Wedlock Cake Murder (A Maple Hills Cozy Mystery Book 12) Read online

  Since Hawk had paperwork to do, Nikki could go to the grocery store alone. She was glad for the opportunity since she was shopping for the ingredients for the wedding cake. One reason she won the chocolate competition was because the judges liked the flavor of her chocolates. She didn’t use too many fancy ingredients like her competitors had. Some of her competitors thought her chocolates were too simple. She had shown them all and took home the prize. Nikki smiled, remembering the competition. She grabbed the things she needed for the wedding cake and checked out. After taking the ingredients back to the chocolate shop, she drove home. She called Hawk to let him know she made it home okay, and after they chatted for a few minutes, she hung up. She relaxed in a hot bath and made herself some hot cocoa afterward.

  “I hope Hawk is right about the weather,” Nikki said aloud. “If it doesn’t warm up, I will walk down the aisle in a sweater.” Nikki laughed to herself as she crawled into bed with a book. She read until she heard Seth come in and then she turned out her light and went to sleep.

  Chapter Three

  The next morning Nikki woke up and smelled coffee brewing. She looked at her clock and realized her alarm had not gone off yet. I wonder why Seth is up so early, Nikki thought as she put on her robe. Nikki walked by Seth’s room. The door was closed, and she thought she heard a light snore. Nikki stopped and turned back toward her room. If Seth had not made the coffee, who had? She was about to go back to her bedroom when someone cleared their throat. Nikki turned around and saw Hawk at the bottom of the stairs.

  “You scared me to death,” Nikki chastised Hawk in a loud whisper. Hawk smiled and went back into the kitchen. Nikki followed him with a grin. Hawk had not only brewed coffee, he had also made pancakes and eggs. Hawk told Nikki to sit down and gave her a cup of coffee. Nikki thanked him and watched as Hawk maneuvered around her kitchen. Nikki’s kitchen was on the smaller side, but Hawk managed to make and serve breakfast without elbowing her or knocking any platters off the counters. Hawk put a plate of pancakes, eggs, and bacon in front of Nikki.

  “Eat up,” Hawk said.

  “Thank you,” Nikki replied. She waited until Hawk had his plate and had sat down across from her and then they both enjoyed their breakfast.

  “So, what is the special occasion?” Nikki asked. “You don’t normally show up and cook me breakfast.”

  “I wanted to surprise you,” Hawk said. “You have been working overtime planning this wedding and I thought you could use a bit of a break.”

  “I appreciate that,” Nikki replied and sipped her coffee. They heard a thunk, and Nikki and Hawk looked at each other. There were two other thunks, and Seth appeared. He was wearing his uniform and had run down the stairs.

  “What time is it?” Seth asked as he bounded into the kitchen.

  “Slow down,” Nikki said. “It’s still early.”

  “Whew, that’s a relief. I smelled the coffee and thought I was running late. Oh, hi, Hawk,” Seth said as he noticed Hawk sitting across from Nikki.

  “Seth has been getting up before me and brewing the coffee,” Nikki explained to Hawk as Seth helped himself to some breakfast. Hawk laughed.

  “It is better to be a little early to work,” Hawk told Seth.

  “I agree,” Seth replied, sitting down beside Nikki. They all relaxed and enjoyed the home-cooked meal. Afterward, Seth and Hawk cleaned up while Nikki took a shower and got ready for work. When Nikki went back downstairs, Seth was putting on his coat.

  “I’m off to work, Mom,” Seth said.

  “Have fun and be safe,” Nikki replied. Seth left and Nikki went back into the kitchen. Hawk was drying the dishes and Nikki walked up behind him. She put her arms around him and rested her head on his back. Hawk put down the dish and turned around. He hugged Nikki close and kissed her. Just then Hawk’s radio went off. It was a call about a home break-in just outside of town. Nikki sighed as Hawk threw on his jacket. Hawk kissed her goodbye and ran out the door. Nikki finished putting the dishes away and put on her jacket.

  “It’s time to make the chocolates,” Nikki said to herself as she walked out to her car. She drove the short distance into town and opened up her shop. Tori and Lidia appeared shortly afterward and helped Nikki set up the chocolate display. Tori opened the register and Nikki went back into the kitchen.

