Mocha mayhem, p.2
Mocha Mayhem, page 2
Things looked up as soon as the wedding began. It was quite simply beautiful. Three bridesmaids, in pale blue with navy ribbons at their waists, came out of the house first, walking one behind the other with a groomsman beside them. Then came the bride on her father’s arm.
There was no flower girl or ring-bearer. Strangely, there were no children at all.
In a gown of ivory silk, Lexie Turner was a fairytale princess. Straps low on her arms and cinched in at her tiny waist, it draped around her feet and onto the ground. The train was 15 feet long, and the lace overlay was a piece of art.
The women sighed. Scarlett’s sigh may have been louder, because Sam, holding on to his partner’s arm, was so handsome. Taking his place next to the groom, looking unnaturally stiff, poor Sam, clearly was uncomfortable in his three-piece suit. As if to prove a point, he ran a finger around his collar and shot the groom a nervous glance.
Chad, also a fine-looking man, already stood with the celebrant in front of the arch. Nervousness seemed to be the theme of this wedding. Scarlett noted a significant difference in the demeanor of the couple. While the bride had a bright-eyed look of expectation, the groom appeared to be taking no enjoyment from the day.
The father of the bride, a frown also marring his face, handed his daughter to the groom. He seemed about to say something but instead turned abruptly to take his place in the front row next to his wife.
Perhaps the pressure of so many high-profile guests, or the Turner’s expectation that everything should be perfect, changed the easy-going groom and best man into these awkward men.
The ceremony took more time than it should due to Chad’s struggle to speak his vows, and when it came time, he seemed hard-pressed to say I do. The bride appeared oblivious to the whole thing and kissed her new husband with enthusiasm. On the other hand, with arms locked at his sides, Chad was as stiff as a board. There was no hint of passion from either of them.
“Wow,” Violet whispered. “Do you see that? “
“Something’s not right,” Olivia added quietly.
“He’s probably stressed,” Ruby said. “Weddings are notorious for that, and I bet he’s had a lot to do.”
Violet snorted. “He’s marrying into the richest family in Harmony Beach, and as we’ve met the Turners I can’t believe he was allowed a say in anything even if he’d wanted to.”
“That could be the problem, and maybe Chad wanted to be involved more.”
Scarlett smiled at her youngest sister. Ruby always wanted things to be perfect and tried to see only the good in people. “Come on.” She pulled on her sister’s arms. “We’re into phase two.”
From that moment, it was a blur. While the couple had photos taken down on the beach, more canapés were taken around. Alcohol flowed freely, and laughter rang around the tent. Without the senior Turners around, the place felt less tense. Even the chef made a few jokes as they worked around him and his team plating the entrees.
As soon as the wedding party returned, these were taken outside to the staff who served the guests so Scarlett’s team could move on to plating the main course.
Then they were on the last course, which was a tremendous relief.
“What a wonderful day,” Ruby exclaimed from across the ample steel counter as she placed edible flowers on each plate. “I adore weddings.”
“Me too,” Aunt Olivia chuckled. “Our worries were unfounded.”
“They do seem to be enjoying the day,” Scarlett agreed.
Violet shook her head. “Except for the groom who still has a face like a prune.”
“Stop it,” Scarlett warned her while inspecting each plate for uniformity.
“There’s only us here,” Violet protested.
Scarlett nodded pointedly at the chef, who was stacking pots and pans for the kitchen staff to deal with later. He didn’t react but was definitely close enough to hear.
“Fine.” Violet took a laden tray through to the tent, and Scarlett followed with the last of the desserts.
The bride excused herself from a group of people and made her way across the tent to the sisters, waiting until the staff moved off with the trays before she spoke.
“Have you seen Chad?” Lexie’s voice was soft yet urgent.
Handing the tray to one of the staff, Scarlett shook her head. “I’m sorry. We’ve been in the kitchen most of the time.”
