Susan Gillard - Peppermint Glazed 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 2016 by Guardian Publishing Group - All rights reserved.

All rights Reserved. No part of this publication or the information in it may be quoted from or reproduced in any form by means such as printing, scanning, photocopying or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Heather Shepherd sat in her favorite spot on a stool behind the counter in Donut Delights and admired her newest creation beneath the glass countertop. Shed gone out on a limb with this one, but why not?

This was her birthday week, and somehow she blamed Amy the assistants in the store had all found out.

What are they called, dear? Eva Schneider asked. She placed her tiny, silver clutch bag on the countertop and leaned in to admire the candy cane coated donuts.

Peppermint Glazed Donuts, Heather replied, and grinned at her friend and oldest customer. I was inspired by one of my grandmothers recipes, as usual, and Christmas is coming, of course.

Oh my, they sound intriguing. Tell me about them, Eva replied, and placed her small, withered hands on top of her bag.

Heather scooched forward a bit. Each donut is made up of light, fluffy chocolate dough deep fried to perfection, then injected with vanilla cream in two pockets along the sides. Thats to break the sharpness of the peppermint flavor, she said and pointed at one of the donuts. After that, theyre dipped in peppermint glaze and sprinkled with crushed up candy canes.

Eva licked her lips. Delicious. Ill take one of those with my morning coffee if you dont mind.

Of course, Heather said, and scooted off her chair. She punched a few buttons on the coffee machine, then brought out a plain, white cup and placed it underneath the spout.

How are you this week? Eva asked. Excited for your birthday?

Ugh, Heather said. Another year older. She bent and brought out a plate, then used her silver tongs to nab a donut from underneath the counter. She fed it onto the plate and placed it on the countertop.

Im sure youll have a wonderful time, Eva replied, and winked. She tapped the side of her nose with her index finger. And I know why.

Oh no. They havent planned anything big, have they? Heather asked.

Evas eyes twinkled, but she didnt reply.

Eva Schneider, Heather said, and pursed her lips. Dont you toy with me.

The kitchen doors opened, and Amy rushed out, her apron dusted in purple. She clutched a bit of paper in her right hand, and a sneaky smile lifted the corners of her lips.

Uh oh, what is it now? Heather asked. She grabbed Evas coffee, placed it on a saucer, then handed it over to the elderly woman.

Eva took a sip. She sighed. That hits the spot.

Okay, were already planning something for you, Amy said and stopped beside Heather. But I just saw this, and I figured its just the perfect way to celebrate your birthday.

What is it? Heather asked, and glanced around the room.

The breakfast rush had already ended, and the stores interior had filled with customers. Each tucked into a donut or sipped on coffee, and the heady aroma of the brew and the tickle of peppermint filled the air.

Amy slapped down a flyer on the counter.

Heather scanned it. Just Jump It Skydiving? She met Amys gaze. Is this a joke?

Of course not, Amy replied. Oh come on, Heather, when have you ever done anything thats scared you.

I catch murderers on almost a weekly basis, Heather replied, flatly. She lowered her voice. Besides, arent you the one whos scared of rats and graveyards and just about everything?

Not skydiving. Thats an adrenaline rush. We have to do it, Heather, come on. Its something you have to do at least once in your life, Amy said.

Heather looked at Eva for support. Can you believe this?

I wash my hands of this, dear, Mrs. Schneider replied. Ill be over by the window gorging on coffee and donuts while you make a decision. She tottered off to her favorite spot in Donut Delights.

Amy clasped her hands together and wrung them. Come on. It would be so fun. Its something we could do together, as besties.

Im sorry, Ames, Im just not comfortable with this. I have a child in my life now, and I feel like Id be putting more than myself at risk, Heather replied, and sat down on her stool, again.

Amy chewed the corner of her lip. But its perfectly safe, she said and thumbed the flyer. These are qualified skydivers. They know what theyre doing. I researched them and everything.

She whipped out her cell and swiped her finger across the screen, then directed it toward Heather.

See? Amy said. Theyve never had an accident. Not once.

Theres a first time for everything, Heather replied, darkly.

Oh lighten up, Amy said and whacked her on the upper arm. Its your birthday! Your birthday. We have to do something amazing.

Cant we just go see a movie or something?

Amy puffed out air. Oh, Im sorry. I didnt realize you wanted to bore me to death on your birthday? Is that your wish? Because another movie is the way to go.

I thought you liked out movie evenings.

I love them, Amy replied, but this is special. Its

Dont say its my birthday again. I heard you the first fifty million times. Heather picked up the flyer and examined it. An image of a woman, mid-air, with an instructor strapped to her back, decorated the page.

She had both thumbs up and a massive grin on her face.

See? Amy said. Shes happy.

You wont convince me on this, Amy Givens, Heather replied. So give it a rest, already.

Okay, wait, okay. Amy adjusted her apron and cleared her throat. You dont have to go skydiving, but at least come check out the place with me. We can take a drive out there this afternoon. Look at where they jump and land. Maybe well even get to see someone in the act.

Heather put down the flyer. She folded her arms across her chest. Its basically winter, Ames. It would be freezing up there.

Just come check it out, thats all I ask. You can make your final decision there, Amy said.

Mirth tickled Heathers brain. Her bestie just didnt know when to quit.

Fine, she said. Fine. Ill go have a look.

Yes! Amy clapped her hands and giggled. Oh, this is going to be great. Youll see. Youre gonna want to dive immediately.

Heather moved to the coffee machine and punched a few buttons. I highly doubt that.

Chapter 2

Heather took the long dirt road which led out to the skydiving range. Was that what it was called? It didnt matter. They wouldnt be there for long, and shed already made her decision.

Heather Shepherd might solve murders and stick her nose where it didnt belong, but that did not include the inside of a plane before a freefall from the heavens.

Were getting close, Amy said and waggled the flyer. Shed brought the thing out at the end of her shift and clung to it ever since.

All right, but wed better make this quick. The last time I left Lilly and Dave with Eva, she fed them both donuts. Dave had a tummy ache when he got home. Cupcake jumped on his belly. There was a vomiting incident. Ugh. I dont need a repeat of that.

Amy chuckled. All right, all right, just keep an open mind. I think the field where they land is around here.

Where they land? Heather asked.

Well yeah, they have to have a specific landing area, so its safe. Cant veer off and end up on the top of a tree somewhere. Amy crunched up the flyer in her hand and waved it around. Can you imagine that?