CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“I’m so proud of all of you, all of us!” smiled Sara. “Tomorrow is the gingerbread creation and it’s a big one. Some of these people spend their entire year coming up with a plan for this thing.”
“Don’t worry,” smiled Dylan. “Hudson helped us to draw out a new design and it’s going to be spectacular! I’m so excited to display this for the whole word to see what we’re proud of in our bayou.”
“We have the cakes for the wedding cake display baked and in the freezer,” said Taylor. “We’ll be following the design of the gingerbread scenario through to the wedding cake.”
“You guys have really out done yourselves,” smirked Wilson.
“That was quite a scene today with those other two bakers,” frowned Alec. “I’ve been in some heated encounters, bullets and bombs flying past my ears, but I don’t ever want to be between two bakers like those two.”
“I’d like to say it’s unusual,” said Sara, “but typically we see it at least once in a year at a competition. I was pleased for Adrian today.”
“Aren’t you worried that he’s looking at your designs and recipes?” asked Elias.
“I’ve never had any issues with him. I know others have said they did but I don’t buy it,” said Janie shaking her head.
“You know, this feels an awful lot like someone undermining his reputation,” said Gator. “Rumors flying about everyone on that floor. I’m with you. I feel like he’s a good guy. I liked him right away.”
“Same,” said Luke. “We’re all good judges of character so I feel like we’re seeing what all of you are. So why the comments about him stealing designs and recipes?”
“I’m not sure,” said Sara shaking her head.
“I know that about six years ago, he and Jacques both started submitting copies of their designs and recipes long before they were required to. They were careful to let the judging committee know when they were replacing an ingredient or adjusting their design. Some of the rumors stopped for them but others persisted.”
“Did they ever create together for a competition?” asked Luke.
“No. They were careful to keep their business lives separate and were thrilled when the other would succeed,” said Taylor.
“I’m still not getting any warm fuzzies from Maren,” frowned Rett. “I know she’s out of this competition but she was angry and that’s not a good thing.”
“Well, I don’t think she’d do anything violent but I do think she’d attempt to make chaos for us or for anyone honestly,” said Celia.
“We’ll keep an eye out for her tomorrow,” said Tailor. “In the meantime, are there any leftover cookies from today?”
The team couldn’t help but laugh at the big man. Food was his weakness and his superpower. The man could consume more calories than just about anyone and the magic of Belle Fleur allowed his cholesterol to stay within appropriate medical limits. A shock to everyone.
The day began earlier than the previous days of baking. The gingerbread competition was a ten-hour competition, allowing the bakers to bring in previously baked pieces to assemble during the allotted time. Otherwise, it would have taken days to complete.
Once the signal was given to begin, bakers looked at one another with a nervousness that seemed logical. Most had vowed to simply keep their heads down and not speak to anyone but some looked terrified.
“What’s going on?” asked Luke. Sara stared at the other bakers and shook her head.
“I’m not sure. Let me go speak with Adrian.” Luke followed her down to Adrian’s table where he was giving instructions to his team.
“Good morning, Sara. Terrible news isn’t it?” he said quietly.
“News? What news?” she asked with some confusion.
“Another baker died last night. They died in their hotel room, not here at least but everyone is freaking out about it.”
“Who died?” asked Luke.
“Gloria Ruiz. She was a South American baker, very, very talented especially with wedding cakes,” said Adrian.
“Have they said what happened?” he asked. Adrian shook his head, turning to look at his team behind him.
“I’m sorry, I have to get things moving here. I’m happy to speak at the break.”
“Thank you,” said Luke. “AJ? You read?”
“Loud and clear. I’ve put in a call to the coroner’s office. I’ll let you know when they get back to me.”
“That’s two, Luke. Two people dead. What’s going on here?” whispered Sara.
“I don’t know but we’ll find out soon enough.”
While the team kept their heads down, Luke spoke to each of their own team members. With the baker having died in their hotel room, it could have been a complete coincidence. He didn’t know her medical history, her age, nothing at this point.
“Luke? Just heard from the coroner’s office. Initially it appeared that she’d died of heart failure,” said AJ.
“Initially?” he frowned.
“Cyanide. After checking the contents of her stomach for her last meals, it was something that showed up consistently, meaning in more than one meal. Someone was trying to kill this woman slowly.”