Death by Pumpkin Spice

Book 3: Bookstore Cafe Mystery

by Alex Erickson

Genres: Amateur Sleuth; Cozy Mystery; General Fiction

Synopsis

As if a run-in with an old flame and a failed marriage proposal weren't enough to horrify Krissy for one night, a woman is found strangled to death in a room filled with ominous jack-o'-lanterns. All signs suggest a crime of passion—but when the hostess's jewelry disappears, malevolent intentions seem way more likely . . .

With the estate on lockdown and a killer roaming the halls, Krissy must help Officer Paul Dalton investigate each nook, cranny, and guest for answers—while also confronting a few demons of her own. Someone has lots of skeletons in the closet, and Krissy better tread lightly to expose them . . .

Release date: September 27, 2016

Publisher: Kensington Books

Print pages: 320

Sample

The pleasing aroma of fresh-baked pumpkin cookies filled the room as I removed the pan from the oven. Halloween was one of my favorite times of the year because that was when the world turned into a pumpkin lover’s bliss. I leaned in over the pan and breathed in deep. It was a challenge not to give in to temptation and sample the cookies as I carried them to the front to place within the empty display case.

“Some have just come up!” Lena Allison said from her place at the register. She held up two fingers and gave me a relieved smile as I slid two cookies into a bag.

Death by Coffee had been buzzing since we’d started selling pumpkin items. The cookies were gone almost as fast as I could bake them, and the various coffees were constantly in need of refills. It was running me ragged, but it was worth it.

As Lena rang up another order, I finished filling the display case and carried the cooling cookie sheet to the back. I deposited it in the sink where it would need to be washed before I could use it again, then headed back out front to make a coffee of my own. I filled the cup three quarters of the way full, added some pumpkin spice flavoring, and then plopped in one of the recently baked cookies.

“Ugh.” Lena turned up her nose as she leaned against the counter. The line was gone for the moment, giving her a few seconds to breathe. “I still don’t see how you could drink that. I hate pumpkin.”

I took a sip and grinned at her over the rim of my cup. “Yum.”

She laughed and shook her head, causing her purple hair to bounce around her ears. Her chin was clear of scrapes, though her elbow had a pretty nasty scab that she’d covered with a pair of Band-Aids. Her skateboard was parked in the back room, and it looked just as beat-up as she often did.

Still, I wouldn’t trade her in for anyone else. Since Lena started working at Death by Coffee, she’d made my life a whole lot easier. She’s a smart girl, and friendly to boot. She was saving up to go to college, and I privately hoped she would stick close to home when she did leave. I’d hate to lose her.

The bell above the door jangled and in came Rita Jablonski, bundled in a coat lined with fur I hoped was fake. She was a short woman, on the plump side, and was the biggest gossip in all of Pine Hills.

“It’s getting windy out there!” she said, coming straight to where I stood. “They’re saying we could see some pretty serious storms over the next few days.”

I glanced out the window, and indeed, the leaves were blowing around as if a tornado were itching to come roaring down out of the cloudy sky. The reds and yellows were beautiful, but I’ll admit, I did miss the warm sun and full green of mid-summer, though I wasn’t a fan of the sometimes oppressive heat.

“I hope it won’t be too bad,” I said. If the power went out, there’d be no more cookies or coffee. And that meant no more business.

“Well, as long as it spends itself before this weekend, I’ll be happy.” Rita glared out the window as if the rain could hear her and comply. “The church is having our annual Trunk or Treat, and I for one plan on being there, rain or shine. We are participating this year, just like the last, and I won’t let a little wet weather ruin it.”

I narrowed my eyes. “We?”

She looked surprised for a moment before smiling. “The book club, of course! We talked about it during our last meeting.” She paused and a look of understanding passed over her face. “That’s right, you weren’t there.” She leaned forward, pressing against the counter as she spoke. “We’re holding it at the church on Sunday evening. Cars will be parked in the lot, trunks filled with candy. The kids walk around and trick-or-treat like they normally would. It’s safer than going from house to house and the costumes are a little less . . .” She grimaced.

