Chapter 26
“Scott, I’m so glad you were able to see me today,” Angel said, smiling at the familiar broker sitting behind his desk. The desk that used to be Marcia’s. Stop! It’s only right that he should have her office now. Forcing her mind to remember that life goes on, she hoped her barrage of emotions did not show on her face.
Having taken her hand in a warm greeting and ushering her to one of his deep leather chairs, he called out to Cindy for coffee. Settling himself down behind his desk, he expressed his condolences at her recent losses. “I’m shocked and angered for you, Angel. With the loss of dear friends and now your business…” he appeared to search for the right words. “Well, I hardly know how to express my feelings. But please know that CFG is here to assist you with anything you need.”
“Thank you for replying so quickly to my email,” she responded. Placing several files on his desk, she said, “I know we have a lot to discuss today. We need to take a look at the discrepancies in my statements and also I should be getting my insurance check by the end of the week.”
“What would you like to start with?” Scott asked, his conciliatory voice smooth.
“Well,” she pondered, “I suppose there really isn’t much to say about the new store. I won’t be investing any of the insurance money until I have bought all of my new equipment. I planned on taking my furniture, cases, and kitchen supplies with me. Now I’ll have to buy all new everything for the shop.” Sighing heavily, she admitted, “It really won’t be hard to replace everything for the new bakery…it’s all of my personal belongings that will be difficult.”
“Yes, what will you be doing about your living quarters?”
“I’m staying with a friend for now until I decide where to live,” she answered.
Scott looked down at the files on her desk. “I’m surprised that these survived the explosion. How fortunate they were somewhere safe.”
“Yes, I keep everything in my apartment and not in the actual bakery.”
They were interrupted when Cindy brought in coffee for both of them. Setting down a tray with two cups, creamer and sweeteners, she asked how Angel liked her coffee.
“Oh, I’ll fix it,” she replied, smiling at the assistant she knew was a favorite of Marcia’s. “Thank you.”
Cindy nodded and returned her smile as she barely glanced at Scott. Turning, she left his office, leaving his door open.
“So,” Scott said, bringing them back to business, “you don’t need our assistance for the new shop right now.”
“That’s right,” she agreed. “Although, when all is said and done, I may be investing some of the insurance money if possible. What I’m really concerned about are the discrepancies.” She held his gaze but felt the prickle of guilt sliding through her. “I can’t believe that Marcia was doing anything wrong or purposefully harmful, but…well, I’m confused.”
Nodding, Scott agreed. Taking the file from the desk, he opened it, his eyes scanning the documents. A crease furrowed his brow as he said, “I…well, I’m not sure exactly what some of these numbers or companies are. I’d like to look into this before I give you an answer.”
“Of course,” she said. Biting her plump lip for a second, she then looked at him with a determined expression. “I’d like to have a copy of everything before I turn these over to you.”
“Absolutely,” he agreed. “Cindy?” he called out. She appeared at the door. “Will you copy these files for Ms. Cartwright?”
Cindy walked into the room, taking the files while smiling at Angel. “I’ll be right back with these,” she promised, once more barely sending a glance toward Scott.
As she moved down the hall toward the workroom, Scott sighed heavily. Angel looked back, wanting to ask about their relationship, but stopped herself. It’s none of my business. Glancing around the office, she saw that Scott had changed very little since taking it over. Marcia was so efficient he probably discovered it needed no change.
Cindy walked back into the room setting two sets of files on Scott’s desk. “Here you go, Ms. Cartwright. Scott.” Turning, she left once more.
“I’ll take a look at these,” Scott promised, “and will get back to you. Can you give me a couple of days?”
“Sure,” Angel smiled. “I’ll be busy with the new shop anyway. I needed them so that when I send everything to my accountant for taxes, they’ll be correct.”
Shaking his hand, she took her duplicate set of files and walked out of his office. Cindy rose from her desk, saying, “I’ll show you out.”
Placing her hand on the young woman’s arm, she asked, “How are you doing? I know there are a lot of changes now and you worked so well with Marcia. I loved her like a sister and knew she appreciated your help.”
