Deadly Feud: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery (A Witch in the Woods Book 14) by Jenna St. James

Author:Jenna St. James [St. James, Jenna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-10-24T16:00:00+00:00

13

“Ralph said to expect you,” Bertha Finkelstein said as she leaned against the doorjamb of a trailer that looked about as sad as her brother’s. “I’m just having me a cocktail.” She lifted a bottle of whiskey in the air. “You want one, handsome?”

“She talking to me or the gargoyle?” Needles asked from my shoulder.

I laughed.

“What you laughing at?” Bertha demanded.

I held up a hand. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

“We’re here on official business, Ms. Finkelstein,” Alex said. “I’m Sheriff Stone, and this is Agent Loci.”

“Ms. Finkelstein!” Bertha hooted. “Look how gentlemanly you are. You sure you don’t want a drink, Sugar?”

“No, thank you.” Alex crossed his arms over his chest. “Would you like to talk out here or go inside?”

“Why don’t you come on inside. Let me show you around my place.”

“When was my last tetanus shot, Princess?”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing. No way was I going to have Bertha Finkelstein call me out a second time. She might decide to knife me and take my man. Okay, maybe a small giggle escaped at that thought.

I started up the cracked cement steps into the trailer when I saw something that made me gasp. What someone else might mistake for pretty bell-shaped flowers, like a Snapdragon, I knew to be a much scarier flower—Devil’s Breath.

“What is it?” Alex hissed.

“Devil’s Breath,” I whispered. “It’s not exactly illegal, but it’s not something you usually plant on purpose. When the seeds are extracted correctly, it can act like a roofie.”

“Good to know,” Alex murmured.

Even though it was only about two-thirty in the afternoon, the interior of the trailer was dark and dreary. Thanks in part to the drawn curtains over the two windows, I was sure. I figured Bertha kept it so dark so she wouldn’t have to see the mess she had scattered about the living room.

It was a typical single-wide trailer layout. Living room and kitchen to the left, a hallway immediately to our right with three doors visible—probably two bedrooms and a bathroom.

“Sit down, Sheriff. You must be tired after being on your feet all day.” Bertha took a swig from her bottle. “If you won’t have a drink with me, can I interest you in some chili or maybe some gizzards? I’m a terrific cook.”

“I might just be sick.” Needles settled down on my shoulder as I started to sit next to Alex.

But Bertha beat me to the punch.

Pushing me aside, she plopped down next to Alex, causing him to roll against her.

“The couch is a little soft,” she said. “But great for snuggling.”

Grinning, I perched on the edge of a recliner.

“Me and you got a lot in common,” Bertha said, leaning in close to Alex.

“Is that right?” Alex mused. “And how is that?”

“Both got us a teenager. But don’t you go worrying none. Milton’s daddy done ran out on us when Milton was still a baby. So you don’t have to worry none about that.”

Alex cleared his throat. “And Milton is your son?”

“Sure is. Apple of my eye.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.