Melt Down Murder Read online

  Melt Down Murder

  Gretchen Allen

  Summer Prescott Books Publishing

  Contents

  Author’s Note

  Contact Summer Prescott Books Publishing

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Also by Gretchen Allen

  Copyright 2018 Summer Prescott Books

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication nor any of the information herein may be quoted from, nor reproduced, in any form, including but not limited to: printing, scanning, photocopying or any other printed, digital, or audio formats, without prior express written consent of the copyright holder.

  **This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to persons, living or dead, places of business, or situations past or present, is completely unintentional.

  Created with Vellum

  Author’s Note

  On the next page, you’ll find out how to access all of my books easily, as well as locate books by best-selling author, Summer Prescott. I’d love to hear your thoughts on my books, the storylines, and anything else that you’d like to comment on – reader feedback is very important to me. Please see the following page for my publisher’s contact information. If you’d like to be on her list of “folks to contact” with updates, release and sales notifications, etc…just shoot her an email and let her know. Thanks for reading!

  Also…

  …if you’re looking for more great reads, from me and Summer, check out the Summer Prescott Publishing Book Catalog for some truly spooky stories.

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  1

  Pushing the door shut with her hip, Yvette Lockhart met her friend, Gavin Dillinger, outside on their shared porch. The two lived next-door to one another in a duplex that Gavin owned. Yvette on the left side and Gavin on the right.

  “I brought out some lemonade in case you change your mind,” Yvette pointed to the tray she had just set down on the table.

  “Thanks. I might need it after all. It’s hotter than heck out here today,” Gavin replied, running a rag across his forehead.

  Yvette made sure that Gavin had stuck to his end of the deal after he’d surprised her by requesting a last-minute catering gig for a party his girlfriend was having. So today, he was repainting both of their front doors, setting up some hanging plants, and clearing the mulch beds around the sides of the house.

  “I just checked the weather app on my phone, it says the heat index is up to over a hundred degrees,” Yvette said over her shoulder as she trotted down the three steps to the brick walkway that led to the street. “Want me to grab your mail?”

  Although it was summer, the heatwave that the cozy town of Heritage, Massachusetts was experiencing was out of the ordinary for this time of year.

  “Sure, thanks.” Gavin made his way around to Yvette’s side of the porch, reaching up with both arms to hang a stunning, scarlet ivy geranium.

  Geraniums were always one of Yvette’s favorites. Thinking back to when she was young, her grandmother would take her to the local nursery to pick out flowers. Every week they would deliver a bouquet they picked out to a stranger they met on the street, hoping to offer them just a little bit of kindness. She considered starting something like that again knowing that everyone could use a bit of unexpected kindness in their lives. Snapping out of her daydream, Yvette pulled the mail from both of their boxes and headed back up to the house. “Break time already?” she laughed, seeing Gavin leaning against the wooden porch column.

  “Ha. Ha. I’ve done everything you asked, milady,” Gavin bowed.

  Yvette inspected his handiwork. “I see that. Everything looks amazing. You know how I love to repaint the doors.”

  “You mean, you love when I repaint the doors...”

  Several times a year, based on what season it was or what mood she was in, Yvette would drag her best friend, Amelia, to the hardware store to look for paint. They’d always meet for lunch at Carlisle’s Bistro, stop at the hardware store, and spend an hour poring over the color options before finally deciding. Then she’d go home and talk Gavin into painting their doors. This time, she’d chosen a cool turquoise, thinking that would be a perfect color to end the summer with.

  “They look amazing!” Yvette clapped her hands together. “Shouldn’t have to change them again until fall.”

  Gavin chugged his icy glass of lemonade. “Fall is coming pretty quickly, but at least the weather will have cooled down a bit by then.”

  “You know how I get when it comes to this time of year. The colors and smells of the season get me every time. And you can’t forget the decorations! Have you been to the stores lately? All the fall stuff is out already. The market in Merryville is already all set up for Halloween.”

  “A little early for all that, isn’t it?” Gavin rolled his eyes.

  Yvette shrugged. “If I had it my way, it’d be a perpetual fall, and I’d have a pumpkin latte every morning.”

  “Of course you would. I’m partial to summer myself. I like the heat, even if I complain about it.” Gavin chuckled.

  “It’s gonna be super hot at the lake this weekend. I’m glad I’m going, though. I don’t think anyone has been up there since Mark and Amelia broke up.”

  “Those two are something else. I never understood what exactly went on with them,” Gavin said shaking his head.

  “I’m Amelia’s closest friend, and while I have my suspicions, I don’t even really know. Other than the fact that Mark can be a colossal jerk sometimes.”

  “He does have a bit of a dry sense of humor, doesn’t he?” Gavin agreed.

