Hot Fudge Fraud (8 page)

Chapter 9

Melanie’s heart
ached as Keith revealed the identity of his ex-girlfriend.  How could he withhold such crucial information from her?  She stood by with a stone cold countenance even though she was inwardly broiling with fury.

“Go on, please,”
Detective Graydon prodded, already piecing together a couplet of motives for arson: professional and romantic competition.

“We broke up a long time ago, but she’s been stalking me by phone and internet ever since.  Her messages had quieted down for a while until…”

“Until Keith took me on vacation to Ireland!” Melanie finished for him in an exasperated hiss.

“Is that correct?”
Detective Graydon asked.

“Yes, but I never thought in a million years that she could be capa
ble of something like this.  And the only reason I feel now that it could be Daisy is the color of that lipstick.  Her lips were always that shade,” he confessed as Melanie winced at how he could recall such an intimate detail.

“So it appears we have not only a professional rivalry on our hands, but also a love triangle of sorts,”
Detective Graydon surmised.

“You got the first part right.  But there’s no love triangle,” Melanie countered, avoiding Keith’s stricken eyes.

“Either way, Daisy Delaney is at least a person of interest at this point.  Where does she live?” The Detective typed furiously into her phone as Keith revealed the address.  “That’s over by Rainbow Row, isn’t it?  On the Battery?  She must come from a very wealthy family to have a prestigious address like that.”

“She does,” Keith confirmed glumly.  “Her parents are tenth generation Charlestonians and very proud of it.”

Melanie performed a few mental calculations before proclaiming, “Now it all makes sense!  Why you had such a cold reaction when I told you I owned an ice cream parlor!  You were worried that if Daisy found out, it might stir up trouble.  And the way you reacted when I suggested having dinner at Magnolia on our first date!  You were worried that you might run into Daisy because she lives right down the street.”

“You’re quite the sleuth,”
Detective Graydon remarked seriously.  “I am curious to know, however, the informant who told Daisy about your new relationship with Keith.”

Melanie thought for no longer than a split second before the answer dawned on her.  “Lynne,” she whispered bitterly.  “My housemate, Lynne, works for Daisy’s frozen yogurt place!  Lynne was there when Keith picked me up to go to the airport for our trip to Ireland.  She said she recognized his face
from some real estate listings in the newspaper.”

Detective
Graydon nodded in understanding.  “The fragments are coming together.  Now we just have to figure out how to go about questioning Daisy Delaney.  If she is as wealthy as her riverfront address would imply, then she could be a flight risk.  So whatever anyone does, make no contact with Daisy.  Don’t give her any reason to be suspicious until the investigators can secure an arrest warrant if indeed she is the arsonist.”

“Well the surveillance camera will tell us everything, won’t it?” Melanie asked hopefully.

“Yes,” Mr. Bradley interjected.  “Hopefully, the camera will show that little hellcat in action!”

“
Hopefully.  But we have other sources of evidence as well.  Don’t forget about the tube of lipstick.  It will be very easy to collect DNA from such a personal item.  And if the security camera shows Miss Delaney dropping the lipstick out of her purse near Hot Fudge Fancy in the moments preceding the blaze, it will be a piece of cake to get that arrest warrant.  But I don’t want to rely only on that evidence.” Detective Graydon sighed thoughtfully and pushed a wisp of platinum hair away from her forehead.

“What else will we need?” Melanie inquired
eagerly.

“Ideally, a confession.  That’s why I’d like you to scratch everything I
just said about not getting in touch with Daisy.  I have a better idea.  It’s a risky plan, but I think it will work.  And Melanie, you’re going to play the starring role.”

*****

Melanie walked to her father’s truck with Sunny happily prancing about at her feet
oblivious to the chaos that was still unfolding.  Keith called out to her but she made no reply.  She couldn’t deal with his apologies and explanations right now.  There were too many more pertinent tasks to attend to.  First, she had to collect her belongings from the house in Isle of Palms.  Then, her father could drive her to the police station where they would prepare her for the plot Detective Graydon had hatched to trap Daisy.

