Key Lime Killer Read online

  Key Lime Killer

  Sweets Shop Cozy Mysteries Book Two

  Maisy Morgan

  © Copyright 2019 by Maisy Morgan - All rights reserved.

  In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document by either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited, and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

  Respective authors own all copyrights not held by the publisher.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Thank you!

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Mary Hopkins felt as though she could finally sit down after the rather hectic morning she’d had at her new shop, Lily Pad Treats. The shop that was carefully decorated with little frogs and white lily pad flowers on the walls had quickly become one of the most loved places in the small town of Brooks, Georgia in which the locals could enjoy a sweet treat. Thanks to her fourteen-year-old grandson, Tripp, who had helped her along with this endeavor, their first month in business had turned out to be a raging success. He had become her unofficial social media marketing genius by using their newly adopted cat, Sweet Feet, as a sort of mascot for all of their online posts.

  As she sat down, enjoying the little bit of time she was getting to be off of her feet, she found herself staring back at the picture frame that hung behind the counter. It was a picture of her daughter, Lilly, for whom the shop had been named. Lilly was fourteen-years-old in the picture, far too young to be depicted in a hospital bed with a newborn baby boy in her arms. Leaning over in the picture was her boyfriend at the time, Tripp’s father Aaron, who had recently been killed back in their home in LA. Because of Lilly’s notorious drug problems, Aaron had obtained custody of Tripp at a very young age and had cut Lilly, and her entire family, including Mary, out of their lives. It had not been until just recently, right before Aaron’s murder, that Mary had started to get to know her grandson. It was then that Mary found herself on the opposite side of the country with a grandson she barely knew but loving every minute of it.

  “So, how are the key lime pies selling?” Mary asked.

  “Really, well actually,” Tripp said. “Apparently you’ve got these southerners pegged down. That rainbow cake from last month was selling like crazy, and now they are obsessed with these mini key lime pies.”

  “I figured summer would be a great time to open a sweets shop in Georgia,” Mary said. “Georgians really appreciate summer-themed desserts. I’m still having to get used to this heat, though.”

  “You’re telling me,” Tripp said. “In LA it’s usually just really dry, but this is just… well… just hot.” Tripp was loading up their display case again with some more desserts as Mary had just finished with some additional cookies and treats that they were going to start offering the upcoming week.

  “So,” Mary said, changing the subject to avoid talking about the Georgia heat. “I was able to confirm your school district and get you all registered and ready to start in August.”

  “August?” Tripp groaned. “That’s next month!”

  “I know,” Mary said with a laugh. “Time really flies doesn’t it?”

  “So, what school am I going to?” Tripp asked even though he wasn’t familiar with any of the schools in the area.

  “Whitewater High School,” Mary said. “We’re just barely in that school district. Apparently, half of Brooks is zoned to go to a school called Peachtree City while the other half goes to Whitewater.”

  This seemed to alarm Tripp slightly. “So when you say half of Brooks, where exactly is the district line?”

  Mary smirked. She knew exactly why Tripp was asking. “Hannah is also in the Whitewater High School district. I already asked her mom.”

  Tripp tried to hide a smile. Hannah was one of the two friends he had managed to make since moving to Georgia which was a difficult feat to accomplish in the middle of the summer. Hannah’s mother Cindy owned the antique shop a short distance down the road from the sweets shop in Brooks. Hannah had proven to be a child with a big heart and a lot of spunk. She was in a wheelchair because of an unfortunate car accident that had happened a few years prior. However, she never let that slow her down.

  “Oh, what about Draco?” Tripp asked referring to the third wheel of their little trio of friends.

  “He will also attend Whitewater,” Mary said. “Cindy told me that too.”

  “Sweet,” Tripp said no longer hiding his smile. “Honestly, I’m really relieved.” He finished putting the last of the cookie in the display and hid the pan behind the counter before coming to sit by Mary. “I mean, I’m starting high school. I was already a little worried about doing that back in LA but moving to a new state and a new town with new people was really making me nervous.”

  “I know,” Mary said. “I know I have not made this transition very easy on you either, but thank you for taking it like such a champ.”

  Tripp grinned and was about to speak when the front door to the shop opened. He jumped up like the dedicated young employee he was, but he slowed down a bit when he saw that it was a familiar face. “Hey, Preston,” Tripp said to the man in the officer’s uniform.

  He smiled. “I heard from Cindy you’ve got a new special that I need to try,” he said winking at Mary and heading to meet Tripp at the counter.

  “Yeah, mini key lime pies. They’re really good, and I don’t even like key lime pie that much,” Tripp said.

  “Well, I’m going to take your word for it. Oh, wow, they are really small.” Preston said with amusement. “Let me get a dozen, and I’ll take them to the station.”

  “Coming right up,” Tripp said and got to work on carefully placing the tangy treats in a to-go box.

