Miss Frost Cracks A Caper: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 4) Read online

  MISS FROST

  CRACKS A CAPER

  A Nocturne Falls Mystery

  Jayne Frost, book four

  Kristen Painter

  Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town that celebrates Halloween 365 days a year.

  Jayne Frost is a lot of things. Winter elf, Jack Frost’s daughter, Santa Claus’s niece, heir to the Winter Throne and now…private investigator. Sort of.

  When Lark Bramble, an old frenemy, shows up in Nocturne Falls, Jayne finds herself reliving the painful past and trying to make responsible decisions that won’t mess up her future. But being an adult proves harder than she thought.

  Finally at peace with where things stand between her and Lark, Jayne thinks everything’s cool until a chilling event at the Black and Orange Ball shatters that peace and puts Jayne at odds with the powers that be. She knows she’s on thin ice, but she’s determined to crack the caper.

  Can Jayne find a way to right the wrongs she might have caused or will she forever bear the guilt of allowing herself to be snowed again?

  MISS FROST CRACKS A CAPER:

  A Nocturne Falls Mystery

  Jayne Frost, Book Four

  Copyright © 2017 Kristen Painter

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real person, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  ISBN: 978-1-941695-33-3

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  Table of Contents

  MISS FROST CRACKS A CAPER

  About the Book

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  About the Author

  Many Thanks

  November (Eleven months ago)

  The bells over the shop door jangled again, but the two men in front of me, Greyson Garrett and Cooper Sullivan, blocked my view.

  I gave them both a stern look. “I have customers to take care of, so you two are going to have to—”

  “Well, well. Am I interrupting a party?”

  At the sound of that voice, Cooper and I stared at each other like we’d just heard a ghost. I put my hands on the guys’ shoulders and pushed them apart like curtains.

  I stared at the woman who’d just walked in. After the day I’d had, I wasn’t sure I could believe my eyes. Or that I wanted to. My mouth went dry, but I managed one word: “Lark?”

  She laughed, throwing her head back in that way she’d always had. “Surprised to see me?”

  I swallowed and found my voice, despite the storm of emotions rolling through me. “More than I can say.”

  Lark.

  Was here.

  In Nocturne Falls.

  In my shop.

  Her once long silver hair had been cut into a hip asymmetrical bob, and the underlying layer was now a deep glacial blue, but the woman in front of me was definitely Lark. I just stared, hoping that any second I’d wake up. I pinched my leg. Ow. Nope, not waking up. This was real.

  Lark was standing in front of me.

  Yeti poop. Big steaming piles of it.

  She smiled at me like it hadn’t been nearly ten years since we’d seen each other. Like she hadn’t been the reason that Cooper and I broke up. “Long time no see, Jaynie.”

  Like she hadn’t tried to seduce him immediately afterward.

  She blinked a few times when I didn’t answer and tried again. “So how have you been?”

  I reminded myself she didn’t know Cooper and I had talked that all out since I’d arrived in Nocturne Falls. But I still had no words. I literally couldn’t think of a single thing to say.

  Apparently, neither could Cooper, because he was just as quiet as I was. Greyson, thankfully, wasn’t having that problem.

  He stuck his hand out. “Greyson Garrett. And you are?”

  “Lark Bramble. But DJ Ice Queen is my professional name. That’s why I’m here, actually. The DJ part.”

  “Oh?” Greyson kept going, saving me the trouble of becoming conversational.

  “Looks like I’m going to be doing a big party here in October. The Black and Orange Ball? I was told it’s a major event every year.”

  A couple came in, and Juniper went to help them. I appreciated that because I knew she’d rather hang out and listen in on this awkward situation. Of course, she knew I’d fill her in later, and she was nothing if not a great employee.

  Greyson nodded. “The Black and Orange Ball is the event in Nocturne Falls.”

  “How cool. Have you been?”

  “Yes, several times.”

  The small talk was kind of getting to me. This whole acting like nothing had ever happened between us might have been okay for the person I used to be, but my time and responsibilities in Nocturne Falls had changed me. I finally broke my silence. “Why are you here, Lark?”

  She looked at me, uncertainty taking the brightness off her smile. “I told you, I’m potentially going to be DJing at this gala in October of next year. I’m here now to work out all the details with the woman who puts it on. Elenora Ellingham. Do you know her?”

  Greyson answered for me. “Jayne knows everyone in town. And they know her.”

  Not entirely true, but I got what he was doing and was definitely giving him points for it.

  “Well, this Elenora is really something,” Lark went on. “I’m going to tour the space tomorrow and tell her what kind of show I can provide. Get the contracts started. That sort of thing.”

