Donuts, Delights & Murder

by Susan Gillard

  “Let me find a napkin. I don’t want to get chocolate prints or hazelnut crumbs on the books,” Bernadette said as she searched behind her counter. “I’m sorry for mistaking you for tourists. I’m as embarrassed as Olivia must be at the end of Twelfth Night.”

  “What’s that?” Amy asked.

  “Oh. Sorry. Shakespeare reference. I mean that I’m sorry for the mistaken identity,” said Bernadette.

  “It’s no problem,” said Heather. “They must be most of the people who wander inside.”

  "That," said Bernadette. "And you get to know the other shop owners and their staff. It starts to be a tight-knit group. And it can be hard to join it. They're not always fond of newcomers, especially on this corner of the street."

  “I guess Rudolph Rodney forgot to mention that in the brochure,” said Amy.

  "Oh. You're in the place Rudolph Rodney has. He's lived in Florida his whole life, and he's pretty well liked around here. That should help," Bernadette said, finally finding her napkin.

  “Help?” Amy asked. “We need help?”

  “What’s the name of your shop?”

  Heather frowned and looked to Amy. “My first shop is called Donut Delights. I hadn’t quite decided if I should call this one Donut Delights II or something like that.”

  “I’m going to call it Donut Delights the Sequel,” Amy announced, giving it a cinematic flair.

  “I can understand the drama of a name. I’ve been here almost two years now, and they still won’t let me forget that this used to be Bianca’s Beachy Books.”

  “I’m sure these donuts will go a good way to winning them over,” Heather said with a little more confidence than she felt. She knew opening a second location would present challenges, but had to admit that she had never considered animosity from her neighbors because she was new as a potential problem.

  “If anything could, those delicious things will,” Bernadette agreed. “But I’m afraid it might be more like Sisyphus and his rock.”

  "Huh?" Amy asked, "Are you calling our donuts hard?"

  “No. Sorry. I was making a mythology reference. I’m surrounded by stories all day. Sisyphus was cursed with rolling a rock up a hill for eternity, only to have constantly roll down before it reaches the top.”

  “And that’s what you think this neighborhood is like?” Heather asked.

  Bernadette shrugged. “No one is mean to your face. Well, most people. But no one makes you feel welcome. But I want you to feel welcome. And I want you to know that I’m very glad you’re here.”

  “Thank you,” Heather said. “We’ll be sure to visit again soon.”

  “Good luck with the rest of your visits,” Bernadette said. “Don’t let them scare you away.”

  Heather shared a look with her bestie. What were they getting themselves into?

  4

  A Rose By Any Other Name

  After visiting a few more neighbors, Heather and Amy weren’t sure what to think. The owners of a yoga studio and a hammock hut were very polite. If they hadn’t been told to look out for unpleasantness, they weren’t sure that they would have noticed anything out of the ordinary. However, because they had been warned, they thought they could make out traces of suspicion in their neighbor’s eyes as they accepted the donuts.

  “Maybe we’re just being paranoid,” Amy said. “We’ve had too many murderers chase us in the past. Now whenever we get warned about something, we assume the worst.”

  “Maybe you’re right,” said Heather. “And Bernadette was very friendly to us.”

  “And maybe she was being dramatic. She just wanted to make some literary references,” said Amy. “Yeah. I’m sure everything is going to be fine. Let’s meet our next neighbor.”

  They entered the bikini boutique and were greeted with, “No food inside the shop, please.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Heather said. “We’re your new neighbors at the soon to open Donut Delights.”

  “Or Donut Delights II,” added Amy. “Or Donut Delights the Sequel.”

  "We were trying to greet everyone in the neighborhood and give out some donuts. I'm Heather, and this is Amy."

  “Delilah Lewis,” the shop owner said, striding towards them. She was an attractive woman who would have looked scintillating in any of her wares. However, it looked as if she were trying to show off as much of her figure in her professional clothes as she would in the bikinis for sale.

  “I’m torn,” Delilah said. “They look tasty, but they’re not really good for the figure. Will people want to buy bikinis after stuffing themselves with sugar?”

  Heather wasn't sure what to say to this, but tried, "I think most people come to this island for fun. They'd like to eat the wonderful food offered and like to swim in the waves where they'd need a bathing suit."

  “I suppose so,” Delilah said. “Any maybe if people gain weight from these things, they’d be forced to buy a new bathing suit they could fit into.”

  Heather was becoming angry. These were terrible things to say about her donuts and about her new customers. However, she didn't want to cause a scene that the whole block would gossip about her. She was about to find a graceful way to exit when Delilah responded instead.

  She grabbed two donuts and said, “Thank you for coming, but I’m afraid I really don’t allow food in my shop.”

  “We understand,” Amy said. “We don’t allow bikinis in ours.”

  They departed, leaving Delilah with a look of confusion on her face.

