Rum Cake Murder: A Frosted Love Cozy Mystery - Book 8 (Frosted Love Cozy Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF

for questioning tomorrow morning. She doesn’t know the identity of the victim, and I need you to promise me that you won’t tell her. I have a feeling that once we speak to her, we’ll have a better idea as to how we need to proceed with the investigation,” he said quietly, brushing away a tear that had rolled down Missy’s cheek. “Let’s not jump to any conclusions just yet. We don’t have all of the lab results back, and it’s usually the evidence that tells the tale.”
    Missy was so worn out and defeated after speaking with Chas about the case, that she elected to skip the movie and went home to take a bubble bath before bed. Spotting the manila envelope from Parker, LeBlanc and Christianson that she had entirely forgotten, she picked it up on her way upstairs, figuring that it would be nice to read a pleasant thank you from Loretta after all the potentially bad news that she’d just received. Bending back the small brass wings that held the envelope shut, she reached in, expecting a sweet, handmade card, and pulled out a multi-legal document. Too tired to make heads or tails of it at the moment, she stuffed it back in the envelope, knowing that Chas would help her interpret the legalese in the morning.

Chapter 9
    “According to this, a Dr. Bernard Radcliffe Aston is alleging that a representative of your company, namely, Ben, gave his vegan, celiac daughter a normal cupcake during the children’s party at the hotel, which resulted in a reaction so severe that it necessitated a hospital stay,” Chas said, scanning the stack of legal documents. “He’s suing Ben, you as a person, and you as a business owner, for the cost of the hospital stay and damages. He’s also alleging that you are a danger to the community, and is asking for punitive damages which include both of your stores being closed down.”
    The color drained from Missy’s face and she swayed on her feet. “That’s ridiculous,” she said, shocked. “We’d never hurt anyone, much less a child. Ben had nothing to do with the cupcakes. He didn’t give any out, he was too busy making balloon animals and singing funny songs. If anyone is to blame, it’s me, but I’m certain that I didn’t give any regular cupcakes out to a child with warning wristbands on,” she fretted, tears rolling down her cheeks. She looked up at the detective in utter terror. “Chas…I could lose…everything.”
    “Not to mention the fact that this lawsuit is going to cast an even more negative light upon Ben. First he’s suspected of murder, and now, he may be held accountable for physical damage done to a child,” Beckett said grimly.
    “What are we going to do?” she cried plaintively.
    “It’s time to talk with an attorney.”
    **
    Missy dialed Loretta Christianson’s number, thinking that, because her husband was an attorney, she’d surely know who to call for someone in her situation.
    “Loretta speaking,” the organizer sang out upon answering her phone.
    “Hi Loretta, it’s Missy Gladstone. I hate to bother you but…” Missy began, only to be rudely cut off.
    “I have nothing to say to you, Melissa. I trusted you with the health and well-being of innocent young children, and your incompetence endangered one of those precious young lives. I’m glad my husband is the one suing you, you should be ashamed of yourself,” she accused, hanging up before Missy could even get a word in edgewise.
    When she heard the click of Loretta hanging up, Missy looked at her phone in dismay. Not only was she being unfairly accused, but in a town the size of LaChance, having an enemy as powerful as Loretta Christianson could be financially devastating as well as socially uncomfortable. Stomach churning with fear and shame, Missy laid her head down on her kitchen table and cried. Dear, gentle Toffee came over and put her head on Missy’s knee, entirely unsurprised when her best friend slid down to the floor and buried a tear-stained face into her