Sweet Suspects (The Donut Mysteries) (17 page)

“I’ll be free around eleven if you can be,” I said as she walked me out to my Jeep.

“Make it noon and you’ve got a deal,” Grace said.

“Noon it is.
 
That will give me time to come home, take a shower, and change.”

“Then we can have lunch and then start digging again after that,” Grace answered.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, then.
 
Sleep tight.”

“You, too.”

 
To my surprise, Momma was home when I pulled into the driveway, and lights were on inside the house.
 
Had something happened to end her date prematurely?

“Hey,” I said as I walked into the house.
 
“What are you doing here?
 
Is everything all right?”

“Everything is just fine,” Momma said as she looked up from her e-reader.
 
She was on the couch sitting in front of a blazing fire, and yet she still had a blanket tucked around her.
 
Momma enjoyed being toasty a great deal more than I did, and if I couldn’t crack my window on the second floor every now and then to let in a little cool air, I would have had a tough time sleeping at night.

“I thought you had a date tonight,” I said as I took a seat across from her.

“Phillip was called back to the office unexpectedly,” she said.

Had there been a break in the case?
 
I wanted so much to ask her, but I’d made it a rule not to quiz my mother about what her boyfriend was doing, especially when it involved a murder we were both investigating.
 
“I’m sorry.
 
Did you at least get a chance to eat?”

“I did, and thank you.”

“For what?”

“For not asking me anything else about it,” she said as she put her reader aside.

“You’re welcome,” I said.
 
“How’s your book?”

“As a matter of fact, I’m reading the same one you and your book club are discussing tomorrow,” she said.
 
“It sounded interesting when you told me about it.
 
Right now I’m on page ninety-three.
 
Have you finished it yet?”

“I read it a few nights ago,” I said.
 
“What do you think so far?”

“It’s good, but I want to wait to see how it ends before I pass final judgment on it,” she said.
 
“I believe I know who did it, and how it was done.”

“I’ll bet you an apple pie that you don’t,” I said with a grin.

Momma frowned.
 
“Is that a spoiler, Suzanne?”

“No, ma’am.
 
I wouldn’t do that to you.”

“Then let’s not talk about it anymore,” she said.
 
“How is your investigation going?”

“Well, right now we have a ton of suspects, and instead of eliminating any, we keep adding more.
 
Who knew that a high school reunion could bring out so much of the bad in people?”

“Why are you surprised?” she asked.
 
“When you mix buried hard feelings with alcohol, it’s doubtful that no one’s going to get hurt.”

“I understand a black eye or two, but murder?”

“Sometimes slights from the past become magnified over time to the point where they consume the person who felt wronged.”

I thought about that for a moment, and then I asked, “So then you think it’s more likely that Zane’s murder was because of something in his past rather than his present?”

“I’m not saying that,” Momma explained.
 
“All I’m saying is that it was a volatile situation.
 
Have you seen the widow yet?”

“I spoke with her today,” I said.

“She must be grief-stricken,” Momma said.

“You’d think so, wouldn’t you?”

“From your tone, I’m guessing that she’s not.”

“Momma, she’s already called the insurance company, and the man hasn’t been dead for even a day yet.
 
How does someone do that?”

She shook her head slowly.
 
“Suzanne, she might not even realize emotionally that he’s gone yet.
 
Don’t judge her too harshly today.
 
We have no idea what went on between them in their marriage.
 
She must be feeling a hundred different emotions right now.”

In a soft voice, I asked her, “Is that how it was when Dad died?”

She sighed long and loud, and then Momma said, “All I felt then was grief.
 
I still miss your father every day.
 
That hasn’t changed since the day he died, and no matter what happens in my future, I suspect that it never will.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said as I reached over and patted her hand.

“Don’t be,” Momma said with a gentle smile.
 
“I have a world of memories of our time together, and despite a few rocky patches, I wouldn’t have traded any of it for the world.”
 
She wiped away a tear from her cheek, and then she added, “It’s getting late.
 
Hadn’t you better be off to bed?”

I glanced at the clock and saw that she was right.
 
Most people would be hours away from sleep, but then again, they didn’t have to keep my hours, either.
 
“You’re right.
 
Good night.”

“Good night,” she said.

I glanced down at her as I went up the stairs, and she’d already opened her e-reader again.
 
