Snowed-In Mermaid by Nikki Haverstock

Author:Nikki Haverstock
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Ranch Dog Entertainment, LLC
Published: 2022-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Janie offered to introduce both of us to Bucky, but I saw chocolate-covered pretzels and wanted to try those first. I went to the picked-over buffet and grabbed some punch to chug back, only to discover two gulps in that it was heavily laced with tequila, my nemesis.

I managed to swallow it mostly down before bursting into a coughing fit, and a hand appeared with a napkin. I took it and a glass of water that I double-checked wasn’t pure vodka before finishing it off.

“Excuse me, that went down sideways. I’m Brooke.” I smiled at the man who had handed me the napkin.

“Nice to meet you, Brooke. I’m Mason. I saw you come in and get ditched by your boyfriend?” He ended on a questioning note, wanting clarification.

I shook my head. “No, not a boyfriend. Just a friend, and I was more interested in food than whatever he’s up to.”

His chest puffed up, and a big smile broke out. “Please partake in the buffet. I picked out all the highest-quality food, and it should be enjoyed.”

“Wow, you must be a pretty big deal. I’m new in town. Been here for only a few months, but I’m just loving my time here.”

If it was possible, he puffed up a little more. “I don’t want to brag, but there isn’t a store or restaurant on this street that doesn’t come to me for advice when they need it. I mean, just the other day, Mike from down the street came into my office with a real pickle of a predicament.”

Mason continued as I did my best impression of someone intrigued by his story. I nodded along, said wow when expected, and picked at the food at the table. He was more than happy to drone on, jumping from the Mike story to someone named John, then a Jonah, Phil, and Dave in rapid succession. I was running out of ways to sound interested, but he didn’t seem to notice.

Eventually, he was ready to really set the hook he imagined I was swallowing.

“And I am sure you have been up to ski on the hill. I’m the business partner of one of the owners. I mean, I was. He passed away last night, but I will push on. It’s what he would have wanted.”

“You worked with Doug McCaffrey? I can’t believe it.”

His eyebrows rose. “Yes, that’s him. He really relied on me all these years to steer the ship. He was an idea guy, but ideas are worth nothing if you can’t pull them off. That’s what I’m good at. Making things happen.” He winked.

I screwed up my face. “But I thought he had a different partner. Bucky?”

His face flushed red, and his smile became slightly strained. “Bucky worked for Doug. I worked with Doug. Big difference, but I know that can be hard to catch if you aren’t familiar with the business.”

I bristled internally, as he had no idea what I knew about the business and couldn’t, since he hadn’t asked a single question about me.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.