Cinnamon Sugar Murder: A Donut Hole Cozy Mystery - Book 60 Read online

  Cinnamon Sugar Murder

  Susan Gillard

  Contents

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  Cinnamon Sugar 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.

  Cinnamon Sugar Murder

  Chapter 1

  “This is so bittersweet,” Amy said.

  “Really?” Heather asked. “The donut is covered in sugar.”

  Heather examined her newest creation at Donut Delights. Her staff of five wonderful assistants and her best friend, Amy, were surrounding her in the kitchen of the shop.

  “No,” Amy retorted. “I’m sure the donut is sweet-sweet and delicious. But no matter what, it’s also bittersweet because this is the last donut flavor you’re creating in Hillside.”

  “You can’t talk like that,” Angelica said. “Or I’m going to start crying. And I can’t eat donuts if I’m crying.”

  “No tears,” Heather said. “I want you all to enjoy this donut. And there’s nothing to be sad about.”

  “Just that you’re moving a million miles away,” Jung said.

  “It’s closer to thirty-three thousand,” Emily Potts said.

  “It will still feel like a million,” Jung said.

  “I can’t believe you’re really going,” Ken said.

  “I’m going to miss you all so much. You’ve been more like a family to me than employees,” Heather said.

  “We feel the same, boss,” Maricela said. Even though she felt the same, she couldn’t resist calling Heather by the nickname “boss.”

  “You’re the best employer anyone could ask for,” Angelica said.

  “You’ve been a great mentor,” Emily Potts said, hugging her notebook of donut flavors close to her.

  “You’ve fed many a sweet tooth,” said Jung.

  “And you’ve definitely helped us out of some accused-of-murder jams,” Ken added.

  “Not the type of jam I like to use in my jelly donuts,” Heather said. “But I’m always happy to help with those.”

  “The point is,” Angelica said. “We’re going to miss you.”

  “As I was starting to say before I was so rudely complimented,” Heather said with a smile. “Is that I’m going to miss you all. But opening up the second shop will be great for Donut Delights. And it will help fill all our online orders, so you won’t have to be as crazy in the kitchen. And I wouldn’t be leaving if I wasn’t completely sure of your abilities and of Maricela at the helm.”

  “Yeah. No pressure,” Maricela said. “After everyone talks about how you’re the best boss ever. How am I supposed to compete with that?”

  “Just by being yourself,” Heather said.

  Maricela smiled at the compliment, but then joked, “And I might have to be willing to whip out my rolling pin if anyone gets out of line.”

  They all laughed. Then Amy reminded them that there were donuts there for the tasting.

  “So, what flavor is this?” Emily Potts asked.

  “The last Hillside flavor,” Angelica said.

  “Don’t start that again,” Maricela said, touching the rolling pin she had threatened to pick up before. The cousins playfully glared at one another.

  “And it’s not the last Donut Delights flavor by a long shot,” Heather said. “I’ll still be sending you new recipes every week. They’ll just come by way of Key West.”

  “Enough talk about the move,” Amy said. “More talk about donuts.”

  “This is the Cinnamon Sugar Donut,” Heather said, acquiescing to the request. “I think I was thinking sweet thoughts about Hillside and wanted to make a donut to match. It has a vanilla cake base for the bottom. Then it’s covered in cinnamon and sugars all the way around.”

  “Did you say sugars?” Emily Potts asked.

  “Yes,” Heather smiled. “I used sugar and brown sugar and vanilla sugar.”

  “What’s vanilla sugar?” Amy asked. “Besides my new favorite thing?”

  “It’s sugar that’s been infused with a vanilla bean,” Heather said. “But now without further ado, let’s have a bite.”

  The assistants didn’t need more prompting. They each grabbed a donut and had a taste. It was hard to make out all the compliments through their full and happy mouths. Heather grinned as they all enjoyed her Cinnamon Sugar Donut.

  Then Amy said, “It’s a donut worthy of being the grand finale.”

  Her assistants clapped at the description and to congratulate Heather’s work. She did a mock curtsy and then reminded them, “This isn’t the end though. It’s an exciting new venture for me. And it will provide fun and challenging opportunities for you all here too. And, speaking of this not being the end, I need to talk to Maricela for a moment.”

  Heather and Maricela headed to the office. Heather noticed that Maricela couldn’t help smiling as she passed Jung. Amy followed them into the office as well. She knew her face-to-face time with Heather was counting down and she didn’t intend to lose a moment with her bestie, even if it involved listening to boring business details.

  “I want to make sure that you’re all set before I go,” Heather said. “I’ve only got a few more days here.”

  “Three,” Amy said glumly.

