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

“Watch it.” Jasper crumples a napkin and tosses it his way.

Emmie reaches over and gives my hand a squeeze. “I’m just glad I’m on the right side of the law. I’d hate to have you on my tail. And Jordy says thanks for catching the killer, too. You’re our hero, Bizzy. I think you deserve a cape made out of wonky quilts.”

“You’re hysterical.”

“I’m being serious,” she contests.

Georgie lets out a horrid groan, and for a moment everyone is set on edge, half-afraid she’s about to regurgitate her meal.

“Are you okay, Georgie?” I ask in a panic.

Juni waves me off as she works to shell another crab leg. Both she and Georgie had the deluxe seafood tower—one apiece. It’s meant to be shared by six to eight people, but the last time I pointed it out, Georgie gave me the finger—with a crab claw, of course.

“Mama’s just fine,” Juni snorts. “She just needs a reset before she can go in for more.” She slaps her mother on the back and Georgie lets out a horrid belch.

“Took you long enough,” Georgie says as she stretches her arms to the sky as if she hadn’t a care or a bellyache in the world. “Now let’s see about getting some of those pistachio pudding cookies for dessert.”

“I’m on it.” Emmie spikes out of her seat just as Macy moans something that sounds sickly.

“What is it, Mace?” I lean her way. “Do you want me to swat you on the back as well?”

“Do it and die.” My sister has never been one to mix words. Macy had the surf and turf special, along with the clam chowder bowl and the coconut shrimp and pasta combo. She’s never been one to turn down a free meal either.

She moans again as she points toward the walkway, and I turn to find Huxley, Mackenzie, and my mother heading over. Huxley and Mackenzie were kind enough to head to the airport with my mother to pick up her mysterious new beau.

The entire lot of us scrambles to our feet and meets them halfway. Hux looks ready for a day at the beach, a vast difference from his usual attire of a suit and tie. Mackenzie is a diehard with those power suits. She’s donned a forest green one, and speaking of the hue that nature loves so much, she looks a little green around the gills. Her stomach is starting to take shape, though, and it warms me to think that’s my niece or nephew cooking in there.

Mom is in full preppy mode with a powder pink button-down blouse with the collar popped, tapered jeans, and a sourpuss on her face that can mean many things.

“Well?” Georgie cranes her neck past them. “Where’s your Romeo, Toots? Is he parking the car?”

Juni nudges her. “I bet he’s in the men’s room. It’s been a long trip for him.”

Huxley crosses his arms as he looks at my mother. “Well, you want to tell her?”

“No,” Mom bites back. “I’m not in the mood to talk to anyone. I don’t even know why you brought me down here. I told you I wanted to be dropped off at home.”

“I’ll tell them,” Mackenzie snips as she gives us a beady-eyed look that suggests we shook down her mother for money. “We got to the airport—two hours away.” She takes a moment to shoot Mom the side-eye. “Only to discover that Ree wasn’t exactly sure which airline he was on—nor did she know what time his plane was landing.”

“He said noon!” Mom clenches her fists. “And how many airlines could there be coming from France at that time, anyway?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Hux relaxes his shoulders with a look of defeat. “There wasn’t a Romero on any of them.” He looks to Macy and me. “She doesn’t even know the guy’s last name. And the kicker?”

Mackenzie pulls Hux back. “She gave that shyster another five grand last night, and that’s the last she heard of him.”

“Oh, stop.” Mom turns toward the ocean while holding herself. “I’m an old fool, and I was taken advantage of. I’m not the first one, and I won’t be the last.”

Georgie sags at the thought. “I’m sorry, Preppy. I’ll cut you in on my Rent-a-Grandma gig, and I’ll only charge you a thirty percent finder’s fee.” Georgie and Juni swoop to her side, and the three of them take off in the sand a few feet away.

I’m about to go over and join them when I spot Devan Abner headed this way with a large-brimmed hat and a sundress.

Jasper takes up my hand, and we head in her direction.

“Devan,” I say, surprised to see her. “You look great. Ready for a day at the beach?”

Fish, Clyde, and Sherlock run up, leaving Cinnamon and Gatsby to continue to kick up sand as they chase one another to the shoreline and back.

“I came to say thanks, Bizzy.” Devan offers a mournful smile. “And thank you, Detective, for sussing out the killer among us. The Grim Readers are typically a peaceful bunch, and we want to stay that way.”

“It wasn’t me.” Jasper wraps his arm around my waist. “It was all Bizzy.”

“Thank you to you both,” she says, cooing down at Fish and Clyde before scooping them up into her arms. “At least now my farm can get back to normal. Rumors started to spread after the sheriff’s department turned up in droves that day to take samples. And now that I’m in the clear, my phone has been ringing off the hook all day—taking in more orders than I can handle. I guess people love an underdog.” She pecks a kiss to Clyde’s cheek. “How about this little cutie? If you’re still looking for a home for her, she’s welcome to come and live at the farm with me.” She looks down at the orange sweetheart. “How would you like to be in charge of catching all the mice, kiddo?”

Can I, Bizzy? Clyde’s tail whips