2 Lady Luck Runs Out

by Shannon Esposito

  LADY LUCK RUNS OUT

  (A Pet Psychic Mystery No. 2)

  By Shannon Esposito

  Published by misterio press

  Visit Shannon Esposito's official website at

  http://www.murderinparadise.com/

  Copyright © Shannon Esposito, 2012

  Cover by India Drummond

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  This book is dedicated to all those who share their lives with an animal.

  PROLOGUE

  Rose Faraday knew it was time to stop ignoring her niggling gut and the metaphorical neon-flashing signs the universe had been manifesting around her. She lowered herself onto the sofa, unwrapped her tarot cards from their silk fabric covering and spread the cloth out on the coffee table. A long-haired, black cat wound itself around her ankle, and then deposited a fake mouse on her foot. "Mew!"

  She smiled down into eyes as green and clear as emeralds and sighed. "Not now, Lucky, Mama's got to work." She scratched the cat under the belly with her bare toes and then pushed her gently away, "Go on, we'll play fetch later. Scooch." Lucky squeaked out one more "mew" in protest then sauntered off, hopping through the cat door to the screened lanai, where her favorite scratching post awaited.

  Rose took a deep breath, letting the scent of the burning jasmine incense relax her, and closed her eyes. When she felt ready, she opened and took out the time-softened cards, arranging them in three piles on the silk. The mounting feeling of dread had prompted her to read for herself today and she needed to be relaxed. To concentrate on the question: Am I in physical danger?

  After shuffling the cards three times, she slid the first one off the pile and laid it down. Ten of Swords. Her least favorite card. Well, things couldn't get worse, that wasn't exactly bad news. She slid the next card off the deck and placed it upright to the left of the Ten of Swords.

  The Death Card. Rose stared at the skeletal face in the black armor. So, something was coming to an end? A transformation? She held the question "Am I in physical danger?" in the forefront of her mind. Heaviness fell upon her. She shivered. Then again, sometimes death just meant death.

  Rose shook off the thought and pulled a third card, placing it to the right of the Ten of Swords. Judgment reversed. She noted her own reaction to this card, a nervousness that she knew meant the card wasn't just about closing a door on the past and having a new beginning. It was about a decided end.

  Defiantly, she pulled a fourth clarifying card and placed it to the right of Judgment.

  The Six of Swords. She always subscribed to the belief this card represented Charon, the ferryman who shuttled the departed across the River Styx. With all the other cards preceding this one, it was hard to ignore the possibility she was indeed in physical danger. Her breath grew shallow and she had to force herself to deepen it, to calm her thoughts. Her left hand fluttered to the gold cuff bracelet on her right wrist and began twisting it, as was her habit when she felt anxious. It had been her mother's. The one piece of jewelry that hadn't been buried with her.

  Okay. One more clarifying card.

  Rose flipped it over and placed it to the left of the Death card.

  The Devil. Another dark card. She involuntarily pushed back away from the spread in front of her. Fear wound its way through her body, causing the hair on the back of her neck to prickle. She wiped the sweat from her upper lip.

  A crash from the lanai made her jump. She placed a hand on her racing heart. Good gracious! Sounded like Lucky knocked over one of her potted plants again.

  "Lucky, leave the lizards alone!" she called. That cat would never learn. She'd deal with the mess later. Right now she had more important things to worry about.

  Rose gathered up the cards and wrapped them back up. It was time to consult her crystal ball. With trembling hands, she retrieved it and set it on the coffee table in front of her.

  Rose took a few deep breaths to let the turmoil of anxiety sink to the bottom and let her mind clear. Then she began to rub the crystal ball. Its cool surface gave her comfort. Scrying had always been one of her strongest gifts, one of the few useful things her mother had passed down to her.

  When she felt calmer and focused, she opened her eyes and stared into the quartz ball, watching light flutter around in its fractured depths. Seconds ticked by, then minutes unnoticed as she continued to hold her focus. A gray mist began to form, swirling and darkening until a black storm raged within the confines of the sphere. Rose's heart fluttered nervously. This was not going to be good news. She visualized the storm disintegrating and watched as the inky, cloudy ball became clear once again.

