by Lucy Quinn
“Donuts are biodegradable, Evie,” Dora said, trying to imagine her friend traipsing around in a Dumpster. In reality, it wasn’t that big of a stretch. So when Dora spotted the Big Easy Holey Donut Shop, she pulled in around the back and put the car in park. “You’re up,” she said to Evie. “Show me what you’ve got.”
“I knew you’d make me do the diving,” Evie said, already jumping out of the car. “Fine. But I get first pick.”
“Go for it, babe.” Dora stepped out of the car and leaned against the side, her arms crossed over her chest as she watched Evie move tentatively toward the Dumpster.
“Hmm. This back lot could use a good pressure washing,” Evie said, grimacing.
Dora held back a laugh. What had Evie been expecting?
“It’s all right. I’ve got this.” Evie pressed up onto her tiptoes and peered over the edge of the Dumpster. “Ah-ha! I knew it. Dora get over here. I need some help.”
Dora groaned. “There is no way I’m climbing in there. There isn’t a donut in the world that could entice me.”
“Liar,” Evie said with a laugh. “I know how you feel about jelly donuts. Come on. I just need you to boost me up so I can reach the bags.”
“Bags? How many donuts are you going to eat?” Dora muttered as she made her way to Evie’s side, trying to ignore the rotten-orange smell coming from the Dumpster.
“We need options. Just… never mind.” She grabbed a broken down cardboard box that was leaning against the Dumpster and laid it in front of her. “Kneel down and let me step on your leg in order to boost myself up.”
Dora glanced at Evie’s shoes, wondering just how much garbage juice had already permeated the soles.
Evie clapped her hands in front of Dora’s face. “Move it before the donut shop people find us here.”
“Right.” Dora did as her friend asked but only because she knew Evie would never let it go. And she really was hoping there was a jelly donut in one of those bags. Now that Evie had mentioned it, Dora’s stomach had started to growl.
“Perfect.” Using Dora’s leg, Evie scrambled up and over the Dumpster edge. It took her no time at all to toss two garbage bags over the side. The next thing Dora knew, Evie had hauled herself back over the side and jumped down like she went Dumpster diving all the time. “Come on.” Evie pointed to the trash bag closest to Dora. “That bag is yours. Toss it in the backseat so we can get back to work.”
“If you say so.” Dora bent over to lift the bag and let out a grunt when her back popped, sending a bolt of pain straight to her toes. “Ouch. Son of a biscuit.”
“Hurry, Dora,” Evie said. “Someone’s coming out the back.”
Dora glanced up to see the back door was partially open, but the person dressed head to toe in a white uniform had paused to talk to someone. Ignoring the ache in her back, she grabbed the bag and pulled it the few feet to the car, and with what felt like superhuman strength, she lifted with her legs and somehow got the bag into the backseat.
“Go, go, go!” Evie stage whispered as she jumped into the passenger seat and gathered Sunshine in her lap.
Dora did as she was told, immediately slamming the car into gear and racing out of the parking lot, feeling as if they were fleeing the scene of a crime. Although, when she thought about it, she was certain the NOPD didn’t give one fig about Dumpster diving for day-old donuts. “Okay,” Dora said. “I’m ready for a donut.”
“I’m on it.” Evie put Sunshine down at her feet and spun around to dig in the bags. “Hmm. Looks like we’re just going to have to go with the taste and spit method.”
“Huh?” Dora glanced over at her just in time to see Evie take a bite out of a donut that was covered in powdered sugar.
Evie grimaced and leaned over the passenger door, spitting the bite out. “Gross! Peach filling. Ugh. No wonder that one was left over.”
“Peach?” Dora frowned, wondering if all the donuts were going to be the ones nobody liked. Give her a raspberry, chocolate, or vanilla, though, and she was all in. “Not my favorite.”
“Obviously not mine either.” Evie tossed the donut over her head. The donut flew, landing right on the windshield of the car behind them, leaving a smear of peach filling. A loud horn sounded, followed by a string of profanity from the driver as he pulled over to the side of the road. “Oops!” Evie cried. “Sorry!”
