Blended Bribes: The Donut Mysteries, #43

By Jessica Beck

Blended Bribes, Donut Mystery #43,

From New York Times Bestselling Author Jessica Beck!

As Suzanne Hart is coming home from visiting her college roommate, Autumn, she spots smoke in the sky above downtown April Springs, North Carolina.  She fears that either her donut shop or the cottage she shares with her husband, Jake, is on fire, but it turns out to be ReNEWed, Gabby Williams's gently used clothing shop next door to Donut Hearts.  As Suzanne watches in horror, a fireman pulls someone from inside the burning building.  Is it Gabby, and if it is, is she still alive?  Only time will tell.  As events begin to unfold, Suzanne and Grace do their best to uncover who would want to torch Gabby's business, and the owner along with it!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cozy Publishing
• Release date: Aug 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393885979

Jessica Beck

Jessica Beck loves donuts, and has the figure to prove it. It's amazing what people can convince themselves is all in the name of research! For each recipe featured in the donut shop mysteries, a dozen more are tried and tested. Jessica Beck is the penname of an author who has been nominated for the Agatha Award and named an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association national bestseller nearly a dozen times. When not concocting delicious treats, Beck enjoys the rare snowfalls near her home in the foothills of North Carolina.

Book preview

Chapter 1

First I saw the smoke climbing into the air above town, a massive plume of black that seemed intent on devouring the fading blue sky surrounding it as dusk began to near.

Then I smelled the foul stench of something burning that should never be on fire.

As I drove past the City Limits sign for April Springs, I finally heard the sirens.

I’d been away from home visiting my college roommate and helping her deal with the turmoil in her own life, but now I was coming home for a bit of peace and tranquility.

Or so I thought at the time.

Was it possible that Donut Hearts was on fire?  After all, a great many flammable things occurred in my kitchen in order to bring folks their delightful treats every day.  Between the massive fryer filled with scalding hot oil and the large coffee urns, there was enough potential danger in the place to make it an OSHA nightmare.

Had the dark specter of doom finally killed my life’s ambition to be a donutmaker for the rest of my days? 

Then again, if it wasn’t my shop, it could just as easily have been my cottage, not a hundred yards from Donut Hearts as the crow flew.  I’d grown up there with my mother and father, moved away to live with my first husband, Max, and then I’d come back again after that marriage had crumbled.  Momma and I had shared the space until she’d found love again in the form of our former chief of police, Phillip Martin, and I’d been there alone until I’d married Jake, my second husband and the true love of my life.  Was he all right?  I couldn’t bear not knowing as I raced toward the visions of chaos ahead of me.

It was all I could do to keep my Jeep on the road as I raced down Viewmont Avenue and onto Springs Drive, nearly running up on the sidewalk in front of city hall as I made the sharp turn to see what exactly was on fire.

Chapter 2

Inearly collided with a police cruiser as I made the sharp turn. 

Slamming on my brakes, I managed to stop just in time before I hit Officer Darby Jones.  He was a big man, though not fat, and his eyes grew wide when I came so close to running him down.

But that wasn’t what my focus was on at the time.

It wasn’t Donut Hearts that was on fire, but it was close.

Gabby Williams’s shop, ReNEWed, was aflame, and as I started to get out of my Jeep, I saw a fireman coming out of the back of the building with someone thrown over his back in a classic carry.

If I had to guess, I would have said that it was most likely Gabby being carried, and from the look of things, I couldn’t be sure at all if she’d managed to survive the fire or not.

What happened? I asked Darby after I climbed out.  I tried to get past him to see how Gabby was doing, but he didn’t budge.

Stay right where you are, Suzanne.

She’s my friend! I protested.  She needs me!

In a voice much calmer than mine had just been, Darby said, "If you get in their way, you’ll be hurting, not helping.  If she’s really your friend, you’ll stay right where you are."

I couldn’t argue with his logic, as much as I might have wanted to.  All I could do was stand there and watch as the paramedics worked to revive Gabby.  I knew they were doing their best to save her, and as I watched, the roof of her gently used clothing shop collapsed in on itself, the flames leaping higher and higher into the evening air.  Though the town’s fire truck was doing its best to make a dent in the fire, the volunteer crew—no matter how skilled they might be—were clearly overmatched by the blazing inferno.  On the other side of ReNEWed, and away from Donuts Hearts, the building where Patty Cakes had been located before shutting its doors for good was in danger of being engulfed as well, but what I was concerned with was what was on my side of the clothing shop.

