Caramel Cream & Murder_An Oceanside Cozy Mystery Book 31 Read online

  Caramel Cream & Murder: Book 31

  An Oceanside Cozy Mystery

  Susan Gillard

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  Copyright 2018 by Guardian Publishing Group, LLC

  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.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Printed in the United States of America

  Contents

  1. Caramel Cream Craziness

  2. Joshing Around

  3. The Crime Scene

  4. Trash or Clues?

  5. The Bistro Boss

  6. Ring Shopping

  7. The Fridge

  8. Bruno

  9. James

  10. The Girlfriend

  11. The Arrival

  12. Brothers

  13. Back to the Interrogation Room

  14. The Dolphin Tour

  15. Beachcomber Bistro

  16. One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

  17. Mr. Oldsway’s Plan

  18. The Proposal

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  About the Author

  Also by Susan Gillard

  Caramel Cream Craziness

  “This is a sticky situation,” Amy grumbled.

  “Don’t tell me the caramel spilled,” Heather groaned.

  “No,” Amy said. “I meant about the Josh situation.”

  “Oh,” was all Heather could say. She wasn’t as bothered by the situation as her bestie, and was happy that her counters weren’t covered in a sticky substance.

  They were baking her newest donut recipe that morning, and Heather was excited to see the caramel-colored circles looking so tasty. Normally, Amy would be making quips and trying to steal samples, but today she was distracted.

  “He’s my boyfriend’s best friend. I don’t want to tell him he’s crazy,” Amy said as she mixed the batter a little too vigorously. “But he certainly seems insane.”

  “Wanting to get married doesn’t mean you’re insane,” Heather said, patiently.

  “It does in this case,” Amy said, setting down the bowl. “He barely knows the girl! It sounds like they’ve only been together a few weeks. It’s insanity.”

  “It’s not the way I’d do things,” Heather admitted. “It took a while for Ryan and me to admit that we liked one another.”

  “Because you kept interfering with his murder cases,” Amy teased. “Most detectives don’t like that.”

  “Lucky for me, this one turned out to be my soul mate,” Heather said with a smile. “And I think getting my P.I. license did a lot to smooth over my investigative work. But that wasn’t my point. Ryan and I were slow and steady, but other couples move quickly.”

  “A few weeks together and getting engaged?” Amy asked, shaking her head. “That’s too quickly. Unless…”

  “Unless what?”

  “You don’t think she has a bun in the…” Amy trailed off and pointed to one of the ovens in the kitchen conspiratorially. Heather laughed because Amy had just used charades to replace what was already a euphemism.

  “I don’t think Josh would keep that a secret from Jamie. And I don’t think Jamie can keep anything from you,” said Heather. “I think Josh is in love. And he’s always been ruled by his emotions. Remember how his temper got him into trouble before?”

  “Sure. It made him the prime suspect in a murder,” said Amy. “But this still feels crazy to me. Jamie and I have been together for a long time, and we haven’t rushed into anything.”

  Heather stopped decorating her donuts and looked at her friend. “Is that really what’s bothering you? That Josh is proposing, and Jamie isn’t?”

  “No,” Amy said, sullenly, but it was pretty clear that she wasn’t being honest. “I mean, I do think that it would be nice if Jamie decided to propose.”

  “I’m sure he’s just taking his time because you have both been so hesitant about rushing into anything. You remember how long it took you to find a place after you decided to move in together? And how long you protested that you weren’t going to adopt the dog you fostered?”

  “I guess,” said Amy. “But I still think Josh is moving too fast.”

  “You have to remember that his girlfriend needs to agree to this proposal too,” said Heather. “And maybe they’d have a long engagement to make sure they’re sure about everything.”

  Heather’s assistants Nina and Janae entered the kitchen to check on how the new donuts were coming along. Amy turned toward them.

  “Would you two get married right away if your boyfriends asked?” Amy asked.

  Nina blushed. “Nick and I just started dating. I’m very happy that he’s going to stay in town if Mr. Rankle doesn't let him stay at the shop across the street, but it’s too early to talk about something like that.”

  “Because you’ve only been together a few weeks?” asked Amy. “And you’re sane.”

  “I don’t know,” Janae said, dancing into the center of the conversation. “Fire Frank and I are enjoying our dates right now, but I’d say yes if he proposed. I’m in love with him, and he does face danger every time that he fights a fire.”

  Amy crossed her arms, annoyed that someone said something that went against her point.

  Luz, Heather’s maternal assistant, entered the kitchen.

  “What’s going on?” Luz asked.

  “Amy is questioning us about marriage for some reason,” said Nina.

  “Ah,” Luz said as a smile crossed her face. “I remember when my husband proposed to me. He was so nervous. He dropped the ring three times before he got it on my finger.”

  They all laughed, even Amy.

