by Jessica Beck
“I’d love to, but I’ve got my hands full at the moment.”
Jennifer nodded. “I understand completely, but if you have anything else to add, feel free.” She looked at her friends, then asked, “Isn’t that right, ladies?”
After two nods of eager agreement, I smiled and said, “If you’re sure.”
I came back to the counter and Emma asked, “What was that all about?”
“They wanted me to join them,” I said.
“You really should. I can handle things here, and if I need you, I’ll just shout.”
I was tempted. It had been a long time since I’d discussed something I’d read with anyone but Momma and Grace. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then I will.” I filled a cup of coffee, then took a pinecone for myself. If I was going to join them, I might as well indulge all the way.
As I joined them, I said, “I thought the missing book was an especially nice touch, don’t you?”
“We were just talking about that,” Jennifer said, clearly pleased that I’d changed my mind.
After half an hour, Elizabeth looked at her watch, and then frowned. “I hate to break this up, but I have to get back. This is so wonderful. Thank you for joining us, Suzanne.”
“Thanks for having me,” I said.
As they got up to leave, I said, “Hang on a second, Jennifer. I’ll get your change.”
“Put it on my tab for next month,” she said.
“I’ll never remember,” I protested.
“Then consider it a tip, and our way of saying thank-you. We’re reading A Deadly Wicked Murder next month, and we’d love to have you join us.”
“I can’t promise anything,” I said. “I never know how busy things are going to be around here ahead of time.”
“At least promise us you’ll try,” Hazel said.
Jennifer added, “Come on, Suzanne. We loved having you join us.”
“If you’re sure,” I said.
“See you next month,” Jennifer said.
After they were gone, I couldn’t keep from smiling. It was another benefit of owning Donut Hearts. I made new friends nearly every day I was open for business, and that was something that would never show up in the bottom line, but made the place worth all of the trouble nonetheless.
“I’m telling you, the Panthers are the best team in the NFC South,” Officer Moore said as he and Officer Grant walked into the donut shop.
“You know I don’t care about football,” Officer Grant said.
Moore smiled. “You don’t know what you’re missing. I live for football season. You should come with me to a game sometime.”
“No, thanks,” he said.
“Good morning,” I said to them, trying my best to be cordial as they both smiled at me. Officer Grant moved to a chair by the window as he nodded to me, and I caught a slight smile as he turned his head away and pretended to watch the traffic go by on Springs Drive.
“ ’Morning, Suzanne,” Officer Moore said as he approached the counter.
What on earth was he up to?
“Can I get you two something?”
He looked over at Officer Grant, who just shook his head. Moore studied the donut sign behind me, then said, “I’d love a cup of coffee, and maybe a blueberry donut.”
I was surprised by the change in his demeanor. The day before, he’d been abrupt to the point of rudeness, and now he was being downright civil. His long-sleeved shirt was neatly pressed, and his shoes sported a high-gloss shine.
I grabbed a blueberry donut and a coffee for him, and then said, “I was under the impression that you didn’t like donuts.”
He frowned. “That’s kind of why I’m here. This isn’t official or anything. Grant and I are on a break, and I wanted to come by and apologize to you. I was a little shook up yesterday morning, and that’s the way I deal with it. To be honest with you, I haven’t seen that many bodies, either, at least not up close like that. I’m sorry if I was rude to you. You had enough to worry about without dealing with my attitude.”
“I understand completely,” I said. “I appreciate you coming by to apologize.”
He smiled slightly. “What can I say, I’m trying to be a better person, but I’m not all the way there yet.”
“I don’t think any of us are,” I said. “Sometimes it’s the fact that we’re trying that counts.”
He took a sip of coffee, then said, “Since I’m already here, I’d like to ask you something. Have you remembered anything else about yesterday? You said you turned on the outside lights just as it happened, right? Have you recalled seeing anything else since we spoke the last time?”
I wasn’t about to tell him about the threatening telephone call I’d received the night before, and it really wasn’t an answer to the question he’d just asked me. “No, there’s nothing else. I didn’t see anything.”
He took a bite of donut, smiled, then said softly, “You had a tough day yesterday, didn’t you?”
“I have to admit, I’ve had better,” I said as I topped off his mug, as well as those of some of the other customers around him. This was certainly a different man from the one I’d spoken with last night. He was going out of his way to make up for his behavior, and I appreciated it.
“I can’t even imagine how you must feel,” he said. After finishing his donut, he asked, “You’re sure there’s nothing else you need to tell me about?”
“I’m positive,” I said. “Do you want that in a to-go cup?”
He pushed it away. “No, I’d better not. It was delicious, though.” He slid two singles under his plate, and the officers left.
“What was that all about?” Emma asked as soon as he was gone. “Was he here to interrogate you again?”
“The man wanted a cup of coffee and a donut. There’s no crime in that, is there? Even cops are allowed to get hungry now and then, aren’t they?”
What an odd day it was getting to be. Folks were surprising me with their behavior by the bucketful, from my ex-husband to a once-belligerent cop who’d suddenly turned nice. Was there something in the coffee that I didn’t know about?
