Pumpkin Pie Brulee & Murder: An Oceanside Cozy Mystery - Book 9 Read online

  “Mom, is everything all right?” Lilly asked.

  Heather nodded and answered the phone, “Hi Ryan. I think I have an idea on how we can catch the killer.”

  Phone and Food

  Heather knew that all the Caulfields and Caulfield-Browns should be within listening distance. She and Amy met Kiki while she was sitting in the dining room.

  “Kiki, we need your help with the investigation again,” Heather said, not bothering to keep her voice down.

  “How?” Kiki asked.

  “We know that you were in the house at the time of the sabotage and that you were taking videos of yourself. However, we think that some of those videos have windows in the background. We’re sure that if we have the police techs look at the phone, they’ll be able to determine who the killer is,” Heather said. “We just need your phone.”

  “You want to take my phone?” Kiki asked. “For how long?”

  “Could be a week or two,” Heather said shrugging.

  “I can’t let you take my phone for two weeks,” Kiki said. “How will I talk to people? How will I find out what’s going on? How will I live?”

  “We know that the killer’s image must be in the background of your videos. Don’t you want justice for your grandfather?” asked Heather.

  “I want my phone,” Kiki said stubbornly.

  “The detectives could get a warrant,” Heather said.

  “Go ahead,” Kiki said. “I’m not giving up my phone unless I’m forced.”

  “Fine,” Heather said. “We’ll be back in an hour.”

  She and Amy stormed out of the house, but instead of leaving the premises they hid outside. They sat underneath the outer dining room window and waited.

  “Do you think it will work?” Amy whispered.

  “I hope so,” said Heather.

  They waited. Finally, the killer thought it was safe and entered the dining room. She walked right up to Kiki.

  “Kiki, I need to see your phone,” Bonnie said.

  “Why does everyone want my phone today?” Kiki asked.

  Bonnie didn’t answer. Instead, she grabbed the phone and hurried away.

  “Stop right there,” Ryan said.

  He and Peters emerged from the pantry and faced Bonnie. Heather and Amy stood up to have a better view of what was going on. Then they came back inside to be part of the action.

  “Deleting the videos from the phone won’t do any good,” Ryan said. “Our technicians can recover them.”

  “No problem,” Bonnie said, running into the kitchen.

  She turned the water on in the sink and threw the phone in the liquid. Then she turned on the disposal in the sink. The phone was instantly destroyed.

  “What did you do to my phone?” Kiki shouted.

  “She killed it. Just like she killed Craig Caulfield,” Heather said.

  “Why would I kill my father?” Bonnie asked.

  "For the money," Heather said. "You were in debt because of your gambling and needed your inheritance in a hurry. You put on a good show of crying, but you were the killer all along. You killed him before he could change his will."

  “You were the one with the shakiest alibi,” Amy said.

  "And since you were staying in the house, you had plenty of opportunities to affect the turkey before you altered the thermometer that morning," said Heather.

  “And how will you prove it?” Bonnie asked. “I destroyed Kiki’s phone.”

  “Easy,” Ryan said. “Because that wasn’t Kiki’s phone. This is.”

  Peters removed an identical phone from his pocket and held it up. “I think we’ll have everything we’ll need on here.”

  Ryan read Bonnie her rights and arrested her. Before he could lead her outside thought, Jocelyn entered the room. She stared at Bonnie with hatred in her eyes, and Bonnie returned the look.

  “How could you?” Jocelyn asked.

  “He was worth more dead than alive,” Bonnie said. “My only regret is that I didn’t kill you too. I thought it would be you outside with him and not Chris.”

  Ryan was more forceful and lead Bonnie outside. Peters handed Kiki her phone back before following his partner.

  “Thank you for catching her,” Jocelyn said.

  “Your granddaughter helped us a lot,” Heather said. “If Kiki hadn’t played along about the cell phone, I’m not sure we could have found enough evidence to convict her.”

  “So, there is no footage on the phone?” Jocelyn asked.

  “Lots of footage,” said Amy. “But nothing helpful.”

  Jocelyn hugged Kiki, and the investigators headed home. Even with the case solved, they still had their work cut out for them. They needed to prepare Thanksgiving dinner.

  “Heather, dear, this was a genius idea,” Eva said.

  “I don’t know why I have such trouble with the side dishes, but I decided to stick with what I know. Besides the Pumpkin Pie Brûlée Donuts.”

  “Which we all know and love,” Amy said.

  “I’ve also made some Yummy Yam Donuts and Cranberry Cream Donuts,” Heather said with a smile.

  “They sound delicious,” Eva said.

  "I'm glad you didn't decide to make an Asparagus Donut," Leila said.

  “And did you make the cranberry sauce too?” Amy asked.

  “I have to admit,” Heather said. “I had trouble with the can opener. It’s still sitting in the can.”

  They all laughed.

  “At least you’re phenomenal at making donuts,” Amy said.

  “Now, let’s eat,” said Leila.

  They happily adjourned into the dining room. The room was full and happy. Everyone enjoyed the meal and the company.

  Detective Peters did stop by and talked to Janae. He ended up giving a very impressive speech on the importance of protein in a cop’s diet before spilling gravy on his shirt.

  Vincent enjoyed spending time with Eva and Leila. The senior trio also enjoyed talking with Rudolph Rodney. Vincent was as impressed with Rudolph Rodney's hat, as Rudolph Rodney was impressed with Vincent's bowtie.

  Amy and Jamie enjoyed the peace of the meal after a busy week, solving crime and preparing a business to open. Lilly and Nicolas gorged themselves and the food and helped Dave and Cupcake to do the same. Heather couldn’t stop herself from smiling.

  With justice served and the room full of people she loved, she was truly thankful.

  The End.

  Also by Susan Gillard

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  To each and every one of my Amazing readers,

  I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

  Let me know what you think by clicking here and leaving a review!

  Stay Curious,

  Susan Gillard

  About the Author

  Susan Gillard is a lover of all things mysterious. She grew up in Kansas City, Missouri where her love of murder mystery novels grew.

  Now she travels the country in search of the best baked goods and engaging with the locals who often become the inspiration for her wacky characters

  Get In touch with Susan

  suangillard.com

  [email protected]

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