Happy Bear Cafe Series Books 1-4: Happy Bear Cafe Cozy Mystery Series

By P Bodi

This compilation of books are all clean Cozy Mystery short stories that do not contain any foul language, sexual situations, witches, or paranormal events. 

Book One - Elected For Murder

It’s election time in Peach City, Missouri. The incumbent Mayor has been with the city for many years without really any challengers until this year. The new contender is pushing for major changes for the city.

Could the local election result in murder?

Book Two - Death and Decorations

Christmas is just a short time away and the newly elected mayor has asked all the local businesses to come together to help decorate the Christmas tree for the downtown square this year.

Will the competition to decorate the tree result in murder?

Book Three - Resolution For Revenge

Cindy Baker has just been asked out on a date to the Peach City New Year's Eve party at the civic center.

Could her first date in years  result in murder?

Book Four - To Kill A Rat

Cindy and her high school friend Kenny had been seeing each other for about a month when he suddenly had to leave town. Feeling a bit vulnerable and alone again she decided to go to the local video store for a distraction. 

Could just renting a movie result in murder?

• Language: English
• Publisher: 99 Cent Press
• Release date: Apr 9, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386832188

Book preview

HAPPY BEAR CAFE SERIES BOOKS 1-4

HAPPY BEAR CAFE SERIES

HAPPY BEAR CAFE

COZY MYSTERY SERIES

BOOKS 1-4

PBODI

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99 Cent Press

© Copyright 2018 by PBodi All rights reserved

This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and locations portrayed in this book and the names herein are fictitious. Any similarity to or identification with the locations, names, characters or history of any person, product or entity is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

No responsibility or liability is assumed by the Publisher for any injury, damage or financial loss sustained to persons or property from the use of this information, personal or otherwise, either directly or indirectly. While every effort has been made to ensure reliability and accuracy of the information within, all liability, negligence or otherwise, from any use, misuse or abuse of the operation of any methods, strategies, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein, is the sole responsibility of the reader.

Any copyrights not held by publisher are owned by their respective authors.

All information is generalized, presented for informational purposes only and presented as is without warranty or guarantee of any kind.

All trademarks and brands referred to in this book are for illustrative purposes only, are the property of their respective owners and not affiliated with this publication in any way. Any trademarks are being used without permission, and the publication of the trademark is not authorized by, associated with or sponsored by the trademark owner.

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HAPPY BEAR CAFE SERIES BOOKS 1-4

First Printing March 2018

Published by:

99 Cent Press

http://www.99CentPress.com

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Also by PBodi

Elected for Murder

Death and Decorations

Resolution for Revenge

To Kill A Rat

About the Author

Also by PBodi

Also by PBodi

For a list of all Pbodi’s books please visit her website at:

http://www.pbodi.com/p/book-list.html

PET PALACE

COZY MYSTERY SERIES

Fowl Play

No Bones About It

Fishy Business

A Hairy Situation

Dangerous Creatures

A Vacation to Die For

Pet Palace Box Set Books 1-3

Pet Palace Box Set Books 4-6

Pet Palace Box Set Books 1-6

MOTHER EARTH’S KITCHEN

COZY MYSTERY SERIES

A Perfect Cup Of Tea

Murder On the Mountain

New Year's Resolution

The Heart Of The Murder

The Luck Of The Irish

A Corpse In The Kitchen

Midsummer Murder

Mother Earth's Kitchen Box Set Books 1-4

Mother Earth's Kitchen Box Set Books 5-7

Mother Earth's Kitchen Box Set Books 1-7

HAPPY BEAR CAFE

COZY MYSTERY SERIES

Elected For Murder

Death And Decorations

Resolution for Revenge

To Kill A Rat

Sleeping Dogs Lie

A Bird In The Hand

Picture Perfect

Happy Bear Cafe Box Set Books 1-4

Happy Bear Cafe Box Set Books 5-7

Happy Bear Cafe Box Set Books 1-7

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ANGELA CRAWFORD

COZY MYSTERY SERIES

Forest For The Trees

Put Your Affairs in Order

A Snake In The Grass

He Loves Me He Loves Me Not

Proof Is In the Printing

Deck The Walls

Angela Crawford Box Set Books 1-3

Angela Crawford Box Set Books 4-6

Angela Crawford Box Set Books 1-6

To get PBodi’s latest releases at the lowest price sign up for her newsletter:

http://www.pbodi.com/p/newsletter.html

Elected for Murder

Full Page Image

Chapter One

Cindy Baker let herself in the back door of The Happy Bear Café and tucked her key in her pocket. Most of her employees had already arrived and were prepping for what was sure to be a busy Saturday morning. All Saturday mornings were busy here.

Jimmy the short order cook, an olive-skinned man in his early forties who went through more hair nets than anyone Cindy had ever met before, was already heating up the grill. Eli stood in front of the counter, rolling silverware into paper napkins. As the busboy, he was waiting for something to clean up. The newest waitress, Harley, disappeared into the bathroom to touch up her makeup and comb a few knots out of her dishwater blonde curls.

Cindy made her way to the front door and flicked the lock open. She stepped out onto the sidewalk, kissed her fingers, and pressed them to the nose of the concrete bear statue that stood in front of the restaurant. Good morning, Brian. It was her daily ritual, one that she never missed. Brian, who was named for Cindy’s late husband, was still dressed in his Halloween outfit, a bumblebee costume that included wings and a stinger. Last year he had been a ghost. He was always outfitted appropriately for the season, and now that it was November it was time to change his clothes.

