Hearty Homestyle Murder: Book 9 in The Darling Deli Series by Patti Benning

asked.
    “Yes,” Moira said, giddy with relief. “Everything adds up. I should have trusted him to begin with. Darrin wouldn’t ever hurt anyone.”
    “We still don’t know who the real killer is,” he pointed out.
    Moira shrugged. “I’m sure the police will catch them eventually. I’m just glad that this doesn’t have anything to do with the deli or the people I care about. After the fiasco with Candice earlier this summer, I want to stay as far away from criminals as I can get. I still have nightmares about her being kidnapped.”
    “I don’t blame you. I hope things stay settled down for you, Moira, I really do.” He took a bite of his salad and looked around. “It was nice of Denise to invite us here for lunch. I’m glad she decided to extend her hours—the place is packed already. Do you think the extra hours—and extra menu items—will be enough to keep this place going?”
    “I don’t know, but I hope so.” She glanced around too, looking for her friend. Denise was across the room, chatting with another pair of guests and looking happier than Moira had seen her in a long time. “For her sake, I really do.”
    “Besides, if the Grill closes down, where will we go to eat?” He grinned at her. “It would just be a disaster all around.”
    “I know. We might actually have to discover new restaurants. The horror.” Chuckling, she let her gaze sweep across the room again, wondering when her friend would make her way over to their table. She really wanted to congratulate Denise on how well her restaurant seemed to be doing with its new hours.
    She didn’t see the tall redhead. Instead, her eyes landed on another familiar face. Mayor Willis was seated just a few seats away, and across from him was Sandy Keller, who was wearing a short dress and a big smile, and appeared to be flirting with him.
    “What is Mayor Willis doing on a date with Gordon Smith’s fiancée?” she asked David in a low voice. He followed her gaze.
    “What do you mean?” he asked, a puzzled expression appearing on his face. “Are you talking about the guy who was our previous mayor? That Gordon Smith? He’s already married.”
    “No he isn’t,” Moira said, frowning. “He’s engaged to Sandy Keller. She was in my store just the other day to ask if I could cater their wedding reception.”
    “Moira, he’s been married for fifteen years. I should know; I used to date his wife’s sister. His wife, Meredith, is very sick. It’s possible that he’s seeing someone behind her back, I suppose.”
    “I don’t understand. Why would Sandy tell me that they’re engaged if they aren’t? And why is Sandy here with the mayor?”
    “I haven’t the slightest idea.” David shook his head. “It really isn’t our business, either. It isn’t a crime to cheat on your spouse.”
    Moira sighed. “You’re right. I’m here to enjoy your company and support my friend’s restaurant—I shouldn’t be gossiping about a woman who has only ever been perfectly nice to me.” She smiled and turned her gaze away from the mayor and Sandy to show that her attention was on David alone.
    Try as she might, she couldn’t keep her eyes from flicking back to the cheating couple occasionally. Why would she lie to me about being engaged to Gordon? she wondered. What will she do if she sees me? Should I walk over and say hi just to see what she does?
    When she saw the mayor get up and head towards the restrooms, she considered that very action. She was opening her mouth to excuse herself from the table when she saw Sandy glance around and then carefully remove a small vial from her purse, pour the contents into the mayor’s cup of soup, then return the vial to her bag.
    Moira frowned, her brain trying to figure out what she had just seen. David was saying something about a boating trip when she turned to face him with wide eyes.
    “I think Sandy just poisoned the mayor,” she told him in a voice that was barely above a