Death at the Pageant Read online

  Chapter Thirteen

  "I didn't plan it! I never meant to hurt him!" Denise said as Alvin placed her in the back seat of his patrol car. The reality of being put into the vehicle while wearing handcuffs had her backpedaling her story as quickly as she had first spilled it.

  Ramona stood with Melody and Smudge as she watched her mother's fall from grace. Melody placed a hand gently on the girl's shoulder.

  "The pageants were my mother's idea. I never wanted to compete. I wanted to play soccer."

  Melody listened as Ramona finally spoke freely without being under her mother’s watchful eye.

  "As for Ronald, I know he wasn't the best man he could be, but I did have strong feelings for him." She locked eyes with Melody. "He made me feel prettier than any pageant ever could."

  "I'm sorry your mother did this to you," Melody said quietly. "Even though her actions were wrong, I suspect she had the best intentions in trying to help you succeed."

  "My mother is a jealous woman. She used to compete when she was my age. She never did win the crown, but she stayed passionate about the pageant lifestyle. She came close to winning once. She qualified for a national pageant that would have set her up for Miss America, the biggest competition of all. Back then, she could have gone all the way. She could have had a collection of crowns, and the winnings would have set her up for a comfortable life."

  "What happened after she qualified?" Melody asked curiously.

  "I happened,” Ramona said then went on to explain. "She met my father. He was a judge at one of the events. She got pregnant. Then, he left her for another competitor. Does the story sound familiar yet? History repeats itself."

  Smudge rubbed against Ramona's leg until Ramona scooped her up into her arms. Together the trio watched as Alvin drove away. Denise cursed her daughter's existence and ingratitude from the backseat until she was nothing more than a speck in the distance. Shortly after, Kerry pulled up in her car and parked alongside the curb.

  "There's Kerry. She'll give us a ride to the station," Melody said.

  "Thank you," Ramona said quietly into the soft fur of Smudge's neck as she cuddled her close. "You really saved me." Ramona's eyes drifted back to Kerry's car as she lowered Smudge to the pavement.

  Kerry pushed open the passenger door.

  "Smudge! C'mon girl!" she said excitedly. Smudge hopped into the car, excited to see Kerry, too. She nuzzled her wet nose against Kerry's face then jumped into the back seat. Kerry reached back and buckled her harness into the special seat belt she kept on the occasion she had to care for Smudge.

  Ramona inhaled deeply, then slowly let it go. She watched as Kerry spoke playfully to Smudge and observed how Smudge responded to Kerry. Melody observed how everything about Ramona’s presence had changed once her mother was far enough away. She appeared to be free; the stress had gone from her body.

  "She's really something special. I love that little dog. She inspires me to be a better person,” Ramona said thoughtfully.

  "Smudge brings out the best in everyone, because she's the best, too. What will you do now that you're free from the pageant circuit?" Melody asked.

  "I'm not exactly sure, but I know one thing. I want to be around more dogs like Smudge."

  Chapter Fourteen

  "Ladies and gentlemen, your first runner up is…" Penelope Cross glanced down at the gold card she was holding. She read a name to herself first, then announced it into the microphone. "Alexis Garnett!"

  The crowd roared with excitement! Alexis forced a smile evidently disappointed her name was called so soon. Reluctantly, she took her runner’s up lap around the stage. She waved to the cheering audience until she found her way to Penelope. Penelope took a freshly pressed sash and draped it over Alexis' shoulder. Then, she handed her a bouquet of flowers. Alexis waved again and stood in the spot on the stage marked for the First Runner Up.

  "She doesn't look thrilled," Melody whispered to Kerry, who was seated at her left.

  "Nope. We should keep an eye on whoever wins and make sure she doesn't end up with a sash around her neck," Alvin said, overhearing Melody. He was seated to her right.

  "I think Kerry should be on that stage next year." Bradford Smedley, Kerry's fiancé, leaned in closer to add his two cents about the pageant.

  The four friends had the best view of the show as Penelope had hooked them up with VIP seats, front row, and center. Knowing how Kerry felt about pageants, everyone but her snickered at his suggestion.

