Saving Ruby by Shari Hearn

Author:Shari Hearn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cozy mystery, humorous mystery, southern mystery
Publisher: J&R Fan Fiction
Published: 2020-06-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

ONCE CHARLENE WAS OUTFITTED with headphones and a transistor radio to block her from listening in, Ida Belle began briefing the other women on everything that had transpired over the past couple of days.

Kitty leaned forward in her seat. “Wow. The story I heard was that a man was found in the bayou, his face half-eaten by an alligator.”

Sass snagged a chip and nodded. “I heard all that was left were his legs.”

“That’s what the sheriff wants everyone to believe,” Gertie said.

Marge rounded out the debriefing by playing the tape of Oliver she had recorded with the hollowed-out phony Bible. Once it was finished, Louanne whistled. “You’ve got yourselves a mystery on your hands.”

“Our hands,” Ida Belle said, gesturing toward the newly minted Sinful Ladies. And grannies. “That’s why we formed this group. We are tired of women’s concerns being written off as ‘silly hunches.’ We need a dedicated group who can act on these concerns when they’re ignored by the powers that be.”

“Also known as Sheriff Robert E. Bonehead,” Gertie said to the nods of the other women.

Ida Belle continued. “Now, I know we all have our lives to tend to. Sass and Kitty, you both work, and we understand that. Soon Gertie will be busy with school to complete her teaching degree. Marge will take over Sinful Photo, and I’ll be joining Louanne part time with her bounty hunting business. But there’s important work to be done in Sinful and between all of us, we can get it done.”

“Unfortunately, for this mission, you’ll have to count Gabby and me out.” Louanne gestured to Charlene. “We have to get this one to a court in Houston.”

Sensing she was being included in the discussion, Charlene turned her angry eyes toward Louanne and mumbled up a blue streak.

“Understood,” Ida Belle said. She turned her gaze toward Sass and Kitty.

“I’m game,” Sass said.

Kitty nodded. “Me too. I think our mayor is as crooked as the day is long, but his wife Ruby shouldn’t have to suffer because his past may be coming back to do harm.”

“Would you two be up for a little surveillance work tonight?”

Kitty’s eyes lit up. “We’ll be like The Mod Squad, only we’re The Broad Squad.”

“Broad Squad. I like that,” Gertie said.

“All we want you to do is watch over the mayor’s house,” Marge said. “If you see any threats, go to the neighbors and tell them to call the sheriff. You two take the early shift.” She looked at Gertie and Ida Belle. “I’ll take the overnighter with whoever loses the coin toss.”

“I’ll do it,” Gertie said. “Ida Belle’s letting us live here rent-free. She ought to get some benefit from owing the house.”

“And what about us?” Granny Magoo asked. “What’s our job? Are we in your group or not?”

Gertie sighed.

Louanne laughed. “I find when it comes to those two, it’s best just to say ‘yes.’ Besides, they don’t work, so they are always available, and my mama taught me everything I know about making moonshine, something I know you’re thinking about.

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