Cinnamon And Secrets (A Cupake Shop Mystery Book 1) Read online

  “In this case, follow me,” he strolls forward and leads me throughout a bunch of carrels inundated with paperwork and people encumbered toward them.

  His office is not that spacious, though it’s tidy and it doesn’t smell bad like I imagined it to for some reason. There’s an empty cup of coffee on the table, nearby a stack of files standing silently upon each other.

  He makes a pivotal move and takes his chair, while I seat from across him, as he’s made himself comfortable enough already.

  “So, Ms. Holden, what is it you want to tell me?” he asks in a professional voice, but the glint of amusement is still lurking on his lips. I can tell for sure.

  “Last night Kegan made the strangest call. He told me someone was lurking in around his house, and that he was after them.”

  “His house?” the detective raised an eyebrow.

  “Mr. Gleason’s. Though he decided to stay in for the night.”

  “Hmm,” he mutters, as if he’s finding this information bizarrely interesting.

  “I saw the thief coming out of the house, and Kegan chasing them, but I couldn’t level up, and I tried to call him. He was close to finding them, but he hung up and I couldn’t find out more. And then I got this text.” I give him my phone.

  “So he knows who they are?” Detective Cassidy frowns at the phone and it looks like he’s running through the text over and over again.

  “It seems like,” I shrug. “Though after that, I tried to call him, but he didn’t answer. I ran into the area, but I didn’t come across anything suspicious. I called him this morning, but his number is out of reach. This is just strange. I think something happened to him.”

  “And why are you not sure he just doesn’t want to talk to you?”

  I scoff, annoyed by his question. “Then why is his number inaccessible?”

  “He might’ve just blocked you.”

  “Why would he do that? And if that’s true. Then just try for yourself.” Like, is he for real?

  “Listen, Ms. Holden. You can’t go about a missing person based only on suspicions. That’s not how it works.”

  “These are not suspicions. Detective, are you following any leads at all? It seems to me like Kegan is leading us to that murderer’s den. And that’s more than any of us has been able to get to so for. I think we should see into this.”

  “Remind me again?” he tilts his head to one side, squinting and furrowing his brows amusedly. “Why do I always find you dabbling in this investigation?”

  “Well, obviously somebody’s got to do something,” I say audaciously, and realize that this looks like something that Heather would say. I don’t know where this sudden courage comes from, but he’s starting to get at me with his indifference.

  “You should know that we’ve got it handled already. And don’t worry, I will take your hunches into consideration, and we’ll try to do something about your friend. Thanks for stopping by, again.”

  I leave his office with a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t know whether he’s of any help anyway. For all I know, he might ditch my suspicions entirely. But if he’s not willing to help me, then I know for sure now that I will get to the bottom of this by myself.

  • • •

  Usually I’d be withdrawing into myself, but here I am right now, ready to face my number one suspect, and the only name on the list, Reese. I was able to get her address form Braiden, though even if I didn’t have it, I sure would’ve come across her somehow, being that she’s lurking around town with fancy lawyers all day.

  Conveniently for me, she’s alone right now, as I’m knocking on the door of some house. When I came here, I had to check the address that Braiden gave me with the location twice, since I didn’t expect her to be lodging in an individual house. But for some reason she is. Maybe she’s rooming with a friend. Or maybe she’s renting the place. I don’t know.

  Reese frowns when she spots me by her door.

  “Hey,” she greets me, though it sounds more like a question.

  “Hey, Reese. I’m Heather,” I regret saying this, but I didn’t know what else to say, so yet again I made a fool of myself.

  “I know who you are,” she says grudgingly.

  “Well, how are you?” I came in here all confidently, but I’m stuttering on my words now that she’s in front of me. It’s either she’s so intimidating or I’m just scared.

  “Why?” she’s all expressionless, and I’ve never seen anybody stand so unflinchingly and indefinably ever.

  “I just wanted to check up on you,” I stutter, and I’m just giving more motive to her to outstrip me. “May I come in?” I ask, and I could swear the girl never once blinked ever since she opened the door.

  “I don’t think so,” Reese mutters unaffectedly.

  “Oh,” I’m taken aback by her behavior, and I don’t know what to say, since she’s sidetracking the conversation in manifold ways from the one that I designated in my mind.

  “Reese, do you know that your brother is missing?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He’s not picking up his phone, and he’s vanished into thin air all of a sudden.”

  “So?”

  “I mean, do you know anything about this? Have you heard from him recently?”

  “No, and I don’t care what he’s up to. So, please stop bothering me.”

  “But he’s your brother. How can you be so cruel?”

  “He’s my rival. He’s trying to take over the company. My company. And I won’t have that.” For the first time since when I came here, I see Reese popping her cork. I knew she had that rage hidden somewhere inside her, despite her unflinching complexion. “I can’t give away what belongs to me.”

  “Reese, what are you doing in town?” I take advantage of her furious moment, trying to get anything out of her as long as I have the chance, since it is my understanding that people are willing to spill out sorted information when they’re over the edge.

  “I don’t see how any of this is your concern. And frankly you’re starting to annoy me. So bug off! And don’t bother knocking again.”