  Heather’s final Donut Delights assistant poked his head into the kitchen.

  “Is there something wrong with the new flavor?” Digby asked.

  “No,” Heather assured him. “We’re just talking about weddings.”

  “In that case, I’m going to stay out front,” he said quickly. “I’m not braving that discussion. Even for a donut.”

  He ran back to the front of the shop, while Heather tried to corral the conversation.

  “I think we should focus on these donuts now and stop obsessing over other people’s relationships.”

  “Other people’s mistakes,” Amy amended.

  Heather rolled her eyes, but Janae focused on the donuts. “What’s the flavor this week, boss?”

  “This is the Caramel Cream Donut,” Heather replied with a smile.

  She led everyone closer to the counter where she had finished decorating a batch of the new creations. The white and gold donuts looked cheerful and delicious.

  “Maybe I should cara-mellow out and just enjoy a donut,” Amy said.

  “Good idea,” agreed Heather. “And you’ll like this one. It’s a caramel flavored cake base, and it’s filled with a rich cream to balance out the sweetness. It’s covered with vanilla icing, and then caramel is drizzled over it.”

  “And then it’s enjoyed by grateful taste buds,” Amy said.

  Heather grinned at her words and handed the donuts out to everyone. They all took a bite and began co
mplimenting the flavor.

  Digby must have heard the enthusiastic clamor and snuck back into the kitchen to get a sample for himself.

  Heather let her assistants enjoy the donuts, telling them that they would learn the new recipe that afternoon. Making them employed techniques that they had used for other flavors, but they had to be careful to create the right consistency with the caramel.

  “Those donuts were a good idea,” Amy said. “But I can’t shake thinking that Josh proposing so early is a bad idea. But do you think it’s a worse idea to tell him that’s what I think?”

  “I guess you can see if an opportunity presents itself when we see him tonight,” said Heather. “But who knows? Maybe that girl is as anxious for a proposal as you are?”

  “I doubt that,” said Amy, helping herself to another donut.

  Joshing Around

  “She has no idea I’m planning this,” Josh said, looking excited with a goofy grin on his face. “It’s going to be great.”

  “Yeah. Great,” said Amy.

  Heather elbowed her friend. They were at Amy and Jamie’s home, enjoying a late-night glass of wine after a nice dinner. Heather’s husband, Ryan, was also a part of their group. Their twelve-year-old daughter, Lilly, had joined them for dinner but was now home asleep because school was starting up again after spring break. They had opted not to get her a babysitter that night both because Lilly was getting older and could handle more responsibility, and because Amy’s home was directly above the Shepherd house.

  “She really doesn’t know what you’re up to?” Heather asked, sounding more enthusiastic than her bestie had.

  “Nope,” Josh said. “Josie thinks I’m just here visiting my best friend. She doesn’t know that I’m here plotting the perfect proposal. But she’ll be joining us at the end of the week, and I want to have it all planned by then.”

  “A week to plan the proposal?” said Amy. “What percentage of your time together is spent here planning this?”

  Josh addressed the group. “I sense a little skepticism. Yes, Josie and I haven’t been together long. But I know she’s the one. And when you know that, you want to do something about it. You know?”

  Amy couldn’t help looking at Jamie as he nodded. However, then Miss Marshmallow chose that moment to rise from her dog bed and join the group.

  “That’s just like Miss Marshmallow,” Jamie said, lifting her up so Josh could pet her long fur. “We weren’t planning on getting a dog, but as soon as we decided that she was right for us, we adopted her.”

  “Of course, it did take us a long time to admit this,” Amy said. “Because we wanted to make sure that we weren’t making a mistake. With the dog.”

  “I get what you’re saying,” said Josh. “And don’t worry. We wouldn’t rush into anything. We’d wait a while before getting a pet.”

  Amy crossed her arms, feeling that he did not “get” what she was saying at all.

  Heather interceded and asked, “What plans have you come up with so far?”

  “Well,” Josh said, starting to walk around the room as he spoke. “Since I am a chef, I did, of course, consider the food approaches. I could hide something on the dessert that is brought out, or in her main course. I could place it in an oyster. Instead of a pearl, there could be a diamond ring.”

  “You just don’t want the ring to stink after she takes it out of whatever you put it in,” said Amy.

  “Good point,” Josh said. “You see? This is why I need help with the proposal. I want it to be perfect for Josie.”

  “Another food idea is the traditional ring in a champagne glass,” said Jamie.

  “True,” Josh said, nodding. “I’ve also been thinking about doing something at the beach. Maybe hire a plane to fly overhead with a banner asking her to marry me. Or hiding it in a message in a bottle that I pretend to find in the ocean. Or building a sandcastle and putting it on top.”

  “Those are nice ideas,” said Heather.

  Josh turned to Amy. “What would make you say yes?”