“Scary?”

“Disgusting, more like. You can’t imagine what some of the teenagers dress up as when left to their own devices.”

Oh, I could imagine all right. I’d lived near a college campus for a few years. Halloween was always a lesson in the perverse, especially since most college kids took any opportunity they could to drink and party. Add in costumes dreamed up over a drunken weekend, and let me tell you, it didn’t take long before I made sure not to be anywhere near the campus on Halloween.

“I do hope you get the night off,” Rita said. “We start at six.”

“I’ll check with Vicki,” I said. “But it should be okay. We aren’t open much later than six anyway.”

“You do that.”

I was surprised to realize I was actually excited about the event. It sounded fun, and Vicki was always pressuring me to get out more. It might give me a chance to meet more people in town, and maybe advertise just a little.

The door opened and I glanced up just as Will Foster walked in. He paused just inside the door, looking as uncomfortable as any man could, before his eyes landed on me. He strode across the room, right past Rita, and came to a stop in front of me.

“Krissy.” He coughed to clear his throat. “Could we talk for a moment?”

I was so flustered, I almost didn’t answer. Will was a dream to look at normally, yet today he seemed to positively glow. His dark brown eyes, his near-black hair, and skin the color of a creamer-rich coffee was enough to cause me to break out into an instant nervous sweat. His coat was one of those long, black, button-up jobbies that all the stylish men seemed to wear on magazine covers. I couldn’t see his shoes from where I stood, but I was pretty sure they’d be polished to a shine.

“Krissy?” he asked. “You okay?”

“Huh? Oh! Yeah.” I hurriedly set my coffee down before I spilled it. “I’m just surprised to see you.” The last time I’d seen Will, he’d left thinking I was seeing another man, not knowing the man he’d seen me with had been a suspect in a murder investigation. The guy had hit on me and made a scene, but I’d never even considered going out with him. I hadn’t had time to explain what really happened before Will was gone.

He flushed a little and looked down at his hands. They looked strong and manicured. “Well, I . . .” He cleared his throat and looked around me like he was afraid looking me in the eye would cause me to start yelling at him.

As hurt as I was about him vanishing like he had, I let him off the hook. “Let’s go upstairs so we can talk privately.” I glanced at Lena. “You’ll be okay for a few minutes, right?” She nodded with a grin. I turned to Rita. “I’ll be back soon. Feel free to order and take a seat.”

I stayed behind the counter as I headed upstairs to where my best friend and co-owner of Death by Coffee, Vicki Patterson, was showing our newest hire, Jeff Braun, how to ring up a book sale. He was a slow learner, but I had no doubt he’d get it eventually. Vicki glanced toward where Will was walking up the stairs across the room and then raised a delicate eyebrow at me.

I shrugged and tried to hide my grin as I walked past her; I didn’t know, either. I strode around the counter and went to where Will was waiting between a pair of bookshelves.

“What did you want to talk to me about?” I asked.

“First, let me apologize,” he said. “I was stupid. I jumped to conclusions and didn’t let you tell me your side of the story. I’m an idiot.”

“No, you’re not,” I said. His apology had my insides jumping up and down for joy so much, I felt sick.

“No, I am.” He took one of my hands and clutched it in both of his. “I shouldn’t have walked away like that. And then with what happened after . . .”

“It’s nothing,” I said, willing my glands not to overreact. His hands were so warm and strong and yet soft at the same time.

Will sighed and smiled. “I don’t know how you can forgive me so easily. I should have come before now, but was afraid that after I’d made such a fool of myself, you wouldn’t want to see me.”

“That’s silly,” I said. “Of course I want to see you.”

A gleam came into his eye. “I know that now.” He laughed. “But you know how things are. I felt stupid, was afraid you’d call me on it the moment you saw me, and with work being so hectic lately, I used it as an excuse not to come see you.”

