Spicy Lasagna Murder: Book 13 in The Darling Deli Series by Patti Benning Page B

work for a chain, and you had to be over twenty-one years of age. Moira easily qualified for all of those.
    There was a twenty-dollar entry fee. After a few minutes of searching around, she found enough proof that the contest was legitimate and not some sort of a credit card scam that she felt comfortable paying the fee. She grinned to herself as she did so, knowing that she had most likely just wasted twenty bucks. She was certain that hundreds, if not thousands of other people would have entered by the time the contest closed in two weeks. What were the chances that her name would be drawn, really?
    The chance for a free cruise would have been enough for her alone, but the contest also offered a cash prize of ten thousand dollars to the winner, and a chance to co-star as a guest on a celebrity cooking show. Moira knew that even if her name did somehow get drawn, she would have to work hard and be at her very best to compete with the other cooks, but even if she didn’t win, the experience would be worth it.
    I deserve some good luck for once, don’t I? she thought, crossing her fingers as she clicked the button to officially enter the drawing. In just two weeks, I’ll find out.
     

CHAPTER ELEVEN
    Moira eased her vehicle to a halt near the big square building and frowned. A small farmhouse sat on the other side of the driveway, and she wasn’t quite sure which building she was expected to go to. She was beginning to regret even agreeing to this meeting in the first place. Luke Samwell had passed away just over a week ago. It felt wrong to make other arrangements with one of his competitors so soon after his death, but Zander was right: business didn’t wait. If Mrs. Samwell was planning on selling the remaining produce to wholesalers, then selling the farm itself, Moira would need to find new suppliers as soon as possible.
    She saw Zander’s tall form waving from the odd square building’s front door and shut off her engine in relief. At least he hadn’t forgotten about their meeting. She was curious to see the inside of the building—it looked like a cross between a barn and a warehouse, and she wondered what was inside it. Zander was quite different from most of the farmers that she did business with. He seemed more modern than most, and was definitely a lot younger than the crotchety old farmers she was used to.
    “Ms. Darling, it’s great to see you again,” he said, taking her hand in both of his and shaking it warmly when she drew near enough. “Come on in. This is my office, and also doubles as my brewery. Did I tell you I made my own beers and ales?”
    “No, you didn’t. Is it difficult? I have to admit; I know nothing about making drinks.”
    “It’s not too tough if you have the right equipment.” He grinned. “Which I do, and then some. Would you like a tour?”
    She didn’t, she really just wanted to talk business and leave, but she thought it might be rude to say so. He seemed so passionate about it.
    “Sure,” she said.
    He led her through the brewery, pausing every once in a while to explain what a certain piece of equipment did. It was obvious he knew a lot about his art, and had spent quite a bit of money getting the best machines that he could.
    “I grow all of my own ingredients,” he told her. “I’ve been looking to expand. With the land from Samwell’s farm, I can grow a greater variety of ingredients for my beer and ale, and also expand my other produce. I’ll have to hire a few more people of course, but that’s no problem.”
    “You’re planning on buying his farm then?” Moira asked, suddenly on high alert. Could this be the man who’d killed the two farmers? If he was, just how much danger was she in alone with him? The killer must have seen her through the flames, which meant that whoever it was knew that she had seen him, too.
    “Yes. I hate to sound like I’m taking advantage of someone’s misfortune, but it is what it is.” He shrugged. “Business waits