Last Call by Paula Matter

Author:Paula Matter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: CVR09132017;paula matter;paula mater;last call;bartender;florida;vfw;bar;murder;mystery;murder mystery;mystery novel;mystery book;mystery fiction;fiction;mysteries;CVR09152017
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
Published: 2018-05-30T18:11:45+00:00

Nineteen

“That was an excellent breakfast,” Brenda said pushing her plate away. “I’m glad this place is open twenty-four hours, so we could be here early. We’ll have time to go look for my phone before you drive me around looking for a new car.”

“Have you decided on looking only at the Escalades?”

“Yeah, I think so. A black one.” She reached for the check. “Um, hon, how are you set for money? Need a loan, or will you be okay until you find another job?”

“I’m fine. Plus, I’m planning on going back to work at the club once we find Jack’s killer. Don’t worry about me. Thanks, though.”

She squinted at me. “Do you think that’s a good idea—going back to work there?”

“Sure. I’m already familiar with the place, the people. Pretty good money too.” I frowned, then said, “It was, anyway. Now that they’ve raised the prices, business may die. I don’t know. I’m not worried.” It practically killed me to lie to her, but there was no need to tell her how pathetic my bank balance was. She called it a loan, but I had a hunch she’d refuse any attempts at paying her back. I’d get by without becoming more indebted to anyone.

“Can you at least let me pay for gas since you’re playing chauffer today?”

“Deal,” I said.

I filled up the gas tank before we headed out of town. We had a pretty good idea where the accident happened, and sure enough, saw the skid marks. I pulled over onto the side of the road as far as I could and parked.

We crunched our way through the broken glass sparkling from the morning sun. Brenda and I split up, her taking one side of the road and me the other.

“Here!” I heard her shout. Bent over, Brenda was combing the high grass.

I rushed over. I looked at what she held in her hand.

“I can’t believe I found it! The poor thing looks worse than my car probably did.”

I had seen her car and knew better, but I didn’t say anything. “Well, that was a lost cause. But at least you found it. Maybe you can use it as a shoe horn.”

She snorted, then slugged me. “It might be salvageable. I’ll have somebody look at it.”

We spent the rest of the day driving to car lots. At the last one Brenda found what she was looking for. We hugged good-bye, she promised to check in when she reached West Palm Beach, and off she drove in her shiny black Escalade.

My stomach rumbled, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since breakfast at Sally’s. I sat in my car pondering my choices. Brenda had already established my cupboards were bare, so eating at the house wasn’t an option. Not that it usually was an option.

The club. Tonight was the Spaghetti Supper and I knew I could get a decent meal for a really cheap price. The hell with my pride. I was hungry and could afford a cheap meal. I checked my wallet and found two tens.

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