A Shot of Bitterness

by Wendy Meadows

  They both reached for the napkin dispenser at the same time. Margaret’s hand touched David’s. She felt a spark. Looking at him, she was sure he felt it too.

  “So I was thinking,” said David.

  “Yes?” asked Margaret.

  “I thought it might be nice to go out together sometime,” he said.

  “Just us alone?” asked Margaret.

  “Yes,” said David.

  “Like a date?” she asked.

  “Just like a date,” said David.

  Margaret’s heart soared. She was about to say yes when she thought of Zach.

  “I would love to but I’m not sure how Zach would feel about me dating,” she explained to David.

  “Well, let’s ask him,” said David. “If he’s not comfortable with the idea we can still have lunch once in a while.”

  “Absolutely,” agreed Margaret.

  After lunch, they went back to the candy shop. There were no customers inside. Patty told them that Zach was in the back room getting ready to restock the shelves. Margaret and David walked back together.

  “Hey, Zach,” said Margaret. “Could you sit down a minute? I have something I want to ask you.”

  Zach sat down. “What’s going on?” he asked.

  “David and I have been talking, and well, we’re getting closer and we were wondering how you would feel if we started dating.”

  “Does that mean I’ll have blueberry pancakes more often?” Zach teased. Margaret and David laughed.

  “Seriously, Zach, I don’t want to do anything that would upset you,” said Margaret.

  “It’s fine, Mom. I just want you to be happy,” said Zach. Turning to David, he glared and said, “Be nice to my mom and keep her happy and we won’t have any problems.”

  David laughed and promised to make Margaret happy. Margaret grinned at both of them. Things were indeed looking up.

  Chapter 7

  The next day Margaret decided to feature her pralines at the store. Patty created a beautiful display, and Zach suggested they take samples to the other businesses.

  “They could help spread the word,” he said.

  “Great idea,” said Margaret. “Let’s do it. I might also get some information about Scott Freeman’s death.” She and Zach packed up some pralines and started walking around to the local businesses.

  Their first stop was Mr. Stewart’s dog grooming business. Margaret and Zach opened the front door. No one was at the front desk but they heard Mr. Stewart say he would be right with them. Margaret looked around the store. Mr. Stewart sold grooming supplies and other animal-related goods. Margaret laughed at the bow display.

  “Laugh all you want,” said Mr. Stewart, appearing from the back. “Those bows pay my rent.”

  Margaret smiled. “Good morning, Mr. Stewart. Zach and I stopped by to offer you a special sample.”

  “What is it?” asked Mr. Stewart.

  “Homemade pralines,” said Margaret.

  Mr. Stewart smiled. “I love pralines. Who made them?”

  “I did,” said Margaret.

  “Good for you,” said Mr. Stewart. He took a bite of the sample that Zach offered him. His eyes widened.

  “This is delicious,” he said.

  “I’m glad you like them,” said Margaret. “We’ll be selling them at the store from now on.”

  “What a wonderful idea,” said Mr. Stewart. “I think our customers will appreciate the homemade touch.”

  “I think so too,” said Margaret. “I appreciate your vote of confidence. Please pass along the word.”

  “I surely will,” said Mr. Stewart. “Now, how is the investigation coming along?”

  “Leah Freeman hired me to look into her husband’s murder.”

  “Outstanding,” said Mr. Stewart. “If there is anything I can do, please let me know.”

  “Actually, I did have a few questions for you,” said Margaret.

  “Fire away,” said Mr. Stewart.

  “What did you think of Scott Freeman?” asked Margaret.

  “Well, I don’t like to speak ill of the dead, but he was a complete jerk,” said Mr. Stewart. “You know his trucks blocked my driveway. He could easily have parked them a little further up the street but refused every time I asked him. I also cannot stand the smell of coffee. We shared a dumpster and it has been reeking of stale coffee. I hate that smell and he knew it. I asked him to double bag the grinds but he refused. I dreaded what it would smell like when the place opened.”

