by Jana DeLeon
My cell phone signaled a text. It was from Byron. I read it and smiled.
“Something naughty from Carter?” Ida Belle asked.
“No. Good news from Byron. Apparently Martin didn’t spend all the money he scammed. Benton seized a sizable hunk from the safe in his room. It’s going to be divvied up among the women they know were scammed by him.”
Ida Belle smiled. “That’s incredible news.”
I nodded. “It won’t make them whole, but at least they’ll be getting something back.”
“And I’ll bet they never give anyone money again.”
My phone rang and I answered Carter’s call.
“Are the reporters and their equipment safe?” Carter asked.
I laughed. “Perfectly. They can’t exactly get to us on a private island, especially if they don’t know where we are.”
“Private island?” Carter asked. “I just thought they were moving you to another resort farther along the coast.”
“That’s what they said, but then they brought us here. And it’s awesome.” I described the house and the servant situation.
“A big white house, Caribbean style, with turquoise doors and shutters?” Carter asked.
“Yes. How did you know?”
He started laughing. “That was the compound of a drug lord. They confiscated it several years back.”
“Well, I suppose that’s irony for you.”
“I’ve got to run, but try not to get into any more trouble before you get home. I hate to say it, but Sinful has been a little quiet since you guys have been gone. Even Celia is moping around like a dog without a fight.”
“We’ll be home in a couple days and I’m sure Celia has been saving up all her contempt for our return.”
I disconnected and told Ida Belle what Carter had said.
“Two more days in paradise,” Ida Belle said. “Then it’s back home to Celia.”
“The devil you know.”
“Ha. That’s one way to look at it.”
“Well, then I feel we must make the most of the next forty-eight hours. I want nothing but peace and quiet and sleeping on the beach with that well-mannered butler bringing us yummy treats and drinks that aren’t watered down.”
“You and me both.”
We both leaned back, and I closed my eyes, ready to enjoy nothing but the sound of the surf. A minute later, I heard pounding footsteps on the sand and a panting Gertie—wearing an evening gown—ran up to our chairs.
“You’re not going to believe what I found in the sand dunes,” she said. “Barrels of money and a human skull!”
I looked over at Ida Belle and grinned. “So much for peace and quiet.”
“Next year,” she said. “Separate vacations.”
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More Swamp Team 3 investigations coming Summer 2019!
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For more information on books and to sign up for her newsletter, visit Jana’s website janadeleon.com.
More Miss Fortune Fun
Did you know that Jana created a publishing company that allows approved authors to pen their own stories in the Miss Fortune World? For a different take on Sinful and its residents, check out J&R Fan Fiction.
jrfanfiction.com
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Sinful, Louisiana has its own website! If you want to escape to a bit of hilarity, check it out!
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sinfullouisiana.com