That was my place, the converted train depot that now housed the business I’d bought after my painful divorce from Max. 

They were starting to spray the side of my building as well.

One thing was certain: Gabby’s business was gone, even if they did manage to put out the flames, which I thought was an impossible task, given the massive amount of clothing that had been stored inside it.  The water and smoke damage alone would destroy the value of anything they might be able to save from the flames.  The truth was that it was probably better to just let it burn to the ground, as hard as that was to even consider.  I wasn’t sure that I’d be that casual if Donut Hearts had been the business on fire at the moment, but I knew a total loss when I saw one.

Not that it would matter to anyone concerned if Gabby didn’t manage to pull through.

What happened? Jake asked as he joined me.  I hadn’t even seen him approach, I’d been so mesmerized by what was happening.  My husband put his arm around me and hugged me, all the while staring at the fire himself.

I don’t know.  I just got here.

Who is that they are working on? He gestured.

My guess is that it’s Gabby, I told him.  I missed you, I added almost as an afterthought.

I missed you, too, he said as he hugged me briefly again.  Good.  At least they’re hosing Donut Hearts and Patty Cakes down.  At this point, that’s about the best they can do.  He shook his head as he looked at the blaze between them.  What was left of ReNEWed was still shooting flames skyward despite the amount of water that was being directed at it, and I knew that it wouldn’t be long before the only thing left was a pile of ashes.

I guess, I said absently.

Well, at least it’s something, Jake said as they transferred the woman the fireman had pulled out of the flames onto a gurney and moved her into a nearby waiting ambulance.  The brave fireman finally took off his helmet and mask, and I was surprised to see that it was the fire chief himself.  Harley Lane hadn’t been a young man in donkey’s years, and if you had asked me earlier if I thought he was capable of carrying someone out of a roaring fire, I would have strongly doubted it, but I’d seen it for myself.  He got as far as Donut Hearts before he slumped over into one of the chairs we kept out front for our al fresco diners.

I tried to rush over to him to see if I could help, but Darby just shook his head.  I’m sorry.  I’ve got my orders, he said.

I wouldn’t be able to do the chief any good, anyway.  Besides, three of his men who weren’t directly involved in dealing with the fire were tending to him, so I knew that he was in good hands.  After a few moments, he shook them all off and stood, not even wavering for an instant.  When he spotted me in the growing crowd, he walked over to us, albeit a little unsteadily.  Donut Hearts should be okay, he said.

How’s Gabby? I asked him.

His face looked grim.  It’s hard to say.

That was a brave thing you just did going into the fire for her like that, I told him.

The fire chief shrugged off my praise.  It’s what I do.  He then turned to Jake.  Have you seen Chief Grant anywhere? Harley asked.

He’s in Union Square, Jake said.

Well, we need him here, Harley answered, the weariness clear in his words.

Was it arson? Jake asked him.

I can’t say for sure one way or the other just yet, Harley admitted.  It’s not like that flip of yours that burned down.  That was pretty obvious.  Whoever did this, if anyone did, was a lot slicker at it.  He glanced back at the remnants of the shop.  We got here as fast as we could, but it was too late.  Chief Lane seemed remorseful that they hadn’t been able to save the place.

I wouldn’t beat myself up about it if I were you.  It was already a loss before you even got here, I told him.  I’m just worried about Gabby.

I am, too, the chief said.  She was breathing when I got to her, but I can’t say if she still was when they carted her off.  It’s a bad night for April Springs, folks.

At that moment, a squad car stopped beside my Jeep, and Chief Grant got out.  Stephen Grant had aged quite a bit since taking over the department, and I worried about the effects the job was having on him.  Grace, my best friend and his steady, told me that he was finally settling into the role, and I hoped that she was right.  I prayed this wouldn’t be a setback for him.

Chief, Stephen said.  Jake.  Welcome back, Suzanne, he added as he glanced at me.

Thanks, I said.  What’s going on?

I’m coordinating an investigation with Chief Erskine in Union Square.  His third day on the job, and somebody started robbing stores in town.

Not restaurants, I hope, I said, thinking of the DeAngelis clan and their restaurant, Napoli’s.

