Ghost of a Chance by Eric Wilder

Author:Eric Wilder
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romantic suspense, paranormal suspense, paranormal thrillers mysteries suspense action adventure, divination crystals tarot psychics fortune telling, east texas louisiana oklahoma, ghosts spirits undead zombies, hardboiled detectives private investigators sleuths gumshoes grifters, multicultural multiracial metaphysical visionary, murder mystery whodunits cozy romance regency gothic antebellum plantation, witches wizards shamans priestesses
Publisher: Eric Wilder

Chapter 19

Buck's visit to Bones Malone's office left him with more questions than answers. It was after ten when he slipped out the window and returned to the street, finding a smaller but no less rambunctious crowd still enjoying Deception's nightlife. Selecting a friendly-looking tavern, he earned a relieved smile from an exhausted waitress when he pointed to the bar.

“Just having a drink,” he said.

The dimly-lit room overlooked the lake and seemed empty except for the bartender. Grabbing a tall stool at the elegantly curved mahogany bar, he propped his sore foot up on the brass rail. The stocky bartender, unpacking a box of liquor in the corner, glanced up from his work.

“What'll it be, cowpoke?” he asked.

“Coors. Draw if you have it.”

“What we got on tap is Lone Star. I can fix you up with a can of Coors”

“How about a bottle?”

“Sorry. Coors in a can or you drink something else.”

Reacting to Buck’s nod, the burly bartender fished around in the refrigerator behind the bar, retrieving a can of Coors and frozen mug.

“Keep the mug.”

Buck noticed he and the bartender weren't alone. Another man, cradling a nearly empty glass between his arms, lay slumped over the counter at the end of the bar. When he pushed his glass toward the bartender, the man raised his head and glanced around the room.

“Lookee here, Big Sam. We got a bachelor boy in our midst.”

“Good guess,” Buck said.

“No guess, bub. You don't like to dirty dishes. Marks a bachelor every time.”

“Big Sam,” Buck said. “Bring my new friend a round of whatever he's drinking and put it on my tab. And I’ll buy you one, if you like.”

Big Sam nodded, handing a fresh scotch to the man at the bar, and pouring himself a shot of tequila.

“Thanks, bub,” the man at the bar said, hoisting his drink.

Buck raised his own glass. “To Deception, a fine little town.”

The man, gray hair and craggy face pinning his age at someplace beyond sixty, moved to the stool beside him, introducing himself with a loud voice and slurred accent.

“Otis Spangler's the name. Who might you be, my friend?”

“Buck McDivit.”

Spangler tapped his glass against the can of Coors. “And what's your business in Deception, Buck McDivit?”

“I'm Emma Fitzgerald's nephew. I inherited Fitzgerald Island.”

“Well here's to you,” Spangler said. “Emma was a fine old friend of mine.”

“Then you're drinking free the rest of the night. Just tell me a story or two about Aunt Emma.”

Spangler stared at the ceiling. “Finest lady I ever knew.”

“You're not just saying that, are you?”

Spangler's eyes twinkled. “I loved that woman with a passion, but unfortunately, much as I’d like to drink your Scotch, I never really met her.”

Buck grinned in appreciation. It wasn't his first time to be duped by an old drunk in a bar. “I think I like you anyway, Otis. What's your line of work?”

Shaking his big flat head, Big Sam went to the far corner of the bar on the pretense of straightening some bottles. He'd likely heard Otis's life story more than once.

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