Black & White Glazed Murder: A Donut Hole Cozy Mystery - Book 59 Read online

  Black & White Glazed Murder

  A Donut Hole Cozy Mystery- Book 59

  Susan Gillard

  Contents

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  Black & White Glazed Murder

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Also by Susan Gillard

  About the Author

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  Disclaimer: 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.

  Copyright 2017 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.

  Black & White Glazed Murder

  Chapter 1

  “And now the countdown begins,” Amy said.

  “Oh, don’t say that,” said Heather. “I am excited for my move to Key West, but I’m going to miss everything in Hillside too. I don’t want to think of it as a countdown until I go.”

  Heather stood by the counter at Donut Delights and looked at her bestie. She was pleased that the business she had worked so hard at was successful enough to warrant opening a second location, and she was happy that it was going to be someplace warm and tropical. However, as her moving date neared closer, she realized just how much she was going to miss about Hillside, Texas.

  This community had done a lot for her, and she had returned the favor by helping solve any crimes that popped up. She would always think of this shop as her baby. Even though she was confident that it would be left in capable hands with her assistant-turned-manager Maricela, it would be difficult to leave it. Even more difficult would be leaving some people she loved behind, and moving without her best friend and crime-solving partner Amy would be tough.

  It would be a big change. Though she was sure it was going to be a wonderful and exciting experience, as the date loomed closer, it became more nerve-wracking.

  “And,” Heather said, as the thought of it caused her stomach to lurch. “I still have a million things to do before I go. We need to figure out what we’re doing with our house, and I need to make pre-opening plans for the new location, and get Lilly’s school straightened out, and pack up everything---“

  “That’s swell,” Amy said, cutting her off. “I was talking about a countdown until I can try your new donut flavor.

  “Oh,” Heather said, laughing. “I can handle that sort of countdown, and I hope it’s a short one.”

  “What is it this week?” Amy asked as she eyed the newest creation.

  Before Heather could answer her, another woman had joined their group. She wore a floral dress and had a sweet face. She looked familiar somehow, but Heather couldn’t place her.

  “Mrs. Shepherd?” The woman asked.

  “Yes,” Heather responded. She wondered if this would be in regards to donuts or an investigation. “How can I help you?”

  “I’m Millie,” the woman said, with a smile. Heather still didn’t make the connection. “Millie Hoskins,” she continued. “I’m sorry. I know we’ve seen one another before, but we’ve never formally met before, have we?”

  “Hoskins?” Amy asked. “Like Detective Hoskins?”

  “Yes,” she said. “I’m his wife. And I’m so pleased to finally make your acquaintance.”

  “I’m pleased to make yours as well,” Heather said. “Is everything all right?”

  She had a moment of worry because she knew that Hoskins could be an ineffective detective. Had he done something to hurt himself?

  “Yes,” Millie said. “It’s for good news that I am visiting. The mayor wants to present my Hosky with an award for valor after what he did in the Rahway case.”

  Heather held her tongue. She had thought that Detective Hoskins had done nothing in the Rahway case, except for being a shoulder to cry on for the victim’s daughter. She had interpreted this as helping with the investigation and seemed to be using her relationship with the mayor to get Hoskins special recognition. It was very frustrating to Heather because she had actually been the one to solve the case. She didn’t become a private investigator for the praise, but she didn’t like it when others got credit for her sleuthing.

  “I know it must be very frustrating for you both,” Millie said, interpreting the perturbed look on Amy’s face. “You both help with so many cases with the police, and I know your work in invaluable. And then the one case that rewards the investigator is the case that my Hosky gets. I’m sorry about that.”

  Heather felt herself liking Millie Hoskins more and more. She was both sweet and sincere. Her only fault seemed to be believing that her husband was better at his job than he really was. However, even then, she made sure to let the women know that she acknowledged their contributions in the cases that were solved in town.

  “We don’t solve murders for fame or glory,” Heather said.

  “Not that we wouldn’t mind a little of either,” Amy added.

  “We help to make sure that justice is served,” said Heather.

  Millie smiled at them, and Heather could feel that amicable feelings were mutual.

  “It’s so wonderful to hear you say that,” Millie said. “I wanted to invite you to the ceremony that the mayor is having, but I didn’t want anyone to feel like their toes were being stepped on. But I felt that Detective Shepherd should really be there because he is my Hosky’s partner. And you’re not only Detective Shepherd’s wife. You and Miss Givens assist on so many cases that it is like a team effort. I’d be honored if you all came.”

  Amy looked less than enthused at the idea, but Heather spoke for them both and said, “We’d be happy to be there.”

  “I’m so very glad,” Millie said. “I made you up an invitation.”

