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

by Amber Crewes

  The meeting continued for another three hours. As promised, everyone who wanted to speak was granted an audience with the Mayor, and by the time the group was dismissed, it was nearly two in the morning.

  “I cannot believe it ran this long,” Meghan muttered. “Perhaps if you hadn’t spoken for forty-five minutes, we could have gotten out of there ages ago, Mrs. Sheridan.”

  Mrs. Sheridan rolled her eyes. “I’m passionate, Meghan, and I won’t let you dampen my enthusiasm. I had a lot to say about keeping the festival going, and I am not ashamed that I let my voice be heard. Besides, you can sleep when you’re dead.”

  Meghan yawned. “You were certainly passionate,” she laughed as she recounted Mrs. Sheridan’s fiery rant. “I think the Mayor was stunned.”

  Mrs. Sheridan scoffed. “He didn’t even come to a resolution,” she complained. “His little speech about Sandy Bay coming together and uniting as a town was too vague. I want answers, and he did not give them. Is the festival continuing or not? Do I need to tie myself to a tree with a sign and protest? Do I need to hold a hunger strike? Do I need to show someone how old Sally Sheridan can use her cane? I need answers.”

  Meghan pursed her lips. “I thought the Mayor’s speech at the end was nice,” she admitted. “I think the people of Sandy Bay do need to come together. All of this tension is terrible for the town, and if we don’t fix things soon, friendships could be broken. Families could split. I would hate to see this blow up into something bigger than it has become, you know?”

  Mrs. Sheridan thought for a moment, furrowing her brow. “I don’t know, Meghan,” she said. “I think until the police figure out exactly what happened to that guy who died, things are going to be in turmoil. I just have a bad feeling about all of this, and I can’t put my finger on what it is….”

  12

  The next morning, Meghan closed the bakery for a much-needed day off. “It’ll be good for both of us,” Meghan chirped to Trudy on the phone.

  “What are you going to do today?” Trudy asked.

  “Jack and I are going fishing with our dogs,” she told Trudy with excitement. “I’ve never been fishing, and my little dogs and Dash, Jack’s dog, love playing together. It’ll be a fun day out.”

  When Jack picked Meghan up, she could tell that something was on his mind. His blue eyes looked cold and distant, and as Meghan went in to kiss him, he pulled away. “What is the matter?” Meghan asked Jack. “Everything okay?”

  Jack nodded. “I’m sorry,” he said as he pulled Meghan into a tight hug. “I’m trying to figure out some new pieces of information about this case. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

  “It’s fine,” she replied as she gently kissed Jack on the cheek. “I’m sorry this case has been such a doozy.”

  Jack helped Meghan into his truck. He fastened Fiesta and Siesta into their crate, and then began driving toward the little lake on the edge of town.

  “This will be fun,” Meghan declared as she smiled at Jack. “A day off with you is just what I needed.”

  Despite his apology, Meghan saw that Jack was still preoccupied. His mind was elsewhere, and after trying to force the conversation, Meghan gave up and looked out the window. She could see the Pacific Ocean in the distance, and she shivered as she imagined how cold the water must be.

  Jack parked the truck near a little grove. He removed the fishing equipment from the back as Meghan released the dogs from their crates. “They’re having a good time already,” she said as he walked silently toward the water.

  As Jack attached a worm to the end of his fishing line, Meghan sat down beside him and stared into his eyes. “What?” he asked.

  Meghan sighed. “You’ve been off today,” she told him. “I feel like you don’t want me here.”

  Jack shook his head. “No,” he said. “I’m so sorry, Meghan. I don’t want to make you feel that way. I’m just so wrapped up in this case. It feels like there have been so many twists and turns, and I’m looking for answers as hard as I can so that the town can quiet down again.”

  Meghan squeezed Jack’s hand. “It’s been a wild time in this town, that’s for sure.”

  Jack leaned over and put his head on Meghan’s shoulder. “I’m just ready for a break.”

  Meghan touched Jack’s cheek. “I have a crazy idea,” she giggled as Jack looked out at the still water. “What if that farmer from the town hall shot him? He said he thought he shot a fox. Or what if it was someone who had attended Jamie’s gun show exhibition? What if this was all some big accident?”

  Jack’s jaw dropped. He pulled away from Meghan and rose to his feet. “Meghan,” he said slowly. “That might be the most valuable suggestion anyone has made regarding this case.”

  Meghan shook her head. “Jack, that was a joke,” she replied. “Come on, babe. I was just kidding.”

  Jack’s blue eyes widened. “Meghan,” he responded. “We have to go. Call the dogs right now. We’ll come back for the supplies later.”

  Two hours later, Meghan sat outside of Jack’s office for what felt like the millionth time that week. “If I have to sit in this police station for one more hour….”Meghan muttered to herself as she brushed a stray strand of dark hair from her eyes.

  The door opened and Jack stepped outside. “Is everything okay?” she asked.

  Jack nodded. “Ryan Carroll is telling me all about the gun he used to shoot what he believed was a fox,” Jack told Meghan. “He’s been very forthcoming; I’m glad we brought him in.”

