SANDY BAY COZY MYSTERY SERIES – BOXSET 1

By

Amber Crewes

Published by Pen-n-a-Pad Publishing in 2018

All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright © Pen-n-a-Pad Publishing

The moral right of the author has been asserted.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Contents

SANDY BAY COZY MYSTERY SERIES – BOXSET 1       By   Amber Crewes

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BROWNIES AND DARK SHADOWS   A Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery     By   Amber Crewes

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COOKIES AND BURIED SECRETS   A Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery     By   Amber Crewes

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Thank You!

ALSO BY AMBER CREWES

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About Apple Pie and Trouble

Released: July, 2018

Series: Book 1 – Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery Series

Standalone: Yes

Cliff-hanger: No

Meghan Truman always had a dream to become a Hollywood actress. Hollywood decided she wasn’t good enough. She left Hollywood broken but with a burning desire to start afresh in the Pacific Northwest, pursuing her second dream – opening a bakery.

She never expected that the owner of a rival establishment would be found dead and all eyes would be focused on her as the prime suspect.

As the new girl in town with a new bakery store, she’s determined to clear her name and find the murderer; otherwise she’ll have to leave Sandy Bay penniless and pitiful and possibly the murderer’s next victim.

THANK YOU FOR GETTING THIS BOOK IN THE SANDY BAY COZY MYSTERY SERIES. WHY DON’T YOU SIGN UP FOR UPDATES AND GET THE PREQUEL STORY SENT TO YOU FOR FREE

Click Here to Receive Updates and the Prequel

1

“GOOD MORNING, MEGHAN TRUMAN! It’s a beautiful day to be in Sandy Bay.”

Meghan smiled sleepily at Karen, her seventy-two year old friend and former neighbor, who had just walked through the front door of the bakery, Truly Sweet. The two had met back in Los Angeles; Karen was a retired nurse, and she and Meghan had lived in the same apartment complex. Meghan adored Karen’s enthusiasm and vigor, and Karen was filled with energy as she burst through the door.

“Someone’s cheerful this morning.” she said, rubbing her hazel eyes and stifling a yawn as Karen hoisted herself up to sit on the counter. “I wasn’t expecting you. I’m sorry I’m still in my pajamas.”

Karen tossed her frosted, shoulder-length blonde hair behind her shoulder and shook her head. “Sorry to surprise you, sweetie. I just couldn’t resist stopping by. I was driving by after leaving the gym, and I saw that you had painted the front door. I just had to stop by and admire it.”

Meghan grinned. “I couldn’t sleep last night, and so there I was, outside, painting the front door at two in the morning. I just wanted everything to be perfect, Karen. It’s not every day that you start the business of your dreams.”

Karen’s eyes became solemn and as she nodded, Meghan saw her eyes begin to glitter with tears. “Meghan,” she said. “I’m just so proud of you. At twenty-seven years old, you’ve moved across the country, and now, you’re about to open your bakery. How fabulous!”

Meghan walked over to Karen and wrapped her arms around the older woman, feeling the warmth of her body as she leaned her head on Karen’s shoulder. “You are too much. I wouldn’t be here in Sandy Bay without your help; if you hadn’t convinced me to leave LA, I would probably still be at some audition, still trying to make it as an actress.”

Karen shrugged her narrow, but muscular shoulders as she gently pulled away from Meghan’s embrace. “Look, sweetie,” she said kindly. “You are young and beautiful, and the world is your oyster right now. Hollywood is a rough town for such a sweet girl. I think you’ll be happier here than you’ve ever been. Sandy Bay is quiet, and the people are kind. The Pacific Northwest is a special place, Meghan, and I know you’ll fit right in.”

Meghan ran a hand through her dark, messy hair and sighed. She had another long, busy day ahead of her. After moving to Sandy Bay from Los Angeles on a whim three weeks ago, Meghan’s life had been brimming with excitement; Karen had persuaded her to lease a charming little two-story brick building on the town square, and Meghan had applied for the permits to open Truly Sweet, the bakery of her dreams. She had moved her belongings into the tiny upstairs apartment above the bakery, and she had changed her address at the post office. After nearly three years of trying to make it in Hollywood, Meghan was now officially a resident of Sandy Bay, and as she painted and cleaned in preparation for the opening of her bakery, she felt herself begin to feel at ease for the first time since she had left home in Texas after college.

Karen lifted her arms above her body and stretched. “Meghan? Are you sure you don’t want to go to pilates with me? There’s an afternoon class today, and plenty of girls your age go. It could be a good chance to meet people in Sandy Bay.”

Meghan raised one eyebrow at Karen and shook her head. “Karen,” she began, “It’s nice of you to ask me, but I have to tell you the same thing I told you when you first asked me last night. I’ve been moving boxes and painting for days, and my body is aching. I can hardly move, let alone do pilates.”

Karen shrugged. “Just had to ask,” she said. “Well, I’ll let you wake up a bit and get your day started. I just had to compliment you on the front door. The yellow paint looks simply fabulous.”

Karen leaned in to kiss Meghan on the cheek, and then, she marched out of the bakery, her matching velour sweatsuit lighting up the gray morning as she strode to her orange jeep.

“That lady is in better shape than me, and I’m half her age.” Meghan murmured to herself as she looked down at her curvy, womanly figure. “I hope I have that much energy when I am in my seventies, because I definitely don’t have any today.”

Meghan slowly made her way upstairs to change into her clothes, her legs and arms sore from the labor she had put into making Truly Sweet beautiful. As she came back downstairs, she grinned as she stepped into the bakery. She was proud of her hard work; she had little experience with decor or design, but with Karen’s help, she had turned the dilapidated brick building into a quaint little space. The walls were painted pale yellow, and little white tables were positioned around the dining area. The counters and cabinets were painted white as well, and a long, painted wooden shelf held a diverse array of rich, green succulents that gave the room a fresh, airy feeling.

“It’s almost ready,” Meghan said, as she stood in the bakery, her hands on her hips. “It’s almost my time to shine!”

Meghan took a long breath as she surveyed the pale yellow walls of the bakery. “These could use another coat of paint,” she muttered to herself, inhaling deeply. “I could probably get away with the walls as they are, but another coat would be just perfect. We only have three days until the opening though….”

Meghan took a seat at one of the little white tables and looked around the room. She had poured herself into making Truly Sweet a lovely place, and she hoped the citizens of Sandy Bay would be pleased by the addition of a bakery. Back in Los Angeles, Karen had sworn to Meghan that opening a bakery in Sandy Bay would be a wonderful idea, and now, with only a few days until the grand opening, Meghan felt her heart flutter with nerves each time she imagined someone stepping inside and having a taste of Meghan’s homemade treats.

“It’ll be awesome, Meghan. Just imagine it!” Karen had gushed back in California. “Sweetie, you’ve been auditioning nonstop for every movie, play, and commercial, and I can see it in your eyes that you’re unhappy. You always talk about that bakery you worked at in your hometown as a girl, and I see the way your face lights up when you bring a new little dessert over to show me. I’m moving home to Sandy Bay at the end of the month. Come with me. There’s a cute little building downtown that’s been sitting vacant, and you could start a new chapter with a bakery. Just imagine!”

Meghan thought back to that conversation with Karen. It felt like ages ago, but in reality, she had only been in Sandy Bay for a few weeks. Meghan was nervous about the bakery’s opening ceremony, but as she studied the little space she had devoted herself to fixing up, she felt her heart pound with pride.

“It’s going to be great,” she whispered. “I’ve loved making this place pretty, and if it weren’t for Karen, I would still be back trying to make it big in LA. This is where I belong now. This is going to be home.”

A loud pounding at the front door of the bakery stirred Meghan from her wistful daydreaming, and she nearly jumped out of her seat.

“Hello?” she called out. “Who is it?”

“This is Norman Butcher! Who are you?”

Meghan cringed at the loud, fussy voice on the other side of her newly painted door. She rose from the chair, and tucked her dark hair behind her ears.

“It’s Meghan. Meghan Truman? I’m new in town.”

Meghan carefully pulled the white lace curtains back and peered outside. A short, stout man wearing a pair of tortoiseshell spectacles looked back at her, and he gestured feverishly toward the door.

“Please, open this door. We need to have a chat, Ms. Truman.”

Meghan noticed a British accent. She opened the door, and the man came barreling in.

“I see from the sign that was put up outside that this is a bakery,” he said brusquely as he took a seat in one of the little white chairs. “I own a tea shop just across the way, and we bake and sell our own goods.”

Meghan joined Norman at the table. “Another business owner? How nice of you to stop by.” she said happily.

Norman shook his head vigorously. “This isn’t a social call,” he said sternly as Meghan’s eyes widened. “You’re new in town, and when I saw that someone was trying to open a bakery here, I knew I needed to speak up.”

Meghan shook her head. “I’m not trying to open a bakery here,” she said steadily, folding her hands delicately in front of her on the table. “I am opening a bakery here. I have all of the paperwork and permits ready, and as soon as I’m finished fixing this place up, I’ll be in business.”

Norman folded his arms across his chest. He was an older gentleman, and as he furrowed his brow, the wrinkles on his forehead cut deep across his face to form an angry expression. “Look,” he said quietly as Meghan leaned away from him. “This town doesn’t need another place to buy baked goods. It could be years before your business makes a profit. You look young enough. Why don’t you go somewhere else and open a bakery? I hear Nantucket is nice.”

Meghan rose from the table, irritated with Norman’s intrusion. She had work to do, and he was being quite rude.

“Thank you for stopping by today, but I must say goodbye for now,” she said, her hazel eyes filled with annoyance as she gestured toward the yellow door of Truly Sweet. “I’ll be staying in Sandy Bay. I do hope we can get along well together.”

Norman muttered under his breath as he stomped out, and as he stepped across the threshold, Meghan turned the lock on the door.

“That’s enough excitement for one morning,” she huffed, trying to lower her shoulders and relax her body. She was confused by Norman’s visit; everyone she had met in Sandy Bay thus far had been so kind, but Norman’s visit was perplexing. He had been terribly rude, and Meghan did her best to not get upset.

Turning back to face the kitchen, she shrugged. “Time to get back to work!” she exclaimed, picking up a paintbrush and smiling as she got underway. She wondered if there would be any other distractions that morning.

2

“IT JUST LOOKS FABULOUS,” Karen cooed, as she looked around Truly Sweet.

Meghan beamed. It did look fabulous, and the grand opening of the bakery was proving to be a success. The night before, Karen and Meghan had hung strands of string lights through the wooden rafters in the ceiling of the dining area. The lights were twinkling, and the pale yellow walls glowed. Karen had loaned Meghan fifty antique powder blue plates to place on the white tables, and nearly fifty guests were milling about Truly Sweet.

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” Meghan said, reaching to hug Karen. “This night wouldn’t have been possible without you.”

Karen playfully rolled her eyes. “Nope. You get all the credit, sweetie. Now, go enjoy your special night. I need to go have a piece of that apple pie of yours! My niece, Debbie, is here, and she said it’s the best thing she’s ever eaten and that nearly all of it is gone already.”

“You’ll have to introduce us.” Meghan said. “I’m happy she was able to come.”

Karen smiled. “She’s about your age. You two will get on well. I’ll bring her over sometime this week. You go mix and mingle; you only have one opening ceremony, and I want you to soak it in.”

Karen scuttled away, and Meghan’s heart swelled with pride as she glanced around the room. People were smiling, her desserts were being eaten, and the opening ceremony was proving to be a roaring success! For the first time since she had arrived in Sandy Bay, Meghan truly felt as though she had made it and that everything was going to work out for her in her new home.

Within a week of the opening, Truly Sweet was one of the most popular establishments in town. Meghan was swarmed with orders and walk-in customers, and with every day, her schedule grew busier.

“I just don’t know how I’ll manage it all!” Meghan exclaimed to Karen on the phone one evening. “It’s taken off faster than I ever imagined.”

Meghan could hear Karen giggling. “I told you,” she said gleefully. “I told you that this was a good idea.”

“It was,” Meghan agreed. “I just hope I can maintain it all.”

“How about I stop by tomorrow and give you a hand?” Karen asked. “I have some time between my morning run and my yoga class. I can stop by and help you.”

“That would be wonderful,” Meghan said, thankful for Karen’s unfailing support. “I can’t wait to see you.”

The next day, Karen visited the bakery in the afternoon. It had been a hectic morning, but all was quiet when Karen arrived, a young, blonde-haired woman walking in behind her.

“Karen!” Meghan said. “So happy to see you. It’s been a crazy morning.”

Karen looked at the pile of dishes in the sink, her eyes large. “I see that,” she said. She walked behind the counter and retrieved a spare apron, tying it tightly around her thin waist. “I’ll get to work on these dishes, but first, let me introduce my niece.”

The blond woman stepped up to the counter and smiled at Meghan. “It’s nice to meet you.

I was at the opening, but I didn’t get to say hello. I’m Debbie. Aunt Karen speaks so highly of you.”

Meghan studied Debbie, noticing her impeccable clothes and tidy appearance. Meghan felt sloppy and bashful; her dark hair was thrown up into a loose bun atop her head, and she was covered in flour from the morning in the kitchen.

“Thanks,” Meghan said quietly, looking down at the ground. “Nice to meet you, Debbie.”

Karen picked up the pile of dishes and carried them to the back room. “I’ll work on these. You girls chat.”

Meghan shifted awkwardly, but Debbie continued to smile at her. “The opening was so nice,” Debbie said, smoothing her blunt, chin-length hair with the back of her right hand. “There is some serious potential here, Meghan.”

Meghan felt herself relax, and she smiled shyly at Debbie. “Thank you so much,” she said, feeling herself blush.

“Seriously,” Debbie continued, looking around the bakery with business-like ferocity. “I was going to be an investment banker on Wall Street. I’m back in town from New York as of last month. It just didn’t work out. I know my stuff though, and from the looks of what you have going on here, I think that with the right management and systems in place, this place could be listed on the stock exchange.”

Meghan’s jaw dropped. “Really?” she asked, placing her hands on her hips, her eyes wide. “You really think that?”

Debbie bobbed her head up and down. “I do. I’ve seen a lot and I know a lot, and this place smells like success. I can just feel it.”

Meghan grinned. “Thank you for saying that,” she told Debbie. “That means so much. I opened this place to do something I enjoyed and to serve the people of Sandy Bay. If I’m even a local success, I’ll be happy.”

Debbie shook her head. “Forget local success, Meghan,” she said matter-of-factly. “This place could expand as soon as next year. Like I said, I know potential when I see it. Anyway, I wanted to stop by and say hello. Aunt Karen has said so many nice things about you, and I wanted to let you know that if you’re ever interested in talking about the finances of this place, I would love to have a chat over coffee.”

Meghan beamed. “I might just take you up on that,” she replied. “Thanks so much, Debbie!”

“Of course,” she said, turning on her heel. “It’s been a pleasure. Like I said, any time you want to talk, just let me know.”

When Karen returned to the front of the bakery with the new-cleaned dishes, Meghan was still basking in the glow of Debbie’s praise. “Your niece was so nice!” she gushed. “She thinks this place will be a success.”

Karen nodded earnestly. “She knows her stuff. Debbie is a smart cookie, and if she thinks this place is going to be a hit, I have no doubt that Truly Sweet is going to grow more and more and more.”

Karen’s words proved prophetic; within two weeks of its grand opening, Truly Sweet had grown even more popular, and Meghan was in desperate need of assistance.

“What should I do?” she worriedly asked Karen over the phone one morning. “It isn’t even nine yet, and I have too many orders. I can’t handle this workload by myself, Karen.”

“Hire someone. I hear Lori, at the tea shop, is looking for a new job.”

Meghan gasped. “The tea shop? Norman Butcher’s tea shop?”

“Yes! Have you been there?”

Meghan groaned. “Norman Butcher stopped by the bakery before the opening,” she said, recalling the tense visit from the stout, elderly gentleman. “He seemed angry that I was opening a bakery.”

“Oh, don’t listen to Norman,” she reassured Meghan. “Debbie tells me that he has been bad-mouthing your place all week, but clearly he isn’t hurting your business.”

“WHAT?” she gasped. “What did Debbie say?”

“Debbie said that Norman has been talking poorly about Truly Sweet, but I think it’s funny,” she said dismissively. “That grumpy old geyser can say whatever he wants, but if it’s nine in the morning and you have too much work already, I think that his nasty words aren’t doing a lot of harm. Don’t think about him, Meghan. Think about your business. Think about talking to Lori. She’s a sweet girl, and she would be a great addition.”

“Thanks, Karen,” Meghan said as she hung up the phone. Her stomach churned. Despite Karen’s nonchalant feelings toward Norman’s attitude, Meghan was very hurt and offended. What had she done to him to warrant such scorn? Feeling frustrated, she removed her apron. After the last walk-in customer left, she turned the OPEN sign to CLOSED and marched out of the bakery.

“I’m going to the tea shop right now,” Meghan muttered to herself as she walked toward Norman’s business. “I’m going to offer Lori a job and give that man a piece of my mind.”

3

“AND SHE SAID she would think about it. Norman wasn’t even there, and Lori looked so pleased when I offered her the job.” Meghan gushed to Karen as the two women sipped on cinnamon tea in the dining area of the bakery.

“That’s fabulous!” Karen replied, her eyes bright with excitement. “Lori is such a good girl. She never really left town when she graduated from high school, and she’s a little green, but I think the two of you will get along nicely. She’s a hard worker; I remember when she was just a slip of a girl, she ran her own dog walking business. She worked all weekend walking dogs, and she’ll surely be able to take some of the load off of you.”

Meghan smiled. She had been furious as she walked over to Norman’s tea shop, but her anger had quelled the instant she met Lori. Lori was tall and pretty, and Meghan guessed she was about twenty years old. Lori had a pixie cut that made her green eyes look enormous, and a smattering of sandy freckles across her cheeks. Her smile was genuine and warm, and it made Meghan feel hopeful that something good might come out of her tense relationship with Norman Butcher.

“What can I do for you?” Lori had chirped as Meghan walked into the tea shop.

“You’re Lori, right?” Meghan asked.

“That’s right. I’m Lori!” Lori’s smile was huge, and her dimples cut deep into her freckled cheeks. “Do we know each other?”

Meghan shook her head. “We don’t yet,” she began. “But I hope we can get to know each other a bit better. I’m Meghan Truman. I moved to Sandy Bay from Los Angeles to open Truly Sweet, the bakery on the square.”

Just then, a sturdy, muscular man walked past Meghan, his hat pulled down and his eyes fixed on the ground.

“Excuse me,” the man said, walking out of the tea shop and into the afternoon sun. Meghan noticed streaks of dirt on his overalls as he left, and she could smell the unmistakable odor of an unwashed man. Meghan nearly gagged as the man passed her, but Lori was unfazed.

“Bye, Jamie!” she called out, her voice friendly as she waved goodbye. “Thanks for your help. I couldn’t have fixed the sink by myself.”

Lori turned her attention back to Meghan. “That was Jamie, the handyman in town. I am just useless when it comes to fixing things, and he was sweet enough to come over in a jiffy to help me with our leaky sink. Anyway, so sorry. What were you saying?”

Meghan brushed her hair off of her shoulders and smiled. “Truly Sweet. The new bakery?”

Lori’s eyes sparkled. “Truly Sweet? Yes! I’ve walked by the shop a few times, and I just love what you’ve done with the place. I hear your apple pie is to die for.”

Meghan couldn’t help but to blush; she was thrilled that her little bakery was receiving such praise.

“Thank you so much,” she said, tucking a lock of dark hair behind her ear. “I wanted to ask you something important, Lori. I’m swamped with work; I’ve never run a business before, and with all of the orders coming in, I need some help. Karen Denton, one of my friends in town, mentioned that you might be looking for a new job, and I was wondering if you had any interest in working with me at the bakery?”

Lori’s face grew pale, and the smile vanished from her lips. She looked left and right, and put a finger to her lips.

“Shhhh,” she whispered to Meghan. “The owner isn’t around today, but I don’t think this is something I should talk about here in the tea shop.”

Meghan defiantly placed her hands on her hips. “You mean Norman Butcher? I hear he’s been saying some unpleasant things about my bakery. If he’s treating me, a stranger, that way, I can’t imagine what it’s like to work for him.”

Lori looked down at her feet, her eyes filled with sadness. “Imagine what it’s like to be his daughter….”

Meghan mouth dropped open, but she quickly recovered her composure. “His daughter?” Meghan said, her eyes widening. “Do you mean….”

“Norman is my father. This is our family business.” she said, her voice shaking. “I’ve worked here since I was a girl, and now I work here full time.”

Meghan placed a hand over her mouth and took a long breath. Karen hadn’t mentioned that Lori was Norman’s daughter.

“You said that he said some nasty things to you? I’m so sorry. My father has been getting meaner and meaner lately, but I promise, it isn’t personal. He treats everyone like that.”

Meghan watched as Lori’s eyes filled with tears. Feeling sorry for the young woman, Meghan reached out to take Lori’s hand.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” she said softly, trying to meet Lori’s gaze. “I’m sorry he isn’t nicer to you. You seem like a very nice girl, Lori, and you don’t deserve that.”

Lori began to cry, and Meghan squeezed her hand. “Lori, think about working for me,” she said. “Truly Sweet is a wonderful place, and maybe some time away from your father would be good for you. Absence can make the heart grow fonder, and maybe if you two have some time apart, you’ll be able to get along again.”

Lori sniffled. “It would be nice to have some time apart. Our house is so small, and spending forty hours a week in this little tea shop makes it even more tense.”

Meghan nodded, feeling as though she were getting somewhere with Lori. “Yes! See? Come work for me. I could even talk with your father about it. I had some things to say to him anyway, but this seems more important. Will you think about it?”

Lori wiped the tears from her cheeks and smiled weakly. “Yes,” she said, running a hand through her short hair. “I’ll think about it.”

Later that day, Meghan was excited to share the news with Karen, but as the two chatted about Meghan’s encounter with Lori, an unexpected visitor marched into the bakery.

“What do you think you’re doing? How dare you try to steal my employee away?” Norman Butcher shouted, waving a finger in the air at Meghan as the remaining customers in the bakery got up and left.

“You mean your daughter?” she said calmly, though irritated that Norman had scared away customers. “I’m not trying to steal her away,” she explained firmly as Norman glared at her. “I simply offered her a job. I have too much work for one person, and I need help.”

Norman clenched his hands into fists and glowered at Meghan. “You don’t have any business trying to steal what’s mine!”

Karen rose from her chair and wagged her finger at Norman. “Norman Butcher!” she said. “You are being fabulously rude. Meghan is new in town, and from what I hear, you’ve treated her terribly. Surely you have better manners than this.”

Norman tightened his jaw, and Meghan could see the thick, purple veins in his forehead growing darker. “Surely she has better manners than to steal my employee!” he said, pointing at Meghan. “Lori works for me.”

Karen rolled her eyes. “You’ve never treated that girl well, and everyone in Sandy Bay knows it. I had even forgotten she was your daughter because of the way you’ve acted toward her; I’ve been living in LA for the last few years, and when I was in the tea shop last week, the way you spoke to Lori was unforgivable!”

Norman rolled up his sleeves to reveal his pale, fleshy arms as if preparing for a fight. Karen did the same, and Meghan was impressed with the shape and definition of Karen’s sculpted biceps.

“Norman,” Meghan said quietly. “You’ve insulted me and you’ve insulted my business. I’m willing to let that go. I want to hire Lori to work here, and if she wants to, you can’t stop me. Your tea shop was empty when I went in today, and I think Lori’s talents could be of better use at Truly Sweet.”

Norman’s eyes narrowed. “Over my dead body,” he said, turning on his heel and storming out of the bakery.

******************

The next morning, the tiny silver bells on the front door chimed as Lori walked into the bakery.

“Lori!” Meghan exclaimed. “I’m so happy you stopped by. Have you come to accept my offer?”

Lori hung her head, and Meghan knew what her decision was.

“That’s okay,” she said, coming around from the back of the counter to hug Lori. “I enjoyed talking with you yesterday, Lori, and I hope that even if I can’t have you as an employee, I can have you as a friend?”

Lori stepped back from the hug, and Meghan could see the weak smile on her face.

“I really wanted to work for you, but I can’t. My father says I’m to have nothing to do with you,” she said sadly. “He told me to stay away from here. I’m sorry he came by last night. He’s horrible.”

Meghan shook her head. “It’s not your place to apologize for him,” she said gently.

“Well, I’m still very sorry for him,” Lori said. “I have to go now. He’s working today, and he’s expecting me soon.”

“Don’t leave just yet. Stay here a minute; I have something for you.” Meghan said, dashing out of the front room. She soon returned with a large box. Lori’s eyes widened.

“For me?” she asked as Meghan handed her the box. Meghan nodded.

Lori slowly opened the box. “It’s an apple pie!” she squealed, her large eyes glittering. “Thank you, Meghan!”

Lori stuck a finger into the box and scooped out a tiny piece of the pie. She brought the morsel to her lips and closed her eyes, moaning in satisfaction.

“It really is to die for,” she said as Meghan grinned in delight.

4

“HE’S DEAD, AND IT’S YOUR FAULT!” Sally Sheridan shouted at Meghan, her brow furrowed and her hands shaking.

Sally, an elderly resident of Sandy Bay, also known as Sally Scary-den, or so Karen had told her, had marched into Truly Sweet in a rage only moments earlier. Meghan looked down at the wooden floor and bit the inside of her cheek, puzzled by this outburst from Sandy Bay’s grumpiest elder stateswoman.

“I’m returning this pie, and I want a full refund! I already had diarrhea after consuming this trash, and after what happened to Norman Butcher, I want my money back now.”

Meghan felt the color drain from her face. Mrs. Sheridan had thrown a Truly Sweet box with a half-eaten apple pie on the counter, and Meghan gasped as the remnants of the treat spilled all over the floor.

“Mrs. Sheridan!” she cried out, watching the gooey, brown pieces of pie soak the floor.

“Serves you right! You killed Norman Butcher. Everyone in town knew he didn’t like you, and you went and killed him off. I’m not surprised, either. You people from California think you can do whatever you want.”

Meghan dropped to her knees and began to clean the floor. “I’m not even from California. I grew up in Texas,” she whimpered, feeling hot, angry tears well in her eyes.

Mrs. Sheridan narrowed her eyes and tapped her cane on the wooden floor directly in front of Meghan.

“What are you talking about?” Meghan stammered, humiliated by Mrs. Sheridan’s outburst and embarrassed that a paying customer had been made ill by her pie.

“I don’t care where you are from, but I know where you are going. JAIL!” she shouted, turning and hobbling out of the bakery. “And don’t think I won’t be back for my refund.”

Meghan stopped reaching for the pieces of the broken pie and sank down, resting her head on the floor of the bakery. She had been informed that Sally Sheridan had a reputation of being a difficult customer but to insinuate someone’s death to extract a refund seemed way below the belt. Sadly, cleaning the mess that Mrs. Sheridan had made would now be her top priority that morning.

