Banana Fudge Murder: A Donut Hole Cozy Mystery - Book 50 Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  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

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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.

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  Table of Contents

  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

  Chapter 1

  “Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum, yum, yum, yum,” Amy sang. “Banana fudge!”

  “Is that to the tune of Banana Phone?” Heather asked, with a laugh. It had been a long time since she had heard that song and she wasn’t expecting to be serenaded with it so suddenly.

  “It is,” Amy agreed. “But with a twist inspired by your newest donut creation.”

  “I’m glad my flavors inspire you,” Heather said. She was also glad to see that her bestie was looking more cheerful. She felt like something was on Amy’s mind all morning. They normally shared everything; from ideas about dessert to suspicions about who was guilty in a murder case to their deepest personal problems. Amy was also usually very vocal about her feelings, even if she announced them by telling a sarcastic joke. Heather was concerned that Amy did not want to talk about what was distracting her that morning, but decided that her friend would tell her when she was ready. Amy might not be ready to admit something to herself, and so she couldn’t tell her friend about it yet.

  However, with a happy tune, it seemed like things were looking more positive in Amy’s mind. Heather was about to comment on this change, and reaffirm to her bestie that she was always there for her with whatever she needed. Heather’s helping hand could give her a pat on the back, could swat away annoyances or could mix more delicious donut delicacies.

  However, before Heather had a chance to say any of this her assistant, Maricela joined them in the kitchen.

  “How’s the new batch of the Banana Fudge Donuts coming along?” Maricela asked. “This flavor is really popular. We’re going to need to stock some more soon.”

  “I just finished with these,” Heather said, indicating to the Banana Fudge Donuts that had inspired her friend’s tune. “However I promised Amy that she could have one. And I think I might have to indulge too.”

  “That’s fine. You’re the boss, boss.”

  Heather rolled her eyes. She had told her assistants to call her “Heather,” but now they called her “boss” to tease her. She should be used to it by now, but the double use of the word “boss” brought back her old eye roll. She thought of her assistants more like family than employees, and the feelings of care and admiration were mutual.

  “Tell you want,” Heather said. “You can have a donut too if you call me Heather.”

  “It’s a deal, Heather.” Maricela said, before adding, “You know how to strike a hard bargain, boss.”

  Amy laughed while Heather groaned. Then the three of them picked up a donut and took a bite.

  “Have I told you how much I love working here?” Maricela said.

  “You might have mentioned it,” Heather smiled.

  “The cake is so moist,” Amy said. “It’s like there’s real banana in there.”

  “Thanks,” Heather said. “That’s what I was going for. It’s a banana flavored cake base. I didn’t want it to taste too artificial.”

  “It’s a perfect balance,” Maricela seconded. “It’s not like the overpowering banana flavoring in some candies. It really is a nice cake-y flavor in a donut.”

  “And it doesn’t hurt that it’s covered in chocolate!” said Amy.

  “It’s a chocolate fudge icing,” Heather said. “It’s a little thicker than regular chocolate icing, but I thought it would balance the base.”

  “It does,” Amy said. “And I like the yellow sprinkles on top.”

  “They were just to add a dash of color to the donut,” Heather said. “And I know a lot of our customers love sprinkles.”

  “A lot of our customers love everything you make,” Maricela said. “And speaking of them, I better get these donuts out there for them to buy and enjoy.”

  They helped Maricela with a tray, and she headed back to the front counter and the dedicated Donut Delights customers.

  “I think I need a second Banana Fudge Donut,” Amy said. “I might have to join those customers in line.”

  “Don’t bother,” Heather said. “I have a secret stash.”

  It wasn’t really secret, but there was another donut hiding behind a measuring cup. Heather handed it to her grateful friend.

  “You enjoy that. If it’s selling so well, I think I’m going to make another batch before I help behind the counter.”

  “I really love this flavor,” Amy said. “It partly reminds me of an ice cream sundae, partly reminds me of chocolate covered fruit, and is all-around delicious.”

  “Stop complimenting me, or I’ll start eating again instead of baking,” Heather joked.

  “The perils of working in a bakery,” Amy responded.

  “I am really glad you like this though,” Heather said. “I thought maybe something was bothering you, but now you seem happier.”