“But you’re here now.”

“That, I am.”

It was as if a hole had opened in the roof and a beam of pure sunlight had washed over me. I felt warm all over and had an intense desire to squeal in joy.

“You didn’t need to apologize,” I said, doing my best to contain my excitement. “I should have been more up front with you about what I was doing in the first place.”

“You didn’t owe me anything,” he said. “We’d barely had a chance to speak, which was my fault entirely. If I’d given you more time, then maybe I wouldn’t have let my imagination get carried away with me. It’s a fault, I know.”

He didn’t need to tell me about it. My imagination had a tendency to get me into more trouble than I cared to admit. It was a wonder it hadn’t gotten me killed yet.

Will let go of my hand and cleared his throat again. “Now that that is out of the way, I have something I’d like to ask you.”

“Okay.” It came out as a little squeak.

“Because I was such a knucklehead, I’ll completely understand if you say no.”

“I won’t.” I forced a nervous smile. “I mean, I won’t say no just because of that.”

That caused him to laugh. “All right then.” He cleared his throat yet again. He appeared almost as nervous as I felt. “I would like to make up for my ignorant actions by taking you to a party.”

“A party?”

“A Halloween costume party, to be exact.” A devious smile crooked the corner of his mouth. “Unless you are frightened.”

“I . . .” Fear clenched at my core. I might love Halloween, but I’d never been one to dress up in a costume. Any time I tried, it was always an unmitigated disaster. Pieces would fall off constantly, or I’d end up wearing the same thing as a dozen other people. Then there was the one time when I’d worn a rubber nose that caused me to break out into a horrible rash that spread over half of my face.

A look of worry crossed Will’s eyes. “If you aren’t interested, you don’t have to go,” he said. “I have an invitation and thought it might be the perfect way to say I’m sorry.”

“No!” I said, worried he would take it all back and leave, never to return. “I want to go. I’m just not sure I have anything to wear.”

Relief washed over his face. “That’s okay. The party isn’t until Friday night. You have a couple of days to find something appropriate.” He reached into the pocket of his coat and removed a folded piece of stationery. “Here,” he said, holding it out to me.

“What’s this?” I asked, taking it.

“It’s my number. My cell, actually. In case you have any questions.”

“I . . .” It was my turn to clear my throat. “Thank you.”

He looked amused as he said, “It’s no problem at all. And if you wouldn’t mind, I have my cell on me and can input your number now in case I need to contact you before the big night.”

“Of course!”

Will whipped out his phone and handed it to me. It was one of the really nice ones that cost a fortune. I always opted for the free phones that came with a two-year contract, promising myself I’d eventually upgrade to something better, but never actually going through with it. I mean, how can you beat free?

I typed in my number. Once it was in, I saved the contact and handed him his phone back. He was grinning as he glanced down at his screen, before shoving the phone in his pocket. He then checked his watch and frowned.

“I need to get back to work,” he said. “I’ll call you tomorrow sometime so we can work out the details.”

“Okay.” It was about the only thing I could manage.

He turned and started to walk away but stopped. “Is he supposed to be doing that?”

I followed his gaze to the upstairs table where people could sit to read. The black and white store cat, Trouble, was standing on his hind legs, front paw reaching into the eye socket of a jack-o’-lantern, trying to bat at the light inside.

“He’ll be fine,” I said. “The candle is fake.” Though the pumpkin wasn’t. If he were to knock it off, I’d end up having to clean it up.

“Ah.” Will watched the cat a moment longer before chuckling. “I’ll talk to you soon.” And then he was gone.

I floated over to Trouble and picked him up. He meowed in surprise as I gave him a quick hug, before he started squirming to be put down. I carried him across the room and deposited him on top of one of the four-foot-tall bookshelves, where he glared at me before lying down to wash. I patted him on the head before going back downstairs to where Rita still stood, eyes focused on the front door Will had just exited. She turned to me with a surprised look on her face.

“Well, well,” she said. “William Foster now, is it?”

