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

“Poisonous mushrooms.” She shakes her head. “I suspect the sheriff’s department will connect all the dots sooner than later. I mean, Devan does own the mushroom farm. I’m surprised they haven’t raided her compound by now, but then, the wheels of justice are slow moving. They’ll arrest her sooner or later.” She smiles over at me. “Are you coming to the next Grim Readers book club? Meets Friday right here at seven-thirty.”

“I’ll be there. In fact, a few of my friends will be coming, too. We’re already enjoying the book.” I steady my gaze over hers as if willing her to give up something, anything new.

She tips her head back and squints. “You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d say the killer would probably be at our next meeting, too. I’ve read enough mysteries to know they like to go on like nothing happened. I don’t think whoever did this skipped town.”

“You think they’re sitting back and laughing at the fact they got away with murder?”

“I wouldn’t say laughing.” She cocks a brow at the thought. “But certainly they feel some level of satisfaction.”

“I bet you’re right.” My phone bleats, and as soon as I pull it out, Liv takes off with a wave.

It’s a text from Camila Ryder, of all people. I click into my phone and see it’s a picture she’s sent—of Hadley and Jasper locked in an embrace.

It’s going down right now in his office, Bizzy. Get down here fast and put on a show for me.

I grab Georgie, toss a fifty-dollar bill at the woman working the register, and we take off for Seaview. If I owe more to the library, I’ll ante up later.

Right now I have a regency rake to fry.

Chapter 13

The Seaview Sheriff’s Department is muggy and stifling inside.

“Here’s hoping the AC is broken and it’s not Hadley and Jasper bringing all the steam to the building,” I say as Georgie and I race with our furry friends over to his office and we come upon his secretary extraordinaire, Camila herself.

“Ooh, goody.” She wiggles her shoulders. “The fun can begin. Go—storm in there. It’s your God-given right. Make a big stink about it, too. I would never have tolerated Jasper to two-time me.”

Camila doesn’t have to tell me twice. I barrel through the door, only to find Jasper at his desk, Hadley seated across from him, and a pizza nestled between them.

“Bizzy?” Jasper’s eyes bug out a moment.

But before I can say a single thing, toss a shoe, or a pizza, Georgie arches her back, thrusts her head back, and belts out a wild howl that seems to be summoning all the beasts in the great state of Maine. Fish hops out of my arms, as does Clyde. I didn’t have time to fuss with the wonky carrier, and the two of them hop right onto Hadley’s chest and begin to yowl and make a great show of swiping their claws. Sherlock starts in on a barking spree that only rivals Georgie’s howls—and from behind Camila is chronicling it all on her phone.

“Enough,” Jasper thunders as he jumps to his feet. “Bizzy, I swear this is not what it looks like,” he says, attempting to pluck Clyde from off of Hadley and I do the same with Fish—although Fish is putting up a good fight, and I think she’s successfully unraveled a part of Hadley’s cantaloupe-colored cardigan.

“I’m sorry,” I say to the woman. “About your sweater,” I add just to be clear. “You’d better stay away from my husband.”

Hadley laughs while Georgie and Camila come up on either side of me.

“I’m afraid you caught us catching up and nothing more. I’m no homewrecker.” Yet. “My apologies to you all.” She bats her lashes over at the Duke of Homicide. “Thank you for the pleasant conversation.” She forces a smile my way as she hits the exit. If she keeps up this lunatic act, he’ll be mine sooner than later.

I blow out a breath because I’m half-moved to agree with her.

Jasper has me in his arms before I can blink.

“I would never do a thing to hurt you. I swear, she stormed in here fifteen minutes ago with a pizza and it’s been untouched ever since. And to be honest, I was just about to get rid of her.”

Georgie clucks her tongue. “That’s what they all say.” She strides over to the pizza box and flips it open to reveal a fully intact cheesy-looking pie. “So I stand corrected. You didn’t lie about the pizza.”

“I didn’t lie about anything,” Jasper says it with a sober tone.

Sherlock belts out a few more barks. You tell ’em, Jasper. I knew you aren’t a cad, whatever that means. I knew you would never hurt Bizzy in any way.

Fish hisses, It wasn’t Jasper we were worried about. It was that cheap hussy. I’m betting we stormed in just in time before she took all her clothes off.

Clyde mewls, How shameful that would have been. It’s embarrassing enough the poor people only have a tuft of fur on their heads.

Fish’s ear twitches as she looks to Clyde. It’s not shameful. And did you know our kind could be hairless as well? I hear it’s quite fashionable these days to have a hairless in the household. A guest at the inn had one not long ago, and let me tell you, he was a looker.

Ooh, a looker? Clyde purrs so loud even Sherlock lifts an ear her way.

“I believe you,” I say to Jasper. “I apologize for storming the castle. It’s just—Camila sent me this picture of—”

Georgie steps in “Of you and Hadley locked in an embrace.” She wags a finger at him. “That’s some hard evidence. We came with receipts, as the kids say these days.”

“Bizzy—” Jasper starts and I shake my head.

“I have no doubt she lunged at you,” I tell him. “And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you embracing whoever you like. I guess seeing it unleashed the jealous genie