Free A Catered Christmas Killer (A Sinful Sweets Cozy Mystery) by Carol Lee Page B

She’d heard the yelling stop and doors open. She suspected Maria and Eduardo were doing the same thing she was—looking less guilty.
     
    Sydney made it back to the kitchen and Grace gave her a surprised look.
     
    “I thought you were going to find out about Maria.”
     
    “I tried, but I heard her fighting with Eduardo and then the police came in, so I came back. At least now I won’t be caught trespassing.”
     
    “You were invited to stay here all weekend.”
     
    “Well, I was invited into the kitchen and the back part of the house where I was given a room. I don’t think I was invited into the rest of the house.”
     
    They quickly ended their conversation as Detective Moore entered the kitchen.
     
    “Well, well, well. Ms. Marshall, you’re still here. We’re afraid the party’s over. Everyone has been asked to remain on the property until we’ve questioned everyone.”
     
    “You questioned me this morning.”
     
    “That was before information about the missing knife came back.”
     
    “Well, I think I can help with that,” Sydney said.
     
    Detective Moore gave her a suspicious look.
     
    “It’s upstairs in Marcus’ office.”
     
    “And how would you know that?” he asked.
     
    Sydney hadn’t meant to tell him the location of the knife. But she knew she was innocent and they’d be able to prove that when the knife was in their hands.
     
    “I . . . um . . . I found it there when I was . . .”
     
    Detective Moore didn’t give her time to finish her sentence. “I think I’ll start by questioning you again.”
     
    Sydney was devastated. The only thing she could do was tell the truth. And Austin had made her promise not to tell them anything. She’d already broken that promise.
     
    “I’d like to wait until Detective Massey is present,” she said suddenly.
     
    “Detective Massey, huh?” Detective Moore had a glint in his eye that Sydney couldn’t quite read. “We’ll let you wait for him. I’ll start with your friend instead. Grace, right?”
     
    The other detectives present had already setup temporary interrogation rooms. Grace was taken to one and Sydney noticed that Marcus was likely in the other. He was missing from the main room where all of the guests had been corralled.
     
    Sydney decided it was her duty to keep the party as enjoyable as possible and she made her rounds of the food, replacing empty dessert trays with full ones.
     
    Stacey was still on the couch, but now her eyes were open and more alert. Ryan made his way to his wife and took a seat next to her, holding her hand and kissing her on the cheek. Howard lurked in one corner looking guiltier now than he had all evening. Sydney scanned the rest of the faces for Eduardo and Maria.
     
    She found them in separate parts of the room. Maria was back in her chair and Eduardo was with a few other men. She guessed they were other employees with whom he used to work.
     
    Sydney weighed her options and headed to Maria.
     
    “Are you feeling better?” Sydney asked her.
     
    Maria didn’t answer right away, not even making eye contact or acknowledging that she’d been spoken to.
     
    “Maria? Can I get you anything?” Sydney tried again.
     
    “Sydney. Sorry. No, I’m fine.”
     
    Sydney took a seat in the chair next to hers. She knew she didn’t have long before Austin would show up and then Detective Moore would be sure to question her.
     
    “How’s Eduardo doing since he lost his job?” Sydney wanted to pick up the conversation that had been interrupted earlier.
     
    Maria gave her a questioning look.
     
    “I’m looking for help at my bakery,” Sydney added quickly. “We’re hoping to expand into more regular catering, and that would mean we need someone at the bakery when I’m gone.” While this wasn’t a lie, she hoped that Maria would believe that Sydney was asking for only honest reasons.
     
    “He’s been struggling. His family was sent back to Cuba just before he got