Hot Chocolate and Cold Bodies (Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery Book 8)

by Amber Crewes

  6

  Meghan’s chest tightened as she gripped the cup of hot chocolate she had just made for herself. It was a quiet afternoon in the bakery, and Meghan had not seen a customer in nearly an hour. The town was so unsettled from the strange death of the man, and people were not milling about as they normally did in the afternoon.

  As Meghan sipped her hot chocolate, she heard the bells chime on the front door. Jack strode into the bakery, and Meghan’s heavy heart fluttered. Meghan’s excitement faded when she saw Jack’s countenance; his face was serious and his eyes were dark, and Meghan knew something must be wrong.

  “Jack?” Meghan asked.

  Jack scowled. “It’s bad, Meghan. We got some reports today, and it turns out that the fingerprints of that guy match fingerprints taken at Jacqueline's salon when we investigated the burglary.”

  Meghan’s dark eyes widened. “You’re kidding me….”

  Jack shook his head. “The man had a gunshot wound, so Chief Nunan has ordered this to expand into a murder investigation. We had a call from the police department in Enfield, a neighboring town to Sandy Bay. They saw the dead man’s picture on our social media feeds and confirmed who he was. He had a juvenile record for several petty crimes when he was a teenager but it seems those records were expunged once he turned eighteen. That was why we couldn’t identify him on any of the national databases. The officer who called said he had personally arrested him when he was young and restless. It looks like he didn’t outgrow the restless part. I don’t know if I like the looks of it, and I’m not so sure it was a murder, but what Chief Nunan says goes. I’m off to check in at the station, but I had to come by and see you. This town is all shaken up, and I want to remind you, my sweetheart, to stay safe.”

  Meghan’s heart warmed as Jack pulled her into his arms. “Thank you for checking on me, Jack,” she said sweetly as he stroked her head. “You are truly sweet.”

  After Jack and Meghan said goodbye, Meghan fetched a broom and began to sweep the dining area. She put in headphones and listened to upbeat music, needing to cheer herself up after what had been such a strange week in Sandy Bay.

  “Meghan?”

  Meghan nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to find Trudy smiling at her. “Trudy, I nearly died of fright!” Meghan exclaimed as she placed a hand on her racing heart. “My headphones were in and I didn’t hear you walk out from the kitchen. What’s up?”

  Trudy gestured at the back of the dining area where an elderly woman sat alone. “I heard the silver bells chime a few minutes ago when she came in, and when I didn’t hear your voice serving her, I thought I should come check on things.”

  Meghan laughed. “What would I do without you, Trudy? I didn’t even hear her come in! I’m so glad you came up here.”

  Trudy grinned as she walked back to the kitchen. “It’s fine, Meghan. No problem. I’m just happy to help.”

  Meghan walked over to the elderly woman’s table. The woman looked ancient, with hundreds of wrinkles etched deep into her face, and faded blue eyes. Her hands shook as they rested on the table, and Meghan felt her heart sink with sadness as she studied the old woman sitting all by herself.

  “I didn’t hear you come in,” Meghan said as she crouched down next to the table. “My apologies for making you wait. I’m Meghan Truman, the owner of Truly Sweet. What can I get for you today?”

  The old woman hung her head. Meghan noticed a tear falling slowly down the woman’s lined cheek, and she took the seat across from her. “May I sit?”

  The old woman nodded. Meghan plastered a smile on her face as the old woman gestured at the seat in front of her where she had sat down. “You look like you could use a friend,” Meghan murmured as she reached across the table and took the old woman’s shaking hands. Meghan pushed her own dark hair out of her eyes and took a deep breath. “So what brought you in today? Would you like some tea?”

  The old woman shook her head. “There’s been some turmoil in my family that’s left a big hole in my heart, and I just wanted a respite from the sadness. Your little bakery looked so cozy when I walked by, and I just had to come in.”

  Meghan smiled. “I try to make this a comfortable, inviting place for everyone,” she told the woman. “I’m glad you found your way here, and I am sorry to hear about the issues in your family.”