  “I understand how that could be thought of as hostile,” said Margaret.

  “Hostile is a good word for him. And inconsiderate,” said Mr. Stewart. Just then the door opened and a woman walked in with her Chihuahua.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Smith,” said Mr. Stewart. “I will be right with you. Was there anything else?” he asked Margaret.

  “No, thank you. I’m glad you liked the pralines,” she said.

  “Pralines?” asked Mrs. Smith. “I love pralines.”

  “You should stop by Margaret’s candy shop while I take care of Chichi,” said Mr. Stewart. “The pralines are homemade and are delicious.”

  “I will be sure to do that,” said Mrs. Smith.

  Margaret and Zach thanked Mr. Stewart and left. They dropped some samples off at other stores and Margaret continued with her questions. People’s opinions about Scott Freeman varied, and most didn’t know him all that well. Margaret was going to stop in the antiques store but the owner, her friend Simone, was talking to someone.

  “Let’s go to Stacy’s café next,” suggested Zach. They walked into the café, and Margaret said hello to Stacy.

  “How is everything going?” asked Stacy.

  “Great. I brought some samples for you to try,” said Margaret. “We are hoping if you like them you will spread the word.”

  “How sweet and courteous,” said Stacy. “What are the samples?”

  Zach pulled out a praline and handed it to her.

  “Your pecan pies gave me the idea,” said Margaret. “I remembered the pralines my mom used to make. I found her recipe and made some myself.”

  “This is delicious,” said Stacy. “I will definitely send some customers your way. Even though these are competition with my pecan pie,” she joked.

  Margaret laughed. “Thank you. Did you hear that I’m working on the Freeman case?”

  “No,” said Stacy. “How does David feel about that?”

  “We argued for a bit but then he came around,” said Margaret.

  “That’s good,” said Stacy. “You two work well together.”

  Margaret blushed. “Could I ask you a few questions?” she asked Stacy.

  “Sure,” said Stacy. “We’re not busy at the moment. Let’s sit over here and you can fire away.”

  Margaret and Zach joined Stacy at a corner table.

  “Did you know Scott Freeman very well?” asked Margaret.

  “Not really. He never came in here to eat,” said Stacy.

  “What did you think of him?” asked Margaret.

  “Frankly, I thought he was a snake,” said Stacy. “He didn’t even have his store open and he was already trying to steal my customers. I saw him approach them before they entered my café. They went to his place and he gave them samples and discounts on his items. I lost quite a lot of business that way. I also saw him change the prices on my chalkboard outside, if you can believe that. Made everything more expensive. He only did it once, but I could not figure out why people were not coming in that day. Finally someone told me they saw him do it, and when I confronted him he denied it even though I noticed chalk next to one of his coffee pots!”

  “Wow, that is rotten,” Margaret agreed.

  “I’m finally getting my customers back. I hate to say it but I’m glad he’s gone. I feel bad for his wife though,” said Stacy.

  “I talked to her yesterday. I think she’s still in shock,” said Margaret.

  “I’m not surprised. Anyway, I hope your pralines ta
ke off,” said Stacy. “Will you be making other candies?”

  “I haven’t decided yet,” said Margaret. “It depends on how the pralines sell.”

  “Well, good luck,” said Stacy. A couple walked in. Stacy greeted them and told them to be seated.

  “Was there anything else you needed?” Stacy asked Margaret.

  “No, you answered my questions. I’m sorry you had such problems with him. Unbelievable that he did that to your chalkboard!”

  “I know, I couldn’t believe it myself!” said Stacy. “Will I see you later for lunch?”

  “Probably,” said Margaret. “Definitely,” Zach said. Stacy smiled. They walked out and Margaret looked in the antiques shop window. Simone was done with her customer, so Margaret and Zach walked in.

  “Hello, Margaret,” Simone greeted her with a smile and a hug. “How is your leg doing?”

  “Much better,” said Margaret. “Thank you.”

  “I’m so glad. It hurt me to see you gimping around.”