“I don’t think he cares about your apology,” Dora said in a mildly scolding tone. “Poor guy. If there’d been more traffic that could’ve caused an accident.”
“I know. I wasn’t thinking.” Evie turned around and grabbed two more donuts. They both look exactly like the one Evie had launched into the air. “Here.” She passed one to Dora. “You try that one while I see if this one is any better.”
Dora frowned. Not only was she having trouble getting over the fact the donuts had been in a Dumpster all night, but now there was a good chance she’d end up biting into something fruity that was bound to make her gag.
“Oh, my holy rollers. This one is good,” Evie said, closing her eyes and moaning as custard oozed out of the center of her donut.
“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” Dora said with renewed interest. She glanced at the donut in her hand and shrugged. What was the worst that could happen? She’d have to spit it out? She could do that. But if it was custard… Yep, her mouth was starting to water again. “What the hell.” Dora shoved the donut in her mouth and took a bite, only to have the sickening sweet peach flavor flood her mouth. “Oh, no. Another peach one!” She mimicked Evie and spit the bite out, wishing she had something to wash away the artificial peach flavor.
“Dora! Look out!” Evie cried, pointing straight ahead of them.
“Son of a—” The car in front of them had stopped suddenly for some reason, forcing Dora to make a quick decision. She needed both hands to maneuver through the streets, so without another thought, she tossed the donut behind her, just as Evie had a few moments before.
Another horn blared, but Dora didn’t have time to worry about it. She focused on the road in front of her, veering to the right just in time to avoid clipping the taillight of the stopped car.
“Awww. Look at how sweet that is, Sunshine,” Evie cooed to her pup. “That lady stopped to help a stray dog. There really are good people in this world still.”
“Really?” Dora glanced over her shoulder, but all she saw was the same silver sedan Evie had hit with her donut accelerating closer. The man in the driver’s seat didn’t looked pleased, judging by the middle finger he was holding out the window for her to see. That’s when Dora noticed there were now two peach splatters on his windshield. “Um, that’s not good.” But Dora knew how to lose him. She’d gotten experience pushing a mail truck to its limits when they were chasing a getaway van back in Pensacola, and she reacted with confidence. She quickly made a right turn, an immediate left, then right and left again, managing to lose the peach-donut-bombed car.
“Here, Dor. I found you a custard one,” Evie said as if flying around corners at breakneck speed was a normal travel pattern. “Now let’s get back to the stakeout before Ricky ditches us again.”
Dora took the custard donut from Evie and grinned, grateful for her crazy friend. Where would she be without her? Back at the stakeout with a numb butt, or worse, in jail, she suspected. Instead, she had two large bags of donuts and a new favorite memory. She felt like she was growing. Or at least shedding some of her uptight outer shell. Either way, she bit into the custard filled donut and let out a sigh of pleasure. After she swallowed, she smiled at Evie. “Thanks, friend. You have the best ideas.”
Evie’s face turned pink with pleasure. “Stick with me, babe. I know all the best-kept secrets.”
18
“Oh, for the love of all that’s Elizabeth Taylor,” Evie exclaimed as she took in the dog’s raspberry-colored muzzle. “Sunshine, what in the heck did you do?”
“Looks like she was jonesing for a donut, too,” Dora said with a laugh.
“She’s got it all over her.” Evie searched the glove compartment for the napkins they’d left in there on their drive from Pensacola to New Orleans. When she only found one, she let out a groan of frustration. “I’m never going to get your face white again, am I girl?” After trying and failing to wipe away the raspberry jelly clinging to Sunshine’s fur, she turned to Dora. “I knew I shouldn’t let her back there by herself. What was I thinking?”
“You were thinking you were getting tired of her climbing all over your lap.” Dora eyed Ricky’s door again. “Do you think he left while we were diving for donuts?”
Ugh. Probably, Evie thought. It would be just her luck. “Nah,” she said, waving a raspberry-stained hand. “He doesn’t strike me as an early riser.”
The door to Ricky’s place suddenly slammed open, and the man in question stepped out carrying a soft-sided cooler.