  The old woman’s lips turned upward into a weak smile. “Thank you, dear girl,” she said, her voice shaking. “It hasn’t been easy, but that’s how life goes, I suppose.”

  Meghan hung her head. “The ups of life can be remarkable, but the downs can be truly terrible. I’m sorry if I’m being too forward, but can you tell me what’s causing the unrest in your family?”

  The old woman thought for a moment and then answered, “Someone I love has been getting into a lot of trouble and it seems his latest escapade has brought me to this part of town to pick up the pieces.”

  Meghan bit her bottom lip. “Again, I’m so terribly sorry. I have to say that the love of family endures through thick and thin.”

  The old woman’s blue eyes filled with tears, but she retrieved a worn handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed her damp cheeks. “Excuse me,” she whispered to Meghan.

  Meghan frowned. “Please don’t apologize,” she told the woman. “It’s okay to cry.”

  The two women chatted for nearly an hour, exchanging pleasantries, and eventually, Meghan told the woman her story of moving from Los Angeles to Sandy Bay. Just as Meghan finished her tale, the old woman looked down at the shabby watch on her wrist and shrieked. “It’s too late! I’ve stayed too long; I have an appointment, and I must go.”

  Meghan squeezed the woman’s hands. “Wait! Before you go….are you from Sandy Bay? I’ve only lived here for a few months, and I surely don’t know everyone, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen you before….”

  The old woman closed her eyes and shook her head. “I’m not from around here,” she told Meghan. “Just….stopping through.”

  Meghan nodded, staring at the woman’s dark blue eyes that seemed to reflect a lot of personal heartache. “I see. Well, can I help you get to your appointment? Where are you headed?”

  The old woman looked Meghan in the eyes. “I’m going to the morgue,” she informed Meghan with a grim face. “I have to go identify my son’s body. He passed away at some local fall festival? You may have heard about it?”

  7

  “I didn’t do anything! I don’t understand why I am always blamed for everything in this town!”

  Meghan cringed as she heard Jamie Winston, the owner of a gun shop and the bar in town, screaming in Jack’s office. She nervously played with the brown paper bag in her hands; she had stopped by the Sandy Bay Police Station to drop off a surprise lunch for Jack, but before he could see her, Jamie had been led into Jack’s small office.

  “Just wait outside, Meghan,” Jack whispered as Meghan nodded. “Chief Nunan said he was pretty upset when he was picked up, and I know he can be a wild card sometimes.”

  Meghan had been waiting for nearly an hour as Jamie shouted at Jack. “I didn’t do anything,” he argued as Meghan heard Jack mumble behind the closed door.

  “The dead man had a gunshot wound, and one of the guns from your store was recently reported missing. We only brought you in to get some information, Jamie, but this strong reaction makes me feel like there might be more to the story here. Is there?”

  Meghan heard Jamie grunt. “No,” he answered gruffly. “I am just sick and tired of getting blamed for some of the crazy things that happen in this town.”

  Meghan looked down at her watch. She needed to return to the bakery soon, and while she wanted to deliver the lunch to Jack, she could not wait around forever. She rose from her chair and knocked on Jack’s door. Jack appeared, but he did not open the door all of the way.

  “It’s a bad time, Meghan,” he whispered as Meghan shoved the bag into his hands. “What is this?”

&nb
sp; “I made lunch for you,” she said with a wink. “Just a little surprise for this dreary morning!”

  Jack’s eyes shone, and he leaned down to give Meghan a kiss on the cheek. “You are such a darling,” he murmured. “I’ll call you later, beautiful; Jamie is going on and on, and I don’t think I can visit with you now.”

  “It’s fine,” she assured Jack. “No problem! I’m going to get on back to the bakery.”

  Before Meghan could turn to leave, Jamie opened the door all of the way. He marched past Jack and glared at Meghan. “Can you believe this, Meghan? I’m in the middle of trouble again! I am so sick of this. That stupid man stumbled into the festival and just died. I had nothing to do with it. Sure, as the police tell me, he had a gunshot wound, but it could have been old. He probably just had too much hot chocolate.”

