Candy Slain by Chelsea Thomas

Author:Chelsea Thomas [Thomas, Chelsea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-25T16:00:00+00:00

26

Cookie and Milk

“So you live on that house on Division Street?” Miss May poured another cup of hot apple cider and handed it to the woman.

The woman nodded. “My name is Cookie, by the way. Like a Christmas cookie.” Tears welled in the woman’s eyes. “Like the cookies you leave out for Santa.”

Miss May put a comforting hand on Cookie’s shoulder. I hung back because I always feel weird in emotional situations. I looked away, afraid that Cookie’s tears would be contagious if I kept looking at her. Mrs. Claus might be a killer, but I could catch tears from anyone.

Miss May spoke in a soft tone. “I used to go to camp down at that farmhouse, a long time ago. It’s been around forever.”

“Orville and I only lived there a couple months but it was beautiful. Wonderful place to spend our honeymoon stage.”

“You and Orville were married?” I asked.

Cookie sipped her hot cider. “It hadn’t even been one full year. Now he’s gone.”

Miss May pulled out a chair. “Please. Sit. Let me give you some sweets. Do you have a sweet tooth?”

Cookie gave a small smile. “It’s hard to be in the Santa business without developing a taste for cookies and treats. Though I’m wondering, could we maybe take a walk instead? I know it’s getting dark. And it’s cold but—”

“Of course,” said Miss May.

My stomach tightened. Cookie had a point. Cold, dark nights weren’t ideal for a walk. Especially not when your strolling partner could be a killer.

“But it’s so nice in the bakeshop.” I gestured around at the warm, cozy space. “Don’t you think you might like to rest a while in here?”

Cookie looked down. “I suppose. But I feel restless. I get that way when I’m upset.”

“I get that way too,” I said. “But then cold weather also makes me upset. And the dark night is scary. And we’ll give you lots of free cakes and pies and stuff if you stay in here.” OK, so I may have been overselling it.

Miss May glared at me. “Chelsea. Cookie wants to go outside. And that’s no problem.”

Cookie nodded. “Thank you.”

Miss May’s insistence frustrated me. I pushed in my chair a little too hard. I guess my discomfort was pretty transparent.

Cookie brought a hand to her mouth. “Oh. Oh no. You don’t want to walk with me because you think I’m the killer. Is that what’s going on?”

I threw back my head and winced. “No. I’m just a baby. I don’t like the cold. That’s all.”

Miss May stepped forward. “Chelsea always gets like this. It’s not about you. Give us two minutes to close up shop and we’ll be right outside.”

Cookie nodded and stepped outside. Miss May turned on me. She spoke with a harsh whisper. “Really, Chelsea?”

I held up my hands. So I didn’t want to go for a nighttime stroll with a potential murderer. So sue me!

Miss May continued. “That woman did not kill her husband. I don’t think.”

I shrugged. “Why take the risk?”

“Because we need information.

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