Susan Gillard - Toasted Coconut Murder

Table of Contents

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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

Chapter 1

The rich, almost creamy, breath of toasted coconut drifted through the interior of Donut Delights and mingled with the coffee aroma, the steam from mugs and the chatter of the customers.

Coconut could be divisive, but Heather had always loved it. The scent reminded her of baking her grandmothers special toasted coconut cookies during the winter months though Heather had never been good at making anything other than donuts.

The smell in here, Eva said and sniffed delicately. I dont know how to describe it. It reminds me of my mothers apron.

Your mothers apron? Heather asked, and grinned at the blue-haired old lady.

Eva patted down the front of her long, woolen coat and brought out a tiny purse. Yes, dear. She baked frequently and fattened me up as a kid.

You wouldnt say so, Heather replied.

Eva was skinny as a twig, despite her habitual donut eating. Youre too kind. I know these donuts will catch up with me one day, but I cant bring myself to stop eating them.

Want to hear about todays? Heather asked, and tapped the side of her nose. I designed them specifically for the fair this Sunday. A pang of nerves twisted her mind toward the inevitable event, but she pushed it away and focused on her favorite customer instead.

Absolutely, Eva said and peered at the toasted coconut sprinkled donuts beneath the down lights.

They sat on a tray beside last weeks specialty, and beside them, a mix of chocolate and strawberry, fudge and fruit donuts awaited the customers of Heathers store.

These, Heather said and pressed her index finger to the glass above the donuts of the week. Are the Toasted Coconut Donuts.

Whats in them? Apart from the coconut, of course, Eva said and blinked her mascara-free lashes.

The donut itself is a lighter than air base, fluffy and baked in the oven. Vanilla flavored to keep it clean. No cream filling for once. I wanted this to be mess free for the festival.

That cant be all, Eva said. I know youve got a tRay up your sleeve, Heather Shepherd.

I do, Heather said. Ive coated theses donuts in an incredibly light white chocolate ganache. Its barely visible, see? But it should add the complexity of flavor we strive for around here.

And after that?

Its dipped only once, Heather said and lifted her index finger. Then rolled through freshly toasted coconut. I get the shavings from the organic store on the main street.

Eva clasped her hands together. Ill take one of those, please.

Absolutely, Heather said, and bent to get the plate to one side of the counter.

The bell above the glass plate front door tinkled, and Heather snapped upright, color draining from her cheeks.

She stared at the front of the store, but no, these were just customers, and they wound between the tables toward the front counter.

Whats the matter, dear? Eva asked.

Heather punched buttons on the coffee machine, the plate in one hand. Ive just got a lot on my mind, she said. Especially with the fair coming up this weekend. I keep thinking Kate Lavernes going to burst in here and disturb the peace, again.

Eva nodded, and her eyes went as sharp as two knives. That woman is no good, she whispered and shuffled some money out of her purse. Dont worry about her. Shes only doing this because she knows your store is better than hers. Harsh words from a woman who wasnt mean in the slightest.

And that could only mean those harsh words were true.

Heather handed over Evas coffee and plate, just as Angelica hurried toward the counter to help out.

Hey, boss, she said, and tightened her apron. I come help. Amy chase me out of the kitchen to ask for more coconut.

Ill put through a call to our supplier right away, Heather said and gestured to the customers whod stepped up to the counter after Eva. Would you mind?

Angelica planted herself in front of the register with a smile to light a million donut stores.

Heather strode toward her office. She made a point of calling her suppliers in private, in case one of Kates spies was on the lookout. She wouldnt put it past Laverne to have someone watching her every move in the store.

Kate and her brother, Geoff, had the same tendencies. Though, Geoff was relatively harmless and Kate she wanted to cause as much harm as possible, at least in the business sense.

Heather opened her door, slipped inside, then clicked it shut behind her.

The laughter and warmth from the interior of the store didnt disappear entirely. Shed never sound-proofed her office, and she didnt plan on it. Those sounds of happiness made Heathers day, every day.

She walked to her desk and ran her fingers along the back of the office chair in front of it along the way.

Heathers cell phone rang in the front pocket of her Donut Delights apron. She brought it out and swiped her finger across the green icon.

Heather Shepherd, she said.

And this is Detective Shepherd, her husband replied.

Another one? She asked. The rash of murders in Hillside had intensified. Sure, the town had bloomed economically and in size in the last few months, but this was ridiculous.

Yeah, another one, Ryan replied. But this one is tRayy. Its different.

Different how? Heather asked.

Two victims. And they appear to have shot each other, Ryan replied. But I dont think thats the case. Somethings off at the crime scene. Evidence has been tampered with. I need your eye and your opinion.

Heather chewed her bottom lip and kept quiet. She had a lot to deal with this week.

The Tea and Donut Fair was on the horizon. The sales at the store had finally picked up again, and she had to make sure they had enough coconut and other baking goodies for the week.

You can say no, hon if you dont want to get involved, Ryan replied, though a tinge of desperation marred the suggestion.

Heather exhaled. No, she said. I want to help out. It didnt hurt that Ryans Captain had offered to pay her per case she helped solve. Where and when?

The Forest near South Bosque River. One hour.

One hour. That gave her just enough time to sort things out with her suppliers and at the store before she rushed off to get involved.

Ill be there, Heather said.

Chapter 2

The South Bosque River tinkled merrily along between the trees. It grazed the river banks and swept away around a curve, off to destinations unknown. The river carried water and secrets.

Heather stood between the trees, to one side of the yellow plastic markers around the crime scene.

They fell here, Ryan said, and pointed to one side, and here. Then to the other. About five feet apart.

A shoot-out in the middle of the forest, Heather said and turned in a slow circle. She studied the trees and the fishermans shack, nearby. A gathering of poles and a rusted tackle box sat outside it, nestled in the long grass, beside a canoe.

Heather shrugged her jacket closer to her skin. Why?

If we knew that, we wouldnt be here, Ryan said and adjusted his grip on his pen. He hadnt brought out his notepad yet, but he clicked the ballpoint.