jasmine started at daycare this morning. She’s going to the same place as Kaylee,” Echo informed her.

  “How are you holding up?” Missy asked, before Beulah could pass judgment.

  “It was rough at first. I’ve never left Jazzy with anyone outside the family, but I really feel good about Kendra. We’ll see how long I last,” Echo admitted with a rueful smile.

  “What did you do that for?” Beulah’s bag of frosting froze in midair.

  “Because I nee
d to run my businesses. Your niece is amazing, but she can’t run two stores by herself all the time,” Echo shrugged.

  “Why not? They’re right next door to each other,” the older woman blinked, then turned back to her frosting. “Besides, my Joyce has a lot of free time on her hands now that your young man left her high and dry,” she muttered, glancing over her shoulder at Missy.

  “Spencer and Joyce were just friends,” Missy reminded her, exchanging an amused glance with Echo.

  “Mmhmm…friendly enough to spend all that time together, then he changes his mind,” she grumbled.

  “I’m sure Joyce will find the perfect man someday,” Echo tried to help.

  “That child’s going to be an old maid if she keeps spending all her time at your bookstore and candle shop, mark my words,” Beulah pointed a shaker of purple sugar crystals at Echo.

  “I don’t know, maybe she’ll meet some hot guy who loves books and candles,” Echo teased, undaunted.

  “You two need to just take your coffee and cupcakes and get out of my hair,” Beulah shook her head, not bothering to turn around.

  Missy and Echo stifled their giggles and headed for the door that led to the front of the shop.

  “Wait, you can’t have coffee now,” Echo remembered, placing a hand on Missy’s arm.

  “I’ve got my water bottle,” Missy sighed.

  “What about cupcakes?”

  “Try to keep me away from them,” Missy challenged.

  Echo grinned and sat down. “Oooooh! Those look amazing, what are they?” she asked, when Missy took a couple of cupcakes out of the case and plated them.

  She placed one of the plates in front of Echo, and the other across the table, then sat down.

  “Yours are Carob Cabernet, and mine are Cookie Dough Delights,” Missy said taking a quick swig from her water bottle and grimacing. “I can’t tell you how much I want coffee right now,” she grumbled, looking longingly at Echo’s steaming cup.

  “Oh, I remember how bad the craving was when I was pregnant with Jazzy. I feel for you,” Echo picked up one of her cupcakes and took a bite. “Oh my! Is there actual wine in this?” she asked, delighted.

  “Yep, there’s cabernet infused carob sauce in the middle and cabernet whipped into the frosting.”

  “So, you can’t have this either. Well, you’re not missing anything, it’s positively awful,” Echo lied supportively, her eyes practically rolling back in her head with enjoyment.

  “Yeah, I can tell,” Missy chuckled. “It’s okay, I’m not hungry much these days anyway,” she picked a tiny piece of cake off and held it up, contemplating whether or not to eat it.

  “Morning sickness is awful,” Echo looked concerned.

  “Yeah, but I think I’m pretty lucky. It comes and goes and usually I just feel bad for a bit and it passes.”

  “That’s good. I can’t imagine having to deal with feeling sick all of the time and keeping an eye on a three-year-old,” Echo said, reaching in her purse as her phone started ringing.

  She answered it and had a brief conversation, while Missy stared at her cupcake as though it presented a huge challenge to her. Pushing the plate away, she decided not to risk taking a bite. Echo hung up and looked from the plate to Missy.

  “Can’t do it?”

  “Not right now,” Missy shook her head.

  “That was Allivia Dunham, you remember her, right?” Echo asked, referring to her phone conversation.

  “Sounds familiar, but I can’t place her.”

  “She’s at a ton of the charity events, and hosts the annual Art Expo every year. Kind of looks like a cartoon villainess,” Echo reminded her.

  “Oh, the one with the nails filed to points?”

  “Yes!”

  “Yep, I remember. She seemed nice. Kind of quiet.”

  “That’s her. She was calling to ask if we’d like to be on the committee for this year’s Gala at the country club. The proceeds are going toward a renovation on the Children’s Home, so I thought you’d want to participate.”

  Echo knew that the Home had a special place in Missy and Chas’s heart. It’s where Kaylee lived, pending her adoption.

  “Oh, absolutely,” Missy nodded. “When is it?”

  “In just over a month.”

  “Oh good, I won’t be showing yet, so I’ll still look somewhat normal in a gown,” Missy giggled.

  “You know what that means,” Echo had a gleam in her eye.

  “Shopping!” the two said in unison.

  CHAPTER TWO

  * * *

  Allivia Dunham’s home office was much like the woman herself – sophisticated and a bit overdressed. Missy and Echo sat across from her in twin zebra-patterned chairs, feeling a bit shabby in their casual work clothes.

