SLAY PAIRS WITH ROSE (The Kelly's Deli Cozy Murder Mysteries Book 3) by Sophie Brent (books to read as a couple txt) 📗

Was it only that morning? Erin could hardly believe it was possible.

“That’s true, the fire crews had to make sure that the kitchens were made safe before anyone was allowed inside. Once they left, the hotel guests went back to their rooms and there was a stream of people in and out of the kitchens, assessing the damage, then organizing the clean-up. The dry ice was an emergency measure in case the power cut out again after the fire crew left. It was only Emma nagging them that made the chef get extra dry ice out. They already knew what she looked like.”

“So, someone Emma knew had to follow her and lock her inside?” Matt tilted his head to one side. “That doesn’t sound very likely, does it?”

He took a sip of Merlot before going on. “I think you are missing one important piece of information. If this wasn’t an accident and she was locked inside, who could have done it? What possible reason would there have been for anyone to want to kill a bridesmaid who only came to Kingsmede two days ago for her friend’s wedding? That doesn’t make sense to me.”

“You’re right. The only people that Emma knew at the hotel were Fiona, Ethan and the other two bridesmaids, Kate and Maya.  They were all pals, getting ready to celebrate Fiona’s wedding.” Erin agreed. “That’s what makes it so tragic.”

The fleeting memory of the argument she had seen between Emma and Fiona on the previous day flashed through Erin’s mind. Should she even mention it? No, it was nothing. Best to keep quiet.

“I’m sorry, Erin.  but unless you have something else to go on, I don’t think Emma was murdered. It was an accident,” Matt said and stabbed another piece of gnocchi. “That’s the only logical explanation.”

He looked up into Erin’s face and smiled.  “Can I make a suggestion? You’ve had an exhausting day. Why don’t we change the subject?  A little bird told me…” and he flicked his head towards Prisha, who opened her mouth and pretended to be shocked. “That you came up with some brilliant plans for your new bistro when you were in Florida. I can’t wait to see them.”

Erin was just about to suggest visiting the bookshop next door which Matt was clearing for her to create her new bistro, when the deli phone rang out a classic Italian tune. She got up and glanced quickly at the telephone number, then pressed down the answerphone button.

“Another reporter,” she muttered. “I’ve a feeling that I’m going to be very popular with the press for the next few weeks. If anyone has any ideas about how I can escape, just let me know.”

“No worries,” Prisha snorted.  “You leave them to me.” Then she rubbed the palms of hands together. “Now,” she grinned. “Who would like some ice cream with their cake?”

Chapter Six

Erin had never been so thankful that she closed the deli on Sundays. Usually, Sunday gave her the chance to catch up with friends and all of the admin and paperwork for the shop.

Today was different. After falling into a few hours of restless sleep, she had woken at four and spent the early hours of the morning cleaning and tidying up the deli in the cooler part of the day. The weather forecast on the radio was predicting another scorching August day and she knew it would be too exhausting to scrub and mop later in the afternoon.

One of the many habits she had inherited from her mother was that she loved to listen to the radio as she worked in the kitchen.  The classical stations and local light entertainment channels seemed to make the hours fly by.

It would be even better if they didn’t read the local news every thirty minutes.

Most of Kingsmede had already heard about what had happened at Abbotsdown Hall in one way or other, and if they hadn’t, then they soon would.

The juicy story of the bridesmaid who had died in a bizarre accident at a local hotel was all over the local radio and TV stations. Erin had no idea how they managed to get hold of the fact that she had been there when they found Emma, but suddenly, Kelly’s deli was once again the centre of the latest crime wave in Kingsmede. The telephone calls from the press and media had carried on all evening until Erin had turned off both the phone in the deli and her mobile.

The reporters banging on the deli door had certainly not helped!

One thing was certain. She had no intention of making any statement to anyone about what she had seen. The scene was still whirling around inside her head as she tossed and turned on her pillow.

After hearing the fourth radio bulletin where they had mentioned her by name, Erin turned off the radio and came to a decision.

She needed to get as far away from the deli as she could, as soon as possible.

Otherwise, there was a very strong chance that she would say something to a reporter that she would later regret.

Where should she go? She knew that her friends would be happy for her to stay with them, but for once, it would be nice to have some peace and quiet, even if it was only for one day.

Her gaze scanned the kitchen wall and fell onto a postcard she had received the previous week. Of course!  That would be the perfect place. Her godmother, Rosa, was still on holiday in Italy with Matt’s uncle Lucien, and Erin had promised to pop in and check Rosa’s cottage from time to time to make sure that everything was okay.

The cottage would be the ideal hideaway! All she had to do was load up with supplies