“Of course, you have.” Lexie looked frantically around the tent, muttering, “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Scarlett smiled in an attempt to put her at ease since the bride seemed on the point of hysteria. “You look so lovely. That dress is stunning, and the weather’s been perfect for your special day.”
“Thank you,” the bride spoke absently, still searching for someone or something.
“Is everything okay? Can I help you find who you’re looking for?”
“I’m probably a little dramatic, but it’s time to cut the cake.” Lexie hesitated for a moment before continuing. “My mom is not happy that the timing is off, and I’ve already sent the bridesmaids and groomsmen to look for Chad, with no luck so far.”
“Perhaps I could check the washrooms?” Scarlett suggested.
Lexie frowned. “Sam already checked them out.”
“Violet and I could help look in other places. We’ve done all we can for now in here. Maybe no one’s looked on the beach?”
Lexie nodded enthusiastically. “Would you mind? That would be so kind. Once the cake’s cut, we can get onto the dancing. Then we can leave for our honeymoon.”
A certain tightness around Lexie’s mouth had Scarlett rethinking that she was oblivious to the groom’s behavior. With little experience of weddings, Scarlett thought it was bad-mannered of Chad to force his new bride to search for him, and no doubt, having to make excuses for his disappearance.
“We’ll go right now. Don’t worry, Lexie, Chad will be around here somewhere.”
“Thank you, I do appreciate it. And thank you so much for your part in making this a wonderful experience.” Lexie’s smile faltered, and she hurried back to the bridal table.
Scarlett motioned Violet to follow her, waiting until they’d gone through the tent and reached the dock, before telling her sister about searching for the groom. Her immediate reaction was grating.
“I bet he’s run off with a bridesmaid.”
“Violet!”
“Well, that’s what usually happens when the groom disappears. Plus, you have to admit that he looked like he was marrying under sufferance.”
“Okay, he didn’t look happy, but that doesn’t mean he wanted to run off. We’re not in a soap opera.”
Violet shrugged. “Fine. Where shall we look?”
Scarlett did a 360 slow turn from the sea around the expansive back lawn and back. “Well, he’s not around here. I suggested we try down on the beach?” “Fine with me. The fresh air will be nice. It was hot in the kitchen and the tent—even with fans going.”
“We’re still on the clock,” Scarlett reminded her as they walked down several wide steps.
“You’re such a stickler. They’ve had their pound of flesh and more, and this is hardly in our job description.”
“Maybe not, but potentially we could get a lot of work from this wedding if we do a good job, and more importantly, create the right impression.”
“We’ve done a good job. A great job, actually. Better than the people who pulled out at the last minute, who knew it was going to be a nightmare dealing with Mrs. Davina Turner.”
Scarlett shook her head. “Stop trying to wind me up. Customers are still customers.”
“Me?”
Scarlett nudged her as they reached the beach, and when Violet giggled, she appreciated, not for the first time, that sisters were a joy and a pain.
They came to a dinghy half-way along the private part of the beach that belonged to the Turners. Whether they owned it or not was another story, but they certainly put it around and acted as though they did.
“I think this is far enough.” Scarlett stopped by the boat. “I wonder why it’s here.”
Violet shrugged. “They probably didn’t want it spoiling the view from the tent down to the water and moved it from the dock.”
“That makes sense. I can’t imagine Chad came this far, though. Why would he when he was supposed to cut the cake? And how would he walk along this beach without someone noticing?” Sun bounced off the sand, and Scarlett shielded her eyes with her hand. “Actually you can’t see more than the top of the tent from here.”
“He had that trapped look the whole afternoon. Maybe he’s run away. Brides aren’t the only ones to do that.”
This time Scarlett didn’t laugh because suddenly it didn’t seem funny. “If he did, why would he wait until after the wedding? He could have left her at the altar. Although I’m not sure which is worse.”
“Both would be so embarrassing.” Violet sat against the dinghy, looking out at the blue expanse. Tilting her head back, she closed her eyes.
