Small Town Scary (Cozy Mystery Collection) Read online

  “Unrequited love,” he muttered. “It can make a man do crazy things.”

  “Apparently, it can even make a man frame a woman for murder!” I exclaimed.

  “It’s obvious from these letters that your mother never indulged him. The relationship took place entirely within his fantasies,” Captain Davis acknowledged.

  “Denidra Locke is a good woman,” Mrs. Dollner declared.

  “A very good woman…who you need to release from jail!” I added passionately as the captain nodded in resolute defeat.

  “You’re right. Give me an hour or so to sort through this mess with the detectives and then we should be able to let her go.” Captain Davis hung his head, and I wasn’t sure if he was ashamed for imprisoning an innocent woman or disappointed that he hadn’t been able to solve the crime himself.

  “I need to go find my father and sister,” I said, tugging gently on Mrs. Dollner’s wrist.

  Before I could walk away, Captain Davis chuckled without humor. “Miss Locke, would you believe me if I said I thought your mother was innocent all along and I just wanted you to work harder to solve the crime? I mean, seeing as you did such an exceptional job solving Henrik Blark’s murder.”

  “Unfortunately, no, I wouldn’t believe you. Sounds to me like you’re just trying to save face,” I muttered crisply before heading towards the waiting area and leaving the captain to stew in his own incompetence.

  ***

  Hours later, we were all sitting and sipping coffee at Espresso Magic. Still traumatized from being imprisoned, my mother refused to even nibble on dessert, but she did nurse a mighty cup of java. While Dad mused over how he couldn’t believe his own brother could be guilty of murder, I had refrained from sharing the revelation of the love letters with him. My father’s temper had already been tested to the limit over the past week, and there was no need to upset him further.

  Whispering to my mother to join me in the kitchen, I left the rest of the group at the table. Closing the kitchen door, I asked Mom, “Why did you tell us to go to Aunt Connie’s house before? I didn’t find anything there.”

  Wiping a tendril of dark hair out of her weary eyes, she replied, “Because I knew about the life insurance policy. Connie had mentioned it to me last year at Thanksgiving. So I thought pretty early on that Sanford was the culprit.”

  “Then why didn’t you say so? Why did you let them arrest you when you had a valid lead about who killed Connie?” I asked in utter confusion.

  “Isn’t it obvious now? I didn’t want Sanford’s letters to be discovered. I didn’t want your father to find out and make him upset for no reason. And I still don’t want your father to find out. Do you promise never to tell him about those letters?”

  “Yes, Mom, I promise.”

  “Good. Some secrets are meant to stay that way. And that secret is more poisonous than the drink Sanford gave poor Connie,” my mother sighed, giving me a quick hug and then returning to the group.

  Mrs. Dollner waltzed into the kitchen and announced, “We need another round of coffee. And maybe some more of those yummy Butterscotch Bars!”

  Looking her square in her mischievous eyes, I proposed, “Okay, Mrs. Dollner. I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll not only bring you more Butterscotch Bars, but I’ll bake up a whole fresh batch! Under one condition…”

  “What condition, dear?”

  “You tell me your first name! I promise I’ll always be respectful and call you Mrs. Dollner. But I can’t take the suspense anymore! What is your name?” I asked insistently.

  “But I told you that’s my secret…”

  “Some secrets are meant to be kept,” I said, thinking of Sanford’s illicit “love” letters. “And others are meant to be shared!”

  “Okay, but I want a batch of Butterscotch Bars wrapped up to take home with me too! And maybe even a carafe of Mint Magic Coffee,” she bartered.

  “You just name your price,” I said wryly.

  Heaving an enormous sigh, Mrs. Dollner revealed:

  “My name is Agatha.”

  “Agatha?! You mean like Agatha Christie, the British mystery writer?” I asked in amazement.

  “Yes, that’s right!” She giggled. “I never really liked my name.”

  “Why not? It suits you perfectly. I may be a Gypsy Sleuth, but you’re Agatha, queen of the classic mystery!”

  “And modern mystery,” Agatha Dollner added. “I just wonder what the next one will be…”

  Epilogue

  Later the Same Night

  Marisa & Penelope’s Apartment

  The floral patterned suitcase was caked with dust and debris. How many years had it been since I had used the luggage? Perhaps as many years as it had been since I had gone on a date with a man. Dragging the suitcase out of the closet, I unzipped it and immediately began stuffing it with clothing and books.

  Popping her head into my bedroom, Penelope frowned upon seeing the suitcase. “What are you doing, Marisa? Are you going to spend some time in Minneapolis with Mom and Dad?”

  “Nope.” I gazed into her chocolate hazelnut eyes, trying to speak the next words with softness and compassion. “I’m moving out, Penny.”

  “You’re what?” She squeaked.