  Meghan’s eyes widened. “Does he have any more information?”

  Jack grinned. “I think he might,” he told Meghan. “I need to run and fetch Chief Nunan, but I promise, I’ll be done here within the hour.”

  Meghan watched as Jack scurried down the corridor. She was brimming with curiosity; what had Ryan Carroll revealed to Jack? She had only thrown out his name to make Jack laugh; it was ridiculous to think that Ryan could have shot that man and not known it, and Meghan was sure that it had been silly to abandon their fishing trip. Still, Meghan could not contain her curiosity. She looked around, and when she saw no one, she slipped inside of Jack’s office to find Ryan Carroll sitting in a thin wooden chair.

  “I don’t believe we’ve met,” Meghan said as she extended her right hand. “I’m Meghan Truman. I’m rather new to Sandy Bay, and I own the bakery. Nice to meet you, Mr. Carroll.”

  Ryan Carroll stared at Meghan. “It’s real nice to meet you,” he said. “I’m real nervous being down here at the station. I don’t really know why I’m here. Detective Irvin has been asking all sorts of questions about the night that man died, and I don’t know why. I wasn’t even at the festival that night. I was in bed long before that man died; as soon as I took care of the fox in the chicken coop out back, I went right to sleep. ”

  Meghan smiled at Ryan. “Don’t be nervous,” she assured him. “Jack--Detective Irvin--is a good, fair guy. He’ll make sure everything is okay. He just has to ask questions sometimes. It’s his job.”

  Suddenly, the door burst open. Jack and Chief Nunan both entered the room, each with a file folder in their hands.

  “Meghan, you shouldn’t be in here,” Jack warned. “Please leave. We need to discuss something of great importance immediately.”

  Meghan slipped out of the office, but she did not leave. Instead, she pressed her right ear firmly against the door to Jack’s office to eavesdrop.

  “From our reports on the gun that killed the deceased,” Chief Nunan began. “The gun that was stolen from Jamie Winston’s shop did not kill that man; Donald will be charged for stealing the gun, but he will not be charged for murder.”

  Meghan heard silence, and her heart began to pound. “Why are you telling me this?” Ryan asked Chief Nunan. “Who is Donald?”

  Jack cleared his throat. “We are telling you this because after our initial reports from the coroner and from our forensics office, it is abundantly clear that the man at the festival died because of a wound--wound from a
shotgun.”

  Meghan heard Ryan gasp. “A shotgun?” he sputtered.

  “Yes, a shotgun.” Chief Nunan answered.

  “You wouldn’t happen to have shot a shotgun at approximately seven at night on the last night of the festival, would you have?” Jack asked Ryan. “Perhaps to shoot a fox?”

  Ryan did not answer, and she heard a loud crash from inside Jack’s office. “Detective Irvin,” Chief Nunan said calmly. “I need you to call the paramedics immediately. It appears that Mr. Carroll has passed out.”

  13

  Two weeks later, life had finally returned to normal in Sandy Bay. The protests had finally ended after Mayor Rose had decided to keep the fall festival going, but to add more security, and everyone had returned to their formerly friendly, hospitable selves.

  The big news in town was the true cause of death for Lou’s son. After interviewing Ryan Carroll and performing a forensics report on his shotgun, Jack and the Sandy Bay Police Department had concluded that Ryan had shot the man. Upon reviewing security footage from the festival, as well as CCTV footage from Ryan’s farm, he was found to be innocent; the death was ruled accidental, and while Ryan was devastated, he was allowed to walk free as an innocent man.

  “It’s nice to have some peace and quiet around here,” Meghan cooed as she poured a cup of steaming coffee for Jack at the bakery. “Between that police officer from out of town being caught with the stolen gun from Jamie’s shop, to Lou’s son’s death, to Ryan’s shock over the matter, it’s been a wild few weeks.”

  “Meghan? Meghan, can we chat?”

  Meghan bit her bottom lip as Karen walked into the dining area. “Trudy let me come in through the back….” Karen said as she lowered her eyes.

  “What’s up, Karen?” Meghan said cooly, still taken aback by her friend’s behavior during the protests.

  “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to make it in,” she said softly. “I’m embarrassed, Meghan, and I have hardly been able to even walk by the bakery. I was so rude to you about the protests, and I should have behaved better…”

  Meghan saw the sadness in Karen’s eyes, and she walked to her friend and hugged her. “Karen,” she murmured. “You are my dearest friend in Sandy Bay. I never want anything to come between us.”

  Karen nodded. “I know! I let a silly event get to my head, and I treated you terribly. Can you forgive me? I miss you, Meghan, and I’m sorry it’s taken me two weeks to come around and apologize.”

  Meghan smiled. “It doesn’t matter how long it took you; to me, it’s the thought that counts. I am so happy to see you, Karen, and I hope you know that there is no bad blood between us.”

