Elaine Viets & Victoria Laurie, Nancy Martin, Denise Swanson - Drop-Dead Blonde (v5.0) (pdf) by Unknown (howl and other poems .TXT) 📕

doorway said, ``I'll take a martini, straight up, two olives. Don't be stingy with the vodka. It's been quite a day.''

``Ruby!'' Bunny catapulted out of her chair and em- braced her friend. ``Are you okay?'' Her voice was muffled in Ruby's cleavage, since Bunny was a good seven inches shorter than the blonde.

``I'm fine. I was just over at the police station straight- ening things out with that gorgeous police chief. Sorry if you were worried.'' Ruby squeezed Bunny back and then zeroed in on Simon. ``Don't tell me this handsome man is Sonny Boy.''

He shot his mother a dirty look before holding out his hand. ``I prefer Simon, and you must be Ruby . . . ?''

``Oh, don't worry about last names. When you've had as many as I have, you sort of lose track.'' Ruby moved closer to Simon, ignoring the hand he held out and instead envel- oping him in a smothering hug. ``Bunny, you never told me Scumble River was so full of good-looking men.''

Skye had been standing to the side, watching the pro- ceedings. Now she made a mental note to ask Wally what last name appeared on Ruby's driver's license.

Simon had managed to wiggle out of Ruby's grasp--no easy task, since the blonde was a whole lot of woman, and he clutched Skye's hand like a lifeline. ``This is my girl- friend, Skye Denison.''

Ruby answered, ``We've met, although not under the best circumstances.'' She took Skye's chin in her fingers and examined her face. ``You're developing a couple of DEAD BLONDES TELL NO TALES 185 impressive shiners. Remind me to give you some makeup I've got that will cover them up.'' She peered at Simon from beneath her lashes and drawled, ``We don't want ev- eryone in town thinking Sonny Boy beats you.''

Simon made a noise deep in his throat, but before he could respond, Bunny tugged her friend away and settled her into a chair. ``It's so good to see you. Tell me what everyone has been up to since I left.''

``Well, Benny's back in jail.'' Ruby dangled a high-heeled red sandal from her toe and leaned back. ``Although hope- fully not for long.''

Simon followed the two women and sat down. ``Before you start catching up, I have just a couple of questions.''

``Oh?'' Ruby's eyes were guarded.

``Bunny, were you expecting Ruby?''

``Sure. She called a couple or so days ago and said she was driving up from Vegas to visit me. I told her it was perfect timing because of the Spring Break Bash. Ruby does a great Marilyn Monroe impression. She'll be the star of our show Friday night.''

``I see.'' A line appeared between Simon's eyebrows, but he kept his expression pleasant. ``Ruby, what made you decide to visit right now? It can't be our great weather.''

``Just wanted to see my friend, Bunny.''

``Bunny said you own your own business. Was it hard to get someone to take care of your store while you're gone?''

Ruby waved her hand. ``I had to shut it down. I lost the lease on the building. That's why I had the leftover merchandise in my car when Chief Boyd stopped me.''

``That's too bad. What will you do now?''

``I'm not going to worry about that.'' She shrugged. ``Something will turn up. It always does.'' She squeezed Bunny's hand. ``And with the store closed, I have time to travel and visit friends.''

Bunny elbowed Simon in the side. ``If you're through interrogating us, maybe you could fix Ruby that martini she asked for, and I'd like a--''

``Coke.'' Simon cut her off. Bunny had come to Scumble River addicted to prescription pain medication after hurting her back. She had gotten caught trying to use a fake pre- scription, and as part of her probation she wasn't supposed to consume any narcotics or alcohol. 186 Denise Swanson

``Right, a Coke.'' Bunny jutted her chin out. ``That's what I was going to ask for before you interrupted me.''

Simon and Skye exchanged glances. His mother always meant well, but somehow she invariably managed to get into predicaments that other people avoided. Bunny was trouble waiting to happen.

``Just one more question.'' Simon stared at Ruby, un- moved by his mother's irritation. ``How did you fix things with Chief Boyd? From what I heard, he sounded ex- tremely angry.''

Ruby's tone was offhand, but her gaze was sharp. ``He and I understand each other.''

``So if I call him, he'll tell me everything is fine with you?''

``Yes.'' Ruby examined her manicure. ``You know, lack of trust is not an attractive trait in a man.''

Skye noticed Simon's jaw tightening, so she took his hand and tugged him toward the bar before he could respond. There really was nothing more he could do unless he wanted to call his mother's friend a liar, which she was afraid might be exactly what he was about to do. His and Bunny's mother-son relationship was still too fragile to withstand an affront like that.

As soon as they were out of earshot Skye whispered to Simon, ``Do you believe her?''

``Not for a second.''

``What are you going to do?''

``First I'm going to talk to Wally, and if he hasn't got any answers, I'll call a friend of mine in Las Vegas. It's surprising what funeral directors hear.''

Skye could believe it. Both she and Simon dealt with the public during very emotional times in their lives, and often they were told things they'd rather not know. ``I'll keep my ears open here. I have a feeling Ruby will eventually let something or other slip.''

``No doubt.'' Simon poured vodka into a chrome shaker. ``Why do you think she's here?''

``My guess is she got into some trouble in Las Vegas, and decided to hide out here until things cool off.''

``I hope it's not something illegal. Try to find out who Benny is, and why he's