Susan Gillard - Chocolate Pomegranate Glaze 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 strode down the sidewalk and held the box of donuts against her stomach.

Amy walked beside her and matched her pace.

They fixed their gazes to the store five spaces down from Donut Delights.

This is pretty exciting, Amy said. If only for the fact that the order is done and we dont have to hear the incessant drilling from next door anymore.

The construction to expand Heathers little donut shop still hadnt ceased. Oh come on, Ames, Heather said and slowed down. Its not that bad. Besides, when its over well have

I know, I know. An all new Donut Delights expansion. Its going to be awesome. But do you blame me for wanting to bonk one of those construction workers over the head with a donut box? Amy asked and lifted her box of donuts; the cardboard emblazoned with the donut logo.

Maricela threatened to do that with a rolling pin, the other day.

Amy chuckled, then cleared her throat. Another new business in town. Hillside is totally booming, right now.

Yeah, its awesome and who knows? Maybe Clarissa will give us free nail appointments for this, Heather said. Uh, though Im not one for long nails.

I could rock some talons, Amy replied, then stuck her tongue out. Maybe not.

What about a neat French manicure? Heather asked, then flicked her gaze back to the store Cheekys Nails.

The newest addition to the row of boutiques and businesses in the same street as Donut Delights. And the proprietor, Clarissa Cheeky James, had ordered two dozen Chocolate Pomegranate Glazed donuts for her opening the next day.

Heather loosened her grip on the box. She hadnt had a good mani-pedi in months.

Free or not, Amy said, Im getting a manicure tomorrow, and thats final.

Agreed. Heather needed to de-stress before her final test later in the week.

They stopped in front of the plate-glass door to Cheekys Nails and shared a glance. The lights blared inside, highlighting the white tiles and the serene, blue walls. Images of nails, outrageous in every color imaginable, hung on the wall opposite the chairs and manicure stations.

Seem kinda quiet, Amy whispered.

Heather swallowed. Her sleuth senses twitched. But no, that had to be paranoia. Dont even think it, she said and narrowed her eyes at her bestie. Dont even.

I didnt say anything, Amy replied, and gave her the puppy dogs eyes Daves specialty. Im just saying its quiet, is all.

Heather shushed her bestie, then knocked once on the door. She stared at the chairs at the pedicure station, cushy and white, then sniffed. Oh boy, she said.

The sun crept over the horizon, and pink and orange swirled through the wisps of cloud in the sky.

Well? Amy asked. Shouldnt we go in?

Yeah, Heather said. Then shook her head. Take the donuts for a second.

Oh, great, more temptation, Amy replied, and Heather slipped the second box of donuts on top of the one in her best friends arms. What are you doing, anyway?

Call it a jaded opinion or good sense, but I dont trust an empty building in this town, Heather replied, and fiddled around in her tote bag. Too many negative past experiences.

Duly noted.

Heather brought out her Taser and clicked off the safety. She patted the cold, hard plastic and winked at Amy. Just in case, you know.

Theres never a dull moment with Heather Shepherd around.

Heather opened the front door to the salon and bathed her nose in the sharp scent of acetone and nail polish. Hello? Clarissa?

Cheeky, Amy hissed.

Cheeky, Heather said. Are you in there? This is Heather from Donut Delights. Ive got your Chocolate Pomegranate Glazed donuts.

Yeah, and were not afraid to eat them.

Heather ignored Amys good mood and stepped into the salon. She gripped the Taser and scanned the area. An open door at the far end of the room caught her attention. She beckoned to Amy, then strode across the tiles.

Cheeky? Heather asked. She placed her free palm against the cold wood of the door, then pushed. It creaked open.

Why did it have to do that? Amy whined.

Heather reached in and clicked on the light at the switch on the wall. Her fingers fumbled against the plastic, and then she snapped her arm back to her side. Dread swirled through her belly.

What is it?

Shes dead, Heather said, in a monotone. We have to call Ryan.

Cheeky James lay face down, behind her desk. A bullet hole in the wall told Heather everything she needed to know. She clicked off the light, then turned back to her bestie. Dont go in there.

Did not plan on it, Amy whispered, then shifted the donuts in her arms.

Heather squished her cell out of the pocket of her jeans, then swiped to unlock the screen. She tapped through to Ryans number and pressed the green phone icon.

Amy backed off slowly. She sat down in one of the pedicure chairs, gaze glued to the open door. Are you sure?

Yeah. Im sure. Heather pressed her cell to her ear.

The rings tickled her patience. My love?

Weve got a situation down at Cheekys Nails.

Is that code for something? Ryan asked, and coughed. Hon, Im super busy, right now. Weve just heard that a new captain

Its the new salon down the street from my store. The owners name is Clarissa James. Cheeky for short. At least, that was her name.

Was? Ryan asked.

Yeah, shes been shot, Heather said. She didnt make it.

Im on my way, Ryan replied, then hung up.

Amy dug her fingertips into the lid of the top box on her lap. She blinked up at Heather. Theres really a body, a

Heather waved a hand at the boxes. Have one of the donuts, Ames. You need the sugar. Cheeky wont need them anymore, anyway. Shed become desensitized to murder, and even to bodies, after months of investigating deaths and solving crimes.

Amy pressed her lips together and shook her head.

What the ? A man spoke from the door.

Heather turned and raised the Taser.

A young guy, probably the same age as Cheeky had been, stepped into the salon. His bright, green eyes blinked once, twice. His gaze skipped from Heathers Taser to Amys greenish complexion.

Who are you? He asked, then pushed a pair of sunglasses into his dirty, blond hair.

Im Heather Shepherd, she replied, then jabbed the non-lethal weapon at him. Who are you and what are you doing here?

Uh, Im Lionel? Im Cheekys ex-boyfriend. She called me a half hour ago.

A half hour? Amy gasped, then jerked upright. The donut boxes teetered in her grip. They could still be here. The ki

Amy! Heather hissed.

What? Look, what are you doing here? Lionel asked, and cracked his knuckles.

Heather squared her shoulders. Lionel, Im afraid Cheekys been shot. The police are on their way, right now.

Lionels jaw dropped. The glasses slid from his hair and onto his forehead. He kinda looked like a fly. Sh-shot? He glanced back over his shoulder. Police?

Heather clicked the Taser and electricity shot between the silver poles. Im afraid Im going to have to ask you to stay where you are.

Cheekys body had barely cooled, and her ex-boyfriend showed up at the scene of the crime? Coincidence or no, Heather didnt place much stock in coincidences.