Pastrami Murder: Book One in The Darling Deli Series Read Online Free PDF

might be falling apart around her, but at least she still had the love and support of her family and friends.
    She waited until Danielle arrived to tell the three of them her story. They were silent as she spoke, with Candice chewing on her lower lip and Darrin’s frown getting deeper and deeper. Danielle was pale, and kept closing her eyes as if in disbelief. Moira knew that what she was saying might affect all of them. If the police seriously thought that Henry Devou had been poisoned by something from the deli, then all of them would be considered suspects.
    “I just don’t know what to do,” she said finally. “None of it makes any sense. Why would Henry Devou have a container of soup from here? And why would he die right after eating it?”
    “Did they say that they had actually found poison in the soup?” Darrin asked.
    “Well, no,” she said. “They said they were still investigating. I just don’t understand why he was eating our soup in the first place. He was always so rude about everything we sold. He wouldn’t even taste it at the fair this summer.” She paused. “Do any of you remember seeing him in here?” Each of her employees shook their heads. Moira frowned, trying to think of a plausible explanation for how her competitor died eating a bowl of her Soup of the Day.
    “Maybe it was planted there by whoever actually killed him,” Candice said after a moment. Moira glanced at her daughter. Normally she wouldn’t even consider something like that; like she kept telling herself, those sorts of things just didn’t happen in Maple Creek. But the truth was, someone had been murdered. It felt like anything might be true now.
    “It makes sense,” her daughter continued. “The whole town knows that you’ve been losing customers since his business began growing. That gives you a reason to kill him, at least as far as some people are concerned.”
    Darrin nodded. “Motive.”
    “And now the police will be busy investigating all of us instead of looking into whoever actually did it,” her daughter continued. “You should get a lawyer, Mom.”
    “I don’t know… wouldn’t that make me look guilty?” Moira asked. Candice shrugged.
    “One of my friends from college, his dad is a lawyer. I can send him a message I guess.” Her daughter glanced at her phone. “But Jason won’t be up yet. He works night shifts.”
    “Just ask him if he thinks I should get a lawyer right now, or wait for this to blow over.” Moira sighed. “I just want this whole thing to be over.”
    “Ms. D, I’ve got an idea,” Darrin cut in. “I know a guy in Lake Marion who does private detective work. Like, private investigator stuff. Since the police are busy investigating you, he might be able to find out who actually killed the guy.”
    “I’m not supposed to leave town without letting the police know,” she said with a grimace.
    “I’m sure he’d be willing to meet you in Maple Creek,” he replied.
    “Do you really think I’ll need him? Wouldn’t it be better just to let the police do their thing?” She didn’t like the idea of doing anything that would draw more attention to her. She was innocent. Surely the police investigating Henry Devou’s murder would be able to see that.
    “You know I didn’t grow up around here, Ms. D. My family didn’t live in the best part of the city. I’ve seen people get arrested for things that they didn’t do. I’m sure things are different in a small town like this, but it still can’t hurt to have someone on your side looking into things, can it?” he asked.
    “I guess not. Alright, I’ll give your friend a call.” Moira looked around at her employees and daughter gratefully. “Thank you, everyone. It really means a lot that you’re trying to help me out so—Danielle, are you alright?” The young woman was visibly shaking, and her face was pale.
    “I don’t feel very good,” she mumbled.
    “Oh sweetie, I’m sorry. You should have said something