Fatal Festive Donuts

by Cindy Bell

  “I bet.” He chuckled. “I hear he ate a poisoned donut. Was it one of yours, girly?” He smirked.

  “I heard you liked to hang out near his bakery.” She locked her eyes to his, suddenly bold and determined. Perhaps it was him calling her ‘girly’ or the look of amusement in his eyes over her fear. Whatever it was, she wasn’t letting him off the hook.

  “Oh, did you?” He scratched his hair-covered cheek. “Well, that might be the case. I can hang out wherever I want, can’t I?” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. She watched as he lit a cigarette, right beside the trees. No, he wasn’t worried about smoking near his trees. So what had he been doing over by the bakery?

  “Sure. But it makes me wonder why. You’re not from around here, are you? I mean, you’ve only lived in the area a short time. You took over the farm from someone else, didn’t you?”

  “You want to know my life story?” He bit down on the cigarette and made it dance between his lips. “I ain’t got one. All right? I don’t have any family left. I’m alone and I intend to stay that way. Now, like I said, I’m closed.”

  He turned and plodded back through the trees. She watched him go, tempted to ask him more questions. But she doubted he would answer them. The important thing was, she knew he was obviously new in town, and that he hadn’t been standing next to the bakery just to use the ashtray. He was definitely up to something.

  On the drive home with Joyce, Brenda was still a little wound up from her encounter with Gray. She shared what she’d discovered. After they arrived at Joyce’s house they had a light dinner, mostly in silence. Finally, Joyce put her fork down and looked across the table at her.

  “Tell me again about your plans for Christmas?”

  “I already have.” She frowned.

  “I’d like to hear them again.” Joyce smiled.

  “How can I even think about enjoying the holiday when I am faced with the possibility of being arrested for murder?” She sighed as she looked at Joyce. “I’m sorry, I know you’re just trying to cheer me up. But I just don’t feel very cheerful. I don’t think we’re getting anywhere with what we’ve found out so far. If we don’t figure out who the killer is soon, this may hang over our heads for the rest of our lives.”

  “I can’t disagree with that, Brenda, but giving in to our fear isn’t going to solve things, either. We know that Aaron saw the shadow of a man near the truck that morning. Maybe the figure caught Jerry in the act of entering our truck, and confronted him, only to have him die moments later.” Joyce narrowed her eyes. “That doesn’t make him the killer, but it does mean that Jerry was alive at that time. We have an idea of when he died.”

  “Yes, but that still doesn’t tell us who it was. I mean, Orville could have poisoned the donuts the night before, or Clarence, or Mark. Or anyone who had access to the bakery.” She stroked the rabbit’s ears. “I just don’t know how we can pin down who it was.”

  “Aaron said he didn’t see our cars in the parking lot, but I wonder if he can recall what cars he did see? Maybe we should check with him about that.”

  “That’s a good idea.” Brenda stifled a yawn. “I think I’m ready for bed. I’m exhausted, and tomorrow we need to be up early to open the truck. After I’ve done the baking I have a few errands to run. Will you be okay to run the truck for a little while?”

  “Of course. Having a little break will be good for you. I want to get to the truck very early so I can talk to Aaron again, and see who arrives around the time that Jerry died. Then you can come in normal time.”

  “Are you sure?” She frowned. “I can come in with you.”

  “No, there’s no need.” She patted her hand. “Get some rest. Okay?”

  “I’ll try.”

  Chapter 12

  The next morning Brenda rushed around running her errands. As Joyce had indicated, it was a good distraction. At least it was, until she realized something that startled her. She could see a car in her rearview mirror. It was still there. Just like it had been when she left the bank. Just like it had been when she rolled by the house to check on things. With Charlie so busy at work he didn’t have time to pick up the mail or collect the trashcans. She’d parked in front of the house, and noticed the car parked on the other side of the road a few houses down. But no one got out. She was being followed. If her suspicions were right, it was the detective. But she couldn’t see the car closely enough to tell.