Hours later, Meghan’s stomach was still churning over the unpleasant visit from Sally Sheridan; she could not believe how rude Mrs. Sheridan had been. Needing some encouragement, Meghan picked up the phone to call Karen.

“Hello?”

Meghan winced as Debbie picked up the phone; she liked Debbie, but what she really wanted was one of Karen’s famous pep talks.

“Meghan? What’s up?” Debbie asked.

“Is Karen there?”

“She is swimming laps in the backyard; she’s been going for nearly two hours now, but I can get her if you’d like?”

Meghan sighed. “No,” she said. “Don’t interrupt her. I’ll call back.”

“What’s wrong? You sound upset.”

“Well,” she began. “I just had the strangest visit from Sally Sheridan. She came into Truly Sweet demanding a refund for an apple pie. She was saying strange things too about Norman Butcher? It was just so off, Debbie. She was so nasty, and I just don’t know what to do.”

“Meghan,” Debbie said. “That lady is known for marching around Sandy Bay and trying to get money back. It’s shameful. Totally embarrassing. Everyone hides when they see her coming, and it sounds like you’re her latest victim.”

“So it’s not just me?” Meghan asked hopefully.

“No, absolutely not. Just ignore her. Sally Sheridan is such a cheapskate and would kill to get money back. Seriously. She would do anything.”

“But she said Norman Butcher was…”

“Don’t believe anything that woman says. It’s pathetic. Anyway, hey, I have to let you go, but trust me, Meghan. Sally Sheridan is a nasty old bat, but her bark is usually worse than her bite….”

Meghan smiled, relieved to have some reassurance.

“Thanks, Debbie. You’re the best.”

“Anytime!”

The next day, Meghan was startled when a tall, handsome police officer stepped into the bakery.

“Good afternoon!” Meghan called out, her heart pounding quickly as she stared at the police officer. He looked to be about her age, and with his biceps nearly bursting out of his tight uniform, Meghan could feel herself blushing.

“Can I help you?” she asked, slowly lowering her eyelids and then glancing back up, a flirtatious move she had been trying to perfect for years.

The policeman shook his head. “Ma’am, are you Meghan Truman, owner of this establishment?”

Meghan nodded. The officer’s voice was stern, and the smile disappeared from Meghan’s lips as she looked up into his serious face.

“Yes? I’m Meghan. Why do you ask?”

The officer nodded curtly. “I’m Jack Irvin. I’m with the Sandy Bay Police Department. Ms. Truman, do you know a Mr. Norman Butcher?”

Meghan nodded. “Yes, I know Mr. Butcher. He’s a nasty fellow. He came in here screaming at me this week. He’s the meanest person I’ve met in Sandy Bay. Why? Why do you ask?”

“He’s dead, Ms. Truman,” Officer Irvin stated brusquely as Meghan’s jaw dropped.

“What?” she gasped, her hands flying to her cheeks as the shock set in. “He’s dead? He was just in here a few days ago. How horrible!” 

The officer stared at Meghan, and she felt uncomfortable with his stony gaze. “Is there something else, Officer Irvin?” she asked. “What can I help you with? I didn’t know Norman very well, but is there something you need?”

Officer Irvin nodded. “Ma’am,” he began. “Mr. Butcher was discovered dead in the tea shop by his daughter, Lori Butcher. Ms. Butcher says he was cold and stiff, leading us to believe that he had been dead a while before she arrived. The cause of death was unclear until some reports were run a few hours ago, and we have good reason to believe that he was poisoned.”

Meghan’s eyes widened. “Poison?” she whispered. “That’s awful! Poor Lori. Poor Norman.”

Officer Irvin raised an eyebrow and stared into Meghan’s eyes. “We have good reason to believe that you may have poisoned Mr. Butcher, Ms. Truman.”

Meghan shrieked. “Me?” she cried in disbelief. “Me? Poison? What?”

“Witnesses say that you and Mr. Butcher have had several heated confrontations, including one yesterday. We’ve also been informed that you were attempting to hire one of his current employees, Ms. Lori Butcher, and that you were quite upset when Mr. Butcher refused to allow Lori to work for you.”

Meghan shook her head vigorously. “I wasn’t happy with Norman, and we had an argument about Lori yesterday, but that doesn’t mean I would poison him! Where would you come up with that crazy idea?”

Officer Irvin jerked his chin at one of the fresh apple pies displayed on the counter. “The testing we’ve done on the body indicates that the only thing in Mr. Butcher’s stomach was one of your apple pies. A poisoned apple pie, Ms. Truman.”

Meghan gasped. “Poisoned? What? Officer, I had nothing to do with Norman’s death! I sent a perfectly fine apple pie home with Lori yesterday when she stopped by. Have you talked with Lori?”

Officer Irvin placed a hand on the set of handcuffs dangling from his belt and looked at Meghan’s trembling face. “Ms. Truman,” he said. “We’ve spoken to Ms. Butcher, and she’s confirmed that you expressed frustration with her father over the employment matter. I’m sorry to tell you, but you are our prime suspect behind Norman Butcher’s murder. I’m going to need you to come down to the station with me for some questions. You might want to give your lawyer a call.”

Now, three days after being interrogated, Meghan sat alone in the quiet aftermath of Sally Sheridan’s visit to Truly Sweet. Everyone in Sandy Bay thought that she had killed Norman Butcher; between the confrontation they had had the night before his death, to the poisoned apple pie, the court of public opinion had ruled Meghan guilty as charged, and life would never be the same.

5

MEGHAN HAD BEEN INCONSOLABLE on the drive over to the Sandy Bay Police Station; Officer Irvin had not placed her in handcuffs, but as he escorted her into the backseat of his locked police car, Meghan felt her stomach churn. Tears fell from her eyes, and she began making loud wheezing noises as she struggled to catch her breath.

“Are you okay back there?” Officer Irvin asked.

“Yes….yes Officer Irvin,” she yelped, trying to contain herself.

“Just call me Jack, that’s easier,” he said.

“I’m fine, Jack,” she responded.

When they reached the Sandy Bay Police Station, Jack led Meghan into a small, windowless white room. Two thin iron chairs sat facing each other in the middle of the room, and Jack beckoned toward the one farther from the door.

“Have a seat,” he ordered, and Meghan sank into the iron chair.

“I’m going to be asking you some questions regarding your relationship with Norman Butcher, as well as some general questions. You may have a lawyer present, if you wish. Would you like me to call your lawyer?”

Meghan shook her head, her body shaking in fear. “I’m innocent,” she said quietly. “Innocent people don’t need lawyers. We can talk.”

Jack nodded. “Good. I’ll be recording you while we talk. Let’s get started.”

The questioning had gone late into the evening, and it was clear to Meghan that Jack believed she had killed Norman Butcher. He had been gentle at first during their interview, but afterwards, his tone became patronizing and rude.

“What do you mean, you just decided to open a bakery?” he had asked Meghan. “Who does that? You have no experience and you’ve never been to Sandy Bay, and you just happen to open a bakery? Doesn’t that sound strange to you, Ms. Truman?”

Meghan tried to be polite, but as the hours wore on, she became more annoyed with Jack’s attitude. She was innocent until proven guilty, and Jack was not treating her as though she were innocent.

“It all just doesn’t add up to me,” he said as Meghan stifled a yawn. “Why would some girl move up to Sandy Bay to start a bakery? With no experience and no family here, it just isn’t making sense. But, from everything we’ve discussed, along with the tests run today, there isn’t enough evidence to charge you with murder.”

Meghan had sighed in relief, but Jack continued, “You won’t be charged, but you will be watched. I will be stopping by with further questions as we continue to investigate, and I strongly encourage you not to even think of leaving this town until this mystery has been solved. Understood?”

Meghan frowned. Jack spoke to her as though she were a petulant child. “Understood,” she replied. She rose from her chair, and Jack led her to the lobby.

“Sweetie!”

Meghan heard Karen’s familiar voice as she stepped across the threshold. Karen rushed to Meghan and hugged her. “I cannot believe this is happening. You poor thing.”

Meghan leaned into Karen’s embrace, thankful to have a friendly face amidst the police officers who looked at her with disdain.

“Excuse me? Where is her attorney? Was she allowed to call an attorney?” Meghan looked up and saw Debbie chastising Jack, who was shrugging his shoulders at the blonde woman angrily shaking a finger at him.

“Debbie called and told me you were here. I was so upset that I had her drive me,” Karen admitted, pulling Meghan closer. “I thought it would be good to have someone else come with me to prove your innocence. It looks better to have more people around, and I’m so glad Debbie called.”

Debbie walked over and raised an eyebrow at Meghan. “The officer says you refused an attorney because you’re saying you’re innocent. Not sure that’s what I would have done, but I admire your thinking. Now, let’s get out of here. We should really get you home, Meghan.”

The next few days were the quietest Meghan had spent in Sandy Bay. While she had not been officially deemed a suspect, everyone knew that the police had taken her to the station, and Meghan did not have a single customer at Truly Sweet after Jack had shown up.

“I didn’t do it,” she lamented to Karen after Sally Sheridan had visited to demand her refund. “I couldn’t do that. I didn’t like the guy, but I would never kill anyone!”

Karen took Meghan’s hand. “I know, sweetie,” she said comfortingly. “You’re a fabulous young woman, and this is an injustice. This is a small town, Meghan, and people always talk about new people, no matter how wonderful the new folks are. I know you didn’t do it, and I would bet anything on your innocence.”

Meghan looked sadly at Karen. “I don’t know how I’m going to make it,” she said, looking around the empty bakery. “I put all of my savings into this place, and now, I have no customers. Jack Irvin told me not to leave town, but if my name isn’t cleared soon and the killer isn’t found, then I’ll be worse off than what I was back in LA.”

Karen wrinkled her nose and adjusted her high ponytail. “Sweetie,” she said softly. “Could you go home to Texas if this all doesn’t work out? I would hate to see you go; you know how excited I am to have you here in Sandy Bay. I just don’t want you to lose everything over some stupid apple pie.”

Meghan thought for a moment. She feasibly could go home to Texas; her parents hadn’t wanted her to move to California in the first place, and they would be thrilled if she came home.

“There’s always Texas,” she admitted. “But I never want to go back there. I finally got out. I lived in LA, and now, I’m in the Pacific Northwest. Texas is my past, not my future, Karen.”

Karen shrugged. “I just don’t know what to tell you, sweetie.”

Meghan shook her head. “I’ve been through too much and given too much to this dream to just let it die,” she said, her voice filled with determination and her hazel eyes sparkling. She flipped her dark hair behind her shoulder and held her head high. “I’m going to figure out who killed Norman Butcher. I’m going to clear my name and solve this mystery!”

Karen’s eyes widened, but she grinned at Meghan and pumped her fist enthusiastically, as though she were at a zumba class instead of discussing a murder case.

“Way to go, Sweetie,” Karen said. “That’s the spirit!”

Meghan nodded. “And I know just who to talk to first,” she said, biting her lower lip as she recounted her first and only visit to Norman’s tea shop. “Lori Butcher knows something, and I’m going to find out what it is.”

6

MEGHAN RETURNED TO TRULY SWEET with sagging shoulders and a knot in her stomach. She had spent the last two hours grilling Lori, and as she unlocked the yellow door of the bakery, Meghan knew it had been a mistake.

“I really don’t know anything!” Lori had cried as Meghan demanded information. “I found him, dead as a doornail, and that’s all, Meghan.”

Meghan had softened her tone upon seeing how upset Lori was, but the damage was done; Lori wept throughout their entire conversation, and the two hour chat had yielded no new information for Meghan to process.

As Meghan stepped inside her bakery, the telephone rang. Meghan ran to answer it, and she heard a familiar male voice on the other end of the line.

“Meghan,” Jack Irvin said in a business-like voice. “This is Jack Irvin with the Sandy Bay Police Department.”

“I remember who you are. We spent hours together this week, Jack,” she replied.

“Yes. Well, I want to advise you to stay away from Mr. Butcher’s tea shop. It isn’t wise of you to be snooping around there, and I think you need to limit your activities as we continue our investigation.”

Meghan nearly dropped the phone, looking around the bakery. “How did you know I was at the tea shop?” she asked, her voice shaking. “I just got home!”

“This is a small town, Meghan,” he answered. “People talk. Keep that in mind.”

The next morning, as Meghan dutifully prepared the kitchen, believing it best to proceed as normally as possible, she heard a knock at the front door.

“Please don’t let Mrs. Sheridan be back,” she muttered to herself as she walked to the door. She peered out of the window and found Debbie, Karen’s niece, on her doorstep.

“What a surprise!” she said, throwing open the door and hugging Debbie. “I’m happy to see a friendly face.”

Debbie smiled, stiff in Meghan’s arms.

“Can we chat?” Debbie asked, looking around the quiet bakery. “My aunt mentioned that you are looking into the case yourself, and I think I have some information you might want.”

Meghan’s eyes lit up. “Please! Have a seat. You can see we’re just so crowded here at Truly Sweet today.”

Debbie gave Meghan a tight-lipped smile and sat in one of the white chairs. “I have the name of a suspect in the case,” Debbie said quietly. “My lawyer, Vince Fisher? He and I were meeting to talk through some business, and he mentioned that he’s been wrangled in to being Lori Butcher’s attorney.”

Meghan paled at Lori’s name. “Lori Butcher?” she whispered. “But I talked with her myself. She didn’t have anything to say about the case.”

Debbie pursed her lips. “That isn’t what Vince said. I may have pushed him a little; you know that I am interested in partnering in this business with you, and the financial gains from the bakery are in jeopardy if this murder doesn’t get solved. Anyway, I pressed Vince, and he told me that Lori was caught stealing from Norman before he died.”

Meghan leaned forward, engrossed in what Debbie was telling her. “Sweet Lori stole from Norman?”

Debbie nodded. “Apparently he hadn’t paid Lori in weeks, and she lost her senses and stole from him instead of getting a lawyer. She needed money for food and to pay the rent back to Norman that he charged her, his own daughter! Vince told me that when Norman found out, he scolded her so badly in front of customers, and he even threatened to kick her out of the house.”

Meghan gnashed her teeth, unsure of what to think about the new information.

“Anyway, Vince said to keep it under wraps, but I thought you should know.”

With that, Debbie stood from her chair, gave Meghan a stiff hug, and scuttled out of the bakery.

“Lori stole from Norman because he mistreated her at home and at work,” Meghan said slowly to herself, trying to make sense of what Debbie had told her. “Lori is a suspect, too.”

Later that day, the silver bells attached to the front door chimed, as Meghan’s jaw clenched as Lori Butcher walked through the front door of Truly Sweet.

“Hi, Meghan,” Lori said timidly, her hands pressed together in front of her waist. “Can we talk?”

Meghan nodded, and pointed to one of the dainty white tables. “Have a seat. I’ll get you something to eat.” A flush crept up Lori’s neck, and Meghan decided it would be unwise to give anything to another Butcher.

“What can I do for you, Lori?” she asked, taking a seat across from the nervous girl. Lori rocked back and forth, and she nibbled on her upper lip as Meghan stared at her.

“Lori?”

Lori took a deep breath. “Is that job still available?”

Meghan nearly let out a laugh at the audacity of Lori’s question. “Lori,” she answered with amusement. “I’m a suspect in your father’s murder case. The police think I poisoned him. I know I didn’t do it, and I hope you don’t think I did. But regardless, I don’t know if it’s best that we spend time together right now, let alone work together.”

Lori’s face crumpled. “I need the job, Meghan,” she whimpered. “My father is dead, and the funeral plans have been so expensive. I don’t have access to all of his accounts and information, and without some help, I can’t even afford to eat three meals a day.” 

Meghan’s heart softened, and she saw the fear in Lori’s eyes. “Lori,” she said, racking her brain for a solution. “I have to think about it, and I need to talk with the police. There’s so much going on right now, and I just don’t know….”

“Please,” Lori whispered, her eyes red and her shoulders sagging. “Please.”

When Lori left moments later, Meghan immediately called Karen for advice. After explaining the odd visit from Lori, Karen offered Meghan some advice.

“The right thing to do would be to hire her,” she said as Meghan groaned. “If she is really in need, then you’ll be doing a good deed. And if she isn’t….well...perhaps it’s a good idea to keep her close by…”

“Don’t do it, Meghan!”

Meghan heard Debbie in the background.

“Debbie’s here, let me put her on speakerphone,” Karen said as Meghan heard a click of buttons.

“Meghan, remember what we talked about when I visited? Lori stole from Norman! She’s a suspect! Keeping her around is a terrible idea. You can’t afford to hire her, either. As your self-appointed financial advisor, I am strongly encouraging you to disregard what my aunt is telling you and to not hire Lori.”

“Oh, hush, you!” Karen said to Debbie. “You need to do more yoga. Yoga makes you kind and giving, which is what Meghan needs to be to Lori! Meghan, sweetie, hire Lori. You’ll be helping her out, which is good karma for you, and you can keep an eye on her.”

“Don’t listen to her….” Debbie shrieked as the phone call cut off. Meghan wrung her hands together and took a deep breath.

“Being accused of murder one day, then hiring a murder suspect,” Meghan murmured as she reached for the phone to dial Lori. “Who knows what will be next for Truly Sweet?”

7

MEGHAN STARED INTO THE MOUNTAIN of whipped cream foam atop her large, whole milk, caramel mocha latte as she and Karen chatted away. Karen had shown up to take Meghan for girl talk and a cup of coffee, as they used to in LA, and both women were surprised when Debbie showed up.

“You just can’t give up,” Karen had been saying as Debbie marched in. “You’re too fabulous to quit, Meghan. Believe in yourself.”

“There you two are!” Debbie said. “I have some news for you,” she announced, wagging her index finger at Meghan. “A little birdie told me that there might just be another suspect in this thing.”

Meghan squeezed her eyes shut. She wasn’t ready for another intense discussion about the case; she and Karen had been talking about the murder all morning at the coffee shop, and Debbie’s interruption made Meghan anxious.

“Jamie Cruise. Have you met him? He’s the handyman in town? Quiet? Kind of dirty? Anyway, rumor is that he had some gripes with Norman Butcher, and if you’ve seen Jamie, you know that he looks like he could kill.”

Karen held up a hand, and her expression hardened. “Debbie!” Karen chastised. “I am embarrassed that any niece of mine would judge a book by its cover. Jamie Cruise is a good man; I used to babysit for him when I was a teenager, and I know that he could never kill anyone. Who did you hear from that Jamie is a suspect?”

Debbie’s face darkened. “I have my sources,” she said, tossing her hair behind her back and raising her chin. “Anyway, I’m just saying it would be unwise to overlook Jamie Cruise. He’s the perfect suspect, Meghan.”

Meghan crossed her arms across her chest. “Jamie didn’t kill Norman Butcher,” she declared, shrugging her shoulders and leaning back in her seat. “I know he didn’t.”

Debbie raised both eyebrows and her forehead wrinkled. “What do you know about Jamie Cruise?”

Meghan took a sip of her latte. “Lori Butcher told me who he was,” she said, wiping the whipped cream from her upper lip as she finished her drink. “He was at the tea shop when I visited. Lori mentioned that he was a good handyman, and when I needed some things done around the bakery, I gave him a call.”

Karen nodded. “He helped Meghan rewire the back ovens,” she explained to Debbie. “He’s been a fabulous help. Isn’t he coming back by tomorrow to finish off the leak in the dishwasher, Meghan, dear?”

“He’ll be by before ten,” Meghan agreed, watching Debbie’s face lose its color. “Debbie? Why are you fixated on Jamie?”

Debbie pursed her lips. “I just have a bad feeling about him,” she explained. “Vince Fisher dropped some more information to me, and mentioned that Norman hadn’t been paid for some work he did at the tea shop. I think that sounds like a motive don’t you?”

Meghan’s eyes widened, but Karen shook her head. “No,” she stated, frowning at her niece. “I know Jamie Cruise and his family. He’s a good man, Debbie. Come by tomorrow and see for yourself. He’ll be by in the morning, and you can grill him all you want.”

Debbie scowled as she rose from the table. “I’m just trying to help you,” she insisted. “If Vince Fisher is giving me information, we should use it. Anyway, I’ll see you both tomorrow.”

Meghan and Karen watched as Debbie strode out of the coffee shop. “That was tense,” Meghan said under her breath. “What’s her deal?”

Karen rolled her eyes. “My niece can be uppity; she seems to dislike anyone who doesn’t share her affinity for designer clothes and fancy things. I don’t know what Vince Fisher thinks he’s doing by dropping information to my niece, but her blaming Jamie Cruise is ridiculous. Jamie is a good man, and a little dirt on his boots didn’t kill anyone.”

The next morning, Jamie walked into the bakery only moments before Debbie came marching in.

“Good morning, Meghan. Karen, good to see you.”

Karen reached to kiss Jamie’s cheek. “Good morning to you, Jamie! How ya been?”

Jamie frowned. “Not real good,” he admitted. “This Norman Butcher mess is causing a real stir around town, isn’t it?”

Meghan watched Jamie’s face for any indication of emotion; she felt it was strange that he had brought up the murder, and she wondered why he would discuss such a twisted event instead of making polite small talk.

“Is Debbie onto something?” Meghan thought to herself as Karen and Jamie chatted. “Did Jamie have something to do with Norman Butcher’s death? It seems odd that he would instantly bring up the murder….I wonder…”

“Hello!”

Meghan turned to see Debbie walking through the front door, the silver bells chiming furiously.

“Aunt Karen. Meghan. Mr. Cruise. Hello!”

Jamie stiffened. “You can just call me Jamie,” he said as he stared down at his shoes.

Debbie nodded. “Sure thing. Anyway, I hear that you’re helping in the bakery today, Jamie?”

Jamie looked at Meghan and smiled. “She’s been giving me some good business,” he said, gesturing at Meghan. “She pays me and sends me home with treats! I can’t complain about that.”

Debbie took a step closer to Jamie, her eyebrow raised. “So, she pays you, huh? It’s good to be paid, isn’t it?”

Jamie cocked his head to the side. “Yes? Almost all of my customers in Sandy Bay have been good about paying me on time.”

Debbie folded her arms at her side. “Almost?”

The color drained from Jamie’s face. “This is about Mr. Butcher, isn’t it?” he whispered. “I told the police that Norman hadn’t paid me. He and I had some words the week before he died, but I wouldn’t kill anyone over some late bills.”

Karen glared at her niece. “Debbie, that is enough,” she hissed.

“Now that you mention Norman Butcher, I’m just curious, Jamie,” Debbie continued, disregarding Karen’s furious expression. “Where were you at the time of the murder?”

Meghan gasped. Debbie’s questioning was so direct; Meghan suspected it was from Debbie’s years on the East Coast, but she felt uncomfortable as Debbie demanded answers from Jamie.

“I’ll tell you what I told the police,” he said, his eyes dark. “I was helping Kirsty Fisher prepare the convention center for the food festival this weekend. Just ask Kirsty.”

Debbie breathed loudly out of her nose, but Meghan could see she was forcing herself to hold her smile. “Ahhh! How nice. Kirsty is such a dear.”

“Aren’t you taking food down to the food festival, Meghan?” Karen asked. “That’ll be such a good way to rehabilitate your image and help Truly Sweet get back on top.”

Meghan nodded. “A few days before the murder, Kirsty Fisher asked me to set up a booth. I know a lot has happened, but I haven’t heard anything that suggests I’m disinvited so….”

“So you’ll be there! How wonderful that will be.” Karen declared.

“I might just give Kirsty Fisher a little call to check on your story,” Debbie said, staring at Jamie. “The food festival is one of Sandy Bay’s best events, and it seems a little strange that Kirsty would reach out to you for help.”

Jamie shook his head. “I think I’m going to get out of here for today. I’ll come back tomorrow, Meghan. Karen, good to see you. Goodbye, girls.”

As Jamie walked out of Truly Sweet, Karen turned Debbie. “How could you act like that?” she shouted. “Jamie is shy and kind, and you embarrassed him! He’s working for Meghan, and you had no business being so rude, Debbie.”

Debbie furrowed her brow. “I’m trying to help Meghan solve this murder, Aunt Karen!” she declared. “It’s important that we talk to everyone involved, and Vince told me that Jamie was being watched.”

Karen gritted her teeth. “Jamie just said he was with Vince’s wife, Kirsty, during the murder. Did Vince mention that to you?”

“Well,” Debbie sputtered. “He may have mentioned it, but I wanted to talk to him anyway. He’s so filthy, and I just know that he’s up to no good.”

Karen and Debbie glowered at each other, and Meghan moved to stand between the two angry women. “Hey,” Meghan said softly. “Let’s all calm down. Debbie, it’s sweet of you to care about my business and me, but I think we should just let the police take it from here. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, and I think Jamie felt bad while you talked to him this morning.”

Debbie stared at Meghan. “But, Meghan,” she pleaded. “It’s your business! Do you want to lose it all? I’m just trying to help.”

Karen fixed her eyes on her niece. “Debbie,” she said sternly. “We’re all going to back off for a bit and give this thing some time to settle. Poor Jamie was embarrassed, and it’s time we step back. The police are involved, and we need to let them do their jobs.”

Debbie’s eyes grew large. “Fine,” she said after pausing for a moment. “We’ll take a break. But keep in mind that the murderer is still on the loose. I just don’t want to be the unlucky fool who gets killed next.”

8

“JUST KEEP MOVING,” Meghan grunted to herself as she hauled herself forward on the running trail. “Breathe, move, head up.”

Meghan had risen before sunrise to run, and now that she was nearly a mile into the workout, she was struggling to maintain her pace; it had been months since Meghan had put on her running shoes, but after a fitful night of sleep, she had set an early alarm in hopes that the run would clear her mind.

“Three miles left, three miles left,” she chanted to herself as she swung her hips in rhythm with her steps.

As Meghan ran, she thought about her tumultuous time in Sandy Bay. She had never been at the center of any sort of scandal before; the only time Meghan Truman had ever been disliked was when she won a spot on the homecoming court her sophomore year in high school, making her then-best friend maddeningly jealous. The odd sensation of being scorned by the entire town in Sandy Bay was unfamiliar, and Meghan struggled to focus on her workout as she navigated the jogging path that cut through Sandy Bay Woods.

“Who could have killed Norman?” she thought to herself as her mind drifted from the pop playlist playing through her headphones. “Lori? Jamie? A disgruntled customer? Who could it have been?”

Meghan racked her brain for answers, but she couldn’t think of anyone; she hardly knew anyone in Sandy Bay, and there was no obvious suspect, at least in her mind. She didn’t think Lori had killed Norman; Lori was so timid and innocent, and while Meghan had no evidence to prove Lori didn’t kill her father, Meghan’s gut instinct told her to let Lori be.

Two miles into the run, Meghan’s phone died, putting an end to the fast-paced, loud pop playlist she had been listening to.

“Ugh,” she lamented, stuffing her phone in the pocket of her shorts. “I guess it’s just me out here, then.”

It wasn’t just Meghan; as she pumped her arms and willed her aching legs to move, she heard the crackle of leaves behind her. The sun was beginning to rise, but an ominous fog covered the trail. Meghan glanced back, hearing the pounding of unfamiliar footsteps behind her, but as she tilted her head toward the noise, she saw no one.

