The Gravedigger by Kacie Clement (short books for teens .TXT) 📕

They all stopped when they heard Jack’s truck plowing into the drive. They watched as he ran and tripped his way to the front of the house.

Kamira smiled and said, “Look what auntie found.” Kamira handed the papers to Jack.

“Is this the State Line Mob membership roster?”

Willie Mae grinned, “You didn’t bring any ice with you, Jack, did you? My nose hurts. Oh, and Jack, you better call your friend Todd. Alyce Ann Buchanan is dead in the basement, and that devil Chester is too. I had to shoot him, Jack. It was him or me.”

Jack, puzzled, asked, “But how did you get his gun?”

Willie Mae grimaced as she smiled. “I played possum. Where’s Vittoria?”

Kamira took Willie Mae’s arm, helping her down the front stairs and to her car.

“I am sure Vittoria will be at the hospital when we get there. We have to get your nose checked out.”

Willie Mae sat back deep in the passenger seat of the car. She was tired, and her nose hurt.

After the doctors reset Willie Mae’s nose and gave her something for the pain, Kamira turned to Vittoria.

“Do not leave her side till I get back. I have to go explain all this to Billie.”

Kamira strode out of the room.

Willie Mae grinned at Vittoria DeLuca. “Grab me my purse, will you?”

Vittoria moved to the counter to get Willie Mae’s purse, walking back to the bed and handing it to her.

Willie Mae opened her purse and took out the folder of papers, handing them to Vittoria.

“Now tomorrow, I am going to give the governor a copy of this, but I don’t trust that he can get the job done. My family has to be safe, Vittoria.”

Vittoria scanned through the papers. “I see.”

Vittoria took Willie Mae’s hands into hers and looked deeply into her eyes. “Your family is safe, my friend. You have my word.”

Chapter 11

Kamira arrived at the Bellow sisters’ estate the following day. Finding Willie Mae, the Bellow sisters, and Vittoria DeLuca having coffee, she took a seat at the table and poured herself a cup of coffee.

“Auntie, you need to listen to me. You are taking the day off today. I spoke to the Governor, and he has agreed to meet with you in a few days at your office.”

Willie Mae smiled gently, “That, my dear, I can do. I have a vicious headache.”

Looking around the room, Willie Mae held her hand out to Hattie. “Hattie, could you help me to my bed and bring some of those healing powders out of my cupboard?”

Both Hattie and Hannah stood, each taking one of Willie Mae’s arms to lead her to her bedroom.

Alone in the dining room, Kamira looked directly at Vittoria DeLuca.

“Vittoria, one day, you and I are going to have a chat about boundaries. Today is not that day. I need to ask a favor of you.”

Vittoria smiled slyly at Kamira. “Of course, Detective. What would you like me to do?”

“Quit Vittoria, and this isn’t a game. I need to go to Minnesota this afternoon to solve this case I am working on, and I wondered if you and your men could stay until I return. I want to make sure Willie Mae has protection. By the way, where are your men?”

Vittoria laughed. “Of course, I can stay with Willie Mae. It will give us time for a delightful visit, and I can talk to her about taking a vacation through Europe with me. My men? Well, they have set up operations in the former State Line headquarters. I understand they have found a new location.”

“State Line headquarters? Why? Won’t they be leaving with you?”

Vittoria set her coffee cup gently down on the table. Looking at Kamira with a steely stare, she said, “No, a portion of my men will remain. I made a promise to Willie Mae, and I intend to keep it.”

Kamira shook her head. “Do I want to know what that promise is?”

Victoria stood and walked out of the room, leaving Kamira to wonder what that promise was.

Denver Colorado–Finding Randall Lewis

Kamira and Terrance boarded the plane and found their seats. As the airplane lifted into the air, Terrance looked at Kamira.

“How did it go with Willie Mae this morning?”

Kamira’s eyes saddened. “You know I honor our family above all else. There is nothing greater than that. Our family is powerful. We have survived much since I arrived in Shadowbank. We both have worked in the FBI and now in Shadowbank. Which I believed to be a quiet little coastal community. So tell me, Terrance, how is it we’re taking down the State Line Mob and becoming allies with the biggest crime family in New York? I, love, am having a hard time wrapping my head around that one.”

Terrance chuckled. “Vittoria and Willie Mae have developed quite the friendship. Jack and Frank, well, I heard they are planning another fishing trip in Alaska. Try not to overthink it. Love, things will fall into place, just as they should.”

Terrance saw Kamira frown. “Don’t worry, love. Jack will watch over Willie Mae.”

Kamira’s shoulders tensed. “About that. I had an interesting conversation with Vittoria DeLuca today. I asked her to stay until we got back home. I wanted to make sure my auntie is safe. I overstepped my boundaries as an officer.”

Terrance, his mouth agape, said, “You did what? Look, Kamira, we have our hands full with the State Line Mob at the moment. When George finds out what happened, there is no telling what he will do next. I think he has a few guards on the payroll.”

Kamira sadly looked at Terrance, “I think we have a bigger problem. Vittoria has made some promises to Willie Mae. She didn’t say what it was, but she said her men had moved into the State Line headquarters. I have a bad feeling about this.”

Terrance took Kamira’s hand in his. “I don’t want you worrying about this, love. We’re talking Mississippi, and the DeLuca family is busy on the east coast.