Hearty Homestyle Murder: Book 9 in The Darling Deli Series Read Online Free PDF Page A

flavor and creativity.
    When it was finally time for the gumbo, Moira sat forward and gripped David’s hand. The judges weren’t supposed to know which soup belonged to which contestant, but she was certain that Denise would know that the gumbo was hers from her reaction.
    “Vegetarian gumbo,” the head judge read. He listed the ingredients, making sure that they were all on the approved list for the contest. At his signal, each of the judges raised a spoonful to their mouths to taste. Moira felt a rush of relief when she saw the approving expressions on their faces. Everyone seemed to be enjoying it… everyone except for the head judge, who, she saw with horror, was wearing a revolted expression as he swallowed his mouthful. He quickly took a small bite of the accompanying cornbread, as if he was desperate to get the taste of the gumbo out of his mouth.
    Feeling sick to her stomach, she listened intently as the judges discussed the gumbo, but no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t catch what they were saying. She did see Denise shoot the head judge a confused look as she shook her head in disagreement.
    So one of the judges doesn’t like it , she thought. We can still win. The others seemed to really enjoy their samples. She held her breath as they went back in for a second taste. The head judge raised his spoon reluctantly. Just as it touched his lips, it fell out of his fingers with a clatter, spattering gumbo over the white tablecloth. A concerned murmur went up from the spectators as the head judge leaned forward with a groan, his hands clutching at his stomach.
    “Something’s wrong,” David muttered beside her. He released her hand and stood up just as the head judge toppled over, disappearing behind the long judge’s table.
    “Reuben!” a single voice called out before the entire tent erupted into chaos.

CHAPTER FIVE
    Reuben Willis. The name popped into Moira’s head as the paramedics surrounded the young man. The mayor’s son—she must have seen him when she catered his sister’s graduation party years ago.
    Most of the people had been asked to leave the tent, but she had stayed behind while David talked to the police. She glanced towards him, but was unable to tear her gaze away from the huddle of paramedics near Reuben. It wasn’t looking good. He had still been moaning when the emergency response team had responded, but was now lying still and silent as they put him on a stretcher. Mayor Willis was standing nearby, pale and shaking.
    “What do you think happened?” Darrin asked. He was subdued, obviously upset by the turn of events.
    “I don’t know,” Moira said. “Maybe he had some sort of stroke.”
    “Wasn’t Mayor Willis supposed to judge this competition himself?” he asked. “I wonder why he had his son do it.”
    “I didn’t know who any of the judges were,” Moira admitted. “Well, other than Denise of course. How did you find out the mayor was supposed to be a judge?”
    Darrin shrugged. “Do you think he’ll be okay?” he asked, his eyes fixed on the young man being carried to the ambulance.
    Moira bit her lip, watching the unhurried gait of the paramedics, and the blank, vacant look in Reuben Willis’s unmoving eyes. Whatever had happened to him, he wouldn’t be getting better.
    “No,” she told Darrin. “I think it’s too late for him already.”
    After the ambulance drove away, David rejoined them and followed the two of them back to the booth that Moira had rented. Maverick and Diamond perked up when they saw her and rushed over to the side of the pen to greet her. She petted them absently while David explained to a horrified Meg what had happened. I still can’t believe it , she thought. The mayor’s son is dead. It was hard to believe that she had been so happy just over an hour ago, roaming the fairgrounds with David and eating a snow cone. How was it possible for everything to change so quickly? Her heart ached for poor Mayor Willis. She couldn’t