Susan Gillard - Coffee Treacle 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 shut her eyes and smiled at the chill breeze which tousled her hair.

Fall had arrived, and the brown-golden leaves crunched underfoot on the long tarmac drive which led to the Hillside Regional Emergency Room.

Is there a reason were coming in through this entrance? Amy asked, next to her.

Heather opened her eyes, then chuckled and touched Evas shoulder.

The elderly woman clasped a Donut Delights box between her withered hands and smiled up at Amy. Yes, dear. These are the people who helped me during my little accident. They were the ones who kept me alive after I came out of the ambulance.

Oh, Amy said, then sighed, weightily. I didnt realize.

No comeback, Ames? Youre off your game today, Heather said.

Hey, Im working on it. I only had one cup of coffee this morning, you know, Amy replied.

Heather clicked her tongue. I expect better from my assistant and bestie in chief.

The trio of women marched toward the glass sliding doors of the Emergency Room entrance. The week had started out great. Lilly loved school, and Ryan had had no new cases so far always a good thing in the homicide department.

Heather stepped back, and Eva led the way into the hospital. She hurried toward the reception area, past a long row of empty chairs, then placed the box of donuts on the high, flat counter.

The woman behind the desk rose, and a broad smile parted her lips. Again, Mrs. Schneider? Youre too sweet, she said. Her name tag read Shelly.'

I wouldnt be here if it werent for you, dear. A few donuts are the least I can do, Eva said. Oh no. She pressed a finger to her lips. I lie. Its not me. Its Heather Shepherd. Shes the one whos paid for all these donuts from her fabulous store.

Thank you, Mrs. Shepherd, Shelly said and bobbed her head toward the donut maker.

Oh boy, Heather said and fanned her cheeks. Youre both making me blush. This gesture of kindness is all Eva. I assure you.

Yeah, Amy said and popped the lid on her donut box. Heathers just footing the bill. And allowing me to steal one when no ones looking.

Heather stepped on the toe of Amys brown, suede boot. Think again, Givens.

Fine, fine. Amy shut the box and rolled her eyes. But Ive only had one donut this morning. Its your fault if Im grumpy.

Shelly blinked at the exchange, opened her mouth, then shut it again.

Theyre like this most of the time, dear, Eva said and checked her plum-colored hair do. You get used to it after a while.

A long while, Amy said, and placed her box of donuts next to Evas.

This weeks donut is a specialty. Heather couldnt resist letting the receptionist in on the recipe, every time she came. Mocha donuts baked in the oven until crisp dipped in a sticky treacle glaze and topped with light, whipped coffee cream.

Oh wow, Shelly said and chewed on the end of her pen. My whole mouth just filled with saliva.

Youre not the only one, Amy replied, and folded her arms across her chest.

Youd better call the rest of the nurses and doctors, dear. Eva tapped the top of a Donut Delights box with her forefinger. Before Amy steals them right out from under your nose.

Ill do that, Shelly said and picked up the receiver of her phone.

The doors to the emergency room slid open and a wall of sound burst through into the quiet space. Heather spun around. Evas jaw dropped, and Amy reeled.

A slew of medics rushed through the doors. They pushed a stretcher on wheels, and Shelly dropped the phone, immediately.

A nurse appeared at the end of the hall and rushed toward Hillside Regionals newest patient. Heather could almost recreate Evas accident and admission to the hospital in her mind.

The orderly rushed to the side of the bed and grasped the railings. She bent over the patient, and the nearest medic relayed information in a garble of words and terms.

The rush of noise and the wheels on the linoleum traveled down the hall and out of sight.

Heavens above, Eva said and grasped the edge of the counter. Her fingertips had gone white from the pressure.

Heather hurried to the womans side and placed her arm around her shoulders. Are you all right?

Im fine, dear. Just fine, Eva replied, then touched her fingers to her cheeks. Its just strange seeing that from the other side.

Evas accident had happened months ago, but the memories or lack thereof lingered with her. Shed taken the knock on the head like a champ, and become stronger for it.

Amy took two steps forward, then paused. I wonder what happened. I mean, its pretty quiet in here, today.

Its normally quiet on a Tuesday, Shelly said.

They all looked at her.

Oh, sorry. I didnt mean to interrupt, the receptionist said and fumbled the phone back into place. Its just, our busiest times are usually on Mondays and weekends. During the week, its pretty quiet. Hillsides small, too.

Heather smiled at the shaky young woman, then pressed the donut box toward her. Why dont you have one?

Maybe I will, she said.

Amy groaned and rubbed her belly. I need to get back to the store before I keel over. This is too much excitement this early in the morning.

Yeah, we should probably get back, Heather said. Unless you want us to stay with you, Eva?

No, dear. Im going to hang around with Shelly for a while. Ill give you a call later, Eva said, then waved them off. Have fun!

Thanks, Eva, Heather replied.

They walked toward the door, and Amy looped her arm through Heathers and grinned at her. But Heather couldnt get the image of the stretcher out of her mind, nor the look of concern on the nurses face.

Chapter 2

Heathers phone rang in her pocket, and she halted outside the front door of Donut Delights.

Uh oh, she said and wriggled it out into the open.

What? Let me guess, its George Clooney calling. Amy clasped her hands together and tilted her head to one side.

You wish.

I really do, Amy said, then flashed a grin. Just kidding. Hes a married man now, you know.

Heather waved off her bestie and focused on the screen of her phone, instead. Ryans number flashed at her, and her stomach tied itself in knots.

She swiped her thumb across the screen then pressed the phone to her ear. Shepherd speaking, she said.

Hey, hon, he replied. I need your help on another case. Attempted murder. The victim is in the ICU at Hillside Regional.

Oh gosh. I had a feeling something like this would happen, Heather said and rubbed her free hand along her forearm. Where do you want to meet up?

Delightful Donuts, Ryan replied.

Heather froze and shared a glance with Amy. Are you serious?

Yeah, Ryan replied. Looks like your buddy Geoff mightve been involved. I cant be certain yet, I just got here. Can you meet me?

Yeah. Im on my way, Heather said. She hung up, then slipped the cell back into her pocket.

Sunshine tickled her cheeks, but the temperature had dropped a little that morning. She tugged her coat tighter and wriggled her nose at Amy. Can you look after the store for a while? Make sure Maricela doesnt bonk anyone over the head with a rolling pin?