No, not so far as we know, he admitted.  Anyway, he’s asked me for my help, so I’ve been there all day.  Chief Grant turned to the fire chief.  What do you think, Harley?

I’m not sure yet.  We got a call nine minutes ago, he said.  I was first on the scene and found the back of the building was on fire.  I broke the door down in front and found Gabby Williams unconscious in the storeroom.  By the time I got there, the front was in flames too, so I busted the back door open and somehow managed to get her out.  Don’t ask me how I did it, because right now I really couldn’t tell you.  It’s all just one big blur.

That was nice work, Chief, Grant said.

Again, the older man just shrugged off the compliment.  I was just doing my job.  He glanced at Jake.  We’ve been busier in the past four months than we usually are all year.  After the fire at Jake’s flip house, I thought things might slow down, but here we are again.

That was different, Jake protested.  It wasn’t even in April Springs, at least not technically.

I know, Harley said with a sigh.  I’m just saying that some of my new guys are getting more on-the-job experience than I’d like, at least this quickly.  They’ll be seasoned soon enough.  It’s even weeded one out.

What happened? Jake asked.

Kenny Dawson was my best recruit.  Whenever we had a live drill, he was the first one through the door, and I had high hopes for him.

Then what? Chief Grant asked.

He had his appendix out for your fire, Jake, but he was cleared for duty for this one.  He took one look at the fire and got back into his truck and drove away.  That guy couldn’t get out of here fast enough.  I suspect I’ll have his resignation on my desk before the night is over.

And if you don’t? I asked.

Then I suppose I’ll have to fire him, he said with a sigh.

"Can you really even get fired from a job you volunteer for?" I followed up.

When it comes to life and death, you sure can, the chief said.  Anyway, I’ve got to get back to my people.  I’m sure we’ll talk later, Chief Grant.

I’ll be here, the chief said as he stared into the flames.  The fire was slowly starting to ebb, no doubt in some part because of the constant stream of water still being played out on it.

The police chief was staring into the billowing smoke, and Jake put a hand on his shoulder.  There was nothing you could have done about it even if you’d been here.

Maybe, maybe not, Chief Grant said woodenly.  "Still, I should have been here, not in Union Square.  This is my town, and it’s where I belong."

First of all, there’s nothing that says you could have done anything about this if you were standing in front of the shop when it happened, and second of all, when someone calls you for help, especially the new police chief from another nearby town, you help them if it’s within your power to do it.  It was a stern lecture from Jake, and I doubted Stephen Grant would have taken it from anyone else, but Jake was a seasoned former law enforcement officer, and he garnered a great deal of respect from his peers.

Yeah, I know, you’re probably right, the chief said softly.

"I realize that you can’t let this go, but at least try not to beat yourself up too much about it, okay?" Jake asked him.

I appreciate the sentiment, but in the end, I guess it all depends on how Gabby does, he replied.

Chapter 3

Y ou’ve had quite an adventure, Jake said as we cut through the park and headed home.  We’d had to move our vehicles all the way over to the parking area of the building my father had left me on Viewmont Avenue, and instead of walking back down Springs Drive, we’d cut across the parking lot behind the jail, the bookstore, and the Boxcar Grill. 

I’m just glad that Autumn is going to be okay, I said as we continued to walk.  After we passed the buildings, it was just a short jaunt through the park, and then we were home.  We’d have to pick up the Jeep and Jake’s truck the next day, but at least my commute wouldn’t be a problem.  The weather was still nice, and the temperatures remained mostly moderate all through the night.

Is she really okay? Jake asked.

I won’t lie to you.  It’s been rough on her, I said as we walked up onto the porch together, but I have a feeling that she and Jeff are going to make it.

That’s good to hear.  I know how much you care about her, he said as he glanced back at the parking area in front of our cottage.  It looks odd being so empty, doesn’t it?

I know.  I hope Grace manages to get through the barricade, if she’s not already home.  I need to touch base with her tomorrow.  I left town so quickly that I didn’t have a chance to bring her up to speed on what I was doing and where I was going.

I love that you two have been friends for so long, Jake said.  I wish I had that.  As he sniffed the air, he added, The smell from the fire is even here, isn’t it?

There was a great deal of clothing in that shop, I said.  Most of it was flammable, but clearly at least some of it wasn’t.