“Weird,” she thought, turning back to the path in front of her. The footsteps grew louder, and Meghan could sense the presence of another person. She jerked her head around, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw a dark figure looming behind her. Meghan began to sprint, forcing her feet to cycle faster and faster over the pavement, but the dark figure picked up speed as well.

Out of nowhere, Meghan’s legs fell out from beneath her, and she tumbled to the ground. She started screaming as the black figure drew closer, and she reached for the towel and water bottle she had tucked into her shorts before leaving for her run. She reared back her arm and hurled the items at the dark figure, howling in fear as she realized she was completely alone.

As the water bottle hit the dark figure, Meghan continued to scream. The dark figure stopped only feet from Meghan, turning around to run in the direction they had both come from. Meghan heard a small clink as the dark figure disappeared into the darkness of the early morning, and she stood from her place on the pavement.

“Ouch,” she whimpered, feeling a sharp pain in her ankle. She hobbled to where the stalker had stopped. On the pavement was a familiar-looking key, and Meghan picked it up to examine it.

“What is this?” Meghan whispered. She squinted, looking at the small key.

“Hey!”

Meghan turned around and found Jack Irvin staring at her. He was dressed in running attire, and a panting dog sat dutifully at his feet.

“What are you doing out here? It’s practically the middle of the night.” Jack said, looking quizzically at Meghan as she surreptitiously tucked the key into her pocket.

“Same thing you’re doing, I guess,” she said, her heart still pounding from the encounter with the dark figure. She thought about mentioning the dark figure to Jack, but decided against it; she knew Jack was leery of her, and she didn’t want to make him even more suspicious with talk of a strange, dark figure in the woods. “I wanted to get a run in.”

“Seems a little strange to be out here at this time,” he said.

“Running helps me clear my head, and I needed some time to think,” she responded.

Jack tilted his head to the side, but said nothing. Meghan reached down to pet his dog.

“Cute puppy! What’s her name?” she asked, scratching the dog’s neck.

“Dash. He’s a boy,” he answered curtly, still giving Meghan a strange look. “What happened there?” Jack pointed to Meghan’s ankle.

She looked down and gasped. Her ankle had swollen significantly; the skin visible over her white socks was bulging and red, and she could feel the area throbbing.

“Sit, Dash,” he ordered the dog. Dash sat down on the pavement, his tail wagging, and his eyes tracking his owner. “Meghan, you sit down, too.”

“You’re off duty, Officer Irvin,” she responded. “You don’t have to give me orders.”

Jack shrugged. “Your ankle is injured, and it looks like you need some help. Let me look at it.”

Meghan lowered herself to the ground, and Jack kneeled next to her. Meghan could feel the heat radiating from his body; it was a warm morning, and he had clearly been running quickly before finding her on the path.

“Let me just….” he said, tenderly removing Meghan’s sock and shoe to examine her ankle. “Yeah, it’s not broken, but it’s definitely sprained. I don’t live too far away….why don’t I help you back to my place? I can ice it up, and then I can drive you home.”

Meghan paused, but after a jolt of pain shot up her leg, she nodded. “Thanks, that would be great.”

Jack helped her up and guided her arm around his muscular shoulders. “It’s only a short walk from here,” he said, and Meghan shivered as her bare arms touched his.

Jack helped Meghan limp to his house. “This is it,” he said as they arrived outside a small, one-story green house on the edge of the woods. “The Irvin Estate.”

Jack held open the front door for Meghan and guided her to the couch. “Sit,” he said.

“I’m not a dog,” she said. “No need to order me about, Officer.”

Jack laughed. “I’m trying to help you out, Meghan,” he said, retrieving a bag of frozen peas from his refrigerator. “Relax.”

Meghan shifted awkwardly on the couch. “It’s hard to relax when you’re sitting on the couch of someone who thinks you’re a murderer,” she muttered, looking down at her swollen ankle.

“What did you say?” he said sharply. “I don’t think that was called for.”

Meghan rolled her eyes. “I don’t think the way you treated me at the station was called for,” she said. “I was clearly upset, and by law, I’m innocent until proven guilty, which is not how you acted when you interrogated me!”

Jack placed the frozen peas on Meghan’s ankle and held the bag there for several long, tense minutes.

“Well, thanks for your help,” she said, no longer able to stand the awkward silence as Jack iced her ankle. “I’ll just see myself out.”

Jack stood up and gestured toward the kitchen. “Look,” he said, his face sincere. “I’m sorry. I was a bit harsh when we talked at the station, and I should have been more professional. Let me make it up to you. Stay for breakfast. Word on the street is that my fried eggs are the best in Sandy Bay!”

Meghan giggled. “Fried eggs? Anyone can make fried eggs. I bet Dash can make fried eggs.”

Dash wagged his tail at the mention of his name, and Meghan patted to the spot on the couch beside her. “Here, boy! Come!” Dash leapt onto the couch and made himself at home on Meghan’s lap. “Good boy.” she whispered, stroking Dash’s soft chest.

Jack shook his head. “No, no. You haven’t had fried eggs until you’ve had mine. Stay. I’ll make you a killer breakfast, and then you can hobble on with your day.”

Meghan laughed again. “You’re funny for someone who thinks I’m a murderer,” she said, leaning back onto the couch, relaxing for the first time all day.

“Too soon for jokes,” he said, but Meghan could see the handsome smile on his face as he opened the kitchen cabinets and began making breakfast for her.

“Just my luck,” Meghan thought to herself as Jack started to whistle. She forced the thoughts of the dark stranger in the woods from her mind while watching Jack’s bulging biceps as he reached for a pan.  “A handsome police officer is making breakfast for me. Maybe things are finally going to get better in Sandy Bay.” She drank in the sparse but tasteful furnishing in Jack’s abode and for the first time in a long time, Meghan forced herself to relax.

9

“AND JUST WHERE have you been, Meghan Truman?” Karen asked as Meghan limped into the bakery after her breakfast with Jack.

“Karen!” Meghan exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

Karen gave Meghan an amused look. “I told you that I was stopping by after my pilates class,” she said. “I let myself in with the key you gave me.”

At the mention of a key, Meghan slipped her hand in her pocket, feeling the small, cold key the dark figure had dropped in the woods. She thought about mentioning the scary incident to Karen, but decided against it, at least for the moment; Meghan was brimming with excitement after the hour spent with Jack, and she wanted to revel in the magic of her morning with Karen, not discuss murderers and dark figures.

“So? Meghan Truman, you are blushing. Was that Jack Irvin’s police car I saw dropping you off?”

Meghan grinned.

“Well! Sit down and tell me everything,” Karen insisted, pulling out one of the white chairs. “Tell me everything, including what happened to your leg. Why are you limping? You look worse than I did two years ago after my marathon in Lisbon, and you’re still young.”

Meghan explained that she been restless and gone for a jog, and after hurting herself, Jack and his dog had discovered her in the woods. “He took me back to his house, iced my leg, and made breakfast for me.”

“Sounds like someone had a good morning.” Karen said, winking at Meghan.

The two women visited for awhile longer. After Karen left, Meghan slowly made her way upstairs. She was overcome with exhaustion after her night of poor sleep, and while she had stifled her shock during her encounter with Jack, the situation with the dark figure had thoroughly scared Meghan.

“That could not have been a coincidence,” Meghan thought to herself as she snuggled into her bed. “What are the odds that a stranger would just randomly follow me? Maybe someone knows that I’ve been digging around and trying to find Norman’s killer. Maybe the wrong person knows what I’m up to….”

Meghan began to drift off to sleep, but before she slipped into unconsciousness, she thought of Jack. He had been so kind to make breakfast for her, and Meghan felt her face grow warm as she recalled their time together.

“I have to prove to Jack that I’m innocent…” she thought as she finally surrendered to the thick, comfortable tug of sleep.

The next morning, as Meghan swept the kitchen, Lori Butcher walked through the front door.

“Good morning, Meghan!” Lori said, smiling softly at Meghan. “I wanted to stop by and see if you had decided on that job?”

Meghan took a deep breath. She hadn’t thought much about Lori in the last twenty-four hours; between the dark figure and breakfast with Jack, Meghan’s mind had been racing, and she had not definitively decided on giving the job to Lori.

“Ooops!” Lori said, pulling Meghan from her thoughts. Lori had spilled the contents of her purse on the floor. Meghan kneeled to help Lori pick up her things.

“Lori?” she said slowly as she spotted a small key on the wooden floor of the bakery. “Is this yours?”

Lori nodded. “That’s the key to my apartment,” she said, taking it from Meghan’s hands. “Thanks! I lost my spare, and I wouldn’t be able to get in without this.”

Meghan’s heart started pounding. The key was identical to the one dropped by the dark figure.

“Hey, Lori?” she asked, trying to maintain her composure as she stood up from the floor and backed away from Lori. “Are you a morning person?”

Lori shook her head vigorously. “Oh, no. I sleep in almost every morning. My best shifts at the tea shop are the noon to close shifts. I’m useless before noon.”

Meghan tightened her jaw. “What were you doing at six yesterday morning?”

Lori laughed. “I was sleeping!” she said. “Why?”

“Are you sure you weren’t following me at Sandy Bay Woods?”

Lori’s eyes widened. “What?”

Meghan narrowed her eyes at Lori. “Just tell me, Lori. Did you follow me yesterday? Did you kill Norman Butcher?”

“No!” she said, her face pale. “Why would you ask me that, Meghan?”

Not wanting to reveal to Lori that she had the matching key, Meghan gulped, forcing a smile on her lips. “I’m just being silly,” she said, biting her cheeks to widen her grin. “Of course you were sleeping in. I believe you, Lori.”

Meghan did not believe Lori, but she wasn’t ready to play all of her cards, or her keys, at least not yet.

10

“MEGHAN! MEGHAN! Wake up! Meghan!”

Meghan sat up in bed and glanced at her alarm clock. It was nearly three in the morning. Who could possibly be shouting for her in the middle of the night? The yelling was coming from outside, and Meghan rubbed her eyes as she lumbered to the window.

“Meghan! Meghan!”

Meghan raised her window and peered outside. Lori Butcher, clad in a set of yellow pajamas was jumping up and down.

“Meghan! Someone was in my room trying to strangle me! It must be the person who killed my father!”

Meghan gasped. “I’ll be right down,” she called down to Lori. Meghan slipped on her running shoes and ran downstairs, wincing at the shooting pain in her ankle, but knowing that she had to move quickly.

“Lori,” Meghan said when she made it downstairs. “Get inside.” Lori stepped inside the bakery, and Meghan bolted the door shut behind them.

“What happened?”

“Someone was trying to strangle me. I woke up with a pair of hands around my neck. I couldn’t tell who it was; they were wearing dark clothes. I kicked them off of me, and they followed me downstairs. They were so quick, Meghan, but I made it outside and out of the house.”

Meghan saw Lori was shaking, and she gently patted Lori’s shoulder. “You couldn’t tell who it was?” she asked, thinking of the dark figure who had followed her in the park.

“No,” Lori said, her voice quivering. “I don’t know who it was. I couldn’t see their face, and their clothes were plain.”

Meghan looked around the bakery, fearful that they were being watched. “We need to get out of here,” she said authoritatively. “Let me make a call.”

Twenty minutes later, Meghan and Lori were safely nestled in Karen’s guest bedroom. After telling Karen what had happened to Lori, Karen insisted on picking them up in her orange jeep and taking them back to her house.

“You’ll feel safer there,” Karen assured Meghan over the phone. “Chief Nunan, one of the bigwigs at the Sandy Bay Police Department, is my neighbor. You’ll feel much better with her nearby.”

“Thanks, Karen,” Meghan said, trying to stay calm.

“You have a busy day tomorrow. You need your sleep.”

“The food festival,” Meghan said, hitting herself on the forehead with her palm. “I forgot!”

“You need to go, Meghan. You said it yourself that by being in the food festival, you can repair your image and help Truly Sweet. Look, I’ll come get you two, you can sleep soundly, and then, Lori can help you with the food festival. It’ll be fabulous. Just hold tight, now; I’ll be over in three minutes.”

The next morning, Karen woke Meghan and Lori in time to set up for the food festival.

“I just got back from the most fabulous fifteen mile jog, ladies!” Karen said gleefully as she peered into the guest bedroom. “The sun is shining, and it’s a gorgeous day. Rise and shine! You two have a lot to do.”

Karen dropped Meghan and Lori off at the food festival, and as they were setting up the Truly Sweet booth, Debbie stopped by.

“Meghan!” she said warmly. “The booth looks adorable.”

Meghan smiled, happy that Debbie was in a better mood than when they had last spoken. “Thank you so much, Debbie,” she replied, putting the finishing touches on the booth. “Good to see you. You know Lori Butcher?

“Lori,” Debbie said sweetly. “Lovely to see you. Anyway, Meghan? Do you need any help? I’m about to run to my karate class; I have a yellow belt exam today and have to run, but if you need anything in town, I could easily swing back by.”

“That is so nice of you to offer.” Meghan said, leaning over to hug Debbie. She paused, noticing several large bruises.

“Debbie!” she said, eyeing Debbie’s thin arm. “What’s on your arm?”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Debbie said nonchalantly, tugging her sleeve down to cover her bruised forearms. “Karate gets the best of me sometimes; I want to be active like Aunt Karen, but I just don’t have the athleticism she does, you know?”

Meghan nodded and pointed down to her swollen ankle. “I hear you.”

Debbie chuckled. “Anyway, I must be off. Call me if you need anything; like I said, I’m happy to swing back by if you need anything from town.”

“Good luck on your exam!” Meghan called as Debbie waved goodbye.

“She is the most ambitious person I’ve ever met,” she said to Lori in admiration. “She’s a little overbearing at times, but I’m happy to have her on my team. She’s one of the only real friends I have in Sandy Bay.”

With that, Meghan tied a tidy yellow bow on the front of her booth.

“We’re food festival ready,” Meghan said, grinning at her handiwork. “Time to show the people of Sandy Bay that Truly Sweet is just that: truly sweet!”

11

“THANK GOODNESS YOU ARE HERE!” Meghan said, relieved to see Karen’s shiny purple sneakers moving through the crowd toward her. “I forgot the boxes of strudel. I brought ten cases of apple pies, and no one is touching them. I think if I run home to grab the strudel, I’ll have more success.”

Meghan and Lori had been minding the Truly Sweet booth for two hours, and while some passersby stopped to chat, once they realized who Meghan was, they walked along without making a purchase.

“I don’t quite trust Lori,” Meghan whispered to Karen as she watched Lori out of the corner of her eye. “Can you watch the booth while I run to the bakery? I won’t be gone for more than fifteen minutes.”

Karen nodded emphatically. “Of course. You run home. I’ll take care of things here.”

“Thanks, Karen.” she said as she fetched her keys and purse.

When Meghan arrived at Truly Sweet, she realized the yellow front door was slightly ajar. “That’s odd,” she said to herself as she stepped inside. “Hello? Is anyone there?

Meghan walked through the dining area and back to the kitchen. Her heart was pounding as she walked through the doors. Her eyes widened as she spotted a familiar figure.

“What are you doing here?” Meghan asked, lifting her hands to her hips. “You aren’t supposed to be in here.”

Debbie was huddled over the boxes of strudel, a bottle in her hands. She straightened up when she saw Meghan, and flashed her brilliant white smile.

“What are you doing?” she repeated. “What are you putting in the strudel?”

Debbie held out the bottle so Meghan could see. “Rat poison?” she whispered. “You’re putting rat poison in my desserts?”

“You caught me,” Debbie said matter-of-factly. “It was me.”

Meghan’s jaw dropped. “Debbie, why? Why would you do this?”

“I hate not being the very best,” she replied. “When you didn’t make me a partner in your bakery, I couldn’t stand the thought of this place making it, at least not without me.”

Meghan’s chin quivered. “A partner? But you never…”

“I made myself abundantly clear,” she said, her eyes dancing with rage. “I also couldn’t stand my aunt liking someone more than me. I’m the closest thing she has to a daughter, not you, and I’m so sick of hearing about fabulous Meghan and her fabulous desserts!”

Meghan’s shoulders shook, and she took a step back from Debbie.

“Debbie,” she whispered. “Why did you kill Norman?”

“Norman’s always bothered me, but I didn’t mean to kill him,” she said. “I wanted Lori gone; Karen has always been too nice to Lori, and I hoped that poisoned pie would kill her. I stole a key from their stupid tea shop, and it was all too easy to slip a dessert into their house. It was an accident that Norman ended up a goner.”

Meghan felt the tears well in her eyes. “You killed him, Debbie, and you wanted me to take the fall?”

“Why do you think I was so invested in the investigation? Of course I wanted you to be blamed! I want you gone and out of the way. I don’t think it’s too late for that, either.” Debbie reached for a sharp knife resting in the rack beside her.

“And it was you who was following me that morning in the park when I was jogging.”

“It’s good to know you can still think clearly despite all those desserts you make and consume.”

“And poor ol’ Lori…”

“That little goody two-shoes gets on my last nerves. I envisaged a total fresh start for Truly Sweet.”

Meghan felt an equal measure of pity and outrage at Debbie as she spewed forth more diabolical venom from her lips.

“No one will care that Meghan Truman died,” Debbie said venomously as she pointed the knife at Meghan. “This isn’t your town. You’re just a stranger here.”

Meghan reached behind her for anything that would save her. She felt a bag of flour, and she tore it open with her fingernails, reaching into the bag and retrieving a handful of the white, fluffy powder.

“Take that!” Meghan shouted, throwing the powder in Debbie’s eyes to blind her.

“Ahhh!” Debbie screeched. “Stop!” Debbie grabbed a sack of sugar and tossed it at Meghan. It hit Meghan directly in the stomach, and the breath was knocked out of her.

“Ooooof,” Meghan said, losing her balance and falling into a carton of eggs. She tried to get up, but her swollen ankle was stinging. Beads of sweat pooled at her hairline.

“Not so fast,” Debbie said, appearing out of the white, dusty powder. “There’s only room in this town for one fabulous lady, and that lady is me!”

Debbie raised the knife above her head, grasping the handle with both hands. She stepped on Meghan’s chest, pinning Meghan to the ground.

“Bye, Meghan,” she said, lowering the knife with immense force. Meghan closed her eyes to brace herself.

12

“THAT’S ENOUGH!”

There was a loud crash, and Meghan heard a familiar voice. She held her breath. The knife had not sunk into her body, and Meghan waited for the inevitable sharp pain.

“THAT IS ENOUGH, DEBBIE!”

Meghan opened her eyes. Debbie was lying on the floor across the room, and Karen was standing above her with a frying pan in her hands.  The knife was on the floor beside Meghan, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

“I didn’t want to believe you could do this,” Karen shrieked, waving the pan above Debbie’s head as Debbie moaned. “But when Lori told me about the intruder at her house, and Jamie Cruise mentioned that he’s seen you walk into this bakery after-hours on more than one occasion, I just knew something was off.”

Debbie reached up and cradled her head in her hands, groaning as Karen continued. “When Meghan told me you were at karate class today, I knew you were up to something. Karate? Really? My fancy pants niece wouldn’t go near a karate studio.”

Debbie curled into a fetal position, saying nothing as Karen screamed at her. “And you try to stab Meghan? My Meghan? How could you? I knew the second I saw your car outside that something was wrong, and the police are on their way. I don’t know what you’ve been up to, Debbie, but I’m ashamed to be your aunt!”

Meghan could see the tears spilling from Debbie’s eyes, but she felt her stomach churn in disgust.

“You’re done, Debbie,” Karen barked. “You couldn’t make it on Wall Street, and you couldn’t make it as a murderer. That’s it!”

The police arrived five minutes later, and as they led Debbie out in handcuffs, she pleaded with Karen. “Please,” she wailed, pawing at her aunt. “Please don’t let them take me. This was an accident. This was a misunderstanding. Please!”

Karen’s eyes were cold as Debbie was taken away, and she shrugged. “Prison will be good for a fancy pants like you,” she said. “You’ll look just fabulous in orange.”

13

“HOW’S THAT ANKLE?”

Meghan looked up and blushed as Jack Irvin walked into Truly Sweet. The bakery was brimming with customers; ever since Debbie had confessed and Meghan’s name had been officially cleared, business at Truly Sweet had never been better. Meghan felt her stomach flutter as Jack winked at her.

“It’s feeling a lot better, thanks,” she said, brushing her dark hair off of her shoulders and slowly lowering her eyelids.

“Meghan! Meghan, can you grab a piece of apple pie for table two?” Lori chirped as she emerged from the kitchen, her hands filled with clean plates. Meghan grinned; Lori had been working full time at the bakery for nearly a week now, and Meghan loved having her around. Lori was an excellent pastry chef, and her recipes complemented what Meghan already had on the menu.

“Give me a second, Lori,” she said, turning to give Lori an excited look. “Officer Irvin just stopped by.”

Jack groaned playfully. “Jack,” he said. “It’s Jack! I’m off duty!”

Meghan giggled. “But he isn’t!”

Dash was sitting at Jack’s feet, his tail wagging and his tongue out. “That boy needs a treat! Hi, Dash!”

Meghan came around to the front of the counter and leaned down to pet the dog. “Good boy!”

Jack grinned. “I think someone has a new favorite spot in town,” he said as Meghan fed Dash a piece of peach crumble. “Don’t give him too much.”

Meghan rolled her eyes. “Yes, Officer,” she said, winking at Jack. “You know, now that I think about it, you can’t boss me around in my own bakery.”

Jack raised an eyebrow. “What about outside of the bakery? Can I be bossy toward you somewhere else?”

Meghan smirked. “You seem to manage being bossy with me everywhere else,” she said.

Jack thought for a moment. “What about at La Spezia, the Italian restaurant in town,” he said cautiously, studying Meghan’s face. “Could I be bossy toward you there?”

Meghan’s face turned red, but she nodded. “Sure,” she said, trying to stay cool. “You know what, Jack? I think that would be truly sweet.”

The last few weeks had been chaotic but Meghan was glad everything was falling into place. Sandy Bay was loving her and she was loving it.

The End

BROWNIES AND DARK SHADOWS

A Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery

By

Amber Crewes

About Brownies and Dark Shadows

Released: July, 2018

Series: Book 2 – Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery Series

Standalone: Yes

Cliff-hanger: No

When Sandy Bay’s crème de la crème congregate to raise money for charity, Meghan Truman is proud to have her tasty desserts the talk of the party. She’s not so proud when the wealthiest couple in Sandy Bay are discovered dead and rumors circulate around town that her brownies are the cause of this tragedy.

This murder case casts a dark shadow over Meghan’s budding romance with handsome Officer Irvin who’s disappointed that she’s once again at the center of another murder investigation.

With everything to lose, Meghan must work hard to clear her name, restore broken relationships and solve this murder mystery before everything she’s worked so hard to build comes crumbling down.

1

“I CANNOT BELIEVE we booked the Weeks Group corporate order!” Lori squealed, her eyes dancing with excitement.

Meghan smiled warmly at Lori. It had been a pleasant surprise to book such a lucrative deal; the Weeks Group was one of the largest companies on the West Coast, and Meghan knew what an honor it was for her bakery, Truly Sweet, to be chosen as the official bakery of the company. The bakery hadn’t even been open for a year yet, and already, Meghan’s business was the talk of the town!

“Just think, Meghan! Every restaurant and cafe at the Weeks Group will be filled with your sweets!” Lori exclaimed.

Meghan smiled down at Lori, her new assistant. Lori had only been working as Meghan’s assistant for a few weeks, but Meghan adored Lori’s warmth and enthusiasm. As the two women tied their aprons in the bakery’s backroom and prepared for the day ahead, Meghan’s heart swelled with gratitude for her protégé.

“Our sweets, Lori,” Meghan gently corrected, placing a hand softly on Lori’s shoulder. “You are my assistant now, Lori! You are a member of the team here. My success is our success, and I want you to know how proud I am of how quickly you’ve learned about the way I do things here at Truly Sweet!”

Lori beamed, her youthful face glowing with Meghan’s kind words. At twenty-two, she was only a few years younger than Meghan, but her earnest spirit made her seem even younger than her age. Meghan enjoyed Lori’s company, and she was thankful to have a new friend in her adopted hometown; Meghan had only recently moved to Sandy Bay, and with every kindred spirit found, she felt even more at home.

Meghan tucked a loose strand of dark hair behind her ear and finished tying her apron. She walked to the large sink in the backroom and washed her hands, careful to scrub every inch.

“Do we have a busy day today, Meghan?” Lori asked, wiping her own damp hands on her apron as she walked into the front room. Meghan shook her head.

“No,” Meghan replied. “I received the call about the Weeks Group corporate order last night, and I went ahead and cleared our schedule for the week so that we can begin preparing! It will be an ongoing order, and I expect it will keep us busy. We’ll have a few miscellaneous orders to fill this week, and surely some walk-in customers, but otherwise, it will be a quiet week!”

Meghan had barely finished her sentence before the bakery was abuzz with activity; suddenly, the tiny silver bells attached to the front door began to chime as the door burst open. A petite, blonde-haired woman marched up to the front counter, the two strands of milky-white pearls around her neck jingling as she moved.

“Meghan Truman! You are just the person I need to speak with!”

Meghan’s eyes widened as Kirsty Fisher sauntered up to the counter. Her heart sank; Kirsty was one of Sandy Bay’s more influential residents, and she had acted aloof toward Meghan since the scandal that had threatened Truly Sweet’s success only weeks ago. Kirsty had hardly acknowledged Meghan since the murder of Norman Butcher, a local man, had been blamed on Meghan and her treats. Even though Meghan’s name had been cleared for weeks now, Kirsty’s attitude had still been chilly.  Meghan felt her hands quiver as Kirsty approached, and she bit her bottom lip nervously as Kirsty’s lips turned upward into a business-like smile.

“Lori,” Meghan hissed under her breath, trying to capture the attention of her trusted assistant who was rolling out dough behind her. Lori heard Meghan’s whisper and immediately came to her side.

“Well, good morning, Kirsty!” Lori said kindly to the woman as she wiped her messy hands on her apron. “What brings you in this morning?”

Meghan’s shoulders dropped in relief; a lifetime resident of Sandy Bay, Lori knew how to interact with everyone in town, and Meghan was thankful for her help as Kirsty eyed her.

Kirsty nodded at Lori, but quickly moved her attention back to Meghan.

“Meghan, dear! So lovely to see you. I hope you are well?”

Meghan shrugged nervously, and Kirsty continued.

“So Meghan, I’ve heard you bake the best brownies in town! Your bakery was the talk of the town over the last few weeks, you know, with…. everything…... that happened?”

Meghan watched as Lori disappeared into the backroom. The scandal had personally involved Lori; it was her father that had been murdered, and while he and Lori had not had a close relationship, Meghan knew Lori was still recovering from the loss.

“Anyway, I’m so terribly sorry that your first few weeks in Sandy Bay were tainted with such a scandal! How awful. This is such a lovely town, and I don’t want you to get the wrong idea of us!” Kirsty said, her smile shifting into a look of concern.

