Maple Nut Murder by Carolyn Q Hunter

Author:Carolyn Q Hunter [Hunter, Carolyn Q]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Summer Prescott Books
Published: 2018-07-23T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

Both dumbfounded, the women headed over to Pies and Pages in silence.

It too was decked out for the “holiday” season. Multicolored lights outlined the front windows and a display of fake snow and winter themed books looked out into the street. Some were holiday classics like A Christmas Carol, some were Christmas themed Cozy Mysteries, and there even a few snowy Fantasy novels. The sign read, Cool off with a good book.

Still, the lights and display couldn’t raise their spirits or take their minds off the case.

They’d carted all the leftover pies into the shop to sell for a discounted price. Shiv, however, upon hearing all the news of what had happened that morning insisted that the two women go upstairs and rest for a bit. At first, Bert had protested but eventually realized her best friend probably needed her.

Thanking the stars for the blessing of such a wonderful employee, the two women retreated up the wooden staircase behind the counter.

“I have no idea what to think, now,” Carla groaned, throwing up her hands as they entered Bert’s apartment.

Carla plopped her purse down on the round dining table on the opposite side of the kitchen’s island counter. “First, Samara is with her boyfriend in the back room. Then, Samara winds up dead. To top it all off, Heebee, my sweet employee, is supposedly dating Samara’s boyfriend,” her voice rose to a higher pitch with each passing word until it became strained.

Bert hung her purse on the shoe rest and coat rack combo next to the door. “Well, Samara did say he wasn’t her boyfriend,” she said, remembering the young woman’s protest at the assumption.

“That’s not much better. It just means Heebee’s boyfriend is a cheater and a jerk.” Carla slumped down into one of the chairs, looking exhausted.

Bert headed around the kitchen island. “Do you want something to drink?” she asked, hoping to calm the situation a little. She agreed. There were more questions mounting up than answers, but that didn’t mean they had to lose their heads.

If anything, the calmer they remained, the more likely they were to find a few clues to help solve the growing mystery at hand. Most important of all was to make sure that Christmas in July reopened for the rest of the week-long event without taking a hit thanks to the murder.

“Do you have wine?” Carla asked, perking up a little and watching as her friend climbed a step stool.

Bert produced the bottle of organic chardonnay that was already in her hand when her friend asked. “Mulled wine, in fact. I always keep a bottle above the fridge,” she replied with a wink.

“Oh, thank goodness for that. I need something to calm my nerves.” She lifted her hand, demonstrating the fact that her fingers were trembling. “I mean, look at me. I’m shaking like a leaf.”

Bert opened the cabinet and pulled out two wine glasses. They were clear plastic, but it created less chance of shattered glass if they broke. Setting them on the table near Carla’s purse, she held up one finger.

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