  Brenda had thought that she’d seen a glimpse of him as she pulled out of the bank. Then she told herself that she was being paranoid. After she finished at the house, she decided to test her theory. After a few turns, she saw the car was still behind her. She headed back the opposite way. So did the car behind her. She turned down a dirt road that was hardly ever used. So did the car behind her. When she came out onto the main road, she got pinned at a red light. The car behind her slowed and turned into a driveway instead of stopping behind her. Once more she wondered if she was just being paranoid. A local wouldn’t hesitate to use the dirt road. After the light turned green, she headed back in the direction of Joyce’s house. That was when she noticed the car again, not far behind her.

  “This is insane!” She gunned the gas, something she rarely ever did, and passed the car in front of her. With some space between herself and the other car, she began to relax. Then the car behind her turned off the road, and there was that same car again.

  She gritted her teeth and did her best to keep panic from seizing her senses. Why would the detective be following her? Was he just waiting for the right opportunity to arrest her? Was he collecting evidence against her? She began to go over in her mind all of the errands she’d run in the past few hours. Had he witnessed all of them? Had she done anything that would be considered unlawful? She was sure she’d failed to signal a few times, and there was that one stop sign that she always rolled through because it was in the middle of nowhere. But he hadn’t pulled her over.

  “Because he’s a detective, Brenda!” She shouted at herself. “He’s not interested in traffic violations, he wants to arrest you for murder.”

  When Brenda pulled up at Joyce’s she looked down the street, but she couldn’t spot him.

  She let herself into Joyce’s house. In a panic, she texted Joyce to ask her to come home. Within the hour, her car pulled into the driveway. When she stepped inside, Brenda greeted her at the door.

  “Oh, Joyce. I’m so glad you’re here,” Brenda said frantically.

  “What’s wrong, Brenda? Are you okay?” Joyce looked into her wide eyes.

  “It’s that detective, I know it is. He was following me around all day today. Everywhere I went, he was there. It’s happening, Joyce, he’s going to take me in.” She shivered as she continued to speak. “The donuts were poisoned, I’m the one that made the donuts, of course he’s going to arrest me!”

  “Just try to take a deep breath.” She ran her hands up and down her arms. “No one is going to take you anywhere.”

  “Okay, I’m trying to be calm.” Brenda chewed on her bottom lip.

  “I spoke to Aaron this morning, he was late with his delivery, but turned up shortly after you left. He said that he noticed a few cars in the parking lot, he couldn’t tell me who they all belonged to, but he said one was someone’s that worked at the bakery, he didn’t know his name, and one of them was Gray’s truck,” Joyce explained as she took off her jacket and boots and left them by the front door.

  “Interesting.” Brenda’s eyes widened. “So, he was there when Jerry died?”

  “It sure seems that way.”

  A knock on the front door made them both jump.

  Brenda stared in its direction with wide eyes.

  “It’s him, Joyce, it’s the detective. He’s come to arrest me, I know it.”

  “No, he hasn’t.” She put her hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes. “He can’t arrest you. You haven’t done anything wrong. There’s no reason to be scared.”

  “I h
ave a six-year-old, Joyce, I can’t go to prison. Please, just don’t answer the door.” Brenda’s heart pounded as she visualized the handcuffs on her wrists. How would she ever explain that to Charlie, or Sophie? There would be no way to turn back time the moment that Joyce let him in.

  “It will make things worse if we don’t answer. The car is in the driveway, he knows that we’re here. I have to answer.” She sighed and patted her friend’s cheek with a light reassuring touch. “Go into my room. In the closet in there. Stay there until I come to get you.”

  “What if he comes looking?” Her eyes widened as there was another set of knocks on the door.

  “He’s not going to. I promise. Now just go get tucked away, if that makes you feel more secure. I can guarantee you, Brenda, Detective Crackle will not even know you’re here. Trust me.” She looked straight into her eyes. “I can handle this.”