  I find the door slamming on my face. It’s no surprise she’s cuckoo. And you know who comprises this feature? A murderer.

  There’s no denying anymore that she might be the killer. And I don’t know whether she’s done something to her brother. But I can’t just go inside forcefully, since I don’t know what I’m up against. And the detective not considering my hunches in not helping me.

  I need to do something. And obviously Reese is completely out of her mind. I don’t know whether Kegan told her about the adoption just yet, but I think that she's better off not knowing.

  I’ve been trying to keep my mind occupied coping with customers and their orders, but it’s been no use so far. I just can’t get my mind off of that lunatic. There’s just so many things that seem off about her. For starters, she’s completely unhinged; she’s got no manners whatsoever; she’s staying into town for whatever mystical reason; she hates her brother; she’s eager for money; and she’s moody all the time.

  Now, if I’m not mistaken, all these qualities crumpled together would create a first-rate murderer.

  “You really need to start considering drawing back from these casual visits. You’re coming across all sorts of crazy people. And besides. One person going missing is enough, don’t you think?” Heather leans closer to the counter, grabbing her cup of coffee, and taking notes on her tablet. I think she’s working on her next best newsletter.

  “If only you could see the look on her face. She went from stone-cold to cray-cray in spur of moment. I’ve never seen somebody as crazy in my entire life.”

  “Word in town is, she’s got an eye for material possessions. That’s why she’s driving a hard bargain to get Mr. Gleason’s money by deceptive means.”

  “I’m just worried about Kegan. I don’t think that Detective Cassidy is starting to look into it just yet. And I d
on’t know what to do.”

  “How about just relax for once? You’ve been engulfing yourself into finding out who this murderer is, you’re not taking a little free time for yourself.”

  “Augh, I know, but what can I do? Someone’s got to do something.”

  “Let’s just talk about something else. All this mystery-related talking is making me nauseous.”

  “So,” since she brought it up… “How are things with your boyfriend?”

  “Oh, he’s just fine, you know. A little bit busy at times, but he’s trying to make up time for me.”

  “Make up time?” I just can’t shake off this unsympathetic feeling.

  “Well, this morning he was supposed to pick me up, but something popped up, and he postponed. Again.” She scoffs.

  “Heather, is everything okay?” I raise an eyebrow expectantly, waiting for her to crack up, but she does not.

  “Of course, why wouldn’t it be?” she feigns the smile of the year and I realize that maybe now it’s not the right time to talk with her about it.

  I spent my entire afternoon baking those lemon cupcakes that Mrs. Hopper loves so much. That’s because I’m going to pay her a brief visit to her house for two reasons. One, because she’s the town’s gossip mill; surely I will be able to get something out of her regarding Reese. Two, because when I came home today, I think I saw her talking to Reese about something; and whatever it was, I think I can use it against Reese.

  So when my perfect cupcakes are all ready I put them in a box and drive towards Mrs. Hopper’s house. Her house is your every mundane house in a town. There’s nothing special about it. Sure, the garden is impeccable, filled with flowers of all the kinds, but after all, she’s an old lady. And I figure she’s got plenty of time to indulge in her gardening passion.

  “Ainsley,” she looks surprised to see me by her door. “Hey, dear. What are you doing here?” she says with the most cheerful voice her vocal chords could bear.

  “Hey, Mrs. Hopper, I just baked some of those lemon cupcakes, and I thought to stop by.”

  “Oh, how thoughtful of you,” she says cheerfully and ransacks the box of cupcakes off of my hands.

  “I saw you talking to Reese before,” I jump straight to the point. “What were you talking about?”

  “Oh, you know, just casual chit-chat. She greeted me while I was dropping by the grocery store, and I stopped to say hi.”

  “Weird. She didn’t strike me as the friendliest type.” I frown.

  “Oh,” she mutters, concernedly. “She’s just weird like that. But I guess she just has a lot on her plate right now.”

  “You think so? I mean, I just dropped by her house this morning, and she almost lashed out at me. I think she’s onto something. And did you hear? Her brother went missing. And she doesn’t give a hoot about it.”

  “No way. I just talked to Kegan this morning. Came across him at the store.”

  “Really? Because the man has vanished away. He was onto what we suspect was the murderer last night. And he told me that it was a girl. My money is on Reese. There’s just something off about her, you know?”

  “Oh, dear. You’d think she’d do something to her own brother?”

  “She hates him. She’s just after Mr. Gleason’s money, and she wants Kegan out of her way. She thinks he’s trying to steal her career out of her. Which is crazy.”

  Mrs. Hopper seems to hesitate for a few seconds, and then I realize that we’ve been having this conversation in front of her house, so maybe we should take the talking inside.

  “Can I come in?” I point inside the door and she looks at it suspiciously.

  “I’d love to, but I’m getting ready for my aikido class. I never was more grateful to have joined a self-defense class more than I am now, with everything weird that is going around.”

  “You’re right,” I smile, admiring her audacity.

  When I get back home from Mrs. Hopper’s house, I cannot stop mulling over what she told me about Kegan. If Kegan is still in town why is he hiding from me? And more importantly why is he trying to lead me to a sorted kind of suspect? Is he doing this to protect himself, or maybe somebody else?

