Free Dying for the Truth (A Rockcrest Cove Cozy Mystery Book 4) by Emily Page Page B

workstation. Instead of the requested baking powder he had brought her baking soda.
     
    “Aren’t they the same thing?” he asked.
     
    “No, not exactly.” She avoided trying to explain it to him and just sent him back to the pantry. “It’s the white and blue can, not the yellow one.”
     
    Once the dry ingredients were all collected, she feared sending him into the refrigerator for the other ingredients. A few minutes later, she found her fears were justified. In front of her was a bowl full of cracked eggs, which still had bits of shells floating in them. He was busy mopping up a splattering of milk, which was now spreading without letup all across her kitchen counter.
     
    Maddie couldn’t prevent the scowl from spreading across her face when he insisted that he wanted to do the mixing.
     
    “Why don’t we make it a competition?” Phil suggested when he saw her reluctance. “I’m pretty handy in the kitchen.”
     
    Maddie couldn’t help but laugh at his words. “Probably because you’re the only one there.”
     
    “Ah, you’re gonna be like that, aren’t you?”
     
    “Phil, I have to be,” she retorted. “Otherwise I might not have a business left.”
     
    “I challenge you to a bake-off,” he said playfully.
     
    “Serious?”
     
    “Serious,” he confirmed. “Give me one of your recipes and we’ll see who’s the best.”
     
    “Not now, Phil,” she said. “We’re still open for business.”
     
    “All right. When do you close?”
     
    Her workers were watching the antics with much amusement.
     
    “Aw, come on Ms. Maddie. We can run the store,” they goaded.
     
    “Yeah, come on. It’ll be fun.”
     
    Maddie looked around and saw that she was in over her head. “All right, you’re on,” she said to Phil. “Crystal, can you please bring Phil here my lemony bar cupcake recipe.” She turned to Phil. “It’s the easiest one.”
     
    Once everything was in place, the workers all stood around as if they were watching one of those reality cooking TV shows. Crystal had chosen to be the moderator.
     
    “All right, lady and gentleman,” she told the contestants, “you have thirty minutes to make the most awesomest cupcake you can. The one that impresses the judges the most is the winner!”
     
    A round of applause spread around the shop. Even a few customers in the shop were taking part in the excitement. Some were even placing bets.
     
    “On your mark,” Crystal shouted with her hand in the air. “Ready!” She held off for just a beat longer that usual. “Go!”
     
    Philip took off at a rapid pace and almost immediately skidded across the floor. He dashed into the refrigerator and tried to collect all of his ingredients in one fell swoop. As a result, he ended up with some damaged goods, which had to be thrown out, and started again.
     
    Maddie, on the other hand, moved with methodic precision; each move she made was a testament to her skill and experience in the kitchen for many years.
     
    By the time the thirty minutes were over, the judges and even some of the customers were anxious to taste the cupcakes that came out of the contest. Silence hung in the room as each one tasted the two cupcakes and wrote their favorite down on paper.
     
    Crystal tallied the votes and prepared for the final announcement.
     
    “After much deliberation among the judges and anticipation from the crowd, we finally have a winner.” She turned to two workers standing behind the register. “Drum roll please,” She said, at which point the workers began pounding on the counter. “And the winner of the most awesomest cupcake ever in the town of Rockcrest Cove is …”
     
    Crystal waited a full minute before she announced, “Ms. Madeline McDougal.”
     
    The crowd roared with laughter and applause. “I’m sorry, Phil. No one can beat Ms. Maddie’s cupcakes. Ever.”
     
    Phil bowed gracefully and turned to walk away.
     
    “Wait a minute, Phil,” Crystal called.
     
    Phil