Murder at The Blues Stop by Wendy Byrne

Author:Wendy Byrne [Byrne, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780578512143
Publisher: Two O's Publishing
Published: 2019-05-27T16:00:00+00:00

***

I settled us into the new motel using yet another set of plates on the car. Although the motel was almost identical to the last place, meaning one step above a dive, I felt a whole lot better being farther away. Here there were no Chicago newspapers in the stores, and there were no broadcasts of Chicago TV stations.

Using the music on my iPod to soothe my fears, I was singing when I heard Shane.

“Damn, Gabriella, you have a great voice.” Shane sounded hoarse. “Could I have some water?”

“You’re awake. Thank God. I thought for sure you were in a coma. If I didn’t have my iPod, I would have gone stark raving mad.” Jumping up, I grabbed a bottle of water and handed it to him. I couldn’t believe how much better I felt now that his eyes actually opened. Desperate to transfer responsibility, I figured a partially recovering Shane had to be better than me.

Taking in a giant gulp of air, I continued. “I went shopping while we were in Milwaukee. I hope you don’t mind that I used some of that money you had stashed in the trunk. I couldn’t go around in those heels forever.”

Unable to stop rambling, I stroked my hands up and down my legs to give my arms something to do. My heart and mouth were simultaneously going about a thousand miles a minute, and I couldn’t stop either one to save my soul. I needed to tell him how much danger we were in but couldn’t get myself to do it. The last thing I needed was for him to relapse. He still looked pathetic, even more so now that I’d given him an impromptu haircut.

“I think the swelling is going down. Your eyes look much better. And your cheek isn’t so distorted. Even your lip is back down to normal size. Of course, your face is still black and blue but. . .”

“I’ve gotta pee. I’m hungry as hell. I need a shower. And everything, including my fingernails, hurts.” He stopped, cautiously easing his legs over the edge of the bed.

“Other than that, how are you?” After a day in Milwaukee and another day in Madison, I needed some relief.

He stood up. Bracing his hands on either side of his hips, he took in a breath. He looked shaky. I wasn’t one bit surprised when he sat back down on the bed. He sniffed at his underarms. “I really need a shower.” With a deep breath, he pushed himself upright once again.

“Maybe you should consider a bath. Less likely to fall flat on your face when in a prone position.” I itched to help him but knew better than to try.

“No self-respecting man takes a bath.” He grinned. At least that’s what it looked like he was trying to do. “Or if he does, he’s not alone.”

I figured Shane took stubborn to a whole other level, but it was something I could live with now that I’d had a taste of being in charge and confirmed it wasn’t my thing.

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