The Thirteenth Santa by Joanne Pence

Author:Joanne Pence
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, crime, humor, christmas, cozy, san francisco mystery police series, rebecca mayfield
Publisher: Joanne Pence

Chapter 6

THE SANTAS WERE STANDING outside the Fior d’Italia restaurant waiting to meet the woman Joe the Pistol had phoned. To their surprise, as they cheerfully wished Christmas greetings to passers-by, people kept handing them money.

They took it.

Then, a little boy and girl went walking by. The boy looked about seven and the girl six. They stopped, glared at the Santas and stuck out their tongues.

As they started to walk away, Guido Cucumber limped after them. "What’s the matter with you kids?" he yelled. "Don’t you know better than to treat Santa Claus that way?"

"We hate Santa," the boy said.

"Yeah, we hate you," the girl chimed, but her blue eyes filled with tears.

"Hey, what’s wrong? Santa didn’t do nothing to you," Guido protested.

"You aren’t coming to our house," the boy said. "Daddy’s sick and can’t work. We wanted bikes, but Daddy said no way. Santa doesn’t give things like that to poor kids. Seems to me, the rich kids could get their parents to pay for things, so it’s the poor ones Santa should help."

The Cucumber nodded. "Well, your Daddy may be right most of the time, but there’s twelve of us Santas here, and maybe we can work something out. You tell me where you live, so I won’t have trouble finding the right house, and maybe between the twelve of us, we’ll be able to help you."

The kids looked wary. "I thought Santa Claus knows where everybody lives," the boy said.

"Well, yeah, but look at us, we’re getting old. You know old people are forgetful sometimes."

The kids gave their address, and all the Santas wished them Merry Christmas as they left.

"What are we gonna do?" one of the Joes asked.

"Think guys. Who do we know who can help?" Guido looked from one to the other.

"Santa's dead," Peewee said remorsefully. "We know all about it."

"Where's Santa's bed?" Frankie, formerly "the Ear," shouted. "I'm ready to lay down. All this is a lotta work!"

They ignored him, as usual.

"No problem. I know someone," Joe the Pistol said with a big smile. "Big Leo's kid, Punk Leo. He sells toys and all kinds of stuff. I’m going to his house tomorrow for Christmas dinner. We can call him."

Joey Zoom stared at him, annoyed. "Did you tell him we was all coming here today? We weren't supposed to tell no one."

"What's the big deal? He’s expecting me," the Pistol argued. "His wife’s aunt’s husband was my wife's brother-in-law, God rest his soul, so we're related. I told Punk Leo not to worry, that we was all dressed in Santa costumes so nobody’d recognize us."

"I hope you’re right," Guido Cucumber said, "and I hope he knows enough to keep his mouth shut."

"Sure he does. Let’s go find a pay phone. I’ll call him. You’ll see. Punk Leo’s a nice guy, despite what everybody says about him. He’ll get some bikes and deliver them to those kids. No problem."

"Hey, wait a minute," Lorenzo the Slug said, his bushy eyebrows knitted with suspicion. He'd come in late to the conversation since he was using the snazzy facilities at Fior d'Italia.

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