Soufflé Murder: A Seagrass Sweets Cozy Mystery

  Soufflé Murder

  A Seagrass Sweets Cozy Mystery

  BOOK # 5

  Sandi Scott

  Copyright © 2018 Sandi Scott and Gratice Press

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at Sandi@SandiScottBooks.com

  Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction

  Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Contents

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  PREVIEW: Crouquembouche Murder

  RECIPES

  All books by Sandi Scott

  CHAPTER ONE

  “I love this venue; it's gorgeous!” said Patty LaFontaine. Patty and Ashley Adams were standing on the manicured front lawn of Estes Mount, a restored historic home. The two friends had been hired to cater the wedding rehearsal dinner for Robin Andrews, one of Ashley's high school friends.

  “It is beautiful, isn't it?” Ashley answered. “I love historic houses anyway, and this one is so stately—such a grand old lady! I remember my seventh grade Texas history teacher talking about this house. She told us that it's in the Second Empire style as shown by the crested mansard roof, front gable and dormers. Apparently, the original owner visited John Bremond in Austin and fell in love with the design of his house, so he came back to Seagrass and commissioned an architect and builder to recreate Mr. Bremond’s house here. Supposedly, the Bremond home had the first indoor bathrooms in the city, so the owner here insisted on having them in this house as well.” Ashley paused to draw a breath, “Sorry, I don’t mean to ramble, but for some reason, all of that information has always stuck with me. I guess because I've always loved the place so much—plus that teacher was an awesome story teller too! Several years ago, while we were at an IT convention, Ryan and I visited the Bremond Block Historic District in Austin, and it was so cool to compare the two houses.”

  “The bay windows on the corner towers are definitely eye catching. I can just imagine a young Victorian girl curled up in one with her embroidery or needlepoint projects, watching the people walking by or the carriages passing,” Patty said. “Those cast-iron railings on the porch and balcony are so ornate—I love them!”

  “I would love to have that gorgeous wrap-around porch and matching balcony at my place—well, the porch anyway. I guess a balcony doesn't make much sense, since I have a one-story cottage. According to the last conversation I had with Graham about today's set up, Robin had the tables put on the balcony, the guests on the front side of the house can see the beach in the distance, and those sitting on the sides and the back have a great view of the fabulous garden Graham has created in the back. And look at the hanging baskets—aren't those purple and pink petunias gorgeous? Of course, I always love geraniums, like the ones in the planter urns next to the steps. If you think the place is gorgeous from what you've seen so far, wait until you see the inside!”

  Returning to their catering van, the two women drove it around to the back of the venue, close to the door into the vintage kitchen that had been updated with commercial equipment, an efficient layout, and antique Italian marble decorations. After checking in with Graham Kelly, the manager of Estes Mount, they unloaded the few last-minute dishes they'd brought over on this final trip from their own kitchens. Having delivered most of the food earlier in the afternoon, they just needed to reheat the entrees, along with a few sides. Then, everything would be ready for plating. Graham's staff would take charge of serving the plates to the guests, as well as clearing them away between courses, which would give Ashley and Patty a chance to relax and enjoy the garden before they had to clean the kitchen and pack up their equipment.

  Once they got the ovens heating and the holding ovens ready, Ashley and Patty found themselves with an extra few minutes before they needed to start plating the food, so they decided to explore the rest of the inside of the event venue. Ashley wanted to show Patty some of the unusual features in the historic home, including the original brass hinges and knobs on all the doors. Entering the huge open foyer, they ran into Graham. “Hey, ladies,” he greeted them, “everything okay in the kitchen? Is there anything you need?”

  “Nope, we're good,” Patty answered. “Ashley offered to show me around the place while we have a little time to spare.”

  “Well, in that case, come along with me,” Graham laughed. “I'll give you the official tour. Maybe I'll even throw in a few, usually reserved, secret stories as well—you just never know!” He started their tour by pointing out the elaborate chandelier with its embellished plaster crown, along with the fine details of the moldings around the ceiling and floor.

  “This curved staircase is so grand and imposing,” Patty marveled. “The banisters are works of art all on their own. And I love that the mezzanines on the upper floors let you see what is happening in the foyer.”

  “One of my favorite features is the polished hardwood floors. Aren't the ones in this area made of walnut and maple, Graham?” Ashley asked, adding as he nodded. “The alternating colors and grains are so pretty, and the floors gleam in this soft light.”

  “If those things impress you, wait until you see this!” Graham said, leading them a few steps up the staircase. “Look up. Have you ever seen anything like that?”

  “Oh, my goodness!” Patty said, looking up at the octagonal stained-glass skylight. “That is the most beautiful skylight I've ever seen! And it’s so big! That fabulous sun in the center and the details in the stars and comets surrounding it are spectacular! Wow!”

