Susan Gillard - Choc Churro 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

Heather folded the cardboard Donut Delights box in three swift motions. Shed become an expert at it. In fact, she could probably fold the box blindfolded in a darkened room to the soundtrack of nails on a chalkboard.

Two Choc Churro Donuts for you, sir, Heather said and used a pair of tongs to feed two of her most recent creations into the depths of the small box.

She shut it, then handed it over to the customer and flashed a broad smile.

Thank you, he said and fished cash out of his wallet. Have a good day.

And you, Heather replied, then rang up the order and gave him his change.

She brushed her palms off on her apron and sat back down on her stool behind the counter.

Monday morning, sunny, bright and full of donuts and the rich aroma of coffee. Could it get any better than this?

You look happy, Amy said and hurried over to her. Shed run into the kitchen to check on the next batch of Choc Churro Donuts. Maricela said they'd be ready in about ten minutes. Are we good until then?

Yeah, we should be fine, Heather replied. She had about two dozen left before shed have to restock, though the donuts had flown out of the door and onto plates since theyd opened that morning.

I see the Monday morning rush has finally died down, Amy replied, and sat down beside Heather. She heaved a sigh and wiped her brow. Thank goodness.

It gets busier every week.

Well, everyone wants to see whats the new creation of the week, Amy said. She folded her hands in her lap, then twisted the lip of the pocket on the front of her apron.

Whats wrong? Heather asked, immediately.

Nothing. I guess. Oh, I dont know. Its just that Kents out of town again and I

The front door of the store swung inward, and the bell tinkled overhead. A group of three customers entered and walked toward the counter.

Recognition bubbled in the back of Heathers brain. The woman at the front looked so

Oh my gosh. Its Kate Laverne, she hissed, under her breath.

Amys eyes went donut-hole-shaped. Geoff Lawless is right behind her.

They shared a glance and Heather rose from her seat and stepped up to her counter.

What on earth had brought Kate Laverne down from New York? And why, oh why had Geoff come out of hiding only to stroll into her store, backed by a guy who had a pudding bowl haircut and arms the size of tree trunks.

Thats the weirdest trio of people Ive ever seen, Amy whispered. Shouldnt Lord of The Rings music be playing for this?

Kate halted in front of the glass counter, and a tiny smile played across her thin lips. Its been a while, Heather Janke.

Its Heather Shepherd, now, she replied and flashed her wedding ring.

Kate Laverne had been one of Heathers exs best friends. She inhaled sharply, then forced another smile. Been busy I see. Married, a new store, and youve picked up a pet along the way. Kates gaze danced toward Amy.

Dont you have to be in high school to say stuff like that? Amy asked, and scratched her temple. Or at least in a B grade movie.

What can I help you with, Kate? Heather asked, and it bit at every last reserve of her patience to talk kindly to this woman.

Shed made Heather feel inadequate through all the years shed lived in New York with her ex-husband.

Kate looked back at Geoff, then chuckled. I believe youve met my brother.

Amys jaw dropped. Heather had to grip the edge of the table to keep from tipping over backward.

Geoff Lawless and Kate were related?

Heather swallowed twice, then focused on Lawless, instead. She ignored the massive guy behind him. Geoff, where have you been? There was a murder in your store last week. Your business is failing. Ive been worried.

Oh please, Kate said and clicked at Geoff to prevent him from answering. Geoffs told me all about your attempts to undermine him as a baker.

Amy snapped her jaw up, at last. Hes done a pretty good job of that by himself.

Geoff stared at the clock behind the counter. The rumble of talk and the clink of coffee mugs continued through the bakerys interior.

This was unbelievable. Shed spent the past weekend worrying about Geoff and where hed run off to. Shed planned on a bit of snooping this week to find him, and now he cropped up in her store with her ex-nemesis at his side?

Shes zoned out, Amy said. Shell be with you shortly.

What was that?

I was saying, Kate replied, and placed the nails of her thumb and ring finger together, then clicked them. That Im here to make good on my investment, and youd better stay out of my way.

What investment? Heather asked.

Geoff shifted but didnt break eye contact with the clock. The bald man had lost weight since shed last seen him. Whatever external pressure had forced that change couldnt be healthy.

Delightful Donuts, of course, Kate said and fluttered her eyelids. Mascara clung to her lashes, not a clump in sight.

Kate Laverne had always been a perfectionist.

You backed Delightful Donuts? Heather let go of the counter, then grabbed the edge of it again.

Usually, she could handle this kind of shock. Today, itd eaten at her serenity, like Amy on a box of Heathers best donuts. Or Dave, for that matter.

I am Delightful Donuts, Kate said and raised her arms. At least I will be once Ive sorted out the mess my little brother left for me. She patted him on his bald pate.

Geoff didnt react to her touch, but it had to irk him.

Whos the orc behind you? Amy asked.

Kate glanced back at the pudding bowl haircut guy and sighed. Charles is my older brother. Youll be seeing more of him too.

Is that all you came here to say? Heather asked.

Kate planted her palms on the counter and leaned in. She narrowed her eyes, and the scent of too-sweet cinnamon wafted from her skin.

Thats quite a pungent perfume choice, Amy said and waved a hand in front of her nose.

Kate stared Heather dead in the eyes. Youd better watch your donuts, Heather. Theres a new baker in town.

And with that, she turned and walked to the front of the store. She clicked her fingers at her brothers, and they rushed after her.

Im out of witty retorts, Amy said and looked over at her bestie. That cant be good.

Heather couldnt form the words to reply.

Chapter 2

Heather sat at the kitchen table across from her husband and toyed with the pasta on the end of her fork. Lilly had opted to stay the night at Eva Schneiders with Dave in tow.

Whats bothering you? Ryan asked.

Nothing, why? Heather dropped her fork on her plate and sighed. All right, something big. Something I didnt see coming from a mile away.

What is it? He slurped up a bit of bacon and chewed. Another trash can thief at Donut Delights?

No. Heather took a sip of her water and steeled herself. Geoff Lawless came to the store today.

Ryan choked on his bacon. What? When?

Yeah, he turned up this morning with a woman by the name of Kate Laverne, Heather said. She was an old, so-called friend of mine when I lived in New York.