Blueberry Cream Cupcake & Murder (A Dana Sweet Cozy Mystery Book 2) Read Online Free

buildings in the town square.
    And to top it off, there was not one but two grand fireplaces in the café to give it that cozy feel. They kept some of the old time equipment in the shop on display in display cabinets made of antique wooden material. The dim lighting created a home-style cozy feel, making customers feel as if they really were in Grandma Rae’s kitchen stopping by for a warm cup of their favorite drink and a freshly baked treat.
    On a sign over head read the motivational message of the day. Dana felt a pang of nostalgia and longing for the past, missing Grandma Rae more and more but feeling glad that slowly, day-by-day they were able to keep her café open and alive in her memory.
    “Do you see her?” Dana whispered discretely to Katie who had just finished ringing up a sale at the cash register. Dana was wiping the countertop surreptitiously glancing around.
    “I think she’s over by the corner at three o’clock,” Katie replied with a smile so that it wasn’t obvious what they were talking about.
    Dana then discretely looked in that direction and spotted a very tall sophisticated woman sitting by the west fireplace and old antique stove in the café.  She had long manicured black nails and long thick black straight hair that shined in the dim light. Her eyeliner was applied quite thick, too.
    “That’s her?” Dana then looked at the menu on the counter pretending to scrutinize it.
    “Yep, that’s her.”
    Dana drew in a deep breath. Very well then. She was going to ask Ms Darlene a few questions.
     

Chapter 3
     
    “Hello.” Dana tried to sound as cordial and, well, Cozy as possible. That was the name of the café, right? Cozy Cupcakes Café.
    Her uncle’s secretary glanced up quickly. A stunned expression slid across her face. “You're Dana. Max’s niece, right?”
    “Excuse me?” Dana stood frozen on the spot. She was caught off guard, which almost never happened, by the woman's expression.
    “It's sad about his wife,” the secretary continued as she casually stirred her creamy cappuccino. “But it was for the best.”
    “For the best?” Dana’s ears burned. “How awful to say.”
    “Please, have a seat. I’ve been meaning to speak with you. I’m glad you showed up at my table. I didn’t want to ask for you at the back.” The woman gestured to the empty seat beside her. The table was situated near the grand stone fireplace in the dimly lit café. It created a relaxing ambiance though Dana wasn’t exactly feeling relaxed right now.
    “Sure, why not.” Dana drew out the heavy oak wood chair and seated herself down next to Darlene.
    Dana observed Darlene’s mannerisms and noted her deep almost masculine-like voice that betrayed her feminine characteristics.
    Darlene behaved as if she was a CEO of a multinational corporation than a secretary. Her gestures and commanding deep voice were very rigid and authoritative.
    “And, oh, don’t mind me,” Darlene said as she carefully covered her tablet cover and quickly slid it into her Gucci handbag. “I sometimes speak ahead of myself. But I’m no hypocrite.”
    “Hypocrite? What would make you think I would think you’re a hypocrite?”
    The woman picked up her steaming mug of caramel cappuccino with the Cozy Cupcakes Café logo on it that ironically read: Kind Words Make Sweet Feelings.
    Well, there certainly wasn’t any kind words or sweet feelings coming from Darlene.
    “My name is Darlene by the way,” she said, as if Dana hadn’t figured it out already, putting her cup back down on the table then wiping her cherry lipstick covered lips with a napkin.
    “I worked with your uncle for quite a few years,” Darlene continued. “He’s a good person. He works hard and plays hard. He’s good to those who work for him. Sadly, I can’t say the same about his wife. I don’t think for a second that he killed her. Though I wouldn’t blame him if he did.”
    “I don’t know what to say. I haven’t really met her.