Emily sighed. “Guess he is tonight,” Emily muttered to Carolina. Her friend suppressed a giggle. “When is Maggie going to sound off?”
“I expect that’s coming when Lincoln opens his mouth again,” she whispered.
“Shh,” Cindy warned, making more noise than they did.
“She lost her calling as a drill sergeant,” Emily said, barely above a whisper.
Carolina nodded.
Luke Lincoln stood as the choir sat down. “This is a night, a time of celebration,” he said. “Let us praise the Lord. But let us not forget the horror knocking at our door. The horror caused by the desecration of our ranks by the infiltration of our enemy.” He paused for effect and then continued. “Greed. The big guy has struck once again, this time using its muscle to overpower just a small little lazy town that wants to stay as it is. Untouched, pure of all evil of the modern world.”
“He obviously hasn’t seen the call log at the office,” Emily whispered to Carolina.
He raised his hands. “Why, oh Lord, would someone want to taint a town, one so wanting to remain a vessel of purity for its children to bring up their next generation and the generation to follow?”
Maggie stood.
“Oh shit,” Carolina said. “Here we go.”
“Excuse me, Brother Luke, but are you sure you’re not the one tainting it?”
An audible gasp filled the tent.
The man’s eyes grew ominous, his brown furrowed as he searched the crowd to zero in on the speaker. “What do you mean, Sister?”
“There weren’t any groups of citizens in unrest, fires burning down land and houses, no people hit by hit-and-run cars, and no dead bodies attributed to anything other than last year’s one lone killer, an outsider by the way, who, in a crazed state of mind, took out six innocent people. But that was an anomaly. What’s happening now is a scourge. A scourge, not perpetrated by Dazzle, but by fear and lack of knowledge.” She paused, her eyes radiating anger. “And words of encouragement inciting others to injure an innocent company. Words spoken by people like you.”
****
“She’s not in jail?” Blue asked.
Carolina shook her head, Emily right behind her. “No, but Cindy is. And Aunt Millie is a repeat offender.”
“Not that I wanted her behind bars, but how did your mother manage to keep from getting arrested?”
“She never raised her voice.” Carolina chuckled.
“And when Quent approached her for disturbing the peace,” Emily said, “Maggie told him Lincoln asked her a question and she simply answered it.”
Carolina nodded, a broad grin on her face. “And when Quent continued to approach, still bent on taking her in, come hell or high water, she looked directly at a TV camera and said, ‘I am only exercising my right to free speech, and if you arrest me, I’ll sue and make sure you end up on the front page of every major paper in this country.’ He backed off like she’d just incinerated him.”
“Unfortunately,” Emily added, “My aunt and Cindy didn’t fare as well. They’re the ones who got burned. Just might be because Aunt Millie ran out of the pew and attacked Lincoln, hitting him with her purse, and then Cindy came in behind her and hit him in the eye when he grabbed Aunt Millie around her middle.”
“Doubt you’ll get either one out of assault.”
Carolina chuckled. “Haven’t you ever heard of provoking an attack? Give me some credit as an attorney.”
“I do, daughter. It’s those two I don’t give credit to when they’re off the deep side of the ocean. They’re liable to make it worse before it’s better.” Blue stood up and strode toward the kitchen. “I think I’ll have some more coffee. You two want anything?”
“Don’t you think we ought to get over there right away?” Carolina asked.
“She’s right, Blue,” Emily said. “It could be getting really dicey over there. Aunt Millie doesn’t like confinement.”
He shook his head as he disappeared through the opening. Seconds later he reappeared. “Way I figure it, maybe the two of ’em will chill out and have at least a modicum of remorse for acting like The Bag Lady and the woman who assaulted Black-Eye Griffin.” Blue took a sip of his coffee. “Hell, all of you ladies are gonna give moonshiners a good name. But I may be broke trying to get you all out of jail.”
Carolina’s cell phone rang. “Hello. Oh no, you’re kidding! Right. We’ll be there.”
“What’s wrong?” Emily asked.