Meghan shook her head. “It’s alright,” she replied. “My bakery’s reputation has been restored, and I think things have settled down.”

Kirsty gave Meghan a pitying smile.

“Well, I heard that your name was cleared. That’s so wonderful. I just had a little idea that could help completely eliminate any more issues you may have been having because of that horrible little scandal!” Kirsty said, tossing her blonde hair behind her shoulders and retrieving a business card from her purse. “As you know, I run the Fisher Foundation, the biggest charity in town. We raise money for those in need, and it’s nearly time for our annual gala, the Fisher Fest! My caterer unexpectedly cancelled, and the new caterer will not be providing desserts. Since you are in need of some positive exposure in town, especially given that tricky little incident with Mr. Butcher, I thought it might be nice if you could provide some desserts for the gala!”

Meghan stared at Kirsty, her hazel eyes growing large. She took a long, silent breath, considering Kirsty’s proposal.

“Well?” Kirsty asked, beginning to tap her high heels impatiently on the wooden floor.

“I don’t know,” Meghan finally answered. “I just took on a major corporate order, and I don’t know if I have the time to make even more brownies with the commitment I just made.”

Kirsty pursed her lips in a pout and batted her eyelashes at Meghan.

“Come on,” Kirsty coaxed, sliding her business card across the counter. “Think about your business! This would quiet all of the people still whispering about Truly Sweet, and you would have so many of Sandy Bay’s finest folks sampling your treats at the gala!”

Meghan placed her hands on her round hips as she mentally calculated the hours she would need to bake enough desserts to take to the gala. She knew that with Lori’s help, she could do it, but for some reason, she felt uneasy about accepting Kirsty’s proposal.

“Meghan?” Kirsty said sternly. “I need to know if you will help us! It’s for charity. You simply cannot turn down the opportunity to bake for a charity!”

“Okay,” Meghan answered, folding her hands in front on her. “I’ll do it.”

“Excellent!” Kirsty said gleefully, snapping her purse closed and stepping back from the counter. “Here’s my card. Give me a call this evening and we’ll work out the details. I think you might even thank me later, Meghan! Toodles!”

As Kirsty marched out of the bakery, her tall, thin high heels clacking across the floor, Meghan leaned back against the counter.

“What did she want?” Lori asked as she walked back into the front room. “Kirsty Fisher always wants something; she and her husband run every event and charity in town, and no one can say no to Kirsty Fisher.”

Meghan shrugged. “We’re baking for the Fisher Fest,” she said to Lori. Lori’s eyes sparkled as she heard the news.

“The Fisher Fest!” Lori exclaimed. “That’s the fanciest event all year! Kirsty even makes the caterers and workers dress up! We’ll have so much fun, Meghan! This is good news!”

Meghan looked down at her shoes, her chest feeling tight.

“Meghan? This is good news! Between the Weeks Group deal and the Fisher Fest, things are looking up for Truly Sweet!”

Meghan shook her head. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” Meghan said softly. “I just have a bad feeling about this event. For some reason, Fisher Fest has me worried, Lori.”

2

“THESE ARE THE BEST BROWNIES I have ever eaten,” said an older gentleman to Meghan, as the woman with him nodded in agreement.

Meghan smiled demurely. It had been a wonderful night; guests had flocked to the little booth Meghan and Lori had hastily constructed for the event, and the girls’ hard work was paying off!

“What is your name? My wife and I would love to have you bake for our next event,” the man said kindly.

Meghan grinned. She was thankful that she had ignored her gut instinct and agreed to provide treats for the event. Kirsty Fisher was right; the exposure Meghan and her business were gaining was invaluable, and Meghan had given out nearly every single business card she had brought with her to the event!

“I’m Meghan Truman,” she said.

“Meghan,” the man repeated. “It’s been a pleasure! I’m Brian Bishop, and this is my wife, Amy.”

“It’s a pleasure,” Amy said, smiling sweetly at Meghan.

“We need to go find our sons now, but mark my words, you will be hearing from us soon!” Brian exclaimed as he led his wife away.

Meghan smoothed her long, black velvet dress, feeling every bit the successful, revered business woman she now was. She knew she looked lovely; her dark hair was piled atop her head in an elegant chignon, and the long black gloves on her arms made her look sophisticated. Had she not been standing behind the Truly Sweet booth, Meghan could have easily been mistaken for one of the guests at Fisher Fest!

“Well, look at you, Princess!”

Meghan heard the familiar voice of Karen Denton, her former neighbor. She turned to find Karen beaming up at her.

“Karen!” she exclaimed. “I didn’t know you would be here!”

Karen smiled at Meghan, looking beautiful in a pale yellow gown that made her tiny waist look even smaller. At seventy-two years old, Karen, a retired nurse, was the fittest person Meghan knew, and as Karen’s eyes danced with happiness, she looked not a day older than Meghan!

“Surprise! I heard that Kirsty Fisher wrangled you into this little shin-dig, and I knew I couldn’t miss it for the world!”

Meghan stepped out from behind the booth and embraced Karen. The two had first met several years ago back in Los Angeles. Meghan, pursuing a career in acting, had moved into a small apartment next to Karen’s, and once the two had met, they were practically inseparable. Now, as they hugged amidst the glamorous guests of Fisher Fest, Meghan was grateful that Karen had first suggested Meghan explore Sandy Bay, Karen’s hometown.

“It’s going so well!” she whispered to Karen.

“I can see that! Everyone is talking about the brownies! I am so excited for you!”

Meghan grinned. “I wasn’t so sure about saying yes, but I’m glad I did.

A mischievous look flashed across Karen’s face, and she playfully bumped Meghan’s hip with her own. “I heard a certain fellow stopped by to say hello to you!” she said.

Meghan’s face turned red. In the first hour of the event, just as Meghan’s nerves were settling down, Jack Irvin had stopped by the booth. Meghan had been bent down below the table with a brownie stuffed into her mouth when Jack approached; she had not noticed him coming, and as she kneeled down to quickly consume the brownie, she saw a pair of shining black dress shoes stop and stay beside her booth.

“Great work tonight.”

She swallowed the brownie quickly and stood up to find Jack smiling at her. Her face burned. She had not initially warmed to Jack, but after he had helped her walk home with a sprained ankle a few weeks ago, she had been harboring a little crush on the handsome police officer.

“Thanks,” Meghan said. “It’s good to see you, Jack!”

He grinned, but took a hand to his mouth, exaggerating a brushing motion. Meghan was puzzled, and she could feel her chest pounding as Jack smiled at her.

“You look so nice!” Meghan said, looking at Jack’s suit. “You clean up nicely!”

Jack’s eyes moved from Meghan’s and traveled up and down.

“You look beautiful, Meghan,” he replied. Meghan felt her chest swell with excitement as Jack leaned in close over the table.

“Meghan?” he whispered. Meghan closed her eyes in anticipation; was Jack going to kiss her?

“Yes?” Meghan said breathily, her hazel eyes still closed. She felt a gentle brush of Jack’s hand on her face, and she flew open her eyes in shock.

“You had something on your face,” he said softly. “It looked like brownie crumbs!”

Meghan was embarrassed, and Lori came to the rescue.

“Jack!” Lori said pleasantly. “Need to steal Meghan away; we’re too busy for you two to be chatting!”

Lori quickly whisked Meghan away.

“That’s the last time I ever eat a dessert!” she said to Lori. Lori smiled graciously, both women knowing this declaration to be untrue.

Now, as Meghan stood with Karen at the end of the event, she felt herself relax. Besides embarrassing herself in front of Jack, she had enjoyed the event and even networked! It had been a good evening, and Meghan felt the slightest bit of embarrassment at her initial indignation toward Kirsty.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Yoo-hooo!”

As if she had conjured her by thinking about her, Meghan saw Kirsty take the stage in the center of the room. Kirsty was dressed in a floor-length purple ball gown, and a handsome man stood next to her, his arm wrapped around Kirsty’s small waist.

“Who is that man?” Meghan whispered to Karen.

“That’s Vince, Kirsty’s husband,” she replied. “They are fabulously wealthy and fabulously charitable; the Fisher Foundation built a new center downtown for disadvantaged youth a few years ago, and the proceeds from tonight will go toward a scholarship fund!”

Meghan watched as Kirsty appraised the room. Several hundred guests floated about the ballroom, and Kirsty smiled as all chatter hushed.

“Thank you. My husband and I would like to thank you all for your generosity tonight! The Fisher Foundation is an integral part of Sandy Bay, and it is your generosity that helps us help others! Please give yourself a round of applause!”

The guests clapped politely, and Kirsty passed the microphone to her husband.

“Hello, all! I’m Vince Fisher, and I would like to thank you for being here!”

Meghan leaned over to Karen as the crowd again clapped for the Fishers. “They are such an attractive couple,” she said, her voice tinged with longing. She watched as Kirsty gazed up at her husband, her eyes brimming with adoration. Vince returned the loving look, and Meghan turned away, feeling embarrassed at the feelings that flooded her as the Fishers exchanged such intimate looks amidst the hundreds of guests.

Karen placed an arm around Meghan’s shoulder. “They are a perfect couple. We’re lucky to have such a couple in Sandy Bay! But don’t you worry, Meghan. You’ll find someone someday who looks at you the way Kirsty and Vince look at each other. It will happen.”

The Fishers thanked each vendor for their participation, and Meghan received a standing ovation for her desserts. She gave a little curtsy as the crowd cheered for her, and she knew that she had made the right decision in helping Kirsty. As she and Lori tore down their booth at the end of the night, Meghan’s heart was filled with joy. Her business had received significant attention at the event, Jack had seen her in her beautiful dress, and she had garnered the approval of the Fishers, one of the wealthiest, most powerful couples in town! As Meghan packed away the remaining desserts, she felt as though the best days in her new home in Sandy Bay were surely ahead of her.

3

“THANK YOU FOR COMING to the rescue tonight,” Kirsty cooed to Meghan as the last of the guests shuffled out of the ballroom. “Your treats were a hit! I didn’t try them myself as I’m on a no-sugar, no-carb, no-nonsense diet, but everyone else was raving about them! I will certainly book you for our next event. Toodles!”

Kirsty walked away, and Meghan smiled, pleased that Truly Sweet’s reputation would finally be free of the blemish from the murder scandal. Accepting Kirsty’s proposal had been a wise business decision, and in celebration, Meghan surreptitiously pulled a brownie out of her small, beaded clutch. Feigning a cough, she moved the gloved-hand holding the brownie to her lips, eager to taste the delectable dessert that had received such wonderful attention at the Fisher Fest. Meghan stuffed the brownie into her mouth, and before she could help herself, she let out a moan of delight.

“Meghan?”

Kirsty had returned! Meghan clasped her hand to her mouth, embarrassed to have been caught in the act of eating her own brownies again.

“Mmhhummm,” she mumbled, trying to force the brownie down her throat as Kirsty stared up at her. Her heart pounded in her chest; Kirsty was an intimidating woman, and she made Meghan nervous.

“Are you alright?” Kirsty asked, raising one eyebrow.

Meghan nodded, and finally, she managed to swallow the brownie. She used her hand to brush the crumbs off of her face and smiled at Kirsty.

“Did you need something?” she asked, her heart thundering furiously in her chest as Kirsty shook her head.

“I thought I had left my purse here, but I see that my husband has it,” Kirsty said, pointing across the room at Vince. “Oh, Meghan! Thanks once more for the brownies. I wish I could have indulged! You are just so lucky; it must be so nice not to not even worry about your figure. Anyway, Vince and I are leaving! Thanks again! Toodles!”

Kirsty blew a kiss as she walked away, and Meghan turned back to her booth.

“What a night,” Meghan murmured.

********************

The next morning, Meghan let herself sleep in; she hadn’t even arrived home until one in the morning, and as the late morning sunshine brightened her room, she snuggled further beneath the covers, enjoying the lazy start to the day. She had even given Lori a paid day off; Lori had been such an asset during Fisher Fest, and Meghan was pleased to return the favor.

Meghan rolled over beneath her thick, purple comforter and yawned. Her thighs ached from tottering around in high heels all night, and with only a few orders to attend to later in the afternoon, she did not see any reason to leave her comfortable bed until at least noon.

“Meghan! Meghan!”

Meghan propped herself up on her elbow and furrowed her brow. She wasn’t expecting anyone; had she just imagined someone calling her name?

“MEGHAN!!!”

Meghan sat up in bed, pulling the comforter up to her chin. Who was yelling for her? It was a Saturday morning, and Meghan’s head was foggy with exhaustion. She slowly tucked her messy dark hair into a low bun, still listening for her name and hoping that she had perhaps dreamed the sound of the shouting.

“MEGHAN! It’s Lori! Meghan, you have to let me in now!”

“Lori?” Meghan muttered to herself as she crawled out of her bed and hastily tied on her shabby blue bathrobe. “Why on Earth is Lori here today? Did she forget that I gave her the day off?”

Meghan slipped her feet into her favorite pair of brown slippers and walked downstairs. She could hear Lori shouting her name, and she tore open the door to find her assistant in tears.

“Lori?” she asked, her voice filled with concern. “What is going on?”

Lori clumsily pushed past and stepped inside, tears streaming down her face. She lowered herself to the floor and grabbed her knees, folding herself into a small ball. Her skin was mottled, and her hair was unkempt. Meghan had only seen Lori in such a state during the murder scandal several weeks ago, and she felt a lump in her throat as she studied the upset girl in front of her.

“They’re dead, Meghan, and it’s our fault.”

Meghan’s jaw dropped. “Who? Who is dead, Lori?”

Still huddled on the floor, Lori began to shake. “The Bishops! Brian and Amy? They stopped by our booth last night for brownies, and now, they are dead!”

Meghan felt her body grow cold. She tried to maintain composure as she tried to understand what Lori was telling her. After taking a long pause, Meghan shook her head, placing a hand on Lori’s shoulder.

“Lori,” she said kindly. “Lori, the Bishops’ death has nothing to do with us! I baked the brownies myself, and you helped me with everything. It’s horrible that they are dead, but I don’t think it had anything to do with us!”

Lori’s somber eyes met Meghan.

“The police are saying it was poison, and they’re saying it was from food at the event.”

Meghan placed her other hand on Lori’s other shoulder.

“Lori,” Meghan said, this time with an air of sternness. “Lori, there were dozens of vendors and foods present at the event. There is no way that my brownies had anything to do with their deaths. They probably ate pounds of other foods at the event!”

Lori’s eyes widened.

“They didn’t, Meghan,” she said quietly. “The police already spoke with their twin sons, Jake and Josh. Jake and Josh went to Fisher Fest with their parents, and they’ve sworn that their parents had dinner out before the event. Jake and Josh told the police that their parents have some sort of serious dietary restriction, and they don’t usually eat out. Josh said that they made an exception last night with your treats, and that he saw both of his parents eating them at the event, and that they think you had something to do with it!”

Meghan’s stomach churned. She felt the lump in her throat grow larger, and tears threatened to cascade down her round cheeks.

“It’s our fault, Meghan! They ate our brownies, and now, they are dead!” Lori sobbed.

Meghan lowered herself to the ground and stared into Lori’s eyes.

“Do you know anything else, Lori?” she asked.

Lori shook her head.

“Everyone in town knows. The Bishop boys found them this morning and went to the police, and now everyone is talking about it! I heard that the police will be here soon to interview us. I don’t know how this happened, Meghan. They’ve done some testing already, and they’re saying that the Bishops’ brownies must have been poisoned during the event. Oh, Meghan, this is terrible!”

Lori burst into loud, wet, heaving sobs, and Meghan could not contain her emotions any longer. Her brownies and her character were going to be at the center of another murder scandal, and as Lori sobbed beside her, Meghan joined in, her own body shaking as fear and sadness consumed her.

Suddenly, there was a loud rap on the door.

“Sandy Bay Police! Open up!”

4

THE NEXT FEW DAYS were a whirlwind, and Meghan felt as though she were living in a nightmare; every single order she had, including the massive corporate order for the Weeks Group, had been unceremoniously cancelled despite Meghan and Lori’s innocence having been declared by the Sandy Bay Police. The police had interviewed both Meghan and Lori on the morning after Fisher Fest, and after a few questions, it was obvious that neither Meghan nor Lori had any knowledge of the Bishops’ deaths.

“Both of you should lay low while we sort the rest of this out,” Officer Nunan, a seasoned officer, had cautioned the women. “We are confident that neither of you had anything to do with this, but this is a small town, and with Ms. Truman being new around here, and with everything that happened with the murder a few weeks ago, it might be best if you got out of town for awhile.”

Meghan had stared at Officer Nunan, nodding her head.

“I’ll be sending another officer out in a few days to check in and maybe collect a few samples, but like I said, I feel confident that neither of you have anything to do with the deaths,” Officer Nunan said, her voice authoritative as she scanned Meghan and Lori’s faces. “You both take care now, and if you hear anything, you come straight to me.”

Meghan and Lori had nodded obediently at Officer Nunan, and with a tip of her hat, Officer Nunan left the bakery. Almost immediately, the phone began ringing, and Meghan and Lori spent the next three hours taking notes of each and every order cancellation.

“I cannot believe this is happening,” Meghan had muttered to herself after her last order was cancelled. “Not again.”

The chiming of the little silver bells grabbed Meghan’s attention, and she looked to the front door of the bakery. Sally Sheridan, one of Sandy Bay’s grumpiest older ladies, walked into Truly Sweet, a look of disdain on her wrinkled face.

“Lori,” Meghan whispered. “Lori, it’s a customer. Put on a nice face!”

Lori wiped the tears from her eyes and pasted a smile on her lips. “Good morning, Mrs. Sheridan!” she chirped.

Mrs. Sheridan vigorously shook her head. “It’s not a good morning, and I hear this dreadful bakery is to blame once again!”

Meghan bit the inside of her cheek, trying to keep calm.

“Mrs. Sheridan,” Meghan replied sweetly. “The police have already been here, and they stated that I had nothing to do with the deaths of the Bishops. It’s just terrible, but I’m not to blame, and neither is my assistant!”

Mrs. Sheridan frowned. She reached into the large alligator-skin purse draped over her arm and retrieved a small box. Mrs. Sheridan shoved the box to Meghan.

“I want to return this for a full refund!” she declared. “It’s one of your brownies from the event last night. These things are poisonous, and I want a refund!”

Meghan cocked her head to the side. “Mrs. Sheridan,” she began slowly. “We didn’t sell the brownies at Fisher Fest. We simply provided desserts. If you did not purchase the brownie, I cannot give you a refund.”

Mrs. Sheridan stared into Meghan’s eyes. “That’s preposterous! Your brownies killed the Bishops, and I want a refund!”

Meghan glanced at Lori and could see that her assistant was on the verge of a meltdown. Meghan sighed, but reached into the cash register and pulled out five dollars. She carefully placed each bill on the counter in front of Mrs. Sheridan, and Mrs. Sheridan snatched up the money and hobbled out of the bakery.

“Last time, your apple pie gave me diarrhea, and now, your brownies are killing people! The nerve!” Mrs. Sheridan ranted to herself as she slammed the door behind her.

Meghan could feel her shoulders relax as Mrs. Sheridan left, but Lori did not look relieved.

“Lori,” Meghan said gently. “Go home. It’s Saturday. Go home, stay home, and don’t come back until at least Wednesday. It’s going to be quiet here, and you need to take care of yourself.”

Lori nodded. She embraced Meghan, and left the bakery.

On Tuesday, Meghan was mopping the bakery’s wooden floors when she heard a knock at the door. It had been a quiet week; not a single walk-in customer had visited Truly Sweet, and Meghan had started locking the front door as a precaution. People in town had been quite cold; at the grocery on Sunday evening, fellow customers navigated their carts away from Meghan as she walked down the aisles, and the check-out man didn’t say a word to her. Meghan could tell that everyone in Sandy Bay thought she was to blame for the Bishops’ deaths, and she was worried someone might retaliate against her.

The knocking continued, and Meghan propped the wet mop against the counter and tiptoed to the front door.

“Hello?” Meghan called out.

“Meghan? It’s Jack. Jack Irvin?”

Meghan’s heart began to flutter. Jack was here to check on her! He had looked so dapper at Fisher Fest, and despite the current situation, Meghan was happy that Jack was here. She threw open the door, and he smiled down at her.

“May I come in?” he asked politely.

Meghan nodded. Seeing the wet floor, Jack edged around the perimeter of the room, stopping to lean against the counter above a dryer patch of floor.

“How are you doing?” Jack asked.

“I’m fine, I guess,” Meghan answered. Jack gave her a pitying look.

“Maybe it’s time you lay off the brownies for good, Meghan” he answered, gazing up and down her curvy body. Meghan’s cheeks grew red. “There is historical proof to show that they do seem to get you in all sorts of trouble.”

The fluttering of Meghan’s heart stopped; she was irritated by Jack’s tone. He was being condescending, and Meghan folded her arms across her chest in response.

“What can I do for you, Officer Irvin?” Meghan asked, adding the formality of Jack’s title in her address to let him know that she was displeased.

Jack stepped back, aware that Meghan was annoyed.

“I’m here to check on you. Officer Nunan wanted someone to come out and make sure you are doing alright,” he responded.

Meghan nodded her head. “I’m just great,” she said. “I’m innocent, but everyone in this town thinks I had something to do with another murder. My orders are all cancelled, including the Weeks Group corporate order, and I have no customers.”

Jack nodded his head. “Well, sorry to rain more on your parade, but I just wanted to let you know that my team might be coming out later to collect some brownies.”

Meghan rolled her eyes. “This is crazy!”

Jack raised one eyebrow. “It’s a murder investigation, Meghan,” he said. “We have to take every measure to understand what happened.”

Meghan narrowed her eyes at Jack. “I saw you eating my brownies at the event, Officer Irvin,” she said. “Who is to say that you don’t have something to do with this?”

Jack shook his head. “I’m just following procedures, Meghan. Please believe me when I say this isn’t personal.”

Meghan lowered her head and stared at her feet.  “This bakery felt like the one thing I ever did right in my life,” Meghan said softly. “And now, it’s all ruined.”

Jack shrugged his shoulders. “Well,” he said. “Like I said, maybe sweets just aren’t for you.”

He turned on his heel to leave, and Meghan followed him.

“Thanks for your visit, Officer Irvin,” Meghan said curtly as Jack stepped outside.

“No problem,” Jack answered as he walked toward his police car.

Meghan could see Dash, Jack’s adorable golden retriever, wagging his tail on the front seat. For an instant, her heart warmed, but as Jack drove away, her heart grew heavy again.

“What am I going to do?” Meghan murmured, going back inside the bakery and locking the door behind her. She returned to her mop, but before she could begin cleaning once more, she heard another knock at the door.

“Go away, Officer Irvin!” Meghan yelled, frustrated that Jack had returned.

“Meghan? Meghan! It’s me!” Karen Denton shouted. “Come let me in, sweetie!”

Meghan felt relief. Karen was here! She carefully walked to the door and found her dear friend smiling up at her.

“Oh, sweetie!” Karen said, pulling Meghan into her arms. “I’m so sorry about everything that has happened! What a terrible thing! I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get over here to see you; I have been sick with the flu for the last few days, but I’m better now, and I thought my girl might need me!”

Meghan collapsed into Karen’s hug, resting her head on Karen’s muscular shoulder. Karen stroked Meghan’s back as they embraced.

“There, there, love,” she whispered to Meghan as Meghan began to cry. “We’ll get to the bottom of this!”

“I don’t know if I can do this anymore!” Meghan wept into Karen’s shoulder. “Opening Truly Sweet made me so happy; I moved here to get a fresh start after my career as an actress in LA didn’t take off, and things were going so well! Now, I’m at the center of another murder scandal!

Did I make the biggest mistake of my life by leaving LA and coming to Sandy Bay? Am I really cut out to run a successful bakery business? Oh, Karen! I don’t know if I can take this or do this anymore!”

Karen placed a hand under Meghan’s chin and guided Meghan’s eyes to meet her own. Her eyes were kind, but she spoke with a tone that indicated seriousness.

“Meghan,” she began. “You are my dear friend, and like a daughter to me! I adore you, and I refuse to let you be driven out of my hometown by this scandal. When I first met you in LA, I knew you were special, and I will not let something like this happen to my special friend, or her business! Do you understand me?”

Meghan did not reply, but Karen continued to stare fiercely into her eyes.

“Meghan, when I ran the marathon in Barcelona last summer, my body felt exhausted; I am seventy-two years old, and most women my age don’t run like that! Seeing the young people sprint by me left me feeling sorry for myself for almost three whole miles! But you know what? Even though I was tired and down, I didn’t give up. Giving up isn’t an option! You can’t just throw in the towel because of a little trouble. Do you understand me?”

Meghan nodded, thankful for Karen’s counsel.

“Good,” Karen said. “Meghan, I was born here and raised here, and I know Sandy Bay like the back of my own hand! I know the people here, and I know how things work. I promise you that I will do my best to help you figure out what happened to the Bishops and to save Truly Sweet! We’ll figure it out, Meghan. Just you wait.”

5

THE DAY AFTER KAREN’S VISIT, the inspiration Meghan had drawn from Karen’s pep talk had vanished; it was a dark, rainy morning, and Meghan was curled up in bed with no plans to leave her room. She had only left her bed to slip downstairs into the bakery, fetching a bag of stale, homemade donuts she had found in the pantry. Meghan carried the donuts back upstairs and stuffed each one into her mouth, eventually eating the entire bag.

“At least I have an appetite,” Meghan thought to herself as her belly groaned from the mass quantity of sugar she had consumed. “Some people don’t eat anything when they are stressed, and at least I will have my strength!”

Meghan snuggled beneath her purple comforter, feeling temporarily safe from the scandal that had sullied her reputation. She rested quietly, and eventually fell into a light slumber, only waking when the telephone began to ring. Meghan had only received one call since Lori’s frantic call with news of the Bishops’ murder; Kirsty Fisher had called to scream at Meghan, saying that Meghan had ruined her event. Now, as the phone rang, Meghan braced herself.

“Sweetie! Good morning!” Karen greeted. Meghan gave a loud sigh of relief, happy to hear a friendly voice.

“Karen,” she said. “How are you?”

Meghan heard Karen giggle. “You sound sleepy, Meghan!”

Meghan looked down at her legs, still wrapped in her blankets. “I’m still in bed.”

Karen giggled again. “Well, rise and shine, sweetie! I’ve already been out for a long run, been to the gym, and gone to yoga this morning!”

Meghan looked down at the empty bag of donuts beside her. “I’m still feeling down, Karen,” she admitted.

“Well, you’d best perk up, Meghan! I have some news about the Bishops.”

Meghan’s eyes grew large, and she gripped the phone tightly. “What’s the news?”

“Well, my good friend, Jeanne-Marie, works down at the police station, and I asked her if she knew anything! She said no when I asked last night, but she just phoned me and said that there are several suspects in the Bishop murder case!”

Meghan’s heart pounded. “Who are they, Karen?”

“Jeanne-Marie couldn’t give me a lot of information, but she did give me the name of two suspects! Jake and Josh Bishop, the adult sons of Brian and Amy Bishop!”

