Big City Heat by David Burnsworth

Author:David Burnsworth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Amateur Sleuth;Women Sleuths;Murder Mystery Series
Publisher: Henery Press Publishing
Published: 2018-09-25T18:43:05+00:00

Back at Cassie’s restaurant, Brack parked in his original spot and walked inside. The bartender, a medium-skin-toned African-American woman about thirty with flowing black hair, bright eyes, and a small nose, gave him a cautious smile and said they would not be serving for another hour.

Mutt came through the kitchen doors and said, “Nina, this here’s Opie. He’s welcome anytime. Opie, this is Nina.”

“Nice to meet you.” Brack offered a hand, which she shook. He said, “My name’s Brack.”

Nina went back to stocking the bar.

He said, “Darcy gave me a few addresses to run down. Can you get away? If not, I can always see if Nina wants to come.”

The woman smiled but showed no interest.

Mutt said, “Don’t be botherin’ the staff, Opie. Especially when they’re my relations.”

“By marriage,” Nina said. “And you aren’t married anymore.”

Brack laughed.

Mutt didn’t seem to know how to reply.

Cassie came into the room, rescuing them all. “Hey, Brack.”

He said, “Can Mutt come out and play?”

“If you don’t let him go,” Nina said, “this one will try to get me to come with him.” She gave Brack a wink. “It might be better not to find out how that would end.”

Brack was speechless. He’d never before been rejected and accepted at the same time, or with such panache.

Cassie rubbed her chin. “What do you have to do an hour before we open?”

Before either man could respond, Nina told Cassie, “Opie, or Brack, whichever it is, said he’s got some addresses that someone named Darcy gave him.”

Cassie put a chubby hand on a thick hip. “Sounds like a lot of trouble.”

It probably was.

“It ain’t gonna be no trouble now, baby.”

From the sound of Mutt’s words, Brack wasn’t sure if his friend was kidding Cassie or himself.

Brack said, “I’m not making any promises.”

Cassie nodded. “I figured. That’s why I already added two extra staff each night until this gets settled.”

“Then why ask me to work tonight, sweet pea?”

“Maybe,” Cassie said, “I wanted to spend time with my man.”

For Mutt’s sake, Brack hoped he kept his mouth shut.

Nina walked around the bar, stood between the men, and put her arms across their shoulders. “You boys better go before my ‘relative’ here gets himself in more trouble.”

Mutt turned and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Thanks, honey. I owe you.”

“Yes, you do,” Nina said. “Take Hugh and the boys to a ball game some time.”

“You got it.”

Mutt and Brack walked out.

Brack asked, “Hugh’s her husband?”

“Yeah. And my ex-brother-in-law. Sorry, Opie.”

“Story of my life,” Brack said.

They got in the Mazda. Brack finished telling Mutt about the Expedition moments before Detective Nichols called back with its plate number. Its registration was in the name of a Jack Townsend. The name didn’t mean much to Mutt. But the interesting thing Brack discovered was that Townsend’s address matched one of the addresses Darcy asked them to check out. They went there first.

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