“You’re assuming that he’ll try to kill you himself,” Eliot countered. “Why would he do that when he has people to do that for him?”
“Because he doesn’t like me.”
“I’m guessing he doesn’t like a lot of people.”
“That’s fair.” I exhaled heavily enough that my bangs fluttered. “Still, I made it personal by venturing onto his turf. I was eavesdropping. He’ll want to look into my eyes.”
“So he can kill you.”
“I know this upsets you.” I snagged Eliot’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Jake won’t put me in harm’s way. You know that. Derrick is out there hiding in the bushes. A bunch of other deputies are, too. They might not like me, but they respect their boss. I’ll be fine.”
“You’d better be.” Eliot grabbed the front of my shirt and hauled me to my feet. “I’ll be right next to you. Don’t try to shake me.”
“Phil won’t approach if he sees you.”
“Then I’ll hide behind the door. I don’t want you walking over that threshold. Just let him see a glimpse of you.”
“That’s the plan.” I rolled to the balls of my feet and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “It’ll be okay. In a way, if you really look at it, this is the least dangerous thing I’ve done in weeks.”
Eliot’s eyes narrowed. “That doesn’t make me feel better.”
“I know. You can’t help it that you’re a huge worrywart. It’s how you’re built.” I patted his chest. “This is going to be quick. Like … quicker than me trying to make a plate of brownies disappear.”
Even though I could tell that he didn’t want to encourage me, a smile played at the corners of his lips. “I will roll around naked with you and eight plates of brownies tonight if you’re really careful.”
“I’m always really careful.”
“I need you to be much more careful than that.”
“Deal.”
THE WAIT FOR PHIL was excruciating. Eliot sat on the floor, his back to the door, while I paced the small foyer. Finally, Jake messaged to tell me it was time to put on a show.
That’s exactly what I did.
I fluffed the top of Eliot’s hair before opening the door. He leaned forward far enough to allow me to create an opening large enough for me to step into, but he was ready to grab me the moment he felt things were about to tip into dangerous territory.
I stood in the opening and watched what looked to be an oversized sedan glide to a stop at the curb. It didn’t pull into the driveway, instead idling close to the mailbox. When the door swung open, I wasn’t surprised to find Phil poking his head out. He was frowning. It was almost as if he sensed I was trying to pull a fast one.
“You seem to have me at a disadvantage,” he said after a moment’s contemplation. “Were you expecting me or was this a happy coincidence?”
“I was expecting you.” I saw no reason to lie. “The Domino Club is flush with cameras, right? You knew I was there. It was only a matter of time before you came for me.”
“If you knew that would happen, why are you waiting for me?” Phil was legitimately puzzled. “Why not run?”
“I don’t need to run.”
“And why is that?”
“I’m not afraid of you.” Honestly, in the bright light of a late summer day, he looked like a weary old man more than anything else. “You’re kind of past your prime.”
Phil scowled. “Do you think that’s funny?”
“Actually, I find a lot of this funny.”
“And why is that?”
“Because I’m an odd woman.”
“I figured that out.” Phil took an exaggerated look up and down the street before leveling a sober gaze at me. “I think you should come with me. You don’t want this to turn ugly in your pretty neighborhood, do you?”
“I’m fine if you want to start shooting. This place could use some livening up. Do you know they actually invited me to a book club the other day? They actually want to read some artsy-fartsy book about feelings and blowing leaves. Bullets could only help that.”
“It’s too bad you decided to be a reporter,” Phil said appraisingly. “You have a ruthless pragmatism that would come in handy if you worked for me.”
“I couldn’t work for you.”
“You might be surprised at how easy it really is.”
“Oh, I don’t think that’s true. I don’t even like kids, but I couldn’t imagine leaving one behind in a fire like your buddy Kendra. Where is she, by the way?”
Phil merely shook his head. “Don’t worry about her.”
“I’m surprised she didn’t come with you. She seems the bloodthirsty sort.”
“She has other duties,” Phil replied. “I wanted to handle you myself.”
“I’m thrilled to have your personal attention.”
“You probably won’t feel that way in five minutes.”
“You might be surprised.” I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing when Phil furrowed his brow.
“What’s going on? I … .” He trailed off at the sound of squealing tires, jerking his head to the left as a sheriff’s department cruiser lurched into view, lights flashing and sirens keening.
I watched him for a long moment, recognizing the exact second Phil realized his world was about to drastically change. He slowly slid his gaze to me, his eyes so narrow he looked like a snake about to strike. “You did this.”
I nodded.
“You set me up.” Phil practically spat, he was so angry. “You knew I was coming and you called the sheriff.”
“I did.” I gestured with my hands. “You should probably assume the position. I believe they’re more than willing to shoot if you put up a fight.”
“Do you think this is funny?”
“It’s not Caddyshack funny, but it’s not terrible.”
“Hands up,” Derrick barked as he detached from the shadows behind the ornamental tree in my landscaping. “Don’t even think of reaching into your pockets.”
Phil jerked back as if struck in the face. “What the … ?”
“We were ready for you,” I explained. “You’re not just getting hit here either. The Domino Club is going down.”
Phil’s face drained of color. “And you think you can hold me?”
“I don’t think I can do anything,” I countered. “I’m not a cop. Do I think the sheriff’s department can hold you? Yeah. I’m going to guess they’ve been preparing for this for a long time.”
“They have nothing on me.” Phil’s false bravado was on full display, but there was doubt in his voice.
