Susan Gillard - Rhubarb Frosted 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
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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Heather handed Amy the box of Rhubarb Frosted donuts, then fumbled around in her purse for her cellphone.

Hes late, Amy remarked, then sighed and checked her watch. It had silver accents with hearts at the tips of the hands a gift from Kent.

I know, I know, but hes been really busy with work lately, Heather replied. She checked her messages. Nope, nothing from Ryan. Looks like well have to meet him at the restaurant.

This was their first proper double date with Kent and Amy, and Heather had hoped that her husband would be free. But duty called at the Hillside police station.

Thats all right. And thanks for these by the way, Amy said and lifted the box of donuts. Kents been snacking consistently on Donuts Delights products since he got to Hillside.

They walked up the stairs to Kents front door, and Amy rapped her knuckles on the hardwood. Honey, its me, Amy called out.

Heather made an immature kissy face just to tease her.

Amy tapped her on the arm and rolled her eyes. She knocked again, but still no answer.

The dusky purple of early evening had settled around their shoulders. The weather was balmy instead of sweltering, and both women had opted for strappy, summery dresses and open sandals.

Amy knocked again, and then sighed. Maybe hes in the shower or on the phone or something. Here, she said, then whipped out her keys, I can let us in.

Wow. Things have certainly moved along since I last saw you two together at the wedding.

Amys grin split her face into an expression of pure joy. Thats right. Im telling you. Hes the one for me. Dont tell him that, though. Im trying to play hard to get.

And donuts are included in your scheme?

Shush you, Amy replied, and tapped her on the arm again.

Heathers bestie inserted the key into the lock and turned. A click, a turn and one squeaking door later, and they were inside Kents new Hillside home.

Kent? Amy called out and walked down the wide hall and into the open planning living room and attached kitchen. Oh there you are, Amy said. Pigging out on donuts as per usual I see.

Heather followed Amy into the kitchen, pausing to admire a painting of Hillside on the living room wall.

She turned to face her friend and his beau, and then frowned.

Kent sat at the small table in the center of the kitchen, his head lolling to one side. A donut sat in front of him, on the bare wood of the table.

Amy, why is the light off? Heather whispered.

Huh? Amy asked standing beside the fridge. Oh right. She leaned over and clicked a switch beside the doorjamb. Uh, Kent, you wanna say hello to Heather? Or just ignore her for the rest of the night? Because thats going to be difficult at Dos Chicos.

Heather stared at Kent. A bucket of ice had dropped into the pit of her stomach and flooded her nervous system.

Oh no, she stammered. Amy.

Her friend turned to her, frowning, the box of donuts still in one hand. What?

Amy. Kent.

Thats right. And youre Heather. Honestly, whats freaked you out? You like youve seen a

Heather crossed the space between them, grabbed Amy by the arm and then spun her on the spot. She gasped.

Kent wasnt in the middle of a pre-dinner snack, no, he was tied to the chair, unconscious, the donut untouched beneath him.

Kent! Amy tried to dart forward.

Dont touch him, Heather ordered. Look, hes still breathing. She pointed to the slow rise and fall of his chest. And if hes got a concussion, moving him is the worst we can do.

So what do we do? Kent, honey Amy grasped a handful of her hair, the Rhubarb Frosted donuts dropped from her grasp, the box smashed to the floor and popped open, sending Heathers creations rolling across the kitchen tiles.

Get it together, firstly. Its going to be okay. You call 911, and Ill send Ryan a text. Heather narrowed her eyes at the wall behind Kent. Hearts had been scrawled on it in what looked to be bright red lipstick.

Amy took a step to the hall, but Heather stopped her.

Stay close, she said, the attacker might still be around. It was unlikely if they were, they wouldve tried to finish what theyd started with Kent but it was better to be safe than sorry.

Amy paled, then fumbled her phone out of her pocket and called for help.

Heather shot off a text to her husband, and then circled the table ever so slowly. She stepped around fallen donuts and touched nothing. She bent and peered at Kents face.

It was clean of blood and his eyes were closed. He was tied to the chair with fishing line. A note lay beneath the table, facing upwards, displaying another bright red heart.

Like a calling card, Heather whispered. She had to remove herself from the creepiness of the situation and observe the facts because now way would she let this case slide.

This was Amys man, for heavens sake.

A few minutes later though, it honestly felt like an eternity the police arrived, along with a handful of medics. Amy fluttered around in the background, asking questions and freaking out.

Ill take their statements, Ryan said, stepping through the front door, with his pad and pen already out.

Im glad youre here. Heather walked towards her husband but didnt greet him with a peck on the cheek. It wasnt the right moment for that.

What did you see when you came in? Ryan asked.

Heather described the scene the best she could, then pointed to the donuts Amy had dropped on the floor. Those werent here when we came in; Amy dropped them after we saw Kent.

Ryan circled the table Kent had already been transferred to the back of an ambulance and frowned.

What about this one here? He gestured to the donut on the table.

No, that was here when we came in.

Ryans forehead wrinkled. He looked from the donut on the table to the ones on the ground. Wait a second; didnt you create Rhubarb Frosted donuts yesterday?

Thats right. I only started selling them this morning, Heather replied.

She peered at the donut, and her heart skipped a beat.

Ryan scratched his chin with the end of his pen. Then how did one of them get to Kents house before you two did?

Chapter 2

Heather sat with her arm around Amys shoulder.

Theyd ordered cheesy nachos for the table and a couple of margaritas because Amy needed to take the edge off.

I cant believe it, Amy whispered. Who would want to do this to him?

I dont know, Heather replied. And that was the honest truth.

Kent had been a star since hed arrived in Hillside, helping the less fortunate and even taking on a pro bono case for a client.

Dos Chicos was too cheerful for Heathers liking, but Amy had insisted they go through with their date even if it had turned into a girls night instead. Her bestie was determined to remain positive about Kent.