  The two friends sat quietly for a few moments before noticing a little, green car slowly come to a stop in front of the house. The sweet, newly engaged couple inside had just purchased the tiny ranch-style home next door. Jamie, the future bride, was living there on her own for now, while her fiancé, Evan was staying at his apartment in the neighboring town of Merryville until after the wedding.

  “Hey, you two!” Yvette called out.

  “Come sit for a while.” Gavin waved them up to the porch.

  The young couple got out of their car and held hands as they walked up to where Gavin and Yvette sat.

  “Everything looks so pretty.” Jamie glanced around at all the changes. “You do such lovely work, Gavin. We might have to borrow you for a few things once we get settled in after the wedding.”

  “Landlord and handyman extraordinaire.” Yvette chuckled.

  “Wait, you don’t do this for a living?” Jamie looked surprised.

  “Not really. I just try and take care of my properties and tenants.”

  “Maybe you should consider it,” Evan suggested. “It does look pretty great around here. In fact, all your properties do. We’ve been looking around at places for my mom while she and my aunt are here visiting. She’ll be moving
here within the next couple months, but we’ve come up with nothing. Every building of yours has a wait list and the only other one we found is being sold. We don’t want to get her in there and end up having the new owners tear it down or something.”

  “You should go check it out, Gavin. Maybe you can buy it,” Yvette mused.

  Gavin hesitated. “I’m always willing to look, but ever since my dad fully retired from the family business, I’ll admit that my plate is pretty full. I recently purchased an apartment building on the outskirts of town and it’s going to need quite a bit of work before I can even get anyone in there.”

  “We understand. If you have any availabilities in the near future, please, keep us in mind,” Evan replied.

  “I’ll see what I can do,” Gavin promised.

  “So, how are things going with you, Yvette?” Jamie asked, changing the subject.

  “Really good, actually. I’m taking a girl’s trip this weekend with a friend, and the shop is doing wonderfully. We’ve hired a new employee and business is booming. I can’t complain.”

  Sundae Afternoon, the local ice cream shop that Yvette managed, was smack dab in the center of town. Its colorful interior, and reputation for some of the most delicious and decadent frozen treats drew in more guests than ever. The Heritage location was the only one open year-round, despite the chilly winter months in New England.

  “I think we’ll stop in soon. I picked up a copy of your paper a few days ago when I was at that little consignment shop downtown. The Malibu mango ice cream sounds to die for,” Jamie gushed.

  “Oh no! Thanks for reminding me. After everything that happened last week, I completely forgot to switch out the paper.” Yvette slouched back in her chair.

  Once a month, Sundae Afternoon put out a newsletter announcing all the newest flavors and offerings from the shop. Typically, Yvette kept over fifty different types of ice cream on hand, and the featured flavors that did exceptionally well stayed on the menu for a bit longer than the others.

  “Darn, does that mean I can’t get that kind?” Jamie stuck out her bottom lip.

  “I think we kept that one, but if not, I’ll make sure to order it for the next delivery.” Yvette laughed. “I can’t believe I forgot. I never do that.”

  “I don’t think anyone will hold it against you,” Gavin said, rolling his eyes. “You were involved in a murder investigation just a few days ago…”

  “What?!” Evan exclaimed.

  “I was not! I only wanted to figure out what happened is all. I got caught up, wrong place, wrong time.”

  “Ehhh, I mean, you were convinced that the only real suspect was innocent. You accused someone of murder AND you were there when the actual killer confessed. I think it’s safe to say you were pretty involved,” Gavin reminded her.

  “Are you finished?” Yvette asked, noticing the shocked looks on the young couple’s faces.

  Just a few weeks before, Laura Hudson, a regular customer at Sundae Afternoon had been killed by her step-daughter, Marie. Yvette grew up with and had been close friends with Marie and was shocked to learn what she had done.

  “Are you okay? What am I saying, of course you’re okay, you’re sitting right here,” Jamie babbled.

  Yvette offered a reassuring smile, “I’m fine. Gavin here is making it sound way worse than it was. It’s not like I was sneaking around or putting myself in danger, I simply had a few ideas and I poked around a little. Besides, it’s not like it’ll happen again.”

  “Let’s hope not,” Gavin said.

  “Well, we’ve got to get going.” Evan stood up. “Gavin, you have my number, so if you see anything don’t forget to give me a call.”

  “Definitely,” Gavin agreed, standing and extending a hand to Evan.

  “It was nice to see you guys, and thank you both. I’ll see you soon for some of that yummy ice cream!” Jamie waved to Yvette before the couple headed back to their vehicle.

  2

  Yvette stood in the doorway of her office, discreetly observing her employees.