  Margaret smiled. Simone was dressed in her standard flowing dress and wide-brimmed hat.

  “I heard you found that Scott Freeman guy. What nasty business,” said Simone.

  “It was,” said Margaret. “One good thing came out of it though. His wife asked me to look into his murder.”

  “Oh-ho! That must be driving David insane,” said Simone.

  “We worked it out,” said Margaret, laughing.

  “What can I do for you today?” asked Simone.

  “We stopped by to drop off a sample of our new pralines,” said Margaret. “I’m thinking about starting a line of homemade candies in the store.”

  “That is a wonderful idea,” said Simone.

  “Thank you,” replied Margaret. “Would you like to try some?”

  “I would,” said Simone. Zach offered her a piece. Simone popped it into her mouth.

  “Oh, now this is delicious. The sweetness and pecans pop in my mouth,” she said. “I will have to stop by and pick some up.”

  “I’m glad you like them,” said Margaret. “If you could recommend them to your customers I would appreciate it.”

  “I would be delighted to,” said Simone.

  “I was also wondering if you could answer a few questions about Scott Freeman,” said Margaret.

  “Certainly. What would you like to know?”

  “How well did you know him?”

  “Oh, pretty well,” said Simone. “He would offer me samples of my favorite coffee every morning. He always said hello. I thought it was wonderful that he was moving into the neighborhood.”

  “I heard that he could be a jerk,” said Margaret.

  “I heard that too, but thought it was strange because he was always nice to me. I was sorry to hear that he had been murdered. Do you have any leads yet?” she asked. Simone, Stacy, and Mr. Stewart had all banded together to help Margaret solve her last murder, so Margaret wasn’t surprised that Simone was curious about this one.

  “Not yet, but I will keep you in the loop,” Margaret said. “We have to go and keep handing out samples.”

  “Ciao,” said Simone. Margaret grinned. Simone was eccentric, and Margaret loved her. Margaret and Zach left and walked over to the bakery. The bakery was owned by Allen Harris. When Margaret and Zach walked in both he and his wife, Allie, were there.

  “Good morning, Margaret,” said Allen. “Can I interest you in a doughnut?”

  “No thank you, but I’m sure Zach will want one,” Margaret replied, smiling.

  “Duh,” Zach said with a smirk. He picked out some pastries and Allen wrapped them up.

  “We stopped by to give you a sample of our new pralines,” said Margaret. “I’m expanding into homemade candies and I wanted your opinion.” Zach pulled out a praline, and Allen took a bite.

  “This is delicious,” he said. “Allie, come on out and taste this.”

  Allie, Allen Harris’s wife, had been in a punk rock band when she and Allen met. When they fell in love, she decided to settle down and become a confectioner. She made all the delicious goodies in the bakery while Allen did the selling and accounting.

  “Hi, Margaret,” Allie said. Her lipstick was so red it was almost black, a little reminder of her punk days, Margaret guessed. Allen handed her a piece of the praline. She took a bite. Margaret held her breath. Allie could bake. She served up sweet goodness every day. Margaret valued her opinion.

  “This is wonderful,” Allie said sincerely.

  Margaret smiled. “I’m glad you like them,” she said. “I value your opinion.”

  Then Margaret asked, “Did you two hear about Scott Freeman?”

  “Yes, and good riddance,” said Allen.

  “Why do you say that?” asked Margaret.

  “Because of him I was losing business. He told people my coffee was instant. It is not but it is also not a specialty coffee. Don’t like that he’s dead, but I’m glad he’s gone. Now maybe I will get my customers back.”

  “I don’t know, honey,” said Allie. “I thought he was okay. It’s good for this town to have new businesses. It might affect us for a while but our business would have picked back up again.”

  “I’m glad you are so optimistic,” said Allen. “I’m just glad he’s gone.”

  “Maybe we’ll get a better business with a nicer owner next time,” Margaret said.

  “I sure hope so,” said Allen.

  “Well, we have to get back to the shop,” said Margaret.

