by Blair Merrin
But rather than man up and do something about it, Pete went running to Mommy Dearest, who reminded her favorite son that the most obvious solution was usually the right one: Get rid of her for good.
Anna’s sister, Bethany, testified to the nature of Pete and Patricia’s atypical relationship, relating conversations she had with Anna that noted heavily how influenced Pete was by his mom, including everything from what sort of clothing he should wear to what sort of food he should eat and everything in between. Anna, it seems, was little more than a bystander in her husband’s life. When Patricia began to try to do the same to the children, Anna drew a line and filed for divorce.
It was actually Patricia that twisted and bruised Pete’s arm (at his request, of course) to provide them with a more solid alibi. According to Pete’s tearful confession, it was Patricia’s plan entirely—right down to the gun he should use, which was quite a sting for the whole family.
All the while, even after Pete cracked, Patricia never admitted to a thing—though allegedly, on the way out of the station headed to the county jail, the last thing she said to her son was, “You’re no longer my favorite.” Which doesn’t sound that harsh, but given their relationship, I imagine was like a nail in a coffin.
Last I heard, Bethany was filing for full guardianship of Anna’s children. I hope she gets it. I’m sure something like this will affect their lives in some way, and the best I can hope for is that they grow up in a stable household.
Chad stopped by Miss Miscellanea a couple days after the dust settled. I barely recognized him; he shaved off his entire beard, and you know, it’s a good look for him. He thanked me for the advice (I might have worked my distaste for facial hair into it somewhere) and said that this investigation really opened his eyes, and he’s going to join a support group for men like him. I’m sure he’ll make some equally-intense lady very happy someday.
That same afternoon, Dash and I took April and Tank with us up to Bonnie’s Bodacious Barbecue so they could ‘see what all the fuss was about.’ They were skeptical, but after only a few bites of Bonnie’s sweet and tangy fall-off-the-bone spare ribs, April practically melted, admitting that it was the best darn barbecue she’d ever tasted. Tank offered Bonnie a job on the spot, cooking at the diner.
She just smiled and said, “Well I appreciate it, Tank, but I got other plans.”
* * *
A full week after I found the gun buried under Pete Walker’s chicken coop, life is finally getting back to normal. Or whatever normal is around Bandit Hills. The tourists all ran off again—go figure, considering the murder. It’s getting a bit too cold for them anyway. They’ll be back next year. They always are.
I open my shop on Monday morning and can’t help but notice that there are a few people milling about in front of the storefront next-door to me, a tailoring place called Sew What? In fact, two of the men are taking down the sign out front, while two more carry a heavy-looking stainless steel piece of machinery in through the open door.
Before I can even ask what’s going on, I hear a familiar voice say, “Be careful with that hood vent, boys. That set me back a pretty penny.”
I turn to see Bonnie directing the men, a clipboard in her hand as she scrawls notes furiously.
“Bonnie… what’s all this?”
She smiles wide. “I wanted to surprise you. Mrs. Figueroa’s retiring, moving to Florida, so I leased the place! I asked her to keep it under wraps so you wouldn’t know.”
I already know the answer, but I ask anyway. “Leased the place for what?”
“Cassie, you’re looking at the future official site of Bonnie’s Bodacious Barbecue! I got a great deal on equipment from this restaurant supplier, and the back alley’s perfect for smoking and barbecuing. Think of it; I’ll be right next-door to you! In fact, Xander’s almost done with those translations, so I’m going to use those recipes for my grand opening! Now this is just the first location, mind you. If things take off, and I think they will, there’ll be more. I’m already talking to a lawyer about franchise opportunities…”
She keeps talking, but honestly, I stop listening and just stare upward as the two men retire the Sew What? sign and hoist the red-and-yellow sign for Bonnie’s Bodacious BBQ.
Figures. Now that I’ll need a tailor to keep my clothes fitting from all the barbecue, she goes and moves to Florida.
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MAC N CHEESE MURDER
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19