Pink Moscato & Murder: An Oceanside Cozy Mystery - Book 15

by Susan Gillard

  "I'm having trouble with my New Year's Resolution too," Janae admitted. "I tried to look up my old friends from school, and it seems like my contact information is all out of date. I'm going to have to find them online."

  “I’m still doing great with mine,” Amy bragged.

  “We haven’t come across any dead bodies,” said Heather.

  “That’s not my fault,” Amy said. “And why are you saying it like that’s a bad thing? It should be good if we don’t have any murders to investigate. It means no one is getting murdered.”

  "I didn't mean it was a bad thing,” Heather said a touch indignantly.

  “Oh dear. You’re not fighting, are you?” Nina asked, nervously. “I mean, don’t fight,” she said with a touch more authority.

  Heather smiled. “I’m glad you’re all trying to keep up your New Year’s Resolutions.”

  “Some with success,” Amy said.

  “Some just barely holding on,” said Digby, melodramatically leaning on the counter for support.

  “But you’re going to have to watch Donut Delights while Amy and I run an errand. You can’t let these resolutions stop you from running the shop,” said Heather.

  “Don’t worry, boss,” Janae said. “We won’t let you down.”

  “That’s right,” Nina said, refraining from biting her nails.

  “We’ll stay strong and keep the shop strong too,” Digby said, now completely on the counter.

  Heather shook her head. She packed up some donuts in a box for the road and headed out the door with her bestie.

  “I’m so excited,” Lilly said. “I know I’ve seen Jamie’s mobile grooming van before, but I haven’t really seen it in action.”

  “I just hope he’s not too busy,” Amy said. “But if we’re bringing donuts, he should make time for us.”

  "He always makes time for you," Heather reminded her friend.

  “That’s true,” Amy said, happily.

  Heather, Amy, and Lilly approached Jamie’s grooming vehicle that was parked. The Shepherd’s dog Dave was accompanying them. He was much more enthusiastic about a bubble bath with Jamie than their kitten Cupcake was. Because they expected the van to be busy, they only brought Dave with them.

  As they approached, a soaking wet and sudsy Josh jumped out of the van and started explaining, “We’re running a little behind today, so you’ll just have to wait until we’ve finished with the Pekingese.”

  “You don’t even have time for donuts?” Heather asked.

  Josh let out a breath. "It's been so busy! I've been distracted and didn't recognize you for a moment. I just saw the dog coming. Wait. This is a different dog from last night, isn't it? Or am I completely losing my mind?"

  “This is my dog, Dave,” Heather said. “Not Miss Marshmallow from last night.”

  "He loves donuts, and he loves visiting Jamie," Lilly said.

  “And this is my daughter, Lilly,” said Heather.

  “Pleased to meet you,” Josh said. “I’d shake your hand, but I’ve covered in suds and slobber.”

  “It’s okay,” Lilly said, trying not to giggle. While the dogs might look better groomed when they left the van, Josh looked as disheveled as could be.

  “I don’t know how Jamie does it,” Josh said.

  “Does what?” Jamie asked. He returned the dog he had been washing to his owner and joined his friends.

  Jamie wore a smock that was a little damp but was otherwise in fine condition. It was hard to believe that Jamie and Josh were doing the same job all day. Jamie looked like he had been dipping his toes in the waves, while Josh looked like he had only barely survived a storm at sea.

  "We were just talking about how good you are at what you do,” Josh said.

  “Thanks,” Jamie said. “Is Dave here for a bath? Or is he just following you because you brought donuts?”

  “Both,” Heather said.

  Dave wagged his tail, happily. Josh looked less happy.

  "We can have a donut break first," Jamie said, and Josh relaxed. "It should be slower for the rest of the day."

  “I’m half covered in soap and cleaning supplies,” Josh said. “But the other half is wet dog fur and dirt. I should clean up before I eat.”

  Josh headed back to the van to tidy up while the others enjoyed a donut.