  “How can I be sad when I have sugar?” Amy said, with another bite for emphasis. Then she continued, “And I wasn’t really sad. I was just thinking about things.”

  “That’s not vague at all.”

  “A definitive thing that I was thinking of is that we should pack up some of these Banana Fudge Donuts for dessert tonight. I’m sure the fancy restaurant will offer us some desserts, but I’m also sure these will be better. We can eat there and then feast on these after.”

  Heather nodded. She and Amy were going on a double date that evening to L'oie D'or, an upscale French restaurant that they had not tried before. Heather fondly remembered her honeymoon trip to France (even though a murder case did have to rear its head and force Ryan and her to do some sleuthing on their otherwise romantic trip) and thought it was worth trying the food.

  All of her friends loved her favorite restaurant Dos Chicos as much as she did, but they wanted to try a new experience together that Amy’s boyfriend Jamie could be “on the ground floor” of. He sometimes felt like a latecomer to their close-knit group,
especially when the other three starting investigating a case together. However, he and Amy were a wonderful couple, and you could see how much they loved one another. Jamie had also started joining in more group activities with them, and was starting to feel more like part of the gang and not only Amy’s “plus one.”

  “You know I’m always game for a donut dessert,” Heather said. “And I think I should bring some home too for my babysitters. Eva and Leila told me they love this flavor.”

  That wasn’t much of a surprise. Eva had started out as Heather’s favorite customer, but the older lady had soon become a close friend. Eva and her bestie Leila were staying with Heather until their home was rebuilt after a nasty case of arson. They kindly agreed to babysit Heather’s daughter Lilly during her date tonight. The more she thought about it, the more she thought that Eva and Leila might have been hoping to be paid in donuts for their favor. They couldn’t get enough of the treats, but that was something that Heather completely understood.

  “I think that’s a great idea,” Amy said. She had finished her donut and was starting to look distracted again.

  “Okay,” Heather said. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m out of donuts,” Amy joked. Then she admitted, “I’m a little worried about things with Jamie and me.”

  “Did something happen?” Heather asked. She had thought that Jamie had proven himself to be worthy of her best friend, but if he turned out not to be the man she thought he was – she wasn’t against taking out her rolling pin!

  “No,” Amy said. “And that’s kind of the problem. We decided we were going to move in together, but now it seems like we are taking an awfully long time to do it. What if we’re getting cold feet?”

  “Well, are your toes cold?”

  “I don’t think so. I’m crazy about him. And I’d like to make this step.”

  “But?” Heather asked, sensing that her friend needed some prodding to admit what was on her mind and then get it off her chest.

  “But I’ve had bad luck with guys in the past,” Amy admitted. “What if I’m still unlucky and something goes wrong?”

  Heather wanted to give her friend a hug, but they were both sticky from baking donuts and then eating them. However, realizing that they were in the same sugary boat, she went ahead and hugged her.

  “I think you need to focus on the present and not the past,” Heather said. “If there’s a reason to stall now, it’s fine. But you can’t let what happened before stop you from having what you want now.”

  “You’re right,” Amy said. “I don’t really think Jamie has cold feet either. It just seems like we’re moving slowly. Pun intended.”

  “Maybe you’re just waiting for the right home?” Heather suggested.

  “That might be it!” Amy said. “We just need to find the right place. And then if we’re together, and if we have friends who visit, especially ones who bring donuts, then everything will be perfect.”

  Chapter 2

  Heather couldn’t help feeling a bit out of place at L'oie D'or. Donut Delights and Dos Chicos were places she felt were made to make customers feel at ease. This restaurant made her feel like she had to use the correct utensil or she would be shunned.

  She had put on a nice dress and made an effort with her red hair, but still felt underdressed. She thought the rest of her table had pulled off the fancy look better than she had. She thought that Amy looked beautiful in a light blue dress and with her blonde hair pulled up into a twist. She was pleased to see that Jamie had matched his shirt to Amy’s ensemble. Even though it looked a little like they were headed to prom, it made her happy to see that they were in coordination. When she looked at Ryan at the table, she was reminded of what a handsome man he was. He always looked attractive, whether it was in his detective work clothes or in the novelty pajamas he had received as a gift, and he wore his suit jacket that night very nicely.