  Penelope tapped the microphone with her painted fingernail to recapture the attention of the cheering crowd.

  "And now, the moment you've all been waiting for." She looked at the card carefully so as not to say the wrong name. "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you your NEW Miss Port Warren and state qualifier for Miss America, Colleen Thorne!"

  The crowd went wild!

  Colleen's hands flew to her open mouth as tears streamed down her cheeks. Her whole body shook with excitement as she acted genuinely surprised at being announced the winner. With a gut reaction, Alexis rolled her eyes, but as quickly as she’d reacted, she ultimately smiled warmly at Colleen and applauded her success. They had all been through so much together.

  "Oh, yes, such a surprise," Kerry said sarcastically. "Wasn't she the favorite to win?"

  "She's not a horse!" Melody said.

  "Well, she may as well be with this dog and pony show."

  Colleen, still sobbing, put on her best award-winning smile as she strutted over to Penelope, who draped her winner’s sash and placed the ceremonial crown atop her luxurious blonde hair. The gorgeous headpiece sparkled under the bright lights of the stage.

  "I wouldn't mind wearing that on my wedding day." Kerry appreciated the beauty of the crown. Melody suspected Kerry was envisioning herself as the winner.

  "I guess there are some perks to competing after all." Melody's comment caused Kerry to snap out of her daydream and frown.

  “Fine, I admit there’s something somewhat magical about the finale,” Kerry said begrudgingly.

  Penelope handed Colleen a substantial red rose bouquet reserved for the winner. A local high school student sang the ceremonial pageant song as Colleen took her lap of honor. As she turned toward the front of the stage, one of the roaming spotlights fell on Kerry’s face sitting in the front row. Colleen couldn't help but smile genuinely when she saw her. It was evident that she remembered Kerry's kindness one month ago when Ronald Atkins was murdered.

  Colleen deviated from her choreographed walk despite Penelope’s subtle protests. She descended the steps to the side of the stage and headed right for Kerry. The spotlight settled on the two women. Plucking a rose from her bouquet, she handed it to her new friend. Kerry, caught completely off guard, was immobilized in her chair by all the fanfare. She looked up at Colleen, confused.

  "Thank you. I haven't forgotten what you did for me. Your kindness meant the world to me. You're the most beautiful woman in the room, Kerry, inside and out. Please, stand up and share this moment with me. After losing Ronald, I’m not sure I could have made it here without your support." Colleen took Kerry's hand, encouraging her to stand beside her.

  Her friends cheered her and snapped some photos for Leslie. She wouldn’t have believed that Kerry was a highlight of the pageant finale without them.

  Shocked, Kerry rose from her seat and found herself smiling genuinely with one arm around Colleen's waist. Together, they waved at the audience and smiled for the cameras. The flashes were popping like fireworks.

  Melody knew that Kerry had kept in touch with Colleen after the investigation closed. She hadn’t told anyone about her secret, but the blossoming friendship with the newest pageant queen was something Melody had spotted.

  Colleen hugged her then headed back to the stage, leaving Kerry with tears in her eyes. She finished her victory lap and met Penelope at the microphone.

  "I'd like to thank the National Pageant Association, the city of Port Warren, and Ms. Penelope Cross for putting
together this event. I'd also like to thank all the sponsors, and especially the other competitors. These women are some of the strongest, most talented women I have ever met." She led a round of applause for the competitors poised on stage. "You ladies didn't make this win easy, but with everything we've been through together, you definitely made it special." The crowd cheered again.

  Melody, Alvin, Kerry, and Bradford cheered for Colleen. As they did, Melody stole a glance at Kerry. She watched her genuinely applaud Colleen and the other girls.

  "Are you a fan now?" Melody asked as the hoopla died down.

  "Let's just say I support those that celebrate the success of women." Eager to prove he supported his fiancée, Bradford kissed Kerry tenderly.

  "She's right, you know. You are the most beautiful woman in the room," he said.

  * * *

  Later that evening, after the event ended, Alvin drove Melody home.

  "I noticed Ramona didn't compete. Have you heard from her?" Alvin asked.

