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

came back with an estimate for the repairs, plus the cost of urgent work needed on the clutch and exhaust, the decision had suddenly become a lot easier.

It was strange how the change to cooler air and a new van, seemed to signal a fresh start in Erin’s life.

Today was the first day that her feet had finally managed to come back down to earth with a bump after the trauma of earlier in the weeks when her lovely Monday lunch party for Fiona and her friends has descended into total chaos with police cars jamming the lane.

Fiona’s mum, Rebecca, and Kate had arrived just in time to see Maya being handcuffed and dragged, screaming and kicking, into the back of a police car, which drove off at speed. Maya really shouldn’t have kicked Sergeant Murphy, though. That was out of order.

The whole incident had been captured on video by Zoe the photojournalist, who had the exclusive lead on the local news story of the month. All of Kingsmede had heard about the poor dead girl in the freezer and here was her killer being brought to justice.

A traumatised Fiona was able to explain exactly what had happened to Constable Harris, but it was Erin who filled in the background details later that day at the police station when she made her statement.

One thing was clear. Any idea of sitting down to a civilized meal went flying out of the window when the Constable declared that the deli kitchen was a crime scene.

Matt had saved the day by opening up the bookshop kitchen and persuading the police team that it would be a shame if all of Erin’s food went to waste. With everyone working together, it only took ten minutes to set up a temporary dining room in the empty bookshop. It gave the shocked women something to do other than weep over Maya’s betrayal. Eating and talking, talking and eating. Fiona’s mother was the first to break down and share the truth about who Emma’s father was. That had opened the floodgates to the real reason why Emma had acted the way she did.

No more secrets for the Hanson family.

Ethan drove Adam and Fiona’s father to the deli and the tears had been genuine on all sides.

By five that evening, all of the antipasti, salmon and several large portions of panna cotta had been enjoyed, with the leftover lemon cake carried away by Ethan and Adam.

The only person who was not made welcome was Harry Wilson, who had been released on bail a few hours later, and turned up demanding to know what Maya had said and why Fiona had not returned any of his calls. He didn’t like the answers.

Matt, Adam, and Ethan had a conversation with Harry outside in the lane, standing next to Erin’s vandalized van. She didn’t know what was said, but Ethan came back with a promise that she could have any replacement van she wanted, and Ethan would personally make sure that Harry paid. No arguments.

“That is one fine delivery van,” Prisha said as she joined Erin on the patio. “I still think that you should have pressed charges and made Harry squirm for the damage he caused. Worm!”

“Oh, I think he got the message,” Erin smiled. “Ethan and Harry were good friends once, but according to Matt, Ethan didn’t hold back. At one point, Adam had to interrupt before it got physical.”

“Shame. I would have liked someone to punch that hoodlum’s nose.” Prisha nodded. “Harry must have known that Maya has something to do with his wife’s death. I suppose he did it to try and protect her, but sheesh! Talk about double standards.”

“The way I see it, this was a one-off event, so what would be the point in prosecuting him?” Erin replied. “This way I get what I want, and did I mention the five-star insurance and servicing package for the next ten years?”

“Come on,” Prisha snorted. “The man is a millionaire!”

“The woman he loves has been arrested and charged with manslaughter, Prisha. Constable Harris popped in to see me yesterday. Emma’s death really was an accident. You were right. Emma was drunk when she went into the freezer, she slipped and knocked herself out. The dry ice killed her. Maya just locked her inside. Her solicitor is putting forward a diminished responsibility defence, but who knows when she’ll be released from prison?”

“The man is hardly blameless, is he? He played a part in this nightmare. I mean, Harry let Emma dominate him for years. Let him lose sleep.”

“Here’s a suggestion,” Erin laughed. “Let’s forget about Harry Wilson’s problems and focus on our own challenges. Starting with feeding our lunch guests!”

Erin looked past Prisha down the lane, where Zoe and her parents had just stepped out of their car and were chatting with Ethan and Fiona’s family. Fiona’s father still looked pale and exhausted, but Erin could not bring herself to blame him for his past mistakes. The whole Hanson family needed time to recover from the lost opportunity that they had been given to make amends.

Kate, Adam and Rebecca had already gone home to their day jobs to rebuild their lives, but they had taken time to stop at the deli, buy two cool bags of picnic food and thank Erin before they left. She would miss them.

“Hope that I’m not too late,” Matt asked as he stepped through the gate that separated the small patios at the back of the adjoining shops. “But I thought you might appreciate these blossoms before they fade.” He was carrying a stunning bouquet of pink-red roses and flowers which Erin recognized immediately from their powerful scent as coming from Rosa’s garden.

Erin inhaled the rich perfume and the cares of the week and her busy morning slipped away into the past. “They’re perfect. Thank you, Matt.”

“My pleasure,”