  “Okay.” She gulped down a breath of air, then turned and headed for Joyce’s room. On the way there she grabbed an umbrella from the hallway. She wasn’t sure what she intended to do with it, but she felt better just having something to hold on to. Once she’d ducked into the closet, she heard a third set of knocks, far more insistent this time. Then she heard the sound of the front door as it swung open.

  “Detective.” Joyce’s voice carried through the house. “You’ll have to forgive me, I was occupied with some personal needs.”

  “Personal needs?” He stared at her through squinted eyes. “What exactly does that mean?”

  “If I told you exactly what it meant, we’d both be blushing, Detective. How can I help you?” She gritted her teeth as she did her best to hide any hint of fear. Seeing Brenda’s concern had left her a little anxious as well.

  “Oh, I see, excuse me.” He cleared his throat. “Actually, I’m here to speak with Brenda. She’s still staying with you, isn’t she?”

  “Yes, she is.” She forced a smile to her lips. “But she’s not here right now.”

  “Her car is in the driveway.” He glanced over his shoulder, then looked back at her.

  “A friend picked her up.” She folded her arms across her stomach and studied him.

  “What friend?” He pulled out his notepad.

  “I’m not sure that’s really my place to say. Why are you looking for her?” She met his eyes.

  “I have some more questions I’d like to ask her about the donuts she made on the truck.” He tapped his pen against the notepad. “This would be a lot easier if she would just make herself available to me for questioning.”

  “I don’t think she is doing anything other than having a little time out with a friend. That doesn’t mean she’s avoiding you.” She shrugged. “I’ll give her the message as soon as I see her.”

  “Or I could just call her.” He pulled out his phone.

  Her heart dropped. Brenda’s phone was on the kitchen table. Unless she had taken it with her to the closet, it was still there, and not very far from the front door.

  “You could, but she’s finally getting a little free time with a friend. Is it really necessary to disrupt that?” She took a step forward, which forced him to take a step back out of the doorway. “It’s such a beautiful day today, isn’t it?” She stepped forward again, under the guise of looking up at the sky. As she pulled the door closed behind her, she heard the first subtle chirp of Brenda’s phone ringing inside. But did he?

  The detective quirked his brow as he held the phone to his ear. More chirps sounded inside the house.

  “I’ve just been so looking forward to the snow coming. I know it’s freezing, but I find the cool air refreshing.” She tried not to shiver as she rambled on. She’d stepped outside with no jacket, and just socks on her feet. The icy air bit into her bones. “Do you like snow, Detective?” She could only hope that her voice was enough to drown out the sound of the phone ringing.

  “Are you sure she’s not in there?” He hung up the phone and stared hard at her. “You wouldn’t be obstructing an investigation, would you?”

  “I would never.” She patted the curve of his elbow. “Go on, I’m sure you have important work to do, and as soon as I hear from her, I’ll let you know.” She winked at him.

  “This isn’t over, Joyce, not by a long shot.” He continued to hold her gaze, despite the wink and the sweetness in her voice. “You’re not fooling me. I know you’re trying to cover for her.”

  “You’re wrong.” The sweetness disappeared from her voice and her eyes narrowed sharply as she looked at him. “There’s nothing to cover for. She’s done nothing wrong.”

  “Hm. So you say.” He pulled his hat down low over his forehead and gazed at her from beneath the brim of it. “I’m going to find out the truth one way or another, Joyce. It might be best if you tell me now.”

  “There’s nothing to tell, Detective, other than the fact that I’m going to file charges for harassment if you continue to come after my friend as if she is some kind of murderer. She is a mother.”

  “I’ll investigate all suspects equally.” He frowned as he studied her. “I can’t bend the rules. I’m sure you can understand that.”

  “I cannot. I can see this all clearly, while you seem to have tunnel vision. Consider how it is going to feel when you recognize how much of your time you wasted on a wild goose chase.” She tried to sound fierce, but her teeth had begun to chatter.

  “That’s why you are out here freezing in the cold?” He reached out, and to her surprise, grazed his warm fingertips along her hand. “You’re like ice. Go back inside.”

