Christmas Cookies with a Side of Murder Read online

  “I know. I’m just worried that I’ll mess something up.”

  “Shannon, your wedding is going to be amazing.”

  “Sabrina, you’re a great friend, and I thank you for saying that, but you don’t know what my wedding is really going to be like.”

  “Sure I do.”

  “How can you be so sure? Especially when I’m practically pulling my hair out over it.”

  “I know it’s going to be an amazing wedding because I’ll get to see my best friend tie the knot with the man of her dreams. And that’s what matters—the celebration of how much you and Joe love each other. Not what kind of wedding cake you have or the centerpieces at each table or whether you run out of cookies at the reception,” I said.

  “Sabrina, you’re so sweet, you know that?” Shannon replied.

  “I’m not just saying that make you feel better. It’s the truth. You and Joe have a great love story,” I replied. “Speaking of which, go back out there and be with your fiancé. Enjoy yourself. Everyone else is.”

  Thankfully, she did just that.

  Chapter Four

  Christmas was my favorite time of year. And not just because of the presents. Although who doesn’t enjoy receiving gifts?

  The real reason I enjoyed the holiday season was because of what it represented. I loved birthdays, and there was no more important one in the history of the world than the birth of Christ. Being able to celebrate Jesus and all he stood for with my friends and family was something I looked forward to all year.

  That said, Christmas was still ten days away. A decade ago, it would have felt strange going to a holiday party this early in the season. I could still remember a time when all the parties I was invited to were held on the same night—Christmas Eve. Those days were long gone. Now, the party hosts and hostesses decided to spread things out throughout the season.

  That was fine by me. Shannon’s party was the first of three bashes that I was invited to. If that night was any indication of things to come, it had the makings of being an amazing holiday season.

  I exited Shannon’s kitchen and rejoined David in the crowded living room. Partygoers were all around, but David’s focus was solely on me.

  He gave me a smile. “There you are. I was wondering what happened to you.”

  “I got caught up talking to Shannon,” I said. “It turns out she really needed my help.”

  “I’m sure you gave it to her. You’re a great friend. And an even better girlfriend.”

  There was a glimmer in his eyes as he spoke.

  “Someone’s in a good mood,” I said.

  “Why wouldn’t I be? We’re at a great party. It’s the holidays. Life is good,” he replied. “Besides, look what is above us.”

  I looked up.

  David continued. “Mistletoe.” He gazed into my eyes. “You know what that means.”

  I chuckled. “Honey, if you want a kiss, all you have to do is ask. You don’t need to use mistletoe as an excuse.”

  He leaned in and gave me a kiss.

  “I know. I just thought it was interesting that we happened to end up standing under some mistletoe without realizing it,” he said.

  “Are you saying it was destiny? Because I thought you didn’t believe in stuff like that,” I said.

  “It’s a party. Why don’t we save the philosophical conversation for later?”

  “That’s fine with me. I’d rather kiss, anyway.”

  I gave him another kiss.

  “Delicious,” he said. “Speaking of, when is Shannon going to put out another tray of her delectable Christmas cookies?”

  I grimaced. “I have some bad news for you.”

  “Uh-oh. What’s wrong?”

  “Now don’t shoot the messenger.”

  “I’m really not going to like this, am I?” he asked.

  “Shannon is all out of cookies.”

  David winced. “That’s terrible news.”

  “How do you think I feel? I went into the kitchen with a craving and left with an empty stomach of disappointment.”

  He looked off into the distance. “I was really looking forward to another cookie. Or three.”

  “Look on the bright side. At least you got to have one. Some of the people here didn’t even get a taste of Shannon’s cookies.”

  “I suppose you’re right. It’s better to have savored one Christmas cookie than to have never savored at all.”

  “How poetic of you,” I joked.

  “Hey, that’s the best I can do when I’m in the middle of a craving.”

  “No judgment here. I just never thought you would wax poetic about cookies.”

  “It’s Shannon’s fault,” he joked. “If she wasn’t such a great baker, I wouldn’t care if she ran out of cookies.”

  “All hope is not lost. There are still some cupcakes left. Would you mind getting me one of those?” I asked.

  He nodded. “Sure thing.”

  I handed him my cup. “Some eggnog, too.”

  “Coming right up,” he said.

  Chapter Five

  As the party got into full swing, reverie was in the air. The sound of cheerful Christmas music playing was heard. Smiling faces were all around me. A good time was being had by all.

  That was especially true when I looked at my grandmother, Betsy Daley. The feisty eighty-three-year-old was parked in front of a table of desserts. She had never looked more at home.

  Betsy nibbled on sweets while speaking with my slender jet-black-haired mother, Elizabeth Daley, and my tall, pear-shaped stepfather, Luke Norton.

  “You guys look like you’re having a good time,” I said as I approached them.

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” Betsy replied. “It’s a party. If you aren’t enjoying yourself, you’re doing something wrong.”

  “That’s the spirit,” I said.

  “Although I like to think of life as just one big party,” Betsy replied.

  “And you are the guest of honor, right?” I joked.

