Poisoned Prose (A Books by the Bay Mystery)

imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

For Tim, because I am at home in your heart

Chapter 1
    Words—so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in the dictionary, how potent for good and evil they become in the hands of one who knows how to combine them.
    — N ATHANIEL H AWTHORNE
    “D eath by chocolate. That’s what the coroner’s report will read,” Olivia Limoges said to the woman sitting next to her. She pushed away a plate still laden with a caramel brownie, a hazelnut petit four, and a square of peanut butter fudge. “I’ll have to be rolled home in a wheelbarrow.”
    “That’s why this place is called Decadence.” Laurel Hobbs, local reporter and mother to twin boys, bit off the end of a strawberry dipped in white chocolate and moaned. “How can you resist the host of temptations being offered? Here we are, two of the lucky few invited to this exclusive event, and you’re showing unnecessary restraint. Seriously, Olivia, try this one. Just take a bite.”
    Olivia glanced at the Amaretto cream puff and shook her head. “I think it was a mistake to drink both of those martinis during the cocktail hour. I could hardly refuse the chocolate martini I was given for the initial toast, and then Shelley pressed something called a Snickertini into my hand and stood there while I drank it. I didn’t want to offend her on her big night, and Michel would poison me if I did anything to upset his beloved chocolatier, so down the hatch it went.”
    Laurel held up her hands. “No more talk of poisoning, strangling, or any other form of murder, please. I think we’ve had enough violence to last us several lifetimes. Besides, Michel would never turn on you. He’s the head chef in the most celebrated restaurant on the North Carolina coast, and you own the place.”
    Gesturing around the desserterie, which was filled with Oyster Bay’s most influential townsfolk along with a dozen journalists and television personalities from out of state, Olivia shrugged. “The Boot Top can’t compete with an establishment serving every guest a dark chocolate shopping bag filled with white chocolate mousse. And did you see what Shelley used as a garnish? Sugared raspberries and a Decadence business card made of fondant. Incredible.”
    “No, you probably can’t compete with that. I guess you should be happy that Shelley doesn’t serve seafood or The Bayside Crab House would be in trouble too.”
    “Speaking of the Crab House, I should pick up some treats for my niece. I saw some starfish lollipops on the counter. Each one is made of raspberry-filled chocolate and costs more than an entire Happy Meal, but she’s worth it.”
    Laurel grinned. “It’s a good thing you’re an heiress. You could buy every last piece of candy in here if you felt like it.”
    Olivia bristled. “Hey, I work as hard as the next person.”
    “You do. You spend all those hours between two restaurants and yet you stay so thin.” Laurel shook her head in disbelief. “How can you be around such exquisite food all day and not weigh a million pounds? If I weren’t your friend, I’d really hate you. I still haven’t worked off the rest of my baby weight, and the twins are four! Oh well, now’s not the time to count calories.” She popped a truffle into her mouth. “Look at Shelley. She’s sweet, beautiful, and clearly enjoys sampling her own wares. A woman with Shirley Temple dimples and Marilyn Monroe curves. No wonder Michel fell for her. Ah, here he comes now.”
    Michel was glowing. Olivia barely recognized him out of his white chef’s coat, but he cut a nice figure in his rented tux. “Can you get over my Shelley?” he asked, sitting next to Olivia and giving her a brotherly kiss on the cheek. “If I weren’t madly in love with her, I’d be desperately jealous. She’s got everyone under her spell. I told you she was an enchantress.”
    Olivia rolled her eyes. “Spare me, Michel. I’ve overindulged on tarts and cakes and bonbons, and I can’t stand another ounce of sugary sweetness.”
    “Then you should try the chili pepper chocolate,” Michel suggested. “Or the bacon flavored truffles.” Olivia gave him a dark look, but he was too jovial to notice. He and Laurel began to compare notes on their favorite treats, going into endless detail about the perfect balance between sea salt and