Te-Kill-Ya Sunrise, page 10
He’d parked his car down the row of spots, close enough to my Jeep he must have been forewarned of my presence. Now who was the idiot? Oh, right, already knew I was guilty of that. As he dragged me to a halt at the driver’s door, I had one thought and one thought only. I had to alert help to the fact I was in danger. But that would only put someone else in harm’s way. But I knew if I got in that driver’s seat and sat behind the wheel, I was a dead woman, and no one would ever find my body.
I had to do something.
Turned out, I didn’t need to, because miracles sometimes came in large, brindle bundles that leaped from nowhere with snarls of savage fury and body slammed gunmen to the ground with their massive mutt enthusiasm.
I’d totally forgotten Bruno was in the back seat of the Jeep, but he hadn’t forgotten me and whatever instincts drove the dog I’d adopted, he certainly had a nose for trouble. Namely, when I was in it.
Thompson’s shock lasted longer than mine. It was the only reason I got the upper hand. The moment he hit the ground, breath whooshing out of his lungs, the gun skittering out of his grasp as the dog went for his throat, I pounced on the discarded weapon and turned it on the homicide detective.
Who tried to lunge for me, only to be pinned by the giant dog who growled his warning that Thompson finally took seriously. Two hundred and forty pounds of mastiff mix baring his fangs can have that influence on someone.
“Good boy, Bruno,” I said.
Maybe it was just me, but I swear the dog grinned.
***
Chapter Twenty Two
I set a bottle of beer in front of Allie while Jasper headed to the stage with the karaoke equipment, the chief watching over the rim of her fresh bottle as our mutual friend did what he did best and charmed the crowd with his arrival.
When she tried to pay me, I waved off her cash, shaking my head. “This one’s on me,” I said, wiping the bar with my rag while Pika served the short line that was Sunday night at Off Key. We’d been testing different events on the quietest night of the week but closing down at 10PM meant there was a limit to the number of customers I could attract.
Back to worrying about my business instead of murder? You better believe it.
“You don’t owe me anything,” Allie said.
I shrugged, leaning into the bar. “Our hard-working police chief deserves a free beer now and then.” She saluted me with it, grinning. “Especially when said police chief arrives just in time to keep my dog from tearing a man’s throat out.” I turned and looked down at Bruno where he’d curled up on his bed, snoozing and totally unaware—and uncaring—that I was talking about him.
“He’s my hero,” Allie said. “You’re freaking lucky, you know that, right?” Real fear passed over her face, though she hid it well, clearing her throat, the memory of her squealing into the parking lot, the tires of her truck spinning gravel in a bullet-like shed of shrapnel still fresh in my mind, as was her grim expression when she leaped out of the still running vehicle with her gun leveled at Thompson. Alerted by a rapid text I’d sent in a shaking hand, bringing her running so fast I knew she’d broken a dozen of her own laws to get to me.
I looked away, cheeks heating. “I should have told you what I found,” I said. “I’m sorry, Allie.”
She set her bottle on the bar, the sound of Jasper’s amplified voice calling people to come up and pick a song a moment’s distraction before she spoke. “You heard our four friends are all being sued by their exes?”
Nice of her to change the subject to something a bit less embarrassingly stupid on my behalf, though not on the part of the ladies in question. “I did,” I said. I’d heard as much directly from Nina this morning before the three friends—and their ex-friend—all departed the Key at the same time, if separately. Turned out Chrissy was in as much trouble as they were and the sisterhood was no longer a thing. Every woman for herself had a sad ring to it.
“It’s a shame,” I said. Waved off her obvious protest. “Not that they’re being sued. They deserve it.” Melrose Lewis might not have been a murderer, but he wasn’t a good person, either. Then again, Sunny was a piece of work herself, so maybe they all earned what they got. “I’m mean the sisterhood thing.” Still made me whimsical for some reason, nostalgic for nicer, kinder times with people who cared enough about one another they wanted to support and love each other until their last breath.
Sheesh, where did that come from? I just needed a date or something.
“Boss?” I turned as Valentine Ortega appeared at the door to the bar, smiling at me, a small carton in his hands, held tight to the front of his apron as he bobbed a nod at Allie. “Chief.”
“Hey, Valentine,” Allie raised her beer to him while I smiled at my new favorite cook.
“You need something?” He shook his head as I spoke, hesitantly holding out the cardboard container.
“Marta wanted you to try this,” he said, blushing deep red, bushy eyebrows coming together as I took the offering. “She thought. You might want. For the menu.” He spun then and fled, hurrying back to the kitchen door while I popped open the top and moaned at the heavenly scent of sweet butter and cinnamon that wafted from inside.
I shared the delightfully golden-brown churros, their perfectly formed spears caked in sugar with Allie, handing her a fork, offering one to Pika whose eyes rolled in raptures at the flavor. While I was already a fan of the dessert, whatever extra ingredient Valentine added, the extra kick of spice had me double dipping in the icing on the side.
“Good call there,” Allie said, taking a second bite while I beamed.
“I guess something went right in all this,” I said. “I told Valentine he needs to sue the state of South Carolina for wrongful conviction.” While I was a cop’s kid and was part of the system for a long time, I still believed in accountability and hoped he’d follow through.
“Careful,” Allie winked over her fork. “If he gets a settlement and opens his own place, you’ll have a run for your money.” I hadn’t thought of that and know it didn’t say much for my character I winced. Even as the chief laughed. “I’m kidding.”
I shot her a crooked smile to cover my worry. “You passed Thompson Clark off to state already?”