I couldn’t keep the stupid grin off my face as I answered. “He asked me to a costume party.”

Rita’s eyebrows tried to leap from her face. “Really? You?”

I was too happy to be miffed. “Yep. Me!”

She made a sound that was part incredulous and part impressed. “There are quite a few women who would kill to go somewhere with him.” She paused, eyes widening. “Did he say what party?”

“No,” I said, wondering what all the fuss was about. “He said he had an invitation and he wanted to take me.”

Rita looked as if she might keel over right then and there. “Oh, Lordy Lou! He’s taking you to the Yarborough party! I can’t believe you of all people get to go!” She paused. “You did tell him you’d go, now didn’t you?”

Annoyance started to seep into my voice as I answered. “I did. And how do you know which party he was talking about?”

She rolled her eyes. “Everyone who is anyone always goes to the Yarborough party. It’s by invite only, you see, and I’d wager it is the only one someone like William Foster would go to.”

My gut clenched. “I didn’t think it was all that big of a deal.”

Rita’s eyes widened. “Not a big deal? Where have you been? It’s a huge deal!” She leaned onto the counter and lowered her voice. “I’m just surprised they are having it this year after . . . you know.”

“No,” I said. “I don’t.”

“The party was always Howard Yarborough’s baby,” she said, keeping her voice down as if she was sharing some deep, dark secret. “He was an architect, you see. He designed his house for this very occasion. He loved Halloween, did Howard, and he made sure to show it.”

I noticed the past tense. “He’s passed?”

“Just a few weeks ago, if you can believe it.” Rita shook her head sadly. “He was a strange man, believe you me, but he was always kind. His wife, Margaret, never was big into the costume parties, but Howard loved them, so she put up with them. I can’t believe she’s going to continue on the tradition without him, especially after what happened.”

Some of the air went out of me then. What I’d thought of as a chance to get to know Will better was now starting to sound more and more like it might end up being a somber affair where Howard’s wife and friends would lament his passing by holding the party he’d held so dear. I would feel like I was imposing, not having met the man.

Rita leaned forward even more, so that she was only a few inches from my face. “And let me tell you something about William Foster . . .”

I held up a hand before she could go on. “No,” I said, taking a step back. “Just, no.”

“No?” She said it like she’d never heard the word before. “No, what?”

“I don’t want to hear it.” I picked up my cooling coffee and took a sip, shaking my head all the while.

“I don’t know what you could mean?”

“No gossip,” I said. “No secrets. I want to discover these things on my own.”

Rita stepped back, looking mildly offended. “I don’t gossip!” Someone sitting at a nearby table snorted. She glared over her shoulder at him. “Well, I don’t.”

I knew for a fact that Rita spent most of her life gossiping about the people of Pine Hills, but I decided not to press the issue. It would get me nowhere but on her bad side, which in turn would turn me into a major target of her gossipy wrath.

“Well, I should run,” Rita said, hand going to her hair. She’d recently curled it, though with the coming rain it was starting to sag. “You must tell me how the party goes.”

“I will,” I said, knowing I wouldn’t have any choice. I’d either tell her everything, or she would find someone who would. At least if I told her, I could make sure everything she heard was true.

She gave me a simpering smile before walking away.

“Party?” Vicki asked, startling me. Apparently she’d come downstairs at some point during my conversation and was standing behind me. “What party?”

I turned away from Rita, and with a grin that nearly split my face in half, I told Vicki all about it.

“This is going to be amazing! I can’t believe we’re both going to be there.”

Vicki beamed at me as we entered the costume shop, Halloween Queens. We’d both gotten up early so we could be at the store just as it opened so Vicki could get to Death by Coffee and start her shift. Lena was opening today, which was a big deal for her. Usually, either Vicki or I was present when the store opened and closed, but not today. We both trusted her to do a good job, even if she was going to have to train Jeff in some of the basics by herself.