“They’re being interviewed behind bars by that Almond guy from the News Channel.” Carolina turned to her father. “Daddy Blue, I don’t want our names ruined. And once they’re through with that interview, they’ll be in such a heightened state, those two women are liable to try and break out.”
He sighed. “Okay. Guess I can’t even get some liquid adrenaline. Let’s haul ass.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Grady patted Millie on the shoulder. “It’s okay, honey. Everybody makes a total fool of himself sometime.”
She stared up at him with a glare.
Nick had to grin. There was no mistaking her message. And there was no mistaking the fact Grady knew he’d made a blunder.
“Thanks for your support, Grady,” Millie said. “Since I made a total fool of myself, I guess I’ve done it twice. After all, I was in the slammer before.”
“But the first time made sense.” He closed his eyes as he said the words.
Nick leaned over and touched Grady’s arm. “My advice to you, friend, is be quiet. And, both of you, keep your voice down. Carlos was allowed to eat in front of the TV tonight, and I don’t want him to know anything’s wrong.”
Emily put a bucket of chicken on the table. “This was just easier tonight, guys. Couldn’t cook after all the excitement.”
“Don’t try and change the subject, Emily.” Millie turned back toward Grady. “Would you like to tell me exactly why the second time didn’t make sense? Quent was trying to arrest Maggie when she hadn’t done anything wrong.”
“Come on, Aunt Millie,” Emily said. “Food’s hot. Let’s drop it.”
“No, that’s okay,” Grady said. He stared back at Millie. “Okay, it’s one thing to tell the guy what you think. But you looked like a cartoon character swinging that bag.”
Millie stared at the floor. “You saw it already?”
“Of course,” Grady said. “It was on three stations. After your interview’s released tonight, you’ll be a household name. And I’m not sure the connotation.”
Millie slapped her hand down on the table. “Well, dabnabbit, I’m not sorry I did it, and I’d do it again. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear Luke Lincoln paid Quent to cover his ass.”
“What did you say?” Emily asked, looking up.
Millie nodded. “It was like those two were in cahoots.”
****
Kingpin met him at the door wearing a robe. “Why are you here right now?”
“Sorry,” Lieutenant said. “I thought we needed to talk. Things are escalating.”
A Hispanic woman, all curves and scantily garbed, bowed her head as she descended the stairs and slithered by them without a sound.
“It’s midnight.” Kingpin frowned.
“I know. I couldn’t get here before now. Business. And problems. My source tells me his partner’s caught on to at least an inkling of something not quite kosher.”
“Inkling and not quite are reasons you have to interrupt my pleasure at midnight?”
Lieutenant paused. Who would have known the old geezer had a mistress. “Wife not home?”
He shook his head. “No. She’s at her sister’s. Some family shit. I, of course, feigned a headache. In fact, it was a dick ache. She hates giving head. Hurry up. Get on with it. I have my slave waiting in the guesthouse.”
“Slave, eh?” He chuckled.
Kingpin’s steel grave eyes pierced through him. “That’s what I said. Go on.”
Lieutenant cleared his voice. “Right. Well, lik
e I said, my source’s partner’s getting antsy. Even caught the guy trying to check up on him the night he was gone so long. As you well know, he was conducting business, because he succeeded in his task.”
“Maybe. I haven’t decided yet. He can still be found out, and we could lose everything. Again. But this time could be crucial.” He shook his head. “It’s come down to this, I see. And it wasn’t what I wanted to do.” He sighed. “But, sometimes, life just throws you a curve ball.” He stared at Lieutenant again, his eyes turning black. “If he does it again, take him out.”
****
Nick threw the morning paper down on the kitchen table. “Looks like the women are folk heroes.”
Emily stared at the headline of the Danville paper. “Titanium Azaleas Hit with American Women.” She read in disbelief. “This says women all over the country have been tweeting and sending in e-mails to the TV channels telling them our women are among the most courageous they’ve ever seen. Listen to this.” She picked up the paper.