She nodded at that, setting down her fork and returning her attention to her beer while Pika freed the carton from the two of us and inhaled the rest in three quick bites.
“He was arraigned today,” she said. “Plead guilty.”
No surprise there.
I spotted Dr. Carter Wilson before Allie did, the chief grinning when I quickly looked away, though she simply waved to the handsome doctor as he sat next to her, his sea-green eyes meeting mine, delicious face all the more attractive for that sweet smile.
“Next round’s on me,” he said. “Congratulations on closing the case,” he nodded to Allie, “and not dying before I can take you out for a coffee.” That was a bit more on the wryly accusatory side, though about the fact we hadn’t gone out yet or that I’d put myself in deadly danger I wasn’t sure.
Hopefully the former. And maybe I could confirm that.
My phone vibrated, a text from Mom making my heart lurch. Great news, honey. Gray wants to have the wedding on Canary Key!
Dear God. Just what I needed. Glanced up at Carter who watched with a raised eyebrow. And took a chance because what was life without taking chances when your baby brother was getting married before you?
I tossed my cloth to Pika and leaned over the bar while Allie stood and left, heading for a table near the dancefloor, a couple of locals calling her name and waving her over. Carter watched her go in silence, though it was obvious from his careful expression he knew darned well why she’d exited. When he turned back, I smiled at him and felt my heart pitter-pat sufficiently at his returned grin I threw caution to the wind at last.
“Speaking of not dying and coffee,” I said, “you owe me a date.” His eyebrows rose, but his smile widened. “How about right now?”
***
Off Key’s Tequila Sunrise
1 ½ ounce tequila (silver preferred)
¼ cup cranberry cocktail
½ cup orange juice (fresh squeezed)
¾ ounce grenadine syrup
1 cherry and 1 twist of orange
Fill tall glass with ice. Add tequila and orange juice. Add cranberry then drizzle grenadine down the side of the glass across the back of a spoon to allow to settle on the bottom. Add garnishes to rim and serve.
According to bartenders, ordering a Tequila Sunrise says you are in the mood to party. Tequila is a happy, endorphin releasing alcohol that can make you the life of the evening. However, if you order your tequila this way, it’s likely you’re out to get drunk without the harsh reality of drinking it straight. Fun, cheerful and lacking in any pretention, a Tequila Sunrise goes down way too easy, so drink responsibly!
Want more Becks Hogan and the Canary Key Cozy Mysteries? Stay tuned!
Mojit-Oh-No! is coming this summer!
For now, have you read my other cozies? I have both contemporary and paranormal for you to enjoy!
All at https://pattilarsen.com/home
Happy reading!
###
Author Notes
My very dear reader:
I hope you’ve enjoyed this first book in the Canary Key Cozy Mysteries as much as I have. Becks came to me a few months ago, her dream of owning a bar on the beach too tempting a storyline to ignore for long. She’s already whispering to me about Allie’s past, more about Bruno, her own family and, of course, the handsome and delicious Carter Wilson. I already know there are at least twelve more books ahead, so stay tuned!
Now that I’ve wrapped this book, I’m on to a cozy novella for Petal Morgan, included in a new anthology coming in June. Mysteries, Midsummer Sun and Murders is on preorder right now, so go grab a copy so you’re the first to find out what our favorite deception specialist is up to in The High Tide Deception.
I also have a brand-new Georgia Drake mystery in a second anthology up for preorder. Look for the All Too Familiar Paranormal Cozy Anthology and Wake The Dead, coming April 5th.
I’m also working on the next two brand-new first in series. The Curse in the Carousel Horse (March) and Ring of Truth (April) are both available now for preorder if you’re curious. I can’t wait to introduce you to the next two series, Finders Keepers Cozy Mysteries and For Whom the Bell Tolls Paranormal Cozies. You’ll get to see the next three books of Georgia Drake’s series (I’m already working on Dead of Night, Dead Ringer and Ding Dong Dead) as well as the next in Fiona Fleming’s Fleming Investigations Cozy Mysteries, coming in April.
Stay with me, darlings. There’s so much more to come.
Best,
Patti
About the Author
Everything you need to know about me is in this one statement: I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a little girl, and now I’m doing it. How cool is that, being able to follow your dream and make it reality? I’ve tried everything from university to college, graduating the second with a journalism diploma (I sucked at telling real stories), am an enthusiastic member of an all-girl improv troupe (if you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend making things up as you go along as often as possible) and I get to teach and perform with an amazing group of women I adore. I’ve even been in a Celtic girl band (some of our stuff is on YouTube!) and was an independent film maker (go check out the Lovely Witches Club at https://lovelywitchesclub.com). My life has been one creative thing after another—all leading me here, to writing books for a living.
Now with multiple series in happy publication, I live on beautiful and magical Prince Edward Island (I know you’ve heard of Anne of Green Gables) with my multitude of pets.
I love-love-love hearing from you! You can reach me (and I promise I’ll message back) at patti@pattilarsen.com. And if you’re eager for your next dose of Patti Larsen books (usually about one release a month) come join my mailing list! All the best up and coming, giveaways, contests and, of course, my observations on the world (aren’t you just dying to know what I think about everything?) all in one place: https://bit.ly/PattiLarsenEmail.
Last—but not least!—I hope you enjoyed what you read! Your happiness is my happiness. And I’d love to hear just what you thought. A review where you found this book would mean the world to me—reviews feed writers more than you will ever know. So, loved it (or not so much), your honest review would make my day. Thank you!
Patti Larsen, Te-Kill-Ya Sunrise
