Gold-Diggers, Gamblers and Guns (A Jazz Age Mystery #3) by Ellen Mansoor Collier

Author:Ellen Mansoor Collier
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cozy mystery, prohibition, jazz age, historical mystery, bootlegging, flappers, johnny jack nounes, 1920s galveston, ellen mansoor collier, horseracing bets, maceos
Publisher: Ellen Mansoor Collier

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CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

“Sammy, you’re overreacting,” Amanda insisted. “Chad was only making small talk. Don’t be so suspicious.”

“I’d better be if I want to stay alive.” He headed up the stairs, motioning for us to follow. “Come on, ladies. I’ll drive you home.”

Amanda stood up reluctantly, sporting a huge pout, and trailed behind. Outside, we got into Sammy’s roadster, and I sat in the back while they bickered in front, trying not to get involved in their lovers’ spat. At the boarding house, he walked us to the door, refusing to even meet Amanda’s gaze, then rushed to his car, stiff as a soldier.

“Thanks for the ride, Sammy,” I called out. “Watch your back.”

After we rushed upstairs, trying to avoid Eva, Amanda plopped on the edge of my bed and asked, “Say, what’s eating Sammy? He sure seemed hot under the collar.”

“With good reason. Sammy’s got a lot on his mind.”

“Obviously not me,” she whined.

“He’s worried after the hit today. Can you blame him?”

Amanda shivered dramatically. “If you ask me, that shooting was too close for comfort.”

“I wonder who was behind the hit—Johnny Jack? Seems strange he didn’t show his face today, out of respect.” The dapper gangster was known as the life of any party, a showman who could turn even a funeral into a social function.

“You think he’d be so bold?” she asked.

“Johnny Jack is nothing if not bold. That’s his style.” I started removing my long beads and chandelier earrings. “Trouble is, all these wiseguys act suspicious. They start to look the same to me, like they all went to the same gangster school.”

Amanda cracked a smile. “I’ll say.” She leaned forward, smelling the cockatoo perfume lamp on my nightstand.

After today, I definitely needed to relax, enjoying the subtle rose scent wafting from its ceramic feathers, lulling me into a stupor.

“So what were you and Sammy gabbing about today?”

Was it fair to burden Amanda with the truth? Still, I knew I’d blab eventually since I had a hard time keeping secrets from her, especially about Sammy.

“Don’t let him know I told you. Swear?” I looked down at the quilted bedspread, fraying at the edges. “Johnny Jack asked Sammy to lead an important mission...”

She eyed me. “What kind of mission? Is it dangerous?”

I looked away, avoiding the question. “Lucky for him, it’s taking place the night of the policemen’s ball. He hopes I’ll go with Burton and we’re not very friendly after our spat today.”

“Is he meeting a bootlegger? Can’t he send Dino in his place?”

“I think Johnny Jack wants Sammy to take on a...” I paused, trying to choose the right words. “A bigger challenge. To test him, give him more power.”

“Oh no!” She covered her mouth. “You mean a booze drop? Is that why he needs you to keep Burton busy?”

I couldn’t fool Amanda—she sure was on the trolley.

“Distract him is more like it. But I doubt he’ll invite me now, not after I threw a temper tantrum.”

“Jazz, you’ve got to make up with Burton—the sooner, the better! You have to help Sammy.

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