Fatally Frosted by Jessica Beck Page B

her cry. “I’m so sorry. They shut me down.”
    “It’s okay,” I said. “The chief told me what they were doing. I’m just upset with myself that I didn’t call you to warn you about it.”
    “It’s not your fault,” she said as she fought her tears. “Suzanne, what are they looking for?”
    “My guess is poison,” I said softly, but evidently not quietly enough, because Trish’s eyebrows shot upward when I said it.
    Emma said, “Oh, no. Do they think you killed that dreadful woman?” She sniffled again, then added, “I shouldn’t speak ill of the dead. Forget I said that.”
    “It’s understandable, given the circumstances. I’m not sure what Chief Martin thinks, but I’ve got a hunch that if he has a list right now, I’m bound to be somewhere near the top.”
    “That’s just awful,” Emma said.
    “Don’t worry,” I said, trying to keep my voice calmer than I felt. “He won’t find anything there, and then he’ll move to somebody else.” If only I believed that. There were nooks and corners of Donut Hearts that I hadn’t cleaned in years. Was it possible there was a box somewhere in my storage area that contained poison? If so, had someone come into my place of business to steal it before they killed Peg, or could they have hidden it after they’d dusted one of my donuts? My security system was pretty lax, and it wouldn’t have been that difficult to plant something there, I was unhappy to admit.
    “What are we going to do if he keeps focusing on you?” she asked.
    “We can’t do anything about that now. Emma, we’ll burn that bridge when we come to it, okay?”
    Her voice lightened a little as she said, “I’ve got to say that you’re taking this awfully well.”
    “I can either laugh or cry, and I hate to ruin my makeup, since I don’t wear it very often and it tookme forever to get just right.” It was true. I’d pulled out all the stops for my demonstration, even going so far as getting a manicure and breaking out some of the makeup my mother inundated me with every birthday, Christmas, and any other holiday she could use as an excuse to improve my personal appearance. It wouldn’t surprise me to find a wrapped present on my bed on Arbor Day, the way she was going. I knew my mother’s intentions were good, but that didn’t mean I was willing to use the products she gave me. I was a lot more comfortable with a little bit of blush, some mascara, and a touch of lipstick than the layers I’d applied that morning.
    “I feel better now,” Emma said. “Thanks for calling me.”
    “Sure thing. And don’t stress out about today. Nothing that happened is your fault, all right?”
    “Okay,” she said. “I’ll be back at the shop as soon as they finish searching it.”
    I just couldn’t do that to her after what she’d been through. “You know what? Why don’t you take the rest of the day off. I’m at the Boxcar, so as soon as they leave, I’ll take care of it myself.”
    “You don’t have to do that,” she said.
    “I know I don’t, but to be honest with you, I want to. It will give me something to do. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
    “If you’re sure,” she said.
    “Trust me. Take me up on my offer before I change my mind.”
    “Thanks,” she said, just before she hung up.
    Trish waited until I put my phone back into my purse before she said, “That was sweet of you.”
    “You weren’t listening to my private telephone conversation, were you?” I asked her with a smile.
    “Hey, if you want privacy, don’t call anybody while you’re in a train boxcar. There’s not exactly a lot of room in here. Besides, I have to do something for entertainment. You wouldn’t deprive me of my eavesdropping, would you?”
    I laughed. “No, when you put it that way, I’m fine with it.”
    She slid a cup of coffee in front of me. “Can I get you something to eat? It’s a little early for lunch, but I’ll get Hilda to make you a burger, if you’d like