Table of Contents

  Chocolate Cherry Killer

  Prologue

  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

  Chocolate

  Cherry

  Killer

  Cupcakes in Paradise

  Book 13

  By

  Summer Prescott

  Copyright 2018 Summer Prescott Books

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  **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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  Chocolate

  Cherry

  Killer

  Cupcakes in Paradise

  Book 13

  Prologue

  * * *

  Brenda Mortenson’s eyelids felt so heavily-weighted that she was barely able to force them open enough to see the OFF button on her bedside alarm. Flinging one thick-fingered hand at the squawking box, she pounded the button, silencing it, and, as she did each and every morning lately, she ignored the deep yearning to simply turn over and go back to sleep. Rubbing eyelids which felt as though they were lined with a particularly irritating layer of sand, Brenda swung her legs over the side of the bed, her stub-toed feet landing with an unceremonious thunk on the worn, but clean, carpet.

  “Another day, another dollar,” she muttered to herself, rising to go check on her son Billy, who slept in the tiny home’s only other bedroom.

  Every morning, without fail, Brenda trudged down the hall, her face split wide in a gargantuan yawn, to verify that her adolescent son had indeed made it through another night. Each time she stood, leaning wearily against his door frame, and saw the rise and fall of his bony chest, she closed her eyes briefly in thanks that he’d lived to see another day. He’d been sick for most of his life, and he was getting worse, not better. Whether Brenda felt like going to work or not was irrelevant. She had no choice in the matter. Billy needed a home, and food, and medicine. Her job as a housekeeper for the Hamiltons kept them afloat, but just barely. She had neither the time, nor the energy to look for a better job, and prospects for an aging single mom were slim as it was.

  Brenda made her way back to the bedroom to begin her morning routine. She always rose before the sun was up, so that she’d have plenty of time to shower and get ready for her day before making Billy’s breakfast, and getting him up to make certain that he actually ate it. The boy’s bones stuck out in all manner of places, and one of Brenda’s worst fears was that he’d be taken away from her for neglect. Everything that she did, she did for her beloved son, and it would be over her dead body that DCFS got their hands on him.

  Stepping into a scalding-hot shower, Brenda leaned her head back, letting the needles of water pierce her with sweet relief. Her relief was short-lived, however, when she felt the disconcerting sensation of water rising up over her ankles.

  “Great, another clog,” she sighed aloud. “Well, I have to get clean, so this is going to be a quick one,” she muttered, grabbing at the shampoo bottle.

  Flipping the plastic lid of the bottle open, she upended it quickly, causing a large blob of goo to plop into her hand. Brenda plopped the goo onto her hair with one hand, slamming the bottle of shampoo back down with the other. The water continued to rise at an alarming rate, and by the time she finished rinsing her hair, it was nearly halfway to her knees. She twisted the tap shut, hoping to see that the water was draining, at least a little, but it wasn’t. Swiping the soap scum away from her shins, she reached for a towel, and heard a sound that practically made her heart stop. Billy was coughing.

  As weak as the boy was, a common cold could land him in the hospital, and an infection could be life threatening. Her heart pounding in her chest, Brenda toweled her chubby body dry in record time, slipped into her robe, and hurried out of the bathroom, heading down the hall to Billy’s room.

  “You okay?” she asked, dropping to her knees beside the bed, as Billy groaned and rolled toward her.

  Brenda put her hand to his brow, alarmed that he felt slightly feverish.

  “I’m fine,” Billy mumbled, not bothering to open his eyes.

  He coughed again, the dry sound seeming to shake his thin frame.

  “No, no you’re not,” Brenda shook her head, trying to remain calm, for her son’s sake. “You stay right here, I’m going to go get the thermometer.”

  Brenda’s knees crunched and popped when she rose, pushing herself up from the floor with great effort. She was down the hall in a flash, heading for the medicine cabinet where she kept the digital thermometer.

  “I’m fine,” Billy called after her, his sentence ending in another cough.

  Brenda was short and round, and her breathing sounded a bit like a steam engine as she hurried back to her son’s side. She switched on the power button and held the thermometer to his ear, unconsciously holding her breath as she waited for the results.

  “Ninety-nine,” she muttered, her brow furrowing.

  “See, I’m fine,” Billy insisted, eyes still closed. “You worry too much.”

  “Ninety-nine is not fine, it is a fever,” Brenda insisted, not knowing what to do.

  The Hamiltons had been very patient with her needing time off to tend to her son, but Vanessa Hamilton was gearing up for a major social event to be held at the estate. If Brenda called off work now, she might lose her job.

