Creamy Pumpkin Killer by Summer Prescott

Author:Summer Prescott [Prescott, Summer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cozy, Culinary
Goodreads: 36316016
Publisher: Summer Prescott Books
Published: 2017-09-26T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

* * *

“I told you he was a hatchet murderer,” Echo said, taking a swig of coffee.

Missy had just told her that Thomas was in the hospital.

“Have you been talking to Beulah or something?” she handed Echo a vegan mango cupcake.

“I heard that!” Beulah’s voice rang out from the kitchen, over the noise of the electric mixer.

Echo looked at Missy and the two women grinned.

“I think poor Thomas was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Missy sighed.

“Or, he could have a murderer after him,” Echo pointed out the same thing that Beulah had earlier.

“I sure hope not.”

The bells over the door jangled, and Missy and Echo saw a woman in an uncomfortable-looking, high-necked dress enter, sweating profusely in the early morning sunshine.

“Hello,” Missy glanced at the clock above the cash register. “We don’t open for another half hour, but I can get you some coffee and cupcakes to go if you’d like,” she offered.

“That won’t be necessary. I’m here to speak with Melissa Beckett,” the woman said primly, reminding Missy of a maiden aunt.

“I’m Missy Beckett. How can I help you?”

“I’m Maureen Belsner, from Child Services. I’m here for your pre-adoption screening interview. We had an appointment,” she made the phrase sound like an accusation.

Missy’s eyes widened in alarm. “That was today?” she looked reflexively at her watch. “I could’ve sworn it was at the end of the week,” she muttered, pulling out her phone to look at the calendar. “Oh my, it is today,” she exclaimed.

“Yes, it is, and I made special arrangements with you to come early so that it wouldn’t interfere with your business,” Maureen snipped, peering at Missy through severe wire-framed glasses.

“And I do appreciate that. Won’t you please have a seat?” she offered Maureen a chair next to Echo, who had risen to go.

“I’ve gotta run,” she waved on her way out the door.

“My friend Echo and I usually have coffee and cupcakes before we start our work day,” Missy explained apologetically.

“I wonder how a child would fit into that scenario,” Maureen blinked, frowning slightly.

“Most of the time Echo brings her baby with her,” Missy answered, a flush rising up her neck to her cheeks and ears as she realized how hesitant she sounded.

“Mrs. Beckett, you run a very busy shop. How do you plan to care for an active three-year-old?”

“Lots of moms work, Ms. Belsner,” Missy protested, hoping that she wasn’t coming across as too aggressive.

“You forgot our appointment this morning. What happens if you forget a doctor’s appointment for the child?” she continued.

“I wouldn’t.”

“Who would you have for a backup sitter if the child was sick and couldn’t come to the shop with you, or go to school?”

“Well, my husband plans to be very involved with her care,” Missy finally had an answer that she could be proud of.

“Your husband? The private investigator? I would think in his line of work, he encounters dangerous people and situations on a daily basis.”

“Well, sometimes, maybe… but I…” Missy began.

“And what assurance

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