  "Yes! She's volunteering at the Port Warren Animal Shelter, and she's going to veterinary school. She wants to help animals. She said she owes it all to Smudge." Melody couldn't help but smile at the thought of how Smudge had helped Ramona during the loss of her lover and mother. A mother who now rotted in jail, as well as having helped her to find her real calling - one that made her truly happy.

  "I can't wait to see Smudge. It's a great night for a long walk. She'll love it."

  Melody nodded in agreement, then rested her head against the passenger door window. She gazed up and watched the stars glitter in the clear, night sky as the car slowed for a red light.

  "You know, I owe you dinner. I just realized I never made up for it,” Alvin said.

  "You mean that midnight feast you prepared for me the night Atkins died?"

  "That's the one. Are you hungry for a midnight snack?"

  "You know I am."

  "It's the least I could do since you helped me close the case."

  "Well, there is something else you could do for me."

  "Oh? What did you have in mind?"

  "You could help me set a wedding date."

  "How's tomorrow at 3pm? That's when I get off work."

  Melody slid closer to Alvin and rested her head on his shoulder. The traffic light turned green.

  “I think I could bake a cake by then,” she said after some consideration.

  “The cake’s the most important part.”

  Together, they drove toward their future. The wedding wouldn’t be tomorrow, but they both knew it was coming.

  * * *

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  Smudge and the Stolen Puppies – Preview

  “No one breathe!”

  Melody Marshall, Port Warren’s pride pastry chef, extended her steady hand toward the cake. It was special, one she planned on entering in the town’s Annual Spring Bake-Off. “Don’t move a muscle!” Melody whispered to anyone in earshot.

  She had modeled the cake after the one thing that gave her the most joy in life – and no, it wasn’t Alvin Hennessey, her fiancé. The cake was a three-dimensional layer cake, covered in buttercream strategically dyed a grey-blue, to resemble her sweet French Bulldog, Smudge! Every detail up until this moment was done to perfection. She only needed to apply the finishing touch – a smudge on the cake’s back to match the real one.

  Behind Melody, her friends and recently promoted business partners of the Decadently Delicious bakery debated the pros and cons of a potential new addition to their group. This new addition was a puppy.

  “I love dogs just as much as the next person,” Leslie said. “I just don’t understand why you won't wait a little bit longer. You have a new husband, more responsibility with the bakery … a puppy is very demanding,”

  “Because I want one now,” Kerry Porter whined dramatically. “Bradford wants one, but when he gets back from his training … and Melody wouldn’t mind.” She quickly glanced at Melody, who was laser-focused on the cake. “Would you, Mel? Smudge could use the company. Right, Smudge?”

  Smudge sat just to the left of Melody’s feet. She lifted her front paws and barked in agreement!

  “Perhaps we can discuss this after I finish the cake?” Melody said. Her usually steady hand started shaking as she carefully applied a proper smudge-like section of frosting.

  Kerry and Leslie paused their discussion and watched Melody work. Standing mere inches from her, each woman watched over Melody’s shoulders. They held their breath with anticipation.

  “Voilà!” Melody shouted excitedly, a heartbeat later.

  The ladies exhaled a deep sigh of relief in unison, and Smudge hopped up onto her back legs. She spun in a circle of celebration! Melody raised her arms triumphantly. “I can’t wait to show this cake off at the festival.” She exclaimed proudly. Leslie and Kerry applauded her success.

  "I’m expecting it to take home a blue ribbon, Mel.” Kerry cheered. “I bet the paper will do a story on it since it looks just like her! The icing is the perfect shade of Smudge.”

  “An article in the paper would draw a lot of attention to the bakery,” Leslie said excitedly. Always an excellent business partner, she made a note of the potential opportunity to bring more attention to the bakery.

  “Indeed, it would.” Melody nodded as she removed her chef’s jacket. Creating this cake had been a personal challenge for Melody, and now she was both relieved and proud of her accomplishment. “C’mon, Smudge, let’s get some fresh air before the day gets crazy. We’ve got dinner with Alvin tonight.” She attached Smudge’s leash to her collar.