  Betsy pointed at me. “Those are your words, not mine.”

  “I don’t hear you disagreeing,” Elizabeth said.

  Betsy shrugged. “Why would I? After all, a compliment is a terrible thing to waste. Especially when you’re eighty-three years young.”

  I chuckled. “Grandma, you’re a riot.”

  Betsy gave me a playful smile. “You could almost say I’m the life of the party.”

  “I won’t deny that,” I said.

  Betsy glanced around the room. “And what a party this is.” She then grabbed a cupcake from the table of food. “Christmas has come early for my taste buds.”

  Elizabeth put her hands on her hips. “Mom, you should save some for the rest of us.”

  Betsy shook her head. “That’s not likely.”

  Luke reached for a cupcake of his own. “In that case, I’ll take one before they are all gone.”

  I grabbed a cupcake as well. “Me too.”

  Elizabeth stared at Betsy. “Mom, you’re a bad influence.”

  Betsy scoffed. “Your daughter is a grown woman. She can make delicious decisions for herself.”

  I took a bite of my cupcake. “And what a scrumptious decision this turned out to be.”

  Betsy finished off her cupcake then looked out at the festive partygoers having a great time. “What a great start to the holiday party season. Those other four parties I have been invited to sure have a lot to live up to.”

  My nose scrunched. “Did you just say four parties?”

  “Yeah. Why?” Betsy replied.

  “Because I’m only invited to two more,” I said.

  “Now Sabrina, life isn’t a competition. Besides, if it was, I’d be winning,” Betsy replied.

  I held my tongue and just laughed off Betsy’s boastful statement.

  Betsy continued. “I’m just kidding. I just happen to be a popular woman is all.”

  “What are these other two parties that you are invited to that I’m not?” I asked.


  “Well, one is taking place at the Treasure Cove Senior Center, and the other one is a bash being put on over at the retirement villas,” Betsy said.

  “That explains a lot,” Elizabeth replied.

  Betsy waggled her pointer finger at Elizabeth. “Don’t let the location fool you. Those retirement villa ladies are wild. They truly believe that growing older just gives them a license to be bolder.”

  “I’ll have to take your word for that,” Elizabeth said.

  “Grandma, do you ever worry that you might get partied out?” I asked.

  Betsy chuckled. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “You’re right. I’m asking the wrong eighty-three-year-old that question,” I said.

  “You sure are. I’m living the life without any strife.” Betsy looked at her empty cup on the table. “Speaking of, I could really go for some eggnog right now.”

  Betsy looked like she was about to move off with her cup, but she stopped dead in her tracks and stared at something that was behind me.

  She wasn’t alone. Elizabeth and Luke were also wide eyed as they looked over my shoulder.

  My eyebrows knitted. “What’s going on?”

  “Wally Tuttle is here,” Betsy said. “And he looks like he is in a panic.”

  Chapter Six

  I turned around and saw Wally craning his neck as his eyes scanned the room. There was a look of grave concern on my ex-boyfriend’s face, which made for both a troubling and curious sight, considering how everyone else at the party appeared to be having a great time.

  Three questions immediately sprang to my mind. Why wasn’t he in a good mood? Why had he arrived at the party so late? And where was Julie? I figured that the couple would arrive together. Apparently, I was wrong.

  I walked over to Wally, looking to get some answers.

  Instead, when he spotted me, he fired a question my way.

  “Have you seen Julie?” he asked.

  My forehead wrinkled. What a strange question for him to have asked me.

  “Wait. Didn’t she come with you?” I replied.

  He shook his head. “No. I actually have no clue where she is right now. That’s the problem.” His face strained. “So you haven’t seen her, then?”

  I grimaced. “I’m afraid not. I figured you two were coming here together.”

  “That was the plan, but when I went to pick her up, she wasn’t at home. Strangely enough, she also didn’t answer her phone.”

  “That is very odd.”

  “Disturbing is more like it.”

  I held my pointer finger up. “Maybe she’s at work.”

  He grimaced. “I checked there, too. She left work almost two hours ago.”

  “Do you think she might have gotten in an accident on her way home?”

  “I hope not.”

  “Me too, but that’s a possibility—”

  He interrupted me. “Except if that was the case, she would have called me.”

  “True. Unless she’s unconscious—”

  “Don’t say that,” he replied. “Please.”

  “I’m sorry. But look, chances are, she’s just fine. I mean, maybe there’s some other kind of explanation for why you haven’t heard from her.”

  “I want to believe that, but that’s hard to do right now given the fact that I have no clue where she is right now.”

  I scanned the room. “I wish I could tell you she’s here, but I haven’t seen her all night.”

  He winced. “That’s exactly what I was afraid of. I mean, she’s not at work, she’s not at home, and she’s not here, so where could she be?”

  “I wish I had a good answer for you,” I said. “Think really hard. Is there anywhere else you can think of where she might be?”

  He grimaced. “No. Nothing comes to mind. That’s the problem.”

  Wally’s grip on his emotions was slipping.