  “This makes me want to think pink,” Lilly said. “I love this flavor, Mom.”

  Heather thanked her and allowed Dave to have a small piece of donut too. He loved all of his best friend’s creations, but he was starting to put on weight for such a little dog, and so Heather said that his New Year's Resolution needed to be cutting back on the human snacks.

  After Amy handed Jamie a Pink Moscato Donut, she asked, “I know you’re good at what you do. But how it is that Josh ended up so wet and miserable?”

  “Well,” Jamie said, holding back a smile. “I might have given him all the difficult assignments to him.”

  “But why would you do that?” Lilly asked.

  Josh returned to them.

  “Hey, Jamie, I do appreciate you helping me by giving me a job until I find another restaurant one,” Josh said. “But I’ve been thinking about it, and I think maybe I was a bit out of line with my boss. I think I’m going to apologize to him tomorrow morning and see if I can get my job back.”

  “If you think that’s what’s best for you,” Jamie said.

  Josh took a step closer to the donuts and water squirted out of his shoe. “Yeah, I think that’s best.”

  It took some effort, but Heather and Amy kept straight faces through this conversation.

  Beautiful Butterflies

  “Do you think he’s coming?” Amy asked.

  “I thought so,” Jamie said. “But he’s been ignoring my calls this morning.”

  “We’re still going to go on our Saturday outing if he doesn’t come, right?” Lilly asked.

  “Don’t worry,” Heather said. “I know you’ve been looking forward to this. We’ll still go. We just don’t want to get started without Jamie’s friend if he’s joining us.”

  “It’s bad form to keep ladies waiting,” Vincent said with a wink.

  Vincent was Eva's new beau. His bowtie of choice today was fitting with the afternoon's trip and had butterflies on it. Heather was happy that Eva had found someone who appreciated her. Eva and Leila had started out as her favorite customers at Donut Delights but were now two of her favorite people.

  "I'll try calling one more time," Jamie said. "If Josh doesn’t pick up, I’ll assume he’s not coming.”

  They all agreed and waited while Jamie used his cell phone. Heather smiled at her friends. She was happy that they made an effort to all gather together on every Saturday for an outing. Even if they became very busy with baking orders or solving crimes or school or senior center activities, she and her friends and family made sure that they would see each other and something unique to Key West every week.

  This week they were planning on seeing The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory. There promised to be plenty of beautiful butterflies to see flying around and everyone was excited about the outing.

  Amy stood next to Jamie, trying to see what the outcome of the phone call would be. Eva and Leila were talking to Vincent about upcoming senior events and whether they wanted to join a bowling team together. Ryan was at Heather’s side, listening to Lilly talk about how butterflies had been around since Dinosaur times.

  “I can’t get through to him,” Jamie said. “I guess he’s not coming.”

  “I don’t want to sound paranoid, but we do end up investigating a lot of murders,” Amy said. “Should we be worried that you can’t get through to him?”

  "At this point, I wouldn't say so," Jamie said. "He was going to apologize to his boss. Maybe he did it this morning, and it took longer than he thought? Or maybe he got his job back but has to work right away? Saturdays are busy at restaurants."

  “I’m sure that’s it,” Heather said, as Jamie started to fro
wn with uncertainty.

  “If I don’t hear from him later, I’ll try going to his house,” Jamie said.

  “But until then, we’ll go to the Butterfly Conservatory?” Lilly asked.

  “Let’s head on in,” Jamie said.

  The group headed towards the conservatory. Lilly was practically skipping, and Ryan hurried to keep up.

  “It’s a shame,” Eva said. “I wanted to meet this young man.”

  “You don’t suppose we scared him off, do you?” Leila suggested.

  “How so?” asked Heather.

  Leila shrugged. "Maybe he was afraid the butterflies would knock us over, and he'd have to carry us around? I’d be an annoying backpack.”

  “If anyone has to carry Eva, I will,” Vincent said, valiantly.

