A Crunchy Crust of Murder Read online

  “It's finally winding down,” he said. “Jack confessed everything and took a plea deal. He's going to be behind bars for a long, long time. The victim's girlfriend ended up with the lottery ticket. She said that she is going to use most of it to pay for his funeral expenses so his parents don't have to worry about it, and the rest she's going to put into her savings account and possibly use as a down payment and first month's rent on a new apartment. She seems like a smart girl. I think that in time, she’ll be okay.”

  “I hope so,” Ellie said. “She seemed nice. Do you happen to know where she's working?”

  “She works at the local grocery store,” he said. “I don't remember the position.”

  “I see.”

  Russell looked up from the bag. “What's that look on your face?”

  “Well, the pizzeria is going to need a new employee soon, especially if we get the food cart. She seems nice, she's about the same age as everyone else, and I think she’d fit in well.”

  Russell gave a nod of approval as he pulled out his food. The hotdog was smothered in cheese, onions, and mushrooms. “That sounds like a good idea. Let me know what she says when you ask if she's looking for a new job. The good news is we already ran a background check on her, so I can tell you that she doesn't have any priors.”

  “Always good to know,” Ellie said. The two of them ate in silence for a while. Ellie was beginning to feel tired, even though it was only midday. She had been so busy lately, she could use a break. Now that things were finally settling down again, she could turn her attention to the future and to the summer months that stretched out ahead of her. She had a feeling it was going to be an interesting year.

  Also by Patti Benning

  Papa Pacelli’s Series

  Book 1: Pall Bearers and Pepperoni

  Book 2: Bacon Cheddar Murder

  Book 3: Very Veggie Murder

  Book 4: Italian Wedding Murder

  Book 5: Smoked Gouda Murder

  Book 6: Gourmet Holiday Murder

  Book 7: Four Cheese Murder

  Book 8: Hand Tossed Murder

  Book 9: Exotic Pizza Murder

  Book 10: Fiesta Pizza Murder

  Book 11: Garlic Artichoke Murder

  Book 12: On the Wings of Murder

  Book 13: Mozzarella and Murder

  Book 14: A Thin Crust of Murder

  Book 15: Pretzel Pizza Murder

  Book 16: Parmesan Pizza Murder

  Book 17: Breakfast Pizza Murder

  Book 18: Halloween Pizza Murder

  Book 19: Thanksgiving Pizza Murder

  Book 20: Christmas Pizza Murder

  Book 21: A Crispy Slice of Murder

  Book 22: Lobster Pizza Murder

  Book 23: Pizza, Weddings, and Murder

  Book 24: Pizza, Paradise, and Murder

  Book 25: Meat Lovers and Murder

  Book 26: Classic Crust Murder

  Book 27: Hot, Spicy Murder

  Book 28: Pork, Pizza, and Murder

  Book 29: Chicken Alfredo Murder

  Book 30: Jalapeño Pizza Murder

  Book 31: Pesto Pizza Murder

  Book 32: Sweet Chili Murder

  Book 33: A Melted Morsel of Murder

  Book 34: A Saucy Taste of Murder

  Darling Deli Series

  Book 1: Pastrami Murder

  Book 2: Corned Beef Murder

  Book 3: Cold Cut Murder

  Book 4: Grilled Cheese Murder

  Book 5: Chicken Pesto Murder

  Book 6: Thai Coconut Murder

  Book 7: Tomato Basil Murder

  Book 8: Salami Murder

  Book 9: Hearty Homestyle Murder

  Book 10: Honey BBQ Murder

  Book 11: Beef Brisket Murder

  Book 12: Garden Vegetable Murder

  Book 13: Spicy Lasagna Murder

  Book 14: Curried Lobster Murder

  Book 15: Creamy Casserole Murder

  Book 16: Grilled Rye Murder

  Book 17: A Quiche to Die For

  Book 18: A Side of Murder

  Book 19: Wrapped in Murder

  Book 20: Glazed Ham Murder

  Book 21: Chicken Club Murder

  Book 22: Pies, Lies and Murder

  Book 23: Mountains, Marriage and Murder

  Book 24: Shrimply Murder

  Book 25: Gazpacho Murder

  Book 26: Peppered with Murder

  Book 27: Ravioli Soup Murder

  Book 28: Thanksgiving Deli Murder

  Book 29: A Season of Murder

  Book 30: Valentines and Murder

  Book 31: Shamrocks and Murder

  Book 32: Sugar Coated Murder

  Book 33: Murder, My Darling

  Killer Cookie Series

  Book 1: Killer Caramel Cookies

  Book 2: Killer Halloween Cookies

  Book 3: Killer Maple Cookies

  Book 4: Crunchy Christmas Murder

  Book 5: Killer Valentine Cookies

  Asheville Meadows Series

  Book 1: Small Town Murder

  Book 2: Murder on Aisle Three

  Book 3: The Heart of Murder

  Book 4: Dating is Murder

  Book 5: Dying to Cook

  Book 6: Food, Family and Murder

  Book 7: Fish, Chips and Murder

  Book 8: Deathly Ever After

  Tails of Alaska

  Book 1: Mushing is Murder

  Book 2: Murder Befalls Us

  Book 3: Stage Fright and Murder

  Book 4: Routine Murder

  Author’s Note

  I’d love to hear your thoughts on my books, the storylines, and anything else that you’d like to comment on—reader feedback is very important to me. My contact information, along with some other helpful links, is listed below. If you’d like to be on my list of “folks to contact” with updates, release and sales notifications, etc.… just shoot me an email and let me know. Thanks for reading!

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