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

who can help me trace the underpinnings of Higgins House. If we can figure out the year it was acquired, the year of their divorce, and whether or not he did anything to legally remove her, we could have another solid motive.”

“And the woman knows her way around a mushroom. There was plenty of room on that farm to grow just about anything.”

Clyde mewls, I can’t see a wife wanting to poison her husband. She hops off the sofa and makes her way over to Sherlock before snuggling up to him.

I can, Fish yowls.

Come on, you. Sherlock gives a soft bark and pats his paw on the other side of him.

Oh, fine, Fish growls as she slinks down and curls up on his other side.

“Sherlock is playing both sides of the fence,” I whisper.

“Rest assured, I am not.” He lands a kiss to the nape of my neck just as his phone goes off. He plucks it off the table and examines the screen.

It’s a text from Hadley. Just thinking about how kind you’ve been to me. Thank you for understanding. I wish I were strong enough to tell you about our child all those years ago. I hope you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me. Goodnight.

I look up at Jasper and he shakes his head at me as he puts down his phone.

We wrap our arms around one another and hold on tight.

And my heart breaks for both of them.

Chapter 16

The Cider Falls Public Library shimmers like a star in the sea of never ending darkness as Georgie, Juni, my mother, and I make our way into the building. Of course, I came equipped with Fish and Clyde in my wonky pet carrier strapped to my chest. And once Sherlock Bones heard where we were going, he certainly didn’t want to miss out on the fun, so Georgie said he could tag along for the adventure, posing as her emotional support animal.

“Who needs emotional support at the library?” Mom frowns over at Georgie. “And you’re no better, Bizzy. You don’t see me hauling around Mistletoe and Holly everywhere I go. Okay, sure, so I’ve taken them here or there, but never to a library.”

Georgie scoffs. “And that’s exactly why they can’t read.”

“I’m not here for the reading.” Juni adjusts her hot pink vinyl skirt that cuts off just below her hips. I’m terrified of what’s going to happen should she sit down. “I’m here for the hunky male librarians.”

“They have those here?” Mom cranes her neck toward the crowd before us, suddenly interested in tonight’s outing for more testosterone-based reasons.

The library is brimming with both books and bodies, chairs have been set out near the palatial area that sits between the new releases and the reception counter, and there’s a refreshment table near the patio doors with coffee and water set out on it. Not nearly the ritzy spread we had the night Patterson was killed, with the cheese and the wine. I bet the library has a no alcohol policy. Or maybe I’m the only goof they’ve ever found who was willing to accommodate them. Not that I pitched for the liquor. And in the rear, the back patio doors are opened to that spacious deck that overlooks all of Cider Cove, and I can’t wait to go out there and check out the view once we’re through in here.

Fish mewls as she warms my chest, Here comes Macy. I didn’t know she wore glasses.

“Neither did I.” A laugh bounces from me as Macy steps up clad in black with red-framed specks that take up half her face. “Hey, four eyes,” I tease.

She makes a face as she steals Clyde from me. “You laugh it up, but now that I’m an author, I need to look the part.”

“An author?” Mom gasps with pride like only a mother can. “Macy, that’s fantastic. What in the world are you writing about?”

Georgie swats her. “Don’t you know? She’s put together all of her after-hours escapades into one steamy compilation, and now she’s ready to take the book world by storm. Publishing today—a three-part movie deal tomorrow.”

Juni sighs. “And we get to say we knew her when.”

Macy chokes. “A steamy compilation? Why didn’t you think of that, Bizzy?” she asks, shoving Clyde back my way. “I’d better go jot that down. I brought a notebook tonight in the event you had a brainstorm or two I could steal. Who knew it was Georgie’s brain I’d be after?”

“Stick with me, kid,” Georgie says, linking arms with Macy and handing Sherlock’s leash over to me. “I’ve got ideas for a sequel that will knock your socks off.”

They disappear into the crowd just as Juni inhales a sharp intake of air.

“All right, Ree”—Juni straightens— “hottie naughty librarian of the male persuasion over by the paperback racks. Try not to make that annoying wheezing sound when you breathe. If you’re nice, I’ll see if he has a brother for you.”

“A brother, for me?” Mom flattens her skirt with her hands. “Stand back and watch a pro. I’m about to land that man for myself—for fun, of course. I’ve got a real man coming in tomorrow.”

They take off as if a box of donuts were in the bounds. And I bet by the end of the night, they’d rather have a box of donuts.

A soft meow bleats from Clyde. Now why would Ree want to get in the way of Juni landing that hottie naughty? She’s got the man she sent the nudie pics to.

Fish yowls, Because Ree, much like some other creatures—she pauses to shoot Sherlock a dark look—likes the chase of it all. Love is real, Clyde, but on occasion, people simply like the affection they garner from others.

Sherlock offers a muffled bark. I like the affection, I confess.

“Let’s hope I can get the killer to confess tonight as well,” I whisper.

“Bizzy?” a chipper female voice chimes from behind, and I turn to find Liv Womack with her silver hair lying