Free Killer Crullers by Jessica Beck

rate. I just hoped Grace had the opportunity, and more important, the inclination, to help me this time. Gabby and I had a seesaw relationship, but between her and Grace, it was all negative. There was something about the two women’s personalities that tended to generate sparks, but I hoped my best friend could see past all of that and realize what really mattered, keeping someone innocent from being punished for a crime they didn’t commit.
    If I could only persuade Grace that Gabby was innocent and deserved our help.
    *   *   *
    “Hey, stranger,” Grace said when I showed up on her doorstep. “Where have you been? I was expecting you here right after you closed the shop for the day.”
    “Why? We didn’t have plans, did we?” I asked as Grace took my coat.
    “No, but I phoned the shop and spoke with Emma. She told me you were at Gabby’s, and I figured it wouldn’t be long before you came here. Want some coffee?”
    “Sure, why not?” I said.
    As I followed her into the kitchen, Grace said, “Suzanne, we’re digging into Desmond Ray’s murder, aren’t we?”
    I had to laugh, despite the seriousness of the subject. “I should know better than to try and do anything under the radar in April Springs.”
    “Honestly, I imagine that there’s a lot more anonymity in a big city than a small town,” Grace said as she handed me a cup. “And in answer to your unspoken question, I accept. I’ve got a light schedule for the next week, so I’m ready to help in any way I can. I’m dying to hear what Gabby had to say.”
    I recounted her denials as we sat in the kitchen drinking coffee, and after I finished, I handed her my empty mug.
    “That was great,” I said. “It’s nice to be waited on for a change.”
    “Glad to be of service,” she said as she rinsed our mugs and then put them in the sink.
    “To tell you the truth, I still can’t believe Gabby came to me for help,” I said.
    Grace nodded in agreement. “It must have been surreal hearing her ask you. Are you telling me she wasn’t the least bit snippy with you when you spoke?”
    I remembered a few times in our conversation when Gabby had allowed echoes of her acerbic attitude out. “I wouldn’t go that far, but she’s clearly afraid, there was no hiding it.”
    “Who can blame her? I’m not the woman’s biggest fan, but her being accused of murder makes me sympathetic toward her.” She paused, and then asked, “This may be a silly question, but we don’t think there’s any chance she actually did it, do we?”
    “Let’s just say I’m inclined to believe her,” I said after hesitating for a moment. “But you should know that if we uncover any evidence to the contrary, we’re handing it over to Chief Martin. Agreed?”
    “You won’t have a problem convincing me of that,” she said. “So, where should we get started?”
    “I haven’t had lunch yet, have you? I’m starving, and I’m not at all sure how much investigating I feel like doing on an empty stomach. Have you eaten yet?”
    She glanced at her watch. “I had breakfast four hours ago, so sure, I could eat. Should we go to the Boxcar?”
    “Why not?” I asked. “I’m always in the mood for something from Trish’s place.”
    Grace nodded as we walked out into the hallway. “Then it’s settled. Lunch first, and crime fighting after.”
    “That sounds like a plan,” I said.
    We were heading into the Boxcar Grille as my ex-husband, Max, was coming out. There was a quite pretty young and leggy brunette with him, and though she looked a little familiar, I knew that I’d probably never seen her before. Was this the Great Impersonator’s latest in a long line of conquests?
    I was about to make a snippy remark when the woman did the oddest thing. She threw her arms around me in an embrace that nearly knocked me off my feet.
    “Excuse me,” I said, trying to untangle myself from her. Was she on some kind of medication, acting like that?
    “Suzanne, don’t