  She searched her bag and had trouble finding the envelope. “It’s in here somewhere. No, that’s my sheet music.”

  “You’re a singer?” Heather asked.

  “Just in the community choir,” Millie said. “I do love it. Though there is a good deal of drama going on right now. Oh, but here’s the invitation.”

  “Thank you,” Heather said, admiring the calligraphy.”

  “You know,” Millie said. “I felt a little funny. Usually, when I go to visit people, I bring them something I baked. But I knew that you had a donut bakery, and I thought it would be silly to bring it here.”

  “By all means, please let us provide you with some sweets,” Heather said.

  “Heather was just about to unveil her newest creation for me,” Amy said.

  “That sounds terribly exciting,” said Millie. “As long as I’m not intruding.”

  “Not at all,” Heather said, as she put some donuts on plates for the women. “May I introduce the Black & White Glazed Do
nut?”

  “You may,” Amy said. Her mouth was watering.

  “Is it black and white like a police car?” Millie asked. “Maybe they could be celebratory donuts at the ceremony?”

  “It’s possible I was thinking about the cruisers. Or I was thinking about some sort of black and white morality when it comes to murder,” Heather mused. “But I think the inspiration really came from the Black & White Cookies.”

  “Those cookies are wonderful,” Millie said. “And I bet these donuts are too.”

  “The donut cake base is spongy shortbread flavor, just like the cookie. Then the icing is thick, like fondant. It is half vanilla and half chocolate. Then, it’s covered in glaze to keep it even sweeter.”

  “I’m fond-ant of this description,” Amy said.

  “I’m not sure I should reward such a bad pun,” Heather said, but then she relented and gave them both a donut.

  “No gray area here,” Amy said, after enjoying a large bite. “This is delicious.”

  Millie agreed. “I’ll have to bring some of these tasty donuts home for Hosky.”

  “So,” Amy said, voicing a query after finishing her first donut. “Hoskins tells you we’re helpful on the cases? I thought he didn’t like us.”

  “Well, you can be a pebble in his shoe at times,” Millie said. “But I can tell by the way he talks about cases that you are a vital part of the team.”

  “It’s a shame that we’re only meeting now,” Heather said. “My family and I are going to be moving soon.”

  “Do you mind I voice an idea?” Millie asked. “Besides that you keep making this flavor.”

  “Go right ahead.”

  “While you are here, why don’t we all go out to dinner one evening? Our husbands are partners, and they rarely hang out outside of work. I think it would be nice to go out before the award ceremony,” said Millie.

  “That does sound nice,” Heather agreed.

  They decided that they would convince their husbands and would go out the following evening. Amy also got volunteered to come.

  Even though it would mean less time for packing, Heather was looking forward to the dinner.

  Chapter 2

  “Where’s my red blouse?” Heather asked aloud.

  “What was that?” Ryan asked, poking his head into their bedroom.

  “I’m just complaining about our packing,” Heather said, looking at the boxes around their room. “I think I ended up packing all the things I will need before we go, and leaving out everything I don’t. Why did I think I would need this scarf? Why didn’t I pack my bathing suit? And where is my red blouse?”

  “I noticed our packing style in the kitchen when I couldn’t find a coffee mug in the kitchen,” said Ryan.

  “No coffee in the kitchen!” Heather said. “We need to move right now.”

  Ryan laughed. “I said that there wasn’t a mug. Not that there wasn’t any coffee. We’ll be all right.”

  “It feels so strange to box up our belongings,” Heather said. “This is a big move.”

  “Let’s just take it one step at a time,” Ryan said. “Let’s focus on playing nice with my partner tonight.”

  “I’m sorry we forced this on you,” Heather said. “But Millie Hoskins is a real sweetheart.”

  “It’s all right,” Ryan said. “It is nice to go out with my partner. It’s a shame we didn’t become better friends.”

  “I can see why you didn’t,” Heather said. Trying to be nice, she continued, “You two didn’t have a lot in common.”

  “And we did have different work ethics,” Ryan said, catching her drift.

  “I feel a little guilty leaving Hillside with him in charge,” Heather admitted.

  “Maybe when we go, he’ll take it upon himself to do more legwork,” Ryan said.

  Heather gave him a look that said she seriously doubted it.

  “How about I do some more legwork now?” Ryan asked. “What can I help you find?”

  “I was looking for my red blouse,” Heather said. “I thought it was just festive enough for the occasion at Dos Chicos.”

  “I’m glad we can squeeze a few more dinners at our favorite restaurant,” Ryan said. “No matter the reason.”

  “Does it upset you that he’s getting praise from the mayor,” Heather asked, hugging her husband.

