Room 403--A Marice Houston Mystery by Dellani Oakes

Author:Dellani Oakes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pennywise Press
Published: 2022-07-03T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

"Wow!" he exclaimed, after reading several of the letters. "These folks are serious whack jobs. This one—" He held up one that looked like it had been written in red crayon. "This says that Fife is the Antichrist, and his death will herald the start of Armageddon. This one—" he waved another. "Says he's the reincarnation of Hitler, and will bring the rise of the Fourth Reich. You don't even wanna know about this." He pointed to the one in front of him.

"This woman wants to have his love child," I said, pointing to one written on flowered, scented stationery. "These vary in lyrics, but the tune is the same." I tapped my stack of letters sealed in their evidence bags.

Parker poked her head in the door. "Boss says it's almost quitting time. Shirley wants to stay up, burning the midnight, and all that."

"Oh, fuck that shit," I groaned. "I'm starving and I need to pee. We've got all these in evidence bags. Can you direct us to the lockup?"

"Sure. Come on, Butch. Put those muscles to use."

"No problem. Go pee, Mar. I got this." He winked at me.

When they came back, it wasn't my imagination that Butch's hair was a bit awry, or that Parker's black eyes sparkled. I had a feeling that they'd gotten to know one another better, while on their errand. She wouldn't be disappointed, I could promise her that. Butch is a great guy, and a very thorough lover. He'd been my gold standard, until Kris.

Jonas wanted to treat us all to dinner, so we loaded up in various vehicles, and followed him across the river to Terrytown, a small village between Scottsbluff and Gering. There, we were ushered into a large stucco building, lavishly decorated with brightly colored neon. The images depicted seemed to be angry looking men in sombreros, riding horses with flames shooting out of their noses. I never did see a name, but I smelled Mexican spices. I was a little worried, not really wanting Mexican food two nights in a row, until I saw inch thick steaks sizzling on several platters.

"A steakhouse?" Shirley complained. "I'm vegetarian!"

"They have a vegetarian and vegan menu," Okiwaki explained. "It's one reason I suggested it. If you can put your sensibilities on hold, for the duration of the meal."

"I'm not vegetarian because I care about all the sad little baby cows," Yvette Shirley explained tersely. "I have dietary issues, and can't have red meat."

"Oh. Well, then forget I said that," Tomiko replied with a smile. "They do have an extensive vegetarian menu, though. And the best steaks in the state."

"You're pretty definitive with your beef declarations," Arnie said with a smirk.

"My dad is a rancher, and supplies beef to this restaurant, as well as the soda fountain. When I say it's the best beef, you'd better believe me."

"Yes, ma'am. And not just because you're armed, and a crack shot."

She chuckled, nudging him with her elbow. I had the distinct feeling that they'd gotten to know one another a little better, too.

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