  “Barely,” Billy opened his eyes just long enough to roll them at his mother. “Seriously, Mom. Stop worrying, I’ll be fine. Just go get ready for work. I’m just going to sleep ‘til you come home for lunch anyhow,” he pointed out.

  “I shouldn’t leave you alone,” Brenda chewed on her lower lip.

  “Oh please. I’m not a baby, Mom. Seriously, just go get ready so I can go back to sleep. It’s only for a few hours. What could happen?”

  Brenda knew exactly what could happen in a few hours. A few hours could mean the difference between a mild fever and hospitalization. She’d been down that road before.

  “Besides, you’ll have your phone. I can call you if I start feeling bad,” Billy muttered, plumping up his pillow and sinking into it.

  “I don’t know…” his mother hesitated, her gaze darkened with concern.

  “It’s silly for you to sit here and watch me sleep, but you’re the adult. Do what you gotta do, Mom.” Billy turned his back to her and pulled the covers up around his neck, leaving Brenda staring down at him.

  “Okay,” she expelled a breath that she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “I’ll go in, but you have to promise me that you’ll call if you get any worse,” she demanded.

  “Promise,” Billy mumbled, falling asleep.

  “Alright then,” Brenda smoothed the hair away from her son’s brow, taking in every detail of his precious face, then turned away.

  A glance at the clock on Billy’s nightstand sent her careening down the hall, back to her bedroom. She didn’t have any time to waste, or she’d be late. If she really made an effort and hurried, she just might have time to drop by that cute little cupcake shop by the beach that she so dearly loved. It was on the way, and she hadn’t had time for breakfast. Billy would be sleeping through breakfast anyway, and she could buy extras to bring him a treat from the cupcake shop. She knew he’d always eat a cupcake, even if he refused everything else. The decadent cupcakes weren’t exactly nutritio
us, but he didn’t have them that often and the kid needed every spare calorie that his mother could pour into him.

  Brenda dressed in record time, and was out the door with plenty of time to spare. She could stop for cupcakes and still make it to the Hamiltons’ estate well ahead of schedule.

  “Bye, Billy-Bear!” she called out, passing her son’s door.

  There was no answer, but she hadn’t expected one. Billy was a sound sleeper, and trying to rouse him when he was sick was like trying to wake the dead. She’d be back in a few hours, and would think of nothing but him while she was away.

  Chapter One

  * * *

  Beulah Rutledge was made of stern stock. Her boss, Melissa Beckett, the proud owner of Cupcakes in Paradise, hadn’t been able to come in this morning, but Beulah insisted upon opening the shop, even though she would have to do everything by herself. Missy had invented a new cupcake flavor, Black Forest, for the day, and the older woman was just itching to try out the new recipe. The cake itself was a rich, moist, dark chocolate, with a smooth dark chocolate pudding center. The cupcakes would be topped with chocolate buttercream frosting, and have a cap of luscious cherry pie filling. Beulah fully intended to hold back at least two or three of the luscious creations to take home for her dessert.

  “Good morning,” Beulah greeted the first customer of the day, a sweet, plump gal who always came in wearing her housekeeping uniform.

  “Hi,” the woman seemed flustered this morning. “I’ll take half a dozen of those cherry chocolate ones, please,” she pointed at the Black Forest cupcakes. “My son isn’t feeling well today, and cupcakes always cheer him up,” she explained, digging in her purse for her wallet and extracting some bills.

  “Cupcakes always make me feel better too,” Beulah grinned, boxing up the decadent cakes.

  The housekeeper handed her the money, tucking the box of treats under her arm, then threw her change in her purse and went on her way. “Thank you so much, have a nice day,” she called out, on her way out the door.

  “You too, ma’am,” Beulah waved.

  The elderly woman was busy with customers for the rest of the morning, and when she finally sat down at one of the bistro tables, after restocking the display case, the door opened again, and Beulah was relieved to see that it was Detective Chas Beckett, her boss’ husband.

  “Afternoon, Mr. Beckett,” she greeted him with a weary smile.

  “Good afternoon, Beulah,” Chas smiled at her. “Busy day today?”

  “Yes sir,” she nodded. “I only sat down about twenty seconds ago,” she chuckled. “How’s Miss Missy?”

  “She’s going to be just fine,” the detective assured her. “The contractions that she was having were just normal Braxton-Hicks. The reason she wasn’t feeling well was because she was dehydrated. They gave her an IV at the hospital, kept her overnight for observation and sent her home this morning. She’ll be here at her normal time tomorrow. I tried to convince her to cut her hours, but you know how she is,” he grinned.

  “Yes sir, you can try to tell that feisty little woman what to do, but it ain’t gonna happen,” Beulah chuckled, getting to her feet.