  “I think almost everything is in order,” Maricela said. “We’ll continue to handle the online orders until your kitchen opens.”

  “Rudolph Rodney tells me that it’s almost done and that we should be able to open in just a week or two after we arrive,” Heather said.

  “And you’ve shown me how to take care of the office duties. Recordkeeping, payroll, profits,” Maricela listed.

  “And you know all about the monthly Business Breakfasts at the Hillside Humly Hotel? And still helping with the PTA bake sales? And helping Eva and Leila whenever they need to order in bulk?” Heather asked.

  Maricela nodded. “I think you’ve prepared me for everything, boss.”

  Heather took a deep breath. She was passing the baton over to her Hillside successor. Even though she was moving for the right reasons and she had every faith in Maricela’s management capabilities, it still felt hard to let go.

  “There is one more thing to ask,” Amy said, before raising her eyebrows up and down.

  “Oh, yes,” Heather said. “How are things working out with mixing your personal life and the raise?”

  “Mixing together like batter,�
� Maricela said. “So far, everything is great. My cousin Angelica might tease me sometimes, but she’ll always come through. She’s started calling me “boss” though. Can you imagine that?”

  Heather raised an eyebrow. Maricela had been calling her “boss” for as long as Heather had been asking her to call her “Heather” on day one. Maricela recognized the look and laughed.

  “And how are things with Jung?” Amy asked. “Is it Jung love?”

  Heather groaned as Maricela blushed.

  “Things are going well there. But we’re professionals too. We’re colleagues at work, and after business hours we can be more than colleagues. I have a good feeling about it. I think he has potential to be the one.” Then to cover some embarrassment over this confession, Maricela joked, “But if anything did go wrong, I’m sure one of us wouldn’t mind transferring to Key West.”

  Heather laughed at the joke. Then as she left the office, she said, “I’m really proud of you. I know you’ll be great at this.”

  Heather with Amy at her hip left and walked into the front of the shop. Heather looked around, recognizing how very much she would miss her first store. She laid her hand on the golden register and looked at the display of colorful donuts.

  She was shaken out of her thoughts by the appearance of a customer. However, this was no ordinary customer.

  “Heather,” Rudolph Rodney said, shaking her hand. “Are you as excited as I am?”

  “I’m getting pretty excited,” Heather said to her investor. “I think this Donut Delights is prepared for when I move.”

  “And the new shop is coming along swimmingly,” Rudolph assured her. “I talked to the contractors this morning, and the kitchen is almost done.”

  “That’s great to hear,” Heather said. “I wish my kitchen at home were almost done. I still have things to pack.”

  “I do need to talk to you about where your packed belongings are moving to,” Rudolph Rodney said.

  “You’re not backing out of giving her one of your rentals, are you?” Amy asked.

  “Not at all,” Rudolph Rodney assured her. “But she hadn’t quite decided which of my properties she wanted to go to. I need to make sure the one she wants is ready to go.”

  “I’m sorry,” Heather said. “With everything else that’s going on, I haven’t had a chance to sit down and weigh the options about which house to go to.”

  “They are all nice places,” Rudolph said. “I have the little bungalow on the beach, the three-family home, and the tiny house.”

  “I know,” Heather said. “Tonight, I’ll sit down with Ryan, and we’ll make our decision. We need to make sure it’s near Lilly’s new school and how travel would be to both of our workplaces.”

  “How is his workplace switch going?” Rudolph Rodney asked jovially.

  “The Key West Police are happy to have him, especially with his record of catching so many murderers,” Heather said.

  “He did have some help,” Amy said.

  “Another detective is retiring soon,” Heather continued. “So, he’ll be able to take his place.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. I have a few things to take care of, and I’m sure you have some things to do as well. I’m just going to pick up a few of your newest donuts and then be on my way. Please just let me know which house you’d like,” said Rudolph Rodney.

  “I will,” Heather assured him.

  As he left, Heather turned to her bestie. “Just add that to the list of things to do.”

  “That list is so long you could use it to wallpaper your new home,” Amy said.

  “Well,” Heather said with a laugh. “We better get started.”

  Chapter 2

  Heather buzzed around the house with Amy’s help, labeling and packing up boxes.

  “I can’t pack you up in one of these, can I?” Heather asked.

  “Don’t tempt me,” Amy said. “Especially since I still don’t know what’s going on with my house.”

  Heather groaned. “They’re still keeping you waiting?”

  Right after Amy and her boyfriend Jamie had moved into their first home together, their landlord had died. His heirs were still deciding if they wanted to keep renting out the house or if they wanted to sell the property.

  Amy shrugged. “They’ll probably deliver the bad news right after you leave. Then we’ll have to move our all our furniture again without you.”

