by Jessica Beck
I walked back out front again and tried to figure out what I could do, but I’d already accomplished the tasks I’d had on my list. I found an old newspaper tucked under one of the couch cushions, so I opened the paper to see what Ray had to say about the small world we all lived in. If there was anything worse than reading old news, I wasn’t sure what it might be. I was about to throw it in our recycling bin when there was a sudden tapping on the front door.
It was Robby Chastain!
I walked over to the door and said, “Sorry, but we’re not open for hours yet.”
“I’m not here for donuts. Suzanne, we need to talk.”
I wasn’t all that excited about speaking with one of our murder suspects alone, especially with Emma occupied in the back room. “Can’t it wait until we open?”
“I guess so,” Robby said, and then he started to walk off into the darkness.
I started regretting brushing him off immediately. Against my better judgment, I unlocked the front door and stepped outside. “I suppose I can give you two minutes, but then Emma’s going to need me back inside.”
“Thanks. I couldn’t sleep because something’s been bothering me.” He looked deep into my eyes as he added, “Suzanne, I know.”
“Know what? Who killed Evelyn?” Was I about to get a solid lead in the case?
“No, I don’t have a clue about that,” he said dismissively, “but I saw you and Grace sneaking into Evelyn’s house yesterday. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to tell the police what I witnessed.”
Were we actually going to be busted by a nosy neighbor after Grace and I had avoided Jake and the entire April Springs police force? Not if I could help it. “If you saw us, then you must have seen Chief Martin, and then Jake Bishop, the state police inspector, was there, too.”
“Sorry. I must have missed them.”
Of course he had. “Well, they were both there soon after Grace and I went in. We all had a discussion on the front porch not ten minutes after we all got there.”
“I didn’t know that. I had a phone call that I had to take,” he said, sounding a little apologetic. “What were you doing there in the first place, Suzanne?”
I decided that the truth might be my best weapon right now. “I was looking for clues about who killed Evelyn.”
“You’re really going to try to solve this case yourself?”
“Along with some help from my friends, that’s exactly what I’m going to try to do.”
“I don’t think that’s a very smart move on your part,” he said, watching me closely as he spoke.
That was what I’d initially been afraid of. “Robby, are you threatening me?”
“Of course not. I just think it’s dangerous to get mixed up with killers.”
“We’ll be careful,” I said.
“That’s good, because you never know what’s going to be around the next corner, do you?”
“You sure don’t,” I said. Even though Robby had said that he wasn’t threatening me, it was still sounding like that to me. I was about to ask him something a little more pointed when the door to the donut shop opened behind me.
“Is everything all right out here?” Emma asked.
“It’s fine,” I said. “Robby just wanted to chat, but we’re finished now, aren’t we?” I asked him.
“Sure,” he said. “You two have a good morning.”
“You, too,” I said, about as insincerely as he’d been.
“What was that all about?” Emma asked me as we walked back into Donut Hearts.
“Believe me, you don’t want to know. Are the cake donuts finished already?”
“They’ve all been fried, glazed, and trayed,” my assistant said, and then she added with a smile, “The first round of dishes are ready for you.”
“That sounds great,” I said.
“Suzanne, you really don’t have to do them. I don’t mind.”
“Nonsense,” I said as I started running hot water into the sink. “That was our deal. There’s no way that I’m going to have you make the donuts and clean up, too. It’s just not fair.” I added some soap to the water and was immediately rewarded with bubbles forming. “Honestly, this might be kind of fun.”
“Oh, yes, it’s a real blast,” she said. “What should I do while you’re doing that?”
“Why don’t you take a break? I can handle this, and then I’ll get started on the yeast donuts.”
“I could start them for you, if you’d like,” Emma offered.
“Thanks, but I’ve got it,” I answered as the first dirty bowl went into the water.
“If you’re sure,” she said, and then Emma walked out of the kitchen into the front.
There was a calm and peaceful rhythm to washing and then drying the bowls, measuring cups, and various utensils we used at the shop, and I found my mind drifting off to the murder case, and who might have done it. I’d read once that Agatha Christie had preferred doing dishes when working on the plots of some of her mysteries, and I could see why. It kept the body moving but freed the mind. Unfortunately, by the time I finished the first round of dishes, I was still no closer to solving Evelyn’s murder than I had been when I’d started. At least I had a clean stack of dishes to show for it. With that done, it was time to start on the yeast donuts. Measuring out the ingredients into my large floor stand mixer, I flipped the switch and let things incorporate. After that, I removed the beater and covered the bowl to give the dough a chance to rest and raise, so I went out to tell Emma that it was time for our first break together.
To my surprise, I found her sound asleep on my favorite couch.
“Rise and shine, sleepyhead,” I said with a smile as I swatted her lightly with a dish towel.
“Did I nod off?” she asked me as she sat up and rubbed her eyes.
“You did indeed. Are you ready for our break?”
“I thought I was just on one,” Emma said as she stood and stretched.
“You were, but we can take this one together outside.”
