Susan Gillard - Lavender Grape Dust Murder

Table of Contents

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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

The red paint glistened beneath the beaming sun. Light glinted off the windshield and the golden cross insignia just below the black grill.

Youre staring at it again, dear. Evas voice trickled into focus, along with the rush of sound in Donut Delights.

Happy chatter, cries of delight, a giggle here and there, as well as the clink of cups on saucers and the crunch-munch of donuts devoured by the dozen.

I cant help it, Heather said and directed a sheepish smile at her oldest friend. Ive never owned a car this adorable. Its like having another pet.

The Christmas present had taken Heather by surprise, and now, she couldnt get enough of it. Just this morning, shed drive Lilly to the bookstore to browse for dinosaur and cop adventure novels, and after that, shed dropped her off with Amy.

You shouldnt even be here, Eva said and patted her on the arm. This is your week off. The store is doing just fine without you.

I know, I know, Heather said, and glanced down at her fluffy sweater. Its just strange to be anywhere but at Donut Delights, especially at 5 am in the morning. That was the one blessing of a holiday she could sleep in!

Eva slurped some coffee, then swirled her index finger above a purple dusted donut in the center of her plate. Yet, you still managed to come up with another of your creations.

I worked on it with the assistants last Friday, Heather said and leaned in to examine the treat. Ive been desperate to use the Lavender dust my grandmother wrote about in her recipe book.

And this is it? Eva asked. Her fingers itched toward the donut and halted just beside the plate. Tell me more.

Its another vanilla dough, but this time its deep-fried to crispy goodness. Heather raised her finger and pointed to two points on either side of the sweet treat. There are two pockets of grape jelly here, made from scratch, of course, and the donut is dipped in the lavender dust right after, Heather said. The Lavender Grape Dust Donut.

Wow, Eva whispered. She grasped the donut, lifted it, and then took a massive bite. A little jelly dripped onto the table top, but Eva didnt notice. Shed already shut her eyes to enjoy the flavor.

Joy bubbled in Heathers belly. She grasped a napkin from the holder. What have you got planned for New Years, Eva? Heather dabbed at the jelly, then crumpled up the napkin and placed it beside the plate.

Evas eyelids fluttered open. She smacked her lips. Goodness. I havent had plans for New Years in ages.

Were having a little party at our place. Just a few treats and friends, you know, and streamers, of course. And a midnight countdown.

Wonderful, Eva said and put down the donut. Id love to come.

Perfect. Heather turned to her new car, once again. Shed never been a materialistic person, but there was something about this gift. Perhaps, it was all the love and thought thatd gone into it, especially after whatd happened to her last car.

She wriggled her nose at that thought.

Heathers phone buzzed in the front pocket of her jeans, and she jolted at the table. The foam on top of her cappuccino wobbled and flowed toward the rim of the cup. Thankfully, it didnt spill over.

One sec, Heather said, to Eva, whod already disappeared into another donut induced dreamland.

She wormed her cellphone out of her pocket, then paused and stared at the name on the screen. Her belly did a gymnastic flip.

Oh boy, she said. Here we go again. She pressed her thumb to the green phone icon, then swiped it across the screen. Shepherd.

Still using my lines, I see, Ryan said, and his tone sparkled with laughter.

Hey honey, hows the start to your week? Heather asked, and mad eyes at her plum-haired friend across the table.

Eva licked the lavender dust off her fingers and stared at the phone.

Its been huh, Im not sure how to describe it, Ryan said.

So who is it? Heather asked. No use beating around the bush, after all.

What do you mean? Ryan tapped something on the other end of the line. Probably, a pen against a notepad.

Who was murdered, love? Thats the only reason youd call me this early on a Monday morning.

Ryan let out a sigh. You know me too well. Weve got a case, and we need your help, Mrs. Shepherd.

Help? From little ol me?

Needless to say, helping that FBI agent solve the last case drove your stocks through the roof at the station, Ryan said. Theres talk of a permanent consultation position.

Lets hope it wont come to that, Heather replied. Hillside wasnt the smallest town in the state, but the recent rash of murders hadnt done anything to encourage folks to move or live here.

Right, well, can you meet me at Hillside Manor in about thirty minutes?

Hillside Manor, Heather said.

Eva dropped the remains of her donut into the plate. Hillside Manor, she mouthed and shook her head, aghast.

Yeah. The victim was an elderly gentleman, already on his way out. And get this, he was famous.

Famous? Heathers brow wrinkled. There werent any famous people in Hillside. Apart from the infamous Kate Laverne.

Thaddeus Turlington, Ryan said.

That name sounds so familiar, Heather replied, and wracked her brain for detail.

Yeah, he was a big movie star in the fifties. A heartthrob. He was pals with Elvis Presley, or so the rumor goes.

No kidding. Heather tapped her fingernails on the side of her porcelain mug. And he was murdered? She made sure to keep her voice low freaking out her customers was a no-go.

At the ripe old age of 86. Ryan shuffled papers on his side, and the reception crackled. Meet you there?

Oh yeah, Heather said. Im on it. She hung up and tucked her cell back into the front pocket. The material scraped against her fingers. Say, Eva, have you ever heard of a guy by the name of Thaddeus Turlington?

Eva froze. Her cheeks flushed bright red. Of course I have, dear, she said and fanned her face.

Whats wrong?

Nothing, Eva said. She tittered a laugh but didnt stop fanning. Its just, Thaddeus Turlington, well, he was what the young kids nowadays would call hot. He was the kind of actor who made your heart flutter. Swarthy good looks, that deep voice and faraway eyes.

Goodness, Eva, Ive never seen you this flustered, Heather said.

Eva bowed her head and laughed again. Silly old me. I got lost in the past for a moment. He was a lovely actor, though. She sat up straight again, and the pink spots on her delicate cheeks faded. Hes dead?

Murdered, Heather replied. And Ive got to figure out who did it.

Chapter 2

Thaddeus Turlington, Heather said, and stepped from the hall into the room where the man himself had spent the last few years of his life: one of Hillside Manors luxury rooms.

The bed lay empty, the covers neatly made. Records decorated the wall behind it, along with signed black and white photographs of a blue-eyed Thaddeus in his prime.

Each signature looped in the same languorous fashion, signed simply: Thad.

Deep purple curtains hung in front of the window and fluttered in an icy draft.