  I replied with as calm of a voice as I could muster. “Look. I know it would be easy to panic, but try to resist.”

  “It’s too late for that.”

  I held both my hands out. “I told you before. There might be a simple explanation for why you haven’t heard from her.”

  “Such as?”

  I fell silent.

  When Wally got tired of me not replying, he fired a different question at me. “You don’t have an answer, do you?”

  “I can’t think of one right now.”

  “Exactly.”

  “But that doesn’t mean there isn’t one.”

  “Or like you brought up before, maybe she’s been in an accident—”

  I waggled my pointer finger at him. “Before you go any farther down that road, when was the last time talked to her?”

  “A few hours ago.”

  “Did she sound distressed?”

  “No. She sounded just fine. She was really excited about this party.”

  I scratched my chin. “Have you called her parents?”

  He nodded. “They haven’t heard from her.”

  “How about her friends?”

  “I called them, too. None of them have heard from her in the last few hours.” Fear took hold of him. “It’s like she just vanished or something.”

  “I think it’s a little too soon to jump to conclusions.”

  He couldn’t keep his panic at bay any longer. “That’s what I thought until I got here. But what other explanation is there?”

  A shiver went down my spine as I searched my mind for an innocuous answer, only to come up empty. I wanted to try to comfort him, but I knew there wasn’t anything I could say to calm him down.

  Ultimately, there was only one thing I could do to help him. “Let me talk to David. He can phone the local hospital and also check in with the 9-1-1 operator to see if anyone called anything in.”

  “Thank you,” Wally said.

  “In the meantime, pray for the best.”

  “Trust me. I will.”

  Chapter Seven

  David called the hospital, but Julie was not registered as a patient there. There were also no Jane Does admitted that evening. My boyfriend also called the police dispatcher, only to find out that there had been no 9-1-1 calls placed.

  From there, he checked in with Julie’s work, but she wasn’t there. He drove over to her house to see if she had happened to return home, but again came up empty. Finally, he placed a call to each of her friends and family members. Unfortunately, no one had any idea where she was.

  At that point, I was in full panic mode. There was no sign of her anywhere. Even more, no one even seemed to have a clue where to look for her.

  I prayed hard that night. Unfortunately, no answers were waiting for me in the morning. Julie’s whereabouts were still a mystery.

  It was difficult not to fear the worst. A flurry of questions swirled through my head. Where was Julie? What had happened to her? Why wasn’t she answering her phone? Had she been in an accident? Was she unconscious? Was she even still alive?

  That last question gave me chills. Granted, it was the worst-case scenario, but it had to be considered—at least briefly. I was trying my best to stay positive, so I cast that question aside, but it refused to go away completely.

  I stayed close to my phone all day, waiting for any update from either Wally or David.

  Unfortunately, none came.

  That afternoon, when I drove home from work, I passed by storefronts with holiday window displays, a life-sized nativity scene in front of Treasure Cove Church, a mall with a jammed parking lot, houses with thousands of lights strung up across the porch, and a twenty-foot-tall meticulously decorated Christmas tree that stood in Watterson Park, but the holidays were the last thing on my mind.

  Julie filled my thoughts and would continue to do so until she was found. The only exception was when my thoughts briefly drifted to my sister, Jessica. I had been trying to avoid thinking of the mysterious circumstances surrounding Jessica’s disappearance over a decade ago.

  I just hoped that this si
tuation with Julie would turn out differently. It was bad enough discovering that Jessica had been murdered. If Julie ended up turning up dead as well—at the holidays, no less—it would be devastating.

  I tried to distract myself by staring at some pretty Christmas lights, but it wasn’t long before my mind focused on Julie once again.

  ***

  In times of great stress, I often turned to junk food. If it didn’t involve turning around and heading three miles out of my way, I would have stopped at Luigi’s Gelato right then. Instead, realizing that Stacey’s Smoothies was only a block away from my current location, I decided to head over there for a snack.

  Imagine my surprise when I pulled in front of Stacey’s only to find that the smoothie shop was closed—permanently. The only reason I knew that for sure was because a big banner hung out front that read: Coming Soon, Smoothie Mart.

  Grr.

  I knew exactly who was behind the closure of Stacey’s. It had to be Jake Williamson. The sleazy real estate developer was trying to buy up every small business in town and bring in nothing but chain stores. This move had his fingerprints all over it.

  With all the stress that I was already wrestling with, I didn’t have the usual amount of energy to get appalled over Jake’s actions. Instead, I headed home and devoured two Christmas cupcakes.

  Normally, that type of sugar bomb would make me feel a little bit better. But go figure, that afternoon, my frustration was too much for cupcakes to alleviate.

  Chapter Eight

  A few hours later, David finished up his shift at work and swung by my house. Unfortunately, he did not bring any good news with him. He still had no idea where Julie was or what had happened to her. Although, he had contacted the press and had provided them with Julie’s photo. A tip line had also been created for people to call if they spotted her.

  Even though David was doing everything in his power to find Julie, it was hard to not be discouraged by the lack of progress that was being made.