The Honeyed Taste of Deception Read online

  The Honeyed Taste of Deception

  CeeCee James

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Copyright © 2017 by CeeCee James

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  ~Dedication~ To my five wonderful children, awesome husband and precious grandchildren. 333 And to God who blessed me with them. 333

  Chapter 1

  “911…what’s your emergency?”

  The operator’s voice did little to pry Elise from her shock. All she could see was the frosting—pink, green and white—with nonpareils spilling from a bottle into a pile beside the dead body. Resting next to the corpse’s foot was a very conspicuous, fake, red nose.

  “Uhh… there…there’s…” Elise stammered. Her ears rang as the blood rushed from her face. Dizzily, she reached for the table to steady herself. She flinched as her fingers dug into more frosting.

  “What’s your emergency?” The calm voice asked again.

  Elise’s mouth was dry as she tried to croak out the words. “Something’s happened to the cake decorator.”

  “Can you give me some more details? Is his airway clear?”

  “Um, I think he’s dead.”

  “Are you sure he’s deceased?” The voice was irritating in its calmness.

  Elise straightened her shoulders as she got a grip on the situation. “Quite sure. He’s been shot in the heart.”

  Two weeks earlier

  Lavina and Elise sat at a bistro table outside Sweet Sandwiches Deli. The establishment was Lavina’s baby and, as such, she examined the exterior seating arrangements with a critical eye to make sure everything was perfectly placed before she relaxed with her mug of tea. The aroma of the steam rising from their mugs was thick with the scent of cinnamon, and both women breathed in deeply. Although spring was on the calendar, it definitely wasn’t in the Tennessee air, as evidenced by Elise shivering in her cardigan.

  “Why are we sitting out here again?” Elise asked, burying her nose in the top of her sweater, her hands clasped tightly around the warm mug.

  “My doctor told me to get more vitamin D,” Lavina said, pulling out her cell phone from her Dooney & Bourke purse.

  Elise eyed her best friend swathed in a wooly scarf and a thick Persian shawl. “What part of your skin is getting the vitamin D exactly?”

  Lavina looked up, eyes covered with a pair of overly-large rhinestone-encrusted sunglasses. “You hush, now. It’s getting on my face.”

  Elise raised an eyebrow and burrowed further into her cardigan. “I can hardly believe you lack any vitamin D with all those exotic vacations you’re constantly taking with Mr. G.”

  With a flicker of her well-plucked eyebrow, Lavina joked back. “You know we don’t leave the room too much.”

  “Weird. I don’t need to hear this. Please.”

  Lavina laughed. “Speaking of Mr. G, he’s picking me up in,” she glanced at her phone for the time. “Twenty minutes.”

  Well, this was something new. A chance to actually clap eyes on Lavina’s mysterious boyfriend. All Elise knew about him was that he was extremely rich and topped Lavina’s own thirty-four years by another thirty.

  “Will you look at this?” Lavina shoved her phone over. Stretched across the screen in big letters was the statement, Jewel Thief Strikes Again. “That’s the third time since winter started.”

  Elise glanced at the article briefly, barely taking in the details of the jewelry store robberies. Granted, she was distracted. Her mind was still spinning over the idea of meeting Mr. G after all these years. Suddenly, she sat upright. “He’ll be here in twenty minutes you say?”

  “Darlin’, what’s wrong with you?” Lavina’s perfectly manicured hand tucked the cell phone back into her designer bag. “I just said that.”

  Elise had bad feeling. “What time is it?”

  “Just a little after eleven thirty.”

  Crap. Elise gathered her stuff together and stuffed it into her bag. She took another sip from her mug. “I’m sorry. I have to go.”

  Lavina looked puzzled before a knowing look crossed her face. She relaxed with understanding. “Oh, that’s right. You have a job,” she said drolly.

