Caramel Apple & Murder: An Oceanside Cozy Mystery - Book 6 Read online

  Caramel Apple & Murder

  An Oceanside Cozy Mystery Series Book 6

  Susan Gillard

  Contents

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  Caramel Apple & Murder

  1. Busy with Donuts

  2. The Detective

  3. Beginning with Bikes

  4. Biking and the Body

  5. Crime Scene on the Trail

  6. The Call

  7. Hot Breakfast and Cold Case

  8. Training Day

  9. Bar Chat

  10. Partners

  11. The Bartender’s Girlfriend

  12. The First Suspect

  13. The Other Crime Scene

  14. The Janae Jam

  15. A Hospital Visit

  16. Walking Closer to Home

  17. Partner Hostage

  18. Retirement

  About the Author

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  Also by Susan Gillard

  Also by Susan Gillard

  About the Author

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  Collect your FREE gift!

  Click here to grab the free cozy short story “Eva’s Delicious Mystery: A Donut Hole Spin-Off”

  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.

  Caramel Apple & Murder

  Busy with Donuts

  “Might I make a suggestion?” Digby asked.

  Heather looked up from the batch of Caramel Apple Donuts that she had been decorating to look at her assistant.

  “Go ahead,” she said, wondering what it could be.

  "Could you make a less delicious flavor of the week, so we're not so crazy busy?" Digby said, flashing a smile.

  Heather laughed. "But if I did that, you wouldn't be able to eat any of those flavors either."

  "Okay. You convinced me," he said. "I'll deal with the hordes of hungry donut customers so long as I get to be one too."

  "I think that the neighborhood has finally gotten used to us being here. They're not giving us as hard a time about being outsiders. Except Mr. Rankle, of course." Heather said. "But they're buying donuts. Business has really been picking up."

  “Tell me about it,” Digby said. “Actually, you don’t need to tell me about it. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. And my feet have been feeling it from running around on them all day.”

  Heather could relate. She was happy that her second Donut Delights location was starting to become a success. However, it did mean that there was more baking and decorating to do each day. They had just filled many online orders around Halloween-time with customers from all over the country ordering her sweet treats. It looked as if the craze was continuing with her Caramel Apple Donuts that were flying off the shelves or rather out of the display counter.

  “You know if business continues like this,” Digby started.

  “I know,” Heather said. “I’m looking into hiring another assistant. I just need to find someone that is as talented and helpful as you, Nina and Luz.”

  “You’re going to make me blush, boss,” Digby joked. "But I do think we could use some more help. Especially with you and Amy slipping out every so often to solve murders."

  Heather nodded. She and her bestie had a penchant for solving cases and had become licensed private investigators so that they could assist the police in their endeavors. Heather's husband Ryan had been a detective in Hillside, Texas before they moved to Florida, and together they had solved over sixty cases and put many criminals behind bars. Now, Ryan was waiting for a detective on the Key West police force to retire as promised so that he could start work officially as a detective again.

  At first, Ryan had enjoyed his free time in Key West waiting for his job to start. He had thought of it as a vacation. However, now he was tiring of the beach and was itching to get back to work. He was trying not to complain, but Heather could tell that he was bored.

  More evidence of this boredom soon became evident as he walked into Donut Delights with their good friends Eva and Leila. Heather noticed he was a little too exuberant about driving the senior women over to the shop. He must have been out of projects to do around the house (which was a blessing considering all the work that their new house had needed) and was looking for something to do.

  “It’s nice to see you,” Heather said.

  She prepared some donuts to bring to her friends. The shop was so full that she needed to bring them to table hiding in the corner instead of their usual seats. Heather was grateful that her assistants Nina and Luz were handling the business at the counter admirably, while Digby brought out the batch of donuts that she had just finished in the kitchen.

  “It’s exciting that there are so many customers,” Eva said. “I’m very proud of you, dear.”

  “I think I’m proud of you,” Leila joked. “But I need to try out this new donut’s flavor to make sure it is up to par before I say so definitely.”

  Heather pushed the donuts closer to her friends. “Please enjoy the Caramel Apple Donut.”

  “We will enjoy it,” Eva assured her.

  “As long as the caramel doesn’t pull our teeth out,” Leila joked.

  “I’m pretty sure even that wouldn’t stop you from eating a delightful donut,” Eva teased her. “And this looks scrumptious.”

  “The donut cake base is apple-flavored,” Heather explained. “And we added coloring to make it look red delicious. Then it’s a caramel icing coated on top. Some chopped nuts are sprinkled on top of that to match how many caramel apples on a stick would appear.”

  “It’s wonderful,” Eva said. “It might become the apple of my eye.”