  A serpent sat, coiled tightly, its eyes shifting from black to red. A chill traveled up Rose's arms. She pulled her hands away as if the ball had caught fire.

  One hand still resting protectively over her heart, she mulled over the image.

  Okay, snakes and their shedding skin symbolize change, releasing old habits. That's what the Devil card must be telling her. She just needed to let go of an old habit. She twisted the bracelet roughly around her arm. Well, crap, she was going to have to give up her pack a day smoking habit. Sure, that made sense. After all, she was fifty-three and had a congenital heart defect, probably pushing her luck, anyway. Didn't take a crystal ball to figure that out.

  But, the panic wasn't receding. No matter how she tried to justify the cards and the serpent vision, no matter how hard she tried to push them to the corners of her mind, anxiety fluttered in every cell of her body.

  Smoothing out her creased skirt, she nodded. Okay, time to take a break and see what kind of mess her beloved girl made this time. Besides, she could use a quick cuddle. Hearing Lucky's motorboat purr always calmed her nerves.

  Rose stood up and took one step. Her right bare foot came down on something cold and hard. She glanced down just in time to register the diamond pattern before a quick strike sent venom coursing through her leg. She squealed, confused, as the diamond back rattler's tail disappeared beneath her sofa. Searing heat radiated up her leg and she fell over onto the sofa, clutching her heart. White hot pain blossomed in her chest, squeezing the breath out of her. She gasped for air.

  So, this was it? A literal snake?! Images flashed through her mind. The Devil card grew larger, until she could see the scales on his face, see herself reflected in his beady black eyes. His tongue flicked out at her. She felt so cold. The pain in her chest was unbearable. Her last thought was of her cat. "Lucky, run!"

  CHAPTER ONE

  I gasped as I opened a box of handmade quilted waterproof dog coats. "Oh, aren't these just gorgeous!" From where I was kneeling behind the counter, I held up a tiny tangerine-colored one.

  "Stephanie is muita talentoso!" Sylvia pulled up her daily schedule on the computer with one hand, an apple turnover in the other.

  I swear, I don't know how that woman keeps her figure. She lives on baked goods.

  "Mrs. Janicki is first today with Barbie, the little Chiweenie. Barbie needs a coat, poor bebê, she just shakes all the time."

  "Probably more nerves than cold." I grinned up at Sylvia. "She's probably afraid someone's going to make fun of her for being a Chiweenie." Such funny names they give these designer dogs. "Grab some Aspen and Cherry Plum flower essence before you groom her. Should hel
p calm her down."

  "Okay." Sylvia slipped her white lab coat over a turquoise dress, flipping her dark, silky ponytail from the collar. "Three drops?"

  "Yeah, that should be fine."

  I smiled to myself as Sylvia walked back to the store room, licking the last of the pastry off her fingers. I had to give her credit. It had only been five months since we opened Darwin's Pet Boutique together and she'd gone from laughing at my flower essence as "woo woo" stuff to actually using it on her clients. Maybe there was hope yet for me being able to confide in her about my family secrets.

  After I hung up the new coats and restocked the fortune cookie boxes on the doggie treat table, I checked the clock on the wall. Ten minutes until opening time. Plenty of time for a second cup of tea.

  I glanced out the window as I poured hot water into my glass mug. The sidewalks were already beginning to fill up with people enjoying the clear October Florida morning. I was learning that fall in St. Pete was a whole different animal than summer. At least here in our little strip of paradise on Beach Drive. Here the brisker air turned lazy summer days into days people spent shopping, exploring and chatting in a myriad of colorful world accents.

  Shaking some Ginseng Oolong tea leaves into the mesh infuser, I watched a taxi pull up, my mind already on the tasks for the day. First thing this morning I needed to call around and see if I could find a life jacket big enough for Gillian Smith's Great Dane. I wasn't sure where they were going to find a boat big enough, I chuckled to myself. That dog was as sweet as pie but big as a horse. Then I needed to order—

  Suddenly, my mouth dropped open. "Holy heaven on a stick!" I squealed.

