Lock, Stock, and Feral by Addison Moore (free e novels .txt) 📕

pick this title, so everyone is pretty excited about it. I hope to see you there.”

She starts to take a step, and I block her path.

“The sheriff’s department let me know they suspect foul play in Patterson’s death,” I tell her.

“Oh?” She snaps up the stack of books once again. “That’s terrible.” Her eyes expand a touch too wide, and I can’t help but think her reaction feels contrived. So they know something? I’m shocked they haven’t hunted me down by now. “Poison, I’m guessing?” She shakes her head. “He dropped dead without a battle wound or a puncture. I’ve read enough mysteries to narrow the field.”

“I have no idea, but you’re probably right. Devan, you knew Patterson well enough. Who do you think would do something like this?”

Her lips twist as she glances out at the crowd strolling by.

A shallow part of me is hoping she’ll pin it all on Hadley. Let’s see how many steamy romances she can pen in prison.

Fish gives a pat on my chest. You’re rooting for Lady Haddie, aren’t you, Bizzy? Don’t worry. I won’t think less of you. I’m rooting for Clyde.

I make a face at the furry cutie.

“I don’t know.” Devan sighs. “Liv was upset that night, but she’s a basket case in general. Hadley was always stomping her foot about something. But if I had to place a wager, my money would be on James Foreman.” Devan nods with certainty.

“Who?” both Fish and I say in unison. Although to be fair, it was technically just me.

“His business manager, or communications whatever, I can’t remember the title. Anyway, he was there that night. His old basketball buddy that he took on as an employee at Higgins House. They were arguing over something business-related. Maybe he wanted him dead?”

My mind plays back that night, and I distinctly remember a tall, lanky man in a sweater having it out with Patterson. I bet that was him.

“Sounds plausible.” I shrug her way. “It was great seeing you again.”

“Likewise. Swing by the library next Friday night,” she says as she takes off with a wave. “And watch out for flying books!”

“Good thinking,” I say as I step outside of the tent and migrate across the street toward Bombalicious Burgers where I spot Juni reunited with Georgie and they’re shaking one another by the arms. I bet they’re arguing over who gets to order a burger first.

Clyde is happily lounging on Sherlock’s back while a little girl pets the two of them and I’m thankful everyone is back in one piece, but if I don’t act fast I’m afraid Juni and Georgie might just shake one another’s heads right off.

I head in their direction just as Juni holds a hand out my way, and soon enough Georgie looks my way with a look of shock.

“You can’t come this way,” Georgie says, darting in my direction with her hands out as if she were about to physically stop me. “I’m going to handle this for you. You’re too young to do time. Besides, I’ve still got a felony or two left in me.”

“What?”

Sherlock barks. Don’t look, Bizzy! I just saw it myself! Quick, Fish! Turn her around. Oh, this is terrible! We’ve got to stop Georgie. If she heads to prison, who will feed me a steady diet of bacon? This is all Jasper’s fault.

“Jasper?” My head ticks toward the burger place and I spot his shock of dark hair, and seated across from him is a woman—a redhead who thinks of herself as a lady.

It looks as if that lunch date is still on.

“Oh no, you don’t,” I say, barreling my way over.

Bizzy? Fish yowls as she cranes her head in that direction and a hiss escapes her as soon as she sees the malfeasance.

“Jasper Wilder.” His name rips from me as I come upon them in a blind rage.

“Bizzy?” He scoots his seat back a notch, confusion taking over his handsome face.

“How dare you step out on me with this hussy!” I say, picking up the glass of water set in front of him and dousing him in the face.

And before he can jump out of his seat, I repeat the effort with Lady Haddie’s glass. Her hair flattens as she gasps and sputters, spiking out of her seat and watching me with abject horror.

“How could you?” she shrieks.

“How could you?” I shoot back.

“Jasper.” Hadley’s chest heaves and ripples and that low-cut skin-hugging dress isn’t lost on me. Unfortunately, it probably wasn’t lost on Jasper either. I guess that kiss we shared this morning didn’t mean much to him. What I thought was a we’re-going-to-make-it-kiss was obviously a very lingual goodbye.

“Jasper, do something about this,” she shrieks, grabbing the glass of soda and looking my way with a threat in her eyes.

I’ll handle this, Fish screeches and hops out of the carrier and onto Hadley’s face.

Sherlock runs over barking at the top of his lungs while Clyde rawrs as if she has suddenly morphed into a lioness.

“Bizzy”—Jasper pulls me over—“I can explain.”

“Can you?” I shout. “I don’t think I need you to draw me a road map of where this was going. She was clearly trying to seduce you!”

A gasp circles us, and it’s only then I note everyone here has their eyes glued our way.

Georgie and Juni break out into spontaneous applause just as Fish hops off the wench in question and the entire lot of us storms back out onto the sidewalk.

“Bizzy, wait”—Jasper catches me by the hand and spins me toward him—“we’re taking care of this right now.”

Hadley strides up, her face a little pink but not a scratch on her. I didn’t think Fish would hurt her. She finds much more pleasure in humility.

Although I’m the one who’s feeling humiliated right about now.

Hadley pants out a wry smile. “I suppose you’re going to tell her.” She gives a quick look to Jasper. “Go ahead.” She tightens a smile my way. “I’ll accept your apology in advance, Bizzy, and you don’t even have