by Jenna Harte
When I turned to him, his lips were drawn into a thin line, his jaw tense. When I was little, I watched a movie about an all-girls baseball league that had a scene where one of the players messed up a play and the coach was not happy about it. He didn’t want to get mad and make her cry, so he just stared at her. While he hadn’t yelled, his facial features showed everything he wanted to lay into her about.
That’s what AJ looked like. He was coiled so tight, he actually shook. His hard eyes were asking what the heck was I thinking, and why didn’t I stay out of trouble. Like the woman in the movie, I nodded in understanding. AJ’s expression of anger and annoyance came through loud and clear.
Finally, in a whoosh, the tension dissipated, and he reached out to pull me close. “You’re going to be the death of me, Sophie. You scared the life out of me.”
“I’m sorry.” I rested my head on his chest, glad that the anger was gone.
“Why is it so important to you to get involved?”
I let out a breath. “Vivie asked for my help.”
He pulled back and looked at me with a quizzical expression. “Since when are you and Vivie friends?”
I shrugged. “We’re not really, but I’ve been in her situation and she thought I could help. I don’t believe she killed Marla, so I thought I’d try. In my defense, Sergeant Davis had said Mr. Naylor had an alibi and didn’t think he was involved. I didn’t think we’d be in trouble.”
“Why talk to him?”
“He might have known something about Marla that would help us figure out who’d want her dead.”
AJ shook his head. “I love your sense of fairness and need for justice, but it’s dangerous Sophie.”
“I know.” I rested my head against his chest again. “I’ll stay out of it.” And I meant it this time. There wasn’t anything for me and Vivie to investigate anymore anyway, and I didn’t like being used for target practice.
“You need to be careful. Someone may be trying to kill you.” A shudder ran though his body.
“Sergeant Scowl said he thinks it was a warning.”
“A warning that someone can follow through on.” AJ pulled away, placing his hands on my shoulders. His blue eyes were piercing as he held my gaze. “I’m not being bossy or telling you what to do, but I’d love it if you’d keep your head down and stay out of it.”
“I will.”
His gaze held mine, as if he was seeking the truth of my statement.
“On my honor,” I said hoping to relieve his anxiety.
Finally, he gave me a lopsided smile. “My little troublemaker.”
I grinned. “Face it, Devlin, you like trouble.”
Chapter Seventeen
All’s well that ends well. That’s what I told myself as I climbed in bed. I’m not dead. AJ and I are okay. And I’m one step closer to having a regular job at the library.
I’d planned to sleep in since I didn’t get to bed until nearly 4 am, but Aunt Rose woke me with a bang on my door at 9:30.
“Sophie! What’s this I hear about you being shot?”
I groaned, sat up, and wiped the sleep from my eyes. “Come in, Aunt Rose.”
The door swung open so fast, it hit the doorstop with a loud whap. “Tilly Watson just called and wondered what hospital to send you flowers. She says you were shot.”
“I’m fine. See.” I stood up, holding my hands out and turning in a circle so she could see that I was bullet-free.
“What’s she talking about then?”
I sat on the edge of my roll out bed trying to ignore the warm sheets that were beckoning me back to them. “Someone fired a gun last night. It hit my car, but I’m fine.”
Aunt Rose’s face squished up. “Who wants to kill you?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. It could be just some kid out shooting for kicks.”
“Hmmm.” Aunt Rose’s pursed lips suggested she didn’t believe me. She wagged her finger at me. “You need to quit that job. It’s dangerous.”
“The library gave me more hours. Hopefully I’ll be able to quit the Booty Burgo soon.”
“Won’t be soon enough.” Something caught her eye out my window. She squinted, and then her eyes widened and she took a step back. “Ah lordy, Sophie. The reaper has arrived.”
I swung my head around to see what had her spooked. A bulk of a man with dark wild hair and a bushy beard walked up the path toward the door. Tattoos ran from his wrists up his arms, under a white shirt and leather vest, until reappearing on his neck.
“Lock the doors Sophie and call the sheriff.”
“It’s okay Aunt Rose.” I jumped from bed and looked for some clothes to throw on. “It’s Bull.”
“I beg your pardon?” Her hands went to her hips.
It took me a second to realize she thought I was being impertinent. “That’s his name. Bull. I know him.” I found a t-shirt and put it on over my tank top. My pajama shorts were cut high, but not risqué, so they’d have to do.
Her old beady eyes turned on me. “In what world do you know the likes of that?”
“He’s the one that fixed my car earlier in the summer.” I decided to start with information that might calm her down. “He works with AJ.”
“Doing what, stealing cars?”
I pursed my lips. “You know AJ doesn’t do that.”
Her gaze went back to the window. “I don’t know that.”
“He works for the same company that AJ does. The one that reprocesses airplanes and boats. I know he looks scary, but he’s really very nice. He takes good care of his mama.” I remembered that when I met him a few months back, he’d just bought his mother flowers for her birthday.
A surprisingly light knock sounded on the front door considering the hulk of the man doing the knocking.
“Get rid of him Sophie. I can’t have riff raff in my house.”
