Poison in the Pastries (Darla's Delectables Food Truck Cozy Mystery Book 1) by Susan Harper

Author:Susan Harper [Harper, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fairfield Publishing
Published: 2021-10-24T16:00:00+00:00

9

The following day, Darla found herself sitting in the small lobby area of the auto repair shop where Caleb worked. Caleb was in the back working on the food truck while his boss chatted with her. The man was playing the part of the friendly boss, but Darla knew better. She wasn’t going to be fooled by his fancy suit and fake smile.

According to Caleb, the man had security cameras in all his various businesses. Not only that, but the cameras were set up to send alerts directly to his phone. Every day or every other day, depending on his busy schedule, he would determine which of his locations were the busiest, and then he’d take lunch to his employees. It sounded like a kind gesture, but really, it was for the benefit of the customers. He just wanted people to be impressed with him, which was why he always chose the busiest location.

Today, it was Caleb’s shop. There were four mechanics working on various vehicles. In the waiting area was a total of nine customers, including Darla. Most were happily chatting with Mr. Chase Mitchell about his various business ventures.

“So nice of you to bring your employees lunch, Mr. Mitchell,” one woman was saying.

“Oh, but of course,” he said. “They work hard. They deserve it. I’m just going to go put this in the break room so it’s ready for them.” He trotted off, offering each of them his enormous smile before disappearing in the back.

Darla rolled her eyes, thinking about how the man had tried to mislead her on a number of repairs during the early days of her food truck adventure. If Caleb hadn’t called him out, she would have been extremely delayed on her grand opening. She was eternally thankful for Caleb’s input, especially since it had nearly lost him his job. But he was a good mechanic, and even a stiff suit like Chase Mitchell knew it.

A few minutes later, the boss re-entered the lobby area and zeroed in on Darla. Though the man smiled broadly, Darla knew he was terrified of her.

After Caleb had told her about the man’s intention to overcharge her for unnecessary repairs, she’d threatened to speak with some friends of hers who worked at a local news station. It was a complete fabrication, but Mr. Mitchell didn’t know that, so he’d backed off. Now, he always wanted to make small talk with her.

“Miss Jones! How are things going with the new business? I saw that you had your grand opening in Hilton Head.”

“It’s been going all right, I suppose,” Darla said, not wanting to tell the uptight gentleman that her food license was currently being held hostage by the police. “Until the truck started smoking yesterday.”

“Yes, that’ll put a damper on things,” Mr. Mitchell said with a roar of laughter. “Well, I’m sure my mechanics will have it up and running again in no time. You have a wonderful day, Miss Jones!” With that, he headed out.

Good riddance, Darla thought.

Darla had been there all morning.

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