  “What have you two been up to this week?” Preston asked eyeing Mary. “I haven’t had a chance to come by in a while.”

  “I now have Tripp all set up and ready for school in August,” Mary said. “They have orientation in just a couple of weeks.”

  “That’s exciting,” Preston said as Mary joined them by the counter with Sweet Feet circling them a bit. The cat started to brush up against Preston using his leg to scratch an itch at his neck. “I can’t believe the summer is nearly over,” he added.

  “Me either,” Tripp said with a slight groan. “Although Grandma did just tell me that both Hannah and Draco are going to be going to the same high school as me. So, that’s cool.”

  “Good,” Preston said as he seemed to be contemplating something. “You know what I haven’t done all summer?”

  “What?” Mary asked curiously, ringing up Preston’s order as Tripp worked on closing the box of mini key lime pies.

  “I haven’t gone fishing,” Preston said. “I didn’t go last summer either. I think I should try to get out on the lake before I wind up missing the season all over again.”

  “I’ve never been fishing,” Tripp said. “Is it hard?”

  “No, not really,” Preston said. “Personally, I find it relaxing, and when you actually catch something for yourself, I think the fish always tastes better.” Preston suddenly grinned. “Hey, Tripp! Why don’t you go with me? We can make it a guys’ day. I’ve got a spare rod, so I can teach you to fish.”

  Mary smiled brightly. She and Preston had gone on one date officially, and they had every intention of going on a second. He was a kind man, and she certainly wouldn’t mind keeping him around. The fact that he was inviting her grandson on a guys’ day made her feel almost flushed. “Really?” Tripp asked.

  “Yeah,” Preston said. “There is a lake right here in Brooks, and I have a little paddle boat we can take.”

  Tripp glanced at Mary. “Can I go?” he asked.

  “I don’t see why not,” Mary said. “You can swim right?”

  “I can swim,” Tripp said with laugh. “Okay, when?”

  “Let me get to the station and get an idea of my schedule,” Preston said. “They’re switching our schedule around some this week. I’ll give your grandmother a call, and we’ll plan a day.” Preston gave Mary another wink as he handed over his card to pay for the treats he had just ordered.

  “That sounds good to me,” Mary said finishing his transaction just as Tripp handed over the box of mini key lime pies.

  “You know, when I call you later, maybe we can plan another date for ourselves,” he said without hesitation.

  Mary had found her one date with Preston an extremely pleasing one due to the kind and mannerly man he came across as being. The feelings were also greatly reciprocated from Preston. They were a refreshing and exciting change for each other.

  Mary smiled. “That sounds lovely,” she excitedly said.

  “Yeah, the first one was wonderful and all, but it was kind of ruined by, well, a dead body,” he said, and Tripp snorted. “Sorry, I gues
s it is a little too soon to joke about isn’t it?” he questioned.

  “I suppose if you say it like that it is a little funny,” Mary said with a smirk, “but maybe just in poor taste.”

  Preston cringed, but laughed upon realizing that Mary was only being half serious with him. He told them goodbye and then headed out the door. Mary watched him leave feeling a bit of butterflies in her stomach. It was still very early on in the relationship, but she couldn’t help but feel like she had found something rather special with Preston. Mary certainly hadn’t done much dating since her failed relationship with Lilly’s father. The man had left them after learning that his daughter was pregnant, and Mary had hardly heard a word from him since. The child their daughter gave birth to now stood before her, fourteen, almost fifteen, years old, and his increasingly advanced age was a reminder of just how long it had been since he had walked out on them. Preston was a breath of fresh air comparatively speaking. He was thoughtful, funny, and he cared about her and perhaps more importantly, he cared about Tripp.

  “So, you’ve got yourself another date,” Tripp teased. “I didn’t realize grandparents did that sort of thing.”

  “Tripp, I am only fifty-two years old,” Mary warned him. “I’m not some old lady in a nursing home hitting on the man in the room next to mine. Preston is still an active duty cop. You’re acting like we’re ancients.”

  Tripp laughed. “No, I just like giving you a hard time.”

  “I’ve noticed,” Mary said with a huff. She changed the subject not willing to be the premise of her grandson’s jokes. “So, now that you’ve learned how to work the register pretty good, and you’ve certainly mastered the art of a broom, how about I teach you some more complicated stuff?”

  “Are you going to teach me how to bake?” Tripp doubtfully asked.

  “Oh, that’s something you’re going to have to earn if you want anywhere near my new kitchen equipment,” Mary said, laughing. “No, I’m going to teach you how to keep a ledger.”

  “A ledger?” Tripp asked as though he honestly had no idea what she meant.

  Mary shook her head. “I am going to educate you on something you may not learn or be exposed to at school. I’m going to teach you about bookkeeping.”

  “Why?” he asked. “Are you planning on keeping a small library in the shop or something?”

