William Jarvis - Sky Valley 01 - Coffee, Cupcakes & Murder Read online

  “I could help you out,” Daniel said, “I mean, you know, with setting up the office. I have time…Not that I’m not doing anything with my life, okay?” he laughed, “I’m just…freelancing right now,” he said, “Taking on writing projects from time to time. The whole architecture thing tired me out fast,” he said, “After I was able to save up, I decided I could take a rest…at least for a while, then I’ll see where the road will take me." He smiled.

  “That’s cool,” she said, “You’d really help me out?” She said, “I mean, would no one be angry? Not that I’m implying anything but…I mean…God what am I saying…”

  He laughed, “Relax,” he said, “First and foremost, I’m not with anyone, if that’s what you’re trying to say…It’s been a while…How about you?”

  “No, uhm, I’m not with anyone, too…” She said, “It’s funny, I haven’t really been with anyone in so long…After you, there was just this one guy in college but that was…it was pretty crazy…”

  “Why? What happened?”

  “He was married.”

  “Oh.”

  “I actually didn’t know,”

  “Oh,” Daniel said again, “Well…at least you’re out of it now."

  “Yeah,” she said, “It was pretty crazy when his wife hurt me in a public place, though…She called me a slut and all that, but I guess I deserved it."

  “Hey, you didn’t know."

  She shrugged, “I thought you’d be married, though."

  “Me?” He grinned, “Nah…I thought Ruby and I would last, though, but…some things just aren’t meant to be."

  “Who’s Ruby?”

  “I met her in college,” he said, “Business Ad student. She was great, and nice, and sweet,” he said. “We stayed together for years but she broke up with me because according to her, it seemed like I was still pining for someone else.” He went on, “She told me that every time she’s with me, it seemed like I was thinking of someone else and of course, that hurt.”

  “I see…” She said, and they stayed quiet for a little while. Emmy thought about what Ruby was talking about. As selfish as it seemed, she wished that she was who Ruby was talking about, because realistically speaking, Daniel was her one great love, and although it was her fault that they broke up, she wished that she really made an impact on him.

  Actually, Daniel wanted them to stay together, but she opted not to because she didn’t believe in long distance relationships, and she wanted a fresh start.

  Oh she could be too complicated sometimes.

  “So…” Daniel spoke again, after eating another cupcake, “how do you feel about Matthew and Annabeth getting married?”

  She laughed, “I don’t know, Dan,” she said. “It’s fine with me. I mean, they deserve each other.” She said, “Okay, that sounded wrong…”

  He laughed, “Hey,” he said, “You’re right,”

  They looked at each other and broke into a fit of laughter, “I missed you,” he said. “Really.”

  She smiled at him, “I missed you too, Daniel,” she said.

  “So…” he said, “can I bring some of these cupcakes home to nana?” he asked, pertaining to his grandmother, “she’ll love these, especially knowing that they came from you,”

  “That would be great,” she said. “How is she?”

  “As tough a nail,” he spoke. “She’ll attend the wedding, too. Not that she’s close to Annabeth or Matthew, but you know, there aren’t that many people around here…”

  “Right,” she said, “small town."

  “Uh-huh,” he said, “Bet Paris wasn’t this way at all,”

  “Yeah, it wasn’t,” she said.

  “So…” he started again, “Let’s bring you home?”

  “No, I’m fine, I can handle myself, Dan,” she said, “it’s okay."

  “Don’t be silly, Emmy,” he said, “You’re home now."

  She smiled.

  “Okay,” she said.

  CHAPTER 3

  THE WEDDING

  It was a sea of lilac and powder-blue—the official wedding motifs. The air was crisp and cold, the country club bursting with almost all the residents of Sky Valley; Matthew and Annabeth were dancing in the middle of the room, their tall, white cake already cut. Emmy helped her father and Audrina in making the cake. It was a combination of chocolate, mint, and cherry—perfect for the so-called “wedding of the year”.

  Annabeth’s father, Tripp Meyer, was talking to Emmy’s dad, across the room. Emmy always remembered how Tripp would look at others like he was above them all. Clearly, that still hasn’t changed.