  “Thanks for coming out, ladies,” Allivia began, in her somewhat nasal voice. “We want to really make this year’s Gala spectacular, because if it’s the screaming success that I think it can be, we have a celebrity entertainer that will be willing to make an appearance next year. I can’t say who it is, but, entre nous,” she waved bejeweled fingers between herself and the ladies. “It’s a big name, and this person could pull in lots of donors next year, so, no pressure, but this has to be over-the-top amazing.”

  “Wow, well, what’s the theme?” Echo asked, kicking herself already for having volunteered.

  “The board voted three to two for a circus theme,” Allivia folded her hands on the desk in front of her, looking triumphant. “My thought was that, since this year’s Gala is to benefit the Children’s Home, something whimsical would be just the ticket.”

  Missy and Echo stared at her.

  “Well…that sounds…fun,” Missy offered a confused, but polite, smile.

  “Please don’t misunderstand,” Allivia hastened to explain, holding up a hand so abruptly that her multiple bracelets jangled. “There won’t be any actual children at the event. It’s still a formal occasion, but will have the circus theme in the décor, and entertainment.”

  “So, a kid-free benefit for kids,” Echo clarified, exchanging a meaningful glance with Missy.

  “Precisely,” Allivia beamed, tapping the desk with one sharpened fingernail.

  “So, what do you want us to do?” Missy asked, dreading the answer.

  “I need one of you to work with my co-chair, Muffy Benton, on soliciting donations, and one of you to work with the Artistic Director to ensure that the décor and setup are moving along smoothly. Melissa, I think you should work with Muffy, and Echo, you can deal with Blaze Sutton, the Artistic Director, how does that sound?” Allivia asked a question that didn’t sound like a question at all. She’d already decided, that much was clear.

  “Sure, I can do that,” Missy nodded. “I’ve worked with Muffy before.”

  “Yep, that works for me too. I think I may have met Blaze once or twice at one of Kel’s shows.”

  Echo’s husband, renowned artist, Phillip “Kel” Kellerman had a gallery in town and traveled all over the world exhibiting his art.

  “Well, that’s perfectly lovely,” Allivia smiled, and Missy was fascinated to see that her canine incisors were as pointed as her fingernails. “I’ll let Muffy and Blaze know to expect your calls. They’ll bring you up to speed on where we are thus far,” she stood, indicating that their audience with her was over.

  There was a maid hovering in the doorway.

  “Letitia will see you out. Thanks so much for coming by,” she shook hands with both of them, then sat down and focused on her computer screen before the maid even led them from the room.

  “Ever feel railroaded?” Missy whispered on the way out.

  “Shhh…she’ll hear you,” Echo shushed her friend.

  “Do I care?” Missy hissed back.

  “Is that the hormones talking?” Echo raised an eyebrow.

  Missy frowned but kept her mouth shut until they were in her car, pulling out of the long, brick-paved drive.

  “Does she remind you a t
iny bit of Cruella DeVille?” Missy joked.

  “That’s who it is!” Echo exclaimed. “I was trying to figure that out this whole time,” she nodded. “Yup, definitely Cruella, but with less taste,” she snickered. “So, what do you think of the theme?”

  “It’s…interesting,” Missy said diplomatically.

  “It’s ridiculous,” Echo proclaimed. “And I think it was Allivia’s idea.”

  “Yeah, I got that impression too,” Missy nodded.

  “But, if it’s what we’re working with, we just have to make sure that it’s the best circus-themed Gala ever,” Echo chuckled.

  “It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it,” Missy agreed with a grin.

  CHAPTER THREE

  * * *

  “Oh my gosh, I’m so glad that I get to work with you on donations,” Muffy Benton gushed, sitting across the table from Missy at Cupcakes in Paradise. “And not just because we get to have cupcakes at our meetings,” the chubby woman giggled.

  “I’m glad to be working with you too, Muffy,” Missy smiled, instantly at ease with the bubbly thirty-something woman. “Congratulations on being co-chair this year.”

  “Thanks,” Muffy swallowed a bite of Dark Chocolate Bourbon Bacon cupcake. “It was not an easy road to get there,” she leaned forward, lowering her voice.

  “Oh?”

  Muffy nodded vehemently.

  “Allivia Dunham did not want a co-chair. She wanted to be in charge of things, as usual,” Muffy made a face, then gasped, realizing what she’d just said. “Oh goodness, that probably sounds awful of me,” she apologized, blushing furiously.

  Missy laughed and patted her hand.

  “No worries, darlin, I’ve met Allivia before,” she gave Muffy a knowing smile.

  “I don’t know why she hates me,” Muffy sighed, taking another massive bite of cupcake.

  The smell of bacon reached Missy’s nose and she turned a bit green, but was determined to work through it.