  The next place they visited was Juan and Don's Tacos. Juan and Don were also best friends who had opened up a restaurant together. Heather and Amy thought that they might be able to bond over their similar experiences, but the men were less enthusiastic. They commented on how too many newcomers were opening restaurants that would be in competition with them. Heather responded that tacos and donuts were different tastes and were hardly in direct competition.

  Heather and Amy each bought a taco to be polite and commented how tasty they were. Juan and Don accepted the donuts and then hid how delicious they found them.

  Heather and Amy were happy to leave.

  “This errand is definitely becoming a chore instead of something fun,” said Heather.

  “I wouldn’t have thought people could turn up their noses at donuts,” said Amy. “Especially your donuts.”

  "I think it's just our block that is difficult," said Heather. "I can't imagine the whole street like this. Everyone seems so cheerful. But I suppose because of our great location people could become territorial."

  “What should we do?” asked Amy.

  “We’ll just keep doing what we always do. We’ll be nice and keep baking yummy donuts.”

  “And solving crimes if they pop up?”

  “Yes, that too,” said Heather. “But we have so much to do right now that I’m not sure we have time for a case.”

  “You say that now,” Amy teased.

  “Let’s just finish up delivering these donuts to the neighbors. I think there’s one more shop,” said Heather.

  They entered Sun and Fun Novelties and were greeted by a short older man in sandals. He leaned on a cane but moved quickly.

  “Welcome to Sun and Fun,” he said. “I’m Mr. Rankle. What can I help you find? Sunscreen? Hats? Key West snow globes? I know that last one sounds counterintuitive.”

  He gave them a large smile, and the ladies felt that they had finally found another friendly face. However, as soon as they had explained who they were the shop owner's demeanor changed.

  “Get out,” Mr. Rankle said scowling.

  “Out?” Amy asked.

  "Out of my shop," he said. "If I could get you to get off of the street, I'd tell you that too. There are too many out-of-towners setting up shops here. And now some Oklahoma broads are moving in and taking our business."

  “We’re from Texas,” Heather said calmly. “And a donut shop won’t affect your sale of snow globes.”

  “Get out,” he said again.
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br />   This time they didn't even hand out their donut but ran from the shop as quick as possible. They walked back to their kitchen and decided to split the last donut between them. They both took a bite to lift their spirits.

  “Well,” Heather said. “I’m even more glad that you and our friends moved out here with me.”

  “Yeah,” said Amy. “What a welcome to the neighborhood.”

  5

  Meet The Chief

  The next morning, Heather started poking through her unpacked moving boxes, looking for her beach supplies. She had found and put on her bathing suit, but she was sure she had packed a cover up somewhere. Dave joined in the search and started sniffing around the room. However, Heather was pretty sure he was looking for leftover crumbs and not her swimwear.

  Ryan joined her looking triumphant.

  “I reattached the lamp to the wall,” he said.

  “That’s great,” Heather said. “Does it turn on?”

  “Not yet,” Ryan admitted. “But the first half of the battle is won.”

  “Maybe you can help me with mine,” Heather said. “I’m trying to make it to the beach this morning and can’t find my cover up.”

  “You’re not coming with me this morning?” Ryan asked.

  “Remind me,” Heather admitted.

  “I was going to visit the police station and meet my new colleagues that I’ll be joining after Detective Smith officially retires,” said Ryan.

  "Of course," Heather said. "I definitely want to go to that. For some reason, I thought that was tomorrow."

  “It’s okay,” Ryan said. “My days are running together too. A lot is happening very quickly.”

  "I'll make the visit with you, then Amy and I will visit the one neighbor we didn't meet yesterday because the seafood restaurant was closed, and then maybe after that, I can go to the beach."

  “Sounds good,” said Ryan. “But maybe you want to change before we go meet my new boss?”

  Heather laughed. She had no intention of wearing her bathing suit to police headquarters.

  “Does this bring back memories?” Ryan asked as they entered the police station.

  Heather nodded. Before they had all moved to Key West, Heather had visited it once before. She had become embroiled in a murder investigation. She had unintentionally become a thorn in the lead detective’s side until she made up for it by leading him straight to the killer.

  * * *

  Ryan smiled as he looked around the station. It had all the trappings of any police station, but still had a relaxed tropical feel to it.

  * * *

  They were greeted by a jovial man with sandy colored hair and mustache. Instead of his police uniform, he had opted to wear a T-shirt and sneakers.

  * * *

  “You must be Detective Shepherd,” he said. Ryan recognized the voice as they shook hands.

  * * *

  "Chief Copeland, it's nice to meet you in person finally," Ryan said. "This is my wife, Heather."

  “It’s nice to meet you both. And please, call me Chet. We’re pretty casual around here. Except when it comes to crime, of course,” Chief Chet said. “Again, it was great meeting you. We’ll be happy to have you on board when Smith retires. But if you’ll excuse me, I promised a little league team I’d watch their game.”

  * * *

  He patted Ryan on the arm affectionately and left them. Heather was about to comment on how much more friendly the people at Ryan's job seemed to be than near workplace when a voice greeted them.

