Red Velvet Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen, #16)(4)

“Okay, here’s another cliché and I don’t know who said it first. Leopards don’t change their spots overnight.”

“I don’t know who said it either, but this leopard did change her spots. Doctor Bev’s got a whole new look. Now she’s a blonde. Sally thought she might have had a facelift, too.”

“That’s drastic.”

“That’s desperate. I guess she thought she’d better repackage since she was getting so close to the sell-by date.”

Lisa’s mouth dropped open and then she started to laugh. She laughed long and hard, and then she said, “You’ve really got a way with words, Hannah. But I’m curious. When did you see Doctor Bev?”

“I didn’t. Andrea told me.”

“Then Andrea’s seen her?”

“No. Sally’s the only one who’s actually seen her. Doctor Bev’s staying out at the Inn with Roger.”

“And Sally called to tell you?”

“Not exactly. Sally called Mother, and Mother called Andrea, and Andrea told me.”

Lisa laughed. “It’s good to see that the Lake Eden Gossip Hotline is working. But Doctor Bev didn’t actually change her spots, Hannah. All she changed was her appearance. She’s still the same scheming, conniving, selfish person inside.”

“You can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig?”

“Exactly. It’s like you always say, Hannah. The reason they’re clichés is that they’re true most of the time. And here’s another couple for you. Forewarned is forearmed, the best defense is a good offense, and you shouldn’t trust her any further than you can throw her.”

“I’m ready, Hannah.” Andrea stood in the doorway of the Red Velvet Lounge. “I’ll show you the condos now, before everybody gets here.”

Hannah turned to look at Lisa. “Do you need help arranging the cupcakes?”

Lisa shook her head. “I’m almost through. Don’t worry about me, Hannah. Herb’s coming back with a couple of chairs and we’re going to restock the display when it gets low.”

“But I should help you.”

“No, you shouldn’t. Herb has to be here anyway. He’s running security here in the lounge.”

“Security for what? It’s Lake Eden. Nobody’s going to steal anything here.”

“I know that and you know that, but Roger Dalworth doesn’t. He’s from Minneapolis and it’s different there. Roger hired Herb to cover the whole hotel.”

“But how can Herb do that if he’s sitting here next to you?”

“He’ll be wearing earbuds and he’ll be in constant communication with the other members of his security staff. Besides, you said it before. It’s Lake Eden. The only thing that might happen is that somebody has one too many glasses of champagne. If that happens, one of Herb’s guys will handle the driving and take that person home.”

A phrase Lisa had used caught Hannah’s attention and she repeated it. “One of Herb’s guys? How many guys does he have?”

“Six not counting him. They work in pairs. Roger wanted two on the ground floor, two on the second floor, and two outside. The only thing that’s not covered is the penthouse and that’s because it’s not furnished yet.”

“Hi, Hannah.”

Hannah turned to see Lisa’s husband, Herb Beeseman, walking toward them. He was wearing a nice-looking red blazer with the word SECURITY embroidered on the pocket. Below it was some sort of insignia and as Herb came closer, Hannah realized that it was an embroidered cupcake.

“Meet the head of Cupcake Security,” Lisa said, smiling at Herb.

Hannah glanced at the cupcake display and then back at Herb’s pocket. The embroidery on the pocket was a perfect rendition of the Red Velvet Surprise Cupcakes they’d baked.

“Cupcake Security?” she asked.

“Why not?” Herb gave a little laugh. “It was Lisa’s idea. Our motto is, You gotta be tough with a name like Cupcake.”

“That’s really funny.” Hannah laughed. “I’m surprised you didn’t use Cream Puff.”

“I might have, but it was already taken. Besides, the cupcakes you baked were really pretty and the graphic was more colorful. The guys just love their new blazers.”

“Who did you hire?” Hannah asked.

“Four seniors from Jordan High, and two freshmen from the community college. We’re also going to run security at football games in the fall. Mayor Bascomb said he might even use us for things like the Winter Carnival and Moonlight Madness later this summer.”

“Well . . . good luck with it. I’m sure the boys are glad to get some part-time jobs.” Hannah glanced at her sister, who was staring at the display of cupcakes longingly. “What’s wrong, Andrea?”

“Nothing’s wrong. It’s just that your cupcakes look luscious and my stomach’s growling. I was so busy distributing fliers for tonight that I didn’t have time for lunch.”

Lisa plucked a cupcake from the box she’d been using to fill the display and handed it to Andrea. “Taste this and tell us if it’s as good as it looks.”

“I love red velvet cupcakes!”

“These are Red Velvet Surprise Cupcakes,” Lisa told her. “Hannah and I put a surprise in the center of every one.”