Once we were sitting at our table outside, Emma said, “To tell you the truth, I’m not sure that I like this new experiment.”
“What’s not to like?”
“I enjoy staying busy, and I like our routine. Can we go back to the old way?”
“Are you sure?” I asked her.
“I’m positive. I just have one request.”
“What’s that?”
“I still want to try one odd-flavored donut a week. It’s not much trouble, and I’m still happy to do all of the dishes, but it’s been fun creating new taste treats that might be raging successes or abysmal failures.”
“You don’t mind it when they don’t work out?” I asked her.
“Are you kidding? I threw away more than my share of batter when Mom and I were running the place. In small quantities, of course.”
“Of course. Sure, that sounds good to me. I like things done a certain way myself. I’ve got to tell you, though, washing dishes can be good for the spirit.”
“Why do you think I don’t mind doing them?” she asked me with a grin.
Too soon our timer went off, and our break was over. It was time to work on the yeast donuts again, and then get ready to serve our offerings to our customers. I was feeling better today than I had the day before, and I had a hunch that tomorrow would be even better. I was already getting back into the groove of donutmaking. I had really missed it while I’d been nursing Jake back to health. I wasn’t as sure that I’d enjoy it once this murder was solved and Jake was back at his old job, though. I’d grown to relish his company since he’d come to the cottage to recover, and I knew that I’d miss him terribly once he was gone. With Momma across town, I’d be on my own for the first time in my life. Grace had managed it with style and aplomb for more years than I could count, but I was nowhere near as cool as my best friend was. I was certain that I would have a few sleepless nights before I got used to being in the cottage alone, but I knew that, given time, I’d
be fine.
“Good morning, Mr. Mayor,” I said as I unlocked the front door and opened for business. “You’re not here to welcome me back again, are you? This is two mornings in a row, pretty unusual for you.”
“As a matter of fact, I felt like a donut. I hope that’s okay.”
“You know that you’re always welcome here,” I said. “What’s new in your world?”
“My job these days seems to consist entirely of shuffling papers, signing my name, and telling people they can’t have what they want. You, on the other hand, get to see smiles all morning long from people you make happy. Want to trade?”
“Not on your life. It’s not all peaches and cream here either, but I wouldn’t take your job under gunpoint. You deserve more than one donut a day for doing it.”
“Tell Polly that, would you?” he asked.
“Has she got you on a diet again?” His assistant—and girlfriend—was an enormously competent woman who was always on top of everything.
“Sort of. I can have one treat a day now, as long as it’s within reason.”
“I’m honored that you chose donuts for your treat twice in a row,” I said.
“Hey, what can I say? I love your company, too.”
“Right back at you,” I said as I served him his standard fare.
George took a sip of coffee, and then he pointed to Emma’s latest experiment. “Is it too late to change my mind about the donut I’m having?”
“No, that’s fine,” I said as I pulled the plain cake donut back. “What would you like instead?”
“How about one of those coffee-caramel creations?”
I got one for him, but as I slid the plate across the counter, I said in a low voice, “I should warn you, this is one of Emma’s experiments.”
“Have you tried one yet?” he asked me softly.
“I had a nibble,” I said. “They’re okay, but they’re not my favorite.”
“Perhaps I’ll just have a taste then,” he said as he pinched off a bite. “Just in case, let’s keep my cake donut close by, okay?”
“You’re the boss,” I said. I glanced over my shoulder and saw that Emma was peeking out from the kitchen. “Careful. You’re being watched,” I said softly.
“I saw her,” the mayor said softly, and then he took a healthy bite. “My, that’s quite tasty.”
“Easy there, don’t overact,” I whispered. “We don’t want to give her the wrong idea.”
“Who’s acting?” he asked with a smile. “I really do like it.” To prove his point, he took another big bite of Emma’s creation, and then pushed the cake donut away from him. “That’s an unexpected medley of tastes, isn’t it? Can I have one for the road?”
“I thought that you were only supposed to have one,” I said.
“Oh, it’s not for me. I want Polly to try this for herself.”
“I can do that,” I said as I bagged one, pausing to give a thumbs-up to Emma first.
“Do you really like it?” I asked him softly as I took his money.
“It kind of grows on you after a second,” George said with a grin. “Besides, I really want to see Polly’s face when she tries it.”
“You’re too funny, Mr. Mayor,” I said as I handed him his change. “Thanks for coming by. You always manage to brighten my day.”
“I’ve often said the same thing about you, Suzanne. Promise me that you’ll be careful, would you?”
“My job isn’t exactly hazardous now that the donuts are all made.”
“I’m not talking about your job; I’m talking about your hobby.”
“Understood,” I said.
“Jake doesn’t mind you rooting around in his case?”
“What can I say? We’ve found a solid middle ground,” I said.
“Good luck with that,” George said, and he saluted Emma, and then he added a smile before he walked out of the donut shop.
Emma came out immediately after he was gone. “Did he really get another one for later?”
“The other one was for Polly, but he really seemed to enjoy it.”