Meghan gasped. “They were at the event! They told the police that I had something to do with the deaths!”

“That sounds too convenient,” Karen said. “They just happened to place the blame on you and they are some of the main suspects? I think we should look into them, Meghan. Get up and get dressed. We have a lot to do today.”

“Karen,” she said cautiously. “What do you mean?”

“Get up and get dressed, quickly! Put on some dark clothes and tuck your hair back. I have a fabulous idea!”

6

“WE LOOK RIDICULOUS,” Meghan said as Karen guided her orange jeep down the long, winding path leading to the Bishops’ house.

Both women were dressed in black from head to toe; Karen wore a black workout jacket, black yoga pants, and a black running hat, while Meghan wore a pair of bedraggled black overalls she had found at the bottom of her wardrobe. Karen had insisted on wearing black ski masks, but Meghan had firmly refused.

“This is what spies wear!” Karen declared, slowing the jeep down as the Bishops’ grand house came into view. “When I was a traveling nurse in Moscow, I knew a spy, and this is exactly what she wore when she went on missions!”

Meghan sighed. She was far out of her comfort zone, but Karen’s exuberance was contagious, and Meghan was hopeful that their bold endeavor could help unearth the truth about the murders.

“We’ll park over by the pool house. I called Jamie Cruise, the local handyman? He’s done some work around the Bishop place, and he swore that if I parked by the pool house, no one would see me!”

Meghan looked at Karen incredulously. “How exactly did you explain to Jamie that you and I are going on a spy mission, Karen?”

Karen grinned at Meghan. “I may have agreed to be his spotter at the gym next week; he’s always had a little crush on me, and believe it or not, this old lady can still be cute when she wants to be!”

Meghan laughed. “You are too much, Karen Denton,” she said, her heart swelling with gratitude for her partner in crime.

They drove by the Bishop house, and Meghan gasped.

“It’s enormous,” she said breathlessly. “I knew they must have had money if they went to Fisher Fest, but I didn’t realize they were this rich!”

Karen nodded. “Wealthy folks, but still very down to Earth. Brian made his fortune selling priceless antiques, and Amy used to be on some show years and years ago. Can’t remember the name. Anyway, Brian and Amy are….were...darlings. Such a sweet couple. Their boys, on the other hand, not so much; Josh and Jake are twenty-seven, close to your age, but they are trouble! They were in and out of jail as teenagers, but Brian managed to buy them a place at a fancy college abroad. They came back to Sandy Bay refined and handsome after college, but they’ve done next to nothing since. They nearly ruined Brian and Amy a few years ago; they sank two businesses using money they stole from Amy, and lately, they’ve just been living in the basement of their parents.”

“Ugh,” Meghan said. “They sound awful! I can’t believe the town has turned on me when the police have already declared me to be innocent! The Bishop twins have already been so bad; why hasn’t everyone turned on them?”

Karen shook her head. “Brian and Amy were beloved in this community,” she replied. “No one wants to believe that the children of such wonderful people could commit such an act. You are the new girl in town, Meghan. It’s easier for these small town Sandy Bay people to blame you.”

Karen brought the jeep to a halt and turned to Meghan. “Let’s review the plan,” she said, her eyes gleaming. “It’s nearly ten at night, and from what I’ve been told, the twins go to bed early. It’s dark outside, so even if they are awake, no one will see us in our dark outfits! Jamie told me that the basement door is always unlocked, so we will simply walk in!”

Meghan bobbed her head in agreement. “Sounds good,” she whispered.

“Then,” Karen continued. “We will search the house. Surely if the boys slipped poison to their parents at the event, there will be some evidence! The police didn’t search the house, from what I heard, and if they haven’t been here yet, there’s still a chance we’ll find a clue!”

Meghan looked at Karen, her hazel eyes large with concern. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” she asked Karen, tugging anxiously at the straps of her overalls as the two women sat in the parked car.

Karen nodded firmly. “Jeanne said that the boys are suspects, and when she and I talked this morning, she told me that the boys have even been overheard saying that they wished their parents were dead so that they could inherit their wealth! Those twins have always been trouble, and with everything they’ve done to hurt Brian and Amy financially in the last few years, I just think it’s a good idea to start with them!”

Karen and Meghan crept out of the car and walked toward the enormous three-story brick house. All of the lights were off, but Meghan still felt nervous. Karen led Meghan around to the back, and carefully, Karen jiggled the handle of the back door leading off of the pool area.

“It’s open!” Karen whispered in delight. “Follow me!”

Karen and Meghan walked inside. The room was pitch black, and the air was sticky and humid, which was odd, considering it was October in the Pacific Northwest. Karen pulled a flashlight out of the small fanny pack secured around her waist.

“What is this place?” Meghan asked as Karen turned on the light. Karen directed the light around the room, and Meghan could see hundreds of plants lining the walls.

“It’s a greenhouse!” Karen exclaimed. “Look at all of the plants! I see some tropical things over there. It smells wonderful in here!”

Meghan paused, staring at Karen.

“Karen,” she whispered. “Think about it. They have their own greenhouse! What if the twins grew whatever poison was used here? There are thousands of plants here! Maybe they tucked some little poisonous plant away somewhere!”

Karen pointed the flashlight into Meghan’s face. “Maybe you are a spy after all, Meghan Truman!”

Before Meghan could reply, the room was suddenly flooded with light.

“What is going on down there?”

The color drained from Meghan’s face, and she began to shake. Two tall, handsome men stood peering down at them from the top of a narrow staircase leading down into the greenhouse.

“Mrs. Denton?”

Karen flashed a bright smile at the men.

“Josh! Jake! Hello, boys!”

Josh and Jake Bishop stalked down the stairs. They were identical, both with curly black hair, wire-rimmed glasses, and a smattering of freckles across their cheeks. Meghan had never seen them before, but as they approached her, she saw the resemblance they bore to their father, who Meghan had met at Fisher Fest.

“What are you doing here, Mrs. Denton?”

Both men were staring at Karen. One turned and looked at Meghan, and jerked his chin to gesture at her. “Who is she, Mrs. Denton?”

Karen smiled graciously at the two. “Oh? You haven’t met her?” Karen asked. Both men shook their heads.

“Didn’t you two know? I volunteered to come care for the plants. The whole town has come together to send up meals for you two, as well as help care for the house. Sandy Bay truly comes together during a tragedy, and I am just doing my part!”

Meghan’s jaw dropped, but she quickly forced her own mouth into a smile. She was amazed at how effortlessly Karen had lied to the twins, and she hoped she could be convincing if they questioned her.

“Well, thank you for doing that,” said one of the twins. “It’s a little late to come over, isn’t it?”

Karen tucked a loose hair back into her hat and grinned. “You know me! As a nurse for so many years, my sleep patterns are just silly. I didn’t even realize it was so late! We are so sorry to bother you.”

Meghan nodded at the door. “We should just be going!”

The other twin moved to stand in front of the door, his eyes fixated on Meghan. “Mrs. Denton,” he said, his voice flat. “Who is this? Why is she here with you?”

Meghan ordered herself not to flinch, and she bit her bottom lip as she tried to stretch her mouth upwards into a more convincing smile. What was Karen going to say? She had never met the twins before, and if they realized that she was the woman they had blamed for the death of their parents, surely it would not be good.

“This is my granddaughter, Norah!” Karen said with confidence. “She is helping me for the weekend, and I dragged her along to water the plants.”

The twin closest to Meghan studied her face, lifting one eyebrow. “Mrs. Denton,” he said slowly. “This is a small town, and I know for a fact that you don’t have a daughter, which means that this is….”

“My adopted granddaughter! She is the granddaughter of an old friend who died years ago, and this little lady needed a grandma in her life! We’ve been close for years, and I just adore her.”

Meghan fought the urge to clench her fists as the twin stared into her eyes. She batted her eyelashes, hoping that perhaps she could ease the tension.

“Well, we’ve finished tending to the plants, and it is late,” Karen said, still smiling at the boys with her blindingly white teeth. “I’ll just take Norah and we’ll go!”

The twins both nodded. “Yes, it’s best if you leave,” one said. “We have special care for the plants, so don’t worry about coming back,” added the other. “So kind of you to come and bring your….granddaughter….but please don’t come back.”

Karen walked toward the door, and the twins moved out of her way. Meghan quickly followed, and as soon as the door shut behind them, they sprinted back to the jeep. Karen arrived first, barely breaking a sweat, but Meghan panted as she climbed into the passenger seat.

“They’re hiding something,” Karen said, reapplying a coat of lipstick as Meghan collected herself. “Thank goodness they hadn’t met you yet, Meghan! They were acting odd in that greenhouse, and it was clear that they didn’t want us there. Imagine if they had known that you were the Meghan Truman! It could have gotten ugly.”

Meghan wiped a bead of sweat from her brow as she sank back into the passenger seat.

“Let’s get out of here,” she said to Karen. “I did my best to memorize the leaves and the colors of the unmarked plants. I need to do some research.”

Karen turned to Meghan and grinned. “Like I said, you may just be a little spy after all!”

7

“FORGET ABOUT THE TWINS. I have another suspect,” Karen shrieked into the phone. Meghan rolled over to look at her alarm clock.

“Karen?” Meghan said groggily. “It’s ten in the morning!”

“It’s practically afternoon,” Karen replied. “I’ve been up for an hour at the gym, and Jeanne just called me with some new information! Apparently, Kirsty Fisher’s charity, the Fisher Foundation? Meghan, Jeanne told me that it is failing! The Fisher Foundation is sinking fast and has been failing for a few months now!”

Meghan turned over and groaned. “What does that have to do with anything?”

Karen sighed into the phone. “Meghan, it’s important to know everything about the case! This pertains to you and your business, and I thought you should know! Kirsty Fisher is on the suspect list, and that’s something we need to look into!”

“Thank you, Karen,” she said. “I’ll think about it when I wake up for real later.”

“No! Meghan, get up and moving! I’m off to yoga in a few minutes! Why don’t you join me? We could go to yoga, and then go for a little jog! I’ve noticed you’ve been eating a lot of sweets lately, and it might do you some good to----”

Meghan hung up the phone and pulled a pillow over her head. She had been indulging lately; with business being non-existent since the death of the Bishops, Meghan had an abundance of ingredients in the kitchen needing to be used. She had baked and consumed several batches of cupcakes, macarons, and éclairs, and she was embarrassed that Karen had noticed.

Later that day, as Meghan sat idly in the bakery, she heard a sharp knock on the door.

“Not again,” she groaned, hoping that Jack Irvin had not returned.

“Meghan Truman! Open up the door this instant!” Kirsty Fisher shouted. Meghan’s blood turned cold.

“Kirsty,” Meghan whispered in disbelief. Had Kirsty somehow found out that Meghan knew about the Fisher Foundation?

Meghan timidly opened the door. Kirsty glared up at her.  Her blonde hair tucked into an elegant chignon at the base of her neck, and she was impeccably dressed in a cream suit and matching heels. Small diamonds glittered in her ears, and a little cream hat was tilted atop her head. Despite Kirsty’s attire, Meghan noticed that she looked upset; her face was pale, her eyes were red, and her cheeks look gaunt.

“A word,” Kirsty hissed, pushing past Meghan and stomping into the bakery. “I brought this back to you; your assistant must have forgotten to pack it up,” Kirsty said as she shoved a small flowered plate at Meghan. “Let’s talk. I’m very unhappy, Meghan. I gave you an opportunity to serve your treats at my event, and then the Bishops died! I don’t care if the police have said you are not to blame; people are talking, and who is to say that you didn’t kill that poor couple? It seems a little odd that you are now at the center of two murder scandals!”

Meghan stared at Kirsty. She tightened her jaw and counted to ten in her head. Meghan wanted to stay collected and cool, but Kirsty continued her rant.

“How dare you come in and ruin my event with your trashy treats! I did you a favor, and you went and tarnished the Fisher name forever! This is a disgrace, and my foundation is now in shambles because of you!”

Meghan’s hazel eyes widened, and she counted up to ten and back down to zero, breathing slowly and trying to stay controlled. Kirsty stepped closer to Meghan and stood on her tiptoes, jabbing a manicured finger in Meghan’s face.

“I am disgusted with this situation,” she said, glowering at Meghan. “I shouldn’t have even bothered to come around this….this….this kitchen of death!”

Meghan’s hands clenched into fists, and she saw Kirsty’s eyes widen.

“Don’t you make fists in front of me!” she screeched, using her sharp nail to poke Meghan’s chest.

“Don’t touch me,” Meghan said, her voice flat, but her eyes ablaze with anger.

“I will touch you if I feel like it! You’ve gone and ruined everything, and I’ll do as I please!” Kirsty snapped as she pressed her sharp nail even further into Meghan’s collarbone.

Meghan unclenched her fists. She slowly raised her hands and pushed Kirsty away from her.

“How dare you?” Kirsty shouted, marching back to Meghan. “Do you know who I am? I should call the police! I took pity on you by taking a chance on your desserts after the murder scandal with Norman Butcher, and I was a fool to let some inexperienced, inept buffoon into my event!”

“How could you say that to me?” Meghan demanded, drawing herself up to full height to tower over Kirsty. “That’s horrible and unclassy! I didn’t even want to do your stupid event anyway! You pranced in here and more or less forced me to do your event, for free, mind you, and now I am facing the scorn of the town! It’s crazy, and you’re crazy!”

Meghan shoved Kirsty away again, and Kirsty bumped her bottom against the counter. Kirsty’s blue eyes grew large. She stared up at Meghan, and then she burst into tears.

“You are right,” she sobbed, leaning forward to wrap her tiny arms around Meghan. Meghan stiffened, unsure of what to do as Kirsty cried in her arms. She awkwardly lifted a hand to pat Kirsty’s head, but Kirsty slapped her hand away.

“Don’t touch the hair or hat,” Kirsty sniffled, still leaning into Meghan. “I’m just so upset! This has been terrible, Meghan!”

Kirsty’s vulnerability struck Meghan, and Meghan felt her own eyes fill with tears. She herself then leaned into Kirsty’s hug, and the two women embraced.

“I know,” Meghan whispered gently. “It’s been terrible.”

“I’m so sorry,” Kirsty said. “I’m just so embarrassed. My event was ruined, the Bishops are dead, and I just treated you terribly.”

Meghan pulled back to look at her. Kirsty’s makeup was still perfectly intact, but she delicately wiped at her eyes with a small handkerchief.

“I must look awful,” she whimpered. “Crying is so unattractive!”

Meghan giggled. “It’s fine,” she said. “You look perfect.”

Kirsty let out a soft laugh, and then, both women were consumed with laughter, their stomachs heaving up and down. The long, emotional release was cathartic, and Meghan was thankful to have calmed Kirsty down.

“Look at us!” Kirsty exclaimed. “There’s a murderer on the loose, and we’re here laughing like children!”

Meghan smiled. “We needed that laugh,” she said. “Laughter and brownies can be the best medicine.”

Kirsty raised an eyebrow and looked at Meghan’s waist. “Looks like you’ve had a lot of medicine over the last few days,” she said. Kirsty then clapped a hand to her mouth. “So sorry,” she said. “That was rude.”

Still smiling, Meghan placed her hands on her hips and shrugged. “It’s fine. We’ve had a hard week. Don’t worry about it. Now, you look like you could use a cup of tea. May I bring you one?”

Kirsty nodded.

Meghan made a cup of black tea and served it to Kirsty in her best glass teapot.

“Perfect!” Kirsty exclaimed. “You have been so sweet. Everyone else has been so aloof this week; it’s like they think I planned the murder since it happened at my event! So terrible. If it weren’t for my husband, I would be lost right now. He’s been taking care of everything. He is such a doll.”

Meghan felt her heart sink. Kirsty had looked so sad until she mentioned her husband, and Meghan saw the love and adoration in Kirsty’s eyes, just as she had seen it at Fisher Fest.

“You’re lucky to have him,” Meghan said.

Kirsty nodded. “He’s the most wonderful! Do you have anyone special to help you through this terrible time?”

Meghan looked down at the counter and shook her head, wondering if she would ever find someone who could light up her heart as Kirsty’s husband did for her. Kirsty’s husband had been at Kirsty’s side when she was the belle of the ball at Fisher Fest, and it was evident that he was standing by his wife now, even in the darkest of circumstances.

“I don’t have anyone,” she said softly. “Well, I have Karen Denton, and I have Lori, my assistant. They are great, and I love them to pieces! But a love like yours? I don’t know if I’ll ever have that, Kirsty.”

Kirsty rolled her eyes. “Well, you have enough to worry about!” she declared. “Love is sweet, but so are your treats. I usually don’t indulge in any of the delicious sweets you have here, but maybe, just this once….? It can be our little secret.”

Meghan laughed. “I’ll get a treat for you, Kirsty, no worries. It’ll be just between us.”

8

“I JUST DON’T KNOW what to do, Meghan!” Lori whispered into the phone. “I needed this job. My rent is due soon, and I still have some loans to pay off from school. I can’t afford to not work, Meghan. I love working for you at Truly Sweet, but unless business drastically picks up again, I think I’m going to have to find another job!

Meghan groaned. She treasured Lori’s company and Lori’s help; Lori made an excellent assistant, and she possessed impressive cake decorating skills that Meghan was eager to develop! More importantly, she was loyal and sweet, and Meghan had loved having her around.

“Lori,” she said calmly. “Think about this! The police have publicly announced that I’m not responsible for the Bishop murders. Everyone knows that! The people in Sandy Bay just have to come around. They will! You’ll see!

Meghan heard Lori breathing loudly. “Lori?” she asked. “Are you alright?”

Lori sniffled. “I think I’m having a panic attack, Meghan! I need money, and I need my job! You aren’t from here. People won’t just move on unless they have someone new to blame, and the police haven’t arrested anyone! Who knows what will happen!”

Meghan held the phone tightly and took a long, deep breath. “Lori,” she gently replied. “We’ll figure this out. It will be fine. The police have suspects, I know that for a fact!”

Meghan then clapped her hand over her mouth. She had not yet told Lori about she and Karen’s own little investigation, and she didn’t want to get anyone in trouble.

“What?”

“Lori,” she began. “This is secret information. You can’t ask questions of me. Let’s just say that I know of two main suspects. The police are looking into the twins! They think the twin sons of the Bishops could have done it, and after doing some of my own research, I think there is a good chance they had something to do with it!”

Lori gasped. “That makes sense! Those twins have always been a nuisance in Sandy Bay! They’re a few years older than me, and they used to tease me mercilessly at school. They’ve had some troubles lately; everyone says they stole from Brian Bishop to start their own business, and it would make perfect sense that they orchestrated the murders of their parents! They’ve always talked about their inheritances, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they killed their parents to get their money as soon as they could!”

Meghan thought for a moment. “Lori,” she said quietly. “If the twins were trying to get their hands on their money, then that could be proved! Surely the Bishops had a will. But you’d said the twins have been terrible and have taken from their parents already! There’s no way that they were the beneficiaries of their parents’ will if they’ve treated them so poorly! There must be another benefactor!”

Lori was quiet, and Meghan imagined she was pondering Meghan’s theory.

“Do you know who handles the wills in town, Lori?” she asked.

“Sorry, Meghan, I’m not sure,” Lori replied. “When my father died a few weeks ago, he died without a will, and I have no idea.”

“No problem, Lori,” she said quietly. “Look, give me another week to sort this out. If in a week things haven’t changed, I’ll write you a check and you can find another job, no hard feelings.”

Lori sniffled. “Thanks, Meghan,” she said as she hung up.

Meghan immediately called Karen.

“Karen! I need your help!” she exclaimed. “The Bishops’ will! If we can get to their will, we can find out if the twins were the beneficiaries of the Bishop estate. If they were, that’s a pretty solid motive for killing their parents, and I should tell Jack!”

Karen laughed. “You’ve been doing some thinking! Fabulous! It sounds like we need to track down that will. Vince Fisher handles all of the wills and legal documents in town, and I would bet that he has the answers we need. Get ready; I’m leaving the gym now and will be over to pick you up in five!”

9

MEGHAN STOOD NERVOUSLY in front of the Fishers’ front door with Karen. The house, while not as grand as the Bishops’, was beautiful, and Meghan felt underdressed in her plain black and white striped tee, jeans, and white sneakers.

“Well! Knock on the door! You said that you and Kirsty shared a little moment, yes? Surely she’ll be happy to see you?”

Meghan raised her left hand to her mouth and began to bite the nails.

“Stop that!” Karen said, swatting at Meghan’s hand. “Don’t you know that billions of germs can get into your body through nail-biting? Now, get your hand out of your mouth and use it to knock on the door!”

Meghan obeyed, and she slowly raised her hand to the large mahogany door. She gave it three quiet taps. No one answered it.

“Well, I guess no one is home!” she said, turning and walking down the steps toward Karen’s jeep. “We tried!”

Karen rolled her eyes. “You can be such a chicken sometimes, Meghan Truman!” she declared as she stepped up and began knocking on the door.

“Hello? Hello! Kirsty? Vince? It’s me, Karen!”

The door was opened by a blonde-haired woman in a stiff maid’s uniform.

“Mrs. Denton! How may I help you?”

“Hello, Cheryl,” Karen said warmly. “I just need to speak with Vince and Kirsty for a moment. No emergency, but are they home?”

Cheryl crossed her arms across her chest and shook her head. “They are wrapped up in some things right now and have asked for no visitors,” Cheryl answered. “I can tell them you stopped by?”

Karen began to push past Cheryl. “No, Cheryl, we need to speak to them now! It’s important!”

“Well, what have we here?”

Meghan heard a man’s voice booming in the background. She moved to Karen’s side, and from inside the house, she could see Vince Fisher descending a large staircase in the middle of the room.

“Karen Denton! How are you?” Vince asked, a smile on his handsome face as he walked to them.

Meghan blushed. Vince was gorgeous, and she could feel her face growing warm as she stared at his angular face and perfectly pressed suit.

Karen smiled at Vince. “I’m well! I just had a little question for you!”

“Meghan Truman! Karen Denton! What are you two doing here?”

Meghan saw Kirsty atop the stairs. She was dressed in a violet tea-length dress, and she held what appeared to be a glass of champagne in her hand. Kirsty descended the stairs slowly, her matching violet heels clacking on the marble floors.

“Hi, Kirsty,” Meghan said.

“You’ve caught us at quite the time! I’ve just learned that the Bishops left their entire estate to my charity, the Fisher Foundation! Vince pulled out this bottle of champagne to celebrate! I haven’t told many people this, but my charity has been struggling for the last few months, and these unexpected funds will help us survive and thrive!”

Meghan glanced over at Karen, who was watching Kirsty lean up onto her tiptoes and give Vince a peck on the lips.

“Come in! You must celebrate with us!”

Karen and Meghan walked into the house together.

“Your house is beautiful, Kirsty,” Meghan said, looking at the elegant decor with amazement.

“Oh, how kind of you, Meghan! I’m so happy we’ve made amends. I had a truly lovely time at Truly Sweet with you!”

“Mrs. Fisher?” Everyone turned to Cheryl, who walked into the room holding a cordless telephone. “Officer Irvin is on the phone; he is asking to speak with you.”

Meghan felt her heart drop at the mention of Jack’s name.

“I have guests, Cheryl! What does he want?” Kirsty asked, her voice filled with annoyance.

“He says he has some things to follow up about concerning the Bishop investigation. He says he has some confidential information to discuss with Mr. Fisher.”

Kirsty rolled her eyes. “Just tell him we’re busy and I will call him back later,” she said, folding her hands neatly in front of her.

Cheryl shook her head. “He says it’s urgent, Mrs. Fisher. He says he is going to stop over.”

Kirsty sighed. “Fine,” she replied. “Just have him chat with Vince first; I’m going to visit with my guests, and Officer Irvin will have to wait his turn!”

Cheryl nodded and left the room. Kirsty crossed her arms in front of her chest, the pearl necklace on her bosom jingling as it moved.

“Admittedly, I was surprised that the Bishops left us their money; Amy and I have never been quite close, but they were loyal patrons of the Fisher Foundation, and with those terrible sons of theirs...well, it isn’t a wonder that they didn’t let their wealth go to waste! I can use this money for several little projects in town, and their legacy will live on forever!”

Vince smiled at his wife. “I have some things to attend to before Officer Irvin gets here. Do you mind if I excuse myself, dear?”

Kirsty nodded. “Of course! I’ll take Meghan and Karen to my office to visit!”

Karen shook her head. “I forgot my water bottle and midday meal in the jeep; I’m training for another marathon and need to stay hydrated and fed. You two go chat; I’m going to go grab my things. Be right with you!”

Kirsty smiled. “Of course, you go! Meghan and I can visit!”

Kirsty wrapped her small hand around Meghan’s wrist and pulled Meghan down a long hallway.

“My office is this way! It was designed to look just like Kate Middleton’s private office at Buckingham Palace! You do know who Kate Middleton is, right?”

Kirsty dragged Meghan into a large, airy room. Light shone in from six floor-to-ceiling windows, and there were vases of crisp, white roses everywhere. Kirsty gestured at an overstuffed white satin chair. Meghan sat down, and while she leaned back into the chair, her eyes scanned the room for clues.

“My, my, my, silly me!” Kirsty murmured after settling into her own chair. “I forgot refreshments! What a poor host I am. I’ll go call for Cheryl, and she can bring some refreshments!” Kirsty bustled away, her high heels clacking.

A large glass desk stood in the middle of Kirsty’s office. It matched the decor perfectly, but from her position in the chair, Meghan could see one drawer that was not made of glass. It was dark and unsightly, and amidst the splendor of Kirsty’s office, it did not match the decor.

“That’s strange,” Meghan thought to herself. “Why would Mrs. Matchy-Matchy have one ugly desk drawer?”

Meghan rose from her chair and began rummaging through the glass drawers of Kirsty’s desk. It was brimming with files and documents, but everything was for Kirsty’s sorority alumnae chapter, medical files, and the deeds to the Fishers’ three houses.

“I wonder what she’s put into the ugly drawer?” Meghan thought aloud as she tried to slide it open. The drawer was locked, but Meghan pulled a bobby pin from her hair and jammed open the lock. She pulled out a single black folder. It was thick, and as she opened it, papers fell out and onto the floor.

“Oh no,” Meghan whispered, hoping that Kirsty would not find her with paperwork on the floor. “What are these?”

Meghan read the first piece of paper she retrieved from the floor. It was a bill from a casino in Monaco for over three hundred fifty-thousand dollars!

“What on Earth,” Meghan muttered as she looked at the next piece of paper, a receipt for a hotel in Colombia. The receipt was in Vince’s name, and Meghan continued rummaging through the papers. Each paper was a bill or receipt for an extravagant hotel and casino. Meghan did not understand. The Fishers were well off, but they weren’t wealthy; Karen had told Meghan that most of Kirsty and Vince’s money was tied up in a fancy nursing home for Kirsty’s ailing mother, and that while the couple presented themselves well, they were not as prosperous as they had been in years past. How were the Fishers affording such magnificent excursions if their money was an issue? Meghan wrinkled her nose in confusion.

