"A Murder In Milburn", Book 1: Death At A Diner Read Free

likes you,” she said. “I’ve always thought dogs were the best judge of men.”
    “He’s adorable,” the sheriff said, bending down to play. “Still, if I let him play too long, my Luna will get jealous when I go home.”
    “What breed is she?” Mrs. Mullally asked.
    “I’ve been asking myself that since I picked her up at the pound three years ago,” Sean said with a smile.  
    “One of the only mysteries you haven’t solved, then,” Mrs. Mullally said. “Come right into the house, will you? My tenant’s made some Venison Shepherd’s Pie, and it’s come right out of the oven just now. I’ve got some lovely rhubarb iced tea to go with it too.”
    “I couldn’t possibly,” Sean said, even though he’d begun salivating at the thought. His current plans for lunch involved a very sad tuna salad sandwich and a slightly wilting pack of lettuce. It was 3 pm, and he was starving, but had been putting off the meal.
    “Oh, I know you, Sean. You’ve probably had nothing but coffee all day.”
    “Not true,” Sean said. He’d had coffee and a protein bar.
    “What you need,” Mrs. Mullally said, “is a woman to feed you and look after you.”
    “Well, I’ve been after you to marry me for a long time,” Sean teased. “But you break my heart each time.”
    Mrs. Mullally, who wasn’t a day younger than 80, blushed red. “Sean Dracon, you young rascal, I’ve known you since you were pint sized. Go on, now. Sit yourself down and have at it.” They entered through her yellow and white tiled kitchen with a handsome wooden floor, and Mrs. Mullally smiled, taking time to caress a new potted plant that stood at one of the window ledges, tiny sprouts peeking out of it.
    “That’s new,” Sean commented.
    “Oh, Nora’s decided to grow her own herbs,” Mrs. Mullally said. “She’s actually been asking me to rent her the garden so that she can start her own vegetable patch too.”
    “What’d you say to that?” Sean asked, half interested, as he sat down at the kitchen island. Mrs. Mullally took out a steaming dish from the oven, set it down next to him, then placed a delicate china plate with blue flowers dotting its edges down in front of him. “I told her, Nora, you better not be getting any fancy ideas ,” Mrs. Mullally said.
    “Oh, please!” Nora entered the kitchen from the dining room. “She told me to help myself to all her land if I liked, just as long as I let her eat the vegetables too.” She gave Mrs. Mullally a hug and waved to her to sit down.
    Sean, whose hat was resting on the counter beside him, got up as soon as she walked in.
    “Sheriff,” Nora said, her smile dimming a little.
    “Nora.” He gave her a small nod.
    Behind Nora, Raquel walked in too. Bounced in, more like. She was skipping and holding up a dress – a pale blue thing with a yellow border and a lace collar.
    “Our new designs are here!” she said in a sing-song voice. “Look at that Mrs. Mullally!”
    “Oh, they’re pretty!” Mrs. Mullally exclaimed. “Well done, girls.”
    “Is this for Madness?” The Sheriff asked.
    “You’ll come to our opening night, won’t you, Sheriff?” Raquel asked, leaning at the counter, looking up at him with her big blue eyes.
    Nora was rummaging inside the fridge. She brought out a large jug filled to the brim with a pink liquid and clinking with ice cubes. She set out four glasses, then tore leaves off the potted mint plant at the window. Crushing a few in each glass, she poured the pink liquid over them and handed a glass each to everyone gathered around.  
    “I’ve heard there’s karaoke,” Sean asked. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
    “There’s karaoke, yes,” Raquel said, “but also, there’s Nora .” She put both hands around Nora’s shoulders and thrust her forth. Giggling, she added, “What I mean is, you wouldn’t want to miss her food for the world.”
    “Oh, quit it, Raquel, the only reason anyone’s going to walk in is to see you belt