  "Darwin?" Sylvia hustled from the back, her heels clicking on the wood floor. "What é errado?" She stood beside me, catching her breath, peering outside and trying to figure out what had me standing there gawking. "What is it?"

  I lifted a finger to point at the red head gathering her bags from the taxi. "It... it's my baby sister."

  "Really?" Sylvia cocked her head and folded her arms. "Huh. She looks nothing like you. She is the youngest one, no? The eighteen year old? Very pretty."

  I turned to Sylvia, but I didn't see her. I was still reeling from shock, working out all the implications of Mallory's presence here. Was someone dying? Was she here to talk me into going home? I hadn't spoken to my Mom or two sisters since I moved to St. Pete five months ago. Not by choice, they just didn't understand or appreciate me "abandoning" them. Does this mean I was forgiven?

  A curious smile tugged at Sylvia's perfectly glossed lips. "You should unlock the door."

  "Right." By the time I retrieved the keys and unlocked the door, Mallory was waving to me from the other side. I pushed it open and tried to shove aside all the questions and just be happy she was there. "Hey, Mal! You're here... in St. Pete. I can't believe it!"

  Mallory's eyes glittered mischievously as she gave me a stiff hug. "Yep. I'm here."

  I reached down and helped her bring in her bags and guitar case as she glanced around the boutique. "You've decided to be around pets? In the place you're trying to make a new start?" She turned and stared at me. "Now that's interesting."

  Sylvia glanced from me to Mallory and held out her hand. "Olá. I'm Sylvia, Darwin's business partner."

  Mallory shook her hand. "Hi, I'm Mallory, Darwin's sister. Did you know she has two sisters?"

  Sylvia glanced at me and smirked. Yeah, she knew that was a dig at me. "Of course. Darwin, she talks about you and Willow all the time. It's nice to meet you in person."

  "She does?" Mallory glanced back at me, her eyes narrowing.

  Just then the door bell jingled behind me and Mrs. Janicki strolled in carrying Barbie in a pink Betty Boop designer bag that matched her pink running suit. "Good morning, ladies."

  "Good morning, Mrs. Janicki." Sylvia bent down to Barbie's level and gently stroked her head. "And how's our pequena this morning?"

  "Excited and ready for her makeover." Mrs. Janicki fluffed her newly bleached and rolled hair. "Can we use the lavender shampoo today?"

  "Of course." Sylvia turned. "It was nice to meet you, Mallory." Then she began chatting with Mrs. Janicki as she led her back to the grooming room.

  "What was that thing? A rat?" Mallory stared after them. "Poor thing was shaking like a leaf."

  "A Chiweenie," I said, moving to the counter.

  "A Chi... what?"

  "Never mind." I straightened out the pamphlets on the counter, glancing at my sister. "So, what brings you here, Mal?" I noted the irritation in her eyes as she turned them on me. I put more enthusiasm in my tone. "I mean, I'm happy as a puppy with two tails to see you. I'm just surprised, that's all. How long are you staying?"

  She shrugged and leaned down to scope out the dog treats in the glass case. "You make these?"

  "Yes." Now I was getting irritated. She always was good at evading questioning.

  "Cool." She straightened up and sighed. "Mom thought it would be a good idea to send me here and make sure you were okay since we hadn't heard from you." She folded her arms. "And plus, you left a few things behind we thought you might need."

  I saw the gold sparks flash in her green eyes. Yeah, she was still angry with me for leaving. I forced a smile. What I had left behind, I left behind on purpose. But, I wasn't going to get into that discussion with her right now. "Thanks. That was thoughtful." Also, I wasn't going to get into the fact that I wasn't the one not returning calls.

