by Jessica Beck
He’d whistled softly when he’d heard the amount of cash. “That’s a lot of money on hand for such a small shop, isn’t it?”
She explained, “Chief, I deal in a strictly cash business. I am constantly buying and selling items, so I need that size of reserve here, but I won’t keep more than five thousand here on hand at any time.”
“You don’t mind if I confirm that myself, do you?” the chief asked.
“Be my guest,” Gabby said as she opened the safe, being careful so that none of us saw the combination. I envied her having a safe, not because of the steel, but because she actually needed one. The proceeds from a day selling donuts would fit into a shoe box, nothing nearly substantial enough to require a safe to store until I could make my deposit.
The chief looked inside, counted the money, inspected the jewelry, and then nodded. “Thanks. You can lock it back up.”
Officer Grant asked, “Does that mean we’re finished here?”
“Not a chance. We’re just getting started.” He turned to Gabby and said, “I’m sorry about this, but it’s going to take a while, and you’re going to have to close while we conduct our search.”
“If it will help clear my name, I’m more than willing to cooperate. Suzanne, would you help me with my sign up front?”
Why on earth did she need my assistance to lock the front door and hang a sign in the window? I wasn’t about to question her, though, so I followed her to the front. Was it my imagination, or did the chief continue to watch us as we made our way to the door?
“Thank you, Suzanne,” she said as she lightly touched my hand at the door.
“For what?”
She looked at me as though I were a little slow. “For being here so I don’t have to face this alone. I know folks around town have an image of a tough old broad when they think of me, but this is quite unnerving.”
“I’m glad I can help,” I said. “Do you need my sign? I have one that says BACK IN AN HOUR that I’d be glad to loan you.”
“I’m hoping they won’t be here that long,” she said, “but if they are, I’ll just set the hands on my BACK AT clock.”
She set the sign for 1:30, and then locked the door. As she did, I saw Emma hurrying up the street toward us.
“I need a second,” I told Gabby. “Would you mind letting me out?”
“Suzanne, you’re not deserting me, are you?” The look in her eyes was enough to tell me that she truly was unsettled by what was happening to her. Gabby was ordinarily the queen of her domain, and having the police rummage through her wares was bound to shake her up.
“I just need to tell Emma what’s going on,” I explained.
“You’re going to tell her the whole humiliating story, aren’t you?” Gabby asked.
“No, but I need to explain why I just took off like that,” I explained.
Gabby nodded, and then unlocked the door.
I opened it a crack as Emma stood on the other side.
“What’s going on, Suzanne? Why did you just disappear?”
“I’ll explain later, but do you mind closing up the shop for the day?”
She frowned. “I already did. It’s after twelve, isn’t it? That’s okay, isn’t it?”
“It’s fine,” I said. “After you finish the dishes, don’t worry about sweeping the front or doing the deposit. I’ll take care of them myself later.”
“The floor’s already been swept, and the cash register report is on your desk,” she said. “I hope you don’t mind, but I wasn’t exactly sure when you were coming back.”
“You did perfect,” I said.
“Suzanne,” Gabby said beside me, “we need to get back.”
I nodded, and then turned back to my assistant. “Thanks, Emma. I’ve got to go.”
“Sure thing,” she said, as Gabby shut the door and locked it soundly. I could see the look of confusion on my assistant’s face, but I’d have to explain it to her later. Right now, I had to help Gabby.
We were walking to the back of the store when I heard the police chief say aloud, “What’s this?”
Had he found something that he shouldn’t have? I was about to ask Gabby when I saw her face grow pale.
Evidently Chief Martin had discovered something that Gabby had clearly hoped to keep hidden.
I couldn’t imagine what it might be, but I found myself hoping that it wasn’t ten grand in cash, or worse yet, the diamond brooch the police were looking for.
ST. MARTIN’S PAPERBACKS TITLES BY JESSICA BECK
Glazed Murder
Fatally Frosted
Sinister Sprinkles
Evil Éclairs
Tragic Toppings
Praise for the Donut Shop Mysteries by Jessica Beck
“Jessica Beck’s Glazed Murder is a delight. Suzanne Hart is a lovable amateur sleuth who has a hilariously protective mother and great donut recipes! Readers will have a blast with this book.”
—Diane Mott Davidson, New York Times bestselling author of Fatally Flaky
“A tribute to comfort food and to the comfort of small-town life. With great donut recipes!”
—Joanna Carl, author of The Chocolate Cupid Killings
“If you like donuts—and who doesn’t?—you’ll love this mystery. It’s like a trip to your favorite coffee shop, but without the calories!”
—Leslie Meier, author of the Lucy Stone mysteries New Year’s Eve Murder and Wedding Day Murder
“The perfect comfort read: a delicious murder, a likeable heroine, quirky Southern characters—and donut recipes!”
—Rhys Bowen, Agatha and Anthony award–winning author of the Molly Murphy and Royal Spyness mysteries
“Jessica Beck’s debut mystery, Glazed Murder, is a yummy new treat in the culinary mystery genre. Skillfully weaving donut recipes throughout a well-plotted story, the author proves that life after divorce can be sweet; all you need are good friends, your own business, and comfort food. Delicious!”
—Tamar Myers, author of Death of a Rug Lord and The Cane Mutiny
“A clever plotted cozy mystery with a wonderful small Southern town … Fatally Frosted is a great follow-up to Glazed Murder. Suzanne is a great heroine. Ms. Beck has a sure-fire winner!”
—Fresh Fiction
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
TRAGIC TOPPINGS
Copyright © 2011 by Jessica Beck.
Excerpt from Killer Crullers copyright © 2011 by Jessica Beck.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
ISBN: 978-0-312-54109-5
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / September 2011
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
eISBN 978-1-4299-6956-7
First St. Martin’s Paperbacks eBook Edition: August 2011
