Killer Crullers (8 page)

“No, of course. I wasn’t thinking.”

When she opened the back door, I stood in the shop for a moment before I stepped out. “I can’t make any promises, Gabby, but I’ll do my best.”

To my great shock, Gabby leaned forward and hugged me. “I know you will. Thank you, Suzanne.”

“I just hope something turns up,” I said as I stepped outside.

As Gabby started to close the door, she said, “You can do it. I have faith in you.”

As the dead bolt slid closed, I thought,
At least one of us does.

Whether I liked it or not, I had been dragged into the middle of another crime. I hadn’t been able to tell Gabby no, and I was just hoping that I’d be able to help her. I understood that the chief of police wouldn’t be thrilled with my meddling, but at least Jake had started to come around when it came to what I could contribute to a murder investigation. I would have loved to have him help me now, since Asheville wasn’t that far away, and if he had any breaks, I was going to do my best to convince him that his assistance would be welcome.

In the meantime, I would go see my partner in crime, or crime solving, at any rate. I just hoped Grace had the opportunity, and more important, the inclination, to help me this time. Gabby and I had a seesaw relationship, but between her and Grace, it was all negative. There was something about the two women’s personalities that tended to generate sparks, but I hoped my best friend could see past all of that and realize what really mattered, keeping someone innocent from being punished for a crime they didn’t commit.

If I could only persuade Grace that Gabby was innocent and deserved our help.

*   *   *

“Hey, stranger,” Grace said when I showed up on her doorstep. “Where have you been? I was expecting you here right after you closed the shop for the day.”

“Why? We didn’t have plans, did we?” I asked as Grace took my coat.

“No, but I phoned the shop and spoke with Emma. She told me you were at Gabby’s, and I figured it wouldn’t be long before you came here. Want some coffee?”

“Sure, why not?” I said.

As I followed her into the kitchen, Grace said, “Suzanne, we’re digging into Desmond Ray’s murder, aren’t we?”

I had to laugh, despite the seriousness of the subject. “I should know better than to try and do anything under the radar in April Springs.”

“Honestly, I imagine that there’s a lot more anonymity in a big city than a small town,” Grace said as she handed me a cup. “And in answer to your unspoken question, I accept. I’ve got a light schedule for the next week, so I’m ready to help in any way I can. I’m dying to hear what Gabby had to say.”

I recounted her denials as we sat in the kitchen drinking coffee, and after I finished, I handed her my empty mug.

“That was great,” I said. “It’s nice to be waited on for a change.”

“Glad to be of service,” she said as she rinsed our mugs and then put them in the sink.

“To tell you the truth, I still can’t believe Gabby came to me for help,” I said.

Grace nodded in agreement. “It must have been surreal hearing her ask you. Are you telling me she wasn’t the least bit snippy with you when you spoke?”

I remembered a few times in our conversation when Gabby had allowed echoes of her acerbic attitude out. “I wouldn’t go that far, but she’s clearly afraid, there was no hiding it.”

“Who can blame her? I’m not the woman’s biggest fan, but her being accused of murder makes me sympathetic toward her.” She paused, and then asked, “This may be a silly question, but we don’t think there’s any chance she actually did it, do we?”

“Let’s just say I’m inclined to believe her,” I said after hesitating for a moment. “But you should know that if we uncover any evidence to the contrary, we’re handing it over to Chief Martin. Agreed?”

“You won’t have a problem convincing me of that,” she said. “So, where should we get started?”

“I haven’t had lunch yet, have you? I’m starving, and I’m not at all sure how much investigating I feel like doing on an empty stomach. Have you eaten yet?”

She glanced at her watch. “I had breakfast four hours ago, so sure, I could eat. Should we go to the Boxcar?”

“Why not?” I asked. “I’m always in the mood for something from Trish’s place.”

Grace nodded as we walked out into the hallway. “Then it’s settled. Lunch first, and crime fighting after.”

“That sounds like a plan,” I said.

We were heading into the Boxcar Grille as my ex-husband, Max, was coming out. There was a quite pretty young and leggy brunette with him, and though she looked a little familiar, I knew that I’d probably never seen her before. Was this the Great Impersonator’s latest in a long line of conquests?