  “Have a nice afternoon,” said Allen. “I will be sure to recommend these pralines to my customers. I think they’ll love them.”

  “Thank you, and I will continue recommending your pastries to my customers,” assured Margaret.

  “It’s a deal,” said Allen, waving goodbye.

  When Zach and Margaret arrived back at the candy shop, Patty said the pralines were already selling well.

  “Everyone loves them,” she exclaimed.

  “Great!” said Margaret. She glanced out of the candy store window and noticed Scott Freeman’s car sitting in the alley. She also noticed David’s truck.

  “I’m going across the street,” Margaret said to Zach and Patty. “I will have my cell phone if you need me.”

  Chapter 8

  As Margaret walked across the street, she realized she hadn’t had a chance to search the coffee shop for clues. Having Scott Freeman’s car here was a bonus. Margaret decided to hit the coffee shop first. She checked the back door by the car. It was unlocked. She went inside. The door led to the back kitchen. Margaret heard a clicking noise and stopped.

  “Good lord, Margaret, do you want to be shot?” David snapped. He put down his gun.

  “What are you doing here?” he demanded.

  “I was checking out Scott Freeman’s car and shop for clues,” said Margaret.

  “Breaking and entering is illegal,” said David.

  “I didn’t break and enter,” countered Margaret. “The back door was unlocked.”

  David blew out a frustrated breath. “I suppose we should work together now that you’re in here,” he said.

  Margaret nudged him. “Thanks, partner.” She started looking around the store. There was nothing suspicious in the kitchen. When they went to the front they found a string of threatening notes behind the counter.

  “Whoa. These are definitely clues,” said Margaret. She and David read them. Most were of the generic “Leave town and don’t come back” variety. David placed them in an evidence bag.

  “Hey, what is that?” asked Margaret, pointing at the back wall. In a corner of the wall was a small smudge. David took a look. He used gloves to wipe a bit off the wall. He smelled it. Margaret wrinkled her nose. David stuck his glove under her nose.

  “Chocolate,” said Margaret. “It is in a weird place though.”

  “Yes it is,” said David, taking a swab and putting it in a bag.

  “You know, I was thinking,” said Margaret. “Most poison murders are committed by women.�
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  David looked at her. “Now how do you know that?”

  “That’s what all the murder mystery books say. It makes sense though.”

  “Maybe, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re looking for a female killer.”

  “Just saying,” Margaret said.

  They walked around the store but didn’t find anything else.

  “Let’s go check out the car,” David suggested.

  “Okay,” said Margaret. She followed him out to the alley. Margaret glanced over by the dumpsters and saw something on the ground.

  “Come over here,” she said. David followed her, and Margaret pointed to the ground. There was a boot print. It was partially obscured but it had sand on it. David took pictures and a sample. They walked toward the car.

  “What is this?” asked David, looking into the car from the driver’s side. Margaret looked over his shoulder. Along the windshield were some more notes. They appeared to be written by the same person. David collected these too. Margaret checked out the interior of the car, including the glove box. There was nothing else to be found. David checked the trunk but it was filled with boxes of coffee bags.

  “I was going to stop by Leah Freeman’s and have a look around. Would you like to join me?” asked David.

  “Sure,” said Margaret happily.

  “I figure I might as well invite you since you would probably go there on your own anyway,” David said.

  Margaret smiled. He’s learning.

  “Let me go back to the candy shop and let them know what I’m doing,” said Margaret.

  “Do you have any more of those pralines?” David asked.

  “Of course,” said Margaret.

  “I’ll walk with you then,” said David. Margaret laughed.

  Inside the candy shop, Margaret told Patty and Zach that she and David would be over at Leah Freeman’s.

  “Working together, I see?” asked Patty. She grinned as Margaret and David both turned slightly red.

  “Yes, I suppose we are,” said David, smiling at Patty.

  “Good,” she said. “The pralines are on me then.” Margaret laughed and David thanked Patty.

  “You can take it out of my check,” Patty said to Margaret.