Follow The Gingerbread Man: A Heaven Murder Mystery (Heaven Murder Mysteries Book 18)

Sandy Jessop hummed a holiday tune as she walked down the sidewalk from the village parking lot to her shop. It was the Monday after Thanksgiving, and already there were signs that the Christmas holiday would soon be upon them.

Orders for candies and brownies would nearly overpower her shop and she wondered if she’d have enough staff to handle the onslaught.

Something on the sidewalk caught her eye. A four inch gingerbread man cookie laid on top of a sheet of white notepaper. She picked up the cookie and read the bright red lettering underneath it. “FOLLOW THE GINGERBREAD MAN”

A bit further on right in front of the door to her shop, was another cookie, and a few feet beyond it yet another one.

Something was wrong, and her stomach tightened. She shoved the key in the lock on her door turned on the kitchen lights and reached for the phone.

‘EMS Services, do you have an emergency?” the voice said in her ear.

“Hi, I’m not sure, is Paul there?” Sandy asked.

“Please hold.”

“McClusky”

“Paul, Sandy Jessop. There’s something weird going on over here on the sidewalk. I think you have to see it for yourself. Free muffins.”

Paul laughed. “I’ll be over in five,” he said and hung up.

“Going over to the Sweet Shop, Sandy says there is something weird going on that I have to see.”

Sally raised her eyebrows. “Interesting, did the doughboy escape?”

“Could be. I’ll be back in a few.” Pail said and opened the front door.

Paul studied the note that now lay on the back counter of the shop. “Just laying there?” he asked

Sandy nodded. “There’s more, laying about three feet apart on the sidewalk.

“Stay here. I’ll check it out.” Paul told her, but she was right on his heels.

I’m coming.” she said firmly and followed him out the door.

They followed the parade of cookies down the sidewalk, across a street and at the next street the trail of gingerbread men turned the corner and could be seen along the sidewalk on Oak Street coming to a stop in front of a gray and white home.

On the bottom and top steps were two more cookies, and Paul opened the gate and made his way to the front door. It was ajar, and he used the tip of a finger to push it open.

“Heaven police? Anybody home?”

There was no answer and he keyed his radio. “Unit one to base. Back up requested at 22 Oak street. Roll EMS.”

“Stay here!” he said firmly to Sandy and pushed the door wide open.

The house was dark but a radio was playing toward the rear. “Hello, Heaven police!”

The sight of her made him jump. She laid on her back on the kitchen floor. Her body outlined in what looked like white icing. Her eyes and mouth covered in green frosting and red circles on her chest and stomach looked like red buttons.