I was about to make a snippy remark when the woman did the oddest thing. She threw her arms around me in an embrace that nearly knocked me off my feet.

“Excuse me,” I said, trying to untangle myself from her. Was she on some kind of medication, acting like that?

“Suzanne, don’t you recognize me?” the young lady asked as she allowed me to finally break free.

I took a step back, and then it hit me. This pretty young lady was indeed someone I knew. “Ashley, is that you?”

She twirled around, her coat spinning out from her body for just a moment. “In the flesh. How have you been? I’ve missed you so much.”

Ashley was Max’s little niece, though she wasn’t so little anymore. “What’s it been, five years?” I asked.

“Closer to six,” she said. Ashley turned to Max and slugged his arm, not at all playfully, but with force behind the blow. From the way he winced, I could tell that she hadn’t held anything back. “This guy is an idiot for what he did to you, and don’t think I haven’t told him that a thousand times. I voted to throw him out of the family and keep you when you two divorced, but I was outnumbered.” She looked hard at Max, and then added, “Not that the vote wasn’t close.”

“Hey, I’ve apologized countless times,” Max said.

“Not enough yet, as far as I’m concerned,” Ashley said.

I couldn’t believe how lovely she’d turned out to be. “Ashley, what are you doing here? How long are you going to be in town? Maybe we could have lunch.”

She frowned as she explained, “I’m headed off to school, and I thought I’d stop by and see my uncle, the scoundrel.”

“Hey, some of your other uncles are worse than me,” Max protested.

“Don’t even try to convince me of that,” Ashley said.

“Where are you going to school?” I asked her.

“I’m at UNC-Asheville, and I just love it.”

She must have seen something in my face. “What’s wrong, Aunt Suzanne? Did I say something wrong?”

It was odd being called aunt, since I was an only child, and I figured the statute of limitations had run out on my being related to her, but I didn’t correct her, since I kind of liked the way it sounded, coming from her. “No, but my boyfriend’s teaching there.”

“He’s a professor? What’s his name? What does he teach?” she asked the questions in a rapid-fire staccato.

“I thought he was still with the state police?” Max asked.

“Keeping tabs on him, are you?” Grace asked.

“No. You know how it is, though. April Springs isn’t all that big. Word gets around.”

Grace nodded, her expression showing clearly that she didn’t believe him for an instant. “Sure it does, Max. Keep saying that, and somebody might believe it someday.”

“Forget about him,” Ashley said dismissively. “What’s the scoop on your boyfriend?”

I explained, “He’s not a professor, at least not full-time. Jake is lecturing for a friend in the criminal justice department.”

“Maybe I’ll audit one of his classes,” Ashley said, grinning to show her dimples.

I nodded, and smiled as I added, “You should do to him what you just did to me. Walk up to him out of the blue and give him a big hug, then call him Uncle Jake. Let me know what he says when you do.”

She had a spark in her eyes as she answered, “You know, I might just do it.” Ashley glanced at her watch, and then added, “It’s been fun catching up, but I’ve got to run. I’m going to be late as it is.” She turned back to Max, who took a step back as she moved toward him. Instead of another slug, though, she wrapped him up in her embrace. “Stay out of trouble, Uncle Max.”

“Right back at you,” Max said affectionately.

I wasn’t sure what I mourned more about the death of my marriage, losing a husband, or the wonderful family that came with him. I’d tried to keep in touch with some of them, but it had been awkward, so after a while, I’d stopped. Seeing Ashley made me regret it, but there wasn’t much I could do about it now.

After she was gone, Max turned back to Grace and me. “I’d offer to take you ladies out to lunch, but I’ve already eaten.”

“Thanks anyway,” I said.

Both Max and Grace looked surprised by my mild tone, but seeing Ashley had made me a little mellower in dealing with my cheating ex-husband.

Grace and I stopped up front and decided to order club sandwiches as a change of pace since we were in a bit of a hurry, and then we made our way to one of the tables in back.

Once we were seated, Grace asked, “The girl got to you, didn’t she?”

“What makes you say that?” I asked.

“Come on, you were actually gracious with Max just then. Ashley is quite the fireball, isn’t she?”

I laughed. “She always was. I just wish I could see Jake’s face when she gives him one of her hugs.”

