Susan Gillard - Red, White and Blueberry 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

Prologue

Heather woke up, wrapped in the sheets and sweating her little old head off.

Dave was curled up at the end of the bed, his injuries finally healed.

The nightmare had been particularly disturbing this time. Itd been Christmas, shed laid out a bunch of donuts and Ryan had eaten one and fallen over. Theyd arrested her and slammed her in jail for good.

Heather sucked in air and exhaled. Dont be silly, she said, lecturing herself, it was just a dream. Its pre-wedding stress.

Ever since theyd decided not to have the wedding at Christmas and delay it by at least half a year, Heather had been on edge. Was Ryan having second thoughts?

No, she said, and Dave scrabbled up right with a bark. Oh relax, Dave, Im just talking to myself.

Theyd been unable to host the wedding because of their schedules, it had nothing to do with cold feet for either party. Besides, this way she had more time to plan, and oh boy did she have plans.

Heather checked her alarm clock and groaned. Its four in the morning, old buddy, she said. Dave snuffled at the side of her bed. Ah well, were up now. Lets head in to Donut Delights and see what the day has in store.

Dave barked his agreement.

Another day in Hillside paradise. Hopefully, itd be a murder-free one.

Chapter 1

Heather rubbed her hands together and smiled at the street outside. It was almost Memorial Day and her spirits couldnt have been higher.

Are you ready? Jung asked, beside her. He had his apron on and a grin which was broader than hers.

Everyone in Hillside was happier at this time of year. She glanced around at the Parisian-styled interior of her donut store and sighed. Coffee cups steamed, people chatted and munched on delicious treats.

Now, this was her kind of atmosphere.

Im ready, she replied.

Jung wiggled his eyebrows at her and she chuckled.

Well? Hurry it up, boss. Weve got donuts to create and eat.

Definitely eat, Heather replied.

Save for me, Angelica called out from behind the register. She had notoriously good hearing when it came to sweets. She zipped up her cheeky grin and served a customer with a kind one instead.

All right, Heather said, and clapped once. Dave, her daring doggy survivor, sat up straighter. Hed been a little jumpy after the accident, but had resumed his usual inquisitive and cute dog behavior. Thank goodness for that.

Heather walked towards the office, tailed by Dave and Jung. She opened the office door, let Dave through to his doggy bed, then closed up again and strode into her bakerys kitchen.

So, whats todays special?

Its going to blow your mind, Jung. And your taste buds.

Im supposed to be on a diet.

Heather rolled her eyes at him. You work in a donut shop. Your diet has officially become glaze and sugar. She tied on her own apron, a double bow at the front so it would stick in place, then bent to get a silver bowl. Besides, you are what you eat. I am ninety-eight percent sure I am an entirely sugar-based lifeform. Throw in a few sprinkles.

Jung fetched the flour and brought it to her. He was used to the procedure by now.

Speaking of sprinkles, Heather said, tapping her chin, she paused, then clicked her fingers. Ive got it! The perfect donut for Memorial Day.

And the wedding season, Ken said, busting through the doors. He was the newest addition at Donut Delights.

Shush you, I cant concentrate on that now, she replied. She really couldnt. Every time she thought of tying the knot to the most eligible and handsome detective in Hillside, her stomach tied knots of its own.

She fanned her face and puffed her cheeks out. She had to get it together. Not every marriage was doomed to end in divorce. Just because her first had failed didnt mean this one would.

She clapped again, to enthuse herself this time. Bring me the sprinkles, please. That big tub of them over there.

What are we making? Jung asked, cocking his head to the side.

American Dream Donuts. Perfectly baked donuts, cakey and divine, double dipped in snowy white glaze with bright red stripes and stars right across em.

Wow, Ken and Jung said, in unison.

Please, call me Heather, she quipped.

Ken rubbed his hands and stepped closer. Heather, Im sorry Im late. I had a few errands to run for my, uh, for my grandmother and

Heather waved away his excuse. Its really fine. We have Angelica at the front, and Maricela working the coffee machine. Just call ahead next time, if you can. Heather had never been in the business of bossing her employees around, even though she was the boss.

Still Ken gave her another sheepish smile. His cheeks had colored, as well.

Where were we? Heather asked, then spied the tub of sprinkles. Ah! She snatched it up and rattled it at her two assistants. These are going to add a fireworks effect. A true celebration in the mouth.

We could do red, white and blue sprinkles for some of them, Ken suggested. That would make them even more appropriate.

Thats a fantastic idea, Heather said. Lets start with the multicolored for now, though. The sprinkles will go in the batter and on the glaze after the donuts have been dipped, as well.

Heathers phone rang in her pocket, and she patted her apron down, cursing the double bow.

You two make a basic donut dough recipe with the sprinkles in. Ill be right back. Heather hurried out of the kitchen and into her office, ripping at the apron and succeeding in tangling the knots even more.

Dave sat up and yawned.

She ripped her apron off at last and threw it into the corner. It flopped onto Daves head and he wriggled it off.

Heather whipped out her phone and answered without looking at the caller ID.

That took a while, Ryan said. Even now, his deep voice gave her butterflies.

Goodness, she was over forty. She wasnt accustomed to this teenage lovey feeling in her gut.

What can I do for you? Heather asked, straightening her silk blouse.

You sound busy, Ryan replied.

Oh, you could say that. You know, the usual, creating in the

Im going to tell you something, Heather, because I respect and love you. I want you to hear what I have to say without flipping out, okay?

Whoa, okay. Whats this about? Youre not leaving me, are you? Because that would suck. Ive already created a series of donuts for the reception. Something Old, Something Borrowed, you get the idea. That was a total babble fest. Her nerves had forced her brain to the back, and had taken her mouth hostage.

Its about Eva, Ryan said, clearing his throat.

Eva? Heather frowned. Eva hadnt been in yet this morning, which was strange for her. What about her?

Shes in Hillside Regional hospital, Ryan said, delivering another snippet. Did he think breaking up the news would make it easier to handle?

Why?

Eva Schneider was found this morning outside her home. Shed been hit over the head with a blunt object, he said, as if reading from a police report.

Heather hung up and hurried to the door, clicking her fingers for Dave to follow.