by Amber Crewes
ECLAIRS AND LETHAL LAYERS
A Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery
By
Amber Crewes
Published by Pen-n-a-Pad Publishing in 2018
All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Copyright © Pen-n-a-Pad Publishing
The moral right of the author has been asserted.
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
CONTENTS
About Eclairs and Lethal Layers
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Thank You!
About Finger Foods and Missing Legs
FINGER FOODS AND MISSING LEGS CHAPTER 1 SNEEK PEEK
ALSO BY AMBER CREWES
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About Eclairs and Lethal Layers
Released: September, 2018
Series: Book 5 – Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery Series
Standalone: Yes
Cliff-hanger: No
When a new girl comes to Sandy Bay with intentions to open a bakery, Meghan Truman is happy to share baking tips and some business advice. Things get awkward when this new girl steals not only her recipes and branding but also her biggest corporate order!
Meghan’s world is further thrown into a state of chaos when ‘new girl’ is found dead and her dearest friend is identified as the main suspect.
With so many conflicting clues pointing to different potential murderers, Meghan must slice through the layers of ambiguity shrouding this murder investigation and discover the real motive and culprit behind this heinous crime.
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1
I f success had a taste, Meghan Truman was sure it’d taste like one of her desserts. Despite the many challenges her business had faced since its inception, she could confidently say it was a success, both in terms of the health of its finances and its reputation in the area. She was hopeful that her business would go from strength to strength and she welcomed the challenge to exceed her customers’ expectations.
It was a gray, windy morning, but she did not mind; while as a recent transplant from sunny Los Angeles, Meghan had not anticipated enjoying the weather of the Pacific Northwest, she found that the cool mornings and dark skies made her feel cozy and relaxed. She loved snuggling into thick, chunky sweaters and her knee-high boots, and in spite of the occasional rainstorm, Meghan felt more at home in Sandy Bay than she had ever felt in Los Angeles.
“It’s a great day to be in Sandy Bay!” Meghan chirped to Fiesta and Siesta, her little twin dogs as they playfully nipped at her heels as she prepared for the day. “The sun isn’t shining, and from my window, the sea looks rough, but I can just tell that it’s going to be a good day, my sweet puppers!”
Meghan smiled at her reflection in the mirror. Her dark, wavy hair was pulled back into a messy bun at the nape of her neck, and her deep brown eyes sparkled as she applied a layer of ballet pink lip gloss to her thick, bow-shaped lips. Meghan reached into her drawer to retrieve an apron, and she smoothed down the wrinkled front as she walked down the narrow staircase, both dogs following her as she entered the kitchen of Truly Sweet, her bakery.
The wind rattled the small, silvers bells attached to the front door of Truly Sweet, and she glanced up and smiled as a statuesque, curly-haired woman walked through the door. It was a quiet Tuesday morning, and the bakery had only been open for ten minutes, rendering Meghan pleasantly surprised to see someone stepping across the threshold of her shop.
“Good morning!” she chimed to the stranger as the woman approached the counter. Meghan could see that they were around the same age, and her smile widened; Karen, her dearest friend in her adopted hometown of Sandy Bay, was over seventy years old, and Meghan was eager to make some friends closer to her age; her former assistant, Lori, was close to her age, but had recently left for college, and Meghan brimmed with excitement as she studied the attractive young woman staring at her from across the counter.
“Hi,” replied the woman, tucking a loose brunette lock behind her ear. “I’m Stephanie Cameron, and I’m new here to Sandy Bay. I’ve done some asking around; it’s a small town, as you know, and everyone seems willing to give me every detail of every person in town. I hear that you’re new to Sandy Bay as well?”
Meghan nodded enthusiastically. “I am.” she responded giddily. “My name is Meghan Truman and I moved here a few months ago, so I know the lay of the land pretty well, but I’m not a native Sandy Bay-er. What brings you to town, Stephanie?”
Stephanie bit her lip and looked down at the wooden floor. “I’m from Indiana,” she began. “My husband and I split up; I was an investment banker in Indianapolis and living the dream. But, some dreams come to an end….”
Meghan’s lips turned down. “I’m so sorry to hear that,” she said softly. “I’m sure Sandy Bay is very different than Indiana; I’ve never been, but I hear it’s very flat there.”
Stephanie nodded. “Very flat, and we have a lot of corn.”
Meghan smiled. “We don’t have a lot of corn here, but we have some gorgeous beaches, and the weather is just to die for! You can curl up with tea and a good book any day of the week, and it’s always sweater weather in Sandy Bay.”
Stephanie bit her lip. “That does sound nice,” she said. “I’m hoping for a real change, and I think the Pacific Northwest is where I’ll find it. I hope….”
Meghan nodded. “I hope Sandy Bay is the perfect place for you to have a fresh beginning. I came here from Los Angeles and didn’t have a lot going for me, but now….” Meghan opened her arms to gesture at the counters and displays in the bakery. “Now, I have Truly Sweet, and some wonderful friends here.”
