Read Doughnuts & Deadly Schemes (Culinary Competition Mysteries Book 3) for Free Online Page B

tube of antibiotic cream. "There. That's the best I can do." She leaned forward to make sure Sophie was looking her in the eyes, since she had avoided eye contact when promising to visit a doctor. "Please visit a walk-in clinic at the very least. If not, I'll bring Carla and have her make you go. Believe me, you don't want to get on her naughty list. She kickboxes for fun, if you get my drift."
    Sophie held up her hands in surrender. Her palms looked as if a third grader had been given a box of bandages and instructions to turn her into a mummy. "Okay…okay. I promise I'll have my hands checked out." She stood. "But for now, I need to get to work. Can't make any money if there's nothing to sell."
    Five hours later, Amy and Sophie walked out the back door together, after finally catching up with all of the baking that was delayed by the medical emergency. Extra kitchen staff had been summoned to fill in for Sophie so she could visit a doctor. Amy was on her way home to make the lemon cake that needed to soak in boozy, orangey syrup overnight. With all of the excitement between the wedding and the murder, she was glad she had finished perfecting the recipe weeks earlier. Lemon and elderflower curd sandwiched between the moist cake layers and a simple vanilla buttercream icing to add another subtle layer of flavor. While she was hoping her entry was good enough to win the brand new Trending Flavors competition, she couldn't wait to see the elaborately decorated wedding cakes in the other contest at the bridal show. They were sure to be spectacular.
    "Thank you so much for your help," Sophie said as she unlocked her car door with a button on her key fob. "I wasn't expecting you to be in today, but I don't know what I would've done without you."
    Amy's shoulders ached from kneading dough. Beyond the usual bread for sandwiches and tartines, a blackberry kuchen was scheduled on the dessert menu for the day. Latex gloves protected Sophie's torn-up hands, but Amy had insisted on taking over her boss's usual kneading duties. There was no way putting pressure on the wounds wouldn't hurt.
    "No problem. I'm just sorry that I couldn't fix up your scrapes any better. I was in high school the last time I took a first aid class."
    "You did a great job." Sophie grabbed the door handle. Her face scrunched up from the pain as she swung the car door open. "Much better than I could've accomplished on my own."
    Amy smiled. As she turned to walk away, she noticed a streak of bright red spray paint on the wall beside the café's door. "I didn't see that paint yesterday. When did somebody do that? It looks like some kind of graffiti, but it's only one line. Weird."
    Sophie rolled her eyes as she turned her key in the ignition. "Sometime last night. I noticed it right before I tripped this morning. Just what I need on top of everything else. Now I have to clean up after a talentless graffiti artist."
    After waving goodbye, Amy climbed into Mimi. It was much warmer in the car than outside. Feeling like a baking potato was one of the not-so-great aspects of summer. As she pulled the door shut, sealing herself into the Mini Cooper oven, a splash of pink caught her attention. Halfway down the block the lid of the dumpster for Whisper's Intimate Apparel had blown open, revealing a pile of pink trash bags inside. She drummed her fingers on the steering wheel while the vents blew hot air on her arms, effectively transforming the Mini into a vehicular convection oven. The lingerie store would very likely be cooler than the kitchens at Riverbend had been. Pre-chilling her body would be a nice way to combat the discomfort of the unavoidable commute.
    The trek along the back side of the block then around to the sidewalk along Main Street was pleasant even though her destination surely wouldn't be. During the walk Amy came up with an excuse for visiting the lingerie shop. A gift for Carla's honeymoon.
    A synthetic floral scent slammed Amy in the nose when she