Chapter 14 Setting the Trap
Mia Rossi had learned something important about traps.
The best ones didn't look like traps.
They looked like invitations.
By eight o'clock that morning, she had already decided what she was going to do.
She stood behind the counter of The Honeycomb Bakery with her notebook open in front of her.
At the top of the page was one name.
BEATRICE.
Beneath it were the pieces Mia believed connected her to Harrison Finch's murder.
The old jam recipe.
The anniversary of her father's death.
The argument at the festival.
The nutmeg oil.
The threatening note.
The planted evidence.
And the fact that Beatrice had been one of the people closest to Harrison before his death.
Mia tapped her pen against the page.
"I know."
Gingersnap sat on the counter beside her.
The ginger tabby looked at the list.
Then at Mia.
"Knowing isn't enough."
Gingersnap blinked.
"I need her to reveal something."
The cat's tail flicked.
"Something the sheriff can use."
Another blink.
Mia closed the notebook.
"Which means I need a trap."
Gingersnap meowed.
"Exactly."
Chloe arrived shortly after nine.
She found Mia standing beside a table covered with ingredients.
Lavender.
Honey.
Flour.
Cream.
Lemon.
And a small bowl containing the secret ingredient from Beatrice's father's original jam recipe.
Chloe stopped.
"What are you doing?"
"Making a cake."
Chloe looked at the ingredients.
"You look like you're planning a bank robbery."
Mia smiled.
"Something like that."
Chloe set her bag down.
"Please tell me this isn't another theory."
"It's not."
Mia turned toward her.
"It's a plan."
Chloe folded her arms.
"That's somehow worse."
Mia laughed.
"I want to invite everyone."
"Everyone?"
"Beatrice. Julian. Greg. You."
Chloe's expression changed.
"And Sheriff Briggs."
"Absolutely not."
"Why?"
"Because if Beatrice really is the killer, inviting her into a room with all of us sounds like the beginning of a very bad idea."
"That's exactly why it might work."
Chloe stared at her.
"Explain."
Mia pointed toward the ingredients.
"We're going to have a re-tasting."
"Of what?"
"The festival desserts."
"Why?"
"To make amends."
Chloe's eyes narrowed.
"You want to lure Beatrice here."
"I want to give her a reason to come."
"Same thing."
Mia nodded.
"Yes."
Chloe looked toward the window.
"And what exactly happens when she arrives?"
"I don't know yet."
"That isn't reassuring."
Mia picked up the notebook.
"I'm not going to accuse her."
"Good."
"I'm going to ask questions."
"Better."
"And I'm going to recreate the Lavender Honey Dream Cake."
Chloe frowned.
"Why?"
"Because that's where everything started."
"The murder?"
"The festival."
Mia looked at the ingredients.
"Harrison died near the dessert counter."
She paused.
"If Beatrice poisoned him there, she knows exactly what happened."
Chloe nodded slowly.
"And you think the cake will make her remember."
"Maybe."
"Or make her nervous."
"Maybe."
"Or make her kill us."
Mia gave her a look.
"Thank you for the encouragement."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
Mia's voice softened.
"I'm scared too."
Chloe stepped closer.
"Then why do it?"
"Because someone is still walking around free."
She looked toward the bakery door.
"And if it's Beatrice, she's already shown us that she's willing to frame someone else."
Chloe nodded.
"You're right."
Mia took a breath.
"Are you with me?"
Chloe looked at her for several seconds.
Then she smiled.
"Unfortunately."
Mia laughed.
"That's my girl."
The invitations went out before noon.
Mia kept them simple.
She told everyone that she wanted to hold a private re-tasting for the festival committee.
A chance to apologize.
A chance to thank everyone for their support.
A chance to put the disaster behind them.
She invited Julian.
Greg.
Beatrice.
Chloe.
And Sheriff Briggs.
The sheriff called almost immediately.
"You've got some nerve."
Mia smiled.
"Are you coming?"
"Why?"
"Because I think we need everyone in one place."
There was a pause.
"That sounds suspicious."
"It is."
"Mia."
"I'm not going to do anything reckless."
"That's exactly what someone planning to do something reckless would say."
She smiled.
"Please."
Another pause.
"Fine."
"Thank you."
"But I'm watching you."
"I know."
He hung up.
Mia put down the phone.
Chloe raised an eyebrow.
"How did that go?"
"Better than expected."
The rest of the afternoon was spent preparing.
Mia wanted everything to be perfect.
Not because the desserts needed to impress anyone.
Because every detail mattered.
She measured the flour twice.
Whisked the honey into the batter.
Added lavender carefully.
Prepared the cream.
Then she reached for the special ingredient.
The one she had copied from Beatrice's father's recipe.
She hesitated.
This ingredient wasn't part of her original cake.
It belonged to another recipe.
Another family.
Another history.
Mia added a tiny amount.
Chloe watched.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because Beatrice will recognize it."
