A Deadly Delicious Delivery (A Chocolate Centered Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Cindy Bell

entering. “I’m sorry, no I don’t. If I did something to upset you…”
    “No. It wasn’t like that. I just wasn’t very noticeable. I’m Donovan. We were in the same class.”
    “Donovan?” She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t remember any Donovan…” She gasped. “Wait a minute, you mean Donny?”
    “Okay yes, that was my nickname in school.”
    “Oh wow.” Ally’s eyes widened. “You look very different.”
    “It’s amazing what contacts and weightlifting will do.”
    “Yes, it is.” Ally grinned. “I mean, not that you didn’t look fine then, it’s just that I can’t believe how you’ve changed.”
    “Please, you never gave me a second glance at school.”
    “Well, I didn’t intentionally overlook you.”
    “No? Not with my thick glasses and my skinny arms?”
    “Did I ever do anything to put you down?” Ally asked. “I only remember you as being very shy.”
    “Yes, I was shy, and no, you were one of the few people that didn’t put me down. I guess it just stings a little not to be remembered by your high school crush.”
    “Crush?” Ally laughed. “Really?”
    “Well, you don’t have to be cruel about it.”
    “I’m sorry, I wasn’t laughing because of that. I was laughing because it surprised me. I don’t think you ever said more than three words to me.”
    “How could I? You were a cheerleader…”
    “One year.”
    “And you were popular,” Donovan continued.
    “I wasn’t that popular. I had a few friends, that was all.”
    “To me you were. I didn’t have any friends.”
    “I’m sure that you had at least a couple,” Ally said.
    “No, I was very shy.” He frowned. “Anyway, none of that matters now. I still don’t know why you would think you’re entitled to see any of the recordings.”
    “Look, I don’t have to see them for myself. If you just watch the videos for me and tell me the information, then what will that be violating?”
    He narrowed his eyes. Ally was sure that he wasn’t going to be swayed. After all, he had caught her committing a crime.
    “All right. But only because I’m sure that you and your grandmother had nothing to do with this.”
    “Thanks Donny.”
    “It’s Donovan now,” he emphasized.
    “Oops sorry. Thanks Donovan.” He nodded and turned to the bank of monitors. “Start from the day of the open house and work your way back. I mean, if you don’t mind.”
    “Sure.” He glanced over his shoulder. As the first video began to play Ally’s eyes widened.
    “Look! It’s right there.”
    He turned back to look at the screen just as the delivery van from the shop pulled up. The driver parked the van and carried the small box of chocolates into the building.
    “Can you tell what room he went to?”
    “Unfortunately, not from the video. He would have signed the log book, though.” He walked over to a filing cabinet and opened one of the drawers. He pulled out a folder and began sorting through the papers inside. “That’s weird.” He looked puzzled.
    “What is?”
    “There’s no information entered for any delivery from your shop on that day.” He looked up at her.
    “So, on the day of the open house there were chocolates delivered, but there’s no entry?”
    “It seems so, maybe someone made a mistake?” Donovan said. “I’ll ask around and see if I can find out more information.”
    “Okay, thank you, Donovan.”
    “No problem, Ally. If there’s any other way I can help just let me know. All right?”
    “Sure. Thank you.” She nodded as she walked out of the security office. She was surprised that his attitude towards her seemed to change so quickly. Her thoughts were heavy with frustration. When she reached the delivery van, she paused to make a phone call.
    “Luke Elm.”
    “Luke, it’s Ally.”
    “Oh?”
    She grimaced at his tone. “I need you to check the records from the shop for me, please.”
    “Those are being searched at the moment,” Luke replied in a businesslike tone.
    “Great,