  “You’re going to give me a heart attack,” Mary said. “It’s money, Tripp. I’m talking about how to keep up with and organize your money and the business sales.”

  “Why didn’t you just say that?” Tripp questioned.

  Mary shook her head. “Just grab that brown three-ring binder out from behind the register and bring it over to that table. I’m going to show you the ropes a bit all right. It’s time you get some Grandma-Mary education.”

  “Fabulous,” Tripp said dripping with sarcasm. Mary felt physically stung by the word.

  “One day you’re going to be really glad that I bothered or rather took the time to teach you this sort of thing,” Mary said. “Real life application. That’s the best type of education you can get you know.”

  “Yeah,” he said as he fumbled around searching for the binder. He came and slumped down in one of the pink chairs by her, and he smiled slightly at her. “Thanks, Grandma. Believe it or not, I really do appreciate it.”

  Chapter Two

  Mary was quite thrilled to have planned a girl’s night out with her friend Cindy. They had dropped Tripp and Hannah off at the movies, and the two of them headed down the road to a local steakhouse. They quickly took part in chatting about Tripp and Hannah’s outings. Trip and Hannah were adamant that their excursions were simply based on their friendship; however, Mary and Cindy were not quite convinced. “Those two are just too funny,” Mary said as she put her menu down after having at last decided what she would be feasting on that evening. “Tripp just adores your daughter. You know, that right?”

  “I can tell,” Cindy said giggling slightly. “And, it’s certainly reciprocated. It has been a while since Hannah has had a close friend like Tripp. After the accident, some of her friends gradually fell by the wayside.”

  “I’m so sorry to hear that,” Mary said. “Kids can be so cruel.”

  “That sort of thing happens to most all kids in middle school at some point in time I’m pretty sure. It’s an age when they’re really starting discover their own individual personalities, but I know it was just so much harder for Hannah. The accident happened in the summer when middle school friends aren’t able to stay in contact as much. Therefore, a lot of her friends didn’t even know about Hannah’s accident. Perhaps some parents didn’t really even know how to deliver the news to their own children. One girl asked her when she would be able to use her legs again. The poor girl didn’t even realize that Hannah’s accident was more than likely a permanent issue. It was so sad. Now, that I think about it, the whole situation was probably harder on her friends than I realized.”

  “Hopefully high school will be better for her,” Mary said. “There’s still a certain level of immaturity, but it should be a lot different from middle school.”

  “I agree, but it still would have been rather unnerving starting school in August not having any close friends. I’m so thankful for you and Tripp, and I hope you know that,” Cindy said.

  Mary smiled. “I feel the same. I was so worried about Tripp making friends. I’m glad he’ll be starting the school year out right knowing Hannah and Draco. Speaking of which, what is that poor kid’s story?”

  Cindy nearly spit her water out. She laughed putting her menu down as well. “Yes, he is a little eccentric, isn’t he? I think his parents do something involving film. They’re well in-tune with what I call a geek community. Draco’s just grown up around it all, and he’s really into it. I mean they did name him Draco for crying out loud.”

  Mary laughed. “Yes, they certainly did. Poor kid. He seems sweet – a little on edge, but sweet.”

  The server arrived to take their order, and Mary confidently ordered a filet mignon. Once the server left, Mary turned back to look at Cindy. “I know this is a sensitive subject, but how are things with Lenny?”

  “Oh, no, it’s fine,” Cindy said. “To be honest it’s a lot less sensitive of a topic as it once had been. After everything that happened last month, I wasn’t really sure how to respond to him sending Hannah letters from prison.”

  Lenny, Hannah’s father, had abandoned the family after the accident that crippled his daughter. He had spent the last two years trying to locate the getaway driver rather than being there for his family. He wound up murdering the man when he figured out who it was. A lot had come into light during that time. One thing being the fact that Lenny had tried to return to the family once, and Hannah had warned him that if he dared to bother them again that she would kill herself, and this scared Lenny off. “I imagine this is quite difficult for you,” Mary said.

  “I’m just worried about Hannah,” Cindy said. “Especially about her not telling me about Lenny trying to come home last year and about her giving him the boot. I wouldn’t have taken him back, not after abandoning us like that, but still. The fact that in the past year she didn’t tell me? How could she do something like that? It’s scary. It’s scary to know that she is that manipulative.”

  “I don’t think that she was trying to be manipulative or anything like that,” Mary said. “Believe me, I have had my experience with manipulative children. You have no idea how many times Lilly lied to my face.” Mary shuddered, thinking about her daughter who had gotten into drugs and had in recent years gone completely silent, disappearing from her life. “Hannah doesn’t strike me as that type.”

  “I just feel a little betrayed by her,” Cindy said. “I know Hannah was hurt by her father leaving but to not even tell me that he had come by to try to make amends?” Cindy sighed. “However, Hannah has come around a bit. She actually responded to one of his letters.”