Vanilla Vices Read Online Free Page B

him. He said something about walking up Springs Drive toward the dump. Do you have your Jeep?”
    “We’re on foot,” I said.
    “No worries. I’ve seen Benny out walking before. He’s the kind of person who stops and looks at every little thing along the way. I’m amazed he ever gets anywhere, as slow as he moves. Just a word of warning, though.”
    “What’s that?” I asked.
    “Suzanne, have you had much to do with Benny in the past? Is he a donut fan, by any chance?”
    “He’s been in a few times trying to buy day-old donuts, but I don’t sell them; I give them away, mostly to the church.”
    “So, that’s why he’s not a big fan of yours,” she said.
    “He doesn’t like me? Did he say that? I never thought much about him one way or the other,” I admitted. “A lot of people come by the shop, and I know that I can’t always make everyone happy.”
    “Benny holds a grudge, and I believe he has one against you. If I were you, I’d go grab a dozen donuts before you approach him to warm him up a little first. I’m sure he’ll be a lot more receptive to you if you give him some treats first.”
    “We would, but she can’t,” Grace answered before I could.
    “What do you mean, you can’t?” Trish asked me. “I know the Blake women are running the place today and tomorrow, but aren’t you even allowed to go into your own shop?”
    “I’m not even going to ask you how you knew about our agreement,” I said. “I told them that I’d give them some space. There’s nothing ominous about it.”
    “If you say so,” Trish replied. “I’m just saying, if I were you and I wanted something out of Benny, I’d take him a few free donuts.”
    “Then that’s exactly what we’ll do,” Grace said. “Thanks, Trish. I hope they find Linda soon.”
    “From your lips to God’s ears,” she said.

    Once we were outside the diner, I said, “Grace, you know as well as I do that I can’t go into Donut Hearts.”
    “You don’t have to,” she said. “I’m happy to do it for you.”
    “You can’t just expect Emma to give you free donuts.”
    “Who said anything about free?” she asked as she pulled a twenty from her pants pocket. “I’m planning to pay for them. What kind do you think Benny would like?”
    “Get an assortment,” I said. “You don’t have to do this. You know that, don’t you?”
    “I know that I don’t have to, but I want to,” she said with a smile. “While I’m inside, is there anything in particular that you’d like me to look around for, say donuts or hundred-dollar bills spilled on the floor?”
    “I’d be amazed if you saw either thing, but no, you don’t have to do any spying for me. I trust them.”
    “Good. Wait for me here. I’ll be right back.”
    Standing there and watching while Grace went into Donut Hearts alone was one of the hardest things I’d ever done, but I stood my ground. After what felt like forever, she came out holding a donut box in her hands. Smiling, she held them up in the air as though they were some kind of trophy.
    “How did it go?” I asked her.
    “Perfectly,” she said. “Emma says hi, by the way. She wanted to know why you didn’t come in for them yourself.”
    “What did you tell her?”
    “That you were a woman of your word,” Grace answered. “I think you’ve got it wrong, though. She’s fine if you go on in and say hello.”
    “Maybe tomorrow,” I said, relieved that it would be okay with her. “Right now, we have a dozen donuts to deliver and some questions to ask.”
    “Then let’s go find Benny and see if he has anything to add to the conversation about what happened to Dan,” Grace replied.

    We caught up to him just outside City Hall. “Benny, do you have a second?” I asked him as we approached. He’d been staring up at the town clock, and we’d clearly caught him off guard based on the way he jumped a little when I spoke.
    “What is it, Suzanne?”
    I’d had warmer welcomes in my life, so it