Page 27 of Twice Baked Risky Whiskey Cakes

We share another quick laugh.

She hums in amusement before setting down a pair of floral shears. “Are you actually here for the festivities, or is this more of an accidental attendance?”

“Bingo on the latter. Venus was kind enough to extend the invite. I provided the desserts for the party sans the cake.” I glance back at the house just in time to see a seven-tiered wonder being wheeled out of the house. “Wow,” I muse. “I wonder where she got that?”

“Paris,” Keegan sighs. “Actually, she flew in an entire herd of pastry chefs from the City of Lights and they worked nonstop for three days straight to finish it—to Vivian’s standards, of course. And because they had to keep revising their project, there was no time for other desserts to be made.”

“Oh, I get it. That’s where I came in. I’m sorry Venus wasn’t allowed to contribute. She really does the most spectacular sugar work I have ever seen. Everything in her shop looks as if it was made in a magical castle.” Hand to heaven, that is the truth.

“Well, Vivian won’t allow for another family member to steal the spotlight. It was a part of the contract she drew up when she married my son.”

She says it so nonchalantly it sounds almost sane.

Almost.

“I’m sorry to hear it.” I cringe a little. “But well, Venus made such a compelling case for me to be her emotional support friend. And where my desserts lead, I follow. This is all so fun for me to see and take in. And my little girl is here and she’s having a blast, too.”

I decide to leave Carlotta out of the fold for obvious reasons. Speaking of which, I cast a quick glance around and suspiciously I can’t seem to spot her. That alone sends my stomach in knots. Carlotta is like a bomb waiting to go off at all times, but when she's out of sight, it’s practically a countdown to detonation.

“Oh, I’m so glad you brought your daughter along,”Keegan says while arranging a sprig of baby’s breath into a bouquet that looks like it belongs in a bridal magazine. “Fondu loves collecting little friends.”

Something about the way she sayscollectingdisturbs me on an intrinsic level.

I’m about to deep dive into the real reason I’m here whena spray of pink and blue miniature stars appears, shimmering in the sunlight like itty-bitty fireworks. And soon enough, Sebby materializes in all his otherworldly foxy glory, perched on the edge of the picnic table with his tail swishing with glee.

Here’s hoping we can join forces and shake the truth out of our first suspect. And for Venus’ sake, I hope Keegan Meryl points me in the direction of the real killer—so long as the real killer is not Eliza Baxter.

LOTTIE

“What did I miss, Lolita? Has she confessed?” That cute little white fox floats before me right here at little Fondu’s over-the-top birthday party as I’m about to shake down her grandmother. “Is it time for my big reunion in the sky with Sebastian?” His tiny voice is practically vibrating with anticipation.

However, I can’t help but frown at his little moniker-based faux pas—the one he has with me. I really should have a talk with Carlotta. Besides, why is Carlotta always shmoozing with the dead who come back to help me?Mebeing the operative word. She obviously doesn’t have anything in common with this cute little fox.

And why do I have to be Lolita?

I shake my head his way, covertly letting him know he hasn’t missed a beat and he breathes a sigh of relief, sending more miniature stars flying through the air. He’s so stinking adorable, I’d love nothing more than to keep him forever—and teach him my proper name.

“Well, that’s a good thing. Go on and take your time solving this one,” he chirps. “I’ve just met the most enchanting vixen bythe koi pond. Turns out, the afterlife dating scene here on the planet is better than I expected.”

And now I see exactly what he and Carlotta have in common.

I suppress an eye roll and turn my attention back to Keegan, who seems to be studying me with great intensity.

“Keegan”—I lean in—“last night you seemed to know Sebastian Gallagher.”

The woman’s hands freeze mid-arrangement. Her eyes dart around as if checking for eavesdroppers among the party guests.

Wow, if ever there were a look of admission, that would be it.

“I’ve heard about him, of course,” she says, pinning her cornflower blue eyes to mine. “I’m pretty sure more than half the people in the community center knew of him. I like to keep my finger on the pulse of society, if you will. And I’ve always been a big fan of whiskey.” She dips her chin. “By the way, those whiskey-glazed donuts of yours were a real hit.” She winks my way and a chill runs up my spine.

“Wait a minute,” Sebby squeaks. “Wasn’t that the last thing that my Sebastian nibbled on before kicking his way to the light?”

I clamp down on my lips to keep from saying yes out loud and simply give a little nod.

As much as I’d like to play along and even ship a box straight to Keegan’s home, I just don’t feel as if I’ve got time to beat around the whiskey-glazed bush.

“Keegan, you knew that man on a personal level, didn’t you?” I press gently, looking her right in the eye as I ask the question and don’t let go.

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