  Ryan accepted the hug, but still shrugged a response. “Maybe in our new city, they’ll appreciate our efforts more. And maybe Hoskins’s new partner will inspire him to put more effort in.”

  “If you couldn’t do it, I’m not sure what will,” Heather said.

  Ryan decided to detect and opened a box to look for the shirt. Instead, he found something else and jumped back laughing.

  “We’re going to need this before we move,” he said.

  Heather looked in the box of clothes and saw their kitten Cupcake lounging on top. She looked up at them with her big eyes. Heather picked the kitten up.

  “How did she get in there?” Ryan asked.

  “Based on the marks on the top, I’d say she crawled in by herself,” Heather said.

  “Excellent investigative work,” said Ryan.

  “You can’t box yourself up yet, kitty,” Heather said. “We’re not moving yet.”

  Cupcake mewed like she understood, but Heather was certain she would try to curl up on the piles of clothes again.

  Then, they heard their other pet calling for their attention. Dave, the dog, was barking, and this was sure to mean that someone had arrived.

  Heather frowned, but Ryan quickly found the blouse she was looking for in the box. It had more cat hair on it than she had hoped, but she was able to finish changing and greet the guests.

  Heather smiled when she saw that the babysitters had arrived. Eva and Leila were two senior ladies who lived life to the fullest. They were some of Heather’s closest friends, and her daughter Lilly adored them too. Eva and Lilly wanted to spend as much time with Lilly as possible before the family moved. They spoiled her like a grandchild and had brought over popcorn for a movie night with her.

  “Of course,” Eva said. “We hope that there are some donuts tonight too.”

  “Mom made Black & White Glazed Donuts for us tonight,” Lilly said. “And I made several selections for our movie night. I think we’re going to have fun.”

  “Of course, we are,” said Eva.

  “Popcorn, and donuts, and Lilly,” said Leila. “What’s not to love?”

  “Careful,” Heather said. “Keep talking like that, and we won’t want to go out.”

  Dave barked in approval. Heather scratched behind his ears to let him know his attention was appreciated.

  “We would love to spend more time with the whole Shepherd family,” Eva said. “But I don’t think you can cancel your plans.”

  “I think you’re right,” Heather said. “That wouldn’t be ending the partnership on a good note.”

  Dave looked at the door, and a moment later there was a knock on the door.

  “Is that Amy?” Ryan asked.

  “No. She was going to meet us at the restaurant,” Heather said.

  He went to the door and opened it. It was strange to see Hoskins out of his detective work clothes. He looked hesitant to come inside the house. Perhaps it was because they had rarely spent time together when not on a case. Perhaps it was because Dave was barking.

  “Hi Hoskins,” Ryan said.

  “His,” Hoskins said. “I was just wondering. Is Millie here?”

  “No,” Heather said. “We thought she was traveling to the restaurant with you.”

  “I thought so too,” Hoskins said. “But I get confused by plans sometimes. When she didn’t come home, I thought maybe she came here first. I guess I don’t know where she is.”

  “Let’s go to Dos Chicos and see if she’s there,” Heather suggested. “We shouldn’t worry until we check there.”

  “Worry?” Hoskins said. “Should I be worried?”

  Heather gave him a c
omforting smile. She certainly hoped there was no reason to worry.

  Chapter 3

  “Did Millie stand us up?” Amy asked. “Are we going to have to have dinner with just Hoskins?”

  “Hoskins isn’t sure where she is,” Heather said.

  “Is this weird?” Amy asked. “Should we be concerned?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  Heather and Amy stood with their dates, Ryan and Jamie, and kept an eye out to see if Millie was outside. Hoskins had run inside to see if she had already gotten a table. He returned, looking distraught.

  “This isn’t like her,” he said “I sometimes get plans confused, but I couldn’t have messed them up so badly. We were all planning on coming here tonight, and I checked the places she would have stopped along the way. I should have realized it was wrong earlier. She likes to help me pick out my tie when we go out with company.”

  “Do you know where she was earlier today?” Heather asked.

  “She was doing something about her choir,” Hoskins said. “I don’t remember exactly what.”

  “Helpful,” Amy muttered.

  “Do you think something happened to her?” Hoskins asked.

  “No,” Ryan said. “I don’t. If something had happened, then we would have been notified. Families are always notified if misfortune occurs, and our status as detectives would probably ensure even more speedy notification.”

  “So, you’re sure she’s okay?” Hoskins asked, looking for reassurance.

  “Did you try calling her?” Amy asked.

  “I called her cell phone before, and she didn’t pick up. I left a message. But I guess I could call her again,” Hoskins said, before taking out his phone to make the call.