Suddenly, Meghan was struck with clarity. She glanced down at the bottom of each piece of paper and found the same signature: THE FISHER FOUNDATION. She gasped. The Fishers had been taking money from their own charity to pay for these elaborate trips, and Meghan had proof! What if the Fishers had also used Vince’s role as the most prestigious attorney in town to somehow cheat the Bishops of their wealth? What if the Fishers had arranged for the murder? Meghan hastily gathered the paperwork back into the file; she could sneak out with the information and turn it over to the police!

“I know what you two did,” Meghan said to herself, furrowing her brow as she stuffed paperwork back into the file folder.

“Oh, do you?”

Meghan looked up. Vince Fisher was standing in the doorway, a hand on his hip and a sneer on his face.

10

“WHAT ON EARTH are you doing going through my wife’s office?” Vince demanded as Meghan’s hazel eyes widened.

“I….I……,” Meghan stammered.

Seeing the concerned look on Meghan’s face, Vince softened. “I’m sure you didn’t mean to snoop,” he said carefully. “I’m sure it was just an accident. Why don’t you put that folder back right now, and let’s have a little chat?”

Meghan’s hands were shaking, and she placed the folder back into its place.

“Good girl,” he said. “Come, sit down.”

Meghan stared at Vince, and he smiled back at her.

“I don’t know what you think you saw in that file,” he began. “But those are private documents. Let’s just forget all about this and go have a glass of champagne with my wife! She’s very excited that the Bishops left their money to our foundation, and I’m sure you would like to wish her well.”

Meghan narrowed her eyes at Vince and folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t really understand why the foundation is paying for such fancy trips when as of yesterday, it was nearly in financial ruin,” Meghan said, gesturing at the drawer where she had returned the file. “It’s pretty convenient that the two of you stumbled into this money at just the right time, isn’t it?”

Vince rose to his feet and stood directly in front of Meghan. He smiled, but the smile was menacing; Meghan could see the disdain in his eyes, and his pupils grew small as he peered down at her.

“So it’s going to be this way, huh? Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance to pretend like I didn’t find you snooping,” he said. “You’re smart enough. You saw the files. You know what happened.”

Meghan glared up at Vince. “You fixed their will to leave their money to the foundation to cover up for you and your wife!”

Vince shook his head. “Have you met Kirsty? She had nothing to do with this. I started gambling a few years back. Things turned sour. I handle the finances for the foundation, and it was easy to shift some money here, there, and everywhere I needed it.”

Meghan glowered. “You reworked the will and stole their money to cover up for your mistakes. You killed the Bishops at your own event!”

Vince shook his head. “Meghan,” he said. “I had to do what I had to do. I didn’t want to kill them; Brian and Amy have always been a nice couple. But, sometimes, when you’re desperate, you have to do things you don’t want to. They were my best chance to restore the foundation, and it worked!”

Meghan rose to her feet. She was standing nose-to-be with Vince, and she could feel his hot breath on her face.

“Sit down,” he growled. “You will not ruin this. I’ve done too much. I’ll be disbarred. I’ll lose my business.”

“I’ve already lost my business because of you!” she yelled. She lunged, grabbing for Vince’s neck. Vince ducked out of her way, and Meghan crashed into the glass desk in the center of the room.

“You stupid girl!” he snarled. “I gave you a chance to walk away from this, but you’ve made your choice. I’ll end you like I ended the Bishops!”

Vince ran toward Meghan, his fists in front of his face. He reeled back his left fist and pushed it into Meghan’s head.

“Stop!” Meghan screamed. She leaned over and kicked, but she did not manage to strike him. Vince wrapped his hands around her neck.

“That’ll be the end of you,” he said.

He squeezed Meghan’s neck tightly, and she struggled to breathe. Slowly, his grip tightened, and Meghan began to see black spots. She could feel her heart beating furiously in her chest, and her body was hot. Vince’s fingernails dug into her neck, and she could feel the skin breaking.

“Goodbye,” Vince whispered as he squeezed even tighter.

The black spots in Meghan’s vision grew, and soon, she was consumed in the darkness. Her consciousness was slipping away, and the memories of her time in Sandy Bay flashed before her eyes. She thought of how much she adored her friendship with Lori, how kind Karen had been to her, and how she would never realize her dream of turning Truly Sweet into a wild success. Meghan let out a soft moan; this was not the ending she had expected...

11

“WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?” Meghan heard Kirsty wail.

There was a loud crash, and just as Meghan began to drift into unconsciousness, Vince’s grip on her neck immediately loosened. He clumsily tumbled on top of her.

“Officer Irvin! What are you doing?” Kirsty screamed.

Meghan blinked open her eyes and saw Jack Irvin standing over Vince with the handle of a teapot in his hands. The body of the teapot lay in pieces on the floor, and it was clear that Jack had broken it over Vince’s head.

“Get off of my husband! Explain yourself!” she screeched at Jack. Vince rubbed his head; there was blood pouring from a large gash on his forehead, and he moaned.

“Meghan!” Jack cried out. “You!” he yelled down at Vince. He quickly removed a pair of handcuffs from his belt and secured Vince’s arms.

“What is happening?” Kirsty sobbed as Jack restrained her husband.  “Officer Irvin? Why is my husband in handcuffs? What is going on here?”

Jack shook his head. “Ma’am,” he began solemnly. “We’ve had our eye on Mr. Fisher for the last few months; we’ve been monitoring Vince’s accounts, along with the accounts of your foundation, and things were not adding up. There’s been an odd trail of money in and out to several casinos around the world, and from what we’ve pieced together, Mr. Fisher is at the center of one of the biggest scandals of money laundering, illegal casinos, and embezzlement in the history of the Pacific Northwest.”

“That’s impossible!” Kirsty declared. “We are pillars of this community! We have been servants to the people and charities of Sandy Bay for years! This is a mistake!”

Jack shook his head. “From our records, it’s clear that Mr. Fisher has had a gambling issue for several years. We found that he has been siphoning money out of the Fisher Foundation accounts, Mrs. Fisher.”

Kirsty’s eyes grew wide. “He….took from our charity?”

Jack nodded.

“My charity has been in the red,” she whispered, her voice quivering. “Vince said the money ran out because I made a mistake with the accounts. He said it was my fault. I was so relieved to get the money from the Bishops because it put the Fisher Foundation back on top….”

Jack shook his head. “No, Mrs. Fisher. From what the investigators learned, Mr. Fisher is responsible for a considerable sum of the Foundation’s money disappearing, not you.”

Kirsty glared at her husband. “Vince. Is this true?” Vince said nothing, and tears began to stream down Kirsty’s cheeks. She threw a hand to her forehead and fainted, her small body hitting the floor with a loud thump.

“What is going on in here?” Karen yelled as she bustled into the room. “I went out for fifteen minutes to eat my snack, and I come back to this? What is going on?”

Jack glared down at Vince. “Mr. Fisher here has a lot of explaining to do to his wife and the authorities,” he said.

“And the Bishop twins,” Meghan said softly. Jack turned to stare at her.

“What did you say?” Jack asked.

Meghan nodded. “He told me everything. He killed the Bishops and rearranged their will to exclude their sons. He was going to use the money from their estate to cover his tracks with the Fisher Foundation.”

Karen’s eyes glimmered. “That’s my girl,” she said quietly.

Jack nodded at Karen. “Can you check on her?” Jack asked, gesturing at Kirsty. “You were a nurse, and she fainted.”

Karen checked Kirsty’s pulse and gently shook her. “Come on, Kirsty,” she cooed. “Let’s get up, girl!”

Kirsty’s eyes slowly opened, and as she saw her husband in handcuffs, she narrowed her eyes.

“This explains everything!” Kirsty shouted. “This explains why you were always gone away on business! I thought you were having an affair! All of this time, you were traveling to casinos overseas to gamble, and you used our foundation money to do it? You are horrible, Vince! I am disgusted! I am ashamed!” Kirsty dramatically raised a hand to her forehead and slumped against the couch. “How will I ever recover from this filth?”

Jack looked sadly at Kirsty. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” he said. “We will need to seize your documents, as well as your husband. I will, however, promise you that your name is now officially cleared; you are no longer a suspect in the murder case.”

Kirsty glared. “Well, that just solves everything, doesn’t it? I am ruined! Vince, I will never speak to you again! I’m calling a lawyer tomorrow, and you will have nothing left after I am through with you!”

Jack whispered into his radio, and suddenly, ten police officers burst into the room, led by Officer Nunan.

“Good work, son,” she said to Jack.

Jack shook his head. “Meghan figured it out. She put the pieces together.”

Officer Nunan turned to Meghan. “Well, then! Good work, Ms. Truman. Well done.”

Meghan smiled weakly; her neck hurt from Vince’s hands, and she was bleeding from where his nails cut her skin.

“Officer Irvin, radio an ambulance,” Officer Nunan ordered. “Let’s get this criminal out of here, and let’s get this hero checked out!”

The ambulance arrived, and as Meghan was loaded into the back, Jack walked alongside her gurney.

“You really showed us what you’re made of,” Jack said in admiration. He reached over and gently touched her hand. “Get well soon, Meghan,” he said. “You’re a hero today, that’s for sure!”

Meghan closed her eyes, happy to be safe, and happy that the killer had been found.

“Yeah,” she replied to Jack as she was lifted into the ambulance. “I really was.”

As the ambulance sped through the streets of Sandy Bay, Meghan cast her mind back to the image of Kirsty and Vince on the evening of Fisher Fest. They looked so professional, so beautiful, so in love. She couldn’t believe that behind that façade was a marriage that had an underbelly that stunk of lies and deception. As she gazed at them that evening, she really wanted what they had. She imagined that there were other people in the room that day that shared her exact thoughts. Only by virtue of her personal interaction with Vince did she realize that not all that glitters is really gold.

12

TWO WEEKS AFTER THE ENCOUNTER with Vince, Meghan had returned to work at Truly Sweet. Thanks to a glowing article about her bravery in the face of the killer, business was booming once again, and Lori had also returned to work.

“It’s nice to be back,” Lori said cheerfully as she tied her apron on for the first time in nearly a month. “I’m ready for things to be quiet around Sandy Bay!”

Meghan nodded. Her first months in Sandy Bay had been anything but quiet, and Meghan ached for a sense of normalcy. She secured her own apron and stepped up to the counter.

“I just can’t believe how he poisoned them,” Lori said. “It’s terrible! Who would have expected Vince Fisher would have poisoned the Bishops with a little piece of peppermint gum?”

Meghan shrugged her shoulders. “It’s crazy,” she said. “I heard a witness came forward after Vince was apprehended and said he saw Vince slip Mr. Bishop some gum in the men’s restroom right before the event ended! The police tested the gum during the autopsy, and they determined it was poisoned. Thank goodness no one else tried it!”

Lori looked down at the counter, her eyes filling with tears. “Amy tried it,” she said.

Meghan turned to hug Lori. “It’s okay now,” she said. “The killer has been caught. Business is good again! The Weeks Group even restored their original order! It’s all going to be fine, Lori.”

Lori nodded, and the pair got to work. Just as Meghan finished the final touches on a black forest cake, she heard the chime of the little silver bells on the front door. Jack Irvin, dressed in street clothes, walked through the door with Dash, his dog.

“Meghan,” he said kindly. “Mind if we chat a minute?”

Meghan felt her cheeks grow warm, and she bobbed her head up and down. “Let me get something for you,” she said. Jack sat down at a table, and Meghan joined him a moment later with a large slice of the black forest cake.

“For me?” he asked.

“It’s the least I could do,” she said. “You gave so much information to the reporters, and thanks to their article, everyone knows that my cooking had nothing to do with the death of the Bishops! You said so many nice things. Thank you.”

Jack smiled weakly. “It was the least I could do,” he said. “The police department knew your desserts had nothing to do with the murders, but since the rumor was going around, we had to let it fly. We hoped the killer would eventually let his guard down since everyone in Sandy Bay seemed to blame you. I’m so sorry, Meghan.”

Meghan shrugged. “Everything is fine. Let’s just forget about this mess. Go ahead, enjoy your cake! I even brought something for Dash!”

Meghan placed a dog-shaped cookie in front of the dog, and Dash tore into it, pieces flying everywhere.

“I’m glad to see that someone likes my treats!” Meghan said, laughing as Dash inhaled the treat. “He’s so sweet. It makes me think of getting my own dog.”

Jack grinned. “I know a lot about dogs,” he said. “Maybe we could talk about them sometime? I could help you when you’re making the decision about which one to buy?”

Meghan beamed. She was blushing, but she didn’t care. She lowered her eyes, and then glanced back up at Jack. He was still smiling at her.

“That would be great, Jack,” she said.

“Wonderful! It’s a date!” he said.

“It’s a date,” Meghan replied.

The End

COOKIES AND BURIED SECRETS

A Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery

By

Amber Crewes

About Cookies and Buried Secrets

Released: August, 2018

Series: Book 3 – Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery Series

Standalone: Yes

Cliff-hanger: No

When a beautiful stranger sashays into a birthday party, Meghan Truman, along with other invited guests, is surprised to discover her relationship to the birthday celebrant.

This beautiful stranger attracts more shady characters to Sandy Bay. When one of these characters is found dead in an alley, the whole town is set on edge.

Will Meghan’s attempt to link the owner of a golden antique gun to the murder prove helpful to handsome Officer Irvin’s investigation or will the discovery of a buried secret lead to more murders?

1

It was a brisk morning, and Meghan Truman pulled the collar of her blue coat to cover her exposed neck as the chilly breeze nipped at her bare skin. She shivered as the salty air flew off of the ocean and ruffled her dark hair, but she did not move from her spot on the beach. Meghan had moved from Los Angeles to Sandy Bay a few months ago, and while she wasn’t quite used to the cool weather and dark skies of the Pacific Northwest yet, she was enjoying the change of pace.

“Hey! Meghan!”

Meghan’s heart fluttered as she heard the deep, familiar voice of Jack Irvin. She took a long, deep breath, trying to contain her excitement before turning around to greet him.

“Meghan!”

Meghan slowly pivoted to look up into Jack’s handsome face. She grinned, her dark eyes dancing as Jack smiled down at her, his blue eyes sparkling.

“It’s good running into you. What are you up to? All alone at the beach, huh?” Jack asked.

“I don’t mind,” she said, tucking a lock of dark hair behind her ear. “It’s so beautiful here. The beaches in LA were always so crowded, and I love having some peace and quiet.”

Jack chuckled. “I wouldn’t say you’ve had a lot of peace and quiet since you’ve been here,” he said, and Meghan lowered her eyes, shifting uncomfortably as she stood in the white sand. “You opened your bakery and then Norman Butcher was murdered, and then that couple was murdered, and you just seem to find your way into the middle of it all.”

Meghan’s jaw dropped. She was shocked by Jack’s words, and her dark eyes filled with tears as she recalled the murders that had scandalized Sandy Bay and almost ruined Meghan’s bakery, Truly Sweet.

“Hey,” Jack said as he saw the look on Meghan’s face. “I didn’t mean to say it like that. I’m sorry. The murders in town weren’t your fault, and it wasn’t your fault that your name got tied up in both situations. I shouldn’t have said that.”

Meghan turned away from Jack to face the sea, struggling to keep the tears from spilling onto her pale cheeks. She and Jack had finally started getting along; Meghan had even developed some romantic feelings for him, but his joke was simply uncouth.

“Meghan,” he said, reaching out to gently touch her shoulder. “I’m sorry. Let me make it up to you. I’ll be at Karen Denton’s birthday party tonight. It’s going to be a fun time. Let me pick you up for a nice dinner beforehand.”

Meghan blushed. She and Jack had been out together a few times, but nothing had ever come out of their few dinner dates. Was this the chance for something to happen between her and Jack?

“Okay,” she said, turning back to look at Jack. “Dinner, and then Karen’s birthday party.”

“Great!” he said, turning to leave the beach. “I’ll see you tonight. It’ll be something, I promise.”

That night, Jack picked Meghan up in his squad car and took her to dinner at Feast, a farm-to-table restaurant in Sandy Bay. Meghan had worn her favorite dress, a form-fitting green dress that accentuated her curves and brought out her dark eyes, and she felt confident as she sashayed to Jack’s car.

“You look great!” Jack had said as Meghan answered the door. “Let’s have a good night.”

After dinner, they drove to Winston’s Bar, a local watering hole. Jack escorted Meghan inside, and she saw that Karen’s birthday party was well underway. Streamers had been hung from the rafters of the bar, and a band was playing in the corner. Jack led Meghan to a stool at the bar and helped Meghan climb onto it.

“Here you go, ma’am,” he said, pushing his blond hair back from his face as Meghan settled in. “I’ll go get us some snacks.”

“Perfect,” she cooed. “I made all of the food here myself; I hope you like what Karen requested.”

Jack returned five minutes later with two cookies in hand. He handed one to Meghan, and then took a large bite out of his. Meghan watched as his eyes widened, and he swallowed the cookie as quickly as he could.

“You know I love your treats,” he whispered to Meghan, their heads huddled close together. “These spinach-almond-quinoa cookies just aren’t hitting the spot for me. Did you bring any of your brownies? Your brownies are out of this world.”

Meghan’s eyes sparkled at the compliment, and she nodded at Jack. “Ssshhh, let’s watch Karen blow out her candles, and then I’ll go get some of the brownies I brought. I left a whole pan in the back.”

Jack grinned, and he gestured at Karen Denton, Meghan’s dear friend. “With her insistence on healthy cookies, not to mention the size of her biceps, you would think she’s turning twenty-three, not seventy-three.”

Meghan laughed. “Hey, if these spinach-almond-quinoa cookies are the secret to having that much vigor and energy in my seventies, I’ll take them over my brownies any day.”

Meghan edged off of the stool and made her way into Winston’s kitchen. As she scanned the room for her pan of brownies, she felt a strong tug on her arm.

“Meghan! Sweetie, hello. I saw you walk in with Jack Irvin. How fabulous. I want to hear all of the details.”

Meghan grinned as the birthday girl, Karen Denton, peered up at her, her blue eyes glittering. “We had dinner before your party,” she whispered to Karen, pulling her deeper into the kitchen. “It was his suggestion.”

“Fabulous!” Karen squealed. “I could not ask for a better birthday present. I’ve always liked that Jack Irvin, and you know I just think the world of you. I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Maybe by my next birthday, you two will be a real couple.”

Meghan giggled. “We’ll see,” she said, reaching to hug Karen. “Enough about me. How are you enjoying your party?”

Karen beamed. “It’s exactly what I wanted. I don’t have a family of my own, but everyone in Sandy Bay came together to celebrate my birthday. It’s just fabulous. Everyone is here, Winston kindly opened his bar for us, and those healthy cookies you baked for me are a delight. This old lady couldn’t ask for anything more on her birthday.”

After finishing their hug, the two women turned to walk back into the main area of Winston’s bar. Meghan had a plate of brownies for Jack, and she could feel her body growing warm as she caught his eye from across the room. Jack looked so handsome in his blue button down shirt, and Meghan turned to gush to Karen about how happy she was to be at the party with him. Before she could whisper into Karen’s ear, however, Karen stopped in the middle of the room.

“Oh my,” Karen stammered, her blue eyes large. A stunningly beautiful woman was walking toward them; she had waist-length black hair, enormous brown eyes, and tan skin. A flower tattoo snaked around her right bicep, and Meghan cocked her head to the side as the woman approached.

“Are you alright?” Meghan asked, looking at Karen with concern. “Who is that?”

Karen’s mouth opened, and she clasped a hand to her chest.

“It’s my…..my…..my….it’s my daughter.”

2

Meghan gasped as the woman walked right up to Karen. Meghan leaned over, wrapping an arm around Karen, who looked as though she were about to faint. “Your daughter?” Meghan whispered, feeling Karen’s strong body go limp in her arms. “Karen! You have a daughter?”

Karen slowly nodded. “It’s a long story,” she said, shaking as the dark-haired woman sauntered over. “I don’t talk about her often.”

“Well, that’s a shame,” the woman said, catching the end of the conversation. “Why don’t you talk about me, Mamá?” The woman stuck out her lips and feigned a pout, but reached forward to embrace Karen. “It’s good to see you.”

Karen stepped away from Meghan and leaned into her daughter’s hug. “It’s good to see you too, Sofía,” Karen murmured, stroking her daughter’s thick, glossy hair.

Meghan crossed her arms in front of her chest, confused at the spectacle in front of her. She had known Karen for several years now; they had previously been neighbors in Los Angeles, and Meghan thought she knew everything about her. Karen had never spoken of a daughter, nor had she ever mentioned having any children, and Meghan was puzzled by the scene taking place in the middle of the bar.

“What are you doing here?” Karen asked, pulling away from the woman’s hug. “I didn’t know you were planning a visit.”

The woman sighed. “I wasn’t, Mamá,” she said, her voice tinged with sorrow as she looked down at Karen. “There were some things I wanted to get away from, and I thought the best place for me was with my Mamá.”

Karen nodded. “Well, of course,” she said slowly. “I can help you with whatever you need, Sofía.”

Sofía grinned. “Well, the first thing I need is a drink. I’ve been driving all day, and I need a little something to take the edge off.”

Karen frowned. Meghan knew that Karen didn’t drink, and she decided to introduce herself.

“Hi!” Meghan said, smiling warmly at Sofía, “I’m Meghan Truman. I’m a friend of…..your mom.”

Sofía looked up and down at Meghan, her dark eyebrows raised. “Aren’t you a little young to be hanging out with her?”

Meghan laughed. “I’m twenty-seven, but to be honest, Karen keeps me young. She’s so fit and in shape, she puts me to shame.”

Sofía rolled her eyes. “That’s nice. Look, I’m talking with my Mamá right now. Can you leave us alone?”

Meghan was taken aback, but she nodded. “Of course,” she said. “I’ll give you two some time.”

Ten minutes later, Karen wandered over to Meghan and Jack. “Can I talk with you?” she asked. Meghan said nothing, but took Karen’s hand and walked with her into an empty back room.

“Meghan,” Karen whispered, burying her head in her hands. “I can’t believe she is here.”

Meghan’s eyes widened. “Is she really your daughter, Karen? I didn’t even know you had a daughter.”

Karen moaned. “She’s been in a lot of trouble, Meghan. It’s not healthy to dwell on trouble, and I try to limit how much I think about her.”

Meghan stared at Karen. “Where did she come from, Karen? Who is she?”

Karen sighed. “Her name is Sofía,” she began. “Her father is a Mexican doctor I met when I worked as a nurse down in Jalisco. I was so young when she was born, Meghan; I was fresh out of nursing school when I took the position as a traveling nurse, and it wasn’t even a year after my arrival in Jalisco that Sofía was born.”

Meghan placed a hand on her heart. “What happened to her father? Why did you leave your daughter, Karen?”

Karen groaned. “Her father is a good man. We were married while Sofía was a little girl. When my visa expired, I had to go back to America, and everything just fell apart. It was a few years before I could get back into Mexico, and by the time I returned home, Sofía was a terror. My husband was resentful that I had been away, and it all went bad. I went home to America for good, and Sofía chose to stay with her father.”

Meghan could hardly believe Karen’s story, and she took a long breath as Karen choked back tears. “Then what happened?” she asked.

“Sofía was a wild little girl, and then a wild teenager. Her father sent her to live with me in LA for a bit, but that didn’t go well, and by the time she was eighteen, she was living on her own. She took off with my money and some of my jewelry, and now, twenty five years later, she’s back on my doorstep.”

Meghan’s jaw dropped. “You haven’t seen her for twenty five years?”

Karen shook her head. “Not since the day she cursed my name and marched out my door. That was the last I saw and heard of her. Her father’s kept me in the loop of her whereabouts; I believe he still pays for her credit cards, and he can see where she’s been spending money. I’m honestly surprised I haven’t heard from him yet; you’d think that Rafael would have let me know that she’s in the Pacific Northwest.”

Meghan shrugged. “That’s a lot, Karen. Are you alright? Oh my goodness, how hard this must be for you.”

Karen looked down at her feet. “I always thought it was my fault,” she said, her voice heavy. “If my visa hadn’t expired, I wouldn’t have had to leave her, and maybe she wouldn’t be so wild. Or, if it had gone better when she lived with me, maybe she wouldn’t be running away from something now as a grown woman.”

Meghan shook her head. “Hey,” she said softly. “You are a fabulous person, Karen Denton. You treated me like a daughter from the moment we met, and I am so grateful for that big heart of yours. I’m sorry it’s been hard with your daughter, but maybe things will be different now. Maybe she’s here on your birthday to celebrate you, and to make peace.”

Karen’s eyes were glued to her purple sneakers, and she sniffled. “I think peace is the last thing she’s going to make, Meghan,” she whispered. “Sofía doesn’t make peace. Sofía makes trouble.”

3

“I’m so glad we could get together.” Meghan gushed as Sofía smiled at her from across the table at Winston’s.

It was the day after Karen’s birthday party, and Meghan had invited Sofía to Winston’s, hoping to forge a connection with the daughter Karen had never told her about. Karen had been upset when Meghan first told her the idea, but after they talked at-length, Karen was optimistic about the notion of her second-daughter and real daughter getting together.

“Maybe if she knows you, someone so fabulous and a good influence, she will behave.” Karen had squealed on the phone as they discussed the meeting. “You are a sweetheart, Meghan, and I’m thankful you are trying to help.”

Sofía had agreed to the meeting. She arrived twenty minutes late wearing a tight-fitting, low-cut red dress; Meghan felt churlish and frumpy in her striped t-shirt and olive pants, but Sofía was nice enough, and Meghan genuinely enjoyed their conversation.

“I know our first meeting was a little awkward, so I’m glad we could have some time to chat one-on-one.”

“As am I,” Sofía murmured, as she sipped her martini, her long, blood-red fingernails contrasting sharply against the translucent glass. “It was overwhelming to see my mother for the first time in so long, so forgive me if I wasn’t quite my best.”

Meghan reached her hand across the table, placing her palm over the top of Sofia’s caramel-colored hand.

“Sofía,” she said softly, her dark eyes wide as she addressed Karen’s daughter. “I hope you know that you are welcome in Sandy Bay. I’ve known Karen, your mother, for several years now, and she is the kindest person I’ve ever met. I know it was….strange to see her again, but I promise you, she is happy to have you here.”

Sofía closed her dark eyes and sighed. “I just don’t know,” she said, sliding her hand out from beneath Meghan’s. “You’ve been such a doll, Meghan, but I saw my mother’s face when I walked in that door. I just wanted to see her on her birthday, and she looked as if she had seen a ghost.”

Meghan’s heart lurched as she saw the pain invade Sofía beautiful, angular face.

“Sofía,” she said. “Just trust me. I know we hardly know each other, but I know what it’s like to be new in town and to feel out of place. Sandy Bay is a nice town, and your mother is a good person. Just give things some time. I’m happy to meet you. Any friend…or special person…to Karen is someone special to me too.”

Sofía tucked a lock of her thick, glossy dark hair behind her ear and leaned back into her chair. Meghan noticed a pair of milky-white pearl studs in Sofia’s ears, and she grinned, tucked back her own hair to reveal her pearl earrings.