  I wasn’t buying it. Elenora Ellingham didn’t seem like the type to hire a DJ for her famous Black and Orange Ball. It was an elegant affair, not a rave. “Really? A DJ at her renowned Halloween gala? That doesn’t seem like Elenora at all.”

  Lark’s smile finally disappeared altogether. “I don’t just play songs, you know. I bring a whole show. I’m very well-known for my performances.” She sighed and looked away for a moment, like facing me had suddenly become unbearable. “Look, I was hoping we could…talk. You and me. And Cooper, too, but to start with, just you and me. There’s a lot we need—I need to say.”

  That was an understatement. But I wasn’t about to open my arms and forgive her just yet, either. “Convenient timing, what with you here for a job and all.”

  She shrugged. “It is. But getting called about this job made me research the town. That’s when I found out you—and Cooper—were in Nocturne Falls. It was the wake-up
call I needed. It shook me out of the status quo and got me thinking. We were such good friends once upon a time.”

  “We were.”

  She gave Cooper a quick glance and a tentative smile that he did not return. “Could we please go somewhere and talk? I’m guessing you and Cooper have already done that, based on finding you together.”

  I stared at her. My emotions were a mess. We had been such good friends. At least, I thought that’s what we’d been until she’d ruined my life. Sure, my life was great now, but when I was in college, she’d turned my life into a black hole. I hadn’t known she was the one responsible then, but I did now.

  I’d been wrecked by the breakup with Cooper. Heartbroken, miserable, and sure I’d never be loved again. You know, typical youthful angst. I’d gone home for Christmas, a time that was usually an endless celebration for me, and moped. Hard.

  I ate ten pounds of my aunt’s eggnog fudge that week. I wasn’t proud of that, but I thought it proved just how despondent I was, seeing as how that was easily eight pounds more than normal. Okay, maybe seven, but still.

  Cooper had been my future up until that moment.

  Being reunited with him in Nocturne Falls had been great, outside of the fact that after we figured out Lark’s part in our split, he also told me Lark had tried to seduce him.

  So yeah, I had a lot of reasons not to talk to her. But I was an adult. And maybe a little bit curious about what she had to say. “I can’t leave Juniper in the shop by herself. But I’ll meet you for dinner at Howler’s at seven. You know where that is?”

  Her uncertain expression shifted back to the happy smile she’d had earlier. “Yes. Great. I’ll be there. Thank you.”

  She started forward like she might hug me. I backed up. “Don’t thank me yet.”

  She laughed it off. “Okay, see you then.”

  I nodded. She gave Cooper a little wave as she left. He didn’t return the gesture.

  A long moment of silence passed before anyone spoke again.

  Cooper took a deep breath. “What the hell do you think she wants?”

  “Beats me. I guess I’ll find out at dinner.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t believe she showed up here. She’s got some nerve.”

  Greyson crossed his arms. “Who is this woman?”

  Cooper ran a hand through his hair. “She was Jayne’s best friend in college. She’s also the reason we broke up.”

  I put my hands on my hips. “Don’t forget how she tried to make you her boyfriend.”

  Cooper’s eyes lit with dark fire. “How could I? It’s not every day your ex-girlfriend’s BFF shows up naked in your dorm room bed.”

  Greyson snorted. “I knew I should have gone to college.”

  I tipped my head at him. “Hey, funny boy, maybe you could find out if Elenora is really interested in her, or if Lark made that DJ story up.”

  He pressed his lips together in what looked like an attempt to stop smiling. “I can absolutely do that. I’ll text you.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “See you later.”

  As he left, Cooper leaned against the sales counter. “You want me to go to dinner with you?”

  “Yes, but no. She’s expecting to talk to me alone. I can handle it.”

  “Okay. You can always call me after.”

  “I will. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if Lark contacts you. We already know she has your number.”

  “Yeah. Unfortunately. Can I do anything for you?”

  I wasn’t sure if that comment was because I’d given Greyson a task, but I had my suspicions. “No, thank you. I’m good. Exhausted, but good.” It had been an extremely long day already. And the night probably wouldn’t be much better.

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, if you don’t mind, I’m going to find myself a seat at Howler’s bar around seven. Just to keep an eye on things.”

  I smiled and shook my head. “I don’t mind at all.”

  “Good.” He winked, then leaned in and kissed me on the opposite cheek that Greyson had. “See you then.”

  “See you.” I watched him go, greeting the customers who came in as he held the door.

  Juniper sidled up to me. “So. What was that all about?”

  “I have no idea. But that was Lark.”

  “The one who broke you and Coop up?”