  “I hope I have a job. I’ve got to get there right now.” Elise stood up from the table and gave Lavina a hug, cursing her luck that she was going to miss a chance to finally meet the infamous Mr. G. Can’t be helped. Not if I want to eat this month. Sighing, she ran for her car.

  Her little Pinto wasn’t much, but she was thankful for it. The car’s ignition whined a few times as she turned the key. Pumping the gas, she whispered encouragingly, “Come on, hot stuff. Come on…”

  Finally, the car roared to life and she smiled triumphantly. Well, roared might be a slight exaggeration. She shifted the car into drive and drove the Pinto to the exit of the parking lot, wincing a little as it backfired.

  Crossing in front of her was a group of kids wearing t-shirts with the logo of the local daycare center, probably on their way to the park. The children laughed and spun in front of her car while she impatiently tapped the steering wheel. Cute, you guys are so cute. But hurry up! She glanced at the dash clock and groaned. Her first day on the job and it looked like she’d be late. Finally, a daycare worker rounded up the caboose—a freckled boy—and the road was clear.

  She drove anxiously through town, looking for the bridal shop. It still amused her that she of all people, jaded from a fresh divorce from a cheating ex-husband, would be helping nauseatingly in-love people finalize their own marriages, but a job was a job. Besides, she had to admit, the idea of being a part of making someone’s dream come true intrigued her.

  After all, the name of the shop was Wedding Dreams, and there it was, looking just as pink and frilly as it possibly could from the exterior. Elise shoe-horned the Pinto into the remaining spot in front of the building and climbed out. The boutique’s front display window was layered in tulle and white satin. Sitting in the center of the fabric was a fake five layer wedding cake—roses and all—on a crystal stand. A glittery sign hung above it with gold letters spelling out, “Making your wedding dreams come true since 2008.”

  The sign on the door read, “Closed,” stabbing Elise with a sharp needle of worry as she reached for the doorknob. But the door opened with a sweet bell tinkle. The inside of the boutique was full-blown pink, with white couches covered in fluffy cushions. Giant, gilt framed mirrors replicated and tripled the room’s interior over and over.

  Elise looked around for the owner. She’d spoken with her several times over the last week. On the phone, the voice had sounded stern but sweet, and Elise imagined the owner to be a small woman with short brown hair. A kind soul whose job was to comfort the poor brides-to-be, but who also had nerves of steel to navigate a wedding’s choppy waters. Maybe tiny eyes be
hind thick spectacles and a button-up cardigan, really a librarian type.

  The boutique appeared empty. Elise glanced beyond the couches toward the silky curtains that partitioned off the room. There was no one who matched that description. In fact, no one at all.

  “Hello?” Elise called, feeling a bit trepidatious. She glanced at her watch and frowned. Shoot, ten minutes late. She cleaned her throat and called out louder. “Hello? Anybody here?”

  “Be right there!” The sweet, melodious voice sang out from behind the curtain. There was rustling, and then loud clumping heralded a hand pushing back the curtain.

  Elise felt her jaw drop at the sight of the woman. She quickly closed it and pasted on a big smile. This couldn’t be her? Could it?

  Any doubt Elise had was shrugged off as the woman walked forward, combat boots thumping loudly despite the thick carpet, with her hand outstretched.

  “I’m Sonya, the owner here at Dreams boutique,” the soft voice greeted her, shaking Elise from her shock.

  “H..hi.” Elise recovered and shook Sonya’s hand. The strong grip made Elise’s eyebrows ratchet up in alarm. Carefully, Elise extricated her hand from the knuckle-popping grip of the other woman.

  Sonya stood nearly six feet tall, and was tattooed from head to toe. At least, every square inch of skin that Elise could see was covered in ink.

  Stars dotted the back of Sonya’s arm, trailing up before melding into an intricate sleeve of flowers and birds. Surprisingly, her face was free from makeup under a shock of bleached white hair.

  “Not what you were expecting?” Again, the soft voice threw Elise a curveball. Elise struggled to keep her face from displaying her confusion as she smiled.