“Was that the best idea?” Grace asked softly.

I had no idea what she was talking about. “What do you mean?”

Grace shook her head. “I don’t think I’d point that beauty at any man of mine. She might still be your once-upon-a-time niece, but she’s turned into a gorgeous young lady.”

“I trust Jake. Besides, he prefers his women a little more mature,” I said.

“But not that mature,” she answered, and we both laughed.

“Did I miss something?” Trish said as she brought us our clubs and two sweet teas.

“Just a pair of fools laughing,” I said.

“But not old fools,” Grace added.

“No, I’d say we’re just the right age,” I said with a smile.

Trish had no way of knowing what we’d just been joking about, but she was still game enough to smile at our banter. “Then let’s make it three of a kind,” she said, adding her own laugh to the mix.

After we ate, Grace and I paid for our lunches and then made our way outside. I buttoned my jacket to ward off the sudden cold breeze, and I noticed my friend do the same. It wouldn’t be long until our nights were short, and our days cold, but I was ready for a change. Late autumn was one of my favorite times of year, a little past the glorious display of leaves but before hard freezes set in. “Where to?” Grace asked.

I didn’t even have to think about our next destination.

“It’s time to speak with Jean Ray and see what we can learn about her nephew Desmond, but first we need to go by the donut shop.”

“Why?” Grace asked. “You’re long past closing time.”

“I left a few loose ends when I went to see Gabby, and I’m hoping Emma boxed up the donuts that were left over so we can take them as an icebreaker.”

Grace laughed. “You’re not above using your donuts to wedge your way into tight places, are you?”

“Why not? It’s a rare person who can turn down a dozen free donuts. I’m glad you decided to finally give my decadences a try.”

She’d loved the donut, and had immediately asked for another.

“What can I say? You convinced me that not everything I eat has to be healthy. One donut a month isn’t going to kill me.”

“Wow, can I use that phrase in my next ad campaign? You really have a way with words.”

She grinned at me. “What can I say? It’s a gift.”

Grace pulled up in front of the donut shop, and as I got out, I said, “You don’t have to come in, if you don’t want. I shouldn’t be more than ten minutes.”

“Take your time. I have a few phone calls to make anyway.”

I left her in the car and walked into the shop. It was always a little bit like coming home when I came back in, even if I’d only been gone a few hours. The plum faux finish of the walls and floor were soothing to the eye, and the comfy couches and chairs made it feel more like a living room than a donut shop. Only the display cases and the long counter with stools made it look like a place where someone could buy donuts. The old train depot purchase had been a whim born out of desperation, despair from a recently failed marriage, but it had become so much a part of me that I couldn’t ever imagine doing anything else with my life.

I expected to see dirty floors and a display area in need of cleaning, but to my happy surprise, the front of the shop was spotless, and to my further delight, two dozen donuts were boxed and ready for me. Emma had cleaned up after me, and I felt a twinge of regret that she’d been forced to do it, but happy that my sole employee, coworker really, and now assistant manager, had stepped up in my absence. It was great having Emma as part of my team, and I’d have to find some special way to thank her. I couldn’t exactly afford a real raise, or any bonus for that matter, but I could give her a few extra hours of sleep sometime in the next few days. I knew that meant as much to her as a little extra money in her college fund.

The kitchen was clean, as well. I had to call Emma and tell her how impressed I was with her work ethic, so I went into my tiny office, and as I picked up the telephone, I saw a note from her on top of a large envelope. Putting the note aside for the moment, I peeked into the envelope and saw the cash register report and the day’s deposit slip all ready to go.

When I looked at the note, I had to laugh.

Hey, Suzanne,

I knew you’d be busy with Gabby, so I took the liberty of closing the shop. I’m beat, so I’m heading home. Hope you survived the ordeal.

Don’t worry about the overtime; I’ll swap you an hour of sleep tomorrow for what I took care of today. If that arrangement’s okay with you, there’s no need to call. If not, let me know and I’ll be there bright and early tomorrow.

Emma

TIDBIT BALLS

These are fairly easy, quick, and can often be made with items you’ve already got. A good place to start if you’re nervous about dipping a toe into the donut-making water!