Susan Gillard - Oreo Sprinkled Murder

Table of Contents

Get Early Access to My Books For FREE!

Every two weeks youll get a new Cozy Novella from me absolutely FREE.

Sign up now! http://bit.ly/SusanDGillard

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 stood in front of the glass case in the Hillside Museum of Heritage and placed her hand on Lillys shoulder.

Is that it? Lilly asked.

Thats it.

Its unbelievable, Eva Schneider said and shuffled closer to their small group.

Amy stifled a yawn and rapped on the glass with her knuckle. Its a hunk of metal, big deal. Stick a five-inch donut in there, and I might be impressed. She shrugged.

Lilly rolled her eyes at Heathers bestie, then leaned closer to the display. Well, I think its awesome. Its pure gold?

Heather scanned the card attached to a small, Perspex stand in front of the case. The Gooses Egg. This five-inch nugget of gold was found in the South Bosque River and weighs in at approximately three pounds. It represents the last known, significant discovery of alluvial gold in the State of Texas.

Eva clasped her hands together. What a wonderful piece of heritage for our town.

Exactly, Heather said, then smiled at the elderly woman. Strange. It doesn't say when it was found. Or by whom.

I bet it was one of those guys who goes out with the pan. You know, the pan they stick in the water? Lilly asked. She was close enough to the glass case that her breath fogged up the view.

Like the Gold Rush show, Amy said. They have those huge machines that pump the water up, then sieve through all the mud and gunk.

Yeah, thats what I mean. But then they only get, like, a tube of gold chips or something. A tube. And thats worth a lot of money, Lilly said and swung around on the spot. She stared up at Heather. I wonder what this one is worth?

Heather smiled at the newest addition to her family, then glanced around the display area.

It was the perfect Sunday afternoon trip.

Groups of Hillside residents wandered from display to display, but the Gooses Egg definitely drew the most attention. Children gaped at the massive chunk of gold, which glimmered yellow beneath the display light.

Maybe we can find out, Heather said.

A man in a smart suit, he had to be about fifty years old, walked through the crowd. Pride beamed from his every movement. The name tag plastered to his suit read, Curator Henry Boddington.

The Hillside Report had done a special on Mr. Boddington and his plans to open the museum Hillsides first of its nature. No wonder he was proud. This was a huge day for the town and a man of his stature.

Ill be right back, Heather said, then marched toward the man. She stopped in front of him and put up a smile. Fantastic displays, Mr. Boddington.

Thank you. His baritone thrummed through the room. I dont believe weve met. He extended a hand.

Heather took it and gave it a firm shake. Im Heather Shepherd. I wondered if youd be able to answer a few questions about the Gooses Egg.

Ah, he said, and swallowed, then swallowed again. Strange.

Are you all right?

Just fine, thank you. He loosened his collar, then smiled. The Gooses Egg is our most popular display, as Im sure youve notice. Ive had ten people ask me about it.

Well, I hope you wont mind repeating yourself and eleventh time, Heather replied, and chuckled.

The curator laughed, then swallowed twice. Of course not. I love educating people about this kind of thing. Its part of the reason I decided to bring the Gooses Egg to its area of origin. I was born in Hillside, you know.

I didnt, Heather replied, then readjusted her tote bag on her shoulder.

Yeah, I left a long time ago, but its always been my lifes dream to source Hillsides most precious treasures and return them to

Boddington! A womans shriek cut their conversation in two.

Heather jerked and glanced around.

A young, attractive lady stormed toward them. Her fiery red hair flicked in the breeze created by her own movement.

Henry Boddingtons body language changed, immediately. He shrank in on himself. Then massaged the tufts of hair at his temples. Miss Hines.

Boddington, she repeated and stopped beside them. You havent answered any of my calls.

Ive been busy, he said, then gestured around the room at the cases. As you can probably tell. His words slurred together, and Heather frowned. What was that about?

Miss Hines gaze danced around the area and rested on the Gooses Egg. So, I see. We had an appointment.

We did not.

We had an appointment, she insisted, then narrowed her eyes at Heather. Do you mind?

Heather swallowed a wry chuckle. Do you mind? I was in the middle of a conversation with the curator before you rudely interrupted.

Hines raised an eyebrow. And who are you, exactly?

Im Heather Shepherd, she replied.

The womans cheeks paled. Oh. I didnt know that. I uh, Im Sara Hines.

Sara Hines. Why did that name ring a bell? An alarm bell, at this rate. Heather couldnt abide rude people.

Miss Hines, the curator said, and his tone strengthened. I am in the middle of something. Perhaps, we can schedule a discussion later on.

Fine, Hines snapped. But dont try to snake out of it this time. This is happening, Boddington. Whether you like it or not. And with that, the redhead turned and stormed off toward the exit.

She bashed people out of her way. Amy blinked at her then gestured for Heather to join them.

Mr. Boddington, I Heather cut off. The curator had disappeared. A door at the far end of the room slammed shut behind him.

Heather put her hands in her jean pockets and tilted her head to one side. Strange, she said, very strange.

Au-Heather, Lilly called out. Come take a look at this. Its the fur of some kind of animal.

Ew, Amy said.

Heather chewed the inside of her cheek and stared at the dark wood door. She shook her head, then turned back to the group. An animal?

Yeah, look at it, Lilly said and pointed at the shaggy rug of fur hanging from the wall. I wonder when it died.

Chapter 2

Heather placed her fists on her hips and stared around the kitchen in Donut Delights. Her assistants stared right back. Amy and Maricela exchanged a grin, and Angelica giggled.

Ken gave her a thumbs up, and Jung nodded, though his expression remained serious.

A clock ticked on the wall. The sun hadnt risen yet.

Everyone, Heather said. Id like to introduce you to our newest assistant. Miss Emily Potts. She gestured to the young woman beside her.

Applause scattered through the space.

Emily blushed and dabbed at her cheeks with her fingertips. I thank you, she said, softly. I hope I wont disappoint.

Not with our help, Amy said, then crooked her finger at the newest addition to the Donut Delights team. Come on. Weve got work to do.

Emily hurried to the counter, and Amy handed her an apron, then helped her tie it on.

Emilys just moved to Hillside. Im sure youd all like to get to know her better, Heather said, then smiled at her assistants. But weve got a big day ahead of us and lots of donuts to make, so I suggest you do it while we work. Got it?

Got it, the assistants chorused.

Got it, Emily said, a second later.