  “Legend has it that the original owner had it built to impress a young woman he wanted to court,” Graham winked. “Apparently, she wasn't overwhelmed and married his best friend. Supposedly, the homeowner's broken heart drove him to do all he could to make sure his former friend's business failed in a dramatic fashion. Of course, that is all hearsay, passed down from generation to generation by the Seagrass grapevine with no evidence of its truth!”

  Ashley and Patty laughed and then looked above them at the second and third floors. “There are four bedrooms and a public area on the second floor and six bedrooms on the third floor, right?” Ashley said.

  Graham answered, “Yes, and when we renovated, I had two bedrooms on each floor converted to bathrooms. To add ensuite bathrooms, we would have had to take a lot of space from the bedrooms and, in houses this old, most rooms are usually quite small. There's also a finished attic that has been converted into a workout room and a day spa space.”

  “I haven't seen the rooms up there since the last renovations,” Ashley said, “but I've heard that they are furnished as lavishly as the public rooms on this floor. Patty, you won't believe the inlaid floors in the sitting room and ballroom; th
ere are all different types of wood in the design, making it look more like a woven carpet than a wood floor.”

  “The whole wedding party will be staying right here at the site,” Graham continued. “The floor Ashley mentioned is pretty impressive—it has fifteen different types of wood in it! I'm also really proud of the fabulous English garden in the back, complete with a pond filled with butterfly koi fish and several different 'follies' plus a couple of gazebos.”

  Graham finally excused himself, saying that he needed to get back to work to be sure that everything was ready for the afternoon's event. Ashley and Patty thanked him for taking the time to show them around and asked if they could have a quick look at the balcony where the rehearsal dinner would take place. “Oh, my stars!” Patty exclaimed as they stepped onto the outdoor balcony. “This is absolutely breathtaking!” She stood just inside the door, looking from side to side, eyes wide and twinkling.

  Ashley's eyes lit up as she took in the decorations. “This is for the rehearsal dinner? I can't even begin to imagine what they'll do for the wedding and the reception!”

  The balcony was filled with several small round tables covered with pale lavender cloths and napkins in such a pale pink shade that they almost looked white. Arrangements of multi-colored hibiscus blooms, pillar candles, and trailing ivy took center stage on each table, along with brilliantly colored Fiestaware and stemware in a deep violet tone.

  “I think those are the 'Black Dragon' variety of hibiscus. I love how they have that deep maroon in the center then the wine red and pink with white on the edges. The yellow of the stamens really pops out at you as well. They look gorgeous with the old-style dishes, and those glasses tie everything together beautifully,” Patty said.

  “I know Robin mentioned that she was forgoing the traditional white or ivory wedding gown. She said white makes her look like the walking dead, and she wasn't going to look that bad for the sake of tradition on what she planned on being her one and only wedding day,” Ashley laughed. “She went for a rich royal purple, full-length sheath dress, with the wedding party in pale pink, deep claret-red, and golden yellow dresses that they can wear again, instead of having yet another useless bridesmaid dress hanging in the back of the closet. Now I see where she got her inspiration. I think she's just wearing hibiscus flowers in her hair in place of a veil, and I'll bet these same flowers will make an appearance at the wedding, too.”

  “Wouldn't you love to have those hibiscus bushes growing in your yard? The butterflies and hummingbirds must simply adore them! And those window treatments are lovely as well,” Patty said. “I love how they've used ribbons and sheers, along with hanging baskets of the same flowers with ivy, to make the windows part of the decorations rather than just an architectural necessity. I'll bet it looks almost as pretty from inside the ballroom!”

  Next, Ashley and Patty headed back downstairs to check out the dining room and gape at the enormous crystal chandelier that lighted the long refectory table and the dining chairs upholstered with deep forest green embossed velvet fabric. Passing through the dining area, they found themselves in an unusually large sitting room that was filled with antique furniture and Victorian knickknacks, all obviously originals rather than reproductions.

  “I think Robin said that this is where they'll have the toasts after dinner, and then there will be cocktails, coffee, pastries, and dancing in here after the wedding speeches,” Ashley said.

  “It's almost as big as a small ballroom. I love it!” Patty said. “Of course, I'm partial to antiques, but someone has done a wonderful job of using them and still making sure that the room doesn't look out-of-date and tired. I see what you mean about the floor. The detail in the design is amazing. I can't even imagine the time and patience it took to draw the design, never mind all the work involved in actually cutting the wood pieces and placing them into the pattern. Can't you just imagine curling up in front of that fireplace with a cup of tea, a plate of scones or cookies, and a good mystery novel—maybe with a kitten or puppy to snuggle—while the wind howls outside?”

  As they looked around the room, pointing out unusual knickknack displays and artwork to one another, the opposite door opened, and a tall, young woman entered and greeted them.

