Free Tastes Like Murder (Cookies & Chance Mysteries Book 1) by Catherine Bruns

I've been thinking about this over and over. She was at my house earlier in the day and didn't eat then. About four o'clock, Amanda announced she was going over to her apartment to change. She called me a little while later. It was right before she left for your shop." She paused. "Amanda almost died once before from a bee sting, you know."
    My stomach lurched. "I didn't know. What happened?"
    "A pool party two summers ago." Kate stirred her coffee in an absentminded way. "She got stung and immediately went into shock. Fortunately, one of the hosts located the EpiPen in her purse and applied it." She looked at me sorrowfully.
    Guilt crept over me. If I'd stayed downstairs, I would have heard the commotion on the porch. Perhaps Amanda had banged on my door repeatedly, but I never heard anything since I was in the shower. I shut my eyes tight. How helpless and frightened she must have felt when she went to search for her EpiPen and didn't find it. And then to die all alone like that. "If only I'd never gone upstairs to change."
    I didn't realize I'd spoken the words aloud, until Kate patted my hand. "I'm sure you would have done your best to help her."
    Josie paced back and forth in front of our table. "You really think someone might have done this deliberately?"
    I held my breath and waited.
    She paused a long moment before answering. "Yes. I think someone wanted Amanda dead."
    A shiver crept down my spine.
    Kate took a sip of her coffee. "Let's be honest, shall we? God knows I loved my daughter more than anything, but there were many people who didn't. She said and did hurtful things." Her eyes were full of pity as she looked at me, and I flinched. "I once overheard her telling Charlotte about your ex-husband. She sounded as if she was proud of wrecking your marriage. I'm sorry for all the pain she caused you."
    As much as I appreciated her apology, I felt I had to be fair about the situation. "She didn't wreck it by herself. Colin had a little something to do with it as well."
    She sighed. "I'm afraid my daughter made many enemies during her short life. We spoiled her terribly. You see, we couldn't have children. When Amanda's father and I adopted her at the age of four, she brought us such joy."
    This was news to me and apparently to Josie as well who stood there, her mouth hanging wide open.
    I shifted in my seat. "I didn't know Amanda was adopted."
    "I think we tried to prove our love for her by giving her material things." Kate sighed. "What a mistake that was. We certainly didn't do her any favors. I did so hope that you could help me."
    "I'll do whatever I can," I volunteered.
    She hesitated as she glanced at both of us. "Amanda didn't have many friends. I was wondering if the two of you might consider coming to the wake Sunday afternoon. It's being held at Phibbins Mortuary."
    "Of course." My insides filled with dread as I worried about the attention my presence would attract. Almost everyone in our gossip-rampant town knew about her and Colin. "We'd be glad to go." When Josie raised her eyebrows at me, I ignored her silent protest. "You're sure she had nothing to eat or drink before she came here?"
    "The only thing she might have had was a fruit smoothie they stock in the waiting room of her spa. She told me they helped settle her stomach." Kate paused. "Have either of you been there?"
    Josie and I both shook our heads.
    "Amanda kept a supply in her fridge at home. She was crazy about them and sometimes brought one along in her car too." A sudden gleam came into her eyes, and her mouth dropped open. "Dear God, do you think someone could have put something in her drink?"
    I pursed my lips. "I guess it's possible. Smoothies are thick, and she might not have noticed a difference in the taste right away."
    "Oh, how stupid of me. Why didn't I tell the police about it when they asked if she'd eaten anything else?" Kate's lower lip trembled.
    "I'm sure it just slipped your mind. I'd like to help you find out who did this."