Blueberry Pie White Lie_A Cozy Mystery by Cassie Rivers

Author:Cassie Rivers [Rivers, Cassie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-10-04T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

A hurricane off the coast of South Carolina had pushed a storm system to the coast of Florida. We were accustomed to getting pop-up afternoon thunderstorms, but these were different. The storms were stronger and lasted longer, which hurt business that week.

“What a crummy day,” I said as I counted the money in the register. “It’s been so slow that I think I’ve lost money today.”

After dropping out of law school, I turned my career focus to the restaurant industry. While I enjoyed working out of the food truck, I looked at it as step one in a long-term plan. The food truck’s purpose was to earn enough money to eventually open my own bakery downtown.

If business didn’t pick up, my dreams were destined to go up in flames.

“Look on the bright side, Kara,” Star replied.

“And what’s that?”

“At least you can focus on the case the police want you to solve now,” she said as she pointed through the window at the pier. “Focus your energy on that.”

I couldn’t argue. Star made a good point. Even if I had my doubts about Bonnie May’s case, I needed to focus my attention away for the time being. The person who stole money from the donation box needed to be caught.

Star agreed to watch the truck, while I stepped out for a bit. The only suspect at the time worked a few hundred yards from us. So I decided to walk over to Grove Park Pier and investigate.

Willie Wylan normally set up shop near the end of the pier. The setup he used for his caricatures and paintings was small. A couple of chairs, easel, paper, paint, and paint brushes was all he required.

As I walked by, everything appeared normal. A few retired gentlemen fished off the pier, while a few kids were attempting to catch blue crabs. Mrs. Jansen waved as I walked by, still selling her seashell necklaces like when I was a kid.

When I arrived at Willie’s usual spot, I saw a sight I didn’t expect. It was empty. No easel, no paint, and most importantly, no Willie. For the entire summer I owned the Burger She Wrote food truck, Willie worked without missing a day. This was highly unusual.

I strolled back over to Mrs. Jansen and asked, “Hello, Mrs. Jansen. Have you seen Willie today?”

“As a matter-of-fact, I haven’t,” she replied. “I don’t recall seeing him yesterday, either.”

“Do you think he’s ok?” I asked, still confused as to his absence. “Did he look sick the last day you saw him?”

“Not at all. He seemed like himself. Happy and chipper as usual.”

“If you see him, tell him to come by my truck and see me,” I said before I walked away.

“Sure will,” Mrs. Jansen replied.

Back at the food truck, I walked in while Star was grilling chicken.

“What did you find out?” Star asked.

“A whole lotta nothing. Mrs. Jansen told me he’s been absent the last few days. Maybe he’s sick,” I replied. “I hope nothing’s wrong with him.”

“Or he’s headed for the hills,” Star said as she flipped the chicken over.

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