  “It’s time. I’m turning 30 in less than two months. We’re getting too old to be roommates.”

  “Are you serious? You just decided this all of a sudden, tonight? Are you sure you’re not just exhausted from all the stress of the investigation?”

  “I’ve actually been thinking about this for a while,” I admitted. “You don’t want us to end up like crazy Aunt Louise and Aunt Patricia, do you?”

  “We’re nothing like them! Marisa, how could you even compare us to those hags?” Penelope demanded harshly.

  “They were young once too,” I said simply. “It’s better for both of us to have some space. We already run a coffee shop together and see each other every day!”

  “That’s true, but…where will you go?”

  “I don’t know, but that’s part of the fun.” I grinned with newfound exhilaration. “I’m leaving you my share of the rent for December, so you don’t have to worry about finding a new roommate until after the New Year. Or maybe you’ll get your own place too,” I suggested brightly.

  “Marisa, are you really doing this?” Penelope asked with pleading puppy dog eyes.

  Lovingly grasping her shoulders, I said firmly, “Yes, I really am. And we’ll both be better off in the long run. I love you, Penny, but I’ve got to go!”

  In true Gypsy form, I escaped into the midnight hour with nothing but a suitcase, my own beating heart, and a pocket full of dreams.

  ***

  *RECIPES*

  SPRINKLE A LITTLE MAGIC INTO A DISH…

  Wickedly Indulgent Pecan Pie

  1 1/2 cups pecan pieces

  3 large eggs

  1 cup sugar

  3/4 cup light or dark corn syrup

  2 tablespoons melted butter

  2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  1/2 teaspoon salt

  1 (9-inch) deep-dish frozen unbaked pie shell

  Spread pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted. Stir together eggs and all other ingredients. Pour filling into pie shell. Bake at 350° for 55 minutes or until set. Serve warm or cold.

  No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

  1 package no-bake cheesecake mix

  ¾ cups milk

  ¾ cups pumpkin

  ½ tsp nutmeg

  ¼ tsp cloves

  Touch of vanilla extract

  Cinnamon to taste

  Whipped cream (optional)

  Combine ingredients in mixing bowl and beat until blended. Fill graham cracker crust from no-bake cheesecake mix. Allow to chill and set in refrigerator for 2 hours. Garnish with whipped cream rosebuds before serving.

  Super Simple Pumpkin Bread

  1 cup pumpkin

  2 cups sugar

  4 eggs
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br />   1 cup vegetable oil

  2 cups flour

  1 tsp baking soda

  2 tsp baking powder

  4 tsp nutmeg

  Cinnamon to taste

  Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Divide batter into 3 greased bread loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Delicious served warm with a pat of melted butter!

  Marisa’s Coffee Ice Cream Floats

  2 bottles chilled Starbucks Frappuccino beverage

  1 pint Coffee ice cream

  Fudge sauce for drizzling

  Whipped cream for topping

  Maraschino cherries (optional)

  Fill two tall glasses with one bottle each of the Frappuccino. Scoop in desired amount of coffee ice cream into each glass. Squirt chocolate sauce liberally. Make a cloud of whipped cream on top. For aesthetic flair, place a Maraschino cherry on top of each float. Grab a couple of spoons and enjoy this refreshing treat for two!

  Espresso Magic Cupcakes

  2 cups sugar

  1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

  3/4 cup cocoa

  1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

  1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

  1 teaspoon salt

  2 eggs

  1/2 cup vegetable oil

  2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  2 teaspoons coffee extract

  1 cup boiling water

  1 cup milk

  Can of dark chocolate frosting

  Preheat oven to 350. Prepare cupcake pans with liners. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, oil, milk, vanilla and coffee extract; beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into cupcake pans lined with liners. Bake 18 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Enjoy with a hot cup of coffee!

  Sweet & Spicy Pumpkin Pie

  5 eggs (organic, cage free)

  1 and a half cups of sugar

  ½ teaspoon of salt

  ½ teaspoon of ground cloves

  2 teaspoons of cinnamon

  1 large can or 2 cups of fresh pumpkin

  2 large cans of evaporated milk

  1 unbaked pie shell

  Add ingredients in order given and mix well. Mix the milk slowly. Pour into pie crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or à la mode with your favorite ice cream flavor.

  Butterscotch Bars

  1 cup sugar

  2 eggs

  ¾ cup butter

  2 cups graham cracker crumbles

  2 cups mini marshmallows

  ½ cup pecans

  ½ cup peanut butter (smooth, not chunky style)

  1 package butterscotch chips

  Cook sugar, eggs, and butter in a saucepan, stirring for 5 minutes. Add graham crumbles, marshmallows, and pecans. Spread into greased pan. Melt peanut butter and butterscotch chips on top. Refrigerate to chill and set. Butterscotch bars make a sweet after-school treat for the kids!