At that, Cindy’s eyes jumped up to Angel’s. “Yes, we…well, we just clicked. So many people wondered why I didn’t strive higher in my career but, honestly, working for Marcia was a dream job. She was so efficient. So dedicated.” Sighing, she looked back toward Scott’s office. “I won’t deny it’s hard, but there’s a lot to keep an eye on now.”
Arriving at the reception desk, Angel offered her hand to Cindy as they parted. Walking back to her car, she wondered about her words. A lot to keep an eye on now.
Unbeknownst to Angel, dark eyes followed her to her pink VW, anger flowing from them. Knowing they missed her with the explosion, they vowed to not make the same mistake again.
*
Luke worked diligently using the new program his mystery assistant had sent. Smiling, he was making more headway in a few hours than he had in the previous week. As the meta-data analyzed, he moved over to the workroom counter to fix another cup of coffee. Rubbing his chest, he noted the slight pain. Knowing it was time for his physical, he hoped he did not have an ulcer. As he poured a liberal amount of creamer in his cup, he heard the ding of his secure email. He jogged over, quickly scanning his screen.
I see it is helping.
He immediately replied, Yes, thank you. How can you know what I’m working on?
I’m just that good. Lol
A joke? This person has a sense of humor? No doubt about it. Can you tell me where you are?
You know I can’t. Too dangerous. Eyes everywhere. But I will help when I can. Remember, do not take everything at face value. Some things are not what they seem.
Shaking his head, both in gratitude and frustration, he knew whatever this person was involved in, he did not want to risk their life. Imagining a young man, hunkered down in their messy apartment, hacking into Gods-knows-what accounts, Luke finally decided on, Then I will just say thank you again.
No reply came, but Luke knew they could still see what he worked on. For the first time, he was not upset someone had hacked him. If it helps solve these fuckin’ murders and keeps Angel safe, then bring it on!
He glanced over to another computer, seeing results of the analysis coming up. Scanning the side-by-side comparison page between the investments of the three women, he quickly saw an interesting development.
The amounts in the various investments portfolios differed between the women…but the companies did not. Marcia had placed all of their money in exactly the same companies, regardless of what the individual women had requested.
*
Angel stood inside the space that would soon be the new Angel’s Cupcake Heaven. She had been surprised at the number of former customers who left notes of consolation, assuming the damage to the old shop was from a gas explosion, that were also excited about her new shop.
The building owner for the new location, Mr. Jameson, was standing with her, his exuberance almost matching her own.
“Ms. Cartwright, when the previous tenants left and the restaurant closed, I was distraught. Obviously, the rental income loss was felt, but it was more than that. This area of town is being revitalized and the empty space just felt like it did not belong. I’m thrilled that Angel’s Cupcake Heaven will be here.”
She smiled at the man’s enthusiasm before turning to Stan, the kitchen equipment contractor, who was meeting them here.
“I’ll have the counters put in tomorrow,” Stan assured, “just like we talked about. The ovens and stoves here are all in working order. So is the large, walk-in refrigerator and freezer.”
Angel held back on the desire to dance around at the larger space and some of the new location’s amenities. The huge refrigerator and freezer were something she did not have in her former shop and would make pre-baking cupcakes for weddings and events easier.
She and Stan walked around the kitchen space as she explained how she wanted things to be and he took notes. Nodding, he assured her that by the end of the next day it would be ready.
Just then, another provider walked in and introduced himself. Mike, of Restaurant Necessities, walked around the shop area with her. She had needed to purchase a sales counter, display cases, tables, chairs, and dishware. Going over the list with him, he also agreed everything could be in place tomorrow.
Mr. Jameson beamed at her. “Oh, my, Ms. Cartwright. It looks like everything is right on schedule.”
She shared his smile, her heart feeling lighter than it had in days. “I know I will need to get the walls painted and my business logo on the window, but it’ll take place soon enough.”
“Well, you have your keys now, so you take care of whatever you need,” he replied before taking his leave of her.
Shouts of greetings and laughter sounded from the door and Angel whirled around to see what the commotion was. Miriam, Sabrina, Bethany, Faith, and Felicity with her two children all walked in, carrying paint buckets and supplies.
