Elizabeth turned to where they stood by the counter, and the camera followed her movement. “I owe both of you a sincere apology. When I took the recipe, I thought I waspreventing you from capitalizing on the theft of a treasured family recipe. I had no idea I was assisting a thief.”
Susan Winchester thrust the microphone under Elizabeth’s nose. “How did you discover your error—that the Chef King actually stole the recipe from the Parkers and not the other way around?”
Elizabeth nodded at the camera, her look apologetic. “From my client, Hank Haverill.”
Bethany’s heart skipped several beats before thumping madly in her ears.
Elizabeth continued. “When Hank learned Bethany was accused of plagiarizing the Chef King’s recipe, he was convinced of her innocence. Two days ago, he hired a firm of private investigators to get to the bottom of this. They interviewed a number of elderly Tremont residents. Dozens of them came forward in support of the Parkers. Many are here today.”
She gestured behind her, and it was then that Bethany registered how many people had entered the shop. There must have been at least thirty, and there were even more outside the building.
Elizabeth continued. “Several of those interviewed recall enjoying the cake when Grandma Lou Parker first shared the recipe in her kitchen in the early 1950s. As it turns out, Desmond’s paternal grandparents were in grade school in the 1950s, and his grandmother’s name is Rosalind and not Lou. But to dispel any doubt, the private investigator interviewed Desmond’s grandparents, who are still living. They had no idea their grandson had claimed the recipe was theirs and have issued a statement denying any knowledge of it, as well as an apology on their behalf.”
“So, what does this mean for the Parkers?” Susan asked. “Have you shared your findings with Fresh &Easy?”
Elizabeth smiled at the camera. “We have. I’m happy to tell everyone that the company has reinstated Grandma Lou’s as the winner of their contest today.”
Elizabeth gestured behind her toward a woman with dark curls, who’d been standing in the shadows. She stepped up to the microphone, a large cardboard check in her hands, and gestured for Bethany to join her.
“My name is Francine Richmond, chief marketing officer at Fresh & Easy. On behalf of the company, we want to congratulate you on your winning entry, Grandma Lou’s Chocolate Cake with Buttercream Frosting. We are proud to present you with this check for five hundred thousand dollars. Congratulations.”
Francine held the check out to Bethany, but Travis had to guide her forward until she clutched the giant cardboard rectangle in her shaking hands. Was this really happening?
Travis’s grin was wider than that of a kid with a cupcake. A ray of hope sparked in Bethany’s mind like someone had swung a flashlight beam over the dark cavern of despair she’d been living in for the last month.
The camera operator trained his camera on her and snapped a few photographs. Bethany hoped she was smiling, but she had a strong feeling her face still showed some of her shock at the turn of events.
“What will you do with the money?” Susan Winchester asked Bethany and Travis. “Do you plan to keep the restaurant open?”
Bethany cleared her throat. “Yes, that’s the plan.”
“What do you think of the Chef King stealing your recipe and then making it seem like it was his? Are you angry?”
“I was angry at first, but honestly, all I feel rightnow is sadness. He must have been desperate to steal someone else’s work.”
“Well, I’m certain I speak for all Clevelanders when I say congratulations. We hope you’ll remain a fixture in this neighborhood for many more years to come.” She turned toward the camera. “ForChannel Ten News, good night and sweet dreams from Tremont.”
The camera guy swept the room a final time before turning off his camera.
Travis cupped his hands around his mouth. “Hey, everyone. How about some of Grandma Lou’s chocolate cake in cupcake form...on the house.”
The crowd cheered.
“Mitch, why don’t you run and get a few gallons of milk and plastic cups from the corner store?” Paula asked her husband, who nodded and offered Bethany his normal quiet smile.
Mitch headed out the door, while Travis went to get the cupcakes, and Bethany turned to Elizabeth. “Thank you for setting the record straight.”
Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. “Oh, don’t thank me. Thank Hank.” She flipped a hand over her shoulder, as if...
Panic plunged through Bethany’s veins like she’d been shot with adrenaline.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Bethany looked toward the front door. A flood of people entered the small space—customers, friends, neighbors—all carrying trays of food and coolers of drinks and calling out their best wishes. Was she dreaming? Grandma Lou’s had been empty only an hour ago. Now it was filled with noise and chaos and life.
“Where have all these people come from?”
“Hank invited them.” Elizabeth motioned toward the door again.
