Vanilla Baked Murder: Cozy Mystery Book 3 (Kim’s Cozy Mystery series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

hypocrite,” Harold protested.  “All you care about is power. You go around playing the role of a saint. But I see you for who you really are. I'm going stop your little public inquiry if it's the last thing I do.” Harold pointed his finger in Sam's face before he stormed out of the office.
     
    Quickly, Sam called Mulling and told him about Harold's visit and what he had said.
     
    “I will take a look into Harold a bit more carefully,” Mulling responded.
     
    “Thanks, Mulling.” Sam hung up the phone.
     

Chapter Twelve
     
    It was a little past two o’clock when Sam’s office phone rang again. Sam picked it up and Mulling shared even more shocking news.
    “I am afraid the case has taken a more sinister turn. The case is now ruled a homicide.”
     
    Sam hardened his grip on the phone and looked around the room in frustration . “How is that possible?”
    “Well, because of the second autopsy, the medical examiners were able to get tissue samples which included a compound called ‘Xilinx’ that induced the heart attack. This drug is tasteless and can be baked in food. Right now, I am reinterviewing ‘Cream Fusion’ staff members and particular guests at the Banquet.”
     
    “Mulling, I don’t want to tell you how to do your job, but please just be cautious when questioning Kim. Remember what she went through less than a year ago.”
     
    “You're right Sam; you’re stepping on my authority by telling me how to deal with Kim.”
     
    “Okay, that's valid,” Sam admitted.
     
    “I actually have a question for you. Who do you think would greatly benefit from Guttman’s demise?” Mulling asked.
     
    “Well, his wife stands out for sure. I like Catherine a lot, but she looks very suspicious, and Guttman was about to divorce her. But murder, I just don’t think she's the type of woman to do that.”
    And then it hit him. “Harold!” Sam yelled out.
     
    “What about Harold?” Mulling replied.
     
    “He had the most to gain from Guttman's demise. He is now more powerful on the town council and the sole executive for the newly-developed real estate properties in downtown Huntington; and recently he behaved aggressively toward me regarding the investigation.”
     
    “This is a lot of information to take in all at once, but I will look into Harold.” Mulling sighed over the new complexity of the case.
     
    …
     
    One of the first things on Mulling’s agenda was to meet Kim at her pastry shop and chat.
    When Mulling entered the shop, the midday crowd had died down and he approached Kim directly.
     
    “Where can we chat?” Mulling asked Kim. She was displeased with Mulling, but she decided to cooperate.
    “My questions won’t take long, only a sec,” Mulling assured her.
    Kim grunted, “Okay, fine, but I do have a lot of work I must get back to; I have a lime cream cake I'm making for a church ceremony later.”
     
    “That's fine; I promise I will be brief,” Mulling politely insisted.
                         “Do you know what 'Xilinx' is?”
    Kim, unfazed, sported a poker-face throughout the questioning.
    “I have no idea what that is. I've never heard of it before,” she replied.
     
    “‘Okay, was there anyone acting suspicious or mischievous the night of Guttman's death?”
     
    “No, I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.”
     
    “How did you prep the fruit bar for the banquet?”
     
    “I baked everything fresh and delivered it that afternoon. No other food was permitted other than my pastries,” Kim explained.
     
    “Okay, Kim, that’s all,” Mulling said. “See, it wasn’t so bad.” He slipped his notepad into his jacket and looked at the glass case holding the desserts. The strawberry jelly croissants looked tempting.
     
    “Can I get those to go?”
     
    Kim gave him a plastic smile and directed him to the cashier; she just wanted him gone. The cashier wrapped up Mulling's order and placed it in his hand.
     

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