“‘Standing up for principles most have let die on the side of the road, these women refuse to allow even a preacher to sway their faith in what they believe to be true. Swearing allegiance to free enterprise and the American way, and striking a victory for women and the rights of older Americans, the Titanium Azaleas, an appellation given by an unknown admirer, are the new icon for freedom.’”
“How about that for a kick in the butt?” Nick asked.
“Did Aunt Millie see this before she went to work?” Emily asked.
Nick shook his head. “But I’m sure she’s seen it now.”
Minutes later, Emily entered her office to appreciative nods from coworkers. She sat down in her chair. Cal walked over and placed a cup of coffee down. “I made it for you. Figured you’d like to celebrate, seeing as you’re the niece of a celebrity and all.”
“Thanks,” Emily said. “It’s the darnedest thing. How that woman keeps free-falling into a puddle of shit and keeps walking out spanking clean.”
Cal smiled. “You do a pretty good job of it yourself, Em.”
“Except with men.” She sighed. “But this time I got lucky.”
He nodded. “Yeah. Seems like a nice guy. Unlike my sneaky partner. I expect he’s none too popular around here since the ladies became famous.”
“I don’t think that’ll make a difference,” Emily said. “He was just doing his job.” She crooked her finger. “Come over closer. I don’t want to shout.”
He leaned forward.
“Aunt Millie said something last night that got me to thinking.”
“Yeah?”
She nodded. “She suggested that he and Luke Lincoln were somehow in cahoots with each other. Made me wonder if they were brought in to create a diversion for whatever is going on with that drug ring around here. Be ever so vigilant.”
He put his thumb up in the air. “I’m on it.”
****
“Hey, Nick. We have a problem.” Grady walked up to Nick at the work site.
“Fresh out of solutions. Hope you have one.” He looked up. “Sorry, occupational hazard. That’s my answer to all grunts when they come with no thought about how to fix it. I’m sure you have a remedy.”
Grady shook his head. “Not this time. Inspection God over there says the excavation doesn’t meet code.”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“According to the sphincter police, the measurement specs are still off on the excavation.”
“That’s absurd. You know we checked that twice.”
“I know, but it’s wrong now. It changed overnight.”
Nick stared at Grady’s paper. “Somebody’s sabotaging us, and I have a good bet it’s Taylor’s archenemy, Yancey Caldwell.”
“So, what are you going to do about it?”
“First I’m going to deal with this clown.” He approached the guy with anger, trying not to unleash on him and end up with a sanction from the state.
“Hi,” Nick said, holding out his hand. Nick Troy. “I’m in charge of this project. What seems to be the problem?”
“Hello, Mr. Troy.” The young sandy-haired man shook his hand. “My name’s David Wright. Your excavation is off specs.”
“You know, Mr. Wright, we measured that twice. I think somebody might have fooled with it overnight.”
“Why would they want to do that, sir?”
“Well, I’m staying in a guestroom at Taylor Franklin’s sister’s, and the family’s getting a lot of press lately. I figure somebody doesn’t like it. Now, if I get this right by, say two days from now, do you think you can reinspect?”
The man’s mouth dropped open. “Uh, sir, Mr. Caldwell told me I couldn’t come back out for at least thirty days.”
Nick knew steam was boiling out of his ears. “Well, I’ll clear that with Mr. Caldwell.”
“Sir, he’s not in the office this afternoon.”
He nodded. “I just bet he isn’t. Don’t worry about it. Just consider your date back here is in two days.”
****
At lunch, Emily went to the pharmacy to meet Carolina. The place was packed when she entered. Balloons floated everywhere and flowers lined the windows. She walked over and sat down in a booth. Aunt Millie came over wearing a sash like a beauty contestant that stated Titanium Azaleas Kick Ass.
“How does it feel to be a legend in your own time?” Emily asked. “I never knew I’d be the niece of a celebrity.”
Aunt Millie grinned. “I swear, Emily, it’s a relief. I was beating up on myself last night. Plus you oughta be getting royalties on everyone calling us Titanium Azaleas. You may have coined something for the next edition of the dictionary.”