“Yes ma’am.” I had no idea why Bull would be here, and for a moment I was worried. Was Bull here to tell me something bad had happened to AJ?
I rushed out to the front door and pulled it open. “Bull, what are you doing here?”
He gave me a lopsided grin. “Aw now Ms. Sophie, is that any way to greet your old friend Bull?”
I smiled. “No. I’m sorry.” I stepped out onto the porch.
His eyes narrowed as he scanned the street and then turned back to me. “It’s not safe out here. Can I come in?”
“Why isn’t it safe?”
He cocked his head. “AJ told me someone shot at you last night. That’s why I’m here.” He stood up tall and put his hands on his hips like Superman. “I’m your bodyguard.”
I grinned, because it was cute. I loved how AJ thought to ask Bull to protect me, and that Bull liked me enough to want to. Unfortunately, it wasn’t likely I’d be able to get him in the house.
“I’d love to have you in, Bull, but my aunt . . .” I wasn’t sure how to describe her attitude toward him without offending him.
“I know I look scary, Ms. Sophie. That’s what you want, right? To scare away the bad guys. However, I can be nice to your aunt. Old ladies like me.”
I wasn’t sure Aunt Rose would be won over, at the same time, I was positive she wouldn’t want Bull out on her porch too long where the neighbors could see him. I poked my head in the door.
“Aunt Rose. Bull is here to protect us. Can he come in?”
Aunt Rose stood in the entryway of the kitchen glaring at me.
The door was pulled from my hand and Bull looked over my head into the house. “Good morning Ms. Parker. I’m Bull.” He stared at her for a moment and then said. “Lavender is your color. Did anyone ever tell you that?”
I thought for sure she’d see through his compliment, but her face softened and she pushed one of her silvery-purple curls back. “You don’t look like a man who’d appreciate such thing
s.”
“Why Ms. Parker, I know I don’t look like much, but I do like pretty things.”
I rolled my eyes when he grinned at me.
“Well don’t just leave him on the porch, Sophie, let the man in. I’m sure he can be good for something.”
“Why yes ma’am I am.” Bull stepped into the living room, his size filling the space.
I followed him in and shut the door. “I don’t think I need a bodyguard. The sheriff thinks it was kids.”
“Or maybe someone was warning you to mind your business.” Bull grinned at me. “You sure do like to get in trouble, don’t you Ms. Sophie.”
“You can say that again.” Aunt Rose puttered back into the kitchen. “Put yourself to good use here, Bull, and fetch me that pitcher up there.”
“Yes ma’am.” Bull hurried to the kitchen and retrieved the pitcher for her.
“Would you like some tea, Bull. I don’t have the hard stuff.” That was a lie. Aunt Rose loved her bourbon. She didn’t know Bull, and probably thought it was better not to give a man of his size and scary-factor booze.
“I’d love some tea.” Bull smiled as he handed her the pitcher.
“It can’t hurt to have him around, Sophie.” Aunt Rose put the pitcher on the counter and then headed the back porch where she left her sun tea jars.
“I’m not going anywhere. I don’t think I need protection here.”
“You’re not trying to get rid of me, are you?” Bull said it with humor, but I could also see in his eyes he wasn’t going anywhere either.
“Do you play cards, Bull?” Aunt Rose said when she returned with one of the jars of sun brewed tea.
“Yes, ma’am I do.”
“Something other than poker?” I asked.
“You cut me Ms. Sophie. I’ll have you know that I’m a mean Canasta and Hearts player.”
“Sophie, get the cards,” Aunt Rose instructed me.
I pulled out a deck of cards from the table in the corner. “I have a few things I need to take care of.” I set the cards on the dining table.
“I’m sure your Aunt and I can manage without you just fine.” Bull’s eyes turned serious. “Don’t try any funny business like sneaking out your window.”
“I had no plans to do that.”
“Good. AJ asked me to watch out for you and I take my oath seriously.”
I saluted. “I won’t let you let AJ down.”
Back in my room, I changed out of my pjs and into clothes, put my room back in order, and then started planning for my extra day of work at the library starting Tuesday, and finishing up my program for tomorrow afternoon. When I was done, I hung out with Aunt Rose and Bull, but didn’t play cards. They were both a little cutthroat for me. I was considering a nap before having to get ready for my shift at the Booty Burgo when my phone rang.
The caller ID indicated it was the library.
“I’m going to take this in my room.” I hurried up the hall to my room, shutting the door. Hello?”
“Sophie, It’s Mrs. Wayland.”
“Hi Mrs. Wayland.” I didn’t like the sound of her voice. It had that tinge of bad news to it.
“Listen Sophie, I hate to do this. We got word that someone tried to kill you last night.”
“It’s not clear if I was a target.”
“I hope you weren’t. The problem is that you might be, and we can’t have you here . . . around the children, if there’s someone who wants to hurt you. What if someone tries again while you’re here?”
I understood what she was saying, but it didn’t stop all my hopes and wishes for a regular library job from crashing. All my strength left, and I sank onto my couch.
“Now, we’re not letting you go. However, until this is resolved, we’re putting you on a leave of sorts.”
I interpreted that to mean no pay. At least I wasn’t fired.
