Free Vanilla Baked Murder: Cozy Mystery Book 3 (Kim’s Cozy Mystery series) by Tom Soule, R Taylor Page B

honest!” Sam said sternly.
     
    “You have to ruin the surprise,” sighed Marie. “I just wanted some time with the family to celebrate your success. The last time I was in Huntington, police investigations and curfews were the talking points. Now, I hear about summer festivals and the Huntington Parade. You guys haven’t done one of those in a while, but you somehow pulled that all back together.”
     
    “Ma, it was a lot of team effort; I cannot take all the credit.”
     
    “You were always so generous, ever since you were a little boy.”
     
    To squash her walk down memory lane, he said, “Ma ….okay, okay, I will make your dinner.” But  in the back of his mind, he already regretted it.
     
    “Great! I'm going to make all your favorite steaks and mashed potatoes…”
     
    “Ma, sure, but I have to go.”
     
    “Samuel!” Marie called out tearfully, “I am so proud of you!”
     
    "Yeah, I know. I've gotta go."
     
    Marie clutched the phone a little longer as the dial tone beeped in her ear, thinking how her little Samuel was all grown up to be the mayor of a thriving town.
     
    On the other end of the phone line, Sam was very dissatisfied with his secretary Lisa.
     
    “How could you give sensitive information out?” he scolded.
     
    “I am so sorry, Sir; she told me it would be a meaningful surprise, I didn’t know….”
     
    “In the future, don’t let my mother know my schedule.” Sam controlled his anger as he explained to Lisa about past attempts by his mother to control his life.
     
    At first, Lisa was scared by Sam’s anger: she had never seen him this upset before. Once Sam explained, however, she understood why he was so guarded with his mother. Her disapproval of Kim was a big contributing factor in Sam’s coldness towards her. Sadly, he still was not ready to deal with it.
     
     

Chapter Two
     
    One of Sam’s first mayoral duties was to drop the hammer on the old sheriff and hire a new one. It was a tough decision, but Sam felt a change was needed in order for the citizens to feel safe again.
     
    When Sam’s ten o’clock appointment approached Lisa’s desk, she cautiously crawled to the Mayor’s Chamber and gently knocked before poking her head in.
     
    “Mr. Hamilton, your ten o'clock appointment is here.”
     
    Sam smiled broadly. “Great! Send him in.”
     
    Lisa was relieved that her handsome kind boss was more like himself again.
    She had been concerned that he was still upset with her.
     
    “Aah, Detective Mulling!” Sam said delightedly. Mulling, in his mid-30s, was a strongly-built rugged veteran detective, sporting a white button-down shirt and black pants. Doubtfully, he looked at the young mayor. Unknown to Mulling, what Sam lacked in age, he made up for with stern directness.
     
    “I am so happy to see you!” Sam said, shaking  the detective's hand firmly. Mulling smiled guardedly.
     
    “Mayor Hamilton. I haven’t gotten used to calling you that yet,” he said playfully.
     
    “Please call me Sam! After working that big case last year, we're on a first-name basis.”
     
    “With all due respect, I don’t know why I am here,” Mulling said.
     
    Sam chuckled with amusement. “Get comfortable; we have much to discuss.” A vein throbbed on Mulling’s neck as he contemplated why the mayor would want to speak with him. He sank down in a leather brown chair.
     
    While Mulling got comfortable, Sam pulled out a large brown folder, glanced at a few details, then asked,
    “So, how does 'Sheriff Mulling' sound?”
     
    Mulling made a stern poker-face. “Are you serious!”
     
    “Yes I am. I spoke to the town council members and they were very pleased with the operation you conducted last year. Your leadership stood out, and now the sheriff position is vacant. Right now, I just need a 'yes' and it is official,” Sam said proudly.
     
    Stunned by Sam’s proposal, Detective Mulling sank into the brown leather chair and started to press his feet