Pranks and Pandemonium (A Myrtle Lake Cozy Mystery Book 4) by Constance Barker

Author:Constance Barker [Barker, Constance]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Constance Barker
Published: 2022-02-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Carla’s mind whirled as she tried to take it all in. The picture window shattered; Jarvis collapsed in a recliner; Glynnis in negligée beneath a man’s robe; Pequod looking mussed and a little naked in his cage; the cloying odor of cannabis in the air.

“What the hell is going on?”

Glynnis blinked for a moment. “I was making popcorn. We were going to watch a movie. The alarm went off in old Bessie, and Jarvis ran out to check.”

Bessie was the fifties-era pickup with The Fusty Old Goat painted on the doors. Glynnis used it for her antiques business. Carla was surprised it had an alarm.

“I didn’t see what happened. It was dark. But Pequod squawked up a storm. When I turned the porch light on, Jarvis was limping to the front door. Then a gun went off. The window shattered. Once Jarvis got inside, we got on the floor. That’s when I called you,” Glynnis said.

Jarvis held his neck. “The bird is hurt,” he croaked.

“Did you call 911?” Carla asked.

“No. The neighbors did.” How Glynnis knew that, Carla couldn’t say.

“It looks like you’re hurt, too, Jarvis,” Carla moved closer. She could see a raw band across Jarvis’ neck.

“Call Robbie’s boy. See to Pequod. I’m fine,” Jarvis’ voice was a rasp.

Charlie nodded. “I got it.”

Saylor walked in, still holding his gun. “I don’t get it.”

“Did you see anybody?” Glynnis asked.

Saylor started to speak. Glynnis’ purple lace baby doll nightie and matching stockings caught him off guard. He stared for a moment.

“What did you see,” Carla tried to bring him around.

“Tracks went down the front yard, back and forth. It was like the attacker was looking for something. Maybe waiting for someone? It doesn’t make sense. I saw the window, but didn’t see any signs of brass. It’s dark, and there’s snow, but I would’ve seen something unless the assailant used a revolver.” Saylor suddenly realized he was still holding a gun, and tucked it into his belt. “Jarvis?”

“Got me from behind,” Jarvis managed. “Pequod jumped out of my pocket. Flapped and pecked and scratched at him. Stupid bird saved my life. The guy let go, we both fell down. I got up and ran inside. Didn’t see where he went. Didn’t look.”

Sirens approached.

“I ain’t goin nowhere ’til I know the bird is okay.”

“You’ve got a nasty rope burn on your neck,” Saylor said. “Is your breathing okay?”

Charlie got off her cellphone. “Simon is on his way. He’ll look after Pequod.”

“Maybe I should get dressed,” Glynnis said.

Jarvis eyed her. “Nah,” he said with a half-smile.

Until that moment, Carla hadn’t realized how stoned the two of them were. Despite the chaos, both had half-slitted red eyes and the trace of goofy smiles on their faces. It also seemed that Robbie was right. The two of them were an item. Unless, of course, Glynnis was just so weird that she dressed in lingerie to watch movies. She noted that Jarvis was wearing navy blue silk pajamas.

Luckily, emergency personnel arrived to distract her from these disturbing thoughts.

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