  “If it’s the right guy, then you say yes as long as he’s sincere,” she said.

  “I’m very sincere,” Josh said. “But I also want it to be something that is a good story.”

  “Do you have the ring yet?” asked Ryan.

  Josh shook his head. “Jamie was going to help me pick one out this week. But I might ask for some female advice on this too. Would you help me find the right ring for her?”

  “Sure,” Heather agreed.

  “I guess,” said Amy.

  “Thank you, everyone,” Josh said. “Let’s have a toast! Is everyone’s glass full?”

  Amy accepted some more wine, having finished her glass. Ryan opted to have a soda. He was waiting for his partner to check in and didn’t want to drink until he knew that everything was calm on the island.

  Everyone raised their glasses as Josh spoke. “To true love and the best friends a guy could ask for. Jamie, you’re my oldest friend. If she says yes, I want you to be my best man.”

  “If she says yes, I’m definitely saying yes,” Jamie agreed.

  “And I’d like you all to be involved with the wedding party too,” Josh said. “I have no idea what wedding plans we’ll have. But I know I want you to be a part of it. Heather and Amy, you saved me from a murder charge.”

  “You weren’t guilty,” Heather said. “The truth would have been found out eventually no matter what.”

  “Don’t sell yourselves short,” said Josh. “I know my temper has gotten me into trouble before. And I know why the police thought I killed my boss at the restaurant. Sometimes I do throw things in the kitchen when I’m mad. I’m working on it. But the point is that you all believed in me, and you cleared my name.”

  Ryan’s phone rang, and he excused himself.

  Amy took a step closer to Josh. “We do believe in you, but we also want to keep you from getting into trouble.”

  “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’m not going to get myself involved in any more murder cases.”

  Ryan returned to the room, looking serious. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to cut this night short. There’s been a murder in town, and I need to go investigate.”

  “Do you want us to come?” asked Heather.

  “If you’d like to join me, you can, but I understand if you want to stay here,” said Ryan. “A waiter was killed. He was found outside the restaurant where he worked.”

  “I had nothing to do with it!” Josh said, holding his hands up. “Please don’t consider me a suspect again!”

  “Don’t worry,” Ryan said, allowing a smile. “This does involve a restaurant, but I think you have a pretty good alibi for tonight. You were with a whole group of people, including two private investigators and a detective.”

  Miss Marshmallow let out a small bark, seeming to claim that she was also a witness for the night.

  “I want to go to the crime scene,” Heather said to Ryan. “Josh isn’t the murderer, but someone else is. And we want to catch him as soon as possible.”

  The Crime Scene

  Heather, Amy, and Ryan headed over to The Beachcomber Bistro, which was also the scene of the crime. It looked like a cheerful place that served families, as well as beachgoers. Heather couldn’t help thinking that she would have liked to bring Lilly there if she didn’t know that a dead body had been found there.

  Detective Peters saw them and waved. He was a young detective but was growing more confident in his abilities by working with Ryan. He was always willing to go the extra mile to solve a case and welcomed the private investigators’ help if it meant that the case was solved quicker.

  “Where is the victim?” Ryan asked.

  “He was found behind the restaurant,” Peters explained. “Beachcomber Bistro closes at ten.”

  Heather checked her watch. It was a half hour after midnight.

  “We’ll check with the bistro and see if he was working tonight and when everyone left for the night,” said Ryan. “We m
ight be able to narrow down the time of death window even more.”

  “Who found the body?” asked Ryan.

  “A man walking his dog. They tried to cut through the alleyway as a shortcut home and saw the body,” said Peters. “He’s waiting to make his official statement.”

  “What’s the victim’s name?” asked Ryan.

  “His ID says Chris Henderson. He was wearing an employee shirt for the bistro,” Peters said as he began to lead them around the building to where the man was found.

  “How was he killed?” asked Heather.

  “The medical examiner is still on his way, but it looks to me like he was hit on the head.”

  Amy paused. “The medical examiner isn’t here yet? Meaning the body hasn’t been taken away yet? And I had been doing so well maintaining my New Year’s Resolution not to scream when I saw a dead body.”

  “We don’t have to examine the body up close,” Heather said. “I know that can be upsetting, especially if there’s blood. And I trust Ryan not to overlook any important clues there. Why don’t we look at the rest of the crime scene area?”

  Amy nodded.

  Heather explained her idea to Ryan, who agreed. Ryan and Peters moved closer to the body, while she and her friend looked more along the periphery.

  Heather found something and pointed.

  “Oh great,” Amy said. “We try not to look at something disturbing, and we find something covered in blood.”

  “I think we found the murder weapon,” Heather said to her fellow investigators.

  They joined her and looked at the brick covered with blood.

  “I think you’re right,” said Ryan. “This looks like it could deliver a head wound.”