The Mysterious Water by John Moore

Author:John Moore [Moore, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780996342865
Publisher: Helenia Media
Published: 2018-02-27T22:00:00+00:00

Maude slid the cash box across her desk to Mike Mitchell while the band tuned their instruments, the pinging of guitar strings filling everyone’s ears. The Tipsy Filly featured three different bands playing in a standing rotation every third week. She paid them a base rate and a percentage of the door. Mike checked IDs and took in the cash, making certain no one got inside without paying. There was a problem with the arrangement that didn’t sit well with Maude. Mike skimmed 10 percent of the admission, and there was nothing Maude could do about it. While on paper, Mike worked for her, in truth he was placed in the bar by the chief of police. Not only did he take 10 percent of the door, but he also took 10 percent of all drink sales as well. The chief forced the arrangement on Maude, claiming it was fair since the chief had to work longer hours dealing with the unruly crowd and drunk drivers. Even though he’d been shaking her down for more than twenty years, the arrangement pissed her off every time she made the payment. Or more accurately, when they took the money.

“Try not to be so obvious tonight, Mike,” Maude said. “This band is suspicious that the door is being skimmed. I had to give them free drinks to get them off my back.”

Mike didn’t answer. He got up and slammed her door on his way out. As he walked by Jazzy, he reached out to pat her ass. She caught his hand and twisted his fingers, spinning and bending his wrist backward, forcing him to his knees. He yelped in pain like a wounded dog until she released him, the band starring in awe at the speed in which she moved.

“Don’t touch the merchandise, dickweed,” she said. “Next time I’ll break it.”

Mike sprung to his feet and barreled toward her, the rage in his face forcing his eyes nearly closed and giving him an Asian-like appearance. She raised her right hand brandishing a can of pepper spray she’d retrieved from her pocket and spayed a jet into his eyes. His screams rocked the building as he staggered behind the bar to find the sink. He cursed her, splashing his eyes with cold water trying to neutralize the spray. When the stinging finally subsided, his eyes looked like tiny black dots painted on a sea of red, tears running down his cheeks.

Maude bolted from her office and stood between Mike and Jazzy. “That’s enough. Mike, go to my office and get some salve from the first aid kit to put on your eyes. Jazzy, get to work.” She turned back to Mike, who hadn’t moved. “Take a lesson from this. Jazzy’s not one of our locals you can push around. She’s from New Orleans and will mess you up permanently if you fuck with her.”

Buck watched the scene unfold from a corner of the bandstand where he was helping the band set up. “Damn, that was beautiful to watch,” he said.

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