  “She told me that I should send you home when I saw you and just close up for the day,” Chas commented.

  “And she should know by now that I’m just as hardheaded as she is,” Beulah dismissed the suggestion with a laugh.

  “That’s what she said, but I told her I’d give it a try.”

  “No sir, Mr. Chas. Old Beulah’s gonna be working until closing time,” the determined woman shuffled back behind the counter. “I made her new recipe today, you want to take one to your lady love?” she held up a Black Forest cupcake.

  Chas brightened. “Well, if you insist,” he teased. “I’ll take two.”

  Beulah nodded. “Half a dozen, coming right up,” she said firmly.

  He knew better than to protest.

  **

  Vanessa Hamilton glanced at her watch impatiently. She had special instructions to give her housekeeper, Brenda Mortenson, before she left for her tennis match, and the woman was late again.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Hamilton,” Brenda rushed in, red-cheeked with exertion and carrying a box of cupcakes. “I’m so sorry that I’m late. I brought some cupcakes if you’d like one.”

  “I don’t eat carbs,” Vanessa held up a hand, cutting her off. “Brenda, this is the third time this week that you’ve been late,” she chastised the housekeeper quietly.

  “I know,” Brenda’s ruddy cheeks grew darker. “I’m really sorry. Billy had a bit of a temperature this morning, so I didn’t know if I’d be able to make it at all, and then…”

  Vanessa placed a hand on her arm to stop the explanation. “I know,” her eyes were compassionate. “This can’t be easy for you, and I realize that, but we’re coming up on a major event and I need you to do your part to help us get ready for it. You can’t be effective here if you’re late getting to work most of the week. Maybe think about skipping the cupcakes when you’re running behind,” she suggested, eyeing the fancy pink box as though it were a snake.

  Brenda shifted from foot to foot, clearly embarrassed. “I will. It’s just that Billy likes them and I feel bad leaving him when he’s sick, and…”

  “Maybe you could get him cupcakes on the way home?” Vanessa raised an eyebrow.

  Brenda dropped her eyes and nodded. “Yes ma’am,” she mumbled.

  “Enough of that,” Vanessa declared. “There is a list of tasks for you that I left on the counter in the kitchen. Please make sure that you get every item on the list finished before you leave today, and make sure that you’re done working in the house before Edward gets in, or he’ll want to help you again,” she smiled faintly at the thought of her kindhearted and well-intended husband.

  “I’ll definitely be done before then,” Brenda assured her boss.

  Vanessa pursed her lips. “You haven’t seen the list yet. Text me if you run into any problems,” she instructed, heading for the door.

  “I will, thank you ma’am,” Brenda trailed after her, closing the door once Vanessa had breezed through it.

  The housekeeper leaned against the door and sighed, closing her eyes briefly.

  “She has no idea of the sacrifices I make to clean her house,” Brenda whispered, grinding her teeth together.

  Rolling her shoulders to ease some of the tension that had crept up the back of her neck while she spoke with her boss, she took a deep breath and headed for the kitchen.

  Chapter Two

  * * *

  “Hey girl, how are you feeling?” Echo Kellerman frowned, searching her best friend’s face for any signs of fatigue. “I can’t believe you’re back at work today.”

  Missy smiled, touched by Echo’s concern.

  “They were just Braxton-Hicks. I’m supposed to be having those at this point,” she reminded her favorite gal pal.

  “Well, yes, but, you were dehydrated too. I can’t believe they didn’t keep you longer and make you rest,” Echo groused.

  “I wouldn’t have stayed in the hospital for something I could take care of at home,” Missy chuckled. “Chas refilled my water bottle every time I took a sip last night. I promise you, I’m fine. I’ve probably burned some calories trudging up and down the hall to the bathroom though, so I think a cupcake is in order,” she grinned.

  “Count me in,” Echo brightened. “What new amazing flavors do you have today?”

  “How does a carob pudding filled cupcake with cherries on top sound?” Missy asked.

  She always made a vegan version of her most recent creations. Echo wasn’t the only vegan in town, and Cupcakes in Paradise almost always sold out of their vegan cupcakes.

  “Like I need two rather than one,” Echo rubbed her hands together in anticipation.

  “Coming right up,” Missy pulled out two plates, one for her and one for Echo.

  The friends met several times a week before the shop was open, enjoying each other’s company before the workday started. Echo owned an adjacent book store and candle shop in a funky building downtown. She and Missy shared a nanny, who babysat Echo’s daughter Jasmine, and Missy’s adopted toddler, Kaylee, at Missy’s home. It was an arrangement that worked beautifully for the two best friends, who got to see each other every day.