  Sonya continued, “I throw on a sweater when I’m with customers. Besides, they aren’t paying for how I look, but for what I can do for them.” She raised an eyebrow. “And believe me, no one is better at what I do.”

  Elise nodded, feeling the woman’s confidence. This woman was no-nonsense and looked like she got what she wanted. “I’m Elise. It’s nice to meet you.” Elise made a show of looking around the room. “It’s certainly is amazing in here!”

  “You may want to withhold judgement on whether it’s nice to meet me.” Sonya said, her eyebrow raised. “I’ve been told I’m a beast to work with. My last assistant quit without any warning.”

  Elise swallowed and smiled again.

  Taking a few steps toward the back of the room, Sonya reached for a thick binder that had been resting on a buffet. She flipped it open and ran her finger down the paper. “Right now, I’m working with two brides-to-be. The first one is getting married this weekend, and so we’re working under fire right now. I’m basically throwing you to the wolves this week, and it’s up to you to prove whether you can handle it. I don’t have time to baby you. I never babysit.” Sonya’s soft voice was the antithesis of the words she used. “This business is stress multiplying stress. Like I told you on the phone, it’s dealing with emotional women and their histrionics. Some stuff can’t be taught but must come from the grit inside.” Here, Sonya clenched her fist, making her tattoos jump, and hit herself in the chest. “You think you’ve got grit?”

  Elise nodded and licked her lips nervously.

  “The second bride-to-be doesn’t hit her date until mid-September,” Sonya continued.

  Elise nodded again, noting the six month time difference.

  “She’s been here once before, and she’s coming for another consultation again today.” Sonya snapped the case closed over the tablet and gave Elise a hard stare. “I’m warning you now, she’s a head case. That little Miss Priss has been making me work harder than I’ve ever worked.” Sonya glanced at the front door and grabbed a pink cardigan off the back of a chair, quickly slipping it on. “And speaking of the bride-to-be, here she is now.”

  Chapter 2

  The boutique’s front door opened to reveal a blonde, petite woman in one of the tallest, most sparkling pairs of stiletto shoes Elise had ever seen. And that was saying a lot since Lavina seemed to live in high heels—even wearing them to the beach.

  “Hello! Hello!” The bride-to-be’s voice was high-pitched and chipper like a bird’s. She tottered in with her hair piled in curls on top of her head.

  On her right, with his hand hovering near her elbow, in case the tiny woman should fall, was a tall man with a shock of red hair. He nodded good-naturedly as the blonde woman reached out a hand to Elise. “Rhonda! My name is Catalina! I’m so happy to meet you after all of our phone conversations. It’s just crazy to be here. A dream finally coming true!”

  Elise took Catalina’s hand awkwardly, waiting for a pause in the stream of words so she could correct the mistaken identity, but Catalina was not to be deterred. Swiveling around on one silver heel, the blonde-haired woman continued. “This place is ah-mazing! Just like a fairy-tale.” Her blue eyes opened wide to take in the boutique. With a giggle, she flashed her gaze back at Elise. “I can definitely tell that I’m in capable hands! Are you ready to hear some more about all of my dreams?”

  At that moment, Sonya cut in with her manly hand outstretched. “Hello, Catalina. This is my new assistant, Elise. Rhonda, with whom you’ve spoken with on the phone, unexpectedly left last week. Welcome back to Wedding Dreams.”

  Catalina blinked in confusion before disengaging her hand from Elise’s. She took Sonya’s with a bit less enthusiasm, as if trying to decide if she was being punked. Seeming to decide that she was not, Catalina’s face blossomed into full joy again. “Oh, my! I was so silly to assume. Who would have thought this job would have a big over-turn? It’s nice to see you again, at any rate.”

  “No worries at all. I’m doing great and glad to be of service for your wonderful day. Now, I haven’t met you yet.” Sonya glanced up at the man, her expression transforming to look matronly, with her eyebrows raised in question.

