Free Thai Coconut Murder: Book 6 in The Darling Deli Series by Patti Benning

anything at all?”
    “Let me think… oh, he was actually a little bit concerned about his granddaughter. He said he wanted to get her out of Maple Creek, and was hoping that she would agree to move up here later this year. There’s a pretty little cottage down the road that’s for sale; he was thinking of buying it for her.” She hesitated, concern coming into her eyes for the first time. “Is something wrong, dear? Why ask all these questions about Henry?”
    “I’m very sorry to tell you this, Beth.” David took a deep breath. “Henry passed away. His funeral was last week.”
    “Oh my goodness.” The elderly woman gazed at David as if she didn’t want to believe him. “Poor, dear Henry. What happened to him?”
    “The official report is that he drowned, likely in some sort of boating or fishing accident.”
    “Do you think something else happened?” she asked. “The way you say ‘official,’ it doesn’t sound like you completely believe it.”
    “At first it was just gut instinct,” the private investigator admitted. “Henry was always so careful and smart about being out on the water; after what happened to his cousin when he was younger, I just can’t see him doing something reckless out on the lake that would have gotten him killed.” He paused. “And a few more things came to light that made me think his death may not have been as accidental as it seemed. I don’t think I should mention the details right now though, not until we’re sure.”
    “I understand. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help. Poor Henry, I just can’t believe it…”
    They left a few minutes later, driving away from the town and Henry’s cabin in silence. In just a few hours, they would be back in Maple Creek. What then? Moira wondered. Did they have enough evidence to convince the police to look into Henry’s death further?

CHAPTER TEN
    “It’s good to be home,” Moira said to the panting face of her dog. He pawed at her leg, then dashed down the hallway, spun around, and came rushing back, clearly glad she was home and eager to drag her outside for a walk. She laughed and gave him a quick pat on the head as she brought in her duffel bag. “Give me a second, Maverick. Let me get settled first.”
    The drive back had taken a few hours longer than the drive up north, mostly due to the fact that they had stopped at a few small shops on the way down as well as grabbing lunch at the little diner in Point Baker again. It was evening by the time she got back to her own house, and she was looking forward to seeing her daughter and hearing Candice’s exciting news once the deli closed for the day.
    For now, though, the dog that had become her furry child was begging for attention, and she was happy to give it. After sitting in a car for half the day, the prospect of a walk seemed like a great idea.
    A quick change of clothes and a glass of lemonade later, she and Maverick were heading down the road and towards town. The weather was nice enough that she could walk to the deli if she wanted to, but she thought she probably wouldn’t go quite that far. Maybe she would stop at Twisty’s, the ice cream shop, and get a cone of chocolate for herself and a small bowl of vanilla for her dog.
    She rounded the corner and was surprised to see someone she recognized in the ice cream shop’s parking lot. It was the short, burly man from the toy shop. He was with two other men; they were leaning against a van, and one of them was smoking. She was barely close enough to hear them, but she thought she caught the word “Alice.”
    She couldn’t quite place her finger on it, but something about the men made her uncomfortable. She was glad she had Maverick with her; although she thought the German shepherd was more likely to lick someone to death than bite them, he was big enough to keep her safe just by standing next to her.
    “Look tough, buddy,” she whispered to him. He looked up at her and wagged his tail. Chuckling at his