Hard Luck Money by J.A. Johnstone

Author:J.A. Johnstone [Johnstone, J.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.
Published: 2012-05-23T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

The Kid’s mind flashed back to the Menger Hotel in San Antonio and the day he had found Katherine Lupo standing in the hallway instead of a waiter with his supper. The situation had some parallels, all right, but where Katherine was fair, the young woman in front of him was darker, with ebony hair and skin the color of coffee with a lot of cream in it. She wore a tan blouse and a long brown skirt instead of a traveling outfit. And she had indeed brought food with her, whereas Katherine had shown up with only a plea for The Kid’s help.

“You are Waco Keene, yes?” The young woman’s voice had a hint of an accent to it, an intriguing accent The Kid identified as Cajun.

“Yeah, I’m Waco.” He put a cocky grin on his face. He figured a convict, even one who hadn’t been locked up for all that long, would react that way to a visit from a beautiful young woman. He took a step toward her.

She balanced the tray holding his supper with her left hand while her right dipped into the pocket of her skirt and came up with a small pistol. “Mr. Grey said a gun of this caliber wouldn’t kill you unless I shot you in the head or the heart,” she informed him, “so I have permission to aim elsewhere. And I will if you try anything funny, Mr. Keene.”

The Kid stopped and held up both hands in surrender, still grinning. “Take it easy, mam’selle. There’s no need for gunplay.”

“Not only am I armed,” she went on as if she hadn’t heard him, “but there are men within earshot who will be here in a matter of moments if I cry out for help.”

“You won’t need to,” he told her. “I’m not lookin’ for any trouble.”

“Back up,” she ordered. “Stand over there by the window, please.”

He did as she told him, keeping his hands in plain sight as he backed toward the window.

Still pointing the gun at him, she carried the tray over to the table and set it down. As she straightened, she said, “You can just leave the dishes there when you’re finished. Someone will get them later.”

“I’m obliged to you,” The Kid said with a nod. “There’s just one more thing.”

“What’s that?” she asked with a trace of impatience in her voice.

“You know my name, but I don’t know yours.”

Her brown eyes flashed for a second as if she were angry, but his charming grin had an effect on her. “I’m Beatrice.”

“Mighty pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Beatrice. I’m sure we’ll be seein’ more of each other.”

“I’m sure,” she said dryly. She left the room, locking the door behind her.

The Kid went over to the table and sat down. The plate on the tray held several slices of roast beef, a mound of potatoes, a piece of bread, and some greens. A cup of coffee with wisps of steam curling up from it was next to the plate.

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