  I don’t know. Everything about this is so bizarre, and after all this time, this mystery is making me really fuzzy. Maybe after all, Heather is right. I need some time off for myself. And it’s crazy because even when I get a little free time, all that I think about is solving this mystery.

  Braiden texted, telling me that he’s got something he needs to talk about. Even though I was trying to have a little tranquil time this evening, snuggling on the quilt with a cup of tea in hand, trying to soothe out, I can always make time for Braiden, nevertheless.

  He told me he wanted to meet in front of the hotel where he’s staying, and I’m here now admiring the magical outdoor lights on the front of the hotel that put highlight to the plants that confine the carpet and dark red canvas tents above the big windows near the floor. This hotel is so cozy and fancy at the same time, making you feel like suddenly you burst out into a magical fairytale.

  He’s waiting there for me, and he smiles his irresistible, alluring smile of his when he spots me. I still don’t know why he insisted I meet him here, but I guess it is important. And this thought alone is making me so nervous and flinching.

  “Braiden, what’s going on?” I ask, as soon as I’m near enough.

  “Ainsley,” there’s something just so sweet and magical when he pronounces my name, and he doesn’t seem rushed. Like he wants to relish every second of it.

  I look in his eyes that spark magically for me, while he looks down at me, and out of fuzziness, his hand scrambles for mine downward, and he grabs my four fingers in his palm, and I’m melting. His thumb strokes me in the most warm-fuzzy way.

  I’m at a loss for words. I’ve surrendered myself into the magic of the situation and I drench into the profoundness of his eyes that are saying so many things right now. Everything is suddenly depicted in the flicker in his eyes, all the secrets of the cosmos, all the mysteries of creation.

  “I just wanted to tell you this in person,” he mumbles, and I’m trying to figure what that is.

  “Braiden, what’s happening?” I mutter foolishly.

  “Look, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately. And you pushed me down that line when I have to look for myself, to find myself and my place in the world,” I perceive all his gratitude in his voice and his eyes right now. “And I’ve come to a decision.”

  “Yeah?” my eyes gleam in the most infatuated way. It’s so amazing to see the man that you care about the most come to a point of realization in his life.

  “I was just so lost when I came here. I didn’t know what I was going to do anymore, and I turned in upon myself, not letting other people help me.”

  “Braiden, there’s so many people who care about you. I’m one of them.”

  “I know, and I love that. But I realized that staying here is not going to provide me with what I’m looking for. It seems like I’m postponing something that is meant to happen. But I cannot do this anymore. I have to open up to life, and dispose of it like a man.”

  “Braiden, what are you implying?”

  “I’m going to deal with my life, Ainsley. And you’ve helped with come to this realization with your care and interest.”

  “Um, I’m not following,” I mumble. Suddenly it feels like all the previous magic is taking a tumble.

  “I’m going to disclose my secret to my parents. It’s about time that they came to terms with the fact that their son is not impeccable like they expect him to be. From then on, I’m going to try to figure what I should carry on with next. Maybe I’ll go back to college, maybe I’ll do something else. All that I know right now is, I cannot live any longer with this burden. I did stupid things. And it’s time that I own up to it.”

  “You’re leaving?” suddenly my world is all perplexed, and the entire universe is mixed u
p while I’m trying to figure my way through it.

  “I am. And you just helped me come to this decision. What would I do without you, Ainsley?” he asks, endearingly, while grabbing both my hands, in the most alluring way.

  “What about me?” I ask, selfishly.

  “I think you’re doing just fine,” he smiles. “And besides, you’re like this magical hope for all the townspeople. I think you’ll manage on your own.”

  If only that were true!

  “But, Braiden, are you sure?”

  “I’ve made up my mind,” he raises his eyebrows serenely just an instant, and they go back to place, while he’s smiling. As he says that, I turn around looking at one of the crewmen of the hotel coming out of the front door, with a couple of suitcases in each hand. And that’s when I know, this is all for real.

  For some reason, I just wanted to believe this magical moment was just a wishful illusion of my mind. If that was the case, he wouldn’t be living right now. Because it wouldn’t be real. And as much as I’d have wanted this warm-fuzzy moment we shared to be true, I would’ve traded it with him not leaving.

  “So, you’re settled?” a pang of beautiful gloom captures me, as I’m eventually trying to wrap my mind around the situation.

  “But this doesn’t have to feel like goodbye. I’ll never be able to cast you off of my mind. And we’ll meet again, I promise.”

  His hands glides cravingly across my cheek brushing off an invisible tear. I don’t want to cry, since he’s just moving on with his life, and I should be happy for him.

  But I can’t. Maybe I’m selfish. But I just can’t cope with the fact that he won’t be here anymore.

  He looks profoundly into my eyes, not blinking even once. When I look into his eyes, I can see all the magical dark colors of the universe. And when I gawk at him, it feels as though it is Christmas and there’s ornaments all around.

  How can I let go of this feeling? I know that it’s not everyone that can make you feel like that. Most people never find this exact perfection on their lives. But I’ve found it. And now I’m asked to let it go.