Gathering Storm by Sherilyn Decter

Author:Sherilyn Decter [Decter, Sherilyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781777127718
Published: 2020-04-01T22:00:00+00:00

* * * *

Later that night, the storm breaks and rain lashes against Gator Joe’s. Edith is in the kitchen listening to the radio when there’s a tap at the back door.

“Miz Edith, you got a sec?” Zeke asks. Water streams off his hat and his shoulders are drenched.

“I thought I told you and that no-good brother of yours to clear out.”

Zeke, still on the other side of the screen, nods. “I just wanted to apologize. Otis gets outta hand sometimes.”

“I don’t care. There’s no excuse. Leroy’s just a little boy.”

“Please, Miz Edith. Just a minute and then you won’t ever see me again.”

Edith looks at the rain and then nods. “Fine. Come in.”

Zeke pulls out a chair and sits. Rainwater puddles around him on the floor.

“Miz Edith, Otis and I been talking. We’re going to head ‘round the coast to Tampa. We got an uncle there that wants to do a bit of rum running and needs our help.”

“Terrific. Glad for you. Are you done?” she says, frowning.

“I was wondering if you’d be interested in the Rex? You’ll need a boat and I’d give it to you cheap.”

“What would I want with a boat?” I could go out to Rum Row on my own.

“You live next to the ocean. You need a boat.” Zeke looks at her. “Most dames don’t drive boats. I guess you’re not interested.” He stands and Edith stands.

“How much?” A price is negotiated.

“Deal,” says Zeke and Edith goes into her hidden stash and hands over the money.

“You can pick her up at the main pier in Coconut Grove in the morning.” He turns to leave.

“Zeke? You did a good job on the roof. Good luck in Tampa.”

Edith turns off the lights and checks the lock on the door. I guess I’m going to have to find somebody who knows about rum running and can help out around here. Someone who’s not lazy. Somebody that I can trust. How hard can it be to find someone like that?

From the doorway to her bedroom, the light in the hallway outlines a dark shape on her pillow. Another dead rat.

Shaking, Edith backs out of the bedroom into the hallway. The sight of the grisly rat lying on her pillow makes her gag. They were here, inside Gator’s.

She forces herself back in, strips the pillowcase, and holds the pillow to her face, sniffing it for rat. With a shudder, she tosses the pillow into the hallway. I’ll be burning that tomorrow.

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