Doughnuts & Deadly Schemes - Culinary Competition Mystery #3

Chapter 3

(Amy)

"I'm surprised they're open," Amy said as she pulled the car she nicknamed Mimi, her dark blue Mini Cooper, into a parking space. She had expected to do wedding stuff with Carla that day, but revisiting the beleaguered store wasn't on the list of possibilities.

"Me too, but I called, thinking I would get a recorded message saying how long they expected to be closed. The person who answered the phone said the store is open to honor Mr. Crowe's dedication to the business." Carla wadded up the wrapper from the strawberry yogurt and quinoa muffin she had finished devouring and popped the paper into the trash bag sitting on the floor behind the driver's seat.

The sweet, home-baked treats were loaded with fruit, whole grains, and protein. Just what the suddenly bride-to-be needed to start off a busy day. Or more like end one, since Carla had worked the night shift.

"It's a nice gesture, but I have to wonder how many customers they'll get."

"Exactly my thoughts. Since Bruce needs a suit, I figured I'd try to give them some business. The murder is bound to affect sales," Carla said as she stuffed a spiral-bound notebook into her tote-sized purse.

Amy glanced at the bag. It was a larger model than the one her friend had been carrying the day before. If the size change coincided with the wedding preparation, Carla might end up with a rolling suitcase by the time the wedding arrived.

The notebook, with a red glitter heart on the cover, contained a list of things Amy had written down concerning the wedding. During the drive from Amy's house to downtown, Carla had looked over the list, crossing off things that she didn't want, checking off the few things she'd already done, and discussing the best way to get through the other tasks. The three-page long list was Amy's first step in organizing the wedding. Winging it and hoping they remembered everything was a good way to do something like show up at the venue and realize there was no one booked to perform the ceremony. That wouldn't happen because Carla had already asked the hospital's chaplain to do that duty, but still, there were what seemed to be a thousand other things that needed to be done.

They got out of the car to begin the trek to Finley & Crowe Menswear. It was supposed to rain, but the sky hadn't started leaking. Yet. The tumultuous, dark clouds overhead provided the dismal atmosphere that matched the mood that had descended on the retail district. Amy worked at Riverbend Café that morning. Word of the murder had spread like wildfire through downtown, alarming business owners that a fellow proprietor was killed in his store. The usually convivial mood inside the busy café was noticeably subdued with an undercurrent of fear. A murderer was on the loose and possibly eyeing another victim.

"You said you had a backup plan if you can't find somewhere to have the wedding. What is it?" Amy asked as she zipped up her rain jacket. The stiff wind accompanying the dark clouds carried a goosebump-inducing chill. The pink nylon fabric did a pretty good job of deflecting wind as well as water. If only it could be armor against the panic she felt over not having a venue booked. That was usually the first step in wedding planning. Find somewhere to have the wedding.

"We can have everything in my loft. It's big enough to hold a couple of dozen people. That's the extent of our guest list, mostly friends and people we work with." Carla stopped to peer at the front window display of a gift shop. Huge, brightly colored flowers made out of tissue paper were arranged in an Alice in Wonderland-style bouquet. "I like those flowers. Maybe we could use them as decorations, if they come in a more subdued color scheme."

Amy tilted her head to the side as she studied the flowers. Pointing them out was most likely a diversionary tactic from Carla, but she would play along. For a minute.