  Nikki organized the chocolate ingredients for the icing and decorations on the cake. She was planning to create some decorations that afternoon. Nikki heard her door chime and she peeked out into the store. A mother and her toddler son had appeared. Lidia was helping the woman, and Tori was distracting the child. Nikki smiled. Tori would make a wonderful mother someday. Nikki turned back to her kitchen. She finished organizing the ingredients and thought about the cake itself.

  Nikki had been making cakes all summer for parties, picnics, weddings, and other occasions. She had used those opportunities to see exactly what kind of cake Hawk liked. For one party Nikki had made a strawberry sponge cake. Hawk liked it, but he said the sponge was a little dry for his taste. For a birthday party Nikki had made a vanilla cake with chocolate frosting. Hawk liked that more. For one of the weddings, Nikki had created a marble cake with white chocolate frosting. Hawk had really liked that cake but thought the frosting was too sweet, so Nikki made a marble cake with regular chocolate frosting. Nikki looked at her list to be sure she had all the ingredients and realized she still had a few things to buy.

  When Nikki stepped back into the store, there was a small line at the counter, so Nikki helped Lidia and Tori with the customers. After a few minutes everyone had been taken care of. Nikki told Lidia and Tori that she was going to the store to get a few more ingredients for the wedding cake.

  “Go on. We’ll be fine while you are gone,” Lidia said.

  “Thank you,” Nikki replied as she walked out the door. The wind had died down, and the sun was trying to shine through the clouds overhead. Nikki drove to the store past the overgrown maple and evergreen forests. She got to the store, parked, and walked in. Nikki walked down the baking aisle. A woman from town was there and Nikki said hello.

  “Are you shopping for your latest chocolate creation?” the woman asked Nikki.

  “No,” Nikki replied, laughing. “I am shopping for a surprise for Hawk.”

  “Oh, how wonderful,” the woman exclaimed. “I’m sure he will love whatever you cook up.” Nikki thanked her and the woman moved on. Nikki grabbed some vanilla beans, dark and light chocolate, and cinnamon. Nikki picked up a few more things she needed and checked out. Then she drove back to the chocolate store down the windy roads and parked her car. She carried her bags inside the shop and deposited them on the kitchen table. Nikki took off her jacket and checked the front of the store. There were quite a few customers, so Nikki pitched in and helped Tori and Lidia. After the wave of customers had been taken care of, Nikki and Tori restocked the shelves. A little while later the door opened, and Seth appeared. He said hello to Nikki and Lidia and gave Tori a hug and a kiss.

  “What are you doing here?” Nikki asked. It was not lunch time yet, and Seth had his uniform on.

  “I have a couple of minutes and I thought I would swing by and see what everyone was up to,” Seth said.

  Nikki smiled. “Where is your partner?” she asked.

  “He is at the precinct doing paperwork. I finished mine so he told me to take a break,” Seth replied. Nikki laughed. Hawk was mentoring Seth but was not his partner. Seth’s partner had been on the force for a while. He hated paperwork as much as Hawk did and dragged his feet about processing it. Seth probably had a good half hour to kill.

  “So, I’ve bought all the ingredients for the wedding cake,” Nikki said.

  “What did you get?” Tori asked.

  “I will make a marble cake, but I have to decide what kind of chocolate I am going to use,” Nikki replied.

  “You should use white chocolate,” Tori said. “That way the chocolate taste will be a surprise.”

  “I had not thought abo
ut that,” Nikki said. “I think the white chocolate will be a little too sweet for Hawk, but I will definitely use that idea for a future cake.” Tori beamed.

  “Milk chocolate is not as sweet as white chocolate. How about using a milk chocolate cake batter?” Lidia asked.

  “I thought about that, but I was not sure if the vanilla would overpower the milk chocolate. I will be using fresh vanilla beans and they can be strong,” Nikki said.

  “Seems like dark chocolate is your only option then,” Seth said. “That should balance with the vanilla flavor.”

  “That is what I will probably use,” Nikki said. Just then Seth’s radio squawked. Nikki could not understand what the call was, but Seth went flying out the door.