Stephanie smiled at Meghan, showing one thick dimple etched into the side of her face. “That’s actually what I came here to chat with you about….”
Meghan cocked her head to the side. “Oh?”
Stephanie nodded. “I got into town a few weeks ago, and I’ve actually been thinking about starting my own bakery. I’ve done some research, and from what I’ve read, Sandy Bay is an ideal place to open a bakery.”
Meghan grinned. “That’s wonderful,” she cried. “It’s a truly sweet business to be in. I was lost until I started my business here, and I’m so excited that you’ll have the same luck I did. Do you have any experience running a bakery?”
Stephanie shook her head. “No,” she said quietly. “That’s actually why I came to see you. I was at the grocery store last night, and when I chatted with the bag-boy, he mentioned that you were a nice girl with a new bakery. I just had to stop by and meet you. Can I ask you a huge favor?”
Meghan nodded. “I remember what it was like to be new in town,” she answered, placing a hand on her heart and remembering the rocky beginning to her new life in Sandy Bay. “I’m happy to help. What can I do for you?”
Stephanie gestured at one of the little white iron tables in the corner. “Can we sit? Honestly, I want to pick your brain. I’ve always
dreamed of starting my own bakery, but I don’t know how to begin. I don’t want to step on your toes; you seem like a nice girl, and I realize a new bakery would be competition, but do you think we could just chat a little about your experiences here in Sandy Bay?”
Meghan nodded. She had seen the hurt in Stephanie’s eyes when Stephanie had mentioned her failed marriage, and Meghan knew how important it was to welcome newcomers to town.
“Absolutely!” Meghan exclaimed as Stephanie’s eyes lit up. “Let me grab some treats for us; it’s early, and I think some tea and fresh croissants would just be the coziest.”
Ten minutes later, Meghan and Stephanie were laughing over the warm, soft croissants that Meghan had baked earlier that morning. Meghan leaned back in her chair, delighted to be advising Stephanie, who was proving to be good company.
“A bakery is like one of these croissants,” Meghan giggled, licking her lips. “A bakery has many layers; there is the business layer of things, the merchandise, and the customers you have the pleasure to serve.”
Stephanie smiled warmly. “That’s a great way to think about it,” she said, reaching over and patting Meghan on the hand. “It’s been so kind of you to sit down with me about this; I was so nervous to come ask, but you’ve been such a dear.”
Meghan beamed, her dark eyes shining. “I’m just happy that you’re here. Sandy Bay is lovely, Stephanie; it’s on the coast, the town is quiet, for the most part, and people here will embrace what you have to offer. I just know it!”
Stephanie nodded. “It’s like you said, a bakery is about layers. That makes so much sense to me.”
Meghan agreed. “If your customers know you, like you, and trust you, you’ll get it right,” she assured Stephanie. “With those layers, success is guaranteed!”
Stephanie glanced down at her watch, her eyes widening. “Oh, goodness! I have a meeting with my new finance guy in ten minutes. I’m sorry to cut this short, Meghan, but I’m so glad we got to chat.”
Meghan rose to her feet and leaned in to hug Stephanie. “Don’t be a stranger. Like I said, I’m always happy to help those who are new in town. Swing by any time you’d like.”
Stephanie waved as she walked out of the bakery and into the sunny morning. “I will! Thanks, Meghan!”
Meghan sighed happily as the little silver bells attached to the front door of the bakery chimed as Stephanie left. “There was my good deed for the day, and it isn’t even ten in the morning yet” she laughed to herself, running a hand through her long, dark hair and adjusting the white apron around her waist. “She seemed like a great girl. I hope I didn’t tell her too much, though; maybe she had a point about being competition to my bakery….”
2
T wo weeks later, Meghan’s mouth was agape as she stood in the dining area of Truly Sweet, her bakery. From the front window, she could see a long line of people outside of Duly Doux, Stephanie Cameron’s bakery. Stephanie had chosen a vacant building just across the street to open her own shop, and now, Meghan felt her body grow cold as she peered across the street at the smiling faces gathered outside of Duly Doux. Truly Sweet hadn’t seen a customer all morning, and Meghan’s heart pounded as she calculated how much business she had lost since Stephanie’s doors had opened three hours before.
“It must be the novelty of a new establishment in town. It must be!” Meghan reassured herself as she saw Karen Denton, her close friend, step into the line outside of Duly Doux. “It’s nice the people in Sandy Bay are supporting Stephanie. I’m happy for her.”
A few moments later, as Meghan tried to bury herself in baking, she heard the tinny chime of the bells ring as someone walked into the bakery. “Hello?” Meghan called out from the kitchen, thrilled to have someone to serve. “Good morning! Welcome to Truly Sweet.”
