Page 21 of Twice Baked Risky Whiskey Cakes

“Why, let’s arrest the wealthy little fiend and be done with it.” Sebby floats up a few inches along with his insolence. “Wait until I get my paws on her. How dare she shove a knife into the man who was my brother from another mother.”

I shoot him a wry look. “We are definitely not arresting Eliza,” I practically hiss. “She’s innocent. Ithink. Anyway. No matter what anyone says—no matter what evidence we stumble upon…” I pause a moment to glance over at Charlie whose eyebrows have crested into her forehead. “Eliza Baxter is innocent. There’s a real killer out there and it’s our job to find them, and fast.” I place my hands on my belly. “Like very fast.”

Sebby salutes me with his paw. “I’m on it, Lolita.”

I inch back. I don’t remember telling him my name.

“My name isLottie,” I correct, enunciating it for his benefit.

“That’s not what Carlotta told me,” he counters.

“Wait…you met Carlotta?” I squint his way. “Never mind. It’s Lottie. Carlotta is seldom right about anything.”

“But she’s fun, much like my Sebastian was,” he’s quick to tell me. “And besides, I like Lolita. It has a nice ring to it.” He begins to float toward the ceiling once more. “I’ll see you soon enough. I hear there’s an entire forest of little foxes out beyond the lake. If you’ll excuse me, I have a little catching up to do with my kind. Ta-ta for now!” And with that, he floats right out of sight.

“Wonderful.” I frown in his wake. I go to stand and Charlie grabs me by the wrist.

“Hey, did you get the invite to Vegas?”

I give a quick nod. “But as much as I love Meg, I don’t think I can swing it.”

She looks momentarily confused. “Is Meg participating in the Vegas Flavor Frenzy, too?”

I gasp a little at the mention of the event. “I forgot all about that. Is that coming up? I mean, Meg will be in Las Vegas for a wrestling match, but I doubt it’s at the very same time.”

“The Flavor Frenzy is in a month,” she tells me. “I’ve already committed to the Savory Sizzle in Sin City. You should sign up for the Sin City Sugar Showdown.”

“Oh, Charlie,” I moan. “The Vegas Flavor Frenzy is huge.” The event itself is parceled off into two different events, the Savory Sizzle for the savory culinary lovers and the Sin City Sugar Showdown for those of us with a sweet tooth. “I’m so glad you’re competing. It’s been a dream of mine forever to compete myself. But as much as I’d love to come along”—I place my hand over my belly—“I’m sort of cooking up a little something with my husband. You know I can’t travel with the twins. Maybe next year—or in eighteen years more likely.”

“Bummer,” she says, leaning in and giving me a hug. “But I understand. And just for the record, you would have slayed the competition.”

“Aww, thank you.”

“No, I mean it.” She winks. “Vegas should pen you a thank you note for narrowly avoiding a tragedy or two.” She slinks back to the kitchen before a reply can work its way up my throat.

“Haha, I’m not laughing,” I mutter as I walk back to my bakery and right into another one of my favorite blondes and nearly knock a box of my sweet treats right out of her arms.

“Venus,” I say with a laugh. “Sorry. I seem to lead with my belly these days whether I want to or not. And what did you pick up?” I try to peer into the corner of the box, but I have no clue what deliciousness lurks beneath the cardboard.

“Cookies and cupcakes,” she says with a laugh. “I’m on my way to my niece’s birthday party. My sister-in-law called this morning and requested that I bring the desserts, but I wasinstructed not to bring them from my bakery. She said she didn’t want this to be all about me on her daughter’s special day.”

“Oh,” I wince as I say it. “Well, I appreciate the business. How about I give you a couple more boxes? On me.”

“I’ll take them.” She laughs again. “But only under one circumstance. You come along with me. As much as I love my sister-in-law, she and her friends can be a bit much. Bring Lyla Nell! It’s going to be quite the party.”

Carlotta materializes as if she were a ghost herself. But face it, I’m not that lucky.

“Did someone say party?” Carlotta perks up at the thought.

“I sure did.” Venus nods. “And you should come along, too, Carlotta. The food is being catered by six different restaurants, and there’s going to be an open bar.”

“I’ll grab my coat.” Carlotta takes off to do just that and I frown in her direction.

“Venus, you really don’t have to extend the invite our way. It’s my pleasure to gift you the desserts.”

“Believe me, you’ll be doing me a bigger favor by showing up. Have I mentioned my niece is turning three?” She rolls her eyes. “And yes, you heard me right. An open bar at a party for a three-year-old. Trust me when I say, this will be a birthday party to end all birthday parties. My sister-in-law and her friends are all about one-upping each other. It’s sort of a blood sport at this point.”

A thought comes to me.

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