I just hoped that she wasn’t as disappointed with the ending of that book as I’d been.
 
I couldn’t wait to discuss it with my friends the next day.
 
My book club had come into Donut Hearts one day looking for a place to hold their meetings, and they’d gladly welcomed me to join them.
 
It was one of the regular things in my life that I counted on and looked forward to every month, and I was glad they’d randomly chosen my shop that day.

It was odd the next morning being at the donut shop without Emma, even though I ran the place one day a week without her.
 
Maybe it was because I’d had time to get used to it then.
 
This was different.
 
I could swear I heard noises coming from the front of the shop as I worked in the kitchen, but every time I walked out there, I was all alone.
 
By the time my break came as the yeast donut dough rose, I was having second thoughts about going outside, even though it was part of my routine.
 
The fresh air always did me good, but the dark seemed a little more ominous today that it normally did.

“Stop being such a sissy and go outside,” I said aloud to myself.

I took a deep breath, and then I walked out of the shop into the brisk morning air.
 
Just in case, though, I didn’t go far, and I left the door unlocked behind me in case I had to dash back inside.

When my cellphone rang, I nearly jumped out of my skin.

It was Jake!

“Hey there,” I said, trying to keep the edge of unease I’d been feeling out of my voice.

“Is this a bad time?” he asked.
 
It was clear how exhausted he was by the strain in his voice.

“It’s perfect.
 
I’m on my break,” I said.
 
“How are you doing?”

“I’m worn out,” he said.

“How’s the case going?”

“Frustrating.
 
I thought I had him, but it turned out to be a bad tip.
 
The worst part is that he struck again four hours ago.”
 
The anger and disappointment in his voice were both easy to read.

“Don’t give up hope, Jake.
 
You’ll get him,” I said.

“It sure doesn’t feel like it,” he said.
 
“How’s your case going?”

“About like normal.
 
I have more suspects than I know what to do with, and it’s aggravating.”

“At least you
have
suspects,” Jake said.
 
“Tell me about what you’ve been doing.”

“Are you sure you want to hear about Zane’s murder?
 
You must be sick of killing by now.”

“Who knows?
 
Maybe you’ll say something that will spark an idea in me.
 
Besides, it’s relaxing to hear you talk.”

“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or not,” I said with a grin.

“Trust me, it is.
 
Talk to me, Suzanne.”

I went over everything Grace and I had discussed the night before, and by the time I was finished, I asked, “So do you have any ideas for me?”

“It sounds as though you’re on the right track,” he said.
 
“You have to keep pressing your suspects.
 
Sooner or later, somebody’s going to crack.”

“I don’t have that luxury,” I said.
 
“After all, nobody
has
to talk to me.”

“That’s true,” he said.
 
“Still, I have faith in you.”

“Aren’t we a pair?” I asked.

“I like to think so,” he said.

Just then, the timer beside me went off, indicating that my break was over.
 
I planned to ignore it, but Jake must have heard it.
 
“What was that?”

“My timer,” I said.
 
“It’s okay, though.”

“It certainly is not,” Jake said.
 
“You’ve got donuts to make, and I need a few hours of sleep before I get up and start all over again.”

“Thanks for calling,” I said.

“Would it surprise you to know that talking to you has been the highlight of an otherwise dreadful day, Suzanne?”

“I would hope so,” I said happily.
 
“Call any time.”

“I might.
 
Good night, my love.”

“Good morning,” I said, and I knew that he had to hear me smiling as I said it.

I hung up, took a deep breath of air, and suddenly realized that the fear and trepidation I’d been feeling before about being alone was gone.
 
Just hearing Jake’s voice had been all the tonic that I needed.
 
I was ready to take on the world.

I still locked the donut shop door behind me after I walked in, though.

After all, there was no reason to be foolish about it.
 
No matter how good I felt at the moment, there was still a murderer loose on the streets of April Springs, and I was going to keep watching my back until someone brought them to justice.

Chapter 14

“Good morning,” I said as Emma walked in a few minutes before six.
 
“Tell me, what was it like sleeping in?”

She yawned a little as she stretched.
 
“It was awesome,” she said.
 
“Did you miss me?”

“As a matter of fact, I did.
 
I tried to do a few dishes, but I’m afraid there’s quite a stack in there waiting for you.”

“I’m happy to do them.
 
You don’t think we could make this a full-time thing, could you?
 