  “I do believe we’ll have to have one of these every day,” Leila said. “After all, an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

  They all laughed.

  “Much as we love catching up, I’m not sure how long we should keep you,” Eva said. “You’re so busy.”

  “And Amy’s not here?” Leila asked.

  “She’s helping Jamie look at vans for his business with Rudolph Rodney,” Heather said. “They’re not as flashy as the sportscars that she likes, but she does know about vehicles and could offer advice.”

  “It will be so nice when Jamie has his pet grooming van ready to drive around town,” Eva said.

  “Though he might always come home smelling like wet dogs,” Leila said.

  Heather wrinkled her nose.

  "So, what are you ladies up to today?" she asked.

  “After we stock up on donuts, we’re going to the senior center to join the afternoon bingo game,” Eva said.

  “And so we can see what Vincent is up to,” Leila said.

  “That is not why we are going,” Eva said.

  “Sure, sure,” said Leila. “I just don’t remember you ever being excited about bingo before until we found out that Vincent was going to be playing.”

  “I am not interested in that man or any romance at all right now,” Eva protested. “I just wanted to play some bingo today. It seems like a fun and lowkey game, which is what we need if we are all going on the bike tour tomorrow.” />
  Heather held back a laugh and told her friends that she was excited about their bike tour the next day too. She and her family and friends were making a point of doing one island activity all together once a week. They wanted to make sure that they never got too busy to spend at least one afternoon in each other’s company.

  “And what are you up to?” Heather asked her quiet husband.

  "Nothing much," Ryan admitted. "There doesn't seem to be anything more to do at the house at the moment, I gave the pets a long walk, and they're exhausted now. Lilly is still at school, I finished the book I was reading, and I organized my socks. I don't really have anything to do now."

  “You could go to the beach for a while and relax in the sand,” Heather suggested.

  “I’m tired of relaxing,” Ryan said.

  They all chuckled at that sentence but understood the sentiment.

  “Detective Smith still hasn’t given any indication of when he’ll retire?” Heather asked.

  “None,” said Ryan. “I don’t think he really is planning on doing it. It was all some sort of elaborate ruse to get us to move down here.”

  Heather stood up.

  “Where are you going?” Ryan asked.

  "I'm going to get these customers in the shop finished up, and then I'm going to prepare a box of donuts. I have a detective I need to visit."

  The Detective

  “Good morning,” Heather called out cheerfully as she entered the police station. Young Detective Peters froze when he saw her.

  “Is it a good morning?” he asked. “Did you find another dead body? Are you on a case without us?”

  “No,” Heather assured him. “I haven’t come across any corpses lately, and I’m not planning on doing so anytime soon.”

  Detective Peters breathed a sigh of relief. “Then what’s the occasion?”

  “You don’t need a special occasion to enjoy donuts,” Heather said, displaying her box of Caramel Apple Donuts.

  Peters’s mouth watered, but before he dived in, he had the wherewithal to ask, “This isn’t some sort of friendly bribe for information, is it? Though he has appreciated your help on some cases, Detective Smith doesn’t want me to share any information on ongoing cases with anyone.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of trying to bribe an officer of the law,” Heather said sweetly.

  With that, Peters gratefully accepted a donut. He smiled at the taste and complimented the sweetness and crunchiness. "This is almost good enough to make me break down and share information," he admitted. "Luckily, there's nothing really to share. Detective Smith is keeping himself busy, but there isn't a case we're working at the moment. Thankfully, it was a quiet Halloween. At least, on dry land it was."

  Heather smiled. He was making a reference to the last killer she caught that was on a cruise ship.

  “I didn’t want to pry into any cases,” Heather said. “But perhaps, you do have some information that would be helpful.”

  “Like what?” Peters asked. “I do try and keep on top of island affairs.”

  “I was wondering if you knew anything about when Detective Smith planned to retire. He’s been putting it off after his announcement for months,” said Heather.

  “I don’t know,” Peters said, and she wasn’t sure if he was referring to not having the knowledge or whether he shouldn’t share it.

  “I’m not trying to force his hand,” Heather assured him. “But it’s difficult for Ryan to make plans when he doesn’t know exactly when he’ll be starting. If you could share any insight as to the date this change would happen, it would be very helpful to your new partner.”

  This cemented Peters's decision, and he was willing to talk. He always wanted to be helpful to a fellow officer. He also wanted to make a good impression with his new partner who had already solved so many cases. Unfortunately, Peters didn't have much news.

  “He definitely seems to be dragging his feet,” Peters said. “But I can’t tell the reason. I haven’t been searching for clues on it exactly because he’s my partner and mentor. He deserves some privacy. But I have thought something might be wrong recently."

  “How so?” Asked Heather. “Medically? Or work related?”