If there was, I was going to have another cup myself.
My best friend, Grace, came in twenty minutes before my closing time of noon.
I said, “Hey there. I thought you were going to be in Charlotte all week.”
“I am,” she said as she smiled at me. “At least my boss thinks so. I finished up early for the day, so I came back home. As far as she knows, I’m doing paperwork. Why don’t you close up early and we can play hooky? How does that sound?”
“Like heaven,” I said, “but this isn’t exactly a good time for me. I’ve got a lot to do after I close up the shop.” George had promised to come by, and I’d been dying to hear what he wanted to talk about.
Grace lowered her voice, though there was just one customer in the shop, an older woman who could make a donut last longer than anybody I’d ever seen in my life. One day a week she came in at ten, bought a donut and a cup of coffee, then she sat at a table reading until I locked up at noon. I’d tried to start a dozen conversations with her, but her answers were always terse, and I’d finally given up. Emma was in back working on the never-ending supply of dirty dishes we seemed to accumulate in the course of a day.
Grace asked, “Are you going to investigate the murder? I could help, you know. It sounds like fun.”
“So far, it hasn’t been all that exciting,” I said, recounting all I’d been through lately.
“You know what I mean. Come on, I could be a big asset to you. I’ve read every Nancy Drew ever written, and even a few of the Hardy Boys books.”
“We’re not trying to solve the case of the strange light in the bell-tower,” I said. “This is real life.”
“I know that. I’m just saying, I’ve got skills you should be using.”
I thought about telling her no, but then realized that it would be good having someone watching my
back.
Before I could answer, my assistant came out front wearing her jacket. “I’m going now.”
I looked at the clock. “It’s a little early, isn’t it?”
“Suzanne, I told you three days ago about my dentist’s appointment. I just need to get the donuts for Dr. Frye.” Emma always took a dozen glazed donuts with her to Dr. Frye’s office when she had an appointment. Some folks would think we’d be natural enemies, but he was a good guy who liked a little sweet treat every now and then himself, and as long as his patients brushed their teeth after they ate at my place, he was fine with it.
“I’m sorry. You’re right, I forgot all about it. See you tomorrow.”
“ ’Bye,” she told both of us as she tucked the box under her arm and left.
Once she was gone, I turned back to Grace. “It’s not fair that I ask you to put your life in danger for me,” I said.
She took my hands in hers. “In all seriousness, who’s in a better position to do it than your very best friend? I want to help.”
“If you’re sure,” I said. “Then I accept. There’s only one problem.”
Grace nodded. “What is it? Between the two of us, we’ll figure something out, or a way to get around it.”
“George was supposed to come by to talk about the case, but he’s late.”
Grace nodded. “Then until he gets here, why don’t you tell me what you’ve done so far, and we’ll see where things stand?”
That made sense. Maybe talking about it would help me figure things out. I kept glancing at my sole customer, and realized that I couldn’t do this in front of her.
I approached her, after putting a single donut in a bag. “Ma’am, we’re closing early today. I’m sorry for the inconve nience.”
She was about to cloud up when I thrust the bag toward her. “Please accept this donut on the house as my apology.”
That flustered her, and the clouds vanished as quickly as they had appeared. “Why, thank you. That’s most generous of you,” she said as she scooted out of the shop.
After I locked up behind her, Grace said, “What an odd old bird. She was awfully grateful for a free donut, wasn’t she?”
“Maybe it’s a windfall for her,” I said. “She buys just one donut a week, along with a small coffee. Sometimes I feel guilty charging folks who don’t look like they can pay.”
“Suzanne, I’m not about to get into the economics of giving away food with you. Let’s make a list and see where things stand right now. That’s the only way we’ll know where to go next.”
“Fine,” I said. “Here’s where things stand. After what happened yesterday morning, I decided to dig a little myself. I spoke with Patrick Blaine’s secretary at the bank, and she told me that he was working on two pending loans, one for a brokerage and the other for a construction company. I went to talk to both, but neither one gave me much to go on. I didn’t even get in to see the construction company owner. After that, I got a threatening telephone call, and that’s all I’ve managed to do so far.”
Grace whistled. “That sounds like a lot to me. How did you get those folks to talk to you at all?”
“It’s amazing what people will tell you in exchange for free donuts,” I admitted. “But they’ll only go so far.”
“True,” she said. “This time, let’s take fritters.”
I glanced in the case. “There aren’t any left. In fact, I doubt there are enough donuts here to get anyone to tell us anything.”
“Then you can make more,” she said. “Come on, I’ll do Emma’s part. How hard can it be?”
“Harder than you think,” I said. “If you don’t believe me, you’re welcome to come by some morning at 2 A.M. and help us make some. I’m even willing to let you sleep in, since I get here around one-thirty myself.”
“No, thanks, I don’t get this gorgeous by waking up in the middle of the night,” she said with a laugh. She put a hand on my arm. “We all can’t be natural beauties like you.”
“Please, spare me. I’m not making any more donuts today, and that’s final. We’re going to have to find another approach, but that’s the problem, isn’t it? I don’t know who to talk to next, and Chief Martin isn’t exactly being forthcoming about the investigation.”