Meghan dashed into the dining area to find Sally Sheridan glaring at her. Mrs. Sheridan was known in town for being fussy and mean, and Meghan forced herself to smile politely as Mrs. Sheridan impatiently tapped her cane on the wooden floor.
“Well, hello there, Mrs. Sheridan.” she said sweetly. “What a pleasant surprise to see you. Can I help you with something today?”
Mrs. Sheridan shook her head and narrowed her eyes at Meghan. “I want to make a return,” she announced, her head held high as she slung a small, unfamiliar paper sack on the counter.
“I beg your pardon,” Meghan began carefully. “But that bag is not from my bakery. What is in there, Mrs. Sheridan?”
Mrs. Sheridan used her cane to point at Duly Doux. “It’s from that bakery,” she explained in her raspy voice. “Duly Doux. Doux means sweet in French, did you know that, Meghan?”
Meghan bit her lip, but pasted the smile back on her face. “I do now,” she said. “Mrs. Sheridan? Why are you bringing items from another bakery in to make a return here? I can’t do that for you.”
Mrs. Sheridan’s lips turned upward into a rare smile. “Just try what’s in there,” Mrs. Sheridan prompted. Meghan obediently reached into the sack and pulled out an éclair.
“It looks delicious,” she admitted, slowly biting into the pastry. “It tastes just like my éclairs though, Mrs. Sheridan! I even taste some cinnamon in this pastry; that’s my secret ingredient for éclairs!”
Mrs. Sheridan smirked at Meghan and rapped her cane on the floor. “It’s better than one of yours,” she declared. “Everyone across the street is saying so! That line is winding around the block, and I just thought you should know about this, Meghan. And, I’d like to make my return.”
Meghan shook her head. “No,” she said firmly. “I will not allow you to return an item that didn’t even come from my bakery. I’m sorry, Mrs. Sheridan, but that just won’t do.”
Mrs. Sheridan rolled her eyes at Meghan and turned away from the counter. “You’re too stiff for your own good, Meghan,” she said. “That Stephanie girl was a real nice lady. You better be careful, girl; if you aren’t nice to your customers, Truly Sweet might just lose out to Duly Doux….”
Meghan held back harsh words as Mrs. Sheridan hobbled out of the bakery.
“That was so rude,” she muttered under her breath. “I’m happy for Stephanie. I’m happy to have shared some of my experiences with someone new. I just need to stay positive, and everything will be okay.”
Meghan returned to her work and began cutting up thick, red slices of rhubarb for a fresh pie. “I just have to stay positive,” she repeated to herself as she admired the long, perfect stalks of rhubarb. “I just have to keep my chin up.”
As Meghan sliced through the rhubarb, she heard her cell phone begin to ring. “It’s Karen,” she said to herself as she answered the call. “Hi, Karen! How was Duly Doux?”
“It was good,” she admitted. “It was fabulous, even! You know that I don’t eat sweets often; with my marathon coming up next week, I really shouldn’t have indulged, but Stephanie’s desserts were very good.”
Meghan laughed. “You’re the only person over fifty I know who runs marathons, Karen. How do you do it?”
Karen giggled. “It keeps me young, sweetie. Anyway, I had a quick question for you; did you share your éclair recipe with Stephanie? I had a taste of one of hers, and it tasted just like yours!”
The hairs stood up on Meghan’s arms as she frowned. “No,” she said. “I didn’t share any recipes with her. She didn’t ask for recipes; she only asked me for some business advice.”
Karen paused. “That’s strange,” she finally replied. “When I took a bite of the éclair, I asked her if she had talked with you about your secret recipe, and she said that you had shared some of your favorite recipes with her….”
Meghan’s heart began to pound. “I didn’t share with her, but my cookbook was on the counter when she stopped by,” she said slowly as she remembered the morning of Stephanie’s visit. “I turned my back to fetch tea and croissants for us….maybe she copied down some of my recipes when I wasn’t looking!”
Karen groaned. “I hate to hear that, sweetie,
” she said. “Stephanie seems so nice. We had a fabulous chat while I was in there, and I’m disappointed to hear this.”
Meghan sighed. “It sounds like I may need to pay her a visit. My recipes are for my customers! I’m happy to share tips and advice, but I can’t have Stephanie jeopardizing my livelihood by stealing my recipes.”
“I agree,” Karen said. “Just be careful; she is new in town, and maybe there’s been a misunderstanding, sweetie. Just be kind and be truly sweet; this could all be resolved by a little chat. Just hang in there.”
“I will,” she promised. “I will.”
After Meghan and Karen hung up the phone, the bakery’s main line began to ring. “Hello?” Meghan answered.
“Ms. Truman? This is Dave Dane at Majestic Incorporated? I wanted to touch base regarding the corporate order we placed last week. Is now a good time?”
Meghan smiled. Receiving the Majestic Incorporated corporate order had been a huge milestone for the bakery; the company was an internationally acclaimed tape conglomerate, and Meghan knew the order would significantly advance her business.