“Look!” she said, fingering her earlobe. “We match!”

The corners of Sofia’s lips turned upward into a smile. “Yes, we do,” she replied, touching her own earrings with the tips of her long, red fingernails. “Pearls make a woman fabulosa.”

The two women smiled at each other, and Meghan copied Sofía’s relaxed pose, settling into her chair. “So, tell me more about yourself.” Meghan chirped. “Karen only told me a bit about you, and I want to hear more.”

Sofía raised a dark eyebrow and laughed at Meghan. “You want to hear more?”

Meghan nodded, hoping to make a good connection with Karen’s daughter. “Of course!”

Sofía took a long breath and swirled her glass, the large ice cubes making little clinking sounds as they crashed into each other. “There really isn’t much to know, Meghan,” Sofía said slowly. “I’m sure my mother told you that I was a wild one when I was younger. I’m older now, and I want to settle down. I’ve been a wanderer for years, and I’m getting tired. I want to have a….a quiet life, you know?”

Meghan bobbed her head enthusiastically. “I totally get that.” she said, her eyes bright.

“When I lived in LA, everything was just crazy. Sandy Bay is the perfect place to have some peace and quiet.”

Sofía looked down into her drink, and Meghan could see her grip tightening on the glass.

“Yes,” she said softly. “Life has just been….crazy. I’m ready for a new start here. I just hope Brody stays away...”

Meghan’s eyes widened. “Brody?”

Sofía shook her head. “Oh, he’s no one.”

Meghan leaned in. “Oh, come on!” she coaxed. “I’ve told you all about my life before Sandy Bay. Was Brody someone special?”

Sofía shrugged. “He was a great love of mine, but he’s crazy, Meghan. I was in business with him and a friend of his before I got here--they called us the three amigos--but everything just got so….messed up. Brody turned into a terrible man. He was wicked and horrible, Meghan. I was scared of him. That’s why I left in the first place, to be honest...”

Meghan frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that,” she said sympathetically. “Business is a tricky thing. I own my business all by myself and I’ve had all sorts of trouble. I can’t imagine doing it with two other people.”

Sofía closed her eyes and moaned quietly. “It was just so hard,” she whispered, still gazing into her now-empty glass. “Everything went all wrong. I just want a fresh start here in Sandy Bay. I want a fresh start with my mother, and a fresh start for myself, away from Brody, away from the business, and away from who I used to be.”

Meghan reached across the table and lightly touched Sofía’s arm. “Sandy Bay is the perfect place to start over. Everyone is so nice, and I know things with you and Karen will work out. I’m happy you’re here, Sofía. Seriously, I’m so glad we got together, and I hope you know that you can consider me your very first friend in Sandy Bay.”

Sofía’s dark eyes sparkled, and she released her grip on the empty martini glass. “Gracias, amiga,” she said, staring into Meghan’s eyes. “I think it’s all gonna be good.”

After Meghan and Sofía had hugged goodbye, Meghan turned to walk back to her little apartment. She lived in a small unit right above her bakery, and it was only a short walk home. As she walked through the darkened streets of Sandy Bay, her heart soared; she had easily befriended Karen’s estranged daughter, and Meghan felt as though she could mend the rift between mother and daughter. As she passed the shops and houses between Winston’s and Truly Sweet, Meghan felt as though all was truly well in her life.

“Everything is settling into place.” Meghan thought as she turned the corner. Suddenly, just behind her, she heard the thud of footsteps. She quickened her pace, clutching her purse tightly and moving her legs as fast as they would go. Meghan glanced behind her and caught sight of a dark figure only a few steps behind her.

“Oh no,” Meghan said under her breath as she moved toward Truly Sweet. “Not again.”

Meghan remembered the chaos of her first few days in Sandy Bay. She had been stalked by a dark figure, who turned out to be a murderer as she went for a run in the park, and now, she could feel the icy, gripping tug of fear consuming her body as another dark figure walked behind her in the darkness of the evening.

“Keep it together, Truman,” she said to herself as she broke into a sprint. She dashed toward the familiar yellow door of her bakery and jammed the key inside the lock. As she stood on the doorstep of her bakery, she looked behind her, but the dark figure had disappeared.  When Meghan was safely inside, she peeked out the window. No one was outside.

“Silly me,” Meghan muttered as she placed her hand on her thudding heart. “It was probably someone just out for a night-time walk. I am so paranoid. Silly, silly me. I’ve had too much happen in Sandy Bay already for anything else to go wrong.”

Meghan sat at one of the little white tables in the dining area of the bakery, hoping to collect herself before venturing upstairs for bed. As she relaxed in her chair, she heard footsteps in the kitchen of the bakery. She gasped as a slim, brown-haired man sauntered out of the kitchen, a cupcake in his hands.

“Hey,” he said, taking a bite out of the cupcake and grinning maniacally at Meghan. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Brody. I’m Sofía’s boyfriend.”

4

Meghan’s jaw dropped. “How did you get in here?” Meghan asked, rising to her feet and clenching her fists.

“Your assistant let me in,” Brody said, wiping a smear of chocolate icing off of his chin. “I stopped in for directions. I’ve never been here before. I’m trying to find Sofía, and that little short-haired girl who works in here told me that you were out with her.”

Meghan shook her head. “Lori must have been confused,” she said, thinking of her beloved assistant. “I was out at the grocery store. I don’t even know a Sofía.”

Brody narrowed his eyes and took a step toward Meghan. Her heart lurched. She remembered Sofía’s worried face as she had told her about Brody, her dangerous ex-boyfriend, and Meghan’s eyes widened as Brody walked closer to her.

“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?” he asked, staring into Meghan’s dark eyes. He was right in front of her now; their noses were practically touching, and Meghan could feel the heat of his breath on her face.

“No,” she said, plastering a smile on her face. “I don’t even know what you are talking about. I’m new in town, you see. Maybe Lori mentioned that?”

Brody took a step back and nodded. “She did say that her boss was new to the area. Okay, fine. I’ll see myself out. But if you lied to me….well, let’s just say I won’t be happy. I have to find Sofía.”

Brody marched out of the bakery, and Meghan ran for the phone. She dialed Karen’s number.

“Karen!” she exclaimed breathlessly. “I need you to get over here. Are you with Sofía by any chance?”

“Sweetie? What’s going on? And yes, she just walked in. She said she had a wonderful time getting to know you. You have no idea how much I appreciate you taking time to get to know her.”

“Karen, listen to me. I need you to bring Sofía to Truly Sweet immediately. Sofía is in danger.”

Ten minutes later, Meghan heard as Karen’s orange jeep pulled up outside of the bakery. She let Karen and Sofía inside of the bakery and gestured toward the little white tables. “Sit down,” she said, her face somber.

“What’s going on, Meghan?” Karen asked. “Sofía and I were visiting at home. What did you mean that she is in danger?”

Meghan’s eyes widened as she thought about her encounter with Brody. She shuddered as she remembered his sour breath in her face and the evil look in his eyes. “Brody is in town,” she said quietly.

Sofía buried her head in her hands. “No! This cannot be. I didn’t leave a trace when I left him. How did he find me?”

Meghan shook her head. “He was here, Sofía. He was randomly in the bakery, and Lori, my assistant, must have mentioned that we were together. He waited here when Lori left and confronted me.”

Karen looked confused. “Sofía? Who is Brody? What is going on?”

Sofía’s eyes began to water. “He was mi amor,” she said sadly, her shoulders beginning to quiver. “We were in business together with one of his friends. Some things went wrong, and Brody became dangerous, and I left him. I disappeared without a trace and came here to find you.”

Karen gasped. “Oh, sweetheart,” she said, pulling her daughter close to her. “That is terrible. You should have come here sooner. I know we’ve had our differences, but I would have always helped you.”

Sofía sniffled. “I thought I could handle it. It just got too scary; Brody is a bad man. I can’t believe he found me.”

Meghan bit her bottom lip. “I told him that Lori was mistaken and that I didn’t know you, but I think he could tell I was lying. He was terrifying, Sofía. I think you should get out of Sandy Bay. You aren’t safe here.”

Sofía began to cry. “This is awful,” she said, her thick black eyeliner streaming down her golden skin as she wept. “What am I going to do?”

“Here is what you are going to do,” Karen said matter-of-factly. “We are going to go home and pack up. We will take a trip together; it’s been so long since we’ve spent time together, and we can go somewhere while Brody is in town. Once he realizes you are not here, he’ll leave! End of story.”

Sofía nodded her head. “That sounds like a good idea.”

Karen grabbed her daughter’s hand. “I’ll keep you safe,” she said gently. “And Meghan…that Jack Irvin is a good kid. He’s a police officer, for goodness sake, and I think he has a crush on you. Jack can keep an eye on you until Brody is gone, and sooner than later, things will all be back to normal.”

Karen and Sofía left the bakery, planning to leave town the next day. Meghan slept fitfully, but the next morning, Lori’s smiling face cheered her up.

“It’s a truly sweet day!” Lori squealed as she walked through the door, her green eyes sparkling.

“Meghan, I hope it’s okay that I let that man wait here for you after I closed up last night. He said you had urgent business.”

Meghan weighed her words, knowing that her young, sensitive assistant would have a strong reaction to harsh feedback.

“Lori,” Meghan said gently. “Next time, let’s not have anyone wait for me or tell anyone who I am with. Just give them my cell phone number and let them reach out to me, okay?”

Lori’s eyes grew large. “Did I do something wrong? I’m so sorry. Oh, Meghan! I messed up. I’m sorry. I’m the worst.”

Meghan laughed and pulled Lori in for a hug. “You’re fine, Lori. It’s fine. Just give out my number, next time.”

Lori and Meghan got to work. They had a hectic week ahead; the Weeks Group corporate order was keeping the bakery busy, and Meghan had even been considering hiring additional help. Business was booming, and Truly Sweet was one of the most popular shops in town.

As Lori tended to customers in the front, Meghan worked on baking pies in the back of the bakery. She bent down to place a pie on the bottom cooling rack in the kitchen, and she heard the tinkling of the little silver bells attached to the front door. Instead of hearing the pleasant chatter of customers, she heard Lori scream. Meghan dropped the pie and ran into the dining area. Brody was standing in front of the counter, his face red and his brow twitching.

“You! I knew you were lying to me.” he roared at Meghan as her jaw dropped. “You knew where Sofía was the whole time. I told you it would be trouble for you if you lied, and well, here is trouble.”

Lori cowered behind Meghan, and Meghan struggled to maintain her composure as Brody slowly stepped toward her.

“Get away from me,” Meghan hissed as he walked closer. “Stay away! I know that you’re bad news, Brody, and I will call the police.”

Brody laughed. “It will take forever for the cops to get here. Good luck, girlie.”

Meghan reached behind her for anything to use as a weapon. She felt the sharp edge of a knife, and she grabbed the handle, holding the knife in front of her.

“I said, stay away!” she yelled, pointing the knife at Brody’s face. His eyes widened, but he kept moving toward Meghan.

“You’re gonna be sorry for lying to me,” he said. “And you’re gonna be even sorrier for waving that knife in my face. Give it to me.”

“No!” she yelled as Brody lunged at her.

“Ohhhhhh!” Brody cried out, flying sideways.

Meghan looked up. Mrs. Sally Sheridan, one of the oldest women in town, stood above Brody, who was now lying on the wooden floor. Her cane was raised above her head, and she brought it down over Brody’s head.

“Mrs. Sheridan!” Meghan gasped. “You saved us.”

“I came to ask for a refund on these nasty little cookies,” Mrs. Sheridan said, setting a bag of cookies on the counter. “I heard this man threatening you.” Mrs. Sheridan stepped back to survey her handiwork. Brody was holding his head and groaning.

“That’s not how you speak to a lady.” Mrs. Sheridan said, glancing from Brody to Meghan. “I’ll be expecting a refund next time I come in, Miss Truman. There’s too much commotion going on here for me today. I’ll be leaving now. You two girls best contact the authorities before he comes to his senses.”

Meghan and Lori stared in awe as Mrs. Sheridan hobbled out of the bakery. “I didn’t even hear her come in.” Lori whispered. “She saved us.”

“Yes, she did,” Meghan replied. “Come on, Lori. Let’s get out of here and call the police. I’m told that this man is dangerous, and he’s certainly proved that today.”

Later that evening, as Meghan was settling into bed after the hectic day, she received a frantic call from Karen.

“Have you heard what happened?” Karen cried.

“What’s going on?”

“The police let Brody go shortly after they collected him from the bakery. They said there wasn’t enough evidence. He stormed around town until he found Sofía.”

Meghan gasped. “Is she alright? Did he hurt her?”

“She’s fine, but she’s upset. She had gone to Winston’s for a drink before we were to leave on our trip, and Brody found her there.”

“What happened?” Meghan asked.

“They had a huge fight. Sofía told me that Brody has a nasty temper, and he proved that tonight. He smashed the windows at Winston’s bar, and he broke all of the wine glasses in Winston’s nice case. He and Sofía were screaming at each other, and Winston himself finally had to get involved.”

“That’s horrible,” Meghan said. “I can’t believe he found her.”

“That’s not all,” Karen said, her voice shaking. “Winston told Brody to leave town, or otherwise, he would be sorry. Sofía told me that they started to fight, and she jumped in the middle. I guess it got ugly, and then, Brody finally stomped out. Winston drove Sofía home, and she is so upset.”

“Oh Karen,” she murmured. “What are you going to do?”

“Meghan, I am a mother,” she said firmly. “I have let my daughter down before, but this time, I am going to do right by her. I am a mother, and mothers would do anything to protect their daughters. Anything.”

Meghan and Karen said their goodbyes, and as Meghan climbed into bed, she felt shaken. Brody’s intrusion had been terrifying, and if Mrs. Sheridan hadn’t intervened, Meghan could have been hurt. Brody had nearly hurt Winston and Sofía, and Meghan felt anxious as she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Meghan awoke to her phone ringing. She rolled over in bed, ignoring the noise, but call after call came in. Finally, she answered the phone.

“Meghan!” Sofía cried. “He’s dead! He’s dead. He was at the bar last night, and now, he’s dead.”

“Who is dead?” Meghan asked, rubbing her eyes. “Winston?”

“Brody! Brody is dead!”

5

“He’s what?” Meghan asked in disbelief.

“He’s dead. Brody is dead!” Sofia screamed. “I wanted him to leave me alone. I didn’t want him dead.”

“Sofia…what happened?” she asked, holding a hand to her heart as Sofia cried.

“I don’t know. Mamá isn’t home, and I went to grab a coffee in town. I heard screaming and saw police cars as I got closer to town, and then, I saw his body in an alley. The police were covering it with a sheet. He’s dead, Meghan.”

Meghan was in shock. “Where is your mother?”

“I don’t know. Mamá gave me some sleeping pills last night to calm me down, and when I woke up, she was gone. She left a note saying that she was going to the gym, but she still isn’t home.”

“That’s pretty normal,” she said slowly, recalling her conversation with Karen the night before. “She works out for hours each day. I’m sure she’ll be back soon.”

“It’s just crazy, Meghan. He’s dead, and a police officer called the house, looking for me. I have to go down to the station later and talk to them. I can’t get ahold of my mom, and I don’t know what I’m gonna say. I just hate cops, you know?”

Meghan thought of Jack dressed in his police uniform and shook her head. “The police in Sandy Bay are good people. Just be honest and relax. This will all be figured out, I promise. Look, since Karen isn’t back yet, I’ll come pick you up from the station later, okay?”

Sofia hiccuped. “Okay, Meghan. That would be nice. Gracias, chica.”

Meghan arrived at the police station that evening with a concerned look on her face. She had been accused of three murders since moving to Sandy Bay, and as she climbed the steps of the Sandy Bay Police Station, she fretted that her name would somehow come up in the investigation of Brody’s death. He had been at her bakery the day he died, and Meghan’s stomach churned as she remembered how it was to have almost everyone in the town turn against her.

“Meghan!” Jack Irvin exclaimed as she walked into the station. “So good to see you. What are you doing here?”

Meghan sighed. “I’m here to pick up Sofia,” she explained as Jack’s face grew stormy.

“I interviewed her myself,” he said, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “Meghan, you’ve been at the center of two Sandy Bay scandals already. I have some....concerns about Sofia and this boyfriend situation. I think you should really let Karen take care of her daughter right now….”

Meghan shook her head. “She can’t get ahold of Karen,” she said. “She is my friend, Jack. I met her terrible boyfriend. Brody was so scary, Jack. He threatened me, and the police just let him go.”

Jack’s jaw dropped. “What? I didn’t know about that. Why didn’t you call me? I would have made Chief Nunan lock up that monster forever if I had known he had threatened you.”

Meghan lowered her eyes. “I’m sorry, I should have called,” she said. “I was shaken up, and Karen was upset too.”

Jack raised an eyebrow. “Speaking of Karen, where is she? Sofia said Karen was at the gym, but I can’t get ahold of her. I’d really like to speak with her. I’m also trying to get ahold of Winston. Do you know anything about his whereabouts? I know Sofia was at his bar last night, and she seems to open up to you….”

Meghan frowned. “Jack, I don’t know anything. Sofia called earlier to tell me Brody is dead. I don’t know anything about what happened, but I heard how upset she was. I think she is innocent.”

Jack sighed. “We’ll see,” he said. “I’m just glad you are safe. That Brody character sounds like a bad dude. Whoever wanted him dead really wanted him gone. He had quite a few bullets in his side, Meghan. The murder weapon is missing, and it just all seems a little odd that someone like Sofia shows up, and then, someone dies. That’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen here in sleepy old Sandy Bay, and from what Sofia said, it sounds like she had good reason to say sayonara to Brody.”

Meghan placed her hands on her hips. “I just know that Sofia didn’t do it,” she said. “Let me help you investigate. Karen did say that Brody and Winston fought last night. Brody even vandalized Winston’s bar. Let me help you look into that. I want to do everything I can to help Karen and Sofia. Karen has done so much for me, and this is the least I can do for them.”

Jack groaned. “Meghan, are you sure you want to get wrapped up in this mess?”

Meghan nodded as Sofia appeared through a door at the end of the hallway. “Sofia!” Meghan waved. “Hey!”

Sofia looked down at the ground. “Meghan. Officer Irvin.”

Jack frowned and turned to walk away. “Meghan, do what you want. Just know that I have to take this seriously.”

As Jack walked away, Sofia stuck her tongue out at his back. “I hate cops,” she hissed. “They’re the worst. That one was so rude to me. He thinks I did it. I can tell.”

Meghan shook her head. “He’s a good guy, Sofia. I know him. Just take it easy. Let’s get out of here.”

The two women walked outside. Karen’s orange jeep was parked on the curb.

“Did you find my mother?” Sofia asked. Meghan shook her head.

“No, I just borrowed her car to come get you.”

“I can’t believe he thinks I did it,” Sofia lamented as they drove toward Karen’s house. “I mean, we weren’t together, and I hated who he became, but I loved Brody.”

Meghan nodded her head as Sofia began to cry. “I know,” she said softly. “It must be so hard.”

Meghan deposited Sofia at Karen’s house and drove the orange jeep back to the bakery. As she parked, she noticed Sofia had left her red leather purse in the passenger side of the door.

“I’ll get that back to her,” Meghan thought as she reached for her cell phone.  As she walked to her front door, she dialed Jack’s number and began to chastise him.

“Jack, she didn’t do it. She said that you were rude to her, and you need to chill out. I know she didn’t do it. Have you spoken to Winston yet?”

Before Jack could answer, Meghan tripped, dropping her cell phone and Sofia’s purse on the ground. “Uh oh.” Meghan said to herself as the contents of the purse fell onto the sidewalk. Meghan bent down to collect Sofia’s things. She picked up a tube of red lipstick, fifteen pennies, a wallet, and an expired credit card.

“Shoot!” she said, stuffing the items into the purse. As she reached her hand inside of the bag, she touched a cold, hard object.

“What?” Meghan murmured as she pulled the item out of the bag.

Meghan lifted the cold, hard object out of her bag and gasped. In her hands, she held a gold, antique gun.

6

“You told me that you had nothing to do with it, Sofia, and then I find this?” Meghan yelled as she pounded on the door of Karen’s house. Sofia appeared, and when she saw the gun sparkling in the sunshine, her face grew pale.

“Wait. Meghan, it’s not what it looks like.”

“Not what it looks like? Your ex-boyfriend was murdered, the murder weapon is missing, and you just happen to have a gun in your bag? Where is Karen? I need to talk to her now.”

“Meghan?” Karen appeared in the doorway beside her daughter. “What’s the matter?”

“Karen!” Meghan exclaimed. “Where have you been? Do you know what happened?”

Karen nodded. “I heard,” she said quietly, her face grim. “I was out for a long run and didn’t see my missed calls until I got home. It’s terrible, Meghan.”

Meghan glared at Sofia. “I think she knows more than what she told Jack,” she said, pointing at Sofia. “Look what I found.” Meghan dangled the small, golden gun in front of Karen and Sofia.

“Sofia!” Karen screeched. “You have a gun?”

“Not just any gun,” Meghan added. “I think it’s the murder weapon.”

Sofia reached out her perfectly-manicured hand and snatched the gun from Meghan’s grip.

“Stop it,” she said coldly. “That was a gift from Brody. It’s worth a lot of money, Meghan, and if you break it, you’ll owe me.”

Karen spun to face her daughter. “Explain to me why Brody would give you a gun,” she said. “Tell us right now, Sofia.”

Sofia leaned onto one hip and turned her thick lips into a pout. “He always said that I was his pistol,” she explained. “He bought me this from an antique gun shop in Honduras last summer. It’s not the murder weapon, Meghan. Just look at it.”

Meghan squinted at the gun. It was in perfect condition; there was not a scratch or blemish on it, and Meghan searched for a trace of evidence.

“That’s enough,” Sofia said, tucking the gun into the back pocket of her tight black leather pants. “I’ve had enough of this. That cop already interrogated me, and I don’t need you in my face, Meghan. You’re supposed to be my friend. I came to Sandy Bay to get away from Brody, not to kill him. This is all too messed up.”

Sofia marched into the house, and Meghan could hear the slam of a door. “This isn’t good,” she said to Karen. “Jack and I spoke earlier, and he has concerns about Sofia. Now, honestly, so do I…”

“I know,” Karen whispered, her eyes red. “I had a bad feeling when she showed up at my birthday party. That girl has always managed to find trouble. I’m so upset, Meghan. First Sofia shows up here, then her ex-boyfriend appears and threatens you AND fights at Winston’s, and now, he’s dead? It’s terrible.”

Meghan nodded. “Karen, what happened last night? Was Sofia here?”

Karen shrugged. “I think so? She came home from Winston’s and was so upset about Brody showing up and fighting. I gave her some sleeping medication to help calm her down. The last I saw of her was at about nine. I checked on her before my nighttime yoga class. I didn’t look in when I got home, so I assumed all was well….”

“I want to believe her,” Meghan said. She’s your daughter, Karen. I want to believe her and for her to be innocent. I just don’t know.”

“Neither do I,” Karen admitted. “Neither do I….”

The next day, Meghan’s heart fluttered as Jack walked into the bakery. “Jack!” she cried, happy to see him. “I’m so glad to see you. I’m sorry our call dropped yesterday. There were some...interesting things going on.”

Jack furrowed his brow. “Oh? Anything I should know about?”

Meghan nodded. “Yes, but you look like you have something to talk about. What’s up?”

Jack sighed. “I’ve been interrogating Winston, and I’m concerned that he may have played a part in the murder, Meghan.”

Meghan’s dark eyes widened. “No! No way, Jack.”

Jack nodded. “Brody tore up his bar, and I have several witnesses on record saying that Winston was threatening Brody as he kicked Brody out of the bar.”

Meghan rolled her eyes. “Officer Irvin,” she said playfully. “Threatening someone doesn’t mean that he killed him. Come on!”

Jack stared into Meghan’s eyes. “We found some things, Meghan.”

“What?” Meghan asked.

“We searched Winston’s bar and found some guns. A few of them had recently been used. We can’t be too sure, but we think we may have found our murderer.”

Meghan’s heart pounded. “There’s just no way,” she said. “Winston isn’t a killer.”

Jack shrugged. “Our lab isn’t sophisticated enough to do accurate testing,” he explained. “We’re sending the guns off to a bigger lab in Portland. Until we can get more information, we’re going to keep Winston in jail.”

Meghan crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I’m just not sure you’re onto the right gun owner,” she said. “I found a gun, Jack. I found a gun in Sofia’s purse.”

Jack’s blue eyes grew large. “You found a gun?” he whispered.

Meghan nodded. “I think Sofia might not be innocent after all,” she admitted sheepishly. “I think you should keep an eye on her.”

Jack took a long breath and paced around the dining area. As he walked near the window, he cocked his head to the side. “Hey,” he said. “Speaking of Sofia, isn’t that her out there?” Jack pointed out the window, and Meghan saw Karen’s orange jeep. Sofia was behind the wheel, and she was racing through the streets of Sandy Bay.

“Uh oh,” Meghan muttered. “She must be going a hundred miles an hour.”

“She’s about to hit that sign!” Jack exclaimed as Sofia narrowly avoided hitting a stop sign.

“What is she doing?” she asked.

Jack turned to Meghan. “I don’t know,” he said. “But you and I are going to go find out.”

Without giving her a chance to accept or deny his request, Jack grabbed Meghan’s hand and they both dashed out of Truly Sweet.

7

“I lost sight of her!” Meghan cried as she and Jack followed Sofia in Jack’s undercover vehicle. “I’m sorry.”

Jack gave Meghan a side-eyed smile. “Oh? I thought you were contributing to this investigation, Truman. You let me down.”

Meghan blushed. She liked when Jack called her by her last name, but she tried to forget about her crush and focus on the task at hand. They had been following Sofia for nearly fifteen minutes, and her driving was getting worse; Sofia had almost hit several pedestrians, and she was driving well over the speed limit.

“She’s up to something,” Meghan said as Jack eased the car into the left-hand lane. “I know it. Who drives like that?”

Jack nodded. “It’s suspicious,” he confirmed. “I want to check out that gun you told me about, too. You said it was clean, but if she’s recently wiped it down, we’ll be able to detect that.”

Meghan sighed. “What if we don’t find her? She’s driving so quickly.”

Jack jerked his chin at the road in front of them. “Look, Meghan. There she is. I can just make out the back of Karen’s jeep. See? There’s Karen’s I BRAKE FOR YOGIS bumper sticker.”

Meghan gasped. “She’s pulling into that parking garage, Jack! Look! Pull in behind her.”

Jack turned the car into the parking garage behind the orange jeep. “We have to lay low, Meghan,” he warned. “She’s a wild card. We need to make sure we aren’t walking into anything dangerous.”

Meghan nodded. “Slow down. She’s coming to a stop beside that black car. Look. She’s getting out.”

Jack pulled his car into an empty spot a few hundred feet away from where Sofia was parking the jeep. “We’ll watch from here. I have my camera, handcuffs, and gun, if we need it. We’ll see what she does. I have a feeling she’s up to no good.”

