Vanilla Baked Murder: Cozy Mystery Book 3 (Kim’s Cozy Mystery series) (2 page)

One of Sam’s first mayoral duties was to drop the hammer on the old sheriff and hire a new one. It was a tough decision, but Sam felt a change was needed in order for the citizens to feel safe again.

When Sam’s ten o’clock appointment approached Lisa’s desk, she cautiously crawled to the Mayor’s Chamber and gently knocked before poking her head in.

“Mr. Hamilton, your ten o'clock appointment is here.”

Sam smiled broadly. “Great! Send him in.”

Lisa was relieved that her handsome kind boss was more like himself again.

She had been concerned that he was still upset with her.

“Aah, Detective Mulling!” Sam said delightedly. Mulling, in his mid-30s, was a strongly-built rugged veteran detective, sporting a white button-down shirt and black pants. Doubtfully, he looked at the young mayor. Unknown to Mulling, what Sam lacked in age, he made up for with stern directness.

“I am so happy to see you!” Sam said, shaking  the detective's hand firmly. Mulling smiled guardedly.

“Mayor Hamilton. I haven’t gotten used to calling you that yet,” he said playfully.

“Please call me Sam! After working that big case last year, we're on a first-name basis.”

“With all due respect, I don’t know why I am here,” Mulling said.

Sam chuckled with amusement. “Get comfortable; we have much to discuss.” A vein throbbed on Mulling’s neck as he contemplated why the mayor would want to speak with him. He sank down in a leather brown chair.

While Mulling got comfortable, Sam pulled out a large brown folder, glanced at a few details, then asked,

“So, how does 'Sheriff Mulling' sound?”

Mulling made a stern poker-face. “Are you serious!”

“Yes I am. I spoke to the town council members and they were very pleased with the operation you conducted last year. Your leadership stood out, and now the sheriff position is vacant. Right now, I just need a 'yes' and it is official,” Sam said proudly.

Stunned by Sam’s proposal, Detective Mulling sank into the brown leather chair and started to press his feet into the office carpet as a nervous coping habit. The more he thought, the deeper he sank. The chair seemed to swallow him whole.

“I….don’t know, I have no real managerial training… and besides, Sheriff King was my mentor. I just don’t feel comfortable taking my mentor’s old job.”

Mulling honestly bared his concerns. King, after all, had shepherded Mulling over a 12-year career, and personally taught him the ropes. Mulling owed everything to King. “Worst case scenario, King assumes I went after his job. For sure the entire department would resent me.”

Sam listened attentively, stretched out his hand and spoke confidently.

“Look Mulling, if you don’t even consider the job, you're going to be saddled with a new boss. Your department needs some shaking up, and I have to pick someone that I think can get the job done. I already got the managerial part covered. I got the chief deputy from Bayset who will work with you for four months to help you adjust to your new role.”

“Oh, it looks like you got this all figured out, huh… I need to sleep on it, this is a big move and I'm not ready. I don’t even dress the part, I wear polo shirts and jeans to work and ---.” Mulling shook his head “No” as he searched for all the reasons he shouldn’t be the new sheriff. Inwardly, he was quite impressed with the level of thought and strategic planning Sam had done regarding the new sheriff position.

              How the hell had he gotten Bayset to assist Huntington? These two towns always compete for resources. Mulling, the cunning detective, filed away his A+ rating of the new mayor.

Sam looked intensely at Mulling. “Buck up! You said in your file that you wanted to make deputy. Now you have the chance. So what if you have to wear a few suits? You’re the best man for the position, and deep down you know it.”

Sam's words started to stir on Mulling’s mind. He continued his silent assessment of Sam.  The more Sam spoke, the more inspired he became, and his confidence began to set in.

“Okay, I'll sleep on it.”

Sam frowned. Mulling had no idea of the kind of person he was dealing with.

The mayor was very persistent and accepted nothing but submission.

“I need a ‘yes’ today or the position is off the table. I have another council meeting later today and I intend on giving them an answer. So, what is it going to be?”

Backed into a corner, Mulling decided to be sheriff.

“Come take a drink with me,” Sam said, excitedly pouring whiskey to celebrate the new sheriff.

What have I gotten myself into?
Mulling thought to himself. He didn't usually drink whiskey in the middle of the day. His unease still plagued him, and the whiskey didn’t make the decision any easier. Mulling's main problem was his old mentor’s feelings, but he also had a new one. He was out-schooled by the young intriguing mayor.
I see why he sits in the mayor's
chamber,
Mulling thought.
Age is truly just a number.

It was 1:00 in the afternoon. Jerry, Sam’s personal assistant, rushed in with goodies from “Cream Fusion.” Jerry was a thin 20-ish college student with greasy dark blonde hair; he was a temp who frequently ran errands.

Sam rubbed his hands with anticipation. “Did you get the cinnamon bun?” he asked. Jerry paused for a long moment, which Sam found suspicious.

“Well!” he exclaimed. Jerry made a drumbeat on Sam’s desk.

“I got something even better; take a look,” Jerry said.

“What is this?” Sam asked with great hesitation.

“Sir, you’re going to love this one. It's the ‘Sugar Sprinkled Chocolate Banana Muffin,’ and of course a regular ice mocha.”

Sam was intrigued as he stared at the muffins.

“Wow!”  He bit into the muffin; after every bite he went to Heaven. It was as if Kim and Sam were still together and he was playing taste tester for her once again.

In the middle of his enjoyment, Jerry was about to leave for the day. Sam generously placed $20 into his hand.

“Thanks Jerry; that muffin was definitely worth it.” Jerry loved his job and his over- tipping boss. Besides, who wouldn’t want a mayor to use as a reference?

