Frosted on the Ferris Wheel by Laura Pauling

business partner. Joel Atherton. The man sure knew how to play the part of friend to the grieving window. Maybe if Holly approached Trent and told him all this, he’d listen. This had to be enough evidence for a deeper investigation. Holly had to ask one more question.
    “Did you share this information with the police in charge of the investigation?”
    Judy nodded. “So far nothing has come of it.”
    Rather abruptly, Judy excused herself, mumbling about an appointment. Holly watched her find a path back to the sidewalk and her car. When Judy climbed into the convertible, Holly realized her mistake the other night. She’d assumed since Joel drove, the car was his. This meant the counseling appointment card was Judy’s. This wasn’t a big revelation or break-through but between what Judy just revealed about Joel combined with the fact he wasn’t seeing a grief counselor...it made him appear slightly more guilty.
    But still, no solid evidence of any kind.
    Holly stayed for a few moments. She studied the rocks and splinters of cement. If only stones could talk.

    ***

    On the drive back through town, Holly noticed a day away from the start of the festival that the traffic was thickening. More tourists. Locals grabbing groceries while they could still snag a parking spot. Slowing as she passed the fairgrounds, Holly looked toward the spot where she’d be for the next couple days, selling smoothies she hadn’t perfected yet.
    Muffins barked and pawed at the window.
    It wasn’t hard to pick out Judy’s yellow convertible parked along the road. “Thanks, Muffins.” Curious, Holly whipped into an open spot a few cars down. All the rides were ready to go. The large white canopy tents were up where all the baked goods would be sold.  
    “This time, you’ll have to stay here, Muffins. I can’t risk Judy catching sight of me. She’ll think I’m stalking her.”
    Muffins whimpered and lay down in the front seat.  
    “Good dog, but your act won’t change my mind.” Holly left the car locked and walked the edge of the fairgrounds. There were just enough people that Holly could get lost in them and not be spotted. Around the other side of the Ferris wheel, Holly halted.
    Judy’s back was to her and she was in a heated argument. Holly couldn’t quite see the person Judy was talking to, so she headed around the opposite side of the ride. She peeked between the carriages. Shock rippled through her.
    Judy was arguing with Chip.
    How did Judy know Chip? She thought about creeping closer to listen but didn’t dare put the rest of their investigation attempts at risk.
    Time to tell the others.

Mystery Club met in the back room at The Tasty Bite . Again. Millicent had arranged plates of her dad’s chocolate chip cheesecake—a mystery club tradition. They were all present, except for one person.
    Charlene.
    Her absence was keenly felt; the tension spread in the room. No one knew quite how to start, and Holly certainly didn’t feel like adding her two cents just for Millicent to shoot it down. She’d wait and see the direction the meeting went.
    Millicent giggled. “I wonder where Charlene could be.”
    Holly studied Millicent’s smirk, the knowing look in her eyes and her innocent comment. She knew something and wasn’t sharing.
    “Maybe we should get started without her. I have baking to do tonight,” Holly said, desperate to be in and out of this meeting. Time with her friends she used to love.
    Millicent clapped with glee. “Hopefully for the Bake-Off Contest at the festival?”
    Holly nodded.
    “We should’ve held the meeting while baking then, as usual...” Kitty glanced between Millicent and Holly. “I mean...we don’t have to...”
    “No wonder, Holly Hart,” Millicent stated. “Now I know how you got so much baking done. You enlisted help. Putting friends to work for you.” Her tone held a note of scorn.
    Holly knew she should bite her tongue, but the words slipped out. “I wouldn’t have had to