The Mystery Section: Thyme for Thieves by C.R. Fulton

Thieves named finalist in the Foreword Indies Book Awards!

Someone is after Stephanie’s beloved essential oils When she returns from walking her dog, Stephanie finds the apartment’s building manager dead in the stairwell. At first, the death seems to be the result of natural causes, but it soon becomes apparent that something sinister is at work, and Stephanie believes she is the next target.

The cure? Solving a murder mystery.

With help from a handsome police officer, she attempts to stay one step ahead of the danger. Not everything is as it seems, and even the tiny bottles of oils she relies on have hidden secrets.

Excerpt

“Hurry up, Bugle!” My goldendoodle looks up at me, squinting in the cold rain. “Come on, girl. Get busy.” She sneezes as she turns, finally squatting.

I shiver, resisting the breeze cutting through my sheer pantyhose. Blowing a cold raindrop off the tip of my nose, I wish I could wipe off my day at work as easily. I can’t wait to hole up in my apartment with pajama pants, a cup of coffee, and some essential oil.

Normally, we’d take a walk at this time of day, but in this weather it’s out of the question. To make up for the lack of exercise, I decide to take the three flights of stairs up to my apartment instead of the elevator. My stiletto heel catches in the third stair step.

Bugle wasn’t expecting my sudden halt, and she continues exuberantly bounding up the stairs. “Ahh!” Surprisingly, her hard yank on the leash is exactly what I need to pry my shoe off the metal weave in the staircase.

Bugle shakes the rain from her curly tan coat, and I’m instantly soaked. Sucking in a breath, I force everything away. Just make it to the door, that’s all. Rounding the corner to the next flight, I shift forward so my heels won’t get stuck again; my tight, knee-length skirt hampers my movement. Bugle stops suddenly in front of me. Her ever-wagging tail stills.

“What’s up, girl? Let’s go.”

She answers with a low growl, sending shivers across my skin. Her strange behavior sets me on edge. Off-balance with my classy shoes, I edge around her before noticing a boot sticking out at the next landing. I come to a standstill as I consider the possibilities. Could be a drunk, hiding from the weather, passed out on the floor. The morning news flashes across my mind: another gang related shooting in Raleigh. Bugle’s sharp bark makes me jump, but the boot doesn’t move. Maybe it’s empty. Maybe one of my neighbors dropped it on their way down to work.

That’s ridiculous since no empty footwear could stick out at that angle without a leg holding it up. I consider backing down, taking the elevator, and calling security. But the stillness draws me forward; I couldn’t leave someone in need of help.

Dragging Bugle, I creep forward. “Aren’t you supposed to protect me?” I whisper to my beloved pup. She growls again, prompting me to adjust my keys so three of them are sticking out between my fingers right near my knuckles. I could totally take somebody out. Right, Stephanie, sure you could.

Two more steps, then I gasp as I peer around the corner. “Richard!” The apartment manager’s face, normally a pleasant ebony, has a pale gray tinge, and his glassy eyes stare up at the ceiling.

“Richard! Can you hear me?” I release Bugle’s leash to as long as it will go as I kneel by my friend’s side. Lifeguard training from high school surfaces, and I lift his limp arm, searching for a pulse. My stomach twists as the cold stillness confirms what my heart knew the instant I’d seen him. He’s dead. Fighting sudden nausea, I stand, retreating toward Bugle and digging for my phone. My thumb trembles as I dial 911.

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About the Author

C.R. Fulton travels the east coast in an RV with her husband, two kids, and two dogs, Atlantic and Ocean. She is also an essential oil lover, so marring oils with murder mystery writing seemed natural. She is the author of A Drop of Mystery, (a cozy mystery series with essential oils at their heart) The light of Andrea, a Robin Hood style action adventure series, and a spiritual thriller due in the 2021. Acrylic painting fuels her writing creativity, homeschooling her children keeps her sharp, but Jesus is the center of it all.

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