Read Online The Iced Princess by Christine Husom - Free Book Online Page A

and held it up to the ear that was still capable of hearing.
    Pinky’s voice was shaky. “Cami, if that’s a joke, it is not even a tiny bit funny.”
    â€œNo, to both. It’s not a joke, and it is not the least bit funny.” I wandered back to the archway and leaned against the wall.
    Pinky made a hiccup-like sound. “I can’t believe it. Tell me again, and maybe it’ll sink in.”
    I repeated myself, adding a few more details. “And Clint told me to tell you that you can let Erin know, but nobodyelse. Oh, and don’t come down here.” My shop door opened, and a woman I recognized stepped inside. “Sorry, I gotta go. The coroner is here,” I told Pinky.
    â€œCami—” I heard Pinky say my name in a pleading way as I hung up, but I left it at that. We’d spend lots of time hashing out recent events later; that was a given.
    I’d met Dr. Trudy Long the month before under circumstances that were almost as bad as these. I’d discovered the body of a man who had been killed in our town park. At least I hadn’t known him personally. Not like Molly.
    Clint walked over to meet Dr. Long. They exchanged a few words, then he led the way to the bathroom. The coroner stole a look at me when she passed. “Ms. Brooks,” she said in a serious yet kind tone. I swallowed and nodded. It struck me that I’d been secretly hoping the doctor wouldn’t recognize me from the first time we’d met.
    The flow of adrenaline that had been running through me since I found Molly suddenly stopped, making me feel like I was going to drop. I felt a measure of responsibility for Molly’s safety. After all, she was my employee and I was in the shop at the time she’d died. I inched my way to the checkout counter and sat down on the stool.
    I caught a whiff of the to-go cup of coffee, partially full, sitting on the counter. Its distinct odor was unusual—similar to cherries or almond extract. I picked it up and leaned my face in for a closer smell. Very strange. Pinky had a recipe for almond syrup she made and used for one of her specials. But it hadn’t been on the menu for days. Plus, this blend had a completely different smell than her standard one. It’d be easy enough to find out if she’d changed her recipe.
    I heard Dr. Long say, “In addition to her bright pink skintone, I detect an odor associated with cyanide. It smells like almonds.”
    I got to my feet lickety-split and moved in behind Clint and Mark in the gap between their bodies. “Umm, Doctor?” I managed.
    Dr. Long turned away from Molly. “Yes, Ms. Brooks?”
    â€œUmm, call me Camryn. I may know how Molly got the poison. Well, not really how she got it, but I think I know where she got it. Well, not really where she got it, but—”
    Mark and Clint both turned and stared at me. “What are you talking about, Camryn?” Clint said.
    â€œSpit it out, already,” Mark said.
    â€œIt might have been in her coffee, if that’s her coffee cup on my checkout counter.” I pointed back in that direction.
    All three of them frowned at me. “What makes you think that?” the doctor said, and she took a few steps forward, filling the gap between us.
    â€œI just heard you say cyanide smells like almonds and that Molly smells like almonds. Well, so does that cup of coffee.”
    They all cautiously crept over to the counter like they were approaching the enemy. Maybe they were concerned about spilling it. Clint and Mark pulled on fresh vinyl gloves.
    â€œPinky’s new to-go cups have a nice, smooth surface, so the crime lab should have no problem pulling prints,” Mark said.
    How could I tell them? “Sorry, but mine will be on there, too.”
    Clint’s frown crease deepened. “Explain.”
    â€œWhen I got a whiff of the coffee there, it smelled kind of weird, almondy, but not like Pinky’s normal