“Don’t get comfortable. We should get back and let Lexie know we couldn’t find her husband.”
Sighing, Violet pushed off. The boat tipped, then rocked back into position.
Scarlett gasped.
“What’s the matter?” Violet hurried to her side. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Not wanting to believe her eyes, Scarlett gulped, blood rushed to her head. “Help me turn the boat over.”
“Why on earth would we do that?”
With her hands already on the bottom of the dinghy, Scarlett frowned over her shoulder. “Because there’s someone under it.”
Her sister’s eyes widened. “You mean someone’s hiding there?”
Scarlett didn’t want to destroy the hope for either of them, but it couldn’t be avoided. “I don’t think anybody’s hiding.”
Violet paled.
Together they managed to roll the boat over. It thumped down hard, spraying them with sand.
“Chad!” They squealed simultaneously.
The groom stared at the sky and didn’t move a muscle. Having seen this before, Scarlett knelt beside him to search for a pulse. “He’s dead. Will you run back and get Sam?”
“Gladly.” Violet shivered. “It never gets easier to see a dead body, does it?”
Scarlett shook her head. For reasons she refused to think about, they never saw their father after his death five years ago in a logging accident, but their mom died of breast cancer. That was far more horrible to witness, but dead was dead. Chad was a young man with his whole life ahead of him. Newly married, it seemed such a waste. Then there was the why or how. Maybe both.
“Don’t say anything to anyone else,” she warned. “I’ll call the sheriff.”
Violet had taken a couple of steps but turned immediately.
“Not to Mr. or Mrs. Turner? Or even, Lexie? What about the Wood family?”
“They all need to know, but it will be better coming from Sam or the sheriff.” Scarlett crossed her fingers about that.
CHAPTER THREE
Time ticked by incredibly slowly, and Scarlett checked her watch for the millionth time. Only five minutes had passed since Violet reached the ramp and the steps. That wasn’t long. Not really. Except, when you had a dead man at your feet, it seemed forever.
Taking great pains to not get anywhere near Chad, she walked around the immediate area as best she could without disturbing anything. Nate, the local sheriff, would hopefully be pleased with her restraint.
It was interesting that the dinghy was on top of him. He had no marks on his face, so it was conceivable that the boat fell and killed him. Yet, shouldn’t Chad be face down if it hit him on the back of the head? It could have been propped up somehow and fallen on him, but it seemed odd that he couldn’t crawl out from underneath. Besides, boats didn’t get left on their side, did they?
A thousand other questions swirled around inside her head, and the next time she looked up, Sam was running down the beach. Jacket removed, in one hand he carried a bag which banged against his thigh. Paramedics always came with the tools of their trade, regardless of a day off.
Skidding to a halt, short of breath, he landed on his knees beside her.
“I so wanted it to be untrue,” his voice wavered. Once he’d frantically checked for a pulse and listened to Chad’s chest with a stethoscope, Sam squeezed his eyes shut for a second. His eyelashes became wet, and his lips quivered.
Scarlett touched his shoulder. “I’m so sorry. I know he was your close friend.”
“My best friend.” Wiping his eyes on the sleeve of his shirt, Sam sighed deeply. “We went to college together, and he offered to share his room with me in the second year, so I had a quieter place to study. It was the one thing he fought his parents over, and because he lives nearby, it was the main reason I chose Cozy Hollow to settle down in.”
Scarlett had known that they were close and about them going to college together, but they’d never discussed his motives for moving to town. It turned out there was a lot she didn’t know. Her throat felt thick with emotion, but she wanted to be strong for Sam. “Did he suffer from ill-health?”
“Not that I’m aware of. I like to keep fit, but Chad was a bit of a freak about it. Brilliant at nearly everything that needed a racquet or a bat, the only thing I could win against him was online games.” He attempted a smile and failed.
“I wonder who would want to kill him?”
Sam reared back from her. “Kill him? What the heck makes you think that he was killed?”