  “Thanks,” Eva said. “But I hope I won’t need it. I prefer not to fall head over heels literally.”

  They all chuckled.

  When they entered the conservatory, Heather reminded her daughter that it was good luck if a butterfly landed on you. By the end of their visit, they all thought that their futures would be lucky.

  The conservatory featured over fifty types of different butterflies and many exotic birds too. When they first arrived, the butterflies were warming their wings in the sun. However, soon the brightly colored fliers were swooping around the gardens.

  “There are so many colors,” Lilly said.

  “As many different designs as you have with your donuts,” Amy said.

  Eva took pictures of the butterflies, including one where a butterfly landed on Vincent's nose, and he tried desperately not to sneeze. Leila was laughing in the background.

  They also enjoyed learning about the butterflies, including how they were raised in the conservatory, migratory patterns of certain species and the differences between the butterfly types.

  “Can you believe that there are butterflies out there that have a wingspan over eleven inches long?” Lilly asked. “That’s bigger than my head.”

  “Don’t say that,” Amy said, imaging the large wings covering her face.

  “There are little ones too,” Heather said. “They said that the Pygmy Blue is the littlest butterfly.”

  After wandering the conservatory, they spend some time in the adjoining art gallery with a butterfly display. Amy was just getting into the Key West art scene and enjoyed it tremendously. Then, they stopped in the Gift Shop. Lilly wanted to purchase a postcard to send to her best friend in Texas.

  “Is everything all right?” Heather asked Jamie.

  “I guess what Amy said is concerning me a little,” Jamie said. “I just want to know that Josh is all right. We just reconnected. I’d hate to lose him.”

  Ryan received a phone call, and Heather could tell that he was assuring his partner on the police force that it was all right to contact him, even though he was technically off duty.

  "I have to get going," Ryan said.

  “A murder case?” Heather asked.

  “I’m afraid so,” he agreed.

  “Do you wanted Amy and me to come?”

  Ryan hesitated.

  “What’s wrong?” Heather asked. “You love when Amy and I add our insight.”

  “Well,” Ryan said. “What was the name of the restaurant that Josh worked in?”

  "Meals by the Sea," Jamie said with dread.

  “I was afraid of that,” said Ryan. “That’s where I’m being called to investigate a murder.”

  “You don’t think it’s Josh, do you?” Jamie asked.

  “I won’t know more until I get there,” Ryan said. “Detective Peters was just called to the scene as well.”

  “Amy and I had better go with you,” Heather said.

  This time Ryan agreed. They made sure that their senior friends would keep an eye on Lilly and comfort Jamie until they had more information.

  Heather followed Ryan towards the crime scene. Now she felt the butterflies in her stomach.

  Crime Scene Kitchen

  Heather approached the restaurant with trepidation. Much as she didn’t like anyone getting murdered, she hoped that it was not Josh who had been killed. He was Jamie's oldest friend and had seemed so full of life at the dinner table and splashed with the doggy bath water.

  Luckily, Amy was providing a distraction for her. Amy kept whispering, “I will be strong. I will not scream at anything I see here. I will keep my New Year’s Resolution.”

  Ryan had walked ahead of them to check with his partner. He returned to them. Noticing what Amy was saying, the first thing he told them was, “The medical examiner had already removed the body.”

  “Oh, thank goodness,” Amy said. “Not that I wasn’t going to hold firm on my resolution. I don’t have to scream when I see scary or dead things.”

  Heather was more focused on something else. “Was it Josh?”

  “No,” Ryan said.

  Heather breathed a sigh of relief, but then asked, “Then who is the victim?”

  “A chef named Clint Trag,” said Ryan.

  “Was that Josh’s boss?” Amy asked.

  “I believe so,” Ryan said.

  “Can we see the crime scene?” asked Heather.

  Ryan nodded and led them inside. Detective Peters was waiting for them. He was a younger detective but was always eager to solve a case. He had a tendency to second-guess his instincts and was looking ashamed when he saw them.