  Together, they stepped out of the bakery into the warm spring air. Melody closed her eyes and breathed deeply. A pastry chef’s morning typically started before the crack of dawn to make sure the bakery was fully stocked for the breakfast crowd. These early morning walks with Smudge were like a little moment of Zen for Melody. Soon a line would form outside the front door, not only for her signature croissants and cupcakes but also to see Smudge. The little Frenchie had become quite a star in Decadently Delicious. In fact, the citizens of Port Warren were also quite fond of Melody. Despite past events, the bakery’s sales were growing steadily, and it was known as one of the more popular spots in Port Warren.

  At the sound of a car horn, Smudge barked excitedly. Melody turned. The sheriff of Port Warren, also Melody’s fiancé, rolled down his patrol car window as he pulled into an open parking spot in front of the bakery.

  “Good morning, my Sweet and Smudge.” He cut the engine and exited the vehicle before greeting them properly. “Smudge, what’s that in your ear?” Smudge’s ears perked up as her brow wrinkled. Alvin squatted down to get a better look. He moved his hand toward her left ear, then pulled it back quickly. Like a magician, Alvin made a treat appear from Smudge’s ear! Smudge barked twice as her ears perked up, and she licked her lips. Then, she quickly sat, waiting obediently for the treat. Alvin tossed it to her.

  “Where did you learn that trick, Sheriff Hennessey?” Melody looked impressed by his sleight of hand. Smudge crunched the tasty treat.

  “One of the deputies taught it to me. I figured it may come in handy sometime.” He laughed as he moved in to give Melody a tender kiss. The sweet kiss left Melody’s lips tingling. “Did you finish your cake version of Smudge?” he asked as he pulled his lips from hers reluctantly.

  Melody offered him a confident smile. “Yes! It’s a perfect replica right down to Smudge’s smudge,” Melody said as she pointed to the mark on Smudge’s back. “But I do need a taste-tester. How would you like some Smudge cake for dessert?”

  “I would love some!” Alvin gave Melody a squeeze. “I’m sure it’s as sweet as the real one.” Smudge made soft snuffling sounds as she rubbed against his ankles. These two loved each other nearly as much as Smudge and Melody loved each other. Watching them together, Melody kn
ew Alvin was the right man to complete their family.

  “I’m going to take my muse for a quick walk and let her burn off some energy,” Melody said. “You know something, Al? Ever since I’ve had Smudge, I’ve been more creative and inspired in the bakery. I bet we win that contest.”

  “I know what you mean, Mel. She’s special. Her crime-solving skills have certainly made my job easier,” he said with a wink that sent a warm shiver down Melody’s spine. Melody loved the little crinkle that appeared in the corner of Alvin’s eye whenever he winked. He sure was handsome.

  Smudge barked in agreement. She was quite the little sleuth. Alvin’s radio crackled, “Sheriff, you’re needed over at the hardware store. Looks like some kids caused a little mischief last night.” Alvin pressed the button on the side of the receiver. “Headed over there now.” Then, Alvin turned to Melody. “Can’t wait to see you two tonight. I’m making your favorite.” He placed a soft kiss on Melody’s cheek.

  Melody leaned into the kiss, inhaling a whiff of Alvin’s aftershave. She loved the way he smelled just as much as she loved the smell of baked goods in the morning. He smelled like the ocean in the morning. She knew that smell well as she kept one of his sweaters at her place. Whenever she missed Alvin, she wore it to feel close to him. “Of course! I’m looking forward to it,” she said.

  Alvin pulled back from Melody and looked down at Smudge, who sat staring up at him. Her ears were perked up, high on her head. Her bottom teeth showed ever so slightly. She appeared as if she was waiting for Alvin to kiss her goodbye, too. Alvin couldn’t resist, so he squatted down one more time and kissed her on her head. “And I expect you to be at dinner, too, little lady.” His finger touched her wet nose playfully.

  Smudge, of course, confirmed her attendance with a quick yip. Smudge never missed a dinner.

  Alvin returned to his patrol car and headed toward the hardware store. Melody waved as he drove. Once Alvin was out of sight, Melody tugged Smudge’s leash. “Let’s go this way, Smudge.”