I could see the advantages of working five hours a day six days a week.”

“That sounds good to me,” I said with a smile.
 
Before she could respond, I added, “Of course, I’ll only be able to pay you for the hours that you’re actually here working.”

Emma laughed at my suggestion.
 
“Never mind.
 
I like the old system just fine.
 
It was really nice, though.
 
You should let my mother and me make the donuts one day a week without you.
 
If you feel the need, you could come in at six like I am today.
 
I’m telling you, Suzanne, once you try it, you’ll never be able to go back.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I said as I brought the last tray of donuts out and slid them into the display case.
 
“I know myself too well.
 
I’ll get spoiled, and then I won’t want to come in on time ever again.
 
Before you know it, we’re both going to be out looking for a job.
 
I appreciate the offer, but for right now, let’s just stick with what works.”

“That’s fine by me,” she said.
 
“Have you picked up a copy of the newspaper yet?”

“No, I’ve been kind of busy getting ready to open,” I said with a smile.
 
“Is there something new and noteworthy that I’ve missed?”

“Dad’s got a full page article on Zane’s murder.
 
It’s got something interesting stuff in it.”
 
She brought a paper out from the folds of her heavy jacket and presented it to me.
 
“Extra, extra, read all about it.”

“Thanks,” I said.

“I’ll be in back if you need me,” Emma said.

She left me alone up front, and since we didn’t have any customers clamoring to get in, after I unlocked the door and flipped the sign to show that we were open, I took out the newspaper to see what Ray Blake had gotten wrong this time.

As I suspected, it was full of supposition, innuendo, and conjecture.
 
There wasn’t anything actionable that I could see, but he sure didn’t take it easy on the murder victim.
 
I doubted that Janet would be able to sue him for libel, but that didn’t mean that Ray had pulled any punches.
 
There was enough shading in the article to imply that Zane had deserved exactly what he’d gotten.
 
I wasn’t even all that surprised.
 
Ray had a reputation for not letting facts stand in the way of a good story, and he hadn’t done anything to negate that impression in his paper.
 
What’s more, Ray had focused more on the mischiefs some of the former students had performed, making them somehow related to Zane’s death, though I didn’t see how that was possible.
 
Who cared that pranks had been set up in the bathrooms on the most juvenile level, or that several new locks were found on previously empty lockers, or that the coach’s door had been glued shut?
 
All in all, it wasn’t worth the time that it had taken to read it.
 

“I’d like three dozen of your prettiest donuts to go,” a young woman said a little after seven.

“You don’t even care about how they taste?” I asked.
 
It was an odd enough request to catch my attention, and I wanted to know her motivation for her order.

“I’m sure they’re all delicious, but we’re celebrating over at the high school,” she said.

“What’s the happy occasion?” I asked as I started adding sprinkled donuts, colorful cake donuts, and brightly iced yeast donuts to the boxes.

“One of our teachers just married our guidance counselor,” she said.

I nearly dropped the full box of donuts in my hand.
 
“Henry Davidson and Helen Marston got
married
?
 
When did this happen?”

“Oh, do you know them?
 
It was the night before last,” she said.
 
“They didn’t want to say anything right away, given the bad timing and everything.”

“What timing is that?” I asked as I recovered enough to start stocking another box.

“They
had
been planning on having a formal wedding sometime next month, but right after they left the reunion, they decided to drive straight to the beach to elope.
 
Once they got there, they woke up a justice of the peace and got married at two in the morning.
 
It’s really romantic, isn’t it?”

“It sure is,” I said as I started doing the math in my head.
 
We were a good five hours from the beach, and that matched up if they left at nine.
 
Unfortunately, that gave them a tight alibi, because they couldn’t have made it back before seven, well after I’d found Zane’s body.
 
“I would have thought they would have said something before this, though.”

“They told their family, but no one else knew.
 
It’s all so exciting.”

I finished packing the third box of donuts and slid them across the counter to her.
 
After I quoted her the price, she paid gladly with a fifty-dollar bill, and as I gave her the change, she was beaming with delight.
 
“Tell them that Suzanne from Donut Hearts said congratulations,” I said.

“I will,” she said.
 
“You should see the teacher’s lounge.
 
Becky, Tonya, and I have been decorating it since five this morning.
 
Everything’s just perfect.”

“It sounds lovely,” I said as she left the shop.

