Peach Cobler Murder Read online

  Peach Cobbler Murder

  A Donut Hole Cozy Mystery- Book 57

  Susan Gillard

  Contents

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  Peach Cobbler 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.

  Peach Cobbler Murder

  Chapter 1

  “I think it’s just peachy,” Eva said as Heather presented her newest flavor at Donut Delights: The Peach Cobbler Donut.

  Heather laughed, but also secretly braced herself in preparation for hearing that comment for the rest of the week. She prepared two plates of Peach Cobbler Donuts with a smile.

  “You prepped those easy as pie,” Leila said.

  “Am I going to be hearing pie jokes all week?” Heather asked.

  “They’re easier than cobbler jokes,” Leila smiled.

  “But not if you’re holding our donuts hostage,” Eva said.

  “I would never be so cruel,” Heather said with a wink.

  She asked her assistant Maricela to watch the counter while she completed this order. Her assistants had been giving her strange looks this morning, and she was sure it was because she told them that she had to make an announcement that afternoon. Everyone wanted to know what it would be, but no one wanted to be the one to ask early.

  “Sure thing, boss,” Maricela said. She refrained from asking about the announcement.

  Heather brought the donuts over to her favorite customers’ usual table. Eva and Leila hurried into their seats, more than eager to have a bite of the newest creation. The two seniors were loyal customers and always appreciated Heather’s recipes. Heather happily admitted that one of her favorite perks of owning Donut Delights was seeing the delighted smiles on her friends’ faces when they enjoyed her donuts.

  “So, tell us all about this one,” Eva said.

  “But, quickly,” Leila added. “Because I’m not sure how long I can resist eating it.”

  “I’ll try and be quick,” Heather said. “Luckily, this donut is intuitive and lives up to its name. It has a basic vanilla cake base, but inside it is filled with a peach jelly. It’s been sweetened and spiced to taste like peach cobbler. On top is a creamy icing, as if you are putting whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on top of your cobbler.”

  “It’s like you're combining my favorite things together,” Eva said.

  “This sounds like anything but the pits,” said Leila.

  “Now what are those other things on top?” Eva asked. “I don’t want to call them crumbs because that doesn’t sound respectful.”

  “You can call them crumbs,” Heather said. “I promise it doesn’t taste crummy. It’s meant to provide a taste of the crust from the peach cobbler. It’s a tasty crumbled crust mixed with cinnamon and nutmeg. There’s just a little sprinkling on top to make sure that you get the whole essence of the cobbler.”

  “Well, I am peach-less,” Leila joked.

  “We can fix that,” Heather said. “Go ahead and take a bite.”

  The ladies happily obliged and then complimented the flavor.

  “This is so delicious,” Eva said.

  “I think I need another slice of this donut pie,” Leila said.

  This wish was granted when Heather’s bestie Amy joined them with another batch of Peach Cobbler Donuts.

  “Did somebody say they needed more donuts?” Amy asked, setting the plates down for the happy table. Then she admitted, “I didn’t really hear what you were all talking about, but I figured that we always need more donuts.”

  “You figured right,” Heather said.

  “We were just talking about how yummy these donuts are,” Eva said.

  “I can really gobble up this cobbler,” Leila agreed.

  “But I suppose we should talk a little bit about tonight,” said Eva. “What time would you like us to come over?”

  Heather considered it. Eva and Leila were going to babysit her daughter Lilly that evening. The three of them had so much fun together that it was never a chore. Lilly had already been hard at work preparing a new story on her pink typewriter that she could read to her almost-grandmothers. Eva and Leila had been looking for a new dinosaur-inspired movie that they could share with their favorite young person. They were all prepared for a fun-filled evening. Heather was almost sorry she had to miss it for her plans.

  “Dinner is at six tonight,” Heather said. “Why don’t you come over around five? That will give us a little time to catch up with one another before Ryan and I set out to the restaurant.”

  “Will there be donuts if we come early?” Leila asked.

  “Do I need to bribe my friends to hang out with me?” Heather asked, with mock indignation.

  “Not at all,” Leila said. “We just need to figure out how many donuts to take to-go with us to survive the day.”

  “And we’d like to spend as much time with you as we can before you move away,” Eva said.

  Amy sucked in some air, but kept the frown off her face.

  Heather knew that it would be difficult to say goodbye to all her friends in Hillside, and some of them would have difficulty bidding farewell to her as well. Amy had been dead-set against the move for a while but had grudgingly accepted what a wonderful opportunity it would be for the Shepherds.

  Eva must have sensed that it was already hard for the besties to admit that they were going separate ways, but she wanted to reassure Heather that the move was the right one. “We’ll miss you, of course,” she said. “But we’re so proud of you.”