Meghan and Jack watched as Sofia emerged from the driver’s side of the orange jeep. Her long, dark hair was piled atop her head in an immaculate bun, and she wore a low-cut black dress. A black lace choker wound around her neck, and Sofia sported a matching pair of black high heels.

“She looks fancy,” Meghan whispered. “I wonder who she’s meeting?”

The driver door of the black car opened, and a handsome, silver-haired man stepped out. Meghan could see his biceps bulging out of his tight black shirt, and a gun was strapped to a holster around his waist.

“He has a gun,” she whispered to Jack as the man walked toward Sofia. “He has a gun…Look! He’s running at her. She must be in trouble.”

Before Jack could respond, Meghan tore out of her seat and ran across the parking garage toward the man and Sofia.

“Hey!” Meghan screamed. “Don’t hurt her! Don’t hurt her!”

Sofia’s eyes widened. “Meghan?”

Meghan wrapped her arms around Sofia and yelled at the man. “Leave her alone! I’m here with a police officer, and if you think you’re going to hurt her, you are wrong. Stay back!”

Sofia glared down at Meghan and shoved her off. “Get off of me, Meghan.”

The man looked amused. “Sofia? Who is this?”

Sofia rolled her eyes. “A friend of my mother’s,” she replied as the man chuckled.

“Meghan, seriously. He’s not going to hurt me. This is Simon. He’s my boyfriend.”

Meghan gasped. “Your boyfriend? But I thought Brody was your boyfriend?”

Sofia shook her head. “Brody was my ex,” she said, snapping her gum and shooting a smile to her boyfriend. “Simon was his friend for years, and then we all went into business together. As soon as Brody started getting mean, Simon and I got together.”

Meghan raised an eyebrow. “So you broke up with Brody and started dating his friend?”

Sofia nodded. “Simon was nicer,” she explained. “Brody could be such a monster, and Simon took care of me. He’s still taking care of me. He drove all the way up here to bring me my babies.” Sofia walked to Simon’s car and opened the back door. Two poodle puppies jumped out and started licking Sofia’s legs. “I had to leave them behind when I skipped town,” she said. “Simon promised to bring the puppies to me, and here they are. He’s the best.”

Simon beamed at Sofia. “Anything for you, my love,” he said, pushing past Meghan to plant a hard, long kiss on Sofia’s lips. “I knew that Brody was a threat to her safety, and I encouraged her to come here to hide out. I can’t believe he found her already. He was horrible to her, and he nearly sank our business. Now, I’m here to stay. I’m going to keep my woman safe, and nothing bad is ever going to happen to her again.”

Meghan heard Jack’s footsteps, and she turned to face him. “Jack,” she said.

“Everything okay over here?” Jack said in an authoritative voice. “You were driving erratically for several miles, Sofia, and I’m concerned.”

Sofia shook her head. “I was just excited to see my puppies and my boyfriend.”

Jack frowned as he stared at Simon. “You didn’t mention a boyfriend when you were interviewed at the station,” he said flatly. “Were you intentionally keeping that from us, or did you just forget?”

Sofia rolled her eyes. “I don’t need any more attitude from you. I don’t have to answer any of your questions without my lawyer present. Simon, let’s get out of here.” Sofia and Simon picked up the two puppies and settled into Simon’s black car.

“Well then,” Jack said as Sofia and Simon sped out of the parking garage. “This certainly makes things interesting.”

8

Jack was quiet as he drove back toward town, and Meghan could sense the tension between them.

“Why are you mad?” Meghan asked. “What did I do?”

Jack frowned at Meghan, his blue eyes flashing with anger. “You put us both in jeopardy, Meghan. You ran out of the car before I could assess the situation. You could have been hurt. I could have gotten hurt trying to save you.”

Meghan shrugged. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “I was just excited that we found Sofia, and I thought that man was trying to hurt her. I didn’t know Simon was her boyfriend. She’s Karen’s daughter, Jack.”

Jack shook his head. “She’s a murder suspect, Meghan,” he glowered. “It wasn’t your place to run over there before I had given you a directive. And what were you thinking by talking to Simon? He’s a suspect now, too. You’ve sullied the investigation with your meddling. I shouldn’t have let you help. This was a mistake.”

Meghan burned with shame and anger. She knew that she had been wrong to jump into the situation before Jack had given her instructions, but she also didn’t appreciate Jack’s condescending tone. She was an intelligent, competent adult woman, and she didn’t like being spoken to as if she were a petulant child.

“Just let me out of here,” she said coldly as Jack passed the large, wooden WELCOME TO SANDY BAY sign.

“Absolutely not,” he replied. “With a murderer on the loose, the last thing I’m going to do is dump you in the middle of the road, Meghan. Give me a little more credit.”

Meghan crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I just want to solve this thing and give Karen some peace of mind,” she said quietly, fighting the tears threatening to spill from her eyes. “It’s been so hard on her to have Sofia here, and she was so upset when Brody made a scene at Winston’s.”

Jack gritted his teeth. “I know,” he said. “Meghan, I know you’re worried about Karen, but I have to be honest with you. We’re keeping an eye on her.”

Meghan’s mouth fell open. “What?”

Jack nodded. “She allegedly gave Sofia sleeping pills, and then she couldn’t be found for hours on the morning of the murder.”

Meghan shook her head. “She was at the gym.” she insisted.

Jack shrugged. “I haven’t been able to find any witnesses to corroborate her story. According to Karen, she was at the gym at a quiet hour, but until I find someone who saw her….And, think about it, Meghan, Karen’s life has always been about Karen, and now, Sofia and her troubles are here. It just seems like Karen has more of a motive than you’d like to admit….”

“That is enough of this conversation, Jack,” she said. “Drop me off now.”

Jack bit his upper lip. “I can’t do that,” he said. “I’m scheduled to interview Winston again in ten minutes. You’re going to have to come to the station with me and give information about Simon, anyway.”

At the station, Jack led Meghan to a small, dimly-lit room. There was a large window in the middle of the wall, and Meghan could see Winston sitting alone in the next room.

“He can’t see you,” Jack said to Meghan. “Just wait here. This shouldn’t take long. I need to speak with him, and then you can talk with me, or someone else, about what you saw in the parking garage.”

Jack walked out of the room, and Meghan watched as he entered the dimly-lit room where Winston sat. Meghan could see Winston was nervous; he was rocking back and forth in his chair, and he couldn’t keep his fingers out of his mouth.

“Winston,” Jack began. “Are you sure there isn’t anything else you want to tell me about the night you and Brody fought at your bar?”

Winston shook his head. Meghan saw his body shaking. Winston wasn’t making eye contact with Jack.

“Winston?”

Winston looked up at Jack. “I told you, Officer Irvin. When that man left my bar in ruins, I was angry, but not angry enough to kill him. I went upstairs and went to bed.”

Jack frowned. “Is there anyone who can prove that you were in bed, as you said?”

Winston lowered his head. “My wife has been gone for a few years now, Jack,” he said. “You know that. I live alone. I don’t know who else could prove it.”

Jack nodded. “Well, the reports from the lab have come back, and it looks like the guns we confiscated were not the murder weapon. Chief Nunan and I have talked, and you are free to go home.”

Winston’s face broke into a smile. “Really?”

Jack nodded. “We’ll need you to stay in town for the time being, but yes, you can go home.”

Winston raised his hands toward the sky. “Thank Heavens! This place has been terrible.”

Jack raised a finger. “Just a moment though,” he said, reaching into his pocket and retrieving a small, golden gun. Meghan’s eyes widened.

“We found this under your bed in our last search,” Jack said. “Anything we need to know about this gun before we send it off for testing?”

Winston shook his head. “That’s an antique,” he said. “It’s an expensive one, Officer. I take good care of that gun.”

Jack nodded. “Well, I’ll hold onto it and send it off. You can get on out of here. Take care, Winston.”

Meghan’s jaw dropped. Jack walked back into the room where she had had been waiting.

“That was the gun, Jack! That was the same type of gun that Sofia had.”

Jack’s mouth turned downward into a frown. “That’s what I was afraid of,” he said. “Those golden guns are a rare collector’s item. From what I can tell from the autopsy report, the bullets in Brody’s body had to have come from one of those golden guns. There are only a few hundred in the entire world, Meghan. They’re rare. And between Sofia and Winston, there just happen to be two in Sandy Bay right now….

Meghan gasped. “Why did you let Winston go?”

Jack sighed. “Chief Nunan gave me the order. She said that we didn’t have enough evidence to hold him. His alibi is shaky; no one can vouch for his whereabouts, and I have a feeling that he is our prime suspect, but I can only do so much, and when my boss says to let him go, it’s what I have to do.”

Meghan grimaced. “Winston is out, and Sofia is on the loose? This isn’t good, Jack. What are we going to do?”

Jack looked down at his shoes and took a long, deep breath. “I think you’ve done enough today, Meghan,” he said flatly. “We aren’t going to do anything. I think you need to back off, Meghan. I’m worried that if you don’t leave this mess alone, you’re going to get hurt.”

9

The next afternoon, Meghan was surprised to see a missed call from Jack. Things had been so heated between them the day before, and she was not in the mood to be lectured again. Thinking about the murder case, however, Meghan dialed him back. Jack answered on the first ring.

“I need to talk to you,” he said. “Can I come over?”

“Sure,” Meghan said coldly. “Whatever.”

Less than five minutes later, Jack was knocking on the door of Truly Sweet. Meghan let him in, and was happy to see that he had brought Dash with him.

“What do you need?” she asked, seeing Jack’s concerned face.

“Meghan,” he began. “Sorry if I was a jerk yesterday. I’m under a lot of pressure right now, and it just scared me to think about you getting hurt.”

Meghan’s heart warmed at his admission; he had been worried about her, and Meghan could hardly keep the smile off of her face. She couldn’t help being good-natured, and she shrugged as she gestured Jack into the bakery.

“It’s fine,” she said. “I understand. I was stupid and shouldn't have put us in danger.”

Jack sighed. “I’m going to be honest with you, Meghan,” he said. “This case is difficult. I have a prime suspect, Winston, but I have several other suspicious people in the mix. I know I snapped at you yesterday, but I think I need your help. You’ve been in the middle of so much here, and I think your experiences might come in handy as I sift through this disaster of a situation.”

As Meghan opened her mouth to speak, Winston burst into the bakery. “Meghan! Officer Irvin! Good to see you both.”

Jack placed a hand firmly on the holster holding his gun, and Meghan stepped behind him.

“What can I do for you, Winston?” Jack asked. Meghan tugged on Dash’s leash and pulled him close to her.

“I wanted to bring an invitation to Meghan.” Winston exclaimed.

“An invitation?” Jack asked as Winston nodded.

“To the grand opening. I’m opening an antique gun dealership, and the opening is on Friday.”

Jack could hardly contain his shock. “Winston,” he said slowly. “You were let out of jail, but you do realize that we have not yet caught our murderer? Consider the aesthetics of opening a gun dealership the week you were released from jail after having your own guns tested for a murder.”

Winston frowned at Jack. “Officer,” Winston began. “I’m getting too old for the bar scene, and opening the antique gun dealership has always been my dream. My wife and I spent years saving our pennies for this, and I’m not going to let some ruffian who cost me a fortune in repairs for the bar, ruin my grand opening.”

Jack shook his head. “I think you should reconsider, Winston,” he said slowly.

“Officer, I know that you all think that I had something to do with the murder, but I didn’t.” Winston insisted. “I’ve always owned guns. Always! I’ve collected them, bought them, sold them, shown them, and used them to hunt animals. That nasty fellow who came into my bar and caused a scene? I had nothing to do with that, and proceeding with the grand opening will help show the people of Sandy Bay that I have nothing to hide.”

Winston tossed a red and white invitation on the counter and stormed out.

Jack sank down into one of Meghan’s little white iron chairs. “This is outrageous,” he said. “Now I have a prime murder suspect who is opening a gun dealership on the week he was held for a gunshot murder? I don’t have words for this, Meghan. I’m losing it, here.”

Meghan softly placed a hand on Jack’s muscled shoulder. “Hey,” she said, stroking his arm. “I’ll help you. I’m on your side, Jack. We’ll get to the bottom of this, I’m just sure of it.”

Later that afternoon, Meghan was shocked when Sofia sauntered into Truly Sweet.

“Sofia!” Meghan exclaimed. “Hey!”

Sofia sat down and pointed at the chair next to her. “Sit, Meghan. Let’s talk, woman to woman.”

Meghan obediently sat down.

“We need to talk,” she said. “I can tell that you think I had something to do with Brody’s death, and I want you to know the truth. There’s something I need to say, and I think you’re the only one who is going to listen to me.”

10

Meghan leaned closer to Sofia and braced herself for what she was about to hear. Ever since she had met Sofia, it had been a rollercoaster of emotions as she discovered more and more about her.

“What is it, Sofia?” she asked, her dark eyes wide.             

“I need to tell you about Brody,” Sofia said. “Simon is a good man, and he treated me well, but I never stopped loving Brody. Even when I left town, I secretly hoped that Brody would find me and steal me away. I loved him, Meghan. He was mi amor.”

Meghan clenched her jaw. “But Simon was your boyfriend. You told us that, Sofia.”

Sofia shrugged. “The heart wants what it wants, and my heart always wanted Brody. I didn’t kill him, Meghan. You have to believe me.”

Meghan leaned her head to the side and sighed. “I don’t know what to believe anymore, Sofia,” she said.

Sofia nodded. “Believe me. I loved Brody. That’s what I wanted to tell you. I loved him with all of my heart.”

Meghan rolled her eyes. “So, what about Simon, huh?”

Sofia bit her lip. “I liked him and his calm and measured approach to life was a welcome relief from what I experienced with Brody. Now, after the last few days together, I feel like I’m really falling for him. He drove my puppies across the country to be with me, and he’s so strong and sweet. I think I’m going to stay with him.”

“Meghan!”

Meghan turned to see Mrs. Sheridan walking into the bakery. “I came for that refund. Do you have my money?”

Meghan groaned. “This isn’t a good time, Mrs. Sheridan,” she said, trying to be polite to the elderly woman.

Mrs. Sheridan glared at Meghan. “I don’t care what time it is for you, but it’s time I got my money back.”

Meghan reluctantly walked to the cash register and removed a five-dollar bill. She pressed it into Mrs. Sheridan’s outstretched hand. “Here,” she said. “For you.”

Mrs. Sheridan smiled as she tucked the money into the pink fanny pack around her thick waist. “About time. Good. Those cookies were rotten!”

Meghan inhaled. “I hope next time Truly Sweet can provide better service for you,” she said through gritted teeth. “So sorry for the inconvenience.”

Mrs. Sheridan hobbled to the door. Just before she stepped across the threshold of the bakery, she turned to address Meghan. “Say, you going to Winston’s opening tomorrow?”

Meghan shook her head. “No, I don’t think so,” she said. “There’s a lot going on right now, and I think I’m going to sit it out.”

Mrs. Sheridan scowled. “There will be freebies there. Door prizes. Your loss, I guess.”

Meghan sank back into her seat as Mrs. Sheridan slowly walked out. “Good riddance,” she muttered. “Sorry,” she said, looking at Sofia. “That was unkind. I’m sorry I said that.”

Sofia laughed. “That old bat was nasty,” she said. “I hope I don’t run into her at the opening.”

Meghan raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to the opening of Winston’s antique gun dealership?”

Sofia nodded. “Of course! I wouldn’t think of missing it for the world. Beholding and using a gun is one of the few things that really make me happy. You saw the golden gun Brody bought for me. I love antique guns. The contrast between their beauty and the harm they can bring just does something for me.”

Meghan shuddered. “Oh,” she said. “I’ve never thought of anything like that before…”

Sofia smiled. “I feel like I’ll be the guest of honor, really,” she said excitedly. “Winston asked me all sorts of questions about guns when I was at the bar last week; we talked all about the antiques and the best types to buy, and I think I really helped him make some of his final choices about what to display for the opening.”

Meghan felt the color rise to her cheeks. Sofia knew a lot about guns, but Winston was opening a gun dealership on the week Sofia’s ex had been killed. “There must be a connection,” she muttered under her breath as Sofia stared at her.

“What was that?” Sofia asked.

“Nothing,” she answered. “So, what time is the opening at Winston’s tomorrow? I think I might just make it after all.”

11

“And I’d like to thank our newest resident of Sandy Bay, Sofia, for her support in the last week in making today happen.” Winston said to the crowd. “Karen’s daughter is a beautiful, intelligent woman who knows almost a little too much about her guns, and I’m thankful for her expertise.”

The crowd clapped unenthusiastically; about twenty-five people had gathered for the opening of Winston’s dealership, and the atmosphere was tense. Winston seemed oblivious to the awkwardness, but Meghan could sense trouble brewing.

“This is the tackiest thing I’ve ever heard of.” Kirsty Fisher hissed to Meghan as they listened to Winston’s speech. “I can’t believe he had the nerve to invite us all here to show us his gun. He was just in jail. It just isn’t done.”

Meghan nodded in agreement. Kirsty’s former husband, Vince, was serving a life sentence in prison for a murder he had committed several months ago, and Meghan knew that Kirsty was sensitive to the current situation.

“It does seem a bit...odd….” Meghan whispered back. “I’m not sure it’s something I would do.”

Kirsty smoothed her immaculate blonde hair and narrowed her eyes. “Everyone knows he did it. Winston had eyes for that daughter of Karen’s since the day she stomped into town on those tacky heels of hers. I can see it in his eyes, can’t you? No wonder he wanted her boyfriend dead.”

“Ex-boyfriend,” Meghan murmured. “Brody was her ex-boyfriend.”

Winston waved at the crowd. “I have another special person to thank.”

The crowd grew quiet as Simon walked onto the stage. Meghan could see Sofia was confused.

“This is Simon, and I have to thank him for his help over the last six months!” Winston declared as Simon smiled graciously at the people of Sandy Bay. “He is a subject matter expert on guns, and he has supplied me with more incredible pieces than I know what to do with. He knows everything about guns and bullets, and he has been an invaluable resource as I’ve worked to start this business.”

Meghan looked at Sofia, whose mouth was agape. Meghan could see that something was amiss, and she moved through the small crowd. As Simon took the microphone, Sofia exited the stage.

“Hey!” Meghan called out. “Sofia!”

Sofia ran over to Meghan. “Something isn’t right,” Sofia said worriedly. “I had no idea Simon was working up here in Sandy Bay. I didn’t know about this deal. We tell each other everything; we’re business partners above all else, but I don’t know what’s going on here.”

The color drained from Meghan’s face. “He knows all about guns, doesn’t he?” Meghan asked as Sofia nodded. “And he hated Brody?”

Sofia’s face darkened. “Oh my goodness,” she whispered, reaching for Meghan’s hands. “Meghan….”

“We have to talk to him right now,” Meghan said. “As soon as he gets off of the stage, we are going to demand some answers.”

As Winston resumed his speech, Meghan watched as Simon slipped off of the stage. “Let’s get him,” she whispered to Sofia as Sofia nodded. “Come on.” The two women walked to the stairs, and as Simon made his way down, Sofia reached for his hand.

“Mi amor,” Sofia said to Simon. “Come here.”

Simon smiled at Sofia and kissed her on the lips. “My beautiful woman.” he said, as Sofia led him into a vacant corner, Meghan following closely behind.

“We need to talk,” Sofia said, the sweet look disappearing from her face. “I think I know what you did, Simon, and I want answers.” Sofia crossed her arms in front of her chest and tapped her toes in front of her. “Talk. Now.”

Meghan walked up and stood beside Sofia. “Yeah, Simon. Let’s hear it.”

Simon scowled. “What is this? Sofia? What are you talking about?”

Sofia glared at Simon. She reached into her purse and pulled out her golden gun, pointing it into Simon’s face. “You know what I’m talking about,” she said venomously. “Talk. Ahora mismo.”

Simon held his arms up. “Easy,” he said to Sofia. “I had to do what I had to do. This deal came up months ago, beautiful, and I had to take it. I was just about to close it, and Brody threatened to ruin it all. You know how crazy he was, Sofia.”

Sofia shook her head. “So he threatened to ruin this deal months ago? So what?”

Simon narrowed his eyes. “I paid him off, Sofia. I paid him off, and he said he would let me do this deal and let us get on with our lives. You two had broken up, and he was crazy! He took my money, and then, a few weeks ago, he reached out to me and told me that he had changed his mind. He told me that he was going to track you down, and that he was coming up to Sandy Bay to ruin this deal.”

Sofia started to cry. “So you killed him? You killed him over a business deal?”

Simon waved his hands in front of his face. “No! No! Sofia, please. I wouldn’t do that. I was angry that he threatened the business deal, but I was angrier that he still threatened you. I love you, Sofia, and he was a mad man. He could have hurt you.”

Tears streamed from Sofia’s dark eyes. “I still loved him, Simon. How could you? How could you kill him?”

Simon rolled his eyes. “Everyone knew you still loved him. I could see it in your face every time we talked about him, and getting rid of him not only saved my business deal, but in the end, it saved your life. He was violent, Sofia. You told me that yourself. I saved your life by ending his.”

Sofia gasped. “Why? Why, Simon? How did this happen?”

Simon shrugged. “You told me you were coming up here to find your mom. It was a total coincidence that my deal was here; Winston reached out to me before I knew this was your mom’s hometown, and it all just went downhill from there. I followed you up here from the start, knowing that Brody was going to tail you as well. I wouldn’t let you out of my sight, Sofia, and after I heard him screaming at you in that bar--Winston’s bar, of all places--I knew I couldn't’ wait. He had to go.”

Sofia spat at Simon’s expensive-looking leather shoes. “You murderer!”

Simon narrowed his eyes at Sofia and glared at her. “I’ve made so many sacrifices for you, and you are just a selfish, impulsive brat. I did what I had to do, Sofia, just as I always do.”

Sofia jumped toward Simon, but before she could tackle him, he shoved her against the concrete wall. Meghan gasped. Sofia moaned as her body crumpled to the floor. She clumsily rose to her feet, struggling to maintain her balance in her six-inch stiletto heels.

Simon lunged for Sofia, grabbing her gun and hitting her over the head with it. “I think it’s time you and I leave town, my love,” he said menacingly as he slung Sofia’s limp body over his shoulder.

He turned to glower at Meghan. “From what I’ve heard about you, you’ve just been nothing but trouble in this town. Now, you’ve caught me at…. a bad time, but we can do this the easy way, or the hard way.”

Meghan stared at Simon, watching as his face relaxed into a frantic smile. “The easy way means you’ll keep that mouth of yours shut. I’ll slip out of here with Sofia, and it’ll be like none of this ever happened.”

Meghan shook her head. “Brody will still be dead,” she said quietly. “You killed a man in my town. How am I supposed to just pretend like none of this ever happened?”

Simon’s smile evaporated, and he bared his long, white teeth as he crept toward Meghan. “So we’re doing this the hard way, huh?”

Simon dumped Sofia’s unconscious body in the corner and rushed toward Meghan. He grabbed her by the throat, but she jammed her leg into his stomach.

“Oooomph!” Simon cried as Meghan’s knee made contact with his belly. “You! That was a mistake.”

Meghan turned to run away from Simon, but before she could leave the corner, he caught her by the hair. He tugged tightly, and Meghan shrieked as Simon yanked her long, dark hair. He held her hair in one hand, and used the other hand to turn Meghan around to face him.

“As for you….” Simon raised the golden gun above his head to hit Meghan, but just before the gun struck her, she heard a familiar voice.

“Hey!” Jack yelled as he slammed into Simon. The gold gun went flying across the floor. “That’s enough!”

Jack wrestled Simon’s arms behind his back, and looked up at Meghan. “You did it again, Truman,” he said, panting as he looked at Meghan with admiration. “You caught our killer. I don’t know how you did it but you did.”

12

“Don’t miss me too much,” Sofia said, planting kisses on Meghan’s cheeks. “I think Sandy Bay is just too quiet for me, but the puppies will keep you company.”

Meghan gave a half-hearted smile as Sofia climbed into Karen’s jeep. “Adios, amiga!” Sofia called out as Karen drove them off to the airport.

“Sandy Bay is too quiet?” Meghan muttered as she carried the two puppies inside of the bakery. “Please.”

It had been a week since the opening of Winston’s gun dealership, and despite the murderer being caught, Meghan was exhausted from another Sandy Bay mystery. Jack had arrested Simon on the spot, and Sofia, Winston, and Karen had been fully cleared of Brody’s death. Sofia had decided that she couldn’t bear to remain in the place where her true love had died, and the morning after Simon’s arrest, she booked a one-way ticket to Antigua.

“I hate to say it, but I’m relieved,” Karen had whispered on the phone to Meghan. “I told you, Sofia is trouble. She’s my daughter, and I will always love her, but she is trouble.”

“Hopefully she finds what she’s looking for,” Meghan had said. “And I hope you feel better. Your daughter isn’t a killer, and the man responsible for the murder is behind bars. It’s all going to be okay again.”

Karen laughed. “I was so distraught that I had cut my runs down. I was only running ten miles a day instead of my usual twenty. Can you believe that?”

Meghan giggled. “You are too much, Karen.”

“And you are fabulous, sweetie. Thanks for trying to get to know my daughter. Thanks for acting like a real daughter to me.”

As Meghan stepped back inside the bakery, she felt her stomach drop as she looked at the clock. It was nearly five in the evening, and Jack was supposed to be picking her up in an hour.

“We have to get ready.” Meghan cried to the puppies as they wagged their tails at her. “Jack will be here any minute.”

Jack and Meghan had made plans to take the dogs to the dog park, followed by dinner at a dog-friendly restaurant downtown. Meghan carefully selected her outfit for the date; she needed to be casual, but she wanted to look nice! Jack had been complimenting her up and down since she had helped him catch Simon, and she was thrilled to be going out with him.

“That’s it,” she said as she gazed at her reflection in the floor-length mirror that hung in her room. “This is the outfit.”

Meghan was dressed in white linen shorts and a black tank that showed off her long, thin arms. She smiled at herself and twirled around, feeling warm as she imagined Jack getting ready for their date.

“It’s going to be great, guys.” she said to the two puppies as they watched her from their perch atop her bed. “Fiesta, Siesta, you are going to love Jack and his dog, Dash! We’ll have a great time.”

Meghan took one last look in the mirror. She pulled her long, thick hair into a ponytail, but decided against it. Meghan ran a hand through her dark locks, and she grinned as they settled over her shoulders.

“It’s been a crazy couple of months,” she said to herself and to her newly acquired puppies. “It’s been hard, but at this point, it’s all uphill from here. We’re off to meet Jack, all is well with Karen, and for once, my name wasn’t wrapped up in a murder scandal. It feels truly sweet to be Meghan Truman today, my little puppers.”

With that, Meghan fetched her purse and placed the little puppies inside. She skipped down the stairs, whistling to herself as she walked out of Truly Sweet, a spring in her step and hope in her heart.

The End

Thank You!

Thank you for reading the first three stories in the Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery series. I really hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I had writing it!

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ALSO BY AMBER CREWES

The Sandy Bay Cozy Mystery Series

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