Susan Gillard - Banana Fudge Murder

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Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the authors imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Copyright 2017 by Guardian Publishing Group - All rights reserved.

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Table of Contents

Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum, yum, yum, yum, Amy sang. Banana fudge!

Is that to the tune of Banana Phone ? Heather asked, with a laugh. It had been a long time since she had heard that song and she wasnt expecting to be serenaded with it so suddenly.

It is, Amy agreed. But with a twist inspired by your newest donut creation.

Im glad my flavors inspire you, Heather said. She was also glad to see that her bestie was looking more cheerful. She felt like something was on Amys mind all morning. They normally shared everything; from ideas about dessert to suspicions about who was guilty in a murder case to their deepest personal problems. Amy was also usually very vocal about her feelings, even if she announced them by telling a sarcastic joke. Heather was concerned that Amy did not want to talk about what was distracting her that morning, but decided that her friend would tell her when she was ready. Amy might not be ready to admit something to herself, and so she couldnt tell her friend about it yet.

However, with a happy tune, it seemed like things were looking more positive in Amys mind. Heather was about to comment on this change, and reaffirm to her bestie that she was always there for her with whatever she needed. Heathers helping hand could give her a pat on the back, could swat away annoyances or could mix more delicious donut delicacies.

However, before Heather had a chance to say any of this her assistant, Maricela joined them in the kitchen.

Hows the new batch of the Banana Fudge Donuts coming along? Maricela asked. This flavor is really popular. Were going to need to stock some more soon.

I just finished with these, Heather said, indicating to the Banana Fudge Donuts that had inspired her friends tune. However I promised Amy that she could have one. And I think I might have to indulge too.

Thats fine. Youre the boss, boss.

Heather rolled her eyes. She had told her assistants to call her Heather, but now they called her boss to tease her. She should be used to it by now, but the double use of the word boss brought back her old eye roll. She thought of her assistants more like family than employees, and the feelings of care and admiration were mutual.

Tell you want, Heather said. You can have a donut too if you call me Heather.

Its a deal, Heather. Maricela said, before adding, You know how to strike a hard bargain, boss.

Amy laughed while Heather groaned. Then the three of them picked up a donut and took a bite.

Have I told you how much I love working here? Maricela said.

You might have mentioned it, Heather smiled.

The cake is so moist, Amy said. Its like theres real banana in there.

Thanks, Heather said. Thats what I was going for. Its a banana flavored cake base. I didnt want it to taste too artificial.

Its a perfect balance, Maricela seconded. Its not like the overpowering banana flavoring in some candies. It really is a nice cake-y flavor in a donut.

And it doesnt hurt that its covered in chocolate! said Amy.

Its a chocolate fudge icing, Heather said. Its a little thicker than regular chocolate icing, but I thought it would balance the base.

It does, Amy said. And I like the yellow sprinkles on top.

They were just to add a dash of color to the donut, Heather said. And I know a lot of our customers love sprinkles.

A lot of our customers love everything you make, Maricela said. And speaking of them, I better get these donuts out there for them to buy and enjoy.

They helped Maricela with a tray, and she headed back to the front counter and the dedicated Donut Delights customers.

I think I need a second Banana Fudge Donut, Amy said. I might have to join those customers in line.

Dont bother, Heather said. I have a secret stash.

It wasnt really secret, but there was another donut hiding behind a measuring cup. Heather handed it to her grateful friend.

You enjoy that. If its selling so well, I think Im going to make another batch before I help behind the counter.

I really love this flavor, Amy said. It partly reminds me of an ice cream sundae, partly reminds me of chocolate covered fruit, and is all-around delicious.

Stop complimenting me, or Ill start eating again instead of baking, Heather joked.

The perils of working in a bakery, Amy responded.

I am really glad you like this though, Heather said. I thought maybe something was bothering you, but now you seem happier.

How can I be sad when I have sugar? Amy said, with another bite for emphasis. Then she continued, And I wasnt really sad. I was just thinking about things.

Thats not vague at all.

A definitive thing that I was thinking of is that we should pack up some of these Banana Fudge Donuts for dessert tonight. Im sure the fancy restaurant will offer us some desserts, but Im also sure these will be better. We can eat there and then feast on these after.

Heather nodded. She and Amy were going on a double date that evening to L'oie D'or, an upscale French restaurant that they had not tried before. Heather fondly remembered her honeymoon trip to France (even though a murder case did have to rear its head and force Ryan and her to do some sleuthing on their otherwise romantic trip) and thought it was worth trying the food.

All of her friends loved her favorite restaurant Dos Chicos as much as she did, but they wanted to try a new experience together that Amys boyfriend Jamie could be on the ground floor of. He sometimes felt like a latecomer to their close-knit group, especially when the other three starting investigating a case together. However, he and Amy were a wonderful couple, and you could see how much they loved one another. Jamie had also started joining in more group activities with them, and was starting to feel more like part of the gang and not only Amys plus one.

You know Im always game for a donut dessert, Heather said. And I think I should bring some home too for my babysitters. Eva and Leila told me they love this flavor.

That wasnt much of a surprise. Eva had started out as Heathers favorite customer, but the older lady had soon become a close friend. Eva and her bestie Leila were staying with Heather until their home was rebuilt after a nasty case of arson. They kindly agreed to babysit Heathers daughter Lilly during her date tonight. The more she thought about it, the more she thought that Eva and Leila might have been hoping to be paid in donuts for their favor. They couldnt get enough of the treats, but that was something that Heather completely understood.

I think thats a great idea, Amy said. She had finished her donut and was starting to look distracted again.

Okay, Heather said. Whats wrong?

Im out of donuts, Amy joked. Then she admitted, Im a little worried about things with Jamie and me.

Did something happen? Heather asked. She had thought that Jamie had proven himself to be worthy of her best friend, but if he turned out not to be the man she thought he was she wasnt against taking out her rolling pin!