Scarlett gulped, wishing she could take back the words, and she couldn’t lie. “It occurred to me that he couldn’t have placed the dinghy over himself. If he didn’t die because of sickness and didn’t appear to have had a heart attack, it had to involve another person?”
She only knew what heart attacks looked like after the previous librarian in Cozy Hollow had met her demise this way, and Sam had been with Scarlett after she found Mable Norris.
Sam flopped onto his backside as if she’d hit him. “I’d already ruled that out. Without checking him over more thoroughly, I can’t say what did kill him.” He glanced over his shoulder to where the top of the tent was visible. “I’m not convinced, but if it were due to foul play, that would mean it had to be somebody from the wedding.” His eyes narrowed.
Scarlett followed his gaze. “Maybe.”
He turned back to her. “Pardon?”
She shrugged. “Someone could have been waiting for Chad, or he could have met up with them on the beach. I believe he’s been missing for some time.”
“But why would they choose today of all days?” Sam asked with disgust.
She dug her shoes in the sand. “Well, I don’t like to mention it, but . . .”
“Just tell me,” he asked through gritted teeth.
She flinched at his tone. “He looked so miserable throughout the whole ceremony.”
Sam’s mouth opened and closed. “Did he?”
“Are you saying you didn’t notice it?” Scarlett didn’t buy that at all—not if they were such close friends. Why would he lie to her?
He loosened his tie and undid the top button of his shirt as if he couldn’t get enough air.
“You do know about his change of heart, don’t you?”
He touched Chad’s cheek. “I thought he simply had cold feet. Which is perfectly natural.”
“Is it?” Scarlett put that in a compartment for future reference. Their dates were mainly conducted at her house or the local park in case he was called to an emergency. At least that was his excuse. Maybe this was a warning for her that he didn’t want to get serious, despite what he said when they were occasionally alone. She shook her head to rid it of these selfish thoughts. This was about Chad and Lexie.
“That’s what I’ve heard about weddings,” Sam back-tracked, before giving her a funny look. “Except, over this last week, I found out that there was more to Chad’s reluctance than cold feet.”
Scarlett kept her ah-hah to herself. “What was it.”
Sam looked around guiltily. “Chad was seeing someone else,” he whispered.
She grimaced, not wanting to think badly of Sam’s best friend. “Then why did he go ahead with the wedding?”
“Because his father threatened to cut him off.”
She tilted her head. “Financially?”
Sam nodded miserably. “In every way. Being kicked out of the business would have devastated him. I know it’s hard for you to appreciate, but as long as I’ve known him, Chad never had to worry about money, and he took the idea of one day running the corporation very seriously.”
The sound of sirens cut through the conversation, and while they waited expectantly, Scarlett wondered who Chad had preferred to Lexie.
Eventually, Violet led the Sheriff, a deputy, the Turners, and Chad’s parents down the beach. When she was close enough, Violet gave her an apologetic look.
Scarlett shrugged. Once the sheriff, Nathaniel Adams, arrived, her sister couldn’t be expected to hide what had happened from the Turners. And certainly Lexie, along with Chad’s parents, had a right to know what had befallen her new husband.
Sam helped Scarlett to her feet, and they backed away from the body. Chad’s mom immediately fell on her son, sobbing loudly. Lexie, arms wrapped around herself, was also crying, a hand to her mouth, she rocked backward and forward.
The Sheriff gently pulled the mom away. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Wood. I need you to move back so we can seal off the area.”
“Whatever for?” Mr. Wood blustered.
“Because this is now a crime scene,” Nate reasoned patiently.
“A crime scene? Was he murdered? Here?” Mr. Turner asked loudly. He looked around them, clearly affronted that someone could do such a thing on his beach.
Appreciating that people reacted differently to terrible news, nevertheless, Scarlett felt a surge of dislike for the man. The body of his new son-in-law lay a few feet away, and it appeared that all he could think about was the inconvenience Chad’s demise made to his life.