  “Hi,” Daniel greeted Emmy as he walked up to her, “You look gorgeous,” he handed her a glass of Sparkling Cider. Emmy was wearing a strapless lilac dress with lilac appliqués, and silver stilettos.

  “Thanks,” she said, “You look dashing yourself,” He wore a powder-blue long-sleeved top, khaki pants, and new leather shoes.

  “Look at them,” he said, looking at Matthew and Annabeth, “whirlwind romance, how’s that?”

  She laughed, “Maybe it’ll work for them."

  “The gown’s beautiful, though,” he said, “You did well.”

  “Thanks,” she said, “Wouldn’t have done it without you,” Daniel did help set up her office, and so for the past couple of days, they were able to spend a lot of time with each other.

  He smiled, “Tripp still looks dreadful, though,” he said, “Always feels like he’s on top of the world."

  “I know,” she laughed, “some things never change.” She said then saw Audrina talking to some ladies on one end of the room, eating French macarons that they made earlier in the day, “She’s beautiful, though,” Emmy said, “Audrina,” she looked at Daniel, “You never got together with her?”

  “What? No,” Daniel laughed, and drank some cider, “I heard she was with Matthew for a bit, though. I don’t know what happened there but she’s not fond of either of them now…”

  “Oh.”

  “Oh look at you two!” Someone said behind them and when they turned to see who it was, they realized that it was Nana Tish, Daniel’s grandmother. At 70, she still looked beautiful. Her silver curls and booming smile made her look young.

  Daniel grew up with her because his parents divorced when he was five, and they both married someone else. Emmy always remembered having spent a lot of time at Daniel’s house when she was young, and Nana Tish would cook banana fritters and pineapple tarts for them. Emmy always looked up to her.

  “Nana!” Emmy said and hugged her, “I missed you!"

  “I missed you too, Emilia,” she said. She was the only one who still called Emmy “Emilia”, which was her real name.

  “You still haven’t changed,” Emmy grinned.

  “And you have a lot,” Nana Tish said, “but it’s all for the better,” she smiled, “You look great! And you bake so well now!"

  “Perks of being away for a while,”

  Nana Tish laughed, “I wish you wouldn’t leave again. Daniel missed you a lot.”

  “Aww…”

  “Nana,” Daniel laughed, and smiled at Emmy. “Well, yeah, you did miss her, too.”

  “Of course I did,” Nana Tish said, “I always thought you two would get married instead of those two,” she said, “Oh well, kids these days…”

  They all laughed.

  “Daniel’s still single, Emilia,” Nana Tish said, “Just so you know.”

  They laughed and Nana Tish tapped Daniel and Emmy’s shoulders before she want to talk to her friends in the other side of the room.

  “Sorry about that,” Daniel told Emmy.

  “Nah, it’s okay,” She smiled. It’s been too long since she thought about getting married. That big relationship mishap in Paris made Emmy feel like her belief in love has long been destroyed, and marriage was just out of her mind now.

  But she had to admit, seeing Matthew and Annabeth get married made her feel a bit envious. Mainly because she felt like that dream of
hers will no longer come true, and because she knew she really could be flaky. She knew she would leave Sky Valley again soon, that’s a given, and she didn’t know where she was going, but she did not want to be unfair to Daniel.

  Sometimes, she had no idea what she was running away from, but she knew that she really was running away from something. Maybe, it was the memory of her mother—the fact that she was no longer around and that she didn’t know how to go from there. Maybe, it was Daniel, because somehow, she knew that she still loved him but she didn’t know if the feelings were mutual. And maybe, it was because of herself—because she was so complicated, and she didn’t know how to be someone who’s just willing to stay where she was; she knew she could never be the kind of person who could stay in one place for so long.

  “What are you thinking of?” Daniel asked.

  She looked at him and took a deep breath, “I don’t know”, she said, “A lot of things…life, and marriage…safety…”

  “Safety?”

  “I never really felt safe,” she said, “You knew that…You’re probably the only person who made me feel safe, then I botched things up…”

  “You had to do what you had to do,” he said, “It’s okay, Emmy.”

  She smiled lightly, “Thanks,” she said.

  “And you’re safe here…I’m here, alright?” He said, “Everything’s going to be okay.”