Chloe's expression became serious.
"And that's the point."
Mia nodded.
"If she sees it, she'll know I found the recipe."
"And if she knows you found it?"
"She'll know I know about her past."
Chloe stared at her.
"You're provoking her."
"Not exactly."
Mia smiled faintly.
"I'm giving her a chance to make a mistake."
As evening approached, Gingersnap became part of the plan.
Mia had an old bell attached to a piece of string.
She tied the string carefully near the kitchen doorway.
Gingersnap sat nearby, watching.
"What do you think?"
The cat sniffed the bell.
Then the string.
Mia smiled.
"You're going to help me."
Gingersnap meowed.
"You'll stay in the kitchen."
The cat blinked.
"If I pull this string..."
Mia tugged it gently.
The bell rang.
Gingersnap's ears perked.
"...the bell will ring."
The cat looked unimpressed.
"And then you'll meow."
Meow.
Mia laughed.
"Exactly."
Chloe looked over.
"Are you really using the cat as part of the plan?"
"He's the only one who notices things before I do."
Gingersnap looked pleased with himself.
Chloe shook her head.
"This is insane."
"It's effective."
"What exactly is he signaling?"
"When I find the evidence I need, I'll pull the string."
"And he'll meow?"
"That's the idea."
Chloe stared at the cat.
"What if he doesn't?"
Mia shrugged.
"Then we're in trouble."
Gingersnap meowed.
Mia smiled.
"See? He's already cooperating."
At six thirty, the bakery was ready.
The tables had been rearranged.
The lights were warm.
Fresh flowers sat in small glass jars.
The cake stood beneath a glass dome.
Mia had recreated the Lavender Honey Dream Cake almost exactly as she had made it for the festival.
Three golden layers.
Lavender cream.
Honey glaze.
Crystallized lavender petals.
But beneath the sweetness was something different.
The special ingredient.
A tiny addition from Beatrice's father's recipe.
Mia wasn't sure what it would reveal.
But she knew Beatrice would recognize it.
Mia looked at the clock.
Six forty-five.
They would arrive soon.
She checked the front door.
Locked.
She checked the kitchen.
Ready.
She checked the bell.
Ready.
Gingersnap sat in the kitchen, watching her.
"You know what happens now?"
The cat blinked.
Mia crouched beside him.
"Everyone comes in."
Gingersnap's tail moved.
"I ask questions."
A soft meow.
"I find out what Beatrice knows."
Another meow.
"And if something happens..."
Mia pulled the string.
The bell chimed.
Gingersnap meowed.
Mia smiled.
"That's our signal."
She scratched his chin.
"Good boy."
Gingersnap purred.
Mia stood.
Then the doorbell rang.
Her heart jumped.
She looked at Chloe.
Chloe nodded.
"Ready?"
Mia took a deep breath.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
She unlocked the door.
Julian Vance entered first.
He smiled warmly.
"Mia."
"Julian."
He glanced around.
"Looks wonderful."
"Thank you."
Behind him came Greg.
He looked nervous.
More nervous than usual.
Mia noticed.
Then Sheriff Briggs arrived.
He gave Mia a look that clearly said don't do anything foolish.
Finally, Chloe stepped inside.
Mia glanced toward the street.
Beatrice was nowhere in sight.
For a second, Mia wondered whether she would come.
Then a familiar voice sounded behind her.
"Am I late?"
Mia turned.
Beatrice stood in the doorway.
Smiling.
Perfectly calm.
Mia's heart began pounding.
"Not at all."
Beatrice entered.
Her eyes moved around the bakery.
Then they landed on the cake.
She stopped.
Just for a second.
Mia saw it.
Recognition.
Something flickered across Beatrice's face.
Then it disappeared.
"That looks beautiful," Beatrice said.
Mia smiled.
"Thank you."
Beatrice approached the display.
"What did you put in it?"
Mia held her breath.
"Something special."
Beatrice looked at her.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither woman moved.
Then Beatrice smiled.
"I'll look forward to tasting it."
Mia nodded.
"Good."
She walked toward the kitchen.
Behind her, everyone gathered around the table.
Mia stopped beside the cake.
She placed both hands against the counter.
Her heart was racing.
The plan had begun.
Now all she had to do was wait.
Wait for Beatrice to speak.
Wait for her to react.
Wait for one mistake.
Mia lifted the glass dome.
The fragrance of lavender and honey filled the room.
She carefully placed the cake in the center of the display table.
Everyone gathered around it.
Beatrice stared at the cake.
Mia watched her closely.
Something passed through Beatrice's eyes.
Recognition.
Fear.
Perhaps even anger.
Then it was gone.
Mia quietly stepped back.
Her fingers brushed against the bell string hidden near the kitchen doorway.
She took a slow breath.
The trap was set.
Now Mia Rossi had to wait for the final piece of the puzzle to fall into place.