  “Be safe,” chorused Nikki, Lidia, and Tori.

  A few customers appeared and Nikki helped them with their chocolate choices. Lidia cleaned off the tables and Tori made more hot chocolate. The store grew busy and Nikki had to put off making her cake to assist her customers. The day went on and Seth did not return. Tori and Lidia went to lunch and Nikki watched the store. Nikki was happy that her chocolate shop was busy, but she was concerned about getting the cake made. Nikki decided she would just stay after work that evening and get it done then. Lidia and Tori reappeared with a turkey sandwich and some hot tea for Nikki. She thanked them and went back into the kitchen to eat. That afternoon Nikki made more chocolates and designed a new truffle. She walked back into her shop and it was quiet.

  “It finally died down,” Tori said. “Not that I am complaining.” Nikki laughed.

  “Hey, have you heard from Seth?” Nikki asked Tori.

  “No. I figured he was too busy for lunch,” Tori replied.

  “You are probably right,” Nikki said, and she grabbed a cloth to wipe the tables again. Lidia fixed some more hot chocolate and Tori restocked the candies.

  “We will probably need to make more chocolates for tomorrow,” Tori told Nikki. “There are only a few sheets left in the refrigerator.”

  “I just made a couple of batches a while ago,” Nikki replied.

  “Yep, and they are going in the case now,” Tori said. Nikki was happy that her chocolates were selling.

  “If you and Lidia can watch the shop, I will make more,” Nikki said. Tori agreed and Nikki went back to the kitchen.

  Chapter Four

  Nikki put on her apron and got out the ingredients for some chocolate-covered pretzels. She also pulled out the ingredients for caramel. Nikki liked to dip the pretzels in caramel and then in the chocolate. This gave them an extra layer of goodness and her customers loved them. After Nikki made the caramel, she heated up the dark chocolate. She dipped the pretzels into the caramel and then the chocolate and put them on a pan. She put the pan in the refrigerator to cool down. Nikki then made some drop milk chocolates with some drizzled salted caramel on top. Nikki also made delicate caramel balls by dripping the caramel to highlight the case. She stuck these into the refrigerator as well.

  Nikki then pulled out the ingredients for truffles. Nikki was hands deep in chocolate in her kitchen. She had decided to make some more truffles and she was rolling them in her milk chocolate dust. Nikki placed them on a sheet and when the sheet was full, she put it into the refrigerator. Nikki was happy with her truffle recipe. She was planning to make a fall assortment of truffles after the wedding. She would use white chocolate with orange, yellow, and red food dye. The orange ones would have an orange flavor, the yellow ones would be lemon flavored, and the red would be raspberry. Nikki had thought about putting some jam inside them instead of the flavoring. Nikki made a note to try some out and see what worked the best.

  After making the truffles, Nikki cleaned up and contemplated what she would do next. All of the cases in the front were full of candies and right now they were selling without any tweaks. Nikki was happy she could make what she wanted without worrying about what the customers thought. Nikki stood by the sink and thought she might get started on the cake for her wedding. She pulled out the pots and pans she would need along with the ingredients. Just as she was about to crack the first egg, her cell phone rang. It was Seth.

  “Mom, can you come out to the cabins?” Seth asked Nikki.

  “I was just starting to work on the cake,” Nikki replied.

  “We need you out here right away,” Seth replied. “It’s urgent.” Nikki caught his serious tone and told him to text her the address. Nikki raced out into the front of the store and told Lidia and Tori about Seth’s call.

  “I am not sure what the emergency is,” Nikki said. “I just hope Hawk is okay.”

  “Go ahead and meet up with Seth,” Tori replied. “I’ll take care of closing the shop.” Nikki mentioned the cake and Tori said she would clean up the kitchen. Nikki thanked her and ran out the door to her car, pausing to check her phone. She saw the message from Seth and pulled up the address. Outside of town there were some hunting cabins. Nikki knew the approximate location of the cabins, but she needed the address to get to the exact location where Seth was waiting for her. Nikki drove out of town and along some back roads. There were dense trees on either side of the winding roads, with no apparent streets or turn-offs. Nikki went up a long hill and slowed down. Nikki turned off into what appeared to be some grass in between two trees but was really a trail to a cabin in the woods. Nikki drove along the bumpy trail until it got too dense. Nikki got out of her car and ran down the trail the rest of the way to the cabin. Seth met her along the way.

