Millie glances around as if checking for eavesdroppers. “All I know is that Seraphina was doing some digging into Vivienne’s background. She said there were inconsistencies in her story, gaps in her timeline. Something about her previous work experience is not adding up.”
“How do you know that?” I ask.
“Seraphina mentioned she was looking into some things. She had a few contacts in the fashion world, you know how she was with her connections. She seemed to think Vivienne’s story didn’t quite add up.”
And when Seraphina threatened to expose her, well…Millie’s thoughts trail off ominously.
“Did Seraphina confront Vivienne about this?” Killion asks.
“Oh yes. The night of the country club event. I overheard them arguing near the dessert buffet. Seraphina was giving her some sort of ultimatum, though I couldn’t make out all the details from where I was standing.”
The pieces are starting to form a picture in my mind, but before I can process it fully, chaos erupts on the other side of the bakery.
“Come here, you adorable little elf!” Peggy calls out,chasing one of the costumed elves around a display of gingerbread houses. “I just want to pinch those rosy cheeks!”
“Ma’am, please—” the elf starts, but Clarabelle has joined the pursuit.
“Don’t run from us, sugar! We’re harmless!” Clarabelle adds, though her pursuit technique suggests otherwise.
The poor elf, cornered by two determined elderly women, backs up one step too many. His elbow catches the corner of the towering gingerbread village display.
Time slows down.
The display wobbles. A gingerbread chimney slides off a roof. A frosted reindeer tilts at an alarming angle. For one optimistic second, I think it might right itself.
It does not.
The entire structure crashes to the floor in an explosion of cookie architecture and royal icing.
“Oh heavens!” Millie gasps, jumping up from our table.
But the destruction is just beginning. Other customers, startled by the crash, start backing away from the pursuing women and bumping into more displays. A tray of chocolate Yule logs goes flying, followed by a cascade of candy cane cheesecake bites.
“FOOD FIGHT!” someone yells, though I’m not sure if they’re announcing or starting one.
And really? This is the second one this week—maybe third. I’m sensing a theme.
Hot chocolate macarons become projectiles. Whipped cream starts flying. The second elf takes one look at the situation and bolts for the kitchen. And, of course, Peggy, undeterred, gives chase.
“I just want to ask about your working conditions, honey buns!” Peggy shouts, slipping on scattered Christmas cookies.
A customer screams as eggnog tiramisu splatters across his expensive coat. Another patron dives behind a display case as gingerbread crème brûlée becomes ammunition.
This is the most entertaining meal I’ve ever witnessed,Cricket meows from the safety of her tote bag.You and Peyton really know how to make catching a killer exciting.
Can I catch the flying cookies?Rookie asks, his tail wagging hard as pastries sail overhead.This is like the best game ever!
In the middle of the sugar-coated mayhem, with expensive desserts flying through the air like edible confetti and customers screaming in panic, Killion jumps to his feet.
His hand moves to his badge. “EVERYONE FREEZE!”
The command cuts through the chaos. Everything stops. The only sounds left are the Christmas carols playing on the speakers and the soft, tragicplopof frosting hitting the floor.
Turns out, the only way to clear a room mid-pastry-fight is reminding everyone that one of you carries a badge along with a sweet tooth.
CHAPTER 19
Before we knew it, we were booted out of North Pole Confectionery—possibly banned for life—after what might just be the most expensive food fight in the history of Maine.
