Deadly Production (Mapleton Mystery Book 4) Read Free Page A

two mugs, a teapot, and plates of cinnamon rolls. She distributed the mugs, placed the teapot in front of Cassidy, and set the rolls in the center of the table. “Your egg white veggie omelet will be up in a minute,” she said to Marianna. “Can I top off your coffee?”
    “Please.”
    Angie motioned to Donna, one of the Daily Bread wait staff, who nodded and patted her gray curls into place before grabbing a pot from behind the counter. Gordon noticed the flush to her cheeks as she tried to appear nonchalant while refilling Marianna’s mug, before she moved on to another table.
    Marianna grabbed three yellow sweetener packets, stacked them, and ripped them open in one practiced tear. She stirred them into her coffee, then took a tentative sip.
    Gordon grabbed a plate and slid a cinnamon roll toward Cassidy. “This might be the best thing about your stay in Mapleton.”
    Cassidy cut a small piece of the sticky confection and forked it into his mouth. Gordon waited, watching the man’s expression as he chewed the morsel. The eyes rolled, then closed. Cassidy’s tongue darted out, capturing any errant crumbs and sugary icing. And then, the sigh as he reached for the plate and snagged another—much bigger—bite.
    “I think you’re right, but I’m going to have to try more before I can agree.” Cassidy grinned at Angie. “Might take one every day I’m here before I’ll know for sure whether these are the best darn cinnamon rolls I’ve ever had.”
    Angie beamed. “You’ve got it.”
    Donna returned to the table with Marianna’s omelet. Trying to set it in front of the woman while casting furtive glances at Cassidy, she narrowly avoided knocking over Marianna’s water glass. “I’m so sorry.” At Angie’s slight frown, Donna stepped back half a pace. “Is there anything I can get for anyone?”
    “We’re fine, Donna,” Angie said.
    Marianna poked her fork around in her omelet, as if taking inventory of its contents. She took a delicate bite, and although she didn’t partake of any of the cinnamon rolls, Gordon noticed the wistful peeks in their direction.
    “You can’t come to Mapleton without sampling one of Angie’s cinnamon rolls,” Gordon said. He slid a plate her way and smiled. “It’s a requirement if you expect any cooperation from the Police Department.”
    “I suppose a taste won’t hurt,” she said. She forked off a piece even smaller than Cassidy’s first sample and nibbled. “Oh, yes, these are delicious.” She finished the bite she’d taken and then went back to poking around her omelet. Dabbing at her lips between bites, she ate about a third of it and pushed her plate aside.
    “Angie, honey,” Marianna said, “if you have anything else to do, this next part doesn’t deal with our scheduled shoots in your little restaurant. I’ll bring you up to speed later.”
    At the abrupt dismissal, color rose in Angie’s face. She gave a brief nod, then spun away toward the kitchen.
    “Wait up.” Cassidy scooted out of the booth, stuffing the last bit of cinnamon roll into his mouth.
    Angie turned, her blush still evident, but Gordon expected it was for an entirely different reason now. Cassidy caught up to her.
    “I’m not needed for this discussion, either,” he said. “Maybe we can talk about the scenes in the diner. I’d love to see where you make these phenomenal cinnamon rolls.”
    Angie cocked her head toward Marianna, who lifted a hand and waggled her manicured fingers. “Go.”
    Marianna leaned across the table, her expensive perfume outweighing the aroma of the cinnamon rolls. “Your mayor assured me you run a tight ship here, Chief Hepler.” She paused, and again, Gordon wondered if she was waiting for him to say “Call me Gordon.” Still wasn’t going to happen.
    With a flip of her hair, Marianna continued. “In reality, we’re not going to have too many scenes requiring a huge cast. Ten actors, some extras, and then the crew. The faster we can get in