  “And we’re happy that more people will be able to taste your delicious donuts,” said Leila.

  “But Key West looks like a wonderful place,” Eva said. “We’re already looking at trips to take a visit you.”

  “Visit you and visit the beach,” Leila joked. “I just need to pick out a new bikini.”

  “I can’t believe it’s official,” Amy said. “You’re really going.”

  Heather nodded. “We decided it was what we should do. And that’s what tonight is about. We’re going out to celebrate.”

  “The whole gang?” Leila asked.

  “Yes,” Heather said, going through a mental checklist. “My current joint venture partners, Col and Mona, will be there. My new investor who instigated opening a second location in Key West, Rudolph Rodney, will be there. His nephew, Roadkill Rodney, is going to come as well since their family reconciliation at Donut Delights is what put this whole plan into motion.”

  “Of all the bakeries in all the towns,
they had to walk into yours,” Amy said, tweaking a famous quote into her own line.

  “It’s a good thing that it happened though,” Heather reminded her.

  “I know,” Amy said. “It’s just that I’m just going to miss you so much that I need to keep reminding myself that.”

  “Are you and Jamie coming tonight?” Heather asked. “You’re my best friend and my partner-in-solving-crime. I’d like to have you there.”

  “Of course, I will be,” Amy said. “Until you get onto that plane, we’re going to be joined at the hip. And I guess Jamie will come too.”

  “Are there any troubles in paradise?” Eva asked.

  Amy and Jamie felt like a strong couple. They had also just moved into a house together, but some problems were developing there. After their landlord had been murdered, they were not sure exactly what they status on the house they were renting was.

  “We’re doing great,” Amy said. “He just can be awkward in business meetings, and I think that’s what he thinks this dinner is.”

  “Tell him it’s not a business meeting,” Heather started.

  “I tried to tell him that, but he kept focusing on how all the investors were gathering together.”

  “Tell him it’s a celebration,” Heather said. “And I’d love for you all to be there.”

  “I’m sure he will actually come,” Amy said. “Especially if it’s at Dos Chicos.”

  “Of course it’s a Dos Chico,” Heather said. “It’s my favorite restaurant. I need to go there as much as possible before we move.”

  “I just can’t believe you’re moving,” Amy said again.

  Heather looked at the counter and saw that Maricela was eyeing their table. Heather realized that if she were going to make her move official, there were some pretty important people she had to tell.

  Chapter 2

  Amy agreed to step in and watch the counter so that Heather could talk to her whole staff at once. She was glad that she wouldn’t have to make this bittersweet announcement twice. As excited as she was about the new opportunity, she was going to miss the shop that she had opened up with her own tenacity, creativity, and hard work. Most of all, she would miss the wonderful assistants that came to join her and began to feel like family.

  Her five assistants gathered around her. Maricela and Angelica stood next to each other. Ken was fiddling with the camera he always wore around his neck, while Emily Potts flipped through the notebook that she always took notes in. Jung was frowning.

  “What’s going on, boss?” Maricela asked.

  “I have some news,” Heather said.

  “Good or bad?” Angelica asked, trying to prepare herself.

  “It’s a little of both,” Heather admitted. “I hope you’ll think it’s mostly good.”

  “I’m just going to ask it,” Jung said. “I’ve heard bits and pieces from conversations in the shop. Are you leaving Hillside?”

  “Yes,” Heather said. She had prepared a bit of a speech for informing them, but maybe this was the best way after all. It was like ripping off a band-aid. Now the information was out in the open.

  “Are you all right?” Maricela asked. “Is this because some killer is after you and you have to go into hiding?”

  “Does this have to do with Lyle Clarke?” Emily Potts asked, fearfully, referring to the mob-tied contractor in Hillside was becoming Heather’s nemesis.

  “No,” Heather assured them. “This isn’t about a case. This is a business move for Donut Delights.”

  “And it has to do with that Florida guy?” Jung asked. “That smooth-talking Rudolph Rodney guy?”

  “I’m not sure I’d call him smooth-talking,” Heather said.

  “He did seem suave,” Angelica interrupted. “You know, for an older guy.”

  “But yes, this does have to do with him,” Heather said. “I’m going to open a Donut Delights in Key West, Florida.”

  “After our trip there when you got involved in that poisonous Man-Of-War murder case, I’m surprised you want to go there,” Ken said.

  “I’m sure this move will be focused much more on making donuts than on murder,” Heather said.

  “You always say that, boss,” Maricela said. “But then you end up finding clues and catching a killer.”