“Oh, crap. Duck!” Evie placed a hand on Dora’s shoulder and pushed her down in her seat. Evie quickly slid down, trying to hide behind the dash, praying they hadn’t been seen. “We probably should’ve been doing something to hide ourselves, huh?”
“You mean like put the convertible top up?” Dora asked. “Like I said we should a half hour ago?”
“It isn’t like I held you down and stopped you,” Evie said, shaking her head. They’d come back to Ricky’s street, and both of them had been so busy taste-testing all the donuts they hadn’t exactly been thinking about how to stay under the radar. It hadn’t been their finest hour.
“Ladies,” Ricky said, peering into the car. “Is everything all right here?”
Sunshine let out a low growl but didn’t make a move to rush him.
“We’re fine,” Dora said quickly, shoving her sunglasses on her face. “I just pulled over so I could answer a text.” She held up her prepaid phone. “Better to be safe than sorry, right?”
Evie peered at him, not seeing any recognition in his expression. But then why would there be? Both Evie and Dora had complete makeovers after he’d walked into Gertie’s apartment earlier in the week.
“Right.” His tone was dismissive as he swept his gaze over the back seat, and his eyebrows rose to nearly his hairline. “Looks like someone had a donut craving. Are you sure you girls should be eating those? You know they aren’t every good for the waistline.” His condescending tone made Evie want to scratch his eyes out as he continued with his gross assessment by adding, “Gotta keep up those pleasing figures if you ever want to catch a man.”
Instead of vaulting over the car door, Evie smiled at Ricky and said in a sickly sweet tone, “Oh, honey. We aren’t worried about attracting guys. We’re all about the donuts today. The ones in the back there have proven to be way more satisfying than any man.”
Dora snorted out a laugh, drawing his attention.
He squinted as he studied her, but still the recognition didn’t come. “What’s so funny?” He wore a sneer now, clearly not pleased with Evie’s directness.
“Nothing. I’m just enjoying watching my friend put you in your place.”
Evie put her fist up and said, “Oh, that deserves knuckle tapping.”
Dora flushed, but curled her hand into a ball and touched it to Evie’s.
Ricky rolled his eyes. “Trust me. No woman of mine is ever going to prefer a donut over what I have to offer.”
A wave of sleaze rolled off him, and Evie’s spidey sense started to ring loudly in her ears. This guy was definitely trouble. There was no doubt about it. But picking a fight with him while they were supposed to be investigating him wasn’t a good idea. It was time to abort the conversation. “I’m sure that’s true. I mean look at you. You’re gorgeous.”
The man’s shoulders visibly relaxed as a cocky grin slid over his face. “You are, too, babe. Just don’t eat too many of those donuts, or you’ll ruin it.”
Dora cast Evie a look that said she thought her friend had lost her mind, but Evie ignored her and smiled up at him, keeping her internal rage tapped down. “You’re probably right about that. We’re just nervous because today we’re job hunting. Know of anyone hiring?”
He glanced over his shoulder at the club a few doors down. “Try that place. I saw a notice about them needing servers. But they do require uniforms that show off the assets, so you might want to work off those calories first.”
Dora let out a huff of impatience.
“My friend isn’t into working out. Poetry is more her thing,” Evie said, giggling to herself.
Ricky didn’t even spare Dora a second glance. “It sure would be nice to see you in those short skirts and high heels. Let me know if you get hired. I’ll be your best customer.” He winked and strode off, hitching his soft-sided cooler higher on his shoulder.
“Come on,” Evie said, scooping up Sunshine and climbing out of the car. Her fingers were itching to get inside of Ricky’s place. She was sure they were going to find something important regarding Gertie’s and Myrtle’s deaths. The feeling inside of her was so strong there was no stopping her now.
“Evie,” Dora hissed. “Wait. He hasn’t even rounded the corner yet.”
“So? He thinks I’m going to apply at that club. This is part of my act.” She put her pup on the ground, hooked the leash to her collar, and walked toward the club with her head held high. She even put a little wiggle into her hips just in case Ricky was still watching her.