  “I know you said that you don’t want it, but the offer still stands if you want our house. Ryan and I decided not to sell it right away. We thought we would keep it for a while until we decided if Key West was just for a year or if it was forever.”

  “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think it’s the right choice for us,” Amy said. ‘Then again, there might be secret stashes of donuts here. Maybe I should reconsider.”

  “Don’t worry. You can always have as many donuts as you want from Donut Delights. It’s the bestie bonus,” Heather said.

  Amy smiled. They continued packing. Heather paused when she came to her daughter’s writing area. Her twelve-year-old was a master when it came to writing dinosaur detective stories.

  Heather popped her head into the other room where Lilly was playing with her friend Marlene. The two girls were trying to squeeze in as much quality time as possible before Lilly moved away. Lilly had been spending all her free time split between her two best friends: Nicolas and Marlene.

  Many of Lilly’s games had been packed away already, but Lilly and Marlene were having fun trying on her clothes as they boxed them up. When Heather looked inside, she saw the two girls wearing winter coats with distressed faces.

  “What’s going on?” Heather asked.

  “Oh. We’re climbing up Mt. Everest,” Lilly said dismissively before resuming her “climb” with her friend.

  “One question.” Heather said, trying to play along, “from a friendly Sherpa?”

  “Sure,” Lilly said. “We could set up camp for a moment.”

  Marlene giggled.

  “How much paper do you need to be left out? I want to pack up what you’re not going to need before we go. But I don’t want your pink typewriter not to have paper if inspiration strikes.”

  “You can just leave out a few pages,” Lilly said. “I’m not sure how much writing I’m going to be doing. I want to make sure I spend enough time with my friends in person before I can only talk to them on a video chat.”

  Heather nodded and left them to finish their expedition.

  “She’s being great about the move,” Heather said. “She’s not going to have any unfinished business. She’s seeing all her friends and they’ve made sure that they know how to communicate long distance. She’s also already promised her almost-grandmas Eva and Leila that she would send them copies of her new stories. She’s already addressed some envelopes.”

  “She is on top of things,” Amy said. “How about you? Are you going to have unfinished business?”

  “I think I prepared Maricela to run the shop. We don’t have any open investigations. I’m nearly packed. I have a few people to visit before I go, but I know I can fit it in. I think there’s really only one big thing that’s bothering me.”

  “What’s that?” Amy asked. “Some donut record to beat?”

  Right on cue, Dave the dog ran into the room. Heather could swear he had supersonic hearing when it came to donuts. Heather smiled.

  “No, Dave. We were just talking about donuts. We don’t have any.”

  Dave whimpered at the injustice of it all, and Heather relented.

  “Maybe we could have a donut break?” Heather said.

  “You don’t need to convince me,” Amy said.

  They decided it was time to unpack one box and opened the Cinnamon Sugar Donuts. They both enjoyed their snack, but it was nothing compared to how happy it made Dave. His tail was wagging a mile a minute.

  Maybe it was Dave’s tail or the smell of donuts, but their kitten Cupcake also joined the party. Cupcake had been enjoyi
ng playing in all the cardboard boxes in the house but emerged for the possibility of donuts. Heather realized they would have to be careful to make sure that Cupcake didn’t get boxed up and accidentally sent to Florida in a moving van. Maybe she would just have to break out some more donuts to distract the animals when it was moving time.

  “These donuts are about to be all finished,” Amy said. “But what’s unfinished?”

  “Getting Lyle Clarke behind bars,” Heather said, losing the smile that had been on her face from the donuts. “I hate that he’s going to get away with everything.”

  “It’s a lot to get away with,” Amy nodded. “That shark-like mob-tied contractor has been behind a ton of the crime in Hillside.”

  “He might not have pulled the trigger, but he was behind the murder of several people,” Heather said.

  “He ordered hits and then had others take the blame,” said Amy.

  “He tried to frame Rudolph Rodney for murder,” Heather said.

  “He stole a lot of stuff too,” added Amy. “Remember that autograph from the writer Allen Wolfsmore? Somebody was murdered so that he could get that souvenir. And why? He can’t even hang it up because it’s stolen.”

  “He had that threatening letter sent to my daughter,” added Heather.

  “Yeah,” Amy said. “All around bad dude.”

  “And that’s with us on his tail,” Heather sighed. “Imagine what he’ll be like once we’re gone. He’ll feel like he owns this town even more than he already does.”

  “We did the best we could,” Amy said. “We definitely tried to find enough evidence to get him. He’s slimy and a professional. I guess it’s just up to the police to catch him now. Or maybe the FBI. Maybe they need to bring in the big guns.”