Emily smiled. “Let them have it. I’m simply proud of all of you.”
Just then Carolina swept in and sat down across from Emily. “I haven’t seen this much excitement since Junior Johnson made that NASCAR appearance in the school auditorium.”
“It takes a lot to compete with NASCAR around here,” Aunt Millie said. “Better get to work and not let fame go to my head. What do you want to eat?”
“Aunt Millie knows my standing order,” Emily said. “Go ahead.”
“Just a cheeseburger and a glass of milk.” Carolina glanced up at Aunt Millie. “I’m giving up fries until after the baby, but chips are a staple.”
“I hear you, doll. Coming up.” She left the booth.
“Good,” Carolina said in a hushed tone. “Now I can tell you what I found out.”
“What are you talking about?” Emily leaned forward.
“I talked to my PI friend last night. You know, the one the ladies agreed to let me hire to check up on stuff. He discovered a few things.”
“Like what?” she asked.
“Seems this drug ring originated in Florida. The guy behind the local operation isn’t an outsider. He’s somebody who lives here or at least nearby. But here’s the really interesting part. Daddy Blue was right. Chris’s investigation was dead on about also having to do with child and female sex trade. However, it seems the two different rackets are mutually exclusive and only a few people locally, as few as two or three, know about both. One is the ringleader. But he has yet to discover who the other one or two are.”
“You mean to tell me,” Emily squeaked, “that someone we know, maybe all our lives is capable of this?”
Carolina nodded. “Evidently. Harry, my PI friend, says his sources are rock solid.”
“Wowsa.” Emily leaned back in the booth. “I’ve been overwhelmed with too much stuff last few days. If this keeps up I’ll start to go gray and be reaching for a box of hair color.”
Aunt Millie returned with Emily’s burger and milkshake. “Yours is coming, Carolina. Three minutes max.”
“Thanks, Aunt Millie.” Emily took a long sip from the shake. “Ah!”
“How can you eat that many calories almost every day?” Carolina asked.
“Right now because of sex every night.” Emily grinned, her face burni
ng. “It burns an incredible number of calories.”
“Okay.” Carolina stared into her eyes. “Tell, my friend. How do you rate him as a lover?”
Emily’s body trembled at the thought. “He’s amazing. It’s never the same. He can be the most tender person in the whole world, satisfying every part of me, demanding as all get out for me to satisfy him, or we can have a slam bam rip-roaring good fuck where the sweat’s pouring and the adrenaline’s pumping.”
“Wow,” Carolina said. “I’m kind of envious.”
Millie set Carolina’s food down in front of her. “I don’t know what the whole conversation’s been about. But slam bam rip-roaring fuck sounds good to me.”
“Not so loud, Aunt Millie.”
She laughed. “Honey, everybody in here knows what you’ve been up to.” She walked away.
“Nothing like the voice of reality,” Emily said. She reached forward, and grabbed her friend’s arm. “What’s wrong, Carolina? You and Andy not in sync?”
She sighed. “We are, but we aren’t. I mean, he’s so exhausted when he comes home. Andy loves his job, but it’s very demanding, and the faculty is still not completely won over to his way of doing things. He has a lot of disciplinary problems around there with the kids. Especially right now, since school hasn’t been in session that long and it’s still fairly hot. Then, my hormones are wonky, one minute I’m horny as all get out. And the next one, all I want to do is just cuddle and fall asleep.”
“Maybe you could post an erase board in the kitchen and just write which you’re feeling when he comes home.” Emily laughed.
“Oh, yeah,” Carolina said. “Color me horny.”
“Are you right now?” Emily asked.
Carolina nodded.
“Okay tonight, when you’re in the middle of the kitchen, do a striptease….”
“The former virgin is now the teacher?”
Emily winked. “Don’t knock it.”
****
Carlos lay asleep across Emily’s lap with his feet on Nick’s. “Do you think we can wake him up?” she asked.
“It doesn’t matter.” Nick grinned. “If not, I’ll carry him. He’s not that big.”
Unforgettable Heroes II Boxed Set Page 144
