Deadly Pumpkin Slice (A Sinful Sweets Cozy Mystery) Read Free Page A

Massey had left and the front door was locked. “He didn’t ask you out, did he?”
     
    Everyone in town knew Detective Massey was an eligible bachelor, but no one could figure out why. He had the looks, the job and personality.
     
    “I think I was just accused of murder,” Sydney said, still in a daze.
     
    “A murder? Who was killed?”
     
    “Aaron.”
     
    “You can’t be serious.”
     
    “And it was our pumpkin pie that killed him. Detective Massey said it was poisoned. And, it was here in Twin Peaks, in a hotel room.”
     
    “Well, we all know that it wasn’t you.”
     
    “I know. But why would someone kill him? Even I wouldn’t want that.”
     
    “And you’d have every right to want that after the way he treated you,” Grace said, patting Sydney on the hand across the counter.
     
    “I just thought he was behind me, and now even when he’s dead, he seems to have power over me.”
     
    “What else did Detective Massey say about how he died?” Grace asked, immediately focusing on getting to the bottom of the puzzle.
     
    “Just that it was my pumpkin pie that was found there. Poisoned. I don’t know what kind of poison, and even if I did, I wouldn’t know enough to clear my name. Maybe Mia knows something. I’m going to meet her out at The Pumpkin Patch. Are you all set here with the orders?”
     
    “I think I’ll be able to manage. Be careful,” Grace warned as Maple jumped up at the sound of Sydney getting her bike.
     
    “Come on, Maple!” she called.
     
    ***
     
    The ride to The Pumpkin Patch took longer than expected and Sydney was tired when they got there. She had debated going home to get her car first, but she knew the ride would give her time to get her thoughts in order and make a plan for how to approach these crazy accusations.
     
    Sydney locked her bike to a tree out front and tied Maple up to it. “You stay,” Sydney commanded. Maple lay down and panted. It had been a while since she’d gotten that much exercise and she could feel it. Sydney wasn’t sure she’d make it back with her.
     
    “Sydney! Great to see you!” Jake called as she walked around the barn to the field of pumpkins. There were more left in the field than she’d expected after the Halloween rush.
     
    “Good to see you too, Jake. I heard my sister was coming here this afternoon with her play group. Have you seen her yet?” Sydney asked, skipping the normal formalities of greeting and jumped right into why she was there.
     
    “I have. They’re all out on the hayride right now but should be back in about fifteen minutes. Want to come in for a pumpkin chai?”
     
    “Yeah, I could use one. And a water.” She was still sweating even though it was a comfortable fall day.
     
    “You rode here?” he asked.
     
    “Yup. I left Maple out front with my bike.”
     
    “Bring her in. My wife made all natural dog treats and she’ll need a few if she’s going to run home with you too!”
     
    “Thanks,” Sydney said and walked back around the barn to get Maple. They met Jake in the kitchen. He’d already poured two chais and put three dog treats in a bowl on the floor. He’d put a water bowl down too.
     
    “How are the pumpkins selling?” Sydney asked. She didn’t want to get into Aaron’s death with Jake so kept the conversation light.
     
    “You’re our best customer! What’s on the menu this fall? More pumpkin pies?”
     
    “Yup. I should have brought you one. They’ve been selling like hot cakes for over a month and I could probably sell them through Christmas if I have enough pumpkins! I only ordered enough to last me through November.”
     
    “We might be able to work something out,” Jake said with a wink.
     
    They kept the conversation strictly business until they heard the kids’ laughter and shrieks of joy.
     
    “Sounds like they’re back,” Jake said, standing up and opening the back door.
     
    Kids were jumping off the back of the wagon before it had fully