After the muffin, Sam redeployed his focus and sighed over his workload.. “I still have so much to do; I have to sign that paperwork for the new zoning audits, plus work on the new proposal.”

In the middle of his work, Lisa knocked shyly.

“Sir, there is a woman who refuses to give her name, insisting on seeing you.” Sam quickly brushed the crumbs from his suit and checked himself to make sure his appearance was still top-notch. He stood up to meet the unexpected guest. To his surprise, it was Sharon -  Kim’s best friend and business manager. The beautiful slender brunette entered the Mayor’s Chamber and looked all around the office. Her eyes captured the historic painting of the original City Hall which hanged adjacent to Sam’s desk.

“What beauty to see every day,” she said, staring at the painting.

Sam was also mesmerized, but not by the painting. He was elated to see an old friendly face. He promptly greeted her with a warm friendly hug.

“It's been too long,” Sam said, smiling.

“Well, well, well, Mr. Mayor now,” she responded,  a curious smile on her face. “Do you know why I'm here?”

“And what could that be?” Sam inquired, gazing at her playfully.

“You want the intel on Kim.” Sam's face lit up at the mention of her name.

“I just wanted to know how she is dealing with your dad’s death and--” Sam's calm response belied the wounds opened by the subject.

Sharon folded her legs to get comfortable. “Well, since you want to know so badly, despite Kim's bad memories of you and the passing of her father, she found the courage to follow her passion and open up a pastry shop.

It is successful, I have to say, and you are the last thing on her mind.”

Sam hung his head in shame. “You don’t mince words at all.”

“No I don’t, especially to guys who broke my best friend’s heart.” Sharon continued, “You and her dad almost broke her, and it took everything she had just to make it out of a deep depression.” Sharon's jabs at Sam were intended to protect her best friend.

Sam stared  at her. “I know how much I hurt her, so please, I want both of you to know that Jasmine meant nothing. I wasn’t dating that girl!”

“Oh please, give me a break. I saw you with Jasmine at Rusty Grub, so I know something was going on.”

“I swear her car broke down and I---”

“Sam, stop! I didn’t come here to talk about that.” Sharon placed her hands on the huge oak desk.

“Please, Sam, give Kim some time to heal; right now she is in a good place. Just set her free, please.” Sam was a bit surprised she didn't  yell at him.
Something is wrong with this picture
, he thought.

His voiced softened. “Sharon, I love this woman; I cannot let her go.” Pouring out his feelings was his  last line of defense.

“If you really care about her, give her space; I saw you outside looking around the shop.” Sam was stunned that his stalking was exposed.

“Do you know the pain it would have caused if she had seen you?” Sharon tightened her fist. “You are already the mayor of this town; just give her some space. If you really love her,” Sharon added cynically.

Sam look away and his chest started to burn. Anything he said would start an argument. He got up from his desk, approached the liquor cabinet, and stared down in silence. Sharon chimed in.

“I know the Jerry kid was sent by you, Sam. You can get your dessert from us, but you must stay away.” Sam turned towards Sharon with a deep breath.

“Okay, I'll stay away. No matter the cost, I will protect her feelings.”

…

Sam's professional career was booming while his romantic life was withering away.
At least she is back in Huntington,
he thought. His heart became heavy and he felt the need for some loving support.
Maybe spending time with the family is what the doctor ordered.

At first, Sam was not excited to visit his overbearing mother who would wear her son’s achievement like a badge of honor. However, he was drained; he had worked tirelessly for months to get Huntington in tip-top economic shape. He needed a break.

“Ma, If I am coming for this dinner in Bayset, there will have to be some conditions,” Sam firmly explained to his mother on the phone.

“Anything for you.”

“Okay, Ma. I really don’t want a stiff-suited reunion dinner; please let it be laid-back.”

“It sounds like you made a list,” Marie chuckled.

Ma, I am serious; please make it simple.”

“Okay, I will try my best,” Marie said suspiciously. Then her tone changed to one of aggression.

“So, have you spoken to that vile brother of yours?”

“I did, Ma. He said he misses you; just talk to him and work it out.” While Sam calmly addressed the brother issue, Marie ignored his request and made one of her own.

“I don’t plan on inviting him myself, but if you want him to come to the dinner, I can tolerate him for one day,” she said.

Sam didn’t like to get involved in his mother's and brother's family scuffle, but he knew his mother very well. She really wanted Steven there.

“Ma, I already asked him to attend; he will definitely be there.”

“I swear your brother is going through a mid-life crisis. Do you know I haven’t seen my grandson since the last argument over the trust fund?” Marie snapped.

“Ma, things are different. I spoke to him and you will see little Mick again.”

“I will?” Marie's expression lightened. “I haven’t seen my only grandson for so long.” She tried her best to remember her spirited five-year old grandchild.

“ Ma, this is your chance to work it out with Steven.”

“Since my grandson will be here, I am willing to be civil,” Marie conceded, then added,

“Since we are talking about grandsons,  is there any special friend in your life?”

Sam’s voice hardened defiantly. “Huh..I am keeping my romantic life private.”

“Well, I am happy if you bring a friend - anyone except that crazy Johnson girl.”

This rattled Sam. “Mama, leave Kim out of this and please don’t start.”  He was still very sensitive about Kim.

“Okay, okay; I am just glad you didn’t marry that woman,” Marie stated.

Pissed off, Sam just wanted to hang up. “Ma, I have to go.”

“Okay, see you in a few days!” Marie said as she sent her love through the phone.

Huh,… what am I going to do with my mother?
Sam thought. Marie's hate for the Johnsons ran deep.