  It turns out, he was wrong.

  CHAPTER 4

  COFFEE MOST FOUL

  “I just have the most wonderful idea!” Annabeth said while waiting for their cups of coffee from Audrina who was preparing everything in the kitchen. It was two days after the wedding and Emmy was having a meeting with them because Audrina wanted to celebrate her and Matthew’s week-long anniversary, which Emmy thought was a bit crazy, but she really cannot tell her right away.

  “So…you’re telling me that you want to celebrate your week long anniversary here, and that we have to make a lot of French macarons, coffee, and that I should make another gown for you, too?” Emmy asked.

  “Yes!” Annabeth declared and squeezed Matthew’s hand who was just sitting beside her, “Matthew thinks that it’s crazy but come on…I think it’s going to be cute,” she smiled, “Who else do you know celebrates their week-long anniversary?” She grinned.

  “Right…” Emmy smiled stiffly. My thoughts exactly, she thought.

  “I’m thinking I should wear another Grace Kelly-esque gown..."

  “Don’t you think that’s a little too much?” Emmy asked, “You’re not exactly getting married again,”

  “But I want to!” She said, much like a child, “and you’re not the bride around here, Emmy, I am."

  Emmy took a deep breath, “Alright,” she said, as she tapped the keys of her phone to put in details of what Annabeth wants, “So that would be“

  “Audrina!” Annabeth called out, “Can you come out here a second?”

  Emmy rolled her eyes and watched Audrina get out of the kitchen.

  “Yes?” Audrina asked nicely, but Emmy noticed the hint of sarcasm and annoyance in her voice.

  “Can you bring us another batch of those strawberry macarons?” Annabeth asked, “I’m seriously craving for them.”

  “One batch of strawberry macarons coming up,” Audrina said without any enthusiasm in her voice. “Coffee coming up, too.”

  “Thank you,” Annabeth said, then turned to Emmy once Audrina was back in the kitchen, “She could be a little bitchy, huh?”

  “I think she’s nice,” Emmy said, “Maybe you just caught her on a bad day."

  “Whatever,” Annabeth said. “She’s always rude when I’m around.” She turned to Matthew. “I think she’s still in love with you.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Matthew said.

  Audrina then came back out with a tray of macarons, two Irish Coffees, one each for Emmy and Matthew, and one French Vanilla Coffee for Emmy.

  “Irish Coffee for you,” She placed a cup on Matthew’s side, followed by one for Emmy, “and this one’s for you," she placed a cup of French Vanilla coffee on Annabeth’s side, “and here are your macarons. Anything else?”

  “Nothing more for now, thank you,” Annabeth said, “and could you dye your hair another color?” she told Audrina, “It doesn’t suit you."

  “I think it actually does,” Audrina said.

  “Quit it." Matthew told Annabeth.

  Audrina shook her head and went back to man the counter.

  “I think you still like her.” Annabeth accused Matthew.

  “You’re being insane."

  “Guys, stop,” Emmy said. She really did not want to be around this couple, especially now that they were fighting.

  “Can I have your coffee, Emmy?” Annabeth asked, “I don’t feel like I want to drink this French Vanilla thing anymore…and besides, you spent a lot of time in Paris so this could be good for you…”

  Emmy rolled her eyes. Sometimes, Annabeth could be such a brat—and getting married clearly did not change that.

  “Fine." Emmy said and they switched cups.

  “Sorry." Matthew mouthed, ashamed of what Annabeth just did.

  Emmy smiled at him and drank some coffee. Annabeth ate a macaron then drank, too. They talked for a bit then suddenly, Annabeth clutched her chest. She couldn’t breathe.

  “Honey?” Matthew said, “What’s wrong? What’s going on?”

  “Annabeth?” Emmy was surprised. What was happening?

  “I…I can’t…ahhhh!” Annabeth shouted, her body twisting. She was indeed in a lot of pain and no one knew why. Even Audrina was surprised. She had to get out of the counter to see what was happening.

  “What’s wrong with her?” She asked, wide-eyed.

  “I don’t know!” Matthew said, “Cripes! Call an ambulance!”

