Bed & Breakfast 19 - Hocus Croakus by Mary Daheim

Author:Mary Daheim [Daheim, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mary Daheim
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 2010-03-22T04:00:00+00:00

“That’s not my fault!” G.D. shot back. “Don’t blame

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Mary Daheim

me for your wretched personal problems! How was I to know about your aberration?”

“Aberration, indeed!” Inga was panting a bit, her deep voice growing hoarse. When she spoke again, it was more softly. “I’m going to my room now. I want your resignation by six o’clock.”

The cousins stayed hidden behind the SUV as Inga’s flat-footed steps came closer. Fortunately, she turned down the aisle instead of cutting across to the elevators. There was no sound from G. D. Fromm. Judith and Renie stayed put.

Inga’s footsteps faded. “Elevator?” Renie mouthed at Judith.

Judith nodded. But G.D. didn’t seem to budge. Renie sank down onto the concrete floor. “How long, oh Lord?” she whispered.

Judith shrugged just before she heard G.D. walk rapidly away. A moment later a car door opened, slammed shut, and the engine was turned on. The vehicle’s tires squealed as it roared out of the garage. Renie struggled back to her feet. “At least I didn’t sit on a grease spot,” she said, checking out her slacks.

“What do you figure that was all about?”

“Other than dissension in the ranks?” Judith shook her head as the cousins walked toward the elevators.

“I’m not sure. But I can’t figure out how two such strong personalities could work in tandem.”

Renie didn’t get a chance to respond. A mid-size sedan that apparently had just entered the parking garage suddenly picked up speed and hurtled in their direction. Judith lurched to her right; Renie leaped to her left. The car kept going, screeching as it made a sharp turn to avoid hitting the wall.

“What the hell?” Renie panted, clinging to the hood

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of a blue BMW. “That idiot came so close that I could almost feel it!”

“I couldn’t see who was driving,” Judith replied, also gasping for breath. She tested her artificial hip. Nothing seemed amiss. “The car must have tinted windows.

“Maybe,” Judith continued, “it was just a valet showing off. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been in parking garages where the tires squealed like a pig farm every time one of the guys brought out a car.”

“True,” Renie agreed, punching the Up button. “I know they have to be quick, but I always feel as if Cammy’s being abused.”

“I suppose,” Judith said as the elevator doors opened, “we could check with Bob Bearclaw to see who’s entered the garage in the last five minutes. But I wouldn’t want to get one of those valets in trouble. They’re just kids.”

Arriving on the casino floor, the cousins couldn’t believe their eyes. A full-fledged scuffle had broken out just a few feet away. Judging from the jeans and cowboy boots on one side and the long hair and flannel shirts on the other, a battle of the bands had erupted. Three security guards—Emily Dancingdoe, Amos Littlebird, and Ronnie Roughrocks—were trying to pull them apart.

“Good grief,” Judith gasped. “What now?” Sheriff Abbott N. Costello and Deputy Dabney Plummer pushed their way through the melee. “Hold it!”

Costello shouted. “I’m counting to three and then I draw my piece!”

Renie leaned closer to Judith.

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