Wronged in Paradise (Florida Keys Mystery Series Book 19) by Deborah Brown

Author:Deborah Brown [Brown, Deborah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-09-19T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

My phone rang as we were headed back into Tarpon Cove. Doodad’s face popped up on the screen. “I’m afraid to ask why you’re calling,” I said upon answering and putting it on speaker. “If it was good news once in a while, I might feel differently.”

“Maybe next time. Hank Michaels’ brother is here. Again. Demanding to speak to you.”

“I didn’t know he’d stopped by before,” I said.

“That’s because he made the mistake of taking on Kelpie, who pointed a shotgun at him. Before you get ’tudy, it wasn’t loaded, but he turned tail,” Doodad relayed, sounding more harried than usual. “When he got to the parking lot, the pussy coward called the cops and wanted to press murder charges.”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing.

“Kevin strolled in, his underwear in a bunch, and lit into him, saying, ‘It would have to be attempted murder, since you’re still alive.’ I got the distinct impression that old Ted had been a burr in Kevin’s backside before and he wouldn’t miss him a bit should he expire on the spot.”

“It might be nice if someone forwarded calls meant for me to me. Maybe I could’ve waved my magic wand, and the cops wouldn’t have had to show up,” I said. Fab and I traded a grin.

“Do you want to hear the rest of the story?” Doodad asked testily.

“You sound like you need a nap, but entertain me first.”

“Some say sarcasm isn’t attractive, but I wouldn’t be one of those people.” Doodad chuckled. “Where was I…” he said, drawing out the drama longer than necessary. “The cops swarmed the place.”

“You just said that Kevin showed up and no mention of a partner.”

“Just checking to see if you’re listening.” I waited him out in silence. “Okay then. Ted claimed Kelpie threatened his life and said he wanted her jailed for an eternity. Kelpie claimed she was scared for her life and protecting herself because Ted threatened her. The regulars at the bar—those that were left; as you know, the ones with warrants beat it out the back—backed up Kelpie. Based on the disgusted look on his face, Kevin believed about a scintilla of the various versions. Lucky Kelpie—Kev-o has a soft spot for her and enjoys staring at her double G’s or whatever size they are.”

“Do you think you could finish the story?”

Fab covered her mouth and laughed.

“Kev suggested that the next time Ted wanted to speak to you, he should call and make an appointment.”

“Free soda for Kevin.”

“Please…” Doodad snorted. “We soda his ass up to keep on his good side, and that works some of the time, but only when nothing really illegal is going on.”

“I’m sure you won’t mind if I slide in a question. Why not call and tell me about annoying Ted before this?”

“Kelpie wanted to tell you in her own way, worried that you’d fire her.”

I made a weird noise that surprised even me. Fab smacked my shoulder and gave me a finger-shake. I attempted to smack her hand away, but she was too quick.

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