Susan Gillard - Candied Maple Bacon Murder

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Chapter 1

Heather stroked her palms across the surface of the glass countertop, smiling at the newest addition to the Donut Delights repertoire. The Candied Maple Bacon Donut was a combination of crunchy, salty and deliciously sweet.

The donut base, deep-fried of course, had basic maple glaze. The circles glistened beneath the new down lights in the counter.

They do look lovely, dear, Eva Schneider said, placing her purse on the counter beside the cash register. In fact, I think Ill take an entire box. The staff at Hillside Regional will love these.

Youre still visiting them? Heather asked, and bent to get a cardboard box from beneath the table. These are on the house then.

One of these days youre going to have to let me pay for my donuts, Heather. Youre losing money because of me, Eva replied, wringing her wrinkled hands, and then reaching up to fluff her newly plum-colored hairdo.

Heather boxed up the donuts, tummy grumbling at the sight of them, and then handed them over to her best customer and a good friend. Tell you a secret, Heather said, leaning in, Were doing better than ever thanks to the new website. Were starting to get orders from across the country.

Thats fantastic! Eva said, grasping the box of donuts. Youll need to expand.

You might be right about that. I dont think well be able to keep up with online orders and the customers in the store.

Heather glanced around at the crowds of donut devourers and coffee guzzlers. They were seated at the tables, some of them slurping on milkshakes, though it was barely past 9 am.

Maybe that new donut store will take some of your customers, Eva said, then wrinkled her nose. Though, their donuts cant be as good as yours.

Heather nodded, absently, and then hummed a tune under her breath. A habit shed picked up recently. Whenever she felt a little stressed about business or anything else, shed hum a song.

The most recent addition to her repertoire was Gold Dust Woman by Fleetwood Mac.

I love that song, Eva said. What is that?

Heather opened her mouth to answer, but her cell tinkled to life. Just a sec, Eva, she said, then dug it out from the cupboard beneath the register. She lifted it and squinted at the screen.

Unknown number, who could that be?

Anxiety tumbled through her belly, turning over and over. She sucked in a breath, then swiped her finger across the screen.

Hello?

Hello? A woman asked, voice squeaking on the o.'

Yes, hello, you called me. Who is this? Heather asked, then beckoned for Maricela to man the register. Her assistant grinned and hurried over, her long dark hair bobbing in its ponytail.

Heather? That you, Heather? The woman asked, words popping out between deep gasps for breath. I need your help. Im on my way.

Heather frowned and pulled the phone from her ear, checked the caller ID again. She blinked at Eva. Ill be right back, she whispered, covering the phone with her palm.

She turned and hurried to her office, pressing the cell to her ear again.

Are you there? Heather, please be there, girl. I really, like, need your help. The woman grunted, more panting. The scrape of shoes on concrete.

Heather shut her office door and stood in the center of the room. Who is this?

Honey Trickle

Honey? She hadnt seen the dancer for months. Not since Kent had been attacked and shed tasked herself with finding the perpetrator. What do you need?

Heather probably wouldnt have anything for Honey, unless it were a donut thatd sent the dancer running through the streets.

Help me. Hes coming. The connection cut out for a second, replaced by the crackle of static or was it fabric against the microphone?

Hello? Honey, can you hear me? Talk to me, Honey. Im right here. Heather hummed a bar, then stopped and shook her head. Now wasnt the time.

Hes coming to get me. Where are you? Honey hissed into the phone. Im so scared. I need you to find me.

Whats going on?

I cant talk, Honey whispered, voice dropping lower and lower. Hes too close.

Honey, can you get to the donut shop? Im at Donut Delights. You know where it is right?

Yeah, she said and whimpered. Ill try.

Where are you, now? Heather asked.

The line went dead. The shrill beep, beep of the dial tone sent shivers up and down Heathers spine. The sunny surrounds, the trees, their leaves waving from across the road, were unconcerned.

Hillside didnt know that something terrible was about to happen.

Heather dialed Ryans number.

Hey, babe, he said, nows not a great time. Davidson is jumping on me about the Kramer case and I cant

Honey Trickle is in danger. She just called me on my cell and told me shes being chased by a man. That hes close and asked for my help. I told her to make her way to Donut Delights.

Where is she? Ryan asked.

I asked, but the line went dead before she answered. Oh gosh, should I have told her to stay where she was? It sounded like shed have to run. I mean, he was closing in. Panic curled through Heathers chest.

Stress had compounded in the past weeks. The new donut orders, Geoff Lawless store, studying to get her diploma so she could be a proper P.I., all of it had set her nerves chattering.

Just relax, babe. Im going out now. Ill find her.

Should I call 911?

No, theres not much theyll be able to do without an address. Ill handle this myself. You stay where you are. Eat a donut for the sugar. Just relax, love, Ill handle it, Ryan said, then hung up.

Heather exhaled slowly, puffing out her cheeks. Well, if anyone could help Honey it was her gorgeous husband. Hed find her and protect her, and then Heather could get back to her day.

Business as usual.

Chapter 2

Heather sat at Evas favorite table, the cardboard box of donuts pressed against the wall, and two cups of strong coffee on the wrought iron table between them.

How about a donut, dear? You need the sweetness to calm your nerves, Eva said.

No, no. I dont want a donut. I dont think Id be able to force it down, right now, Heather replied.

As much as she loved donuts, especially her donuts, she couldnt push the image of Honey in danger aside. The woman had sounded terrified, positively breathless with fear.

I hope shes okay, Heather said.

Eva reached across the table and patted her on the forearm. Im sure shes fine. After all, you called Ryan, and hes the best police officer in Hillside. You can trust him to get to her on time.

I know. It was just such a creepy phone call, Heather said and glanced around the room.

She didnt want to freak out her staff or her customers. They chatted amicably, and Maricela and Jung joked around behind the counter, ringing up orders and making lattes.

You need to relax, Heather, Eva said. Trust me. I know all about stressful situations. Youre going to make it through this time. Stress is a challenge.

You can say that again, she replied, and picked up her cup. She sipped coffee from it and swallowed. Warmth spread through her chest and into her stomach, but it did nothing to soothe her.

Thats not what I mean, dear, Eva replied, a soft smile deepening the wrinkles beside her eyes and lips.

Then what do you mean?

Challenges are presented to us. Theyre there to be conquered. Every time you face a challenge you learn something, and theres nothing more valuable than knowledge, Eva replied. She tapped the side of her nose with a gnarled finger.

The door to Donut Delights crashed open, the bell tinkled overhead, frantic for attention.

Heather turned in her chair, heart thumping in her throat.

Kent stood in the doorway, fist pressed against the glass of the door, holding it open. Gusts of wind entered the store, warm from the summer heat, and several tables of customers looked around for the source.