  Heather smiled at the apt description of her usual activities but found that her assistants were all looking glum.

  Finally, Jung voiced what they were all afraid was happening. “So when does this location close?” Jung asked.

  “There’s no way you think I’m closing you down, do you?” Heather asked.

  Her assistants started to perk up.

  “You’re not?” Jung asked.

  “Of course not,” Heather said. “This is the original Donut Delights. It’s a Hillside institution now. And it’s my baby. This store is staying open.”

  “Even though you’re leaving?” Angelica asked.

  “I’ll have to figure out the specifics of keeping things running without my being here, but your jobs are safe,” Heather said. “I trust you all, and we can keep this shop going strong.”

  “I have been taking thorough notes on all the flavors,” Emily Potts said, hugging her notebook.

  “I’ve been taking those business classes,” Maricela said.

  “I’ll keep the website up and running,” Jung said.

  “I’ll continue taking pictures for it,” said Ken, touching his camera.

  Angelica searched for contribution. “Well, the customers love me, so I’ll just keep working front-of-house.”

  “Thank you,” Heather said to them all. “I’m so proud of what you’ve all done here so far, and I know you can keep it going successfully.”

  “The only problem is,” Maricela said. “Is that we’re going to miss you.”

  “Yeah,” Jung said. “And who’s going to catch all the bad guys with you gone?”

  Heather checked her reflection in the mirror. She didn’t have to get dressed up fancily for the night’s festivities, but she did want to look nice for a celebration. It had been hard for her to focus on her plans for little decisions like what earrings to wear when she had so much big planning to do for her move.

  Her husband Ryan checked on her. He was already dressed and ready to go. He always looked handsome in whatever he wore, whether it was his detective uniform or casual dining clothes. He told her that she looked beautiful, and she accepted the compliment even though she thought he was biased in his opinion.

  “You look beautiful,” Ryan repeated. “But you also look distracted. Is everything all right?”

  “I’m just realizing how much we have to do before we move,” Heather said. “We have to make sure that Lilly is all set to start a new school. Are we going to sell our house? Who am I going to have run this Donut Delights? Should I hire a new manager?”

  “These are important questions,” Ryan said. “But we deserve one night off from questions. No cases. No big planning. Just one night where we celebrate the new adventure we are about to embark on.”

  “I’ll try,” Heather said, taking a breath and trying to relax.

  “Maybe this will help put you in the right frame of mind for a fun evening,” Ryan said. “Eva and Leila just arrived.”

  “That does sound like fun,” Heather said.

  They went downstairs where Eva and Leila were already starting to play a game with Lilly. Heather and Ryan joyfully joined in, along with their pets Dave and Cupcake. Dave, the dog, loved it when Eva and Leila came over. He liked the two women, but also knew that their presence meant that donuts were sure to appear. The kitten Cupcake liked to greet them by climbing on the tallest thing she could and jumping onto them for a greeting.

  When it was time to leave for dinner, Heather was in a good mood and was ready to celebrate at her favorite restaurant. However, as she buckled her seatbelt, she suddenly had a bad feeling. She didn’t feel it was related to Lilly or her senior friends. If that were the case, she would have run back insid
e to guard them. However, she did feel that something was about to go wrong.

  “What’s the matter?” Ryan asked.

  “Just a bad feeling,” Heather said. “It’s probably nothing.”

  She put on a happy face, determined to enjoy her night out. However, she couldn’t help thinking that her bad feelings were usually linked to murder cases.

  Chapter 3

  When Heather and Ryan reached the restaurant, things seemed normal enough. Jamie had gotten dressed up for the event and was wearing a sports jacket.

  “I told you he still thinks of it as a business dinner,” Amy muttered to her bestie.

  Col and Mona arrived walking hand in hand and Heather was pleased to see that, despite some setbacks with planning, their wedding was still on.

  They were all standing outside, waiting for their whole party before they got their table when Rudolph and Roadkill Rodney arrived. They both came in distinctive vehicles. Roadkill Rodney was in an old beat-up truck with a cartoon picture of a dead raccoon on it, while Rudolph Rodney arrived in a different style of car. He pulled up in a yellow Porsche convertible.

  “Wow,” Col said. “What kind of car is that?”

  “Oh, it’s just a rental,” Rudolph responded. “I do like to splurge a bit when I’m visiting new places. I hope you don’t think it’s too flashy.”

  “No, it’s nice,” said Col.

  “It’s not a truck which is my favorite vehicle,” Roadkill Rodney said. “But it sure is eye-catching.”

  “And since I drive around in a police cruiser with flashing lights on top,” Ryan said. “Who am I to talk about being too flashy?”