  “That’s my son you are talking about.”

  Meghan, Jack, and Jamie turned to see the old woman from the bakery hobble down the corridor. Her eyes were red, and Meghan ran to her, taking her hand and helping her into a chair.

  “What are you doing here?” Meghan asked in concern as the woman caught her breath.

  “I wanted to see the police officer who is in charge of this investigation,” the woman explained to Meghan. “I didn’t expect to hear my son being talked about so nastily. My heart is just broken.”

  Jamie scowled. “This is just nonsense,” he complained as he narrowed his eyes at the woman. “Your son has gotten me into a lot of trouble, lady. I’m not very happy about being here. I’m losing customers by not being in my store. I’m leaving, Detective Irvin. If you need me, have someone issue a warrant; I’m not coming back here just to chat.”

  Meghan gasped as Jamie stormed out of the station. She knelt beside the old woman and took her hands. “I am so sorry you had to hear that----”

  “Lou,” the old woman answered. “My name is Lou.”

  “Lou,” Meghan said soothingly as she looked to Jack for assistance. “Lou, I’m not sure where your son’s things are, but Detective Irvin here will go check. Isn’t that right, Detective Irvin?”

  Jack nodded. “Absolutely. Ma’am, I will be right back with your things.”

  Jack scurried off, and Meghan slid into the chair next to Lou’s. “I’m sorry he was being so rude,” she said softly.

  Lou buried her face in her hands. “No one really liked my son,” she admitted. “He was difficult at times, and he always struggled to make friends. It still hurts a mother’s heart to hear those things, though. It’s all been so difficult.”

  Meghan nodded. “I’m sure. I cannot even imagine what you are going through. Please know that if you need anything at all, my door is always open for you, Lou.”

  Suddenly, Meghan heard a shout down the hallway. “What is going on?” Meghan asked aloud as she squinted her eyes and saw Karen Denton, one of her dearest friends, standing outside of a closed door, a huge sign in her hands.

  “Karen?” she called out.

  “Meghan!” Karen replied, dropping the sign and jogging to where Meghan and Lou sat.

  “What’s going on? What was that sign?” Meghan asked.

  Karen smiled. “Mayor Rose is threatening to ban the fall festival because of the fellow who died,” she informed Meghan as Lou shuddered. “Oh, hello there,” Karen said as she made eye contact with Lou. “Who are you?”

  Lou cleared her throat. “I am the mother of the fellow who died,” she declared. “And I am leaving this police station. This place is nothing but chaos. I will get my son’s things another time. Meghan, thank you for visiting with me. You are truly sweet.”

  Meghan and Karen stared as Lou slowly walked out of the police station. “That old lady was the mother of the dead man?” Karen asked.

  Meghan nodded. “She’s not much older than you, Karen,” Meghan said as she stared at Karen’s impressive athletic figure. “I imagine she’s in her seventies or eighties.”

  Karen laughed. “I might be in my seventies, but my mind and my body are in my twenties, just like you. Anyway, that’s so sad that she’s here. But, life marches on, and so do I! So, Meghan? Do you want to join the movement? We are supporting the Mayor’s festival ban, and we could always use more participants. That silly old festival brings nothing but shady crowds, pollution, and chaos to this town. Sandy Bay needs us to take a stand, and with Mayor Rose on our side, we can put an end to the festival once and for all! What do you say, Meghan? Are you with us, or against us?”

  8

  As Meghan iced a carrot cake later that evening at the bakery, she felt a knot in her stomach as she thought about her earlier interaction with Karen. Karen had pestered Meghan for nearly forty-five minutes to join the protest, but despite her friend’s passion, Meghan was not convinced that a protest was the best idea.

  “What if things go awry, Karen?” she asked, her dark eyes filled with concern. “What if things get out of hand?”