“You know the club isn’t open yet, right?” Dora said when she caught up with her. “It’s still only half past the butt crack of dawn.”
“Oh, right.” She frowned, wondering if Ricky would think of that. Then she shook her head. “It probably doesn’t matter. That guy obviously thinks women are idiots. He’s probably chuckling to himself already at how stupid I am.” Evie let out a humorless laugh, suddenly feeling dumb for not realizing it was still before eight in the morning. “And let’s face it. I can be pretty clueless sometimes.”
Dora stepped in front of her, crossing her arms over her chest. Her eyes were narrowed, and there was a stern expression on her face. “You are the least clueless person I know.”
“Please, Dor. I do dumb stuff all the time,” Evie said, watching as Ricky finally rounded the corner. “I just have some sort of lucky charm that helps me muddle my way through it all without too much damage.”
Dora’s eyes crinkled at the edges, and her lips twitched into a tiny smile. “That’d be me. And you do the same for me. Now stop saying disparaging things about my best friend. It makes me cranky.”
Evie laughed, feeling the weight of her self-doubt flee as they got to Ricky’s door. “You got it, bestie. Now watch me blow your mind with this new skill I learned.” Pumping her eyebrows, she pulled a small, black-leather case out of her pocket that held a variety of tiny metal tools.
“Is that what I think it is?” Dora asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
“If you think it’s a lock picking set, then yes.”
“Where did you get those?” Dora demanded, reaching for the tools.
Evie pulled them back, holding them to her chest protectively, enjoying her moment. This was going to be fun. “I found them in Gertie’s apartment. She might be a hoarder, but man, a lot of that stuff is useful.”
Dora’s lips twitched again. “And you think you’re going to be able to figure out how they work?”
Evie flipped her pink hair over her shoulder, suspecting that Dora thought she’d never be able to figure out how to actually use the set. But Evie planned to prove her wrong. After all, she hadn’t earned her title of jack-of-all-trades for nothing. “Haven’t you ever heard of YouTube, Dor?”
“YouTube. Of course. Okay, work your magic and hurry up. We need to get in and out of there before Ricky gets back.”
“I’m on it.” Evie was slightly amazed that her straight-and-narrow friend was actually on board with breaking into someone’s apartment, but she guessed when you were on the run and fighting for your freedom, rule breaking just came with the territory. Hold
ing the tools behind her back, she knocked.
“He’s already gone,” Dora said.
It was all Evie could do to not roll her eyes. “What if he has a roommate or a girlfriend?”
“There is no way that douche has a girlfriend,” Dora huffed out.
Evie laughed. She agreed but they had to be sure. “You’re probably right about that. But still, better safe than sorry.” When no one answered the knocking, Evie said, “Yes!”
Then she got to work. Less than two minutes later, she heard the lock click and they were in. They shuffled into the small living room and glanced around. The place was tidy with just a few pieces of shabby furniture that looked like garage sale quality. The walls were void of any artwork or personal touches.
“Jeez. This place is a little creepy,” Evie said. “No color anywhere. You know I don’t trust people who live beige lives.”
“It looks like he doesn’t plan to stay long,” Dora mused. “Like it’s not worth getting invested. I wonder how long he’d been cleaning for Gertie.”
Evie shrugged, ready to get to work. “You take the bedroom. I’ve got the kitchen.”
“I’m on it.” Dora made a right into the one bedroom.
Evie took one last look at the drab living room and then hurried through the opening to the kitchen in the back. The minute she stepped into the black and white tiled room, she let out a gasp of surprise. “Dora! Get in here. I think we just cracked this case wide open.”
Footsteps pounded on the old hardwood as Dora rushed to her side. She was out of breath when she asked, “What is it?”
“Look!” Evie pointed at a life-size cardboard cutout of the man they’d thought was Ricky. His image had been retouched so that his open chef’s coat revealed pecs and abs of perfection to go along with a sparkling white smile set in a movie-star version of his face.
“Ricky is Raúl!” Dora practically shouted as she read the sign the cardboard man was holding. It read, Ready to be pampered? Treat yourself and let Raúl Crawford be your personal chef. Below that was a phone number.
