Bayou Christmas Eve by Riley Blake

Author:Riley Blake
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: women sleuths, amateur sleuth, Cozy Mysteries, Christmas cozies, mystery and suspense, cozy series
Publisher: J&R Fan Fiction
Published: 2023-12-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

“Faye was the first one. That much is true.” Jax slowly entered the bar with his gun pointed at Walter’s head. “But I like Plan B better. How about you, Ida Belle?”

Walter flexed his jaw and tried to shake his head in warning. Ida Belle went pale.

Jax cocked his gun. “See. We can all agree when we have someone to lose.”

Gertie whimpered, but kept Jax in her sights, likely realizing Ida Belle would be the first to drop her weapon.

As if Walter understood what Ida Belle might do next, he gave her a look that was filled with love and adoration. I detected a hint of sadness there, too. “Don’t do it, Ida Belle. Don’t even think about it. Elle’s happy here. She’s settled. She has a good life. If I lose mine to protect her now and in the future, I’m okay with that.”

“I’m not,” Ida Belle said, gripping that old pistol until her knuckles turned white.

“Drop ‘em, ladies,” Jax said.

“Okay. I have to admit, this isn’t the time or place, but I’ll take what I can get.” Gertie placed her gun on a nearby table and acted as if she might disrobe right there.

“Stop the nonsense before it starts. I won’t be distracted by you or anyone else,” said Jax.

“Have it your way then.” She grabbed her gun and aimed it at his head. “You won’t walk out of here. Fortune won’t lower her gun and I’m not giving mine up again.”

“She’s easily offended,” I explained. Normally, Ida Belle would keep our criminal talking, but with Walter’s life hanging in the balance, she was lucky to remain on her feet.

“We don’t have all night.” Jax tightened his arm around Walter’s neck. “Tell Gomer to bring Elle upstairs. I’ll take her and go. She’s my granddaughter and needs to be with me.”

“That’s the last place she needs to be,” Walter said, wincing when Jax pressed the muzzle tighter against his head.

As the color seemed to drain out of Walter’s face, Ida Belle stepped forward with her hands up. “Let’s talk this out. If you tighten your grip on Walter one more time, my friends will drop you where you stand.”

“I imagine that much is true, but I came here knowing that I could die,” Jax said. “Walter didn’t. Did you, buddy?”

Walter squirmed. “We all have to die someday. I’ve already said I’ll trade my life for hers.”

“Why do you have to be the hero?” Ida Belle asked.

For a short time, the conversation around us seemed muffled. A large silver Christmas ball on the foyer tree caught my attention. Then, I noticed someone’s sudden movement. With all the other twinkling Christmas lights, it was difficult to tell who was crouching near the nativity scene.

Carter was still in Sinful. Jax’s men would’ve shown themselves. Had Gomer taken a back exit and somehow made his way back to the entrance?

The steakhouse had an underground cellar with a hidden panel that opened up to a storm shelter, but my friends were right. There was only one way in and one way out, unless Gomer knew something that the rest of us didn’t.

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