“Wha..what is this?” she asked, her mouth hanging open.
“Monty wanted to help organize a painting party,” Felicity responded. “I overheard him on the phone to these lovely ladies, so I convinced him to let me and the kids in on the surprise!”
“We’ll get the walls painted in no time,” Sabrina said, her interior-decorating eyes darting around.
Angel opened her mouth, but no words came out, overwhelmed by their generosity. As each woman came over to hug her, she battled back the tears.
“Now, none of that,” Miriam admonished. “We need to get to work. We’ve got pink, purple, and teal paint so you tell us which colors go where.”
Swiping at her eyes, she pointed to each wall with instructions and the women got to work. Within a few minutes, drop cloths were on the floor and paint poured into the pans as rollers were readied for their tasks.
“Kids, I’d better not see any paint anywhere except on the walls,” Felicity threatened. “Or I’ll tell Miss Angel not to give you any cupcakes on opening day!”
As the group dispersed around the room, another sound came from the door. Turning, she was stunned to see her parents standing there.
“Mom? Dad? I thought you two were still on vacation in Florida?” She rushed into their outstretched arms.
“Well, it seems a nice young man, named Monty, gave us a call,” her mom explained. “He thought we needed to know what was going on and asked us to contact your brother.”
“What I’d like to know, young lady, is why we had to get a phone call from your new boyfriend, who we did not know about, to find out you’re embroiled in the investigation into your friends’ deaths, and,” he paused for effect, “to find out what happened to your bakery!”
“I didn’t want to upset you, dad—”
“Bullshit, Angel! You were injured and we should know about it. Hell girl, he said you were deaf!” he shouted, his bushy eyebrows quivering.
Monty picked that moment to walk into the pandemonium. His niece and nephew were running through the open space. The four friends and his sister were already using paint rollers on the white walls, creating swashes of color. An older version of Angel, silver-blonde hair bobbed at her shoulders, wearing a blue blouse and a multicolored skirt was standing next to a tall man, who appeared to be giving Angel a scolding.
Cam, Bart, Jack, and Jude had followed Monty inside, planning to meet their women, came in behind him at that moment, taking in the scene as well. All four laughed as they caught the smile on Monty’s face.
“Damn, bro,” Bart laughed. “You sure went from boring to scoring when you met Angel!”
*
Three hours later, three walls inside the shop were covered in pink, purple, and teal. The back wall was still white, awaiting Angel’s muse.
The large group sat on the floor, pizza boxes laying around. Soda and beer bottles littered the area as the occupants finished their impromptu meal. The rumble of conversations was lost as she no longer strained to hear them.
Her parents fit in with her group of new friends and had thanked Monty profusely for contacting them. In fact, her father had taken Monty aside, grilling him about the investigation. Monty answered the questions he could and politely deflected the ones he could not.
Mr. Cartwright had eyed him carefully before sticking out his hand, grasping Monty’s. “I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have with our Angel than yourself.” As he had walked back over to his wife, he muttered, “A lawman. Best damn person our girl could have ended up with!”
Monty had stood for a second, the acceptance washing over him, easing the last remnants of not measuring up to his parent’s expectations from his being. Now, sitting on the floor with his arms around Angel, he knew he was right where he was supposed to be.
Angel leaned back against Monty, feeling him nuzzle her left ear. “Happy, baby?”
She nodded, smiling her answer. Tomorrow the furniture and counters would be in place in the shop and the baking equipment installed in the kitchen. One of her former customers had come by earlier and offered to paint her logo on the front plate glass. After she gave him a picture of what the original logo looked like, he handed her his card, assuring her he would have it finished tomorrow also. The only thing was the unique painting in the back, but she would ask the young artist if he was able to take care of that as well.
Looking around the room as the occupants lounged leisurely on the floor, she was filled with a sense of contentment. She knew someone was still out there—someone who wanted her dead and had killed her friends. The thought angered her and, if she were honest, frightened her. But, for the moment, she allowed the comfort of good friends to settle over her with the arms of the man she loved around her.