She stepped back into the café and began her day, watching out of the corner of her eye as her patrons began to trickle in. It didn’t take long from the time the door was opened for the tables to start filling with locals. The cops favored The Happy Bear for its great coffee, which she always gave to them for free. Young families with children opted for the pancakes that Jimmy whipped up in fun shapes for them. Truck drivers straggled in and sat at small tables by themselves, while the larger groups of church ladies snatched up the round tables in the back that seated six. Yes, it was definitely going to be a busy Saturday.

Everyone in the small town of Peach City knew that The Happy Bear was a fast, cheap place to get a good meal. The uniforms that Cindy and her staff wore were simply t-shirts with the restaurant’s name and a picture of Brian the Bear on the front, shirts that were also for sale at the cash register. Her patrons were always interested to see what they would be drinking their coffee out of on any particular day, the mugs being a random collection of cups from other local stores, insurance agents, and yard sale finds. The place was small and simple, with ancient linoleum flooring and Formica tables that might have been around since before Cindy was born. It was nothing beautiful or fancy, but Cindy and her customers wouldn’t have it any other way.

She caught Eli as he was bringing a tray of dirty dishes back to the kitchen. When you get a moment, could you change Brian’s outfit? There’s a turkey costume in the cabinet in the back.

Eli gave her a wide grin that lit up his entire face. He was young and eager, and Cindy enjoyed having him around the place. He never slacked off, always found something productive to keep him busy, and nearly jumped for joy when the wait staff shared their tips with him. Sure thing!

As she worked her way around the dining room to see how the guests were doing, Cindy’s ears perked up at harsh words several tables away.

Didn’t you hear me say that I wanted my eggs poached? These are most definitely scrambled. It’s not that hard, you know.

Cindy turned to see Mayor Bob Chamberlain seated at a table near the wall. He sat back with his arms crossed in front of his chest defiantly as he jutted his pointy chin at Harley. The mayor for as long as anyone alive in Peach City could remember, Mayor Bob was known for his rancorous attitude and cutting remarks. The aging man had spots on his balding pate and an angular face that matched his sharp attitude.

I’m sorry, sir, Harley replied as she reached for the plate to take it back to the kitchen. It was just a simple mix-up, but I’ll get it fixed for you. Cindy could tell that the smile on the waitress’s face was not genuine, but she appreciated the effort her employee put into her job. She also noticed the dark circles under Harley’s eyes that makeup couldn’t quite conceal.

You will not! The mayor snatched the plate back out of the young girl’s grasp and slammed it down onto the table in front of him, sending some of the scrambled egg over the edge and onto the table’s surface. I know how that works. I complain, so you say you’ll go back and get me different eggs. You think I won’t know that you’ve spit in them or dropped them on the floor.

Chapter Two

Harley’s hands were fisted at her sides as a pink flush slowly crept up her face. I assure you, sir, that I don’t do such things. I wouldn’t be able to keep my job here if I did. Now, can I get you some different eggs or not?

You’ll leave them here, and you won’t charge me for them. Mayor Bob picked up his fork, scrutinized it for cleanliness, and then stabbed it into his eggs.

Is there a problem here? Cindy asked as she approached.

Mayor Bob glared up at her, then darted his icy gaze to Harley. This young girl doesn’t know the difference between poached eggs and scrambled. I think you might want to find some different help, Cindy. She’s going to give your restaurant a bad reputation.

Cindy, knowing the girl’s temper, took her gently by the shoulders and pointed her gently at the kitchen before she had a chance to explode. Harley is a very talented waitress, sir. But I’d be happy to bring you a different batch of eggs myself if you’d like.

The old man poked at the yellow fluff on his plate. Yes. Thank you.

Returning to the kitchen with a sigh, Cindy leaned against the wall closest to the grill. Two poached eggs for the mayor, Jimmy.

Harley was filling water cups rather vigorously, slamming them down onto the counter hard enough that the liquid sloshed over the sides. I don’t know why you’re so nice to him, Cindy. The man is a jerk.

I can’t argue with you there, Cindy agreed. But he is also the mayor, and there’s no getting around that. He could decide to bulldoze this place and build a park or something if he got angry enough, and I don’t really want to deal with that.

He can’t just rule this whole town and do whatever he wants! Harley protested, batting a strand of hair out of her vivid green eyes. He’s just a mayor, not a dictator.

Over by the grill, Jimmy gave a hearty laugh and turned his bearded face to the waitress. That’s what you think. He’s been the mayor since the sixties, and even his grandfather was mayor back in the day. He’s not about to go anywhere.

We’ll see what happens after the election in a few days. I can’t wait to see the look on his snarky old face when he finally loses. Harley gathered up the water cups and set them on a tray.

Why do you say he’ll lose? Cindy asked as she held out a small bowl for Jimmy to slide the new eggs into.

Who’s losing what? Margaret, the other waitress, bustled into the kitchen. With her graying pouf of hair, floral dress, and orthopedic loafers, she looked as though she ought to be baking cookies with her grandchildren instead of serving cheap burgers. But when Margaret retired from the insurance business and found out that her good friend Cindy was buying a rundown café, she jumped at the chance to help. I can only spend so much time knitting in my rocking chair, she would tell people when they asked her why she didn’t just enjoy her retirement. Besides, my husband likes the free coffee. Margaret’s husband Albert was a retired policeman who spent just as much time at the Happy Bear as she did.

Mayor Bob, Harley volunteered, in the upcoming election.

Margaret laughed a loud chuckle that made her ample body shake a little. What makes you so sure?

"Haven’t you seen that new guy who’s running against him? Steve Williams? He’s made some great speeches about modernizing the town. He thinks Mayor Bob has kept us behind the rest of the world, or at least the rest of Missouri. Plus, he has some great