Free Cold Cut Murder: Book Three in The Darling Deli Series by Patti Benning Page A

the howling of the sirens and a patrol unit pulled up next to her.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
     
    “Are you sure you don’t want me to take you home?” David asked, his eyes soft as he watched her.
     
    “No. I need to clean up,” she told him. Realizing that her hands were still shaking, she sat down in a chair. “Though I might sit here for a little bit first.”
    “You’re sure he didn’t hurt you?”
    “Just a few bruises. I’m fine.” She managed a shaky laugh. “I’m exhausted, and shaken up, but fine.”
    Thanks to the quick response of the police, Steven, still covered in soup, had been caught red-handed only a block away from the deli. The security camera had caught enough of the incident that there were no doubts about whether Moira’s story was true. The police had questioned her and, after making sure she was okay, had left her in peace. Tomorrow she would have to go down to the station to make a formal statement, but for the moment, she and David were alone.
    David had come quickly when she had called him even though she hadn’t managed to tell the full story over the phone. She had been shocked to see the bruises on his face from when Steven had attacked him, and felt immense guilt that he had gotten hurt because of her.
    “Some Valentine’s Day, huh?” she joked weakly.
    “At least it’s over,” he told her, glancing at his watch. “It’s officially the fifteenth.”
    “Thank goodness.” She buried her head in her hands. “I’m not looking forward to telling Candice what happened. Or Darrin and Dante, for that matter. They’ll be so concerned.”
    “You don’t have to do any of that until you get some rest.” He stood up. “I’ll go put some coffee on, and then I’ll help you clean up the spilled soup. After that, I’ll drive you home. Candice can help you get your car tomorrow.”
    “Thank you so much,” she said sincerely. “You don’t have to do any of this, you know. I’d be able to manage on my own—don’t feel like you have to stay and help.”
    “Nonsense,” he said, giving her a small smile. “There isn’t anywhere I would rather be.” She could tell by the look in his eyes that he meant it. She smiled at him. He was a good friend, but something about his words made her think that he might want to be more.
    “Let’s get started,” she said, standing up. She was too tired to think about David and their feelings towards each other at the moment. She had so much left to do, and knew that she would be busier than ever for the next few weeks. Besides repairing the damage from tonight, she would have to make amends with Denise at some point. Her husband may not have been the murderer, but he still acted like a slimebag. Women had to stick together, and the two of them had enough in common that they might even become good friends. “The sooner we get done, the sooner I can go to bed and wake up to a new, and hopefully better, day.”