Spicy Lasagna Murder: Book 13 in The Darling Deli Series by Patti Benning Page A

how long it would take for the police to tell her she was free to go. David had agreed to give her a ride back without hesitation, for which she was grateful.
    “I’m ready,” she said, standing up as he approached. “Let’s go. I just want to get out of here.”
    He nodded his understanding and thankfully left off asking her any questions for the time being. He simply led her to the car, pulled the door open for her and, after a long look at her face to judge her emotional state, drove her home.
    She wasn’t ready to talk about what had happened until the next day, and even then was reluctant to go over the entire scene again in her mind. At least David was a good listener; he didn’t interrupt her at all, and grimaced in all the right places—especially when she mentioned the gun.
    “I almost lost you this time,” he said when she had finished. He shook his head slowly. “How do you keep getting yourselves in these situations? It’s my job to hunt down bad guys, and I’m pretty sure I haven’t been held at gunpoint as often as you have.”
    “It just happens,” she groaned. “I don’t know how. I need a vacation.”
    She perked up slightly, remembering the cruise contest that she had entered. She hadn’t mentioned it to anyone yet, but she told David about it now.
    “I know I probably won’t win,” she said. “But hoping for it is fun itself. Even if my name doesn’t get drawn for the contest, I might take a cruise anyway sometime in the next few months. I need to get away from everything and recharge. What better way to do that than outside under a tropical sun?”
    “As long as you don’t go through the Bermuda Triangle,” he said, only half-jokingly. “I shudder to think what horrors you’d attract there.”
    “Knowing my luck: sea monsters, whirlpools, and ghost ships all at once,” she said, grinning. “It would be the adventure of a lifetime.”
    “You’d better write a will first.” He glanced down at the two big dogs laying by their feet. “Leave the pooches to me.”
    “Of course. Oh, that reminds me… did I get a chance to tell you that Karissa wants to adopt Hazel? Once the puppies are gone, of course.”
    “She told me,” he said, smiling. “I’m glad for both her and the dog. I think they’ll go well together.”
    “I’m so glad she won’t be going to a stranger. I know she’s only been here for a few weeks, but I’ve grown so attached to her. It’s wonderful that I’ll be able to keep seeing her.”
    “She’s one lucky dog,” he agreed. “Has anyone expressed interest in any of the puppies yet?’
    “None in particular, yet. Pretty much everyone that sees them fawns over how cute they are, though.”
    “Maybe Eli and Candice will adopt one once they get settled in together,” he suggested.
    “Maybe. I’m not sure how Felix would feel about another four-legged terror in his house, though.”
    Felix was the one-in-a-million male calico kitten that her daughter had adopted a few months ago. Though he was spoiled, it hadn’t affected his good nature, and he remained outgoing and curious about everything. If there was ever a cat whose curiosity put it in danger, it was him.
    “Maybe Logan could take one,” he said after a moment.
    “Now that is an idea. I’d have to help him convince Denise, of course, but if he promises to take care of the puppy himself, including training and paying for everything, it shouldn’t be too hard. I’m sure he would love one. He’s smitten with them.”
    She looked over at the baby gate, behind which six very happy puppies were snoozing the day away. A few of them were beginning to open their eyes, and Moira knew that within the next few days, all of them would be getting their first glances of the world. She was glad that their first impression of the world would be one of comfort and warmth. She still had no idea who had dropped Hazel off behind the deli, but she was determined to find out one day and let them know