Susan Gillard - Chocolate Crunch 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 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

Dark tables and checkered plastic seats decorated Randys Burger Bar. The dcor had changed since the last time Heather had been to the place, but the atmosphere had improved, at least.

Its that quiet, tonight, she said and smiled at her hubby. She turned that grin on their dinner companion, Lilly Jones.

The young girl sat on the edge of her seat, swinging her legs back and forth, back and forth. She sucked on the end of her straw, drawing up the strawberry milkshake and glugging it down.

This is a good milkshake, Lilly said. Its the best Ive had so far. Apart from the ones at your place, Heather.

Heather insisted that Lilly called her by her first name. Whenever Lilly called her aunt,' she could practically feel gray hairs sprouting at her temples.

Yeah, youd better say that, Heather replied, then winked.

I should save the rest of mine, and then you can take it home for Dave. Hell like it too. Lilly shifted back in her seat, and then leaned her head against the black and white squares.

Dont you worry about Dave, hes had enough fattening treats to last him a lifetime, Heather said.

Ryan snorted. He stole my beef jerky, last night. Right outta the cupboard. I have no idea how he got in there. I swear hes learned how to unlock doors now.

I told you. That dog is devious when it comes to his tummy. Heather sighed. She took a sip of her soda and the fizz trickled down the back of her throat. Enough about doggy Dave, she said, lets talk about you, Lils.

What about me? Lilly had been closed off since her fathers arrest. And no small wonder. Hed murdered and innocent woman and treated his daughter like a slave in their home.

How are you enjoying life with Bill and Colleen? Heather asked.

The Foster Folks, Lilly said, and flashed a sly grin. Thats what I call them when they cant hear me. Theyre okay, I guess. A little boring.

Boring is good. Trust me. Ryan craned his neck, scanning the restaurant for their waiter, of course.

I dunno. They make a lot of lasagnas, so thats okay. But yeah, I guess I just want to have a little more fun. Lilly slurped on her milkshake.

Well, you should come by and visit Dave. I know he misses you already, Heather replied. All I have to say is Lilly and he wags his tail like crazy. I swear its like hes going to take off and helicopter into the ceiling.

That would be a lot of fun, Lilly said and grinned.

The waiter swept to their table and placed their burgers in front of them. A Mexican chicken burger for Lilly, a good old fashioned bacon cheeseburger for Ryan and a hamburger with guacamole for Heather.

At last, Ryan said and dragged the plate toward himself. Yes, please. Cheese, check. Bacon, check.

Diet? Heather asked.

Never checking that box. Her hubby lifted the burger off the plate and took a massive bite. He chewed noisily, and then groaned. Okay, this place is definitely getting better.

I told you. If you just give Randys a chance to find its

Glass shattered in the kitchen, and the entire restaurant fell silent. Lilly pursed her lips and turned in her seat. Heather peered at the swinging doors at the far end of the room.

Probably just a chef dropping a plate, Ryan said.

Another clatter, this time, what sounded like a pot lid? The bang, roll, and wobble of metal on tiles reverberated through the room.

Jung burst out of the kitchen, the doors swinging in his wake, and strode down the center aisles.

Hey, doesnt that guy work at the bakery? Lilly asked.

Heather opened her mouth to reply, and then snapped it shut again.

Randy, the owner of the restaurant, strode into the room. He rammed his knuckles on his hips and his expansive belly jostled in response. This isnt over yet, Jung! He yelled.

The coupled opposite Heathers booth put down their cutlery, shared a glance, and then stared at the overweight guy in the chefs getup.

Randy grabbed the white hat off his head and threw it onto the tiles. Dont you dare walk away from me!

I have nothing more to say to you, Jung replied. Hes stopped just short of the exit; cheeks flushed, and he blinked one, two, three times in a row. Nothing. Im tired of all the pressure from you.

This is ridiculous, Randy boomed. Come back into the kitchen and we can sit down and talk about this. His beady eyes darted around the restaurants interior. His gaze rested on a few of his customers faces, then flickered away again. Theres no need to disturb these lovely people. Sorry about this folks.

Thats exactly why Im leaving. I wont be bullied by you anymore. Im not going to quit my job, so stop asking. And with that, Jung slammed out into the Hillside evening and disappeared. The front door clapped closed, and Heather flinched.

Quit his job? Heather shook her head. Why would Randy want Jung to leave Donut Delights?

You should ask him, Lilly said.

Heather met the young girls gaze. Excitement shone from her liquid brown eyes. The light of adventure, for sure.

No, Lilly, and I dont want you to worry about it, either. Everythings fine.

But

Heather raised a finger. Dont make me lecture you, young lady. You know I dont like it.

Lilly sighed and rolled her eyes classic pre-teen gesture then shrugged. If you say so. But I wouldnt trust that guy if I were you.

Which one? Ryan asked, around a mouthful of burger patty and cheese. Of course, he hadnt stopped eating regardless of the altercation.

The chef, Lilly said. She turned back to Randy, whod switched from fists on the hips to idly swinging his arms by his sides. I dont trust him. He looks like hes up to something.

Ryan lowered his voice for Heathers ears only. Did you transfer your sleuthing gene to her?

Gosh, Heather replied, I hope not.

Investigating has its ups, but it sure had a lot of downs. And it wasnt fit for a ten-year-old girl.

Chapter 2

Amy brushed the top of the glass counter and squinted at a smudge of glaze. She grabbed a napkin, then wiped up the mess, her tongue poking out of the corner of her mouth.

We have to be more careful handling these donuts, she said. The Chocolate Crunches are dripping glaze everywhere.

Thats because theyre triple dipped, Heather replied. She couldnt help being proud of that.

The Cinnamon Nut Crunches from the week prior had given her a bright idea. A follow-up donut a deep-fried chocolate donut, triple dipped in a vanilla glaze and topped with homemade choc-dipped hazelnuts.

Triple dipped for triple the flavor, Amy replied. Shed settled into her role in Donut Delights as if shed been employed in the bakery for years. So, Ive been thinking.

Oh boy, whenever you get a bright idea I start sweating.

Relax, relax. Theres no need to hum a tune or anything. Ive just realized that weve been eating a lot of donuts lately. Like a lot. Amy sighed and abandoned her napkin. The glaze smudge had disappeared, granting a crystal clear view of the rows of pink, white and choc chipped lovelies below.

Eating donuts comes with the territory. It happens to be one of the perks around here.