  But right then and there, Annabeth stopped breathing, her eyes open, one of her fingers seemingly pointing at someone.

  “Annabeth!” Matthew cried out, “Annabeth!”

  Emmy was horrified. She clasped her hands over her mouth. She couldn’t believe what was happening. Audrina was scared, too. She knelt down in front of Annabeth’s body and looked at Emmy with fear in her eyes.

  Annabeth was dead.

  CHAPTER 5

  THE AFTERMATH

  Daniel handed Emmy a bottle of water—her third that afternoon, while sitting on the pavement outside Time for Coffee. After Annabeth died in front of her, Audrina, and Matthew just like that, the policed cordoned the area, and told everyone that Time for Coffee would be closed until further notice. She was also taken for questioning, together with Matthew and Audrina, and even her father, who wasn’t even there when the incident happened.

  Emmy recalled what happened at the police station.

  “So, you were just sitting down there, drinking coffee and then what?” Officer Lena McMahon asked.

  “I told you, we were drinking coffee, and next thing we knew, she was clutching her chest. She obviously couldn’t breathe. And then…and then we were going to call an ambulance and she just…she stopped breathing. Like her whole body froze and…she died, just like that.”

  “You know, according to your statement, as well as Mr. Mills, and Miss Naimero’s, I feel like it’s a case of cyanide poisoning. Do you know how dangerous that is, Miss Byrne?”

  “Of course, I know what cyanide is,” she said, “but how would we even get hold of that?”

  “That’s exactly what I want to know, Miss Byrne. Why is there some cyanide in your coffee shop? Obviously, there aren’t any more left, but that coffee was possibly laced with it. Cyanide affects the body in such a way that the person will feel extremely sick, in just a short period of time. Unlike other substances, though, it makes the person feel a lot of pain, which leads to difficulty in breathing. So, I can tell you, Miss Byrne, Miss Meyer did not die happily,” she went on, “she felt excruciating pain which of course, led to cardiac arrest. You were there, you saw what happened. So, I’m asking you ag
ain, Miss Byrne, why was there cyanide in your coffee shop? And who would bring that there?”

  “I told you, I have no idea,” Emmy said, “I just came back some two weeks ago…from Paris, but I can tell you, my father would never, ever allow anyone to bring that substance there, especially for anyone to poison others with cyanide. That thought is just…crazy.”

  “Alright then…who do you think has anything against Miss Meyer? I’ve heard that you had a relationship with Mr. Mills back in the day. Can I say that that’s a good trigger for you to say, lace Miss Meyer’s coffee with poison?”

  “No,” Emmy said, “I mean, yeah, I was with Matthew before, but that was a long time ago. We were in high school and things certainly have changed, you know what I mean? I haven’t seen him, or Annabeth since high school, and I’ve no bad blood between them…Annabeth and I…well, we’re not particularly close, but I could say that our parents always forced us to be friends so basically, we got to spend a lot of time with each other, especially when we were kids…but it’s all been a long time ago. I left right after high school, and as I’ve said, I’ve only been back for two weeks so…”

  “So, you don’t know who else hates Annabeth? Or who has an angle against her? What about Audrina? She works for your coffee shop. I’ve also heard that she was with Mr. Mills before…boy, he gets around, huh?”

  “I don’t know,” Emmy said, “I’ve heard that, too, but like I’ve said, I wasn’t here during those times so whatever happened between them is really none of my business.”

  “And what about Mr. Mills himself? Do you think he’s capable of hurting anyone?”

  “No, I don’t think so…” Emmy said, “Matthew’s no saint, but…he’s not that bad. I don’t think he’d ever hurt Annabeth.”

  “Another thing Miss Byrne…did you know that Annabeth was pregnant? So, it’s not just her who died; the baby died, too.”

  “What?” Emmy asked, surprised, “I…I didn’t know…oh God…”

  “Huh,” Officer McMahon said, “Seems like you’re really out of the loop here. Oh well, thank you, Miss Byrne. We’ll call you soon.”

  Emmy burrowed her face in her shoulders after she told Daniel and her Father about the questioning. “I just can’t believe it,” she said, “She was pregnant, too. So, that’s the reason why they wanted to get married right away…oh god,”