  Peters shrugged. “Sorry. That’s all I’ve got at the moment. If you need any information about things to do around here, I’d be more helpful.”

  “Actually,” Heather said. “I could use some advice about the bike tours here. We noticed we had several options and we weren’t sure which one we should pick for our ride tomorrow.”

  “Janae,” Peters said a little too quickly. “I mean, I hear that Janae is a good bike tour leader. If you wanted someone to lead your group. You don’t necessarily need one. But if you wanted a leader, I couldn’t imagine someone better than Janae. I’ve gone on a few of her Saturday rides. She's patient and funny and sweet. And her red hair looks really cute under her helmet. I mean, red hair and a helmet are good for a leader because it's something that everyone could keep an eye out for if she gets too far ahead. Not that she would get too far ahead. Because she keeps the pace something that everyone can keep up with. And she's good. And that's that."

  “Thanks,” Heather said. She wanted to ask for how to find this guide’s starting location but was afraid of how long that response would be.

  “What’s going on here?” Detective Smith asked, joining them. “Trying to solve more cases without us?”

  "If you're annoyed about solving the murder on the ship, it couldn't be helped. We were out at sea, and I couldn't check in with you," said Heather. "But I'm actually here delivering donuts."

  “A likely story,” said Detective Smith.

  “These are Caramel Apple Donuts,” said Heather, and Detective Smith grudgingly took one.

  “These are good,” he said.

  “If you like them,” Heather said, trying to be subtle. “I’d be happy to make a batch of them for your retirement party. Actually, I could make whatever flavor you like. It would be a party to celebrate everything you’ve done for the police force and the community.”

  Detective Smith was wary, but said, “Sure. You could make whatever donuts you want.”

  "I'm sure it will be a wonderful party," Heather said. "Because so many people will want to celebrate your contributions, though it might require some prep to make enough food for everyone there. Do you have a date for it yet?"

  “So that’s why you’re here? Just prying into my affairs and trying to wheedle your husband’s way onto the force. You want me out here.” Detective Smith said angrily.

  “No,” Heather said. “But you were the one who announced your retirement, which was part of the reason Ryan moved here. We don’t want to force you out, but we would like to know what your plans are.”

  “My plans are my own,” Detective Smith said. “And this is what the two of you were discussing before I came here?”

  “No,” Peters said, quickly. “We were talking about Janae. Biking. Bike tours.”

  Detective Smith was still giving them the evil eye when the chief came over to join them.

  “Is everything all right?” Chief Chet asked.

  Chief Chet Copeland was more causal than anyone Heather ever expected to see in charge. He asked everyone to call him by his first name and was wearing flipflops around the office. However, today his easygoing nature proved to be a blessing. The tense situation between them all seemed to temporarily dissolve.

  “Those donuts look tasty,” he said. “Did you bring them in for us?”

  Heather nodded and handed him one. He sniffed it and grinned.

  "I can get used to having a detective with a baker for a wife around," he said. "Oh. Before I forget, Smith, I have those files for you. They're on my desk now."

  “Finally,” Detective Smith muttered, before saying a louder thanks.

  “No problem,” Chief Chet said before turning his attention to the donut in hand.

  “I’ll retire when I’m ready,” Detective Smith said quietly to
Heather before walking away.

  She was worrying that she might have made things more difficult for both herself and Ryan. If she stayed on his bad side, Detective Smith wouldn’t let her and Amy assist with any more cases. It might also mean there would be some drama when Ryan did join the force.

  However, her thoughts began to change as she saw how seriously Detective Smith was studying to case files that he took from Chief Chet’s office. She began to think that Peters was mistaken.

  Detective Smith was investigating a case.

  Beginning with Bikes

  “What if I don’t remember how to do it?” Amy asked.

  “Don’t worry,” Heather said, knowing that she had been primed to answer this way. “It will be just like riding a bike.”

  “Yikes bikes,” Amy responded.

  Their large group was headed towards the starting point for the bike tour that Detective Peters recommended they join with Janae. She was the guide with Pedal the Island Tours.

  Heather hoped that they were all ready for the day’s biking. Though Peters and the woman she spoke to about making a reservation assured her that the trail would be appropriate for all levels, Heather was still nervous.

  They were an eclectic group of riders. Eva and Leila were as spirited as any people she knew, but they were also senior citizens who had been using blue hair dye for a while. Her daughter Lilly was still in middle school. Because he was in law enforcement and because it was his nature, Ryan was in top physical form. Heather had been known to chase killers, but she didn't have a steady exercise routine. Amy and Jamie were in a similar boat but were contemplating whether they should try a "bicycle built for two" because they had never tried a tandem bike before.