  “Is Hawk okay?” Nikki asked with concern.

  “Yes, he’s fine,” Seth replied. “Come with me.” Seth led her around a large stone by the trail to the front of the cabin. Nikki saw Hawk and jogged up to him, noticing how pale he appeared. Nikki looked down at the ground. A man with a fishing vest and a fishing hat on his head was lying face up on the ground. There was what looked like a gunshot wound in his chest and he appeared dead.

  Suddenly Nikki gasped. “Is that Luke?” she asked.

  “Yes, it is,” Hawk replied. Nikki turned and gave Hawk a hug. Luke was a police officer who had been on the force for a long time. Hawk had known Luke for most of his life. Luke was a dear friend of Hawk’s father.

  “I am so sorry, Hawk,” Nikki said. She let go of Hawk and looked at Luke. It was apparent Luke had been dead for a little while. Nikki looked at the gunshot wound and noticed something on Luke’s fishing vest.

  “What is this?” Nikki asked as she stooped closer. Hawk knelt down beside Nikki. There was a small note pinned to Luke’s fishing vest. Nikki used a gloved hand to remove the note. She and Hawk stood up. Nikki read the note aloud.

  “I am coming for the chief next,” Nikki read out loud. “Oh no, what is happening, Hawk?”

  “I don’t know, but we will find out,” Hawk replied. Just then they heard a voice speaking loudly nearby.

  “Let me through, I am your chief,” Nikki heard. She turned around and saw Seth blocking the chief’s path. Hawk moved quickly and stood beside Seth.

  “You do not want to go over there, Dad,” Hawk said. “I’m so sorry. It’s Luke.”

  “What’s wrong? I came up here to meet him for some fishing and I saw all of your cars here. I didn’t hear this being called on the radio,” the chief replied.

  “I told the guys to keep radio silence about this until I could talk to you myself,” Hawk replied.

  “What’s wrong with Luke?” Chief asked. Hawk looked away, unable to respond, and Nikki spoke.

  “I am sorry, Chief, but Luke is dead,” Nikki said. Hawk steadied his father as he received the news.

  “What happened?” the chief asked.

  “He was shot,” Hawk replied.

  “There was a note pinned to his fishing vest,” Nikki told the chief. “The text was threatening to you.”

  “Let me see the note and Luke,” the chief insisted. Nikki showed him the note. The chief read it through the evidence bag.

  “I think we should get you somewhere safe,” Hawk told his fa
ther.

  “I am not going anywhere,” the chief replied. “I want to investigate the scene.”

  Nikki knew the chief would not budge so she wasn’t surprised when Hawk stepped aside to let his father through to the crime scene. The chief walked over to Luke’s body and took his hat off. He knelt down and closed Luke’s eyes. The chief stood up and carefully examined the body. The chief looked upset, but he carefully studied the location and Luke. Forensics appeared and they started to gather information.

  “We should probably let them have the scene,” Hawk told his father. “I can call the office and find a place for you to stay where it is safe.” The chief scowled and walked off. Hawk started to follow him, but Nikki put her hand on Hawk’s arm and stopped him.

  “Let me talk to him,” Nikki said. Hawk reluctantly agreed, and Nikki walked over to the pond where the chief was standing.

  Chapter Five

  Nikki followed the chief to the large pond, which was surrounded by a densely grown forest. The chief liked to come out here to hunt and fish. He owned another larger cabin where Hawk had taken Nikki after he proposed to her. The chief was standing looking over the water. The water was still and reflected the trees surrounding it. Nikki could see the pain of his loss in the lines on his face. They stood silently side by side for a while contemplating the scenery. Nikki realized the chief was also scouring the woods for any clues. She watched him look carefully and precisely over the water. Nikki knew the chief did not want to be excluded from the investigation, and putting him under protection would hamper his ability to help Hawk with the case.