17.5 Cartridges in a Pear Tree by Larissa Reinhart

Author:Larissa Reinhart [Reinhart, Larissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780997885392
Publisher: Past Perfect Press
Published: 2019-12-17T05:00:00+00:00

Seventeen

#notgudinoff

From the stoop of the Dixie Kreme shop, I spotted the elf jumping into an old VW bug. I also spotted Nash sprinting up the street. Sirens blared in the background. They sounded seconds away.

"The elf," I shouted at Nash, pointing at the Volkswagen. "He's not dead."

Nash jerked to a stop. "What?"

The elf glanced up, sighted me, then Nash. The little car's engine started.

Nash's startled expression turned flinty, and he pivoted toward the Volkswagen. "Come on."

Lights flashed on the street. An ambulance flew around the corner, siren blasting. A Black Pine police car followed. The bug backed out, and the ambulance pulled up, blocking the VW. Hurtling down the sidewalk, Nash vaulted the curb and threw himself against the driver's door of the yellow bug. Jerking the door open, he grabbed the elf. I rushed down the steps to join Nash.

"Park it," bellowed Nash. "I'm hauling you out either way."

The police car pulled in next to the Volkswagen. Getting out of his car, the deputy waved to the ambulance crew to stay in the truck.

"Who are you?" Nash slammed the elf against the little, yellow bug.

"Wyatt Nash, let go of that man," said the police officer.

Nash glanced behind him, then smiled. "We're the ones who called you, Sam. This bozo nabbed Miss Albright at the Winter Market, pretending he had a gun on her. Then he broke into my office. He let Miss Albright think he was dead, for Cripe's sake. Then dashed out when she wasn't looking."

"She kicked me in the gut at the market and I was attacked here," protested the elf. "If anyone has room to complain, it's me."

Sam looked at me.

"It's all true," I said. "I think he got knocked out by the other guy. My hands were too cold to feel his pulse. But it did freak me out, which is why I called emergency services."

"Other guy?" said Sam. "Who's that?"

"Oddjob." I shrugged. "But that's just what I call him. He works for a scary man called Gentz. Gentz works for a rich tech dude named HG. And that's as far as we've gotten with names."

"We're about to get a little farther." Nash tightened his grip on the elf's coat and shoved him against the car.

"Hey," said the elf. "You're just going to let this knucklehead hold on to me? My feet aren't even touching the ground."

"Would you rather I hold you there?" said Sam. "Your feet will touch the ground, but your hands will be behind your back."

The elf glared at us. "I hate this place."

"What's your name, son?" said Sam.

"Gordon Gudinoff."

I blew out a snort. "No, it's not. That's your stage name. What's your real name?"

"It is so." Gordon the elf directed his scowl at me. "How'd you know I was an actor?"

"Takes one to know one, I guess." I folded my arms. "Who are you working for? And why do they want my Warhead Girl necklace?"

"Were you in that movie?" said Sam. "I loved that movie."

"Sam, get that look off your face," growled Nash.

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