A Christmas Quick Sketch by Larissa Reinhart

Author:Larissa Reinhart
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781732529892
Publisher: Past Perfect Press

Twelve

The Dead Hand

Thirty minutes later, our heated tempers had warmed the December chill out of our small room better than a pot belly stove fired with coal.

“This is why I don’t believe in charity events that don’t have celebrity backers,” said Priscilla. “If Beyoncé ran this gig, we would not be thrown in the hoosegow.”

“We’re thrown in the hoosegow because gambling is illegal in the state of Tennessee,” I said. “And if Byron had minded the law to begin with, none of this would have happened.”

“You’re the one who thought we should win my money back,” said Byron.

“You both stopped being amusing about ten seconds after I met you,” said Priscilla. “My limbs have been mangled all day because of your cleverness, Kate Jackson. Squished in the back of a van and now cuffed like a common criminal. And Byron, you are just one sorry excuse.”

Our makeshift jail door swung open and cut short the argument. Cop Number One’s scowl doused the room with more ill humor. He jerked a thumb toward the center hall and we filed toward the door.

“What’s going on?” I asked Cop Number One.

Apparently not all of the players had escaped through the window of the conference room. In the rotunda, Candy Cane Cop unwrapped another stick of peppermint and toured the walls, examining my masterpieces. I didn’t see Jupiter or Fred, nor Elvis and the Elf. The rest of the Zip Tie-cuffed party hurled threats at the Colonel and Todd. The Colonel took those insults and flung more at Todd while Chet, Little Jimmy, Luther, and Lucinda watched.

Poor Todd stood with his tow head bowed and hands locked behind him, calmly suffering the arrows and daggers shot from the Colonel’s mouth.

I scurried to defend my sweet gambler from the poisonous abuse directed his way.

“That girl should have paid better attention,” screamed the Colonel. His hat sat askew and his bolo tie had loosened, the longhorn emblem dangling near the silver tipped points. “She was supposed to be our lookout. Instead she’s drawing on the walls.”

“This isn’t Cherry’s fault,” said Todd. “Lonnie dropped the ball. He should’ve had us park somewhere different.”

“Lonnie risked a lot just making up that work order. You’re the idiots who came early and got the wrong guard at the gate.”

“You said get here at four,” said Todd.

“I said after four,” fumed the Colonel.

I noticed Cop Number One’s pen racing over his little notebook, getting the confessions word for word. If my hands weren’t cuffed, I would have done another palm to the forehead.

My forehead had seen more abuse in two days than my twenty-six years.

“Shut it, you two. Save it for the station.”

“You,” said the Colonel, turning on me. “I’m going to kill you.”

“Don’t mess with Cherry,” said Todd, jumping in front of me.

“How exciting,” said Priscilla. “But Miss Artist is right. Now, who was your little friend at the station, Colonel? I’d like to talk to him personally.”

“Would you all just shut up?” said Lucinda. “The Colonel’s little friend is not available for station visits, Priscilla.

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