Fudgy Fatality: A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, book 10 Read online

  Fudgy Fatality

  A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, book 10

  Copyright © 2019 by Kathleen Suzette. All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination, or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanical, without permission in writing from the author or publisher.

  Books by Kathleen Suzette

  A Home Economics Mystery Series

  Appliqued to Death

  A Home Economics Mystery, book 1

  A Rainey Daye Cozy Mystery Series

  Clam Chowder and a Murder

  A Rainey Daye Cozy Mystery, book 1

  A Short Stack and a Murder

  A Rainey Daye Cozy Mystery, book 2

  Cherry Pie and a Murder

  A Rainey Daye Cozy Mystery, book 3

  Barbecue and a Murder

  A Rainey Daye Cozy Mystery, book 4

  Birthday Cake and a Murder

  A Rainey Daye Cozy Mystery, book 5

  Hot Cider and a Murder

  A Rainey Daye Cozy Mystery, book 6

  Roast Turkey and a Murder

  A Rainey Daye Cozy Mystery, book 7

  Gingerbread and a Murder

  A Rainey Daye Cozy Mystery, book 8

  Fish Fry and a Murder

  A Rainey Daye Cozy Mystery, book 9

  Cupcakes and a Murder

  A Rainey Daye Cozy Mystery, book 10

  A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery Series

  Candy Coated Murder

  A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, book 1

  Murderously Sweet

  A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, book 2

  Chocolate Covered Murder

  A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, book 3

  Death and Sweets

  A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, book 4

  Sugared Demise

  A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, book 5

  Confectionately Dead

  A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, book 6

  Hard Candy and a Killer

  A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, book 7

  Candy Kisses and a Killer

  A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, book 8

  Terminal Taffy

  A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, book 9

  Fudgy Fatality

  A Pumpkin Hollow Mystery, book 10

  A Freshly Baked Cozy Mystery Series

  Apple Pie A La Murder,

  A Freshly Baked Cozy Mystery, Book 1

  Trick or Treat and Murder,

  A Freshly Baked Cozy Mystery, Book 2

  Thankfully Dead

  A Freshly Baked Cozy Mystery, Book 3

  Candy Cane Killer

  A Freshly Baked Cozy Mystery, Book 4

  Ice Cold Murder

  A Freshly Baked Cozy Mystery, Book 5

  Love is Murder

  A Freshly Baked Cozy Mystery, Book 6

  Strawberry Surprise Killer

  A Freshly Baked Cozy Mystery, Book 7

  A Gracie Williams Mystery Series

  Pushing Up Daisies in Arizona,

  A Gracie Williams Mystery, Book 1

  Kicked the Bucket in Arizona,

  A Gracie Williams Mystery, Book 2

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Author’s Note

  Chapter One

  “We’ll never survive this.”

  I looked up from the cupcake I was frosting. The tiny marzipan pumpkins had taken longer to create than I had planned on and I was itching to move on to candy making. My sister looked flustered, her hair was slipping out of her hairnet, and she held a tray of orange and green bonbons. They were made with a tinted white chocolate coating and filled with candied pineapple, candied cherries, or a mix of candied orange peel and a sweet, syrupy filling.

  “What are you talking about? We survived Pumpkin Hollow Days just fine.” I stuck another marzipan pumpkin onto the cupcake I was working on.

  She set the pan down and turned to me. “This is the Halloween season. You know how it is around here. We’ll be working twelve hours a day for the next ten weeks.”

  I chuckled and finished up the cupcake. “We just might. But that’s a good thing. More business is always good.”

  “Hopefully no one will have to work twelve hours a day. I just hired two new employees.”

  We turned to look at Mom. “You did?” I asked.

  She nodded and continued mixing the ingredients for chocolate fudge in the large saucepan she had on the stove burner. There was a bag of walnut pieces on the counter that she was going to add to the fudge when it was done cooking.

  She turned the heat off the saucepan and wiped her hands on her apron. “I hired Stephanie Cupp and Missy Pritchard. I think they’ll make great additions to the team.”

  I looked at Christy and nodded. “See? She’s got it handled.”

  “Good.” Christy forced herself to smile. “I’ll try not to panic, then.” I understood Christy’s worry. Business had picked up tremendously in the past year and with the Halloween season upon us, we were going to be busy.

  Mom chuckled. “We might hire someone else, too. It would be good to have more flexibility in the schedule.”

  “I think we should hire at least two more people.” I picked up the tray of cupcakes to take out front. “The internet orders are going to be crazy this season. We’re going to need the help.”

  “You’re probably right. We do need the help, and then I won’t have to overwork you girls.” Mom turned back to the fudge mixture in the saucepan and scraped the sides of it with a wooden spoon. She poured the bag of walnuts into the fudge and mixed them in.

  “I’m going to put these cupcakes out front and then head over to Amanda’s and get some coffee. Would anyone like one?”

  “None for me, thanks,” Mom said, glancing at me.

