Tragic Toppings Read Online Free PDF Page A

smothered,” I said, trying to soften the blow of what I was about to say. “Is there any chance she just had to get away?”
    “And leave the shop unlocked and unmanned? I can’t imagine it, especially with the three amigos there. She might leave everything behind in the world that she holds dear, but she would never leave Cow, Spots, and Moose unprotected and unguarded. Especially Spots.”
    “Why Spots in particular?” I asked, my curiosity getting the best of me. “I didn’t realize that she had a favorite.”
    “Spots was always her cow. Cow was mine, and her father reluctantly adopted Moose, though in the end he embraced the fantasy as much as we did. When she was younger, Emily insisted that each of us have our very own pal, and that’s the way it worked out in the end.” She lowered her voice, as though someone besides us could hear her. “I know it’s silly, but I couldn’t just leave the three of them in the shop. I’ve brought them home and tucked them into her bed, just like they used to be in the old days.”
    “Where should we start looking for her?” I asked.
    The question seemed to surprise her. “You’re getting involved? I didn’t realize you and my daughter were that close.”
    “We were closer than you might think,” I explained, “but that’s not the only reason. The last time anyone admitted seeing her was at Donut Hearts. Whether I like it or not, in a way I’m tied to her disappearance until we find her.”
    “I can understand that,” Christine said. She was clearly about to add something when her cell phone rang. “Emily?” she asked breathlessly.
    After a pause, she said, “Hi, Chet. I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news. Our baby is gone.”
    She hesitated, and we could hear the wail on the other end of the phone. “Chester, snap out of it. She’s not dead.”
    Another pause, and then she said, “She’s missing. The shop was unlocked, and the guys were still inside. You have to come home. I need you here with me.” Two heartbeats later, she said, “Let me know when you get a flight home. I love you, too.”
    After Christine hung up, she turned back to us. She looked startled by our presence, almost as though she’d forgotten we were there. “I’m sorry. I can’t really talk right now. I need to be alone.”
    “We understand completely,” I said as Grace and I stood. “If you think of anything that might help, don’t hesitate to let us know.”
    She nodded, and as we walked to the front door, I asked, “I know you said her love life was complicated at the moment, but do you happen to know who she dated most recently, by any chance?”
    “I do,” Christine answered, though it was clear that she was reluctant to admit it.
    “Would you mind sharing a name with us?” Grace asked.
    Christine frowned, and then finally said, “I was hoping we’d be able to avoid this, but if anyone can get him to tell the truth, it’s you.”
    “Me?” Grace asked.
    “No, you,” she said as she pointed to me.
    “Why would I be able to help there?” And then, without any reason or evidence, I knew why she was reluctant to tell me anything. “She’s been dating my ex-husband, Max, hasn’t she?”
    Christine nodded. “I’ve been phoning him all afternoon, but he’s not picking up, and he won’t return any of my calls. Would you speak with him, Suzanne?”
    “Just try to stop me,” I said with a smile.
    I was out on the steps before Grace called out, “Hey, slow down a second and wait for me.”
    I stopped and turned to her. “Why doesn’t it surprise me that Max is involved?”
    “Maybe because you know him so well?” she asked.
    “Yeah, that must be it.” We got into my Jeep and headed to my ex-husband’s apartment. Leave it to Max to get mixed up in this. What did Emily see in him, anyway? I suddenly realized that I knew the answer to that without voicing the question out loud. Max was many things, good and bad, but near the top of the list had to be