I probably should have given her the donuts free of charge, since she’d just unwittingly eliminated two of my strongest suspects.
 
There were a lot of reasons to believe that either Henry or Helen could have done it, but none of that mattered now.
 
I’d tell the police chief so he could confirm their story, but I had a hunch that it was true.
 
That meant striking their names off our list of suspects.
 
That still left Tom, Janet, Billy, and Candy, but at least it had cleared up a little room for us.
 
Having six suspects was a bit overwhelming, while four was a little more manageable.
 
Grace and I had to narrow the list of names down even further if we were hoping to solve Zane’s murder before the rumors started flying about Grace as a possible suspect.
 
So far, no one had pointed any fingers at her, but that might have had more to do with the friendship that Grace and I shared than the town’s belief that she was innocent of murder.
 
Either way, we were in a rush to track down the killer, and as soon as I closed the donut shop for the day, we’d renew our hunt.

“Suzanne, do you have a second?”
 
I was shocked to see Tom Hancock in my donut shop asking me for
my
time.

“Sure, Tom.
 
Would you like a donut?”

“Sorry, but I don’t have time for that,” Tom said as he waved a hand in the air.
 
He looked around the shop at the dozen folks enjoying their treats and added, “Is there someplace a little more private we can talk?”

He was a suspect high on my list, so when I heard him say “private,” red flags appeared.
 
“How private are we talking about?”

“I’m not trying to get you alone in a dark room,” he snapped, and then, in a nicer voice, he added, “I just don’t want anyone listening in on our conversation.
 
Please?”

“Okay,” I said.
 
“Give me one minute.”

“Thanks.
 
I appreciate that.
 
I’ll be outside waiting for you,” he said.

I went in the back and found Emma washing dishes.
 
“Emma?” I shouted, since she never washed them without her music blasted high.

“Hey, take it easy, Suzanne.
 
You don’t have to shout,” Emma said.

“What happened to your music?”

“Can you believe it?
 
I forgot it at home,” she admitted.
 
“I wasn’t used to sleeping in, so I got up later than I should have, and then I was rushing around to make it here in time.
 
Funny, isn’t it?”

“Hilarious.
 
Listen, I need you to cover the front.”

“That’s fair,” she said as she pulled her hands out of the soapy water.
 
“Will you be back in time to close, or should I take care of it myself?”

“I’ll only be gone five minutes,” I said.
 
“Listen, if my book club shows up, tell them that I’ll be right back, but that they can go ahead and get started without me if they want to.”

“I can do that,” she said as she rinsed her hands and dried them off.

Emma followed me out front, and I left her at the counter while I went off in search of Tom.

He was standing edgily across the street, and he waved to me to join him the moment he saw me.
 

When I reached him, I asked, “What’s up?”

“Suzanne, I’m in some serious trouble,” he said, and one look at the expression on his face told me that he was dead serious.
 
“Can we walk around the park while we talk?
 
I feel kind of exposed just standing here.”

“That’s fine,” I said, knowing that I’d only go so far into the trees with this man before I’d stop.
 
I’d fought killers there before who’d wanted to hurt me, and I knew how dangerous being alone with someone could be.

“What can I do?”

“For starters, you can help me figure out what to do,” he said.

“I’ll try, but I’m going to need a little more than that.”

Tom ran a hand through his hair.
 
“Honestly, I don’t even know where to start.”

“I’ve always found that if all else fails, the beginning is as good a place as any.”

He shook his head.
 
“Neither one of us has that much time.
 
First things first.
 
I didn’t kill Zane.”

“Okay,” I said, keeping my voice neutral.

“You don’t believe me, do you?” he asked.

“I’m willing to accept it for now,” I said.

He was angry now.
 
“Are you serious?”

“Hey, I’m not going to lie to you.
 
You either want my help or you don’t.”

“I want it.”

“Then tell me what’s got you so spooked,” I suggested.

“I’m the one who stole the spear from the gym the night Zane was murdered.”

“You what!”

“Keep your voice down, would you?” Tom asked.
 
“I don’t want the world to know how stupid I was.”

“Sorry,” I said, lowering my voice to a more normal tone.
 
“Why did you take it?”

“I wanted a souvenir, if you can believe that.
 
As the reunion broke up, I grabbed one of the spears and took it outside.
 
I admit that I was more than a little drunk when I took it.”