“Once this maniac is caught or we get more details that suggest you’re safe, you can come back. Three days as we discussed before.”
Somehow, I found my voice. “Yes, I understand.”
There was a pause. “I’m sorry about this Sophie. You’re a wonderful children’s programmer.”
“Thank you.” I hung up and the tears that had been threatening gushed into a full-crying spell. Why hadn’t I listened to AJ and Sergeant Scowl and stayed out of Marla’s murder?
“Sophie?” Aunt Rose’s voice echoed up the hall.
I wiped my tears, pulling myself together as I opened the door and called back up the hall. “Yes, Aunt Rose.”
“Bull here just wanted to make sure you weren’t sneaking out.”
“No ma’am. I’m still here.” The way things were going, it looked like I was going to living in my aunt’s guest room, sleeping on a sofa bed for the rest of my life.
Working with the public, especially in a place that served booze, required a certain level of energy and wits. I had neither as I pulled into the Booty Burgo to start my shift. I had put much of myself and my future into my library job, and now I felt as if I’d lost everything. I’d be stuck in a dead-end job at a pirate-themed sports bar that sat at the edge of civilization.
Taking a breath, I got out of the car and was met by Bull who’d driven behind me and planned to hang out in the bar. He promised to be discrete. I’d been hassled before for having my involvement in a murder encroach on my job at the Booty Burgo. I was certain Randy wouldn’t like my having a bodyguard, especially since there was no way a man like Bull could be discrete. Even if he didn’t talk or move, just the bulk of him, along with the tattoos and biker clothes made him stand out.
I propelled myself through the door and motioned for Bull to sit in a small table in the corner by the bar. I mustered a smile and waved to Spike as I walked by the bar heading to the back to stamp my timecard.
“Sophie.” Randy’s voice startled me. I don’t know why I hadn’t expected him to be at work, but seeing him sitting at his desk surprised me.
“Randy.” I pulled out my timecard.
“I need to talk to you.”
I nodded but figured I’d clock in first. Might as well get paid to listen to him.
“You don’t need to do that.”
It took me a minute to register what he was saying. “You’re giving me the night off?” I turned to look at him. Only when I took a close look did I see that he wasn’t the same usual Randy. His eyes were dark and his jaw was tense like he was angry. Then it hit me; Vivie must have told him that I’d given away his secret.
I swallowed as I realized I was about to suffer the ramifications of that action.
“You said you wouldn’t tell her.”
I couldn’t remember if I’d ever agreed to never tell. “She’s been having a hard time of it, Randy. You asked me to help her.”
His hand slammed down on the desk. “Not by telling her about me and Tracy.”
“Randy, I don’t understand you and Vivie. Neither of you are faithful. You have bizarre rules about infidelity where it’s okay sometimes and not others.”
“My marriage is not for you to understand.” He stood and for the first time I was afraid of him.
I stepped back. “She’s afraid she’ll go to jail for something she didn’t do.”
“You don’t even like her. She doesn’t like you. Why would you spend time with her, help her?”
I felt like I could say the same thing to him. “You asked me to. And I felt bad for her. I know what it’s like to be accused of something.”
“How do you know she didn’t do it?”
Huh? “If you think she did it, why are you mad that she knows about you and Tracy?”
“It’s none of your damn business. Just like it wasn’t Marla’s business.”
My heart jumped to my throat. “What?” The question popped out before I could stop it. Once
it was out, I knew it was one of those things that always got me in trouble. I worked to take it back. “Never mind, I should get to work.”
“No. You’re fired.”
Strangely, being fired was a bit of a relief. The menace in his voice, the murder in his eyes, and the comment about Marla poking her nose in business that didn’t involve her made me wonder if I was next. Was Randy the one shooting at me? Had he killed Marla?
It turned out being fired was a good thing at this moment. I nodded. “Okay. I’ll go.”
“You do that. And stay out my business, Sophie. I’m not going to put up with it anymore.”
I didn’t know if that was a threat, but I took it as one.
I hurried out of the Booty Burgo without a goodbye to Spike. I got in my car and drove away as fast as I could until I returned back to the edge of town. I pulled into the parking lot of the ABC store, the state-controlled alcohol store in Virginia, not for a drink, but to cry. I stopped and burst into tears. It surged like a tidal wave crashing through me. Sadness, fear, pain, . . . all of it flooded my body. I pressed my palms over my face, hoping no one would see me.
A rap on my window startled me from my crying jag. I looked up to see Bull. His face was red with anger, but it quickly turned to concern as he stared at me.
I took in a breath to stave off more tears and rolled down my window.
“I was about to lay into you, Ms. Sophie, for running off like that. Now I see that something is the matter? What is it?”
I bit my lip to stop the tears that wanted to come.
Bull’s eyes turned dark. “Did someone hurt you? That Danner guy? AJ is always saying how he doesn’t trust him.”
I hiccupped. “He fired me.”
Bull’s eyes narrowed menacingly. “Should I go convince him to change his mind?”
I shook my head. “No. I just need a minute.”
Bull studied me and then nodded.
What I really wanted was AJ. I pulled out my phone. “I’m going to call AJ.”