“I think you’re going to be surprised by exactly how wrong you are.” I took a step away from the door and retreated into the house as the sheriff’s deputies converged on Phil’s car. They were screaming for the people in the car to hand over their weapons and surrender. I didn’t need to see the rest of it. I was done … and happy to finally put it behind me. “I wish you well in prison.”
“I’m not going to prison,” Phil was adamant. “I’m beyond all of this.”
“I think that’s only true in your head. Good luck, though.” I cringed when Derrick grabbed the back of Phil’s coat and shoved him roughly toward the car, forcing his head down so he could control the man’s hands and slip them into cuffs. “Have a nice night in the county jail.” I waved before closing the door.
Eliot was still on the floor when I glanced down, his face a mask of emotions I couldn’t quite identify.
“So … how about those brownies?” I suggested.
He pursed his lips and nodded. “I could eat a brownie. But what about your story? Aren’t you going to file that first?”
“I’m going to type up some notes and send them to Marvin, but that will be the limit of my involvement.”
Eliot cocked a dubious eyebrow. “Really?”
I nodded. “I’m on vacation.”
“But this is your story.”
“It seems that seeing it play out was enough
. I can let the rest of it go.”
Eliot ran his tongue over his teeth before responding. “That’s kind of a relief. I wasn’t sure you would ever be capable of letting something like this go.”
I knew it was a relief. That was exactly why I decided to do what was right for him rather than me. If I had my druthers I’d be standing on the lawn firing questions at the mobsters as they were shackled and taken into custody. Surprisingly enough, I was fine walking away from the story.
There was an odd lightness to my shoulders I couldn’t quite identify. “I told you I could let it go.”
“And I stand corrected … and impressed.”
I let loose a sly grin before something occurred to me. “Where is your mother? I forgot she was even here. Did Jake lock her in the upstairs bedroom?”
“He sent her to be with your mother,” Eliot replied, extending a hand so I could help him to his feet. “I believe there was talk of Mom spending the night there, just to be on the safe side.”
I brightened considerably. “So … we have the house to ourselves?”
“Just you, me and the brownies.”
That was without a doubt the best offer I’d had all day. “Where are we going to get these brownies? Are we making them ourselves?”
“I thought we’d order in.”
“Good plan.”
“Definitely.” Eliot nodded. “Hey, Avery?”
“What?”
“You did well. You didn’t run your mouth and you didn’t rush headlong into danger. You played it cool and calm. I’m proud.”
“That’s nice. I kind of wish I had mouthed off just a little bit, though. It wasn’t nearly as much fun as I thought it would be.”
“You’ll know better for next time.”
“Definitely. Now … about those brownies?”
“I’ll place the order.”
“I’ll fill the tub and get the bubbles.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
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About the Author
I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read my novels. I have a particular brand of humor that isn’t for everyone – and I know that.
If you liked the book, please take a few minutes and leave a review. An independent author does it all on their own, and the reviews are helpful. I understand that my characters aren’t for everyone, though. There’s a lot of snark and sarcasm in my world – and I know some people don’t like that.
Special thanks go out to Heidi Bitsoli and Phil VanHulle for correcting the (numerous) errors that creep into a work of fiction.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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Books by Amanda M. Lee
An Avery Shaw Mystery
Who, What, Where, When, Die
If it Bleeds, it Leads
Buried Leads
Shot Off The Presses
The Preditorial Page
Misquoted & Demoted
Headlines & Deadlines
Misprints & Mistakes
Bylines & Skylines
Off the Record
Unwritten & Underwater
Extra! Extra! Dead All About It
On Deadline & Under Fire
A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Mystery
Any Witch Way You Can
Every Witch Way But Wicked
Witching You Were Here
Witching on a Star
Something to Witch About
Witch Me Luck
Life’s a Witch
Charms & Witchdemeanors
The Trouble With Witches
Murder Most Witchy
A Witch Before Dying
A Breath of Witchy Air
A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Short
Careful What You Witch For
Wicked Brew
On a Witch and a Prayer
You Only Witch Once
The Christmas Witch
Bewitched
A Solstice Celebration
Witchdependence Day
Happy Witchgiving
Merry Witchmas
Four-Leaf Clover
Thistle While You Work
Landon Calling
I Dream of Twila
How Aunt Tillie Stole Christmas
A Wicked Witches of the Midwest Fantasy
Witchy Tales
A Witch In Time
Make A Witch
A Witchmas Carol
All My Witches
Close Encounters of the Witchy Kind
An Aisling Grimlock Mystery
Grim Tidings
Grim Offerings
Grim Discovery
Grim Reunion
Grim Expectations
Grim Holiday
Grim Rising
Grim Tempest
Grimlock Family Shorts
Grim Like Me
Grim & The City
Now & Grim
Grim & Bear It
The Grim & The Dead
Death Gate Grim Reapers
Only the Lonely
A Mystic Caravan Mystery
Freaky Days
Freaky Lies
Freaky Hearts
Freaky Games
Freaky Places
Freaky Rites
A Charlie Rhodes Cozy Mystery
The Bigfoot Blunder
The Chupacabra Catastrophe
The Werewolf Whoops
A Moonstone Bay Cozy Mystery
Witchin’ USA
Witch Out of Water
Covenant College
Awakening
Whispering
Conjuring
Waxing & Waning
Graduating
Living Covenant Trilogy
Rising Covenant
Dark Covenant
Eternal Covenant
Dying Covenant Trilogy
Haunted Covenant
Desperate Covenant
Everlasting Covenant
Elemental Witches of Eternal Springs
Bat Out Of Spell
Spell on Earth
Hotter Than Spell
Spell or High Water
On Deadline & Under Fire Page 29
