Crêpe Murder: Book 4 (A Patisserie Mystery with Recipes) by Harper Lin

You know all this?”  

    “Sure, I keep tabs on who’s who in this town. I see him in the papers sometimes, but not you. What happened?”  

    “Well, I was never big on the socialite scene. The only reason I’m going to the party tonight is to meet Livia Egle.”  

    “Livia? I know her, although I haven’t seen her in ages. I designed her wedding dress four years ago, although her marriage lasted less than all the time it took for me to make the darn dress! Why do you want to meet her?”

    “Are you a close friend of hers?”  

    “Close? Well, I would’ve said so a few years ago. We’re still friends now and she has always been a great supporter of my brand, but she’s also someone who dropped off the face of the earth last year, right after her, you know, unfortunate incident.”  

    “The kidnapping?”

    “Poor girl, who could blame her really. It must’ve been terrifying, but she refuses to talk about it.”  

    “Do you know Sophie Seydoux?” asked Clémence.  

    “Yes, she’s an acquaintance. I’ve dressed her before.”  

    “Well, did you know that she’s been kidnapped?”

    Marcus gasped. “No. She has? Recently?”  

    Clémence nodded. “Allegedly by the same man who kidnapped Livia. It’s why I want to talk to her. Can you please help me get in touch with her? I’m a friend of Sophie’s family, and we want to find out more about the kidnapper and Livia’s experiences with him.”

    “Okay, wow.” Marcus thought about it for a moment. “I can try calling her now.”  

    Marcus pulled out his cell phone and made the call, but he left what sounded like a voicemail message.  

    “Not there?”  

    “Led me straight to voicemail. Her phone must be turned off. She does that throughout the entire flight when she’s flying, just in case. Her cousin died in a plane crash when she was young, so she gets paranoid about flying. If she calls back, I can give her your number.”  

    “That would be great.” Clémence wrote it down for him.  

    “My condolences to Sophie’s family. When did this happen?”  

    “She went missing as early as Friday.”

    “I didn’t know.”  

    “It’s not public knowledge yet. It’s unfortunate because there’s nothing much we can do.”  

    Marcus nodded. “If she doesn’t call back, I’ll introduce you tonight. Tell me you’re going in that dress.”  

    “It’s beautiful, but maybe too beautiful. Maybe I’ll try on the black.”  

    “Honey, the black would of course look great on you too, but my lavender dress is made for you. Tell you what. Why don’t I let you borrow the dress for the night?”  

    “What? You don’t have to do that.”  

    “Yes, I insist. It’s more for by business than for you. You’re going to be photographed in the dress, and you’re the perfect person to sell it. Trust me, it’s more for my benefit than yours.”  

    “Well…” Clémence examined herself in the dress again. She would be photographed, wouldn’t she?  

    She had mixed feelings about being in the spotlight. People could be so cruel sometimes. She was never that famous, but Marcus was making it sound as if she was an A-lister who would be catapulting him to fame instead of the other way around. Still, the offer was tempting. If she bought the dress, it wasn’t as if she would wear it again after she’d been photographed in it and it would’ve been money wasted.  

    “Okay, I accept. Thank you so much Marcus.”  

    “No problem. Vivien will help you wrap up the dress at the cash. I’m sure you’re going to be absolutely stunning. I’ll see you tonight.”  

CHAPTER 12
    The makeup artist finished working on Clémence’s face as Madeleine got her hair done. Madelein’s long brown hair was in loose waves, and one side was pinned up with a diamond barrett. She wore a matching diamond necklace and a silver vintage Chanel dress.

    Clémence’s hair was a challenge to work into a style other than her