Red Velvet Cupcake Murder (3 page)

When they stepped out into the penthouse garden, the June air was balmy and sweet. There was a slight breeze, but not enough to be uncomfortable. They were above the noise of the party, the passing cars on the street, and even more important, the mosquitoes. It was heavenly and Hannah took a deep breath of the perfumed night air.

“Just look at this pool,” Andrea said, leading her over to the grotto pool and Jacuzzi area. There was even a thatched roof bar with padded bar stools. Low-level Malibu lights gave the whole area a romantic glow, and the ambiance was intimate and inviting. “Beautiful!” Hannah breathed, feeling a small stab of envy for the lucky people who would live here.

“I shouldn’t do this, but I will,” Andrea said. “Help me move this sawhorse.”

Between the two of them they muscled Roger’s barrier to the side, and Andrea led Hannah toward the edge of the roof. “That’s far enough,” she said, stopping about four feet from the edge. “I want you to see the lake from here.”

Hannah peered off into the distance where the lake was shining silver in the moonlight and the surrounding pines were dark sentinels stretching up toward the sky. “Beautiful!” she breathed again.

It didn’t take long to go through the rest of the penthouse: multiple bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, a home gym, and a huge gourmet kitchen. There were closets galore, views from windows in abundance, and the total impression was the essence of opulence.

“We’d better go,” Andrea said, glancing at her watch. “The guests should be starting to arrive by now and I’ve got six condos and a penthouse to sell.”

Hannah was silent until they were in the elevator on their way down to the lobby. “Do you think anybody in Lake Eden can afford to buy a condo here?” she asked; the question had been bouncing around in her mind since Andrea had opened the first condo door.

“Of course. People almost always buy up.”

“Buy up?”

“It’s like cars and trading up. They almost always buy something more expensive than what they’re selling. The only exception I’ve had is when I handle a property where the kids leave the nest and they’re downsizing. And even then a few people want more luxury than they had. There are people in this town with money, Hannah. And remember, all you really need is the down payment, a good credit rating, and a good job. I’d say nine out of ten people that come here tonight can afford to finance one of these condos. Roger invited two hundred and fifty people and that means over two hundred could afford to buy if I can manage to impress them.”

“How about the penthouse? Could nine out of ten afford that?”

“No, definitely not. The penthouse is pricey. But Del Woodley’s coming. He could afford the penthouse. And so could Mayor Bascomb if Stephanie would kick in some of her money. As a matter of fact, Mother could probably afford it.”

Hannah frowned slightly. She was the only one who knew the state of her mother’s finances. Andrea was right. Their father had been very astute when it came to buying stock and at this stage, Delores could afford it and then some. She thought about saying that, but neither Andrea nor Michelle knew exactly how much money Delores had and Hannah had promised never to divulge the details. “Maybe Mother could afford it, but I’m not sure she’d want to give up her house.”

“You’re right. That’s the house that Dad bought for her and it must have a lot of happy memories for her. She’s used to living there and she likes the neighbors. I think the only way that Mother would move is if she got married again. And I really don’t think that’s going to happen.”

The penthouse elevator doors opened, and Andrea and Hannah stepped out. “Hold on a second,” Andrea said, turning her elevator key in the lock so that it would remain accessible. “We want people to go up to the penthouse, even if they can’t afford to buy it. If they’re impressed, they talk about it and they might mention it to somebody who
can
afford to buy it.”

“Good thinking,” Hannah said. “Are you going to work now?”

“Yes, but Roger wants me in the lounge for a while. He told me to wait until people had some of the free champagne and free food before I started selling.”

“Because then everyone will be in a good mood?”

“That’s the theory, and he’s right. That’s why I always set out cheese and crackers, or some of your cookies when I host an open house. If I get really busy showing the condos, will you do a favor for me?”

“What?” Hannah asked, not about to get trapped by agreeing to something blindly.

“Snag me about six of your Red Velvet Surprise Cupcakes, will you, Hannah? I’d really appreciate it. I’m going to need a couple more to keep up my energy and I want to take some home to the girls and Grandma McCann. That surprise in the middle is a stroke of pure genius!”