Thai Coconut Murder: Book 6 in The Darling Deli Series Read Online Free PDF Page B

killed him. I’m sorry for your loss. His funeral is this Friday. Would you like to go?” She hoped David would be okay with her bringing the other woman if she needed a ride. Margie was obviously distraught over her old friend’s death.
    “I’ll have Ronnie take me,” the old woman said with a nod. “I’ve said goodbye to too many old friends this year already, but I think I’ve got one more in me.” She sighed and patted Moira’s hand. “Thank you for telling me, dear. I’m sorry that you had to put up with my tears. It never gets easier, you know.”
    “No,” Moira agreed. “It never does.”
    A few minutes later, Moira and Candice left the flower shop with a beautiful bouquet of white lilies, a condolence card, and a note to Alice from Margie. The deli owner tried to focus on driving, but she was too distracted with her conversation with the older woman. Why had Margie immediately leapt to the conclusion that Henry had been killed? Was it a sign of the elderly woman’s brain slipping, or did she know something about Henry that Moira and David didn’t?
    She was so lost in thought that she passed the toy store, and had to turn around and come back from the other direction. It had been a long day, and she would be glad when it was over—though, unfortunately, she would be working a double shift tomorrow in exchange for Dante and Darrin covering her shifts for today and Friday morning on such short notice. All of them were stretched thin with the new hours as it was, and though Meg was a great help, she would certainly need to hire another employee or two when Candice left.
    They pulled into Candice’s normal parking spot behind the toy shop, then walked around front. When they let themselves in the store’s front door, which jingled merrily as it shut behind them, they found Alice engaged in what looked like a very serious discussion with a short, older man.
    “I don’t know anything about that,” she was saying, her voice laced with anger. “I would like to be able to mourn my grandfather in peace, without you making accusations.”
    “I think you know more than you’re telling me, Alice. I’m going to get to the bottom of this one way or another.” The short man spun on his heel and walked out in a huff, his bowler hat pulled low over his eyes. Alice closed her eyes and took a deep breath before looking over to Moira and Candice.
    “Oh, it’s you,” she said. “I guess you heard.” She eyed the lilies in Candice’s hand.
    “We did,” the young woman said, stepping forward with the flowers. “We just wanted to say we’re sorry, and if there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask.”
    “Thanks,” Alice said in a flat voice. She took the bouquet and set it down on the counter, then eyed the cards. “Who is this one from?”
    “An old friend of Henry’s, Margie Clementine,” Moira told her. “They’ve known each other since high school.”
    “Oh, I remember her. They used to get coffee together.” The shopkeeper’s gaze softened. “A great many people will miss my grandfather.”
    “I never met him, but I know that he and David were close. He definitely touched a lot of lives.”
    “He did.” Alice sniffled, then cleared her throat. “Thanks for the flowers. They’re pretty. I’ve always liked lilies.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    Friday morning dawned unusually chilly and overcast for early July in Michigan. Somehow it seemed like fitting weather for a funeral. Sunny funeral weather never felt right to Moira.
    Moira pulled a light dark blue sweater over her blouse, and gave herself a once over in the mirror. Her hair was down and pinned away from her face. She had put on only the minimum of makeup, and her green eyes seemed somber against her pale face. Her black slacks were a bit tight, which reminded her of her supposed diet. Straightening her sweater, she decided that the outfit would have to do. She didn’t go to many funerals, and was never comfortable deciding what to