  “A mummy’s curse for me, please. Thanks,” Christy said. “I could use a coffee.”

  “You got it.” I headed toward the kitchen door with the cupcakes.

  Christy picked up the bonbons and followed me to the front. “I need to put these in the display case, too.”

  “Aren’t you excited about the Halloween season, Christy?” I opened the back of the display case and set the tray of cupcakes inside. We usually only made candy at the Pumpkin Hollow Candy Store, but last year during the Halloween season, we had started making cupcakes when the owner of the local bakery had refused to get into the Halloween spirit. Stella Moretti had been a spoilsport. I liked making the cupcakes, so we had decided to add them to the fall lineup again.

  “I am as excited as I can be,” she said flatly and came to stand beside me to place the bonbons in the display case.

  I turned to her. “That doesn’t sound like excitement. What’s up?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. This time last year I was still happily married and hadn’
t a care in the world. I guess I’m dwelling on things I shouldn’t be.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, taking the tray of candy from her. “Maybe try to focus on all the events of the season. It might help take your mind off the divorce.”

  She forced herself to smile again. “You’re right. I’m not going to dwell on the divorce. I mean, why should I? John decided to move on, so I can, too. Besides, I’ve got lots of good memories of the Halloween season from previous years, so why think about the ones that aren’t so great?”

  I nodded. “And let’s not forget about Devon Brown. He seems awful happy when he’s around you.” I looked at her, one eyebrow raised. Devon was an old classmate of my sister’s and they had renewed their acquaintance recently, but they had yet to go out on a date.

  She gave me a genuine smile now. “I like seeing him, too.” She whispered this last part and then turned and headed back toward the kitchen. “Thanks for the coffee.”

  I chuckled and looked up at Lisa Anderson. She was straightening a shelf. “I’m headed to the coffee shop. Would anyone like anything?”

  Carrie looked up from where she was setting foil-wrapped chocolate pumpkins onto a shelf. “No thanks, I’ve had too much caffeine today. I’m a jittery mess.”

  Lisa turned toward me. “A vampire’s kiss, please? Iced?”

  “You got it.” I headed to the front door. It was Friday evening, the day before Labor Day weekend. Tomorrow was the first day of the Halloween season and we had been in a mad rush to get everything ready. There was going to be a Halloween parade in the morning at ten. We’d hoped to have a float in the parade, but in the end, we decided to just walk the parade route in costumes and toss candy to the waiting children. We had been making taffy and small hard candy Halloween characters to toss. My mother also ordered an assortment of other candy that we’d give out during the parade; small packages of candy corn, jellybeans, and Tootsie Rolls.

  It wasn’t quite fall yet, but the day had been cool, and I was excited. Fall would be here soon, and I could hardly wait. Here’s to pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin scones in the soon-to-be cold mornings, I thought. It was a short walk to the coffee shop, and I took my time about getting there. It felt good to be outside after being inside the candy store all day.

  My best friend, Amanda and her husband Brian, owned the Little Coffee Shop of Horrors, and when I stepped inside, I inhaled the scent of freshly brewed coffee and spices in the air. It was one of my favorite places.

  “Hi Mia,” Amanda called as she finished waiting on her customer. The woman left, and I stepped up to the counter and gave her my orders. “How are you this afternoon?”

  “I’m great. Some of us needed a pick-me-up to get us through the afternoon. Are you ready for the Halloween season?” I asked, placing my hands on the countertop and looking into the display case. There were pumpkin spice scones, an assortment of cookies, and blueberry muffins. They looked delectable, but I was going to go to dinner with my boyfriend, Officer Ethan Banks, when I got off work, so I decided not to indulge. Ethan was as handsome as could be and I could hardly wait to see him.

  “I am as ready as I’ll ever be.” She stepped in front of the espresso machine and got started on the drinks. “I placed a big order for coffee beans, spices, flour, and sugar, among other things. I think we’ll be set for a while. How about you and the candy crew?”

  “We did the same. Things are going to get crazy around here. I just hope we can keep up.”

  She glanced at me as the beans were ground inside the machine. “You all are candy making whizzes. You’ll handle it all just fine. I’ve got to stop in and get some fudge, I’ve had a craving for it the past few days.”

  I chuckled. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. We’ve been going over and over what we’re planning to make, and my mom hired some more help. I’m sure you’re right though. It will take a week or so to really get in the groove of making so much candy every day, but we’ll adjust.”

  When she saw me look into the display case again, she grinned. “Would you like anything besides the coffees?”

  I shook my head. “I better not. Ethan and I are going out to dinner. Those pumpkin scones look really good, but I’ll regret it if I eat one now. I’ll spoil my appetite.”

  “Sounds like fun. Is dinner going to be someplace fancy?” She set one of the cups of coffee on the counter and placed a lid on it.

  “No, we’re just going to Shandi’s.” Shandi’s offered a variety of American food and the burgers were top-notch, not to mention the daily entrée. It didn’t matter what the entrée was, it was always great.