  Karen wiped a happy tear from her eyes and kissed Meghan on the cheek. As she turned to leave, she looked at Jack. “Jack Irvin,” she said. “I hope you know what a gem you have here. Meghan is a doll, and if you don’t know that, you’ll have to answer to me!”

  Jack laughed. “Oh, I know it, Karen,” he replied playfully. “I know it.”

  Karen waved goodbye, and Meghan turned back to Jack. “That was a surprise. You just never know who or what will come through the doors of my bakery.”

  Meghan and Jack’s heads turned as the little silver bells on the door chimed. Jacqueline walked in, her face aglow. “Meghan, you are just who I wanted to see.”

  Meghan giggled. “See what I mean?” Meghan said to Jack. “You just never know what’s going to happen at Truly Sweet.”

  Jack stood up. “Should I leave you two alone?”

  Jacqueline shook her head. “No, this is all good news, Detective Irvin. Meghan, remember what you told me a few weeks ago? To work hard and keep believing in myself? Well, I decided to have a better attitude about my salon, and my business has nearly doubled. I just tried to make every little interaction with my clients count, and I think it’s working. Meghan, you are such a good role model for me as a businesswoman, and I wanted to thank you for your encouragement.”

  Meghan gasped as Jacqueline pulled a card and a bouquet of sunflowers from her purse. “For me?” she asked.

  “Yes,” Jacqueline told her. “To you, from me. I hope you will forgive me for being rude a few weeks ago. Just know that I really look up to you, and I hope we can be better friends.”

  Meghan’s heart warmed. “I hope that too,” she told Jacqueline as Jacqueline turned to leave.

  “What a day for you,” Jack told Meghan as she admired her flowers. “You are incredible, Meghan. You have been such a light in this town.”

  “I wouldn’t say that,” she protested.

  “I would.”

  Lou walked into the bakery with a thin smile on her face. “It’s good to see you both. Detective Irvin, Meghan, how are you both?”

  Meghan rushed over to Lou and hugged her. “Oh Lou,” she began. “It is so good to see you. I hope you are doing okay?”

  Lou nodded. “Learning the truth about my son’s death has really put this mother’s heart at ease,” she informed Meghan. “And learning that Donald will be in jail for stealing that gun? Well, that was just a little extra good news. Anyway, I am leaving town to return home, but I had to stop by and thank you for being so kind during my time here.”

  Meghan kissed Lou’s cheek. “You deserve all of the kindness in the world,” she said to Lou. “I am just glad I could be helpful to you.”

  Lou embraced Meghan. “You were such a pleasant person to run into,” she whispered. “I hope we can keep in touch.”

  Meghan nodded. “Of course. I would love that, Lou.”

  Lou smiled warmly. “Well, then I will hope to hear from you soon. Goodbye, Detective. Goodbye, Meghan.”

  As Lou walked out of the bakery, Jack pulled Meghan close to him. He closed his eyes and leaned down, kissing Meghan tenderly on the lips. Meghan sighed, enjoying the moment.

  “Like I said, you are a light in this town,” Jack murmured to Meghan as he gently pulled away. “Two people came by to thank you for your kindness today! I hope you realize how wonderful you are.”

  Meghan fluttered her eyelashes at Jack. “You are too much, Jack.”

  Jack shook his head. “We are lucky to have you here, Meghan. Sandy Bay is so very lucky to have Meghan Truman, and I hope you know that I feel very lucky as well.”

  Meghan blushed, feeling her body grow warm. “Jack,” she said slowly. “I feel like the lucky one here. My life is truly sweet in Sandy Bay, and I wouldn’t have things any other way.”

  The End

  Thank You!

  Thank you for reading Hot Chocolate and Cold Bodies! I really hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I had writing it!

  If you have a minute, please consider leaving a review on Amazon.

  It doesn’t matter how long or short it is as other cozy mystery readers will find value in what you liked about this book.

  Many thanks in advance for your support!

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  The next book in the series, Ice Cream and Guilty Pleasures will soon be available to PREORDER! Turn the page to see the book cover!

  About Ice Cream and Guilty Pleasures

  Released: November, 2018

  Series: Book 9 – Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery Series

  Standalone: Yes

  Cliff-hanger: No

  Meghan Truman is honored to be invited to serve her unique desserts at the Governor’s ball. A night of glitz and glamour is ruined for her when she experiences firsthand, the ungracious attitude of a prominent figure that she once looked up to.

  Things take a turn for the worse when this insolent guest is found dead after eating a bowl of ice cream. Meghan is sure she had nothing to do with it as the desserts she prepared were rejected by the deceased.

  If it wasn’t her desserts, then who tampered with the ice cream that caused this death at the ball?

  Not all sweet things are pleasurable.

  The guilty can sometimes be sweet.

  Discover how Meghan helps to solve the latest murder mystery in Sandy Bay.

 
MUST READS IN THE SERIES

  Have you read the first book in the series – Apple Pie and Trouble?

  Before Hot Chocolate and Cold Bodies was Gingerbread and Scary Endings. Someone’s alleging that Gingerbread can bring a curse to Sandy Bay. Get this book to discover if they were right.