Eggnog Trifle Trouble (Murder in the Mix #28) - Addison Moore Page 0,48

ask.

His lips curl as he takes a deep breath. “Accounting errors. I don’t know. The kid is reputable. He works with many charities. He’s a big wig at some accounting firm somewhere, I think. But Gloria thought he was helping himself to the pot. Don’t ask me where she got that nonsense from. Gloria was already worked up that night. She could have accused any Angel of lying, and I mean that in the heavenly sense, too. She had the wrath of the wicked one in her.”

“I guess Elodie really worked her up.”

Or Ebenezer himself. If I found out Everett was being unfaithful, it would sour my mood right along with breaking my heart. I’m pretty sure I’d take it out on everyone, too. Not that Everett is even remotely capable of doing something like that.

He shrugs. “Elodie had a hand in it, sure. I guess you could say it was a perfect storm.” He rocks back in his enormous boots. “I must say, though, the one thing that sticks out in my mind about that night was her reaction when she saw that painting.”

“I think I noticed that, too,” I say out loud without really intending to.

Kringle’s little mouth falls open as he looks my way. “The man in the painting? The one who’s been roaming the halls of your home at night moaning and groaning?”

Now it’s my mouth falling open.

Kringle flicks his wrist my way. “He scares the cats half to death. I’d burn the thing if I were you. And he’s not in the least interested in eating your trifle. I suppose that’s the good thing about him. I don’t have to share.”

I shoot the ghostly mouse an intense look because we are going to have one serious conversation about this mystery phantom roaming my halls at night.

“Odd”—Ebenezer holds his finger to his nose and looks every bit like the man in red he’s set to emulate tonight—“I’ve never seen that painting before. I don’t think Gloria has either. But it was such a strong reaction, you’d think she knew the man.”

Could Gloria have known the man? Was that a modern painting? Hey? Maybe the man from the painting, aka the man who sat for the portrait, killed Gloria? No, wait, Kringle just said he was a ghost. And if he is roaming my halls, he’s a ghost that owes me some answers.

Ebenezer shrugs and his overstuffed belly jiggles just the way it’s meant to.

“I don’t know.” He sighs. “Maybe it was the idea that the painting was haunted that sent her reeling. The funny thing is, I would have sworn on my life that woman wasn’t afraid of anything.”

A small group of elves begins to stir in this direction, and along with them is Candy Brighton bundled in a sleek red coat that cinches at the waist and makes me wish I still had a waist to cinch myself.

“Lottie? Hi!” Her face lights up as she hugs the clipboard in her hand. Her caramel-colored hair is pulled back into a twist of some sort, and she has glitzy diamond earrings catching the light like stars. Her lipstick matches the same cheery hue as her coat, and she feels like a breath of fresh air in this somewhat cloying conversation Ebenezer and I have been having. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but Mayor Nash is just about to start the countdown.” She looks to the man before us. “As soon as the tree is lit, we’ll move the kids in for a picture with Santa. Remember what we talked about, one candy cane per child. The Christmas Angels aren’t made of money.”

Ebenezer nods. “I’d better get some coffee in me while I have the chance. Excuse me, ladies,” he says, taking off.

“Great event,” I tell her. “I can’t wait to see the tree.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re here to see it.” She winces. “That was a scary incident last night. Are you okay? Is your baby okay?”

“We’re both fine.” My hands warm my belly. “Candy, you know Chris Holiday. Ebenezer mentioned that Gloria had a problem with him. Would you know what that was about?”

Her lips fidget as if she were about to smile then thought better of it.

“I do know.” She gives a quick glance around. “Look, Chris is a good guy. And now that all of Gloria’s responsibilities have fallen on my shoulder—at this, the busiest time of the year, I have to deal with that now, too. Gloria was convinced Chris was dipping into funds.” She