“Mason’s invite came because of Raymond.” The elder Lawyer and all-around jerk. “He didn’t want to go, but when he told me about it, I insisted. I mean, it isn’t every day you get to go to a big Halloween party! It’s been so long since I’ve been to anything this large, I’m kind of nervous.”

Vicki had definitely been to her fair share of parties, and mostly under protest. Her parents were both small-time actors, but they were still able to attend quite a few cast parties since they held a few minor roles here and there. They’d dragged her along, kicking and screaming, not caring if she wanted to be there or not. Even though she got to meet quite a few famous people at these events, Vicki just wasn’t interested in the lifestyle. It was part of the reason she’d moved to Pine Hills in the first place. The only acting she wanted to do was on the small stage, in front of friends and neighbors; not on the television or movie screens.

Not many people understood her choices. I, for one, was glad for them.

“I’m worried,” I told her. “I won’t know anyone and I’m sure I’m going to look like an idiot.”

“I’ll be there,” Vicki said, glancing around the shop. It had opened its doors only a week ago and would be gone by the end of next week. “Mason will be there. And of course, Will.” She winked at me and grinned.

I sighed, unable to get into the spirit of things. “Yeah, well, there will be a lot of other people there, too, many of whom won’t want me there.”

“You’ll be fine.” Vicki patted me on the arm. “You’re just nervous. It’ll pass.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Trust me.” She gave me a winning smile and then turned to start poking through the aisles.

Halloween Queens was full of costumes and decorations fit for the holiday. There were the requisite gravestones and giant spiders, along with a battery-powered witch’s broom that swept the floor all by itself while it cackled madly. Screams and moans filled the air, all mechanical, and all a bit tinny. I breathed it in, hoping to regain some of my love for the holiday, but I just couldn’t manage it.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go to the Yarborough party with Will, because I did. It’s just that I’d never felt comfortable around a large number of strangers who might expect me to be social with them. Stick me behind a counter, and I’m fine. Put me in public with others, and I turn into a scaredy-cat of the highest order.

I think the reason I was so frightened was because Rita had told me how big of a deal the party was. If it’s so important, did that mean the mayor of Pine Hills would be there? What about out-of-town guests; people with money and social standing? Why would they let someone like me into a place like that? I would stick out like a sore thumb.

“What do you think?” Vicki drew my eye, saving me from more self-deprecating thoughts. She was holding up one of those sexy fairy costumes that always left so little to the imagination, it made me wonder, why bother?

“It doesn’t really cover much, does it?” It consisted of what looked like a green bra, green panties, and strap-on wings. Oh, and the tiny little wand with glittery streamers on it. Couldn’t forget that.

Vicki replaced it on the rack and laughed. “You’re right. Why can’t women’s costumes be a little less . . .”

“Revealing?”

She nodded.

There was no way I was going to a party of any kind, Halloween or otherwise, dressed in a sexy anything. I didn’t have the figure for it, and while I’m not obese, I was pretty sure I’d look twice my size the moment some ultrathin sexpot strutted up next to me in her sexy she-devil outfit. It was best I stuck to something a little less exposing, and a whole lot more concealing, like maybe a full-body wardrobe, mask and all.

“I’m not sure what I want to do,” I said, eyeing a naughty policewoman outfit. I’m pretty sure no officer worth her salt would ever wear a midriff–exposing shirt pulled that tightly.

“Find something that catches your eye,” Vicki said. “Mason told me to choose something I feel comfortable in and not to worry about anything else. He’s going as a gangster, if that tells you anything.”

I raised my eyebrows at that. “His dad got him the invite, so I’m assuming Raymond is going, too?” I wasn’t Raymond Lawyer’s biggest fan, nor was he mine. I doubted he would tolerate his son dressing in something that put him in a bad light.

Then again, he didn’t tolerate much of anything now that I thought about it.

“I think so,” Vicki said. “Mason said he was going to try to get his dad to go as one of the Godfather characters so they’d match, but Raymond balked at the idea. I don’t kno. . .