  “The very one.”

  “Huh. I thought she’d be some bombshell. I mean, she’s pretty and all, but…” Juniper shrugged. “She’s no you.”

  I smiled. “Thanks, but Lark did okay in college. She just couldn’t get the one guy she really wanted.”

  “Cooper.”

  “Yep.” I yawned. “I wish Vale and Crystal were here already.” The two temps my dad had promised to send to help with the holiday rush would make my life bearable during the Christmas season.

  “You could always hire another part-time employee for the rest of the year.” Juniper went behind the counter. “I could train them. Or Buttercup could.”

  “Maybe I’ll run that past my dad tomorrow.”

  “That’s not going to do you any good right now.” Juniper frowned. “You’re beat. Call Rowley in.”

  Rowley was our newest, and oldest, employee. He worked only part time. “It’s his day off.”

  “Oh, he’d come in.”

  “I know he would, but I’m pretty sure he and his wife were going out of town today.”

  “So ask Buttercup to come in early. You know she would.”

  I did know that. But that wasn’t fair to Buttercup. And seeing Lark reminded me of just how unfair life already was. “No, I’m good. I just need a Dr Pepper.”

  Juniper shook her head. “You’re going to fall asleep at dinner. You shouldn’t have sent Kip home.”

  “Not with Lark sitting across from me. And Kip was worse off than I am.” He’d been doing double duty for me while I was dealing with the kidnapping of the shop’s most recent visitor, Tempus Sanders aka the Sandman.

  Juniper laughed. “I guess that’s true. Lark will keep you awake. Go get your Pepper while it’s slow, then.”

  “Yes, boss.”

  She stuck her tongue out at me as I headed back to the employee break room and its well-stocked fridge.

  Lark Bramble was in town. And we were having dinner.

  The weird just never quit in Nocturne Falls.

  I made it through the shift without crashing, but the shower I took when I got back to my apartment really gave me my second wind. Also, I’ve never been so grateful that my father and uncle had the forethought to buy the entire building the shop and warehouse were located in and convert the upper floors into employee housing.

  Not having to do more than ride the elevator up to get home was awesome.

  Birdie called as I was standing in my closet figuring out what to wear to dinner with Lark. I grabbed my cell phone off my dresser. “Hey, Birdie, what’s up?”

  “I heard your little friend is in town.”

  She knew all about Lark. “Yes. And it’s weird. But we’re going to dinner to talk.”

  “Leopards don’t change their spots.”

  “I agree, but I’m keeping an open mind.”

  Birdie hmphed. “Well, keep your guard up.”

  “I will, promise. Talk to you soon.”

  “Wait! That’s not what I called about. We think there’s a shoplifter in town. Willa just called in that she had a handful of Nocturne Falls pumpkin charms go missing from one of the cases in her store. Better tell your folks to pay extra attention to who’s in the shop for a while.”

  I doubted anyone interested in jewelry was going to hit up the toy store next, but you never knew. “Thanks for the tip. I’ll tell them to keep their eyes open.”

  “Okay. Have a good night. Talk to you soon. I’m going to want to hear all the dirt.”

  I laughed. “I have no doubt.” I hung up, then sent a text to Buttercup about the shoplifter so she could be on the lookout during the evening shift.

  W
ith that handled, I changed into a sleek little yellow dress with a royal blue sweater coat. Both went well with my dark blue hair, but it was a bold statement. And not the kind of outfit college me would have worn.

  And yes, I knew I was sending Lark a signal. That was the point. I needed her to understand she wasn’t dealing with college Jayne. This was the new me. The me who was dating two guys and running her own shop and living her best life in a town that rocked.

  I flicked on another layer of mascara.

  Spider came and sat in the bathroom doorway and squinted up at me. “Mama bright.”

  I laughed. “I didn’t think cats could see much in the way of color.”

  He gave me a harder look. “Mama bright.” Then he sauntered into the bedroom.

  Did I mention I have a talking cat? Well, I do. He didn’t always talk, but I was accidentally granted a wish, and anyway, it stuck.

  I shook my head and smiled. I loved that little black beasty. He’d probably be curled up on the bed and fast asleep in a few minutes. I’d fed him as soon as I’d gotten home, and he’d promptly cleaned out the bowl.

  That was my boy. My Spider. The one and only talking cat. At least the only one I knew about.

  I ran a brush through my hair and decided I was ready. I just needed some earrings and my purse. Both were on my dresser in the bedroom. As suspected, Spider had already settled on the bed.

  He rolled over as I approached, a clear indicator that he expected a belly rub. Which, naturally, he got.