  "I'm sorry I called you," he said. "I know that Saturday afternoons are your family trips. I didn't mean to call so many of you away."

  “It’s all right,” Ryan said. “We were winding down by then anyway.”

  “And we always want to do anything that we can to help,” Heather said. “We don’t want criminals to get away with crimes because we’re busy.”

  “Especially if it’s a boyfriend’s friend’s boss who was killed,” Amy said.

  Heather looked around the restaurant crime scene. The front of Meals by the Sea was still dark, and the chairs were raised because it had not opened for the day yet. Lights were on in the kitchen, and there was still blood on the floor.

  “The victim was killed in the kitchen?” Heather asked.

  "Yes,” Detective Peters said, consulting his notebook. “It looks like he was stabbed to death. The medical examiner places the time between eight thirty and ten thirty this morning.”

  “Who found the body?” asked Heather.

  “The owner of the restaurant,” Detective Peters said. “I took some preliminary information from him, but he’s going to come to the station later today after he’s calmed down.”

  “Do you think he could be involved?” Amy asked.

  “Not really,” said Peters. “This was a physical killing. The owner Mr. Gusters is an older man. I’m not sure he could have overpowered the victim and stabbed him several times.”

  “Several times?” Amy said, frowning. “That seems like overkill.”

  "It will be good to question him," Ryan said. "He'll know who had access to the kitchen and whether anyone held a grudge against Clint Trag."

  "Do you know what the murder weapon is yet?" asked Heather.

  “Not yet,” said Peters. “There are a lot of knives in the kitchen. We’ll have to test them and see if any of them match. The killer might have used a knife here and then cleaned it and put it away.”

  Heather nodded. “If it doesn’t point to the killer directly, there’s no reason why it couldn’t have been returned. If it is here, then it also looks like it could be a crime of passion rather than one that was premeditated.”

  “The killer might also have taken the knife with him,” Ryan said. “We’ll have to check and see if anything is missing from the kitchen.”

  “In that case, the killer would have used a weapon here, but took the evidence away with him in case it could be linked back to him?” Amy asked.

  "Right," Heather said. "It's also possible that the killer brought the knife with him when he came here, and it was premeditated. Would p
eople have known that Chef Clint Trag would be here this morning?"

  “We’ll know more after we talk to Mr. Gusters in depth,” Ryan said.

  “But it does seem like he would drop by early in the morning often,” Peters said. “His wife said that Clint Trag left the house around eight a.m. this morning.”

  “Could his wife be involved?” Heather asked.

  “No,” Peters said. “She took their son to a Water Wings Swimming Class. She was there all morning.”

  “The victim has a young son?” Amy asked. “This just gets worse and worse.”

  “Is there anything else here that could help lead us to the killer?” Heather asked.

  "We dusted for fingerprints and found them all around the place," Peters said. "They might lead to something."

  “But it might also be hard to tell what was there before the murder and what was there because of the crime,” Heather said.

  “There were some food scraps in the trash,” Peters said. “But it’s a restaurant, so I’m not sure if that’s helpful at all.”

  “Anything good?” Amy asked. They all looked at her. “Just curious.”

  Heather started looking around the room to see if anything caught her eye. There was little to go on right now. She hoped that there might be another clue in the room.

  Her search was rewarded, when she bent down to check under some shelves.

  “Did you see this?” she asked.

  “What is it?” asked Peters.

  “It looks like a hair scrunchie,” Heather said. “Women use them to pull back their hair. A man with long hair might use it too.”

  “But is it here because of the murder?” Ryan asked.

  “That I don’t know,” said Heather.

  Amy sighed. "What do we know at this point?"

  “I know that I’d like to talk to Mr. Gusters,” Heather said.

  Station Talk

  Chief Chet shook his head as he faced the other investigators. After a stressful holiday season, he was back to wearing his comfy clothes and listening to sports at the office. However, he was still a bit pensive as he faced the others at the police station.