“Please Melanie!  At least give me a chance to explain,” Keith begged, cornering her at the passenger side of the truck.  From the driver side, Mr. Bradley remained respectfully silent, although Keith McBrennan had lost credibility in his eyes.

“Keith, this is not the time or the place.  I have to go take care of things,” she said sullenly, opening the car door.

“But don’t let things end between us just because of this!  I mean, I didn’t even have time to tell you who Daisy was.  But if I had known she was planning to set your ice cream parlor on fire, I would have turned her into the police myself!  Please, at least let me see you later.  Just to talk.” He heard the desperation in his
own voice, and it sounded alien.  But he had no interest in preserving his pride at the moment.  His only goal was to make Melanie forgive him and give their relationship another try.

“I can’t think about anything but the investigation right now.  Just give me some time, Keith.  Please,” Melanie urged, closing the door behind her.

In the side view mirror, she could see Keith standing on the curb staring after her sadly as the truck sped away.  Averting her eyes to the road ahead, she swallowed another rush of tears and pushed Keith far from her mind.  Their lovemaking in Ireland seemed like a phantom experience, a delusion, a fabrication.  All she could think of now was bringing vicious Daisy Delaney to justice and reclaiming her business.

*****

Mr. Bradley parked the car in the driveway of Melanie’s short-lived beachfront fantasy.  “This is not how I wanted you to see my new house, Dad,” she
grumbled.  “How sad that the first time you’re seeing this place will also be the last time.”

“Fate has lots of twists and turns, Melanie.  Even though everything seems so dark now, you’ll shine again, baby girl.  Just believe your ol’ dad,” he said with more gruffness than intended.

“Thanks Dad.  I’m going to run in and get my things.  It shouldn’t take me too long.  I haven’t even unpacked most of my stuff.” Melanie climbed out of the truck and scoped out the living room, relieved to see that neither Chloe nor Lynne was at home.

Reaching her bedroom, she was tempted to indulge in one more view of the majestic Atlantic Ocean.  But she resisted, convincing herself that one day she would have an even lovelier view of the water---from a place that was all her own.  Scooping her cosmetics and hair products up, she haphazardly crammed everything into her suitcases.  Her clothes would be a wrinkled mess when she unpacked them, but she couldn’t concern herself with such trivialities now.

“I’m so glad they didn’t make me sign a lease,” she mumbled, grabbing some cash from her purse and leaving it in an envelope on the kitchen table.

Without looking behind her, Melanie exited the house and stuffed her luggage alongside Sunny in the truck.  “Let’s go,” she sighed as her father shifted gears into drive.

“Should we go drop your things off at home?  Or do you want to go straight to the police station?” Mr. Bradley inquired with as much gentleness as he could muster.

“I
’m beyond exhausted, but I have to go to the police station first.  I won’t be able to sleep until I know Daisy is being held accountable for what she did to Hot Fudge Fancy,” Melanie answered glumly.

“Whatever you say, sweetheart.  Just be careful when you’re carrying out this plan.  I don’t like the idea of you being alone with that crazy girl.”

“I’m not afraid of her.  She’s a coward.  That’s why she set my store on fire when no one was there.  I’m the one in control now,” she emphasized with a soupçon of vindictiveness in her usually sweet as molasses voice.

“Just be careful,” Mr. Bradley reiterated.

Eager to change the subject, Melanie asked casually, “What did you think of Detective Graydon?”

“Very competent.  Professional.  She impressed me a lot,” came his informal reply.

“And she was pretty, don’t you think?”

Mr. Bradley chuckled and asked, “What kind of question is that, young lady?”

Grinning, Melanie said, “Well, I just sensed a little spark between you two.  When she mentioned her sons, I felt like she was flirting with you,” Melanie confessed.