  She nodded. “Well, the two of you enjoy yourselves.”

  “Thanks. How’s wedded bliss?” I asked. Amanda and Brian had gotten married in June.

  She grinned. “Better than I could have ever imagined. When are you and Ethan going to tie the knot?”

  I chuckled. “We aren’t there yet. We’re just having fun being together.”

  “Okay, well, I hope it’s soon. I can hardly wait for another wedding, especially since it won’t be mine and I can focus on enjoying it and not stressing out over every little thing.”

  “Gee, thanks. But I’m not ready to get that stressed out yet.” Amanda’s wedding had been less than stress-free, and I hoped that when—if, Ethan and I got married, things would be a lot less stressful.

  She laughed. “I’m just trying to help you out.”

  She rang up my order, and I paid for it and left. The next ten weeks would be busy. Actually, it would be busy until the end of the year. If we were lucky, we’d get a couple of weeks to rest before things got busy for the Christmas season. But I was excited in spite of all the extra work. The Halloween season was finally here, and it would be followed up by Thanksgiving and Christmas. The holidays were my favorite time of year even though there would be no rest for us candy makers for a good long while.

  As I carried the cardboard drink carrier back to the candy store, I saw a familiar shape in front of me, but I couldn’t quite place who it was. I squinted my eyes. Who was it? His gait reminded me of someone. And then I suddenly knew. I picked up my pace, wondering if I could make a detour and head down another street before he got to me. But it was no good because as that thought crossed my mind, he spotted me and smiled like I was an old friend. I hesitated, then kept going. There was no rule that said I had to stop and speak to him. He had made his decision, and it didn’t concern me anyway.

  I looked straight ahead, wondering if I’d get away with pretending I hadn’t seen him and walk right by. I couldn’t keep my eyes from going to his face. The smile was unexpected. Shouldn’t he try to dodge me? What he’d done was wrong and hurtful to my entire family. He didn’t have a right to smile at me.

  “Hey, Mia,” he said with a nod. His eyes went to the cups of coffee in my hands. “I bet there’s a mummy’s curse in that carrier.”

  Chapter Two

  I stopped in my tracks and looked at him, unsure of what to do next. I inhaled, trying to come up with something to say. “How are you, John?”

  It wasn’t what I really wanted to say to him. I didn’t care how he was. Maybe it was immature of me, but he had hurt my sister, and I didn’t care how he was getting on these days. But part of me just couldn’t come right out and be rude. Rudeness wasn’t in my nature, but I decided it was something I was going to have to work on.

  He smiled again, his hands shoved in his front jeans pockets. “Good. How have you been?”

  I inhaled. Did he really want to know? Nope. He was making small talk, of course. There had to be a reason he was here in Pumpkin Hollow and whatever it was, it couldn’t be good. I hoped he wasn’t here for Christy.

  “Fine. What are you doing in town?”

  The smile slowly left his face, and he suddenly looked like a small dejected boy. John Green had always been cute. I say cute, because at twenty-six, he still looked like he was fourteen. “It’s the Halloween season. I thought I’d stop by and enjoy the
festivities.” He looked at me, waiting for me to say something, but when nothing came, he continued. “I miss this place, I guess.”

  I gave him a curt nod of my head. “Great. It’s the Halloween season. Enjoy the sights.” I made a movement to walk past him, but I didn’t get far before he spoke again.

  “How’s Christy?”

  I stopped in my tracks. “She’s fine. Being single suits her.” I looked at him pointedly when I said it. Maybe I could be rude after all.

  His eyes widened. “Really? I mean, that’s good. Good for her. I thought I’d stop by the candy store and say hello. If that’s kay.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him. “It’s not okay. She’s doing just fine without you, John. Why don’t you let her alone?” I was shocked at how hard my words sounded in my own ears. I’m not usually the cruel kind, but what did he think I was going to say? Why was he even here? If he wanted to take in the Halloween season, then there was no reason to stop by and see Christy. She wasn’t a part of his life anymore.

  He breathed out through his mouth, taking this in. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to intrude on her life. Or yours. I just wanted to stop by and say hello. I understand we don’t belong in each other’s world anymore, but there’s no reason we can’t be civil to one another.”

  I eyed him. He had said he wanted to end the marriage, that he had married too young and he felt trapped. But I had had my suspicions. I thought there might be a woman on the side and that was why he wanted out. There had never been any evidence of it, but it made the most sense to me. Not that I would ever bring it up to Christy. She didn’t deserve that, and I wasn’t going to be the one that suggested it to her.

  “I don’t really have any say in what you can or can’t do, not even if you plan on doing something with Christy, but don’t expect me to be happy about it. I’ve got to get back to work now. I’ll tell her you’re in town.”

  “Thanks,” he said as I moved past him.

  I shook my head and pressed my lips together to keep from saying anything more as I went. Honestly, it wasn’t my business. But Christy was my little sister and I couldn’t stand that he was going to just waltz in again and tear her apart just by his presence alone.