She nodded. “Honestly, I thought it was a little too strong when I had one.”
“Hey, you never know what folks are going to enjoy. At least we’re giving them a reason to keep coming around, aren’t we?”
“You know it. Well, I’d better get back to those dishes.”
“I’ll be right here,” I said with a smile. I loved it when Emma was happy, and George’s actions had really put a smile on her face. He was a nice man, a good guy, and a great mayor, and I was proud to call him my friend.
We were in a bit of a lull a few hours later when I was surprised to see Momma approaching the front door. Ordinarily my mother was not a huge donut fan, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen her in Donut Hearts. Was she still angry with me over our chat the day before? I decided to ignore it if she was.
“What a pleasant surprise,” I said, adding my best smile when she walked inside. “Did you have a craving for donuts this morning, Momma?”
“Hello, Suzanne. Thank you for the offer, but I’ve already eaten breakfast. Do you have a moment to talk to me about something important?”
Well, that couldn’t be good. “Sure, but can it wait? We’re kind of busy right now.” There were three customers in the shop at the moment, all of them quietly eating, and none of them were clamoring for my attention.
“I think Emma can manage for a few minutes without you,” she said. “I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important.”
“Okay, let me just get her.” I ducked out of the front and found Emma finishing up the latest round of dishes. “Hey, do you have a minute?”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“I need you to cover the front for me.”
Emma grinned at me. “Are you and Grace going to get started on your investigation early?”
“No, Momma’s here, and she just told me that she wanted to talk.”
“Ouch. That can’t be good, can it?”
“I’m sure it’s nothing,” I said, hoping that I wasn’t lying to her.
“You’re probably right. Sure, I’d be glad to watch the counter.”
I smiled at her. “You know, it wasn’t all that long ago when you hated working the front.”
“What can I say? I got used to it last month, and it turned out to be kind of fun. Most of our customers aren’t that bad after all.”
“I’m sure that they’d be relieved to hear that.”
“Well, I’m not going to be the one who tells them,” Emma said as she wiped her hands on a towel.
As we walked out front, I said, “Don’t worry. This shouldn’t take long.”
“You don’t have to rush on my account,” she said. “Hey, there, Mrs. Hart. Or should I say Mrs. Martin?”
“It’s still Hart,” she said. “Hello, Emma. How are you?”
“Happy as can be, thanks for asking. How’s newlywed life treating you?”
“It’s fine,” she replied, and then my mother turned to me. “Could we possibly chat outside?”
“Sure,” I said, though I felt a sense of deeper dread wash over me. If Momma wanted to talk outside, that meant that there was a chance that she might be worried that I’d raise my voice. She’d never been a big fan of public scenes, though she hadn’t backed down from a fight in her life, either. I steeled myself for what was to come.
Once we were outside, Momma said, “We need to talk about your investigation into Evelyn’s murder.”
“Momma, you of all people should see how important this is. There’s a cloud hanging over your new husband, and Jake might not have enough resources to find the killer without a little help from Grace and me. It’s crucial that we keep digging, no matter how uncomfortable it makes things at home for you. I’m sorry that I hurt your husband’s feelings, but all I’m after is the truth.”
My mother looked surprised by my reaction. “Suzanne, were you under the impression that I disapproved of your i
nvolvement? To the contrary, I’m here to urge you to redouble your efforts. My husband needs your help, and rather desperately, in my opinion, but he was too stubborn to ask you himself.”
“So he sent you here to talk to me?” I asked.
“Goodness no. He has no idea that I’m here.” Momma hesitated a moment, and then asked me, “Have you heard about Evelyn’s will?” I didn’t know how to answer that, and I was still trying to come up with a reasonable answer when she added, “It appears that my husband was still the main beneficiary. What makes matters worse is that she was about to change it to her cousin.”
“Julie Gray,” I said, supplying the name.
“So, you know about her.”
“Her name’s come up, and I’ve even spoken with her about the situation.”
Momma looked surprised by the information. “Did she know that Phillip was named in the will and not her?”
“No, I’m certain the news came as a surprise to her when Jake told her. She told me that she was getting everything Evelyn had.”
“That’s good news, isn’t it?” Momma asked. “If she thought she was inheriting Evelyn’s money, it would give her a motive for murder.”
“It’s on my list of possibilities,” I admitted. “Are you sure you don’t mind me investigating?”
“Of course not. Why should I?”
I didn’t want to say it, but the words had to be spoken nonetheless. “Momma, what if I find evidence that implicates your new husband in his ex-wife’s murder?”
“He didn’t kill her, Suzanne. No matter what you might think of the man, he’s not a murderer.”
“I never thought that he was,” I said quickly. “This new wrinkle looks much worse for him, though. There’s something else, too.”
“What’s that?”
“I hate to ask you about it, but since you’re here coming to me for help, I have to do it. I saw in Evelyn’s appointment book that she had a meeting scheduled with Chief Martin for the day after she was murdered. Do you have any idea what that was about? Did you even know that it was going to happen at all?”
