Pecan Pie Predicament (Murder in the Mix #27) - Addison Moore Page 0,57

step. Too bad she wouldn’t believe me. She tried to call the cops. She thought I was a nutcase.”

Barry glances my way. “She had good instincts.”

The Mad Hatter shrugs. “And then, no less than an hour later, I see the sheriff’s cruisers pulling up. It turns out, she bit the big one after all.”

“Hey, I bet it was your client finishing off the job.”

His lips knot up as he twitches his head to the side. “I don’t know. She was very specific that she didn’t want to hurt her too bad, just enough to put her out of commission for a month or two. She said in order to get back on her feet, she needed to take Hannah off of hers.”

I nod as the picture comes in clear. “It was Reese Underwood, wasn’t it?”

“Reese who?” He shakes his head my way and I gasp.

“So it was Britney?” I all but wail her name.

A sly smile rides on his lips. “Now, now, I don’t out my clients to no one.”

“You don’t have to.” My blood boils at the thought of Britney trying to hobble her competition like this. “Nice meeting you.” I get up and take a few steps forward before turning back abruptly to call off the hit on Noah, but he’s gone and so is Barry.

“Oh no, oh no, oh no.” I moan as I make my way back to the bar.

Noah wraps his arms around me and touches his nose to mine for a moment.

“So, Lot? Are you next on his hit list?”

“Nope.” I cringe at what comes next. “You are.”

Chapter 13

That night, Everett picked up Wicked Wok and Noah happened to pick up a pizza from Mangias and they both walked through the door together, frowning at one another—correction, glowering at one another.

I’m pretty sure Everett and I have worn out our welcome. Okay, fine, so it’s probably just Everett who’s worn out his welcome, but seeing that we’re legally joined as one, I’ll take on half the brunt of Noah’s dissatisfaction with his current living arrangements.

Every last one of us eats ourselves into a rather pleasant food coma. Noah stepped out to the side of the house to replenish our supply of firewood, and Everett stepped into our bedroom, Noah’s old bedroom, for a moment. Evie ends up cuddling on the carpet, using Toby as a body pillow once again. As far as goldens go, he’s on the bigger end of the size spectrum. He’s on the bigger end of the fluffy spectrum, too.

Carlotta has Pancake and Waffles held hostage in her lap while she strums her fingers through their fur as if she’s playing the piano.

“Hey”—I motion to get both Evie and Carlotta’s attention—“Evie, before your Dad steps back into the room, I just want you to know I’ve got the food taken care of for his surprise party this Friday. I’ve got the Honey Pot Diner delivering a traditional Thanksgiving meal, and I have the Wicked Wok bringing a truckload of food, too.”

Evie nods. “I’ve got the decorations covered. The cheer team is going to help me set up after school.”

“Turkey and egg rolls. Sounds like a delicious combo.” Carlotta drills her fingers over Pancake’s back. “It’s the best of both worlds.”

“Carlotta, what are you doing to my poor cat?”

“I’ve got to practice, Lot. If business keeps going the way it is, Forbes might declare me the next female billionaire by the year’s end.”

Evie shakes her head, her eyes never leaving her phone. “The year ends in like a month. Besides, you don’t want to be a billionaire. My grandpa Bentley is one, and all it’s brought him are young women who let him use their bodies in hopes to become his next favorite eye candy, a daughter with a heart only for money, and a bunch of fake friends. Of course, it’s also bought him a home in just about every ritzy state and country, not to mention a fleet of fast cars, and a fleet of even faster private planes. He owns an island in the Caribbean, too.”

Carlotta all but inhales Waffles’ tail at the thought. “Well, that doesn’t sound so bad. Swap out the eye candy for man candy and we’ve got a deal. Lot already has an ice-cold heart, and Lord knows I need an island in the Caribbean to disappear off to whenever I feel like it.”

“Believe me, Carlotta, I’m rooting for you to move to a tropical island.” I glance her way as I settle on the