  Karen scowled. “A protest in front of Mayor Rose’s office is just what this town needs, Meghan! Sandy Bay needs to ban the fall festival.”

  “But someone died there, Karen,” she countered in a hush tone. “I just don’t think now is the time to fight this battle. Maybe voicing your own concerns with the festival at another time would be more appropriate?”

  Karen rolled her eyes at Meghan and stormed off, leaving Meghan with hurt feelings. The two friends had never quarrelled before; they had been friends for several years, and Karen was the person who had convinced Meghan to move to Sandy Bay in the first place. Meghan was devastated that Karen had been so rude, and she had walked home with tears in her dark eyes.

  “Meghan?”

  Meghan looked up to see Mrs. Sheridan enter the bakery. Meghan stifled a groan; Mrs. Sheridan could be so difficult to deal with, and after her encounters with Jamie and Karen, Meghan was simply exhausted. Still, she put a smile on her face and greeted her customer.

  “Hello, Mrs. Sheridan. It’s a pleasure to see you today.”

  Mrs. Sheridan walked right up to Meghan and stared into her dark eyes. “We need to talk,” Mrs. Sheridan declared in her raspy voice. “We need to talk about the protest. Karen Denton told me that you don’t think protesting the ban on the fall festival is a good idea?”

  Meghan’s jaw dropped. “I….didn’t say that,” she sputtered.

  “Then what did you say?” Mrs. Sheridan asked as she tapped her cane impatiently on the wooden floor.

  Meghan shook her head. “I’m not from Sandy Bay originally, Mrs. Sheridan,” she told the old woman. “I shouldn’t really have a say in this.”

  Mrs. Sheridan frowned. “You have lived here for several months, and you own a business here. You have a say, just like the rest of us.”

  Meghan’s heart softened at Mrs. Sheridan’s statement. Meghan had never felt accepted by Mrs. Sheridan, and to hear her say that Meghan deserved a say in the fall festival decision made Meghan feel included.

  “Let me tell you a little story, Meghan. May we sit?” Mrs. Sheridan asked as she pointed her cane in the direction of the little white tables in the dining area.

  Meghan nodded. “Of course, Mrs. Sheridan.”

  The two women walked to a table next to the window, and Meghan held out Mrs. Sheridan’s chair. She seated herself once Mrs. Sheridan was settled. Meghan and Mrs. Sheridan sat across from each other, and Mrs. Sheridan began to speak. “This protest is important, Meghan,” she informed Meghan.

  “I know. Everyone in Sandy Bay loves the festival,” Meghan agreed.

  Mrs. Sheridan shook her head. “You don’t understand,” she said. “This isn’t just about loving the festival, Meghan.”

  Meghan cocked her head to the side. “I’m confused,” she said. “What is it about?”

  Mrs. Sheridan sighed, clearing her throat and looking Meghan in the eyes. “The festival is part of our history and heritage here, Meghan. Sandy Bay’s very existence is owed to that festival! Back in the 19th century, before the town was even established, pione
ers met on this very ground to break bread and enjoy each other’s company before the weather turned. The gathering became a treasured annual event, and eventually, some of those pioneers decided to stay in the area. The town was then established, and it’s all only grown from there.”

  Meghan was fascinated. “I had no idea that is how this town was founded. How amazing!”

  Mrs. Sheridan narrowed her eyes at Meghan. “That isn’t the end of the story, Meghan. You have to understand why this festival is so important. For so many of us, it’s where our own stories here in Sandy Bay began.”

  Meghan wrinkled her nose. “What do you mean?”

  Mrs. Sheridan’s eyes filled with tears. “Before the movie theater, and before the restaurants, all this town had was that festival. People met and fell in love at the fall festival. My own parents met there, many years ago. My father asked my mother to marry him at that festival. I told my late husband I was pregnant with our firstborn at the festival. It’s the last place I went with my late husband before he became sick and passed away. That festival is part of this town, and without it, Sandy Bay loses its memories, its traditions, and its true heart and soul, Meghan.”