Susan Gillard - Spooky Choc Orange Glazed 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

Its the most wonderful time of the year, Amy sang and readjusted her grip on the silver tray of donuts.

Thats Christmas, Heather replied.

Not for me. Amy grinned and stomped her feet into her pointed shoes. Halloween is where its at.

I wouldve thought the exact opposite given that youre allergic to graveyards and constantly paranoid.

Amy stuck out her tongue. Theres a difference between real fear and fake bats. She swatted one of the accused which drifted above her head, at the end of a string.

Halloween was just a day away. Lilly would never have forgiven them if theyd missed the actual night of trick or treating and candy rushes.

Heather Shepherd glanced up and down the porch at the guests of the party, then raised her fist and rapped her knuckles on the wood of the open front door, right below the scary skeleton decoration which hung from the knocker. Donut delivery, she called out.

Its a Halloween party, Amy muttered. Pretty sure we can go in.

I dont want to overstep my bounds. It is Sarah Kennys party, after all, Heather said, but she took a tentative step forward.

Excuse my witchy ignorance, Amy replied, and adjusted her pointed hat. But whos Sarah Kenny?

The other partygoers closest to them froze and stared at Ames. Their jaws dropped.

Amys cheeks colored. I feel like I just asked to buy a Samsung in an Apple store.

Lets go in. Well find her inside, Heather said and scooted into the entrance hall of the massive house.

Jack-o lanterns lined the hall. Their scary pumpkin faces peered up at the two wicked witches of the west. They hurried deeper into the house, drawn on by the laughter and chatter.

Okay, so, you still havent told me who this lady is, Amy whispered, then glanced back over her shoulder at the front door. Hurry, before they tar and feather me.

Sarah Kenny is the most popular socialite in Hillside. Im surprised Sharon Janis hasnt cornered you and given you the lowdown on her yet. She hosts parties like this all the time. The fact that were catering donuts for this event is a big deal, Heather replied.

Honestly, they had bigger orders than this, now that theyd taken their business online, but Sarah Kenny had the potential to get them even more business through association.

Sarah Kenny. No wonder her house is a mansion. Rachel jerked her head toward the red carpeted staircase which twirled up to a second floor.

Apparently, shes got an elevator to the third floor somewhere in here, Heather said.

A glass elevator, actually. A woman draped in orange and black silks appeared from a side door. Everything youve heard about my home is true. Sarah Kenny flashed them a smile decorated in white teeth and false hopes.

Heather held out her tray of donuts. Delivery, she said and put up her best customer smile.

Fantastic. You can put them in the living room, the socialite said, then pointed down the hall. See if you can find it on your own. It will be something of a game for you ladies. She tittered a laugh then leaned closer to Amy. I have ten living rooms. Sarah Kenny winked, and her false eyelashes fluttered.

Did we stumble into an alternate reality? Amy whispered to Heather. I feel like Ive just met my polar opposite.

Heather readjusted her tray, and the donuts hopped around on top of it. Mrs. Kenny, if you could

There you are, another woman said, and swept down the hall toward them.

Amy shrank back. Shed definitely exited her comfort zone.

Sarah Kenny stiffened and shifted the witch hat on her head. Georgia Summers, she said. Who let you in?

Georgia Summers? Ive heard of her, at least, Amy said.

Both the socialites turned and stared at her.

Amy shrank back and grimaced.

Heather bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. Both women, the famed socialites of Hillside high society, wore identical witch costumes in orange and black.

Amy and Heather had opted for purple and black, at least. Apparently, witch costumes were a hit this year.

Georgia placed her fists on her skinny hips. She pursed her lips, then tucked a strand of platinum blond hair behind her ear. I see you copied my costume again this year.

Oh please, Sarah replied and tittered a laugh. You flatter yourself, darling. I understand its because no one else does.

A crowd of people gathered in the doorways opposite the hall and peered out at the women.

Georgia sauntered up to the other woman, stopped, then examined her silk, elbow-length gloves. Your husband flatters me quite frequently, Sarah. Just the other day I received a call from Mr. Kenny, himself, seeking investors for his newest venture.

The crowd gasped and recoiled. Sarahs cheeks reddened, and a young girl with pitch black hair snorted then turned on her heel and stormed off. She parted the crowds with vicious jabs from her elbows.

Heather backed off, slowly. Amy stood dead still and stared.

Ames, Heather hissed. Come on, lets got put these down. This isnt our business.

Just a sec. Ive got to pick my jaw up off the floor.

Youre low, Sarah Kenny said. And thats why I wont respond to your petulant jibes.

Georgia Summer laughed behind a black-gloved hand. How mature of you. Ever the host.

Sarah Kennys gaze speared Amy mid-stride. You two put the donuts in the living room, as I said. Feel free to stay for the party.

Really? Georgia asked. You want to put these good women through the torture of attending? She stifled a yawn, then fanned her face.

Youre more than welcome to leave, Sarah replied, through a fake smile. She looked like a jack-o-lantern.

Oh, Id prefer to liven the party up a bit, Georgia said and straightened her costume. Im sure I can find a way to achieve that. Then she spun on her heel and trotted off down the hall. Her long, blond hair swished with each step.

Heather and Amy stood side-by-side and clutched their trays. They shared a glance.

Did we just step into the Twilight Zone? Heather asked.

Looks like it, Amy replied, then pointed at the orange glazed treats on her tray. But at least we have donuts, this time.

Chapter 2

The donuts are a hit, Amy said and dodged an orange streamer. It fluttered to the ground beside the long wooden table in the living room. Guests mulled around and ate Choc Orange Glazed Donuts.

Heather grinned at the few donuts left on the tray in front of her.

These were her favorites. Shed considered a pumpkin theme, but in the end, the orange glaze had called to her.

Simplicity at its finest, if she did say so herself. A chocolate deep fried donuts injected with two pockets of vanilla, cinnamon cream, and dipped in an unctuous, sticky orange glaze.

Heather swept her witchs hat off her head, ruffled her hair, then popped it back on top again.

A few of the guests chatted about the argument between Sarah Kenny and Georgia Summers behind their hands.

Can you believe she did that? A woman whispered. Her voice sounded suspiciously like Sharon Janis Hillsides pro-gossip. I mean, in front of everyone. Its crazy.