Pecan Pie Predicament (Murder in the Mix #27) - Addison Moore Page 0,16

give a cheerful wave. “It’s nice to see you again. Sorry about all the horror yesterday brought. Are you doing okay?”

She gives a heavy sigh. “As good as can be expected. I just left a bouquet of flowers in front of the Swift Cycle Gym and thought I’d stop in for a slice of that chocolate fudge cake I was debating yesterday. And while I’m here, I can soak in some of the ambience. If you don’t mind, I’ll swing by again sometime this week and we can work on that spotlight interview for Better Homes and Calories. I just love showcasing successful women, and you’re definitely one of them. I’ll do my homework on both you and your shop in the meantime. The magazine is paying for me to stay here in town through the rest of the street fair, so I’ll be here just about all month. I’m right up the road at your mom’s B&B.” She gives a little wink before heading for the register where Lily is just finishing up with a customer.

“Perfect! Hey, Autumn? You knew Hannah. Who do you think could have done something like this to her?” The man in the fedora is my prime suspect, but he’s more of a ghost in this equation than the actual poltergeist who is supposed to be helping me solve this crime. Not that I’ve seen him. He’s probably eating his way through Honey Hollow. The ghosts haven’t always been able to eat. Their abilities seem to grow with my own. I suppose that makes sense because they’re coming here specifically assigned to help yours truly.

Autumn pulls her dark coat tightly around her body. “Honestly, Maizy is someone I’d have a serious talk with about this whole nightmare. It’s not a secret things weren’t so hunky-dory in their little bootyful paradise. There was most certainly dissension in the ranks.”

“Oh wow.” I glance to Noah. “Actually, I do need to talk to Maizy.” My shoulders hike as I look to Autumn. “Half of Hannah’s fitness class showed up on her doorstep bright and early this morning. I guess they didn’t hear the news. I thought I should reach out to Maizy about contacting all of their clients. Any idea where I can find her?”

“Oh yes”—she’s quick to answer—“she’s the entertainment down at the Slammer Jammer.”

“Thanks,” I tell her. “Your cake and coffee are on me.”

“Wow, thank you, ” she says as she takes off to collect her goodies.

Everett lifts his head my way. “The Slammer Jammer is a roadhouse bar in Leeds. It sits just outside of the—”

“Men’s correctional facility.” Noah nods my way. “There’s no way you’re going there, Lottie.”

“Have you met her?” Everett counters.

I nod. “I’ll call and see if Maizy is entertaining anyone tonight. And if she is, would you both care to accompany me to the Slammer Jammer?”

“I’m in,” Noah says without hesitating. “And I’ll bring the heat.” His elbow taps the gun sitting beneath his jacket.

“I’m in.” Everett glowers a moment. “Something tells me I’m going to see a few old friends there tonight.”

I bite down on a smile. “And hopefully, my new friend Maizy will sing like a bird in more ways than one.”

Chapter 5

The Slammer Jammer is indeed located in Leeds, that smarmy town just below Honey Hollow.

I’ve been to Leeds before, many, many times, and each time I come here, I’m tempting to tote along that Glock handgun Everett and Noah gifted me a while back in order to protect me from certain elements. Let’s just say certain elements love to congregate in this dicey town. And if ever there were a concentration of all that is naughty in this world, Leeds would be the front-runner in that department. It’s dank, dark, polluted, and perverted. Have I mentioned it’s Carlotta’s go-to locale for fun and pleasure? Not a shocker, I know.

The Slammer Jammer has a rustic appeal, comprised mostly of soot-stained bricks and an oval entry that holds a neon sign boasting its sing-songy name right above it.

It’s just Everett and me who made the trek out here tonight. Noah is still at the office but said he’d meet up with us as soon as he could.

“I guess this is our official date night.” I give Everett’s a hand a quick tug before we head on in.

Even though we’re basically entering into a felon-riddled fun zone, I can’t help but get a smidge giddy with excitement. Who could blame me? I’ve got Essex Everett Baxter by my side, and