  “So, it’s two scoops of buttercrunch and one Dutch chocolate in the Heritage High Sundae, right?” Max asked Vanessa, his trainer for the day.

  Max Woodward had come over from Sundae Afternoon’s second location in Connecticut. He was there to learn how things ran in Yvette’s shop since he’d be helping out when she was gone for the weekend.

  “No, it’s two buttercrunch and one maple bacon,” Vanessa sighed.

  Max nodded. “That makes sense, considering there’s bacon on top of the sundae. Although, bacon and chocolate go well together too. Maybe you can try it that way?”

  “Every year, the graduating class at Heritage High School votes on what goes in the sundae they have named after them. So, I think it’s best that we keep it how it is,” Vanessa explained.

  Yvette was hoping that having Max around would work out well since the majority of the rules were the same in each of the Sundae Afternoon shops. She figured he’d be able to handle it for the most part, but she knew that Vanessa, no matter how good of a worker she was, sometimes got a little frustrated with people that didn’t get things right the first time around.

  Noticing Vanessa’s forced smile, Yvette came the rest of the way out of her office. “Hey, you two! How’s it going?” she asked cheerfully, making her way to the front counter.

  “Really good. I think I’m learning a lot. It’s very different over here. Your menu is so much bigger, and you are way busier. Vanessa has to keep stopping to talk to customers. We don’t do much of that at our shop. They just order, pay, eat, and leave.”

  “That’s the most important part,” Yvette said, tilting her head. “Of course, the ice cream has to taste good and we work hard to make each order as close to perfect as we possibly can but getting to know the customers has always been our number one priority. We ask every single person that walks through those doors what their name is. We do our best to learn what they like to order too so the next time they come in they can just ask for their “usual”.” Yvette smiled, but was cringing on the inside at the thought of what Henry, the manager of the Connecticut shop, was teaching his staff.

  “A lot of times, I see a customer pull into the parking lot and I have their order waiting for them when they come in,” Vanessa said proudly. “That always gets me the biggest tips.”

  “You guys get tipped here?” Max’s green eyes widened.

  Yvette gave Vanessa a look. “It’s not about the money, but yes. Treating the customers like friends is what keeps them coming back, and honestly, a lot of them have become more than friends over the years. We are like a little family here in Heritage.”

  “Wow. I’m really looking forward to working here. Not only for the money but it sounds like you make working fun. Henry doesn’t do that. Maybe when you come work with us at my shop, you can change a few things?” Max looked hopeful.

  “How’d you know about that?” Yvette asked.

  “Henry told me. Am I not supposed to know? Are you not coming?”

  Emma Kline, the owner of Sundae Afternoon, had asked Yvette to work in the Connecticut location for a week when Henry was on vacation. Not only was another manager needed to take over, but Emma also wanted her to do some investigating as to why the store’s sales were dropping. Yvette had a few guesses already, and she hadn’t even stepped foot in the place yet.

  “Uhh, no. It’s okay. I’m coming. I just didn’t know anyone knew about it yet.”

  “We’re all nervous. We know how long you’ve been part of the company and how much Emma loves you, so it’s got the whole shop a little freaked out,” Max admitted.

  Yvette looked embarrassed. “I’m only helping out while Henry is on vacation. I won’t be making any changes. It’s no big deal.”

  “Well, either way, I’m glad I get to be here to learn from the best.”

  The bell on the door jingled, and two older women walked in. One sat down quickly by the door and the other was headed for the count
er. “Why don’t you take care of them on your own. Don’t forget to ask their names and introduce yourself.” Yvette nudged the younger man forward.

  “I see where he’s coming from, you know.” Vanessa turned to face her boss after looking at the woman sitting by the door for a little longer than necessary.

  “What are you looking at?” Yvette asked.

  “She looks really familiar. I thought it was odd she sat down so quickly and didn’t order with her friend but oh well,” she dismissed the thought with a wave. “Anyway, you’ve been working here for a long time and have always been close to Emma and her family.”

  Yvette crinkled her nose. “That’s silly. I’m probably more nervous than they are. I may have been around for a while, but I’ve only ever worked here or at the farm. I’ve never gone to another store for anything other than to volunteer for the day during an event or something.”

  Her trip was only a couple of days away and she was thankful that Max was at the shop to help out. It seemed like things were going well and that her staff would do just fine without her. The lake house was in Heritage, so even if something did come up that they couldn’t handle, she wouldn’t be too far away. Yvette trusted her team and was going to treat this like a trial run for when she was in Townsend in a couple of weeks. She’d feel much better about leaving, knowing that everything was under control.

  Vanessa pressed her finger to her lips. “Look at Max. He’s doing so good! It’s as if he and

  the customer are old pals.”

  “This may work out better than I expected.” Yvette beamed.