“So George is helping you, too.”
“He is,” I said as I took the opportunity to start cleaning up. “But he’s retired, and that limits his access.”
“Then we need to find out more ourselves.”
“How do you propose we do that?” I asked as I finished sweeping the floor. Grace had sat at the counter the entire time I’d been working, but I hadn’t minded. I had a routine I went through every day at noon to close up the shop, and the work left my mind free to think while I performed the tasks on autopilot.
“I think I’ve got an idea, but you’re going to have to go along with me,” she said.
“I’m not making a blanket promise like that,” I said. “It’s gotten me into trouble in the past, and you know it.”
She shook her head. “You’re losing your nerve in your old age, girl.”
“I’m seven months younger than you,” I said.
“It doesn’t matter. Age is nothing more than a state of mind, anyway. So, how’s your nerve?”
“I guess there’s only one way to find out.” I wasn’t sure what Grace had in mind, but whatever it was, I was sure it would be risky, but something with a chance at a big payoff. That’s how she ran her life, but this time, I was the one who had everything to lose.
My cell phone rang as we walked outside and locked up.
It was George.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” I said.
“Sorry, I got hung up. We’ll talk later.”
“What’s it about?” I asked.
“Can’t talk now. I’ve gotta go.”
Then he hung up on me.
Grace looked at me and asked, “What was that about?”
“I don’t have the slightest idea.”
As we started walking together, I put a hand on Grace’s arm. “Wait a second,” I said. “My car’s over there.”
Grace said, “I know, but we’re not driving, at least not yet.”
I wasn’t about to let go of her. “We’re not going to Gabby’s, are we? She’s the biggest gossip in April Springs.”
“Don’t you think I know that? Who better to ask about Patrick Blaine?”
This was a bad idea; I could feel it in my bones. “We shouldn’t do this. She’s going to suspect something.”
“If you ask the questions, she probably will. You, my friend, have a character flaw that’s going to be fatal someday.”
I stopped dead. “Do you mind telling me what it is?”
Grace laughed. “Don’t be so serious about it. I’m just saying that you’re not that great a liar. In fact, you’re pretty lousy at it.”
“That’s what you call a character flaw? I wonder what that says about you.”
She shook her head as she said, “I’m in sales, so of course I know how to lie. It’s not always a bad thing, you know? I shouldn’t call it lying, even. It’s more like embellishing the truth, and massaging it until it says what you want.”
I couldn’t believe we were having this conversation, especially in front of Gabby Williams’s shop.
The door to Gabby’s business opened, and the proprietress herself stepped out and said, “Are you ladies coming in, or are you just loitering in front of my shop?”
Before I could say a word, Grace spoke up. “We came to see you. Is there any chance we could get some of your marvelous tea?”
Gabby was taken aback by the request, and obviously delighted. “Why, that would be lovely. Let me put a kettle on. Don’t tarry now, come in.”
“We’ll join you in one second,” Grace said, and Gabby disappeared back into her shop.
The moment she was gone, Grace turned to me and said, “Suzanne, do me a favor and don’t say anything.”
“I
’m not going to sit there like some kind of lump,” I protested.
I could tell Grace was exasperated as she said, “Then at least follow my lead. Wait until you see where the conversation is going before you chime in.”
“Grace, do you honestly even know where the conversation is headed?”
Her smile was bright as she said, “I don’t have a clue. That’s part of the fun of it, don’t you think?”
Gabby poked her head back out the door. “Are you coming, ladies?”
“We are,” Grace said as she threaded her arm through mine.
We walked in, but before we could make it to the back, Grace stopped at an ivory jacket. “This is absolutely lovely.”
“It is, isn’t it? I only wish I could keep them all.”
I touched the sleeve. The fabric was silk, which was nice to the touch, but wouldn’t wear well at all. “That kind of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?”
“Whatever do you mean?”
I shrugged. “I wouldn’t have much of a business if I ate all the donuts myself, would I?”
Grace said, “You must forgive her, Gabby. Suzanne’s been awake a long time, and I think the poor girl is sleep deprived.”
“I understand. These past few days must have been hard on her.”
“Hey, I’m standing right here,” I said.
Gabby looked at me for a moment. “Of course you are. Now, let’s have some tea. I have some wonderful new cookies I just found the recipe for, and you have got to try them.”
“They sound delicious,” Grace said. Once Gabby’s back was turned to us, Grace put a finger to her lips, making a shushing sign.
Fine. If she wanted a mute witness, then that was what I was going to be, if I could just manage it.
We took our seats in back, and as Gabby poured tea for us, Grace said, “The shop is wonderfully organized. How do you manage it? I imagine your inventory turnover is tremendous, and yet you always seem to keep a perfect balance of offerings.”
“It can be difficult at times,” Gabby said. It was pretty obvious she was pleased by the compliment. I had to hand it to Grace. She’d managed, in just a few words, to put Gabby at ease, something that would have taken me hours to do, if I could succeed at all. She truly had the touch when dealing with people.