  “I’m fine.” She tightened her arms and tried to hide the trembling in her body.

  “Don’t worry, I’m not going to force my way in.” He held her gaze for a long moment. “But keep in mind that I don’t like my investigation being hindered in any way.”

  “Yes sir. I would never dream of doing anything like that.” She crept back towards the door.

  “I suppose that Brenda will give me a call back, when she sees I called.” He held up his cell phone as if he might call her one more time. Instead, he turned and walked back towards his car, which was parked on the street.

  Despite the chill that carried through Joyce’s bones she waited until he was in his car, with the engine running, before she opened the door to the house. As she suspected, Brenda’s phone was ringing. He had planned to listen when she opened the door to go inside. Annoyed, she marched down the hall to her bedroom.

  “It’s okay, Brenda, you can come out now. He’s gone.”

  “Are you sure?” She poked her head out through the closet door.

  “I am. I watched, to make sure he was gone.” She grabbed a blanket from the end of her bed and wrapped it around herself. “It was so cold out there!”

  “I’m so sorry, Joyce. I hate to put you in the middle of this, but I was just so scared.” She frowned as she stepped all the way out of the closet. “I heard my phone ringing.”

  “Yes, that detective was trying to figure out where you were. He is really sneaky.” Joyce narrowed her eyes. “We’re going to have to stay on top of this, Brenda. I think he has something, more than we think.”

  “But he can’t have anything. I didn’t do anything.” She rubbed her upper arms to try to help her warm up. “What could it be?”

  “I don’t know, but until we find out, you should lay low. Do your best to stay out of his way.” Joyce shrugged the blanket off. “I’m warmer now.”

  “Good.” Brenda sighed and looked towards the bedroom door. “I should let Charlie know what’s going on. He’s going to be upset, but he might be able to help. I just hate to bother him when he’s on a deadline.”

  “I think it’s time to stop worrying about that deadline. We need all of the help we can get.”

  “I guess you’re right.” She picked up her phone and dialed his number as she walked out into the living room. Joyce followed after her and settled on the couch. After two rings, Charlie answered.

  “I was just going to call you.”


  “You were?” She smiled, glad to hear his voice.

  “Yes. I found out something interesting. Jerry was going by an alias. His true identity hasn’t been discovered, yet. But the identity he was using was from someone that has been deceased for years.”

  “Jerry? I never would have believed that about him.” She frowned. “What makes someone assume a new identity?”

  “It could be a lot of things, but none of them are good.”

  “How did you find this out? You’ve been looking into him?”

  “Sure. Honey, you’re not alone in this. There seems to be a lot more going on behind the scenes about this. He has such a seamless new identity that it took a lot of digging to figure it out. He either knew how to hide, or had someone help him that knew how to make someone disappear.”

  “Interesting.”

  “What is it?” Joyce scooted forward on the couch, her eyes eager.

  After Brenda hung up the phone she filled Joyce in on what Charlie shared with her.

  “So, he was on the run. Or hiding from someone.”

  “Someone who might have wanted to kill him.” Joyce snapped her fingers.

  “The problem is, no one seems to know anything personal about Jerry. I think you should talk to Detective Crackle about Jerry.” Brenda sat down across from her on the couch.

  “Why would you suggest that? I don’t see how speaking to the detective investigating us could benefit us.”

  “Everyone I’ve spoken to about Jerry, knew nothing real about him. According to what Charlie found, he was living under an assumed identity. But didn’t you tell me that Detective Crackle was friends with Jerry?”

  “Yes, he did tell me that. He acted as if he knew him pretty well, actually and said nice things about him. They seemed very close.” Joyce narrowed her eyes.

  “So maybe he knows something that we don’t.”

  “Hm. That is a good point.” Joyce met her eyes. “Besides the fact that he seems to have something on us and is coming after us at the moment, I actually consider him a pretty good detective. So how could it be that Jerry didn’t con anyone else, but him into being his friend?”