Susan Gillard - Passion Fruit Punch 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

Good morning, Heather sang, and held the door open for Amy, behind her.

The interior of Col Owens tea shop had a peaceful atmosphere, to match the iced green teas and hot cups he served both in the front of the store and in the sit-down section.

Hello there, Col replied. Come to check everything is in order?

Amy buried her neck in the puffy confines of her blue coat and folded her arms across her chest. This would be so much easier if it wasnt so darn cold.

Cold? Col frowned and glanced down at his cut off sleeves and jean shorts. Thats the last thing Id call it. As a native New Yorker, Col didnt feel the Hillside winter was actually a winter.

He insisted on prancing around in his summer clothes.

Some of us have thermal cell receptor thingies, Amy said.

Heather raised an eyebrow at her bestie, and let the door swing shut. Thermal cell receptor thingies?

Its not my best work, but I stand by it, Amy replied.

Col snorted a laugh and disappeared from sight behind his counter. He brought out the stack of coupons hed prepared. Here you are, he said.

Heather scurried forward and accepted them. Each bore the logo of the Owen Tea Shop in the corner, and the phrase Well Tea You Soon!

Amy would love that.

Heather dug in her beige tote bag and brought out her own set of Donut Delights coupons. She handed them over to her new joint venture partner.

So, every customer gets one of these? Amy asked, and lifted the Tea Shop coupons from Heather. Her expression flickered between a dozen different emotions at the sight of the slogan.

Thats right, Col replied. Every Donut Delights customer gets a free tea at the Owen Tea Shop.

And every Tea Shop customer is entitled to a free donut with us, Heather said, proudly.

The idea had been Evas. Shed never cease to amaze Heather with her wisdom.

This is really cool, Ames said. Shed been the one to help cut out Heathers Donut Delights coupons. She flick-flacked the stack of Tea Shop coupons against her palm. Im not big on tea, but Im always willing to try new things.

Youve never had tea before? Cols jaw dropped. You havent lived.

Ive had tea tea. I just havent had a special tea.

Tea tea? Heather asked.

Yeah, you know, the normal stuff.

Ceylon tea, Col said.

Amy clicked her fingers and pointed at the young man. Yeah that. Ive had that. But nothing exotic.

Then youve got to try my newest leaf, Col said. He bent and gathered a rustic sack of tea leaves from under his counter. This is Peach Cobbler Guayusa tea. Its straight from the Amazon forest. Very exotic. Its got similar effects to coffee too.

Amy bit her lip and sniffed. It smells pretty strong.

The door clacked open behind them, and a man in a bicycle helmet and tight spandex shorts jogged into the story. Mornin, Col, he said and waved a gloved hand. How are you?

Good, good. Im just about to whip up a batch of the Peach Cobbler. You in?

Oh, you bet, the man said, and two bright, blue eyes twinkled beside his sharp, hooked nose.

Heather Shepherd, Amy Givens, this is my neighbor, Freddy Mars, Col said and plopped the coupons on the counter. He busied himself with a china teapot, matching flowery cups, and a strange metal device which had to be a tea strainer.

Heathers mind itched at a memory. Huh, Freddy Mars. Thats a familiar name. Do I know you from somewhere?

Freddy whipped off his cut-off gloves and raised a shaking hand to his forehead. He puffed out his cheeks and exhaled. I dont think so. Kinda hot in here, isnt it Col?

Nah, youre just all lathered up from the ride. You want a green tea instead?

Cobbler, Freddy said, by way of confirmation.

Amy stared at him. Youre riding a bike out in this weather? She snuggled her coat closer to her body.

Oh yeah, Freddy said, and gulped. The skin around his lips had paled too. Oh yeah, its great. Keeps the heart beating.

So does warmth, Amy muttered, and rubbed her arms.

Here we go, Col said and lifted the cups in their saucers onto the countertop, one at a time. Its a quick brew. Try it without sugar first to see how you like it.

Amy picked up her cup and Freddy shuffled forward and took his too. Heather hung back. Shed had half a pot of coffee before work, already. The nerves about the J.V. had finally gotten to her.

What if it didnt work? What if people got their coupons and forgot to use them? Itd help if Cols tea shop were a little closer to Donut Delights, but the walk wasnt too bad.

Amy sniffed her tea. Hoo! Thats quite strong.

Its the best, Freddy said, and wetted his lips. He lifted the cup and drank deeply from it.

Amy didnt drink just yet. Think Ill wait for it to cool a little.

Tea is best when its hot, Col said. The beads which hung in the doorway behind him rattled, and Mona, his girlfriend, appeared.

Morning, she said and beamed at them both.

Heather had helped solved the murder case of Monas husband, just the week prior.

Hel Oh! Amy yelped.

Freddy Mars wavered toward her, then away.

Freddy? You okay? Col asked.

The tea cup dropped from Freddys grasp and smashed to the ground. Bits of China scattered in every direction. The saucer dropped next.

Freddy! Mona darted around the corner of the counter.

Freddy Mars teetered. He tottered. He crumpled to the ground in front of them.

Amy shrieked and tossed the tea aside. More shattering of plates and cups ensued. Col yelled and grasped his blond, wispy hair in both hands. Mona sobbed and dropped down beside the fallen cyclist.

Nobody move, Heather said, calm as a cup of cold milk. Nobody touch him and nobody move. She brought out her cell phone, swiped her finger across the screen, the dialed three digits.

Chapter 2

D-do you think hell be all right? Amy asked, and tightened the straps of her Donut Delights apron.

They hovered behind the counter, the donut of the week glistening beneath the lights inside it.

I cant say, Heather replied. The medic didnt say much, Ames. At least, hes alive. Shed seen worse in her short time as a consultant to the Hillside Police Department.

Amy exhaled and brushed her fingers through her hair. Heather, you dont think it was the

Tea? Heather glanced at the stack of coupons on the countertop, right beside her old-timey cash register, with its golden crank handle. No, I dont think Col Owen tried to poison his neighbor.

Then what happened? Amy asked, and lowered herself onto a puffy stool. We both saw it. He drank the tea and a couple of minutes later he collapsed.

He looked strange before that, though. He was shaking, Heather said and lowered her tone to prevent her happy customers from picking up on their conversation.

If the gossip got out that a man had collapsed in her joint venture partners store, shed never hear the end of it. Questions galore from adults and children alike. Everyone in Hillside had a streak of innate curiosity.

Heathers was just a bit stronger.