Susan Gillard - Raspberry Mojito 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

Chapter 1

Heather tilted her face upward, and the rays of the sun played across her nose and cheeks. She smiled and shut her eyes for a second.

Keep walking like that and youre gonna hit a lamppost, Amy said, beside her.

Lilly giggled, and Dave yapped a bark in agreement. Her three favorite people, apart from the fourth who was hard at work at the local station could the day get any better?

Heather opened her eyes and focused on the horizon. I cant help it. I feel like its going to be a good week.

Youre not nervous for the opening? Amy asked.

The grand opening of the newly renovated Donut Delights was a week away, and Heather could barely contain her excitement. Oh, Im nervous all right, but that wont stop me from enjoying a walk with you guys.

Au-Heather, Lilly said, then cleared her throat. We should come up with a new donut for the grand opening. Something really yummy. Maybe with berries.

Berries? Amy asked.

Heather glanced at the two of them and grinned.

I love berries. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries. Lilly ticked them off on her fingers of her free hand the other clutched the end of Daves leash. Please, can we do that?

Yeah, I think berries are a great idea. Heather patted Lilly on the shoulder, then bent and scratched Dave on his furry head, right between the ears. He looked up at her, and his tongue lolled out of the side of his mouth.

Whats that smell? Amy asked.

Heather straightened and wrinkled her nose. Smoke, she replied, then scanned the horizon. Her insides twisted, and she pointed at a column of black which rose through the air.

Distant sirens streaked through the morning, and an ambulance skidded around the corner at the end of the road.

What if its ?

Dont, Heather said, and raised a palm. That smoke was close to Donut Delights. What if something had gone wrong at the store? What if the final week of construction had rushed the guys working on the building and someone had made a mistake.

Nope, Lilly said, and placed her hand over her eyes to shade it from Hillsides sharp sunlight. Thats too far away to be from the store.

Ten years old and already too perceptive for her age. She did want to be a detective when she was older, and thatd suit Lilly just fine.

Heather let out a long, low breath. Well, I guess wed better

Lilly hurried along the sidewalk in the direction of the smoke.

Lilly! Heather and Amy yelled.

Lets see what happened, Lilly called, over her shoulder. Daves doggy tail wagged in frantic circles clearly, hed made up his mind as to where his allegiance lay.

Heather and Amy shared a glance. They couldnt let her wander off on her own.

Lilly Jones, you come back here, right this second, Heather said, in her best mom voice. Or maybe it was her worse.

Either way, Lilly paused for a second and rolled her eyes. Cmon Heather, its not that big of a deal. I mean, its just a fire. Arent you curious to see where its coming from?

Amy nudged Heather in the ribs. She has a point.

Dont you start, Heather replied.

A cop car sailed around the corner, lights on, and sped off along the same route as the ambulance.

Uh oh, Heather whispered. The cops. That meant something had gone seriously wrong.

Can we go now? Lilly asked. Dave whined, and then scratched beneath his collar. His name tag jangled against his furry throat.

All right, Heather said, at last. But stick close to me and not a toe out of line. Or a claw.

Dave hopped to his furry paws and tugged on the end of his leash.

Heather hurried up beside the young girl, and her heart pounded against the inside of her chest. They turned the corner, and the cloying scent of smoke hung thick around them.

Dave snuffled, and Lilly lifted him into her arms.

Ambulances and cars lined the far end of the road. A massive fire truck had parked close to the scene.

Oh wow. Its only six buildings away from the store, Amy said.

Heather pressed her palms to her stomach and moved closer. She stopped just short of the police line and stared at the blaze. The remains of an office building glared right back. Pops and cracks rang out.

The whoosh of water from the end of the hose and the cries of the firefighters.

Heather bit her bottom lip, and then worried it with her teeth.

Au-Heather? Are you okay? Lilly asked.

Heather put up a smile and dropped into a crouch beside the girl. Im just fine, Lils. I dont like the look of this, is all. It doesnt feel right.

Heather? Ryan appeared on the other side of the yellow line.

Uh, oh, Amy muttered. Heathers sleuthin senses are always right.

Heather patted Lilly on the back, then strode forward to meet her husband. What is it? She glanced back at Lils, but she was safe with Dave and Amy, further back from the heat, smoke, and yells.

Weve got a situation here, Ryan said. That kind of situation, if you know what I mean.

A murder? Heather asked.

Suspected murder, Ryan replied, under his breath. Weve just pulled someone out of the flames and lets just say

No need, she replied and waved a hand. She didnt need the details. You need me to investigate on this one?

Is that even a question? Ryan asked. He shook his head and looked back at the blaze. Ive got to get back to work, but I get the feeling this case is going to be a pain in the neck.

Let me know when youve got the evidence to discuss this, Heather replied.

Ryan bobbed his head once. Ill call you when Im done here, my love. His gaze traveled to Lilly and Amy. Stay safe.

Dont worry, Heather replied. We will.

She turned and clapped her hands once. All right, ladies, shows over. Lets get back to my place and start baking those berry donuts.

Chapter 2

Heather adjusted her handbag on the seat beside her and sighed. The atmosphere in Dos Chicos hummed with excitement. People ate their tacos or enchiladas with mole and laughed.

Ugh, she didnt feel a tiny bit happy.

The excitement for a hard-earned week long vacation from Donut Delights had disappeared at the sight of the burning office building the day before.

Sorry, Im late, Ryan said and crammed himself into the seat opposite hers. Still trying to catch up with everything after what happened yesterday. He reached out and squeezed her hand.

I understand, love. Just because my career is on hold doesnt mean I expect yours to be, Heather replied. She lifted his hand and kissed the back of it, lightly. I ordered some nachos for the table.

Youre a star, Ryan said, then sat back and rested his head. Boy, what a day.

Heather took a sip of her soda, then rolled the fizzy goodness around her mouth. She swallowed and smacked her lips. You wanna tell me about it?

Ryan reached for his glass, lifted it, and then drank deeply. He put it down again and stared at her. Yeah. I think that would be best. Youre the consultant on this case, too.

I know, Heather replied, and a frown wrinkled her forehead. Thatd been a weird reaction on his part.