  She caught Ryan looking back at her and wondered the reason. Was it a look of love or was something stuck in her teeth? She felt much more comfortable in her baking and sleuthing clothes that she was able to move around in. She knew Amy loved dressing up for special occasions, but Heather liked to be comfortable.

  “What are you looking at, Shepherd?’ Heather asked.

  “You,” Ryan said simply. “Just thinking how beautiful my wife looks tonight. And how lucky I am to be married to her.”

  She smiled. He really did have a way with words. Whether it was crafting a question for a suspect so they would give up the right information or complimenting a loved one, he knew just what to say.

  “I was thinking the same thing,” she admitted.

  “I’d propose a toast to our lovely ladies,” Jamie said. “But I’m afraid I’d use the wrong glass.”

  They all laughed. Heather was glad that they had similar feelings to what she did. This was nice for their outing tonight, but they weren’t planning on becoming regular customers.

  “Next time we go out, let’s try that new barbecue place,” Ryan suggested.

  “I’ve heard good things about it,” Jamie said, agreeing.

  “And we’re encouraged to be messy and get BBQ sauce on our hands,” Heather said.

  “I’m fine with this plan for next time,” Amy said. “But what am I going to eat tonight? I can’t understand the menu.”

  “I’m sure the waiter can help,” Ryan said. “He seemed like a nice guy.”

  Heather nodded. Their waiter Phillip had been in a very happy mood and had helped them order a wine that appealed to all of them. She was sure he would be a help with their main courses as well.

  “I know we figured out L'oie D'or translated to The Golden Goose,” Jamie said, indicating to something on the menu. “Does that mean that this dish is goose?”

  “I think so,” Amy said. “That or it’s solid gold?”

  Heather looked at the decorations around the restaurant. It lived up to the name. There were statues and draperies of gold. Everything from the salt shakers to the columns around the room exuded elegance. Amy had thought that Heather might like to see a restaurant with a golden theme because she had liked golden floorboards enough to use them while decorating Donut Delights. However, none of the décors of L'oie D'or would match her donut shop’s casual charm. Maybe if they added a donut to the hand of one of the maiden statues, she might be able to hide it in a corner.

  “I know escargot is snails and I’m not sure I’m brave enough to try that,” Amy said. “I know I’ve faced murders before, but I have a sensitive palate.”

  “It’s been fine tuned to recognize the best donuts,” Jamie smiled.

  “That’s true. But luckily I didn’t have far to search for that one,” said Amy. “And I have some Banana Fudge Donuts we can have for dessert tonight.”

  “I’m sure anything we order here will taste wonderful,” Heather said. She was trying to remember the name of a dish she had liked on her trip to France and had wanted to try again.

  As if on cue, their waiter walked up to the table and listed the specials for the night. Heather snapped her fingers when he said the second one, and then looked sheepish.

  “I was trying to remember the name of that dish,” she said. “I guess I know what I’m ordering.”

  “Mademoiselle makes my job easy,” the waiter Phillip said with a smile. “It’s lovely when you know what you’ll like.”

  “Thanks,” Heather said. “But I know you’re just flattering me after my faux pas. There’s no way you think I’m young enough to look like a mademoiselle.”

  “Perhaps there is a youthful energy at this table,” Phillip said. Then with a wink, “Or perhaps at my age, everyone looks young to me.”

  Heather smiled at his joke. Phillip did seem a little older, but he definitely seemed spry. She also regularly spent time with two active ladies who were in their seventies and who were known to beat her at bowling, so she did subscribe to the slogan “age is just a number.”

  Phillip had gray hair and seemed to be
wearing a hearing aid. However, he also seemed light on his feet and full of energy. He was in a jolly mood, and it was infectious.

  The only time they felt truly comfortable in this overly fancy establishment was when Phillip was explaining the dishes to them. His happiness made them feel like they were about to receive the most amazing dishes in the whole world and that he couldn’t wait to deliver the bounty to them.

  Amy took the longest to decide but was pleased when she made her choice. Phillip speedily repeated their orders back to them with complete accuracy.

  “Wow,” Jamie said.

  “I can’t believe you can remember all our complicated orders,” Amy said. “You don’t have to write it down?”

  “I have a knack for remembering orders. Maybe I’ve been doing this too long?” He joked.

  “I guess we can remember donut orders,” Amy said. “But the orders he takes seem more complicated.”