Page 115 of Don't Cross Mo Ellery

I think she might go all the way.

Which means I have to ask: IsLesliethe murderer?

Because other than a bribe and an UPGRADE, the only way aging, arthritic, possibly past-his-prime Charlie could win was if the poodles and their handler were, let’s just say, “handled.”

Slow down, Mo. Take a breath. Don’t be a Tond. Just because Leslie loves dogs doesn’t mean she killed Claudia and Cran. Because if Leslie WAS the murderer, she would be after Benny for spending all this time with the poodles instead of Charlie.

Hannah strolls back to the booth, patting her eyes dry with a paper towel. “Your face is making so many faces right now,” she says. “What’s going on?”

My phone buzzes and I jump up, thighs ripping painfully off the vinyl booth for the millionth time.

I pull out my phone, hands shaking.

It’s the latest in a series of approximately a zillion texts from Benny.

Benny:Nursery

Benny:Nursery

Benny:Duck

“Where’s Marlowe’s autocorrect translation app when you need it,” I mutter, heart pounding.

Benny:Murderer

Shitballs.

Chapter 35

I start running.

Through the door and down the sidewalk; I can’t get there fast enough.

Hannah chases behind, calling after me, “Mo, I’m coming with you! Just—what’s going on? Bullet points are fine. Why are we running?”

“It’s a little complicated,” I yell back. “There’s been some new developments!”

“Since I went to the bathroom?”

“I know who your stalker is!”

“What? How?”

“I’m kind of a detective now,” I call over my shoulder, simultaneously dodging a mailman.

“You solve mysteries?” she asks incredulously. “Does that come with health insurance?”

God, it’s nice to be seen.

“Still don’t really understand why we’re running, though!” she adds.

“I think my dogsitter might be in danger!”

After that, we run in silence, punctuated only by the very loud sound of me trying to continue breathing while also being athletic. I’m guessing Hannah’s processing all this new info, but I’m so out of breath, I couldn’t explain anything else even if she needed me to.

I don’t know what’s waiting for us, but Benny said he’d stay at the dog park, so that’s where I’m going. I don’t know if Leslie is trying to kill Benny or the poodles or all four of them at once. I also don’t have any weapons to stop her unless you count the one crappy chef’s knife I got on sale from Target, which is back in my kitchen anyway.

But I can’t donothing.