  “Name’s Cook Faraday,” the man answered and reached out to shake Sonya’s hand. “I guess I’m the one footing the bill.”

  “Oh, Cook,” Catalina squealed. “You know I’m worth it. It’s about time you made me an honest woman.”

  “Come, have a seat in my lounge and let’s hear more about your thoughts for your big day.” Sonya smiled. “Can I get you a glass of champagne?” Despite her heavy boots, Sonya turned and glided toward the pink door at the back of the boutique. Catalina giggled continuously as she reached for Cook’s arm. Elise trailed behind the group, feeling slightly at a loss as to what to do.

  The four of them moved into Sonya’s consultation room. Elise’s head swiveled around taking everything in just the same as the bride and groom.

  “Here, make yourself comfortable.” Sonya gestured toward two white leather chairs that were situated before a glass desk. In the corner of the room, a crystal vase overflowed with white roses, chrysanthemums and lilies. The floral arrangement filled the small room with a heady scent.

  Sonya walked to the sideboard and retrieved the champagne from the ice bucket and brought it to her desk. She then returned to gather the fluted glasses, setting them next to the bottle with a clink. Facing the wall with a look of concentration, Sonya slowly began to push on the cork on the bottle.

  Elise held her breath as she waited for the cork to pop.

  POP!

  All four of them jumped and then laughed at the sound. Sonya tipped the bottle and poured the bubbly amber liquid into the glasses. The champagne lightly fizzed as she passed them out.

  “Elise?” Sonya asked, tipping her head to an extra glass on the buffet. Elise shook her head, no, and Sonya nodded.

  “So,” Sonya said as she settled in her chair across from the bride and groom and wove her fingers in front of her thoughtfully. “Tell me what you’re dreaming of, and I’ll tell you how I can make it happen.”

  Catalina giggled and took a sip from her glass. Her fiancé, smiled at her with a look of indulgence. “I’m kind of all over the board right now since our last talk.”

 
“Oh? What’s changed?” Sonya’s eyebrows flickered.

  “I think I need a miracle. We need to get married in two weeks.” Catalina twirled a bracelet around her wrist, seeming to not want to make eye contact.

  Sonya’s pale lips pressed together and even her normally soft voice was affected. “Two. Weeks. You can’t be serious. I wouldn’t even be able to guarantee that I could get you in front of a Justice of the Peace to elope in that time.”

  Cook cleared his voice. “Unfortunately, I’m shipping out then.”

  “Oh?” Sonya looked at him in confusion. His red hair was on the longish side and not cut in the normal military high-and-tight. He noticed her glance and ran his hand through his hair.

  “I’m a contractor,” he explained. “I’m needed overseas at the end of next month to fulfill a few of my contracts.”

  “I know it’s impossible, but I guess that’s the start of my dream,” Catalina said finally looking up, her big blue eyes staring wide.

  Sonya nodded, biting her bottom lip. She unclasped her hands and tapped her nails against the desk’s surface. “If I did this, it would have to be the simplest wedding I’ve ever planned. Nothing extravagant. I won’t be able to do it in a big hall.”

  “Oh, no. No!” Catalina exclaimed. “We actually want to have it outdoors. In that big park over in Eddington.

  Sonya shook her head. “Don’t get your hopes up about a park wedding. I’m not sure the city would grant us a permit in this little amount of time.”

  “Please. Is there any way at all? Can you try?” Catalina sniffled then and, looking pitiful, rummaged in her oversized purse. Elise expected her to pull out a tissue, but instead she removed a battered photograph. Catalina smiled at it before pushing it across the desk.

  “There’s one more reason. My family will be in town then. This is my daddy. He’s….” her voice cracked. “He’s not doing well.” Cook patted his fiancé’s arm and Catalina rested her head against his shoulder with her eyes squeezed tight.