“That wasn’t flirting.  That was just two parents understanding each other,” he argued.

“I disagree.  And I didn’t see a wedding band on her finger.  Maybe she’s divorced,” Melanie persisted.

“And so what if she is?  What are you suggesting?”

“That you ask her out!” Melanie replied bluntly.  “You’ve been lonely for so long, Dad.”

“How can you even think about my love life at a time like this?”

“You know I have strange ways of coping.  Always have,” she shrugged.  “So how about it?  Will you ask her out to dinner?”

“I don’t know…the way she spoke, she sounded so educated.  I only have a high school diploma.  She probably went to college and all,” Mr. Bradley protested.

“Those are just excuses to keep you alone, Dad,” she said softly.

“I know it.  You’re right,” he replied, switching on the radio to his favorite oldies station.

“Okay, tune me out.  But I think you and Stacey Graydon would make an adorable couple.  And the only way for you to find out if I’m right about that is to ask her out!” Melanie shouted over the Rolling Stones song.

“I hear you.  Let me do things my way, though,” he said stubbornly as Melanie nodded with a grin.

She knew she had gotten through to him on some level.  Maybe he wasn’t ready to fully accept the veracity of her points right now, but his heart had opened a crack.  And she was going to keep knocking on that frosted over heart until it finally warmed to the idea of falling in love again.

*****

Daisy’s Frozen Delights was located next to a sketchy alleyway and hidden from the main shopping area of King Street.  Melanie shivered, realizing why she had never noticed the hole-in-the-wall store before.  It seemed odd for a southern belle from old money to have her storefront in such a shabby location.  Adjusting her earpiece and checking that the
portable audio system was functioning, Melanie strode into the shop.

“I’m closing in 10 minutes,” a shrill voice announced from behind the counter.

This must be Daisy.  What the hell did Keith see in her?
  Daisy’s hair was drab, thin, and an artificial shade of burgundy.  Her nose was slightly upturned like a pig snout, and her lips were covered in gloppy fudge.  In her hand, she held a melting fudgsicle while she pierced Melanie with an impatient look.  But there wasn’t the faintest hint of recognition in her eyes. 
She doesn’t even know what I look like,
Melanie realized.
  This woman burned my business to the ground without knowing anything about me other than the fact that I’m dating her ex-boyfriend. 
Was
dating her ex-boyfriend
, she corrected gloomily.

Straightening her posture, Melanie reminded
herself of the police officer’s explicit instructions. 
Act normally at first.  Just pretend to be a regular customer.  Then, once her guard is down, go in for the kill and get her confession on audio.

“What can I get for you?” Daisy clipped impatiently.

“Well, let’s see,” Melanie drawled with deliberate slowness as Daisy narrowed her eyes at her.  “Hmmm, what do you recommend?”

“All my frozen treats are of the highest quality.  You can’t go wrong in my shop,” she claimed arrogantly.

“Is that right?  Well, how about that purple swirl over there?  What’s that?” Melanie asked, pausing to read every label as Daisy looked ready to jump across the counter and attack her.

“That’s my fat free, sugar free blueberry sorbet,” Daisy informed tightly.

“Fat free and sugar free?” Melanie echoed doubtfully.  “Doesn’t sound too appealing.  Can I try a sample first?”

“Miss, I really don’t have time to give out samples right now.  Just make up your mind so I can get out of here,” Daisy demanded.

“Oh I’m sorry,” Melanie feigned an apology.  “I don’t mean to hold you up.  Maybe you could just recommend something for me.  That might be faster.”

“Fine.  I recommend the soy blackberry frozen yogurt
with sugar substitute,” Daisy suggested as Melanie nearly gagged.

“Oh yum
my,” she said sarcastically.  “Give me the soy blackberry then.”

Daisy dug a scoop into the
lumpy raven mixture and sparingly inserted it into a paper cup.  “That’ll be $5.50.”