The Damned Don't Die (The Reed Ferguson Mystery Series Book 16) by Renee Pawlish

Author:Renee Pawlish [Pawlish, Renee]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Creative Cat Press
Published: 2017-09-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Fred drove to Wadsworth Boulevard and went south. I did my usual, and let several cars get between his truck and my 4-Runner. He drove fast, and when he reached Jewell Avenue, he turned east and drove into a large parking lot by an old building that I guessed had once been a Safeway grocery store. Now it had a big “Bingo” sign in the window, announcing that bingo was every Wednesday afternoon and on Fridays and Saturdays.

“Hmm,” I said to myself as I pulled in after Fred. “Fred plays bingo?” I wouldn’t have pictured that, but then, I didn’t know the guy.

He hopped out of the truck, adjusted his baseball cap, and patted his jacket pockets. As he started inside, I got out of the 4-Runner.

“Fred?” I called out.

He turned around slowly and his eyes squinted just a bit in curiosity. “Yeah?”

I started toward him. “Could I have a moment of your time?”

“Well, hurry up.” He beckoned with his hand for me to catch up to him. “I’m already late.”

I trotted after him. When he got to the door, a few people who were smoking waved and said hello to him. Fred exchanged quick pleasantries with them, then scooted inside, where a man at the door greeted him by name.

“About time you got here,” he said.

Fred nodded. “I know.”

The big room had several long tables in rows that faced a small stage at the back of the room. Most of the tables were full, and the buzz of conversation filled the air.

“Come on,” Fred said to me.

I followed him to a booth near the back corner of the room. He bought three bingo cards, then glanced at me.

“You want in?”

I shook my head.

“Suit yourself. You’re missing out.”

“I just need a moment before you get started.”

“Talk to me while we’re playing. I ain’t missing out on any more games. Besides, I’ll bet I know who you are.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Karen said some guy might be coming around, asking questions, and so did Paul.”

“You can’t fool everyone,” I said.

“No, sir.”

Before I could say another word, he hurried to a table near the back, pulled a few thick colored pens from his coat pocket, and sat down. He jerked his head for me to sit next to him. At the other end of the table were two old ladies, one with thick glasses, the other with big hearing aids. They both were done up, their hair and lipstick perfect. They both smiled and greeted Fred warmly.

“Fred, this game’s almost over,” the lady with the glasses said as she peered closely at her bingo cards. “You hang tight for a minute.”

On the stage, a man was pulling balls from a bingo cage and calling the numbers into a microphone. With each number, the room erupted in chatter.

“All right, Dorothy,” Fred said to her. Then he tipped his chair back, hooked his thumbs in his pockets, and looked at me. “What do you need to know?”

I took a moment to gather my thoughts. “So Karen’s told you that I’m investigating her mother’s murder,” I said in low voice.

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.