  Penelope’s Cappuccino Chip Muffins

  2 cups flour

  ¾ cup sugar

  1 cup milk

  1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  2 tablespoons espresso powder

  ½ cup butter

  1 egg

  ½ cup baker’s chocolate chips

  Coffee beans

  Preheat oven to 375. Grease 12 muffin cups. Melt butter in a saucepan on low heat. In a mixing bowl, combine flour and sugar; set aside. In a measuring cup, add milk, egg, vanilla extract and coffee granules. Stir until coffee is dissolved. Pour coffee mixture onto the flour/sugar and add the melted butter. Stir. Fold in chocolate chips. Divide batter among muffin cups. Sprinkle with coffee beans and sugar granules (if desired). Bake for 20 minutes. Cool 5 minutes and Abracadabra! You have a breakfast to please the whole family!

  Smooth as Silk Coffee Pie

  2 tablespoons of butter

  1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

  1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

  12 oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips

  4 eggs, separated

  2 cups of heavy cream

  1 1/2 tablespoon of instant coffee granules

  1/3 cups of confectioner’s sugar

  Baked pie shell

  Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Heat chocolate chips with 2 tablespoons butter, stirring until melted and smooth. Cool; beat in yolks. Set aside. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Set aside. Beat cream with coffee until soft peaks form. Beat in sugar. Save 1 cup whipped cream for garnish. Stir 1/2 cup cream mixture into chocolate mixture, then fold in remainder. Fold in beaten whites. Pour into baked pie crust. Garnish with reserved whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg. Freeze 8 hours. Defrost 30 minutes or until soft and edible. A very smooth dessert that goes well with a glass of cappuccino!

  Autumn Luxury Pumpkin Latte

  2 tbsp pumpkin puree

  2 tbsp sugar

  1 tsp vanilla extract

  1 cup milk

  1.5 ounces hot espresso

  1 tbsp cinnamon

  ½ tbsp nutmeg

  Brew espresso. Mix pumpkin, sugar, vanilla extract, milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a saucepan. Whisk until frothy. Pour espresso into a mug followed by the mix in the saucepan. Enjoy your pumpkin drink with a slice of spice cake or a scone. A sweet luxury for those chilly autumn nights!

  Frozen Cocomo (Coconut + Mocha)

  1 cup iced coffee

  Chocolate syrup

  Whipped cream

  Flaked coconut

  Pour iced coffee into a tall glass. Spray on some chocolate syrup and mix in. Drizzle additional chocolate syrup on top followed by a dollop of whipped cream. Scatter coconut flakes on the whipped cream and get ready for a taste of paradise!

  Mint Magic Coffee

  1 tbsp chocolate syrup

  2 tbsp peppermint baking chips (melted)

  ½ cup hot coffee

  Chocolate chip mint ice cream (optional)

  Stir together the 3 ingredients in a coffee mug. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Serve warm. Or, if you prefer a cold drink, add a scoop of chocolate chip mint ice cream to make a coffee float!

  Café au Chocolat

  1 ½ cups cold coffee

  1 ½ cups chocolate or vanilla ice cream

  1 cup crushed ice

  Chocolate syrup (to taste)

  Whipped cream

  In a blender, combine coffee, ice cream and chocolate syrup. Blend until silky smooth. Pour over crushed ice. Spray on some whipped cream and delight in this refreshing beverage!

  Bittersweet Espresso Tiramisu

  3 egg yolks

  ¼ cup sugar

  2 tsp pure vanilla extract

  2 cups Mascarpone cheese

  24 ladyfinger cookies

  1 ½ cups warm coffee

  2 tbsp cocoa powder

  In a bowl, beat yolks with sugar and vanilla until smooth. Fold mascarpone into yolk mixture. Set aside. Dip ladyfingers in coffee and arrange 12 of them in an 8x8 inch dish. Spread half the mascarpone mixture over the ladyfingers. Make a second layer with remaining cookies and mascarpone. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour. Sprinkle with cocoa powder to satisfy your chocolate cravings!

  Java Chunk Ice Cream

  2 1/2 cups iced coffee

  1/2 cup half & half

  1/3 cup chocolate chunks, melted

  Ice cream making machine

  Hazelnut syrup (optional)

  Whipped cream (optional)

  Add coffee and half & half to ice cream maker. When ice cream is thick and nearly done, drizzle in melted chocolate. Finish in machine. Makes a delectable soft serve sundae with a cascade of hazelnut syrup and spray of whipped cream.

  Missed the first book in the Gypsy Sleuths series?

  That’s OK…the books can be read in any order!

  ESPRESSO MAGIC, Book 1, is available on Amazon:

  Espresso Magic (Gypsy Sleuths, Book 1) - Kindle edition by Emma Blackc
liff. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.