  “Robin,” Ashley exclaimed, crossing the floor to hug her old friend. “You look absolutely gorgeous! You were so pretty in high school, but you have really blossomed into an even more beautiful woman. And you look so happy!”

  The young woman wrapped her arms around her old friend and hugged tightly. “Oh, Ashley, it's wonderful to see you! I know we've kept in touch with letters, emails, and phone calls for all these years—and we won't talk about how many of those it's been—but seeing you again is awesome! You look great, as always.”

  “This is Patty,” Ashley said, drawing her friend closer. “She's the owner of The Southern Bird catering company and one of my two best friends.”

  “It's great to finally meet you. Ashley has told me so much about you,” Robin said. “I'm so grateful to you for agreeing to handle this dinner for us. I know we didn't give you a lot of notice, but we didn't think we were going to be able to get here for the wedding for another few months. Nevertheless, you've been so gracious about all the last-minute craziness. I walked past the kitchen a few minutes ago, and I smelled the most wonderful aromas wafting out. If the food tastes even half as good as it smells, my family and wedding party are in for quite a treat!”

  “Well, we kept the menu simple, just like you asked. We have broccoli-cheddar soup, grilled turkey cutlets topped with pesto, baked sweet potatoes, a mixed-green salad with your favorite jalapeno ranch dressing, and fresh asparagus with a lemon-caper sauce. For dessert, we have Tres Leches cake and chocolate fudge lava cakes,” Ashley told her.

  Patty continued explaining their plans, “We'll finish plating and garnishing those while the guests enjoy their dinners. And, of course, there are cloverleaf rolls to go with the meal, and a variety of cookies and pastries to go with cocktails, coffee, and tea after.”

  “I hope that's okay?” Ashley asked tentatively. They had talked about the menu a couple of times, and Robin had been excited about it, but Ashley knew that some women could get a bit crazy as their weddings approached. Although years had passed since high school, the friend she remembered wasn't that way, but you never knew how people might change.

  “Okay? That sounds nothing short of amazing,” Robin gushed, “except that I'll probably need to have my dress let out in the morning if I eat all that! It will be worth it, though. I'd even get married in my pajamas to have a meal like that tonight! As soon as you told me that you were catering now, I knew I wanted you to handle this dinner and our reception. Since then, I've heard so many people raving about your food—and not just local Seagrass folks, I might add—that I know it was the right choice. I'm pretty sure several of our guests are only coming so they'll get the chance to eat what you've prepared. They all say you two are the best for a hundred miles!”

  The three women laughed together, and then Robin excused herself to join the wedding party for the rehearsal, while Ashley and Patty headed back to the kitchen to coordinate with the wait staff to make sure that the food was delivered to the guests while it was still at the perfect temperature.

  During the dinner, Ashley and Patty took a minute to check the guests' reactions to the food. They stood off to one side at the balcony entrance, watching for plates that had whole portions uneaten or anything else untoward. “Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. There doesn't look to be much food left on any of the plates,” Ashley said. “That's a good sign. I'll send the after-dinner drinks and treats into the sitting room while everyone finishes up with dessert.”

  As she looked around the balcony, Ashley noticed two men standing in a corner. From their facial expressions and body language, they obviously weren't catching up on old times. Clearly, they were having a rather serious disagreement. Ashley nudged Patty and nodded in that direction. “That's Robin's unc
le, Howard Andrews. He looks pretty wound up. In fact, they both look like they're ready to explode. Should we be nosy and break up the discussion before it gets loud and causes a scene? Or do you think we should just let Robin know what's going on?” she asked Patty.

  “Nope,” Patty said, “they aren't our problem. For tonight, the only thing we have to worry about is the food. Someone else can be responsible for the guests' behavior. I say we pretend we didn't see them at all. I know that's not exactly small-town behavior, but I'm okay with that this time.”

  “Yeah, you're right,” Ashley laughed. “They have a wedding planner after all, so we'll just let her deal with it!”

  CHAPTER TWO

  A few minutes later, the guests began drifting into the sitting room and settling in the small conversational areas around the room. The two men that Ashley and Patty had seen arguing found seats far apart, eliminating the need for anyone to intercede in their disagreement. Howard staggered to the wedding party's table at the front of the room, while the other man joined a small group sitting in vintage armchairs near a window overlooking the garden. The best man and another friend of the groom made the traditional toasts, giving hints about the ones they would make at the reception after the wedding on the following evening. Everyone shared some laughs at the memories being recounted, including many hilarious pictures drawn of the early roadblocks in the bride and groom's journey to the party at hand.

  The next toast wasn't so pleasant, it was more of a drunken rant than a congratulatory speech. Robin’s uncle, Howard Andrews stood up, unsteady on his feet and leaned on the table to keep his balance before snatching the microphone from the best man. He slammed his glass down on the edge of the table, nearly missing the surface altogether, and teetered on his feet a little from the resulting force before launching into a loud, slurred harangue.