  Customers began to trickle through the door. After I greeted them, I gave Mallory my gate card to the townhouse above the boutique and instructions on how to get to it. I was renting the two story "city home" from Sylvia, who purchased it with her grandfather's inheritance money. The oversized million dollar place was a bit overkill for one person, but I couldn't beat the location. "Go put your bags away and make yourself at home. I'll come up and take you to lunch around one o'clock, okay?" I gave her a hug. "It really is good to see you."

  CHAPTER TWO

  I came home to find the leather bound books and chalice I had left behind in Savannah staring accusingly at me from the kitchen bar. Perfect. I decided to just ignore them for now.

  "Mallory?" Her bags were still by the door. "Where are you?"

  "Out here."

  Moving into the living room, I saw the French doors were wide open. I found her in a peach bikini top and shorts, recharging her batteries on the balcony. She gets energy from the sun like I get it from water. Her guitar sat at her feet. My heart ached at the common sight, and I realized how much I had missed her. How much I missed my family and all their idiosyncrasies.

  "Ready for lunch?"

  "Yep." She slipped a t-shirt on over her bikini top. "Just soakin' in some of this delicious Florida sunshine. Is it always this nice in October?"

  "Not sure." I shrugged. This was my first fall in Florida, but she knew that. I wasn't about to remind her. "This is going to have to be a short lunch. The boutique is slammed today so I can't be gone long. Sylvia's holding down the fort but her next appointment will be there in half an hour." I led her back down the elevator, through the garden gate and out to the busy Beach Drive sidewalk. "We'll just hop over to Hooker Tea Company. They have quick service."

  A young couple was just getting up from the table outside that held a special place in my heart. I snagged it and sat Mallory down. "Wait here. I'll get us lunch."

  I emerged ten minutes later with sandwiches and iced tea. "Here we go." Sliding into the seat under the umbrella, I felt her staring at me over her food.

  "So," she said. "Is being away from us all that you thought it would be?"

  Ouch. And so the jabs begin. I glanced up at her as she bit into her tuna sandwich.

  "That's not fair, Mallory. You know I didn't leave to be away from you or Willow or Mom. I just wanted a fresh start, where nobody knows our family." I mentally smacked myself. I knew when I said it she would take it wrong, oh she-of-quick-temper. I wasn't disappointed.

  Her eye
s blazed. "So, you're ashamed of us?"

  I took a bite of my red pepper and hummus sandwich and counted to ten. I could have reminded her of the disastrous eighth grade sleepover or the hurtful article that appeared in our local paper after a reporter took Willow out on a ruse date. What's not to be ashamed of? Instead I swallowed and said, "You know that's not what I meant. I just want to be able to make friends without wondering what their motivations are or wondering what they've heard about us."

  She sipped the iced tea and leaned back. "So, have you... made friends?"

  My heart squeezed. "Yeah, I have."

  Her brow shot up. "Friends that don't know the real you?"

  Heavens, she knew how to hit where it hurt. I silently took another bite and swallowed the lump in my throat with it. No way to answer that. She was right.

  "Sylvia seems nice." She picked at some lettuce, her tone softening. "Have you made any guy friends?"

  I nodded and decided to tell her about Mad Dog. I wasn't ready to tell her about Will. I felt protective of him and didn't want her opinion of our relationship. "The first friend I had when I moved here was a homeless guy named Mad Dog." I watched her pause midway through a sip of tea. Holding up a hand I continued, "I know what you're thinking, but he was a good guy. Had a good heart. Just a rough life. Unfortunately, he was killed." Mallory sat back in her chair and stared at me, wide-eyed. I kept going. "He had this big sweet, slobbery lug of a mastiff named Karma. Long story short, Karma helped me... you know, find out who killed Mad Dog." I whispered this last part.

  "He was murdered? So, you've been here a few months and already solved a murder?" Her eyes now lit up with the excitement of adventure. "I can't wait to hear this story."

  I checked my watch. "It'll have to wait until later. Five minute warning."

  Disappointed, Mallory bit into her sandwich and picked up a flyer that was left on the table. "Hey, let's do this tonight!"