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

over her shoulders like a white waterfall. She’s donned a khaki dress and manages to look just as scholarly as Macy. “How I love that you brought your pets.” She gives all three of my furry friends a quick scratch. “Usually unless they’re seeing eye dogs, pets are a no-no in the library. But women are forever coming in with purse puppies, and we just look the other way—just like I’m going to do for you tonight.”

“I appreciate that. I can stay out on the patio if it’s a problem.”

“No way. It’s chilly out and dark. Besides, all the action will be in here. You won’t be able to hear a thing out there. Go grab a cup of coffee and settle in. You’re going to love it. This is one of the favorite places for the Grim Readers to meet. We’ve had other outings before, too—the beach at midnight, a haunted house, all the sensational things Devan can think of.” She averts her eyes, and a little laugh bounces from me.

“Well, it was fun having you all at the inn.” I cringe as soon as the words leave my lips. “I’m sorry. I meant up until things took a deadly turn.”

“Oh, that’s okay. It was fun being at the inn up until that point.” And a little after that, but that’s just me being morbid. Speaking of morbid… “Here comes Devan.” She nods past me. “I heard her arguing with James earlier. Something about Higgins House Publishing.” Her lips tug to the side. “I think it all ties back to Devan’s farm. She said so herself that she’s over her head with expenses. I heard her telling Patterson just a few weeks back that she was on the brink of destruction if he didn’t give her what he owed her.”

My mouth falls open. He owed her?

“If you don’t mind, I think I’ll go make sure everyone is getting settled. I plan on staying out of her warpath tonight.” She takes off, and I turn just as Devan is about to pass me by.

“Bizzy.” An instant smile comes to her face as she takes in my menagerie. “Oh, give me this sweet little kitten.” She plucks Clyde out of my front pack. “And hello to you, sunshine.” She gives Fish a tickle. “And you, too, handsome.” She blows a kiss to Sherlock before setting Clyde back in my arms.

For a killer, she sure is insightful. Sherlock gives a soft bark back.

“I think that was a thank you,” I tell her and she laughs.

“I miss having pets. And I really need a cat, or a small army of them. I wasn’t kidding when I said I could use one at the farm. We’ve got a terrible problem with mice.” She rubs her nose to Clyde’s. “And I bet you, little miss, would be an ace at chasing them, too.”

I would! I really would! Clyde is quick to mewl right back.

Devan gives a full-bellied laugh.

And to think this might just be the killer—the most jovial killer I’ve met to date.

I’m about to make light of Clyde’s enthusiasm when Hadley Culpepper steps into the room with a tight black lace dress on cut down to there and riding up to here, and all heads turn in her direction as she boldly strides our way.

Devan’s chest pumps with a dry laugh. Well, if it isn’t Little Ms. Slut. Patterson sure took pleasure rubbing her in my face that last night we were together. What the heck is she all dolled up for? This is a book club, not prom night. Unless, of course, there’s some other poor shmuck she’s here to land. I can’t stand to watch.

“Excuse me, Bizzy.” Devan forces a smile. “I need to prepare for the meeting.” She jets off just as Hadley steps my way, glancing to my left and my right—looking for my poor schmuck of a husband no doubt.

“Evening.” She sighs with defeat as she comes up empty. “So where’s Jasper?”

“Oh, he’ll be here. He’s just running a little late.”

Fish pats me on the chest. You shouldn’t have told her that.

Clyde meows. She’s looking to snare him for herself, Bizzy.

“That’s wonderful.” Hadley pulls her shoulders back and her boobs nearly fall out of her dress. “I mean, that’s wonderful that the two of you do things as a couple.” Not that you’ll be doing them together for long. I’ve been told I’m irresistible in this dress, and I plan on testing out that theory on my Duke tonight.

A choking sound emits from me. “How dare you.”

“How dare I what?” Don’t tell me Sherlock Homely here has figured out my connection to Patterson’s death.

I suck in a rather dramatic lungful of air. “You killed him, didn’t you?”

“What?” She takes a step back and examines me, head to foot, as if seeing me for the very first time.

“You said you played a part in his demise, I heard you.” Albeit in my mind, but if she’s going to play dirty with my marriage, then I’m playing dirty, too.

“Did I say that?” Her fingers fly to her lips as she looks momentarily stunned. I would never have said that out loud. Oh, this is bad. This is going to make me look guilty. Jasper will think I’m a killer. Worse yet, he’ll lock me up behind bars for doing the deed.

“Did you do it?” I take a breathless step forward. “Did you kill him that night?”

“What? No! The part I played in his demise had to do with his business. I was talking to people at the Writing Wenches about the fact that Higgins House was charging an astronomical fee to publish my book. Word got around that Higgins House was a vanity press—and well, I inadvertently tarnished his reputation. But I was still going to use his services. Higgins House was simply a vehicle to get my book to market. Once the world read The Duke and the Lady, they would have fallen in love with us.”

Her bosom quivers as