"I guess you didn't tell the cops you hired him to find out about me?"

"Good heavens, no. The way things are these days, everything we do in personnel is confidential." He lowered his voice, "Besides, Defective Kenner never gives me any information when I need it for an article in the paper."

Defective Kenner? Was that what locals called the stiff, unfriendly guy?

Coswell grinned. "If he wanted to know why I met with Otis at the grocery store, he would have to subpoena that information. Besides, it wouldn't have helped the cops to know Otis was impressed by your devotion to your dog. He really liked that you and your husband share custody. Said he was going to leave a homeless kitten on your doorstep because he knew you'd give it a good home." He snorted. "Poor Otis. The cops said Clyde must have followed him and lured him behind the store."

The loudspeaker crackled. "Contestants, your time begins . . . now!"

I waved to Coswell, preheated the oven, and started chopping celery.

Aromas of thyme, sage, and bacon filled the air in the ballroom. With all the ovens going, our work s.p.a.ces turned into saunas. I was thrilled when four hours had pa.s.sed and we lined up for the announcement of the results.

I should have been nervous, but this moment signaled the end of all the tension I'd been under. The killer was in custody and the stuffing compet.i.tion was behind me.

"And in third place, we proudly present this medal to local celebrity chef Pierre LaPlumme."

"Zut alors," he muttered as he walked up to accept his medal.

"In second place, for her Crusty Country Bread, Bacon, and Herb Stuffing, Sophie Winston."

A hoot went up from the crowd. My family and Mars's applauded. Humphrey, Bernie, and Wolf stood front and center with Nina, cheering. I looked over at Natasha. They'd managed to find a duplicate of the original turkey trophy. Somehow, I didn't think either one of us wanted it.

"And the winner of the TV special and the magazine cover is Wendy Schultz!"

Wendy glowed.

Marvin screamed.

I hoped he'd remember his promise. Wendy accepted the turkey trophy with unrestrained glee and said, "I am so flattered to have won over these distinguished cooks." She looked straight at Natasha when she said, "This proves that plain old good cooking is never too ordinary. It doesn't have be exotic to taste good and be a winner."

THIRTY-THREE.

From "Ask Natasha" : Dear Natasha, Everyone on my street decorates their houses for Christmas beautifully, except for one little old lady who does nothing. She's a bit ornery and slammed her door in my face last year when I brought her a fruitcake. How can we convince her to put a wreath on her door and some lights in her windows?"

-Christmas-Crazy in Christiansburg

Dear Christmas-Crazy,

Plan a decorating block party. Ask the city if you can block your street to traffic for one day. Set up a table outside with hot cider in a crockpot and serve homemade doughnuts. Perfume the air by roasting chestnuts. When the whole block gets together to decorate your street, she won't be able to turn away the wreath you make especially for her or the lights that neighbors string on her home. She'll be thrilled to be part of the holiday festivities.

-Natasha I tightened the sash on my bathrobe and ran outside to see what was upsetting Nina. Wrapped in her silk bathrobe, she stood on Francie's lawn. Francie, dressed in an enormous down bathrobe that doubled her girth, held the leash of a golden retriever. They faced the end of the block. A large truck bearing the arched logo of Alexandria Fine Antiques blocked the road in front of the Wesleys' house. The front door stood open and men carried furniture up the stairs. Natasha supervised the process.

"I can't believe it. With all the houses in this town, she had to move into that one," said Nina.

"She better not start trying to tell us what to do," growled Francie. "I'm not putting one of her tacky wreaths on my door. And I'm not planting topiary in urns, either."

I grinned at Francie. "Is that Duke?"

"Yeah, I adopted him. What with all the Peeping Toms and murders, a single woman needs a dog."

"Francie," I teased, "you were the Peeping Tom."

She looked annoyed. "Not all the time."

"Sophie!" Mom called to me from the sidewalk. Dad wedged around her and carried suitcases to their car.

I trotted over to her.

"We're ready to go, sweetie. But I have wonderful news. Hannah and Craig had such fun that they've decided to be married here. We'll check out places for the wedding when we come back for Christmas in a few weeks."

"I thought we were going to your house for Christmas."

"That's all changed now. Oh, and June has promised to stay with us, too. It'll be a big reunion."

Oh, swell.

I walked Mom to the car and hugged my parents and Hannah. As much as I loved them, it would be good to get back to normal, even for a few weeks. I skipped the hug for Craig, though, stepped back, and waved to them.

As they drove away, Mom stuck her head and arm out of the window and shouted to me, "And I want to see the invitations and menu this time. Natasha's serving goose!"

RECIPES & COOKING TIPS.

First Murder Bourbon Pecan Pie 3 tablespoons b.u.t.ter

teaspoon instant coffee (Sophie uses Sanka.)

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

3 tablespoons bourbon (Airline-size bottle holds

about 4 tablespoons.)

2 eggs

cup dark brown sugar

cup dark corn syrup

teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups roughly chopped pecans

1 unbaked 9-inch pie sh.e.l.l

In a mixer, beat the 2 eggs. Add the brown sugar and the cooled b.u.t.ter and beat. Add the corn syrup, the salt, and the vanilla. Beat to combine all the ingredients. Mix in the pecans. Pour into the pie sh.e.l.l and bake 55 to 60 minutes.

Pour 1 pint whipping cream into mixer and beat until it begins to take shape. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons powdered sugar and teaspoon vanilla. Beat until soft peaks form. Don't overbeat!

If your piecrust doesn't have a beautiful crust around the edge, pipe part of the whipped cream on the edge to cover it!

Brining Basics Brine your turkey in a large roasting pot, clean bucket, or food-safe plastic container large enough for the bird to be covered with water.

About 32 hours before cooking the turkey, remove the giblets and place the bird in the container. Cover with salted water made of cup of kosher salt per gallon. Add cup sugar to the brine.

Place the container in the refrigerator for 8 hours. (The turkey must be kept refrigerated during the brining process.) Remove the turkey and discard the water. Rinse the turkey and place on a roasting rack uncovered in your refrigerator for about 24 hours before cooking.

NOTE:.

Do not brine a kosher turkey or one that has been injected with any solution or is labeled self-basting.

Crusty Country Bread, Bacon, and Herb Stuffing 1 pound crusty country-style bread

1 pound bacon (Sophie prefers bacon without

added preservatives.)

stick of b.u.t.ter (4 tablespoons)