  * * *

  “I didn’t think I’d be seeing you here again,” a voice said.

  * * *

  They turned and saw Detective Smith. Heather remembered him being a meticulous man and a good cop. She hadn't considered how old he was before but realized he was within retirement age. She briefly thought how it was a shame that Ryan wouldn't have as competent a partner as Detective Smith here. Then she remembered that Detective Smith probably wouldn't approve of her and Amy's frequent help on cases the same way Ryan did.

  * * *

  Detective Smith shook her hand and then Ryan’s. “You’re married to my replacement, I see,” he said.

  * * *

  “And you’ll be leaving Key West in very capable hands,” Heather assured.

  * * *

  “I’ll do my very best to keep the community safe and capture any wrongdoers,” Ryan agreed. “And as soon as you’re ready to retire, I’ll be happy to take over duties.”

  * * *

  “It will be soon,” Detective Smith said, before changing the conversation. “How have you been? Been interfering with any other investigations?”

  * * *

  “Yes,” Heather said. “But legally. I’ve become a licensed private detective and assist when needed.”

  * * *

  Detective Smith nodded. “Seems about right. We couldn’t keep you from investigating, and now you’ve found a way to keep doing so.”

  * * *

  “How is your partner?” Heather asked.

  * * *

  "He's moved to Miami to be closer to his grandchildren and is very happy about it. I have a new partner now. I expect you'll meet him soon."

  * * *

  “I’m looking forward to it,” Ryan said.

  They made some more small talk and discussed Detective Smith’s retirement without him saying when he was planning on officially doing it. Then they were joined by his partner.

  * * *

  Heather was glad that Amy wasn’t there to make jokes about how young the detective looked. She was sure she would have heard something about how he looked barely out of high school, let alone police academy.

  * * *

  “Smith, I found the form you wanted. This was the one you wanted, wasn’t it? In case it wasn’t, I brought these other two. One of them should be helpful,” the young detective said.

  * * *

  “The first one was right,” Detective Smith said. “This is Ryan Shepherd who is going to be your new partner. Shepherd, this is Peters.”

  * * *

  The young detective juggled his papers and shook hands with Ryan. “I’m Detective Peters. Miguel Peters. Or just Peters. You could call me that too.”

  * * *

  The young detective seemed to be nervous and constantly unsure of his footing, but it also seemed like he was willing to put work into doing a good job. Heather thought that having Ryan as a partner would be good for him. It could build his confidence.

  * * *

  “And this is his wife, Heather,” Detective Smith said.

  * * *

  Peters shook her hand enthusiastically too.

  * * *

  “She helped with a case before,” Detective Smith continued. “She was good at it. But we’re hoping she won’t have to do any more sleuthing around here.”

  * * *

  "Don't worry," Heather said. "I'm so busy with opening my new shop that I don't think I'll have any time for dead bodies."

  * * *

  “Glad to hear it,” said Detective Smith.

  * * *

  “Do we have to?” Amy asked.

  “Come on,” said Heather. “We’ll deliver a sample donut to the seafood restaurant so that we’ll have greeted all our new neighbors. Then we can go to the beach.”

  “Fine,” Amy groaned. “But only because you’re bribing me with the beach.”

  They reached the restaurant and peeked in the window.

  “I’m not just saying this to get out of work,” Amy said. “But it doesn’t look like they’re open.”

  “They’re supposed to open for lunch in an hour,” Heather said. “Someone should be in by now.”

  She pushed on the door, and it opened.

  “Something’s fishy,” Amy said.

  Heather ignored the comment and entered the seafood restaurant.

  “Hello,” she called. “We’re from the new donut shop next door.”

  They heard no response and cre
pt further inside. Then, they saw something that made them stop dead in their tracks.

  “I don’t think we’re going to the beach today,” Amy said, trying to distract her from the horror before them.

  The owner of the seafood restaurant lay dead on the floor.

  6

  Old Habits Die Hard

  “I thought you told me that you weren’t going to investigate any cases for a while,” Detective Smith said.

  “I wasn’t sleuthing at the time,” Heather said. “We were on donut duty when we came across the victim.”

  “Why don’t you take us through what happened,” Detective Smith said. Detective Peters stood next to him and prepared his pencil to take notes in unison.

  Heather recounted how they had arrived and tried to deliver a welcome donut, but had found the victim instead.

  “Did you touch anything?” Detective Smith asked.

  “She did tell you that we’re professional private investigators now, right?” Amy asked. “We wouldn’t contaminate a crime scene.”

  “We only touched the door when we entered,” Heather said. “Before we knew it was a crime scene.”

  “And how well did you know the victim?” Detective Smith asked. “You had just met him?”

  “We didn’t